Category: Military Publisher: Carol Gambill
ISBN-10: 1456544233
Type: Fiction
Copyright: December 11, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781310027086
Price: $1.99 (eBook)
As Brannigan begins to believe that his share of strife is behind him, his dutiful mission stations him directly in Emily Billings’ life. Emily proves to be a battle of sheer will and critical emotions, as the turmoil of losing her brother causes her to resent everything Mitch Brannigan stands for—but even that doesn’t deter Brannigan from carrying out his pledge. His fighting spirit—or is it arrogance?— is clearly behind him every step of the way, but little does he know that one little promise is about to be his biggest battle yet.
Excerpt
The home phone rang and Emily picked it up. Yesterday she left her cell phone in Josh’s car and earlier he promised to drop it off. She didn’t want her friends calling the home phone and spilling the fact that she was giving a party while her parents were gone. Her parents would have a conniption knowing she was sneaking behind their backs to throw a party, especially with members of the ITW organization.
Brannigan hit it dead-on when he supposed her parents knew nothing about tonight’s party, but he was wrong when he assumed that she had been protesting. Sure she’d gone to several protests but she hadn’t the nerve or resolution to become a part of it just yet. The final decision to become a full-fledged member rested on her, and the more she discussed it with members, the more she felt welcomed. They understood the isolated grief she held onto after Rich’s death. She never wanted to deal with it and ITW seemed to help her come to that crossroad where she would have to choose and move on. She felt needed and not so lost. She could never believe that the war in Iraq was not the sole contributing factor of Rich’s untimely death, and she would never forgive the war for that.
“Hello, this is Emily,” she answered hoping to hear Josh’s voice.
“This is your Marine that you so well detest,” Mitch said in a raw, lazy voice.
Her heart jumped. “What do you want, Brannigan?” she snapped wondering how in the hell he had gotten their home number. After Rich’s death, the phone was unlisted, all due to the amount of calls from media and organizations wanting to interview her parents.
“Wanted to hear your voice. I already miss all that abuse you love to give me. It gives me a warm, tingly feeling all over.”
“How did you get this number?”
“Didn’t check your caller ID did you?” he mentioned “You should be more careful with screening your calls.”
She looked down at the machine. She pushed a button bringing up recent calls. Damn it, Brannigan had her cell phone.
“How in the hell did you get my cell phone, Brannigan?”
“I have my ways,” he explained.
“You didn’t hurt him did you?”
A soft laugh resonated over the phone. “You mean your worm of a boyfriend?”
“Yes, I mean. No. He’s not my boyfriend. What did you do to him?” Emily demanded.
“He’s fine, a bit confused, but otherwise he’s just fine,” he reassured.
“You’re an idiot, Brannigan,” she retorted.
“You don’t say…but if I’m the stupid one then why, pray-tell do I have your phone?” Mitch heard her huff and then he held on to a moment of silence.
“What do you want?” she finally asked.
“To be invited,” he noted.
“Where?”
“Your shin-dig tonight.”
“What…shin-dig?” she asked.
“The party that’s going to take place while your parents are away,” he added.
“I’m doing no such thing,” she replied.
“Can I talk to your mom or dad?”
“No, you may not,” she snarled.“I believe I have your father’s cell number under my contacts. Oh, I mean your contacts…I’ll just call him myself.” Emily heard several buttons being pushed. “Oh look, here’s your mom’s number, right here. Listen, it’s been nice chatting with ya, but I believe I’ll just personally call them.” She heard his voice go away from the speaker.
“Brannigan!” she yelled into the phone.
“Yeaasssss,” he replied, clearly toying with her.
“Why do you want to come tonight?”
“To see you Em. You just light up my life with all those wonderful and caring words you have for me every time I see you. So what time?”
There was a moment of silence and then she spit out, “Nine. Go screw yourself.” Mitch heard a click of the receiver and the end of all conversation.
The edge of Mitch’s mouth tugged into a grin and he placed the phone in the center console of his truck. He’d taken her phone hostage and worked his way behind enemy lines, now all he needed to do was covertly mingle with the enemy, chiefly Emily Billings. Yes, he was sensing triumph close at hand, unless the enemy had something up her sleeve.
Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
