Treasuring Allie: Rebel Renegades Novel

By Becker Jennifer

Allie had been on some doozy blind dates but Carson definitely topped them all. He couldn't even remember her name or maintain eye contact. She knew she had bad luck with dating but come on! Good thing she would never have to see him again.
Carson hadn't meant to come off rude but his work took precedence over a woman every time. Especially an uptight one that looked like she wouldn't know a good time if it bit her. What was the point anyway? She would never see past his physical scars. He is better off not dating and just having casual flings.
 Fate has stepped in to give them another chance, but Allie's reluctant to trust. Is there more to the man than just scars and a cocky attitude? Before their budding romance can bloom it is put to the test when an enemy lurks that will threaten everything they hope to build together.   

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Jan 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890084538

Book preview

Chapter 1

Allie sat in the booth of the restaurant, fiddling with her cup of water as she checked the watch on her wrist for what felt like the tenth time in a few minutes. Her date was late. Twenty-four minutes and forty-five seconds if she were to be exact. Most people would have left by now and called the date a wash, but this was the first date she’d been on in ages, and her friend had set it up, so she owed it to her to try and give the guy a chance.

Sandy, her best friend, had been singing this guy’s praises for months, telling Allie that he would be perfect for her. Allie didn’t share the sentiment. She was the epitome of ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride.’

Men always overlooked her for tall, blonde, rail-thin women. While she wasn’t a giant at five foot ten, she wasn’t short. She didn’t have blonde hair but red. Bright, fiery red. It had been a source of ridicule by nasty girls in school and earned her the name ‘stop sign’ or ‘fire truck.’

She had tried dying it to make it darker over the years, but the color never stayed long, and it started damaging her hair. Eventually, she stopped caring and just accepted the fact that her hair would always be this color and unruly.

Allie wasn’t skinny, but she wasn’t fat either. She had a sweet tooth and rarely said no when doughnuts or other pastries were brought into the office. There was a slight roundness to her frame, but when she looked at some of the other women who starved themselves and worked out for hours on end to look like they’d just come out of a concentration camp, she figured she’d rather have the slight roundness.

Allie checked her watch again. Maybe she should just order. She was already out and dressed up. Well, in her business clothes. She had just left the office and hadn’t had time to go home and change. Her hair was tamed back in a bun. Not a strand out of place—not an easy feat.

First thing in the morning, she looked like she’d stuck her finger into a light socket. It was always curly and sticking out everywhere.

Allie looked around for a waiter when a man in a white shirt, black leather jacket, and blue jeans caught her eye. Light brown hair that was swept off the side of his face like he’d run his fingers through it a lot during the day. She couldn’t see his eye color because he was looking down at his phone. He had a well-trimmed beard. His clothing was loose, but she could tell he was well muscled.

Several women in the restaurant turned from their partners to ogle him. This man could be a cover model on the books she read.

He stopped about a foot away from her and looked up from his phone. Brown eyes like warm hot fudge. Those eyes darted around the room.

For a moment, she fantasized about them landing on her and then turning molten as he looked her up and down before striding over to her, taking her by the hand, and dragging her home for hot intense sex.

Okay, so she read a lot of romance novels, and she was a bit sex-starved. A girl could fantasize though.

Only those eyes did land on her. She felt hypnotized when they did. She couldn’t move. Could barely breathe. The man looked at her hard as if he were studying her. As if he couldn’t figure her out.

She wasn’t complicated. The same as any other woman. Allie liked to cook, and while she didn’t like to clean—who did—she did it, so she didn’t feel like she lived in a pigsty. She was a simple woman with simple needs. She just wanted to be loved.

The man walked up to her. Her eyes followed him, and she had to tilt her head back. He was easily over six feet tall.

Annie?

Oh, so not her date.

No, my name is Allie. Allie Sunbright.

Then you are who I’m looking for. Carson Townsend. He held out his hand.

This was her blind date? Wow, Sandy really hadn’t been exaggerating when she’d said he was handsome. Carson was gorgeous. Far more handsome than the last guy she’d dated.

Carson looked at her expectantly. Oh yeah, he was holding out his hand for her to shake. Get it together, girl.

Nice to meet you. Allie mentally chided herself. The guy was going to think she was a total weirdo, and they’d just barely met. She needed to get a grip. So, he was gorgeous? Big deal. Looks faded; it was a brain she was more intrigued by than a panty-melting smile, though it didn’t hurt.

She reached up and shook his hand, noting the roughness of it. This was not a desk man, but an outdoorsy guy. A man used to hard work.

Sorry, I’m late. A work thing came up.

Well, at least he hadn’t ghosted her. It had happened before. More than once sadly, but now wasn’t the time to think about that.

Not a problem. She smiled; she knew all about work things that came up and stole your time and attention.

Have you ordered yet? he asked, sliding into the booth across from her.

No, I was just about to. She looked around for the waiter again. You can use my menu if you want to browse what they have.

I’ve been here before. I always get the same thing.

She was about to ask how often when she noticed him staring down at his lap. Is everything alright?

Carson’s head snapped up, looking like a guilty schoolboy. Great, so you work with Sandy? he asked, though she noted his hands stayed under the table. He hadn’t bothered taking his jacket off either.

Yes, well, not in the same department, but yes. He wouldn’t care about the details of how she was an executive director and Sandy an investment banker.

Uh huh. There he was again, looking down at his lap.

You know you’re not actually looking at me right now? Call it good manners or common courtesy, but one should look at another person when talking to them.

Those brown eyes rose to meet hers. Sorry, work stuff.

That can’t be put off for an hour so we can have a conversation and eat dinner? she inquired with a raised eyebrow in challenge, but managed to keep her tone neutral. She was proud of herself for that much.

She knew all about taking her work home with her, but even she could put it away for an hour to eat a meal. Why agree to go out with her if he couldn’t give her the time of day?

Carson didn’t say anything but lifted the phone from his lap and placed it on the table next to him. Allie could hear the phone buzzing several times as they stared at each other. A muscle under his eye twitched. She knew he wanted to look down at it, but he kept his gaze locked on hers. It was like they were having a staring contest.

Mr. Townsend, always good to see you. Are you both ready to order? a waiter asked, coming up to them.

I’ll have my usual, Carson replied, looking up at their waiter.

And for you, madam?

I’ll have the sirloin medium rare with a baked potato and house salad, ranch on the side. The waiter took her menu and left.

Hey, I noticed you made eye contact with him. Allie pointed her thumb in the direction of the retreating waiter.

Carson held his hands up in surrender. Allie hoped that meant he would give her just a smidge of his attention.

Good choice on dinner, Carson commented.

What did you get?

The porterhouse with vegetables and mashed potatoes.

Sounds good. She didn’t know anything about the different cuts of meat but was trying to make polite conversation.

Mmm hmm. His focus went back down to his phone, scrolling through it.

How often do you come here? Oh my god, that sounded like a pickup line.

He just shrugged. Not all that often. Maybe once a month or so.

I’ve never heard of this place before. She looked around, taking in the dark atmosphere. Dim lights, reclaimed wood wall paneling. Several couples laughed and conversed with each other. They were having a much better time than she was.

What? he asked, looking up at her again.

I said—

His phone lit up and started buzzing. He finally broke eye contact to look down at it and then back at her. I’m really sorry, I need to take this.

He answered as he slid out of the booth and stepped away before Allie could protest. Her mouth opened as she watched him walk away, the words still forming on her tongue. She snapped her head back forward to look back down at the table.

First, he was late, and now he was spending the first half of their date on his phone. Had he even listened to a word she’d said? She tried not to be too angry about it. Tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. She knew what it was like when work emergencies came up, but he was definitely not making a good first impression.

Allie sat there for several minutes waiting for Carson to return. The waiter came with her salad, which helped distract her. Carson returned when her salad was finished and pushed toward the edge of the table to be picked up.

I’m really sorry Annie,

It’s Allie, she corrected.

Allie, he amended.

It’s fine. Is it your work that keeps contacting you? She wasn’t trying to be nosy, but she was curious about what was holding so much of his attention.

Yeah, there are a few issues I’m trying to work on.

What do you do?

Government work.

Well, that was rather evasive. What kind of government work? She picked up her water glass and took a sip.

I can’t talk about it, he stated, looking uncomfortable.

Can’t or won’t? She supposed she could take her pick.

She opened her mouth to ask another question when his phone went off again. Seriously? She tried willing him with her mind to ignore the phone and instead focus on her. To not ruin the rest of their date.

I’m so sorry, Annie. He answered his phone and slid out of the booth again.

It’s Allie, she said to no one since Carson was already gone again.

The waiter arrived at their table with their food. Do you mind boxing this up for me?

The waiter looked startled for a moment but quickly schooled his features. Of course, madam. I’ll return with it in just a moment.

Allie didn’t care what the waiter thought of her for leaving with her food. For her, this date was over. She would not sit here another moment having the person across from her glued to his phone and not even bothering to look at her for most of their date.

There was only so much she could take. If these weren’t red flags, she didn’t know what was. She was definitely going to give Sandy an earful when she called her on her way home.

The waiter returned a moment later with a brown paper bag with handles on the top and their restaurant name on the side.

Thank you. She smiled in what she hoped was a friendly way and not a scowl. It wasn’t the waiter’s fault that her date was a jackass.

She debated forking him with the bill, but thought it might be rude. She could hardly call this a date. Not even a meeting. She didn’t know what to call it. Allie pulled out her wallet, set down some money that should cover her portion, and walked out.

She saw Carson standing outside the door talking heatedly with someone on his phone, but he spoke low enough she couldn’t hear what was being said until she heard him mention the word ‘date.’

I’ll be there soon. Let me wrap up this stupid date Sandy set me up on.

Stupid date? That’s what she was? Wrap up? As if it had been a hardship for him to go out with her. And how would he know if it was stupid or not? He would have had to give her more than ten seconds of his time to find out.

Allie thought about calling him out on the street corner, but he wasn’t worth it. She stormed past him; he didn’t even notice her as she walked by. She pulled out her phone and called Sandy on her way to the parking garage.

Hey, I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Everything okay? Sandy asked, sounding concerned.

No. Her throat tightened, and Allie could feel the heat of tears threatening to spill, but she refused to give in to them. Especially in public.

What happened?

It was horrible, Sandy. First, he was late, then he was glued to his phone the whole time. He barely said more than a handful of words to me. He walked off twice to take phone calls, so I just left. Then I heard him say to the person on the phone that it was a stupid date.

What? Sandy practically shouted. Oh, Al, I’m so sorry.

It’s not your fault, Sandy. It was her fault for setting them up, but it wasn’t Sandy’s fault the guy was a douche.

I feel like it is. I’m the one who set it up. I thought you guys would get along great.

Yeah, as great as bulls and China shops.

Well, I appreciate you trying, but no offense, never again. She was done with blind dates. She wasn’t done with trying to find the one, but she would find the guy on her own. No more set-ups.

Do you want to come over for some wine and ice cream? I have it on standby just in case. Wine to celebrate or ice cream to cry over.

That made Allie smile. Leave it to her friend to think of everything. I’ll be over there shortly, she replied, getting into her car.

Alright, wine and ice cream, here she came.

Chapter 2

Carson Payton Townsend! Carson turned, half expecting to see his mother in his office instead of his good friend Sandy standing in the doorway with her fists planted on her hips and glaring daggers at him. He didn’t know what he’d done to earn her wrath.

Hey, Sandy, what brings you over here?

Carson had known Sandy for most of his life. She was a few years younger than him. They had grown up in the same neighborhood back east. When he’d moved here after being discharged from the military, he’d seen her one day while he was out. They had always gotten along well. They acted more like brother and sister than friends.

I need to speak with you, she said, stomping over to him.

Up close, he could see that she was livid. And her ire appeared to be directed at him like a tsunami ready to devastate everything in its wake. Sure, we can go over here. He guided her to the far corner near the kitchen breakroom area.

Their office was on the top floor of an old building. It was an open area with seven desks for himself and his teammates on one side and the kitchen area and dining table on the other. There was a bathroom in the corner and a large table they called the ‘war table’ that they used for planning their missions.

Though they had all been medically discharged from the military, Colonel Weber had assigned them to a secret group to help with black ops that weren’t always sanctioned. They didn’t exist. They were ghosts.

Sandy didn’t even know what he did. He’d only told her that he still did contract work for the military. It was supposed to be a secret. Two of his teammates’ girlfriends knew—Luke, their team leader, and Barry. Luke’s girlfriend had been rescued by Luke, and Barry’s girlfriend was ex-FBI; they had met while running an undercover op.

What’s up?

Allie.

Am I supposed to know what that is? She’d come storming in here to talk about an alley? That didn’t seem right.

She, Sandy’s voice cracked like a whip, She is a person. The blind date from last night. She gave him a ‘duh’ look.

The uptight chick that bailed. Yeah, he remembered, hard to forget someone leaving you in the middle of a date. That had never happened before. Then again, she hadn’t seen him at his best. He’d been having problems with the case they were working on, and it took priority over a date with a woman who looked so uptight, a stiff wind would shatter her. Definitely not his kind of woman. Annie, yeah, what about her?

Carson didn’t know how it was possible, but her glare turned even more thunderous. Even his parents had never scolded him so harshly. Why did she care so much? Allie, her name is Allie, you insensitive jerk. How could you be so rude to her? Not only being late, but being on your phone the whole time and then calling her a stupid date. What is the matter with you? She looked at him, appalled, as her voice kept rising until it was a bellow. Everyone in the building could no doubt hear her.

It was no offense to the girl. Work stuff took precedence.

You couldn’t spare her an hour?

Allie had said the same thing. Neither of these women understood the pressures of his job. Time was always of the essence. An hour could be the difference between life and death. Not that he could tell Sandy that.

Not at that time, no. I’m sorry if it seemed rude to her.

Seemed? she screeched. Seemed?

What is going on in here? Luke asked, coming into the room. Jack and Rob were right behind him. Great, that’s all he needed was an audience for this conversation. He needed to get rid of the guys, otherwise he’d never hear the end of it.

Nothing, Sandy and I are just having a discussion.

Sandy snorted, folding her arms over her chest. You really don’t care that you hurt Allie’s feelings? Are people’s feelings that trivial to you? What if someone had done that to me or your sister? Would it still seem insignificant?

What’s this now? Carson hurt someone? Luke came further into the room, his eyes turning hard, ready to tear into him.

Carson glowered at Sandy, knowing she had phrased her words on purpose to get his teammates to turn against him.

I didn’t hurt anyone. She’s the one who left.

Yes, after you couldn’t bother to be torn from your phone for more than a few seconds. Then when she left, she heard you say on your phone it was a stupid date.

Dude,

Aw, man,

Not cool.

As predicted, his teammates turned on him. Thanks a lot, Sandy. I was dealing with a case that was far more important than a date. And also, we had nothing in common, Sandy, so thank you for nothing.

Did you even give her a chance? Did you ask her anything about herself?

He had to wrack his brain now. He’d been so preoccupied with the case and finding the shipment of weapons coming to Yurgio, he didn’t really remember anything about the date except coming back from his phone call and finding her gone. A couple of bills on the table to pay for her portion of the meal.

That’s what I thought.

Dude, one of the guys chided again.

Whether or not we had anything in common, she still wasn’t my type. She was uptight. It was like going out with my principal.

She had just gotten off of work and hadn’t had time to change.

You work in the same place, and I’ve never seen you dress like that.

I have for presentations, but she’s the executive director; she always has to dress like that.

Carson’s eyes widened. She’s the what?

The executive director, Sandy repeated slowly then tilted her head to the side. She didn’t tell you?

Carson shook his head.

She doesn’t like to brag about it. She was top of her class at college and got a job at our firm before even graduating. She’s the one who helped me get in.

I just assumed... His words trailed off. There was no reason to finish that sentence because it was moot.

That she was low on the totem pole like me?

No, he quickly denied.

Despite how she was dressed, Allie is a fun-loving adventurous girl. She’s more daredevil than I am.

He had a hard time imagining Miss Prim and Proper having a good time. Even her hair was in a tight bun, like she was afraid to have a strand out of place.

Then again, he remembered her snide comments more than once. She did have a bit of a backbone, which he could appreciate even if she seemed mousey.

"That’s why