Act of Surrender Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Mandy M. Roth Featured Books

  Act of Surrender (PSI-Ops Series / Immortal Ops)

  Dedication

  Praise for Mandy M. Roth’s Immortal Ops World

  Immortal Ops Series and PSI-Ops Series Helper

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  About the Author, Mandy M. Roth

  Mandy M. Roth, Online

  The Raven Books’ Complimentary Material

  King of Prey: A Bird Shifter Novel by Mandy M. Roth

  The Impatient Lord by Michelle M. Pillow

  A King’s Ransom by Reagan Hawk

  Act of Surrender (PSI-Ops / Immortal Ops)

  by

  Mandy M. Roth

  *DPGROUP.ORG*

  Act of Surrender (PSI-Ops / Immortal Ops) © Copyright 2014, Mandy M. Roth

  First Electronic Printing September 2014, The Raven Books

  Trade Paperback Printing September 2014

  Cover art by Natalie Winters, © Copyright 2014

  Edited by: Suz G.

  Final Line Edits by: Dianne B.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  All books are copyrighted to the author and may not be resold or given away without written permission from the author, Mandy M. Roth.

  This novel is a work of fiction and intended for mature audiences only. Any and all characters, names, events, places and incidents are used under the umbrella of fiction and are of the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events or places or locales is merely coincidence.

  The Raven

  Published by Raven Books

  www.ravenhappyhour.com ~ www.theravenbooks.com

  Raven Books and all affiliate sites and projects are © Copyrighted 2004-2014

  Mandy M. Roth Featured Books

  Immortal Ops Series

  Immortal Ops

  Critical Intelligence

  Radar Deception

  Strategic Vulnerability

  Tactical Magik

  Administrative Control

  Separation Zone

  Area of Influence

  Desired Perception

  Carnal Diversions

  Zone of Action

  PSI-Ops Series (Part of the Immortal Ops World)

  Act of Mercy

  Act of Surrender

  Act of Submission

  Act of Security

  Act of Command

  Act of Passion

  Act of Engagement

  Act of Pride

  Act of Duty

  Immortal Outcasts (Part of the Immortal Ops World)

  Broken Communication

  Damage Report

  Wrecked Intel

  Isolated Maneuver

  Intelligence Malfunction

  Shadow Agents Series & Crimson Sentinels Series (Part of the Immortal Ops World) Coming Soon!

  Act of Surrender (PSI-Ops Series / Immortal Ops)

  Book Two in the PSI-Ops Series

  Dr. James Hagen thought he’d bid Paranormal Security and Intelligence Agency good riddance nearly ten years back. He’d been an operative with them for so long that carving out a new path in life had taken time, but he’d achieved it. He’d made it his mission in life to help the wayward find a path again, to help those who couldn’t help themselves. All that changed when he fell into enemy hands. Now, unable to fully heal and plagued by nightmares and choppy visions of what is to come, James isn’t sure if he can keep going. That is, until he meets PSI’s newest person of interest—a quirky, sexy cyberpunk who totally turns his world upside down.

  Laney Steele knows she’s onto something. It doesn’t matter that most have written her off as a conspiracy theorist and a hacktivist. She knows the government is hiding the existence of super soldiers who can shapeshift into animals. She’s so sure that she puts herself on the line to find out more, only what she uncovers isn’t exactly what she was hoping for, and it has a heck of a lot more to do with her than she ever thought possible. When her newfound online gamer buddy turns out to be a super solider, she throws caution to the wind just for a chance to be with him. Neither one of them realize the enemy has been lurking, waiting for the perfect moment to strike—again.

  Dedication

  Thank you, readers, for sticking with me for over ten years on this wild ride. And, as always, thank you to the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom. Thank you for serving our country and for all you do, and thank you to their spouses, significant others and family members for all you do as well.

  Praise for Mandy M. Roth’s Immortal Ops World

  Silver Star Award—I feel Immortal Ops deserves a Silver Star Award as this book was so flawlessly written with elements of intrigue, suspense and some scorching hot scenes—Aggie Tsirikas—Just Erotic Romance Reviews

  5 Stars—Immortal Ops is a fascinating short story. The characters just seem to jump out at you. Ms. Roth wrote the main and secondary characters with such depth of emotions and heartfelt compassion I found myself really caring for them—Susan Holly—Just Erotic Romance Reviews

  Immortal Ops packs the action of a Hollywood thriller with the smoldering heat that readers can expect from Ms. Roth. Put it on your hot list…and keep it there! —The Road to Romance

  5 Stars—Her characters are so realistic, I find myself wondering about the fine line between fact and fiction...This was one captivating tale that I did not want to end. Just the right touch of humor endeared these characters to me even more—eCataRomance Reviews

  5 Steamy Cups of Coffee—Combining the world of secret government operations with mythical creatures as if they were an everyday thing, she (Ms. Roth) then has the audacity to make you actually believe it and wonder if there could be some truth to it. I know I did. Nora Roberts once told me that there are some people who are good writers and some who are good storytellers, but the best is a combination of both and I believe Ms. Roth is just that. Mandy Roth never fails to surpass herself—coffeetimeromance

  Mandy Roth kicks ass in this story—inthelibraryreview

  Immortal Ops Series and PSI-Ops Series Helper

  (This will be updated in each upcoming book as new characters are introduced.)

  Paranormal Security and Intelligence (PSI) Operatives

  General Jack C. Newman: Director of Operations for PSI, werelion. Adoptive father of Missy Carter-Majors.

  Duke Marlow: PSI-Operative, werewolf. Mated to Mercy. Book: Act of Mercy (PSI-Ops)

  Doctor James (Jimmy) Hagen: PSI-Operative, werewolf. Took a ten-year hiatus from PSI. Book: Act of Surrender (PSI-Ops)

  Striker (Dougal) McCracken: PSI-Operative, werewolf.

  Miles (Boomer) Walsh: PSI-Operative, werepanther.

  Captain Corbin Jones: Operations coordinator and captain for PSI-Ops Team Five, werelion.

  Malik (Tut) Nasser: PSI-Operative, (PSI-Ops).

  Colonel Ulric Lovett: Direction of Operations, PSI-London Division.

  Immortal Ops (I-Ops) Team Members

  Lukian Vlakhusha: Alpha-Dog-One. Team captain, werewolf, King of the Lycans, mated to Peren Matthews (Daughter of Dr. Lakeland Matthews). Book: Immortal Ops (Immortal Ops)

  Geoffroi
(Roi) Majors: Alpha-Dog-Two. Second in command, werewolf, blood-bound brother to Lukian, mated to Melissa “Missy” Carter-Majors. Book: Critical Intelligence (Immortal Ops)

  Doctor Thaddeus Green: Bravo-Dog-One. Scientist, tech guru, werepanther, mated to Melanie Daly-Green (sister of Eadan Green). Book: Radar Deception (Immortal Ops)

  Jonathon (Jon) Reynell: Bravo-Dog-Two. Sniper, weretiger. As of this book not currently mated. Book: Separation Zone (Immortal Ops)

  Wilson Rousseau: Bravo-Dog-Three. Resident smart-ass, wererat, mated to Kimberly (Daughter of Culann of the Council) Book: Strategic Vulnerability (Immortal Ops)

  Eadan Daly: Alpha-Dog-Three. PSI-Op and handler on loan to the I-Ops to round out the team, Fae, mated to Inara Nash. Brother of Melanie Daly-Green. Book: Tactical Magik (Immortal Ops)

  Colonel Asher Brooks: Chief of Operations and point person for the Immortal Ops Team. Mated to Jinx, magik, succubus, well-known, well-connected madam to the underground paranormal community. Book: Administrative Control (Immortal Ops)

  Miscellaneous

  Culann of the Council: Father to Kimberly (who is mated to Wilson). Badass Fae.

  Pierre Molyneux: Master vampire bent on creating a race of super soldiers. Hides behind being a famous art dealer in order to launder money.

  Gisbert Krauss: Mad scientist who wants to create a master race of supernaturals.

  Walter Helmuth: Head of Seattle’s paranormal underground. In league with Molyneux and Krauss.

  Dr. Lakeland Matthews: Scientist, vital role in the creation of a successful Immortal Ops Team. Father to Peren Matthews.

  Dr. Bertrand: Mad scientist with Donavon Dynamics Corporation (The Corporation).

  Chapter One

  Paranormal Security and Intelligence Division B Headquarters, classified location…

  Dr. James Hagen sat up fast, surprised he’d dozed off at his work station. It wasn’t as if the lab area was exactly brimming over with comfort. There were counters, higher than average due to the fact most of the people who worked in the building were very tall. A row of stools, reinforced to withstand the weight of shifter males, dotted the area just beneath the counter. They were fairly plain—metal bottoms with black leather tops. Not to mention the counters themselves were stocked with various items of lab equipment.

  James rubbed his forehead, pretty sure he had a mark from his head pressing against the centrifuge machine. As he felt it more, he realized the manufacturer’s plate had left an impression as well. He’d have looked in a mirror had one been close. Best it wasn’t. Seeing himself with letters in his forehead wouldn’t do anything to help his mood. The indents would thankfully go away within a minute or two. He didn’t want to explain it to his fellow teammates. They’d tease him about it for weeks.

  Maybe more.

  His office, which was off the main lab and clinic area, was much more conducive to resting. It had an oversized, expensive, leather sofa in it along with a huge desk, state-of the-art computers, and even high-end artwork on the walls. The people in charge had gone out of their way to redo it upon his return to the position of head physician. Within two days of his return to work, the office had been revamped. Whichever decorator they used had captured his style without even bothering to see or question him. He was sure his teammates had a long talk with the woman when James was in recovery, telling her about his likes and dislikes. It was really the only explanation.

  Yawning, he took a moment and stretched, his body sore from the position in which he’d fallen asleep. It cracked, creaked and then popped quite loudly.

  “Shit. I’m getting old.”

  Who was he kidding? He was old. Maybe not in appearances, but in human years he was ancient, even if he wasn’t exactly that old as far as supernaturals went.

  His night-owl ways had caught up to him. He didn’t regret spending his nights chatting online with a woman who made his groin stir to life by doing nothing more than talking to him. She was the only thing keeping him sane. He counted the seconds until they were able to talk, sometimes while playing an online game. He wasn’t really a gamer, per se, but he’d learned to hold his own when mentoring young adults. He found he didn’t dislike the games either, though he suspected the online company he was keeping had something to do with that.

  Still, finding some sound sleep, even for a few hours, would have been welcome. Didn’t help that what little sleep he did manage to get was plagued by nightmares. Though, what had woken him with a jolt from his nap hadn’t been a nightmare like the others he’d been having since he’d been freed from captivity. Those were basically reliving the torture he’d suffered at the hands of mad men.

  This was different.

  Much different.

  One of his natural-born gifts was having visions. He didn’t relish possessing the ability to see the future, and he still couldn’t control it, even after all his centuries. His limited control had even wavered more since his time in captivity. It was so far gone now that he was having trouble separating his nightmares from his visions.

  Reality from fiction.

  The one he’d just had still shook him to his core. The woman in his vision had long black hair with bright purple streaks in it. While it was a strange combination, it worked for her. Her creamy white skin was so pale he’d have thought her a vampire had he not seen her in the sunlight in his vision. The image of her, the sun at her back, her smile wide, her gaze on him, was now burned into his brain. She was quite possibly the single most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon. Her features were captivating. Her deep, chocolate brown eyes were so dark they bordered on black, and her thick lashes had his attention returning to her gaze in the vision—again and again.

  He’d probably conjure that image of the woman in his mind whenever he stroked himself to get off. Stroking himself while thinking of her wouldn’t be a hardship by any means.

  “Pervert.”

  His cock stirred to life and he had to adjust himself through his tan designer slacks. It felt good to be back in the clothing he preferred. He’d spent nearly a decade in faded, worn jeans and ratty shirts in an effort to blend in with the street element he’d been trying to assist. Since his return he’d not been able to fly out to Seattle and check in on the street kids he’d taken under his wing. Over the years he’d gotten many back on the straight and narrow, some getting degrees, and many were productive citizens.

  Some never assimilated.

  He couldn’t blame them. All of the kids he’d mentored were supernatural in some regard, though most were ignorant of the fact. James had enough Fae in his DNA makeup that he could sense a fellow magik. The shifter side of him allowed him to sniff out weres with ease. It saddened him to leave that world behind, but he’d not totally abandoned it. Years ago, he’d set up safety nets, a system that, should something happen to him, would ensure the supernatural youths on the streets would still be looked out for. That was a good thing since James had been taken captive and tortured for nearly a year.

  One of the street kids he’d personally taken under his wing, Inara, had recently mated to a former PSI-Op (Paranormal Security and Intelligence Operative) who now worked for the Immortal Ops Branch. Eadan Daly was a good guy. James had known for years that Inara was destined for Eadan. James’s gift of foresight had told him as much. Inara had also taken to drawing pictures of Eadan before she’d ever met him, so there was no room for misinterpretation. They were supposed to be together.

  He couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit jealous, even when he was elated for them. He’d always longed for a connection like they shared—a mate of his own. There was no use hoping. With as old as he was, the odds were stacked against him that he’d ever cross paths with the woman made for him. He accepted that, even if he didn’t like it.

  Inara was now safe and mated to a good man. That was what truly mattered. James had seen her in a fatherly light and was pleased she was now off the streets and with a man who could protect her.

  “You failed her,” he
said out loud. James’s temper surfaced again, threatening to overtake him, and he kicked one of the stools near him, sending it skidding across the floor of the lab. He hated himself for being such a fool. For being caught off guard and for being captured in an attempt to keep Inara safe. While he’d been successful at that moment in time, keeping her from falling into the enemy’s hands, he’d gotten himself captured instead, and Inara had later been taken by the same men who’d held him prisoner. Thankfully, she’d ended up safe and sound.

  You should have held on to your rage back then, he thought, remembering the time before he left PSI. A time when he would have never been taken captive with such ease. A time when his temper ruled supreme. He would have fared better when he was ambushed had he allowed himself to simply lose control, but he hated that side of himself.

  After the passing of a close friend and fellow teammate, James had changed his ways. He’d carried the label of murderer for a long time. He’d not killed Christopher with his own hands, but he’d allowed his temper to win—and the end result was Christopher’s death. A number of higher ups within PSI had demanded James be tried for murder. The Director, General Jack C. Newman, had come to his rescue, refusing to permit James to be made a scapegoat for the system’s failures. Newman had asked James to stay on and return to duty, but James had refused, needing time to clear his head. Time to pay for the wrongs he’d done. To pay for Christopher’s death.

  Don’t return to being that man. No matter how tempting it might be.

  He’d spent ten years on his own, soul searching, making peace with things he could not change and embracing the here and now. He’d lived a good, simple life. He’d learned to control his darker side—his temper.