Page 3 of Royal Salvation

“So, a job?”

“No, this isn’t a job, it’s a life. Your life and existence will be wiped from any database, and you’ll cease to exist. Your family will think you work for a mountain rescue company in Wales, but in truth, you’ll be doing the jobs governments are too weak to sanction and saving the very people those governments promise to protect.”

“Illegal black ops?”

“Black Ops, yes. Illegal, not exactly. We’re under the highest authority, but no government or agency will know we exist. You’ll sign an agreement, which if broken, won’t end with you going to jail. It will end with you in a box six-foot underground.”

Reaper should be getting up and walking away but he was intrigued. “Can I think about it?”

“No, when I leave this place so does the offer. You’ll wake up tomorrow and there will be no evidence we even spoke.”

“How does it benefit me?”

Jack smiled but it held no humour. “Simple, you get revenge on Playboy and Chess. You also get to make sure men like them are no longer protected.”

Everyone had always thought he’d joined the army because of his dad, and in part that was true. But not because he respected the man everyone thought was a hero but because he hated him and wanted to prove who was better. When he’d begun the work though, he’d found helping people and protecting others was something he thrived on.

The night that child was hurt on his watch was the worst of his life, and he’d never forget the look on her face or the feeling of failure he’d had. “What happened to the girl they attacked?”

“She was killed by her family later that night. The shame she’d brought to them was too much and they killed her.”

Reaper breathed through his nose at the blunt words, his head spinning in a thousand different directions. He’d known it was possible, but he couldn’t take her with them, not when two of the six men had been the ones to attack her. “And Playboy?”

“He’s back in the field in your old job as team leader.”

“Did the others sell me out?”

Jack shook his head. “No. They fought for you, but Playboy is the son of a powerful man. You were never going to win that fight. But I promise if you join us, you’ll get your chance to right this wrong.”

“Where do I sign?”

Jack stood, throwing some bills on the table and began to walk away, before stopping and looking back. “Well, are you coming?”

“What? I leave now?”

“You best know those credit cards you have won’t work. Justice Carson doesn’t exist on paper any longer.”

The bright light of the Australian sun hit him in the eyes as they emerged from inside the bar to find a black SUV waiting, the engine running. “You were that sure I’d agree?”

“Yes.”

“How?” His hand rested on the closed door of the vehicle, and he got a good look at the man, recognising Jack Granger as the elite British SAS operator who’d been unceremoniously removed from the Military for unknown reasons.

“You remind me of me.”

Reaper arched an eyebrow. “Not sure that’s a compliment.”

Jack’s lips twitched and he had a feeling that was as much as he’d get.

“Pack warm. Wales will freeze your balls off after this heat.”

“Can’t wait.”

“You never know, you might enjoy it.”

That was the day Reaper’s life took on new meaning and he never looked back.

Chapter 1