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similar campaign for the SpecOps last year that was incredibly successful for recruitment and public relations. That’s what Hank said when he sold the idea to me on the phone, anyway.”
    So the miraculous appearance of Hawk’s orders hadn’t been all Dalton’s doing at all. It had been Dalton’s former commander Hank Miller helping, too. At least Hawk felt a bit better that Pretty Boy and his computer god weren’t all powerful. But still, the chances of his getting out of this incredibly embarrassing and ridiculous assignment were looking slim.
    “Sir. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m not some male model. I’m a trained soldier.”
    “Exactly. That’s why they want you. They don’t want a hired head. They want a real warrior.”
    “Forgive my asking, sir. But have you seen the guy they used for the SpecOps ads? Because I have. He’s some pretty boy who looks like he belongs in those perfume ads you see on television. I look nothing like that.”
    “Thank god for that. I don’t want some fancy boy representing my Army.” The captain shrugged. “The marketing people chose you, sergeant. I have to trust they know what they are doing.”
    Bullshit. Dalton had chosen him, out of spite, not some marketing expert. And how that all fit together, how Dalton got to choose the new face of the Army, Hawk still wasn’t sure.
    “But how am I going to do this thing when I’m downrange? I’m deploying forward with my guys in a few weeks.”
    The company commander shook his head. “Not a problem. They’re already here.”
    Here at the garrison , here? And who exactly was here? Hawk’s heart jumped. Perhaps he’d misunderstood. Before totally panicking, he decided to clarify first. “Sir? Who’s already here?”
    “The photographer and the marketing person. I just got word from the gate that they’ve arrived. I sent Sergeant Pettit down to get them and escort them here. In fact, they should have arrived by now…”
    Pettit? No, no, no, no!
    How the hell was Hawk going to keep this thing a secret if Pettit knew? The teasing would be relentless. Soldiers never forgot. He’d have to live with this forever, until the day he died, which would hopefully be soon.
    And with that thought, Pettit flew through the door. “Captain. Your civilians are here, sir.”
    Pulling Hawk aside, Pettit whispered with a smile, “Hawk. Wait until you see this marketing chick. She’s one hot number. Mmm, Mmm. I like me a blonde.”
    Great. A woman no less. Hawk got to embarrass himself and play model in front of some blonde as well as his team leader Pettit. Just perfect.
    Pettit, practically bouncing in his boots, turned back to the captain. “Sir. Miss Price was telling me about the ads. Do you know who they’re going to use as their model?”
    Hawk’s heart leapt. Pettit didn’t know. Maybe there was still hope…
    The captain’s face broke out into a huge smile, and all hope fled. “You’re standing next to him, Sergeant Pettit.”
    Pettit’s eyes opened wide as he looked at Hawk. “You mean Sergeant Hawkins, sir?”
    With a disgusted sigh, Hawk nodded and admitted, “Yeah. It’s me.”
    “Wow! My staff sergeant is going to be the face of the Army. How cool is that?” Pettit grinned, looking totally thrilled.
    Hawk stifled a groan of dismay. “Yeah, great. Real cool.”
    Somewhere far in the distance, Hawk imagined he heard Dalton laughing.

    Chapter Seven

    Yes, Staff Sergeant David “Hawk” Hawkins was a lot of things alright, and to Emily’s vast and bottomless devastation, so far none of them good.
    He had the muscles she’d dreamed of, but along with them came a truckload of testosterone-fueled bad attitude. He was every inch the serious warrior his picture had hinted at, and he was also as stubborn and unyielding as a mule.
    The Neanderthal before her, the Hawk himself, folded burly Popeye-like forearms across his chest and waited expressionlessly as Jai set up the equipment. But beneath