Being tracked by a serial killer is something Kayla Banks can handle, but it’s being hunted by a US Navy SEAL that challenges her abilities at evasion, especially when her heart plots against her.
Kayla grew up in the archipelago of Haida Gwaii. As a young girl she endured betrayal and as a young woman she stood alone in a personal war refusing to surrender. Raised near the sea, and surrounded by the great forests her ancestors revered, the salve of nature gave her strength and offered protection no matter how troubling her life became. 
Gifted with the ability to analyze and strategize three steps ahead of most people, the Canadian Navy taught her how to hone her skills, but it wasn’t until twenty years later that she truly needed them to survive. Forced to leave Canada north of the border, she found a new home in the United States and that’s—when everything went to hell.
Sitting across from Kayla, I get a distinct feeling of serenity. Regal, demure she waits with dark soulful eyes, olive colored skin, high cheekbones and a delicate jaw. Her hair is a mass of dark waves falling across fine boned shoulders and she reminds me more of a frail creature than a woman who I know has experienced struggles many can’t survive.
Welcome Kayla and thanks for coming to share your character with us today.
“Good Morning, I appreciate the invitation.”
We met Commander Austen on the last blog interview…
(Interrupts) “You’re referring to Commander ‘Always has to have the last word’, yeah I know him.”
(Okay maybe demure isn’t the right word!) Umm, sounds like you’re a little ticked at him.
“Why would I be ticked?” (She throws her hands up and rolls her eyes) “The guy thinks he can just yank me around, and tell me what to do on and off the base. He’s an egotistical man whore.”
Alrighty then! But…he’s also a highly decorated senior officer. I mean I saw the medals myself for bravery and courage under fire. He’s truly a hero.
“He’s a royal pain in my ass.” (Voice goes an octave higher) “Do you know what he said when we first met? You’ll appreciate this being Canadian. Everyone’s standing all stiff and afraid as if he’s Zeus or something when he makes his first ‘holier than thou’ appearance. He turns to me and rumbles in that deep timbre of his, “I understand you have a lot of experience as well, Ms. Banks.” I’m polite and say, “Yes sir,” and the egomaniac says, “I’m sure everything appears daunting right now, but with time you’ll learn the way we do things in America” Can you believe it? What an insolent ass. I’ve got almost twenty years of tactical experience under my belt and I know what he’s thinking—she’s a girl, she doesn’t know anything. Butt-head.”
Okay, so your first meeting went a little badly, but he admitted to me that you proved him wrong within one week.
“He did?” (Cocks her head as if she doesn’t believe me.)
Yes, he also told me how he felt when he first saw you.
“Hmmph.” (Raises one sharp brow with a tiny twist of a smile on her lips.) “Well, he’s still a man whore. You wouldn’t believe the women that fall under his wheels. Just because he’s…well…you’ve seen him.”
HAWT! But not just everyday hot, he’s super model hot. I didn’t see a lot of skin under that magnificent uniform he wears like a glove, but I can imagine. And that scar on the right side of his face makes him look sexy and dangerous.
“Well, you’re probably imagining right.”
You’ve seen him without clothes? Do tell. (Trying to stop panting in front of the girlfriend)
“Partly. When he was shot.”
Shot!
(She waves an uninterested hand in the air) “He’s been shot so many times he should look like a sieve. Anyway, he was trying to protect me from the Serpiente drug cartel who were hell bent on killing us.”
What happened? Were you on a mission with him?
“No, I’d saved his high and mighty arse (ass for US residents) from losing an exercise at the base. Team One Alpha squad and Bravo squad from Team Seven were the last two players in an exercise. The Commander’s squad was cornered. At least he thought so. I gave Alpha squad an out and they won. Of course when Lt. Law congratulated us, the Commander in his ever so uncouth way says, “Use any tool to win.” I could have killed him. Do I look like a screwdriver? After that, the team and I ended up in Mexico for a congratulatory dinner. But we didn’t stay long because we were dodging bullets and then the bastard made me jump off a bridge seventy feet into the ocean, and I can’t swim!”
How did he get shot?
“We borrowed a boat and were making a quick exit to get back into American waters. When the cartel started firing at us, Thane—I mean—the Commander, wrapped himself around me and took the hit.”
So he saved your life.
“I suppose, but he also tried to seduce me, told me he wanted us to…and then he’s all hands and fiery hot lips on my mouth the entire way back to the states.”
Sorry, and you turned him down. Are ya crazy?
“Not exactly. I got into a little trouble after we got back. The “Blood Shark” came after me. Both, the Commander and I ended up in the hospital. He was so upset at me for walking by myself, but I think he got scared because it was a close call. He took me home, and after taking a breath we realized we were all alone. Usually the squad is hanging around us. The SEALs are like family and somebody is always hangin’ with someone else in the team. Anyway, it got a little intense and it freaked both of us out.”
Don’t stop there!
“Sorry, classified.”
Uh-huh. Do you want to know what he thought when he first saw you?
(She eyes me warily) “Probably not.”
He said you ricocheted through him like a bullet. He couldn’t get you out of his mind.
(Kayla twists her fingers together and stares down at them.) “He’s a warrior for the United States. He’s…noble, brave and kind. (Her voice lowers to almost a whisper) “He told me once that he’d made his mind up long ago to marry his country but never a woman. I respect the man he is, and what he stands for—that’s all.”
It sounded to me as if he’s falling in love with you.
“I’m a mission to him. If he thinks someone needs help he’ll go to the ends of the earth to do it. The asshat should have a cape. He thinks he’s invincible, and he’s going to get himself killed.”
Which brings us to the Shark. It must be frightening to have someone like that after you. How come you’re not falling to pieces?
“Because every time I turn around I’ve got a SEAL tied to my behind. The Commander thinks I don’t know what he’s doing, but I know he’s tasked the guys to watch over me. I’m under guard twenty-four seven. When the Commander is deployed he makes sure one of the team guys is hovering close by.”
And you don’t think that’s because of any special reason?
“I know he’s concerned, and he’s powerful enough to protect everyone. I just wish he’d leave me alone. I don’t need his help.”
The Commander has never shared how he feels about you?
(Kayla reaches up and brushes a pendant she’s wearing. It’s very distinct: an eagle clutching an anchor with a pistol, and Neptune’s trident in its talons.)
What’s that?
(Kayla’s features slide into a reminiscent smile and she clears her throat) “It’s the Commander’s trident. The one he earned becoming a Navy SEAL when he’d finished his BUD/S and qualification training many years ago.”
A SEAL doesn’t give that to any woman does he?
“I suppose not. He asked me to always wear it so he’d always be with me.”
Wow! I know those tridents signify a lot to the men who earn them.
“Thane’s earned a thousand of them.”
(I pause to really see what’s in Kayla’s eyes.) You love him don’t you?
(She shakes her head.)
I think you do. Why are both of you lying to each other and wasting time when you could have so much together? It’s not because of that JTF Lt. Commander is it?
(Kayla releases a small laugh) “Mentioned Greg did he?”
Yes, who is he?
“A cherished friend. (She pauses) “Well, maybe more than a friend. Greg is a loyal and considerate man. You wouldn’t believe what the Commander did when Greg showed up at the FOB (Forward Operating Base). He’s always in control, but he lost it.”
Kayla, the Commander knows you’re hiding something from him. Something dark, he thinks. Can you shed any light on that?
“No, definitely not. My past will stay in the past. I came to America to start new.”
Are you running away from something?
(Kayla’s quiet for a long time.) “It doesn’t have any bearing on my job. The Commander doesn’t need to know.”
Maybe not, but keeping secrets leads to misfortune and sometimes loss.
(Kayla straightens in her chair.) “I have nothing left to lose.” (She finally looks at me, and the haunted look the Commander described is easy to see) “Anything I ever loved is already gone or destroyed. I’m alone. It’s easier that way.”
The Commander thinks you’re intelligent, beautiful and he respects you. Nothing would change that. Why won’t you tell him?
(She nods) “Maybe, but I’m not who he thinks I am. I made the mistake of getting too close to Alpha squad. Dying for God and country is one thing, but if Thane dies protecting me from the Shark I could never live with that. I have to leave.”
Leave? Where would you go?
“Home, to Canada. Every time Greg and I talk he asks me to come home.”
The Commander may be brave, duty and honor bound, but he’s not invincible. He said something to me, and I’m reading between the lines here, but when we spoke about all the lives he’s cut short keeping the United States safe, I got the feeling that he’s paid a high price. You said yourself he’s powerful, and I think you’re right. He’s strong enough to keep it all inside and accept it, but you, Kayla, make the dark shadows disappear. I don’t think he’d accept it if you left.
“Live hard, love hard and die hard, not necessarily in that order. That’s the life of a Special Forces warrior. They’re all the same, Greg, Commander Austen, and…The people of both Canada and the US have no idea how much these men have done to protect our nations. The Commander will never stop. Warfare is in his blood, and the United States needs him more than I do.”
You’ve both sacrificed for your countries. No matter the struggles you may yet endure, I think you’ll weather the storm.
(She offers me a sad, hopeless smile) “We will. It just won’t be together. He needs a woman whose whole, not broken.”
Why do you say that?
“Because it’s the truth, besides the Blood Shark has never missed. He has to be stopped. I can do that.”
The Commander would never allow it.
“If he doesn’t, I’ll find a way, but the Commander has to accept I might have very few tomorrows left.”
I’m probably stepping out of bounds here, but the Commander mentioned you’ve been avoiding him. Any particular reason why?
“Christmas is a hard time of year for me. I just need some space, but the Commander won’t let it go. (A worried look dawns on her features.) I know the “Blood Shark” has been in my place. If the Commander finds out, he’ll overreact like he always does.”
What would he do?
“Oh I know what he’d do. He’d move his big-bad-ass into my condo to protect me.”
Doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.
“Yeah, right! Just what I need. Come home and find him all wrapped up with some blonde on my couch. No thanks.”
The Commander admitted to having a reputation, but he says it was before you came. I think he’s determined you have a future, together.
“Not likely. Have ya seen the guy? He’s meant for some movie star or heiress. I’m neither.”
“Bullshit.”
We both look up to see the Commander, his features twisted into an angry scowl, those blue eyes of his sparking mad.
Why didn’t you tell me the Shark has been in your condo?
Kayla turns a droll expression on me as if to say, ‘See what I mean.’ “Because I’m none of your business, Commander,” she says calmly.
(Three steps brings him to a profoundly pissed off stance in front of her.) “Get your ass up.”
“Stand down SEAL,” she says, aggravating him even more.
“If you don’t get that stubborn sweet ass out of that chair you’ll regret it.”
“Remember that discussion we had about who’s NOT a Commander when he’s NOT on the base? What did I tell ya, he’s lurking behind every corner.” (She raises her brows with a ‘Not on your life’ look on her expression when the Commander holds his hand out for her to take.)
“Jesus woman, we’re going to my place, pick-up a few things and then I’m moving in—with you. If the Shark’s been in your place he can do it again.” (The Commander folds his muscled arms across a chest powerful enough to stop a train.)
(Kayla jumps to her feet, thrusting a finger into his abs.) “Give it up. I don’t need your help.”
“Like hell you don’t. Now get your Maple Leaf butt in my car, Ms. Banks.”
(Kayla turns to look at me.) “Sorry Natasza, my overbearing boss just threw on his Superman cape. Guess I have to go.”
(The Commander’s eyes narrow as he shakes his head slowly.) “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“Yeah, well guess what Commander, you’ve sucked in a little too much BZ if you think I’ll let you live with me.”
I think I’ll leave these two to work on their peace talks. Drop by next week to meet Petty Officer Mace Callahan (Sniper). He’s hot, built, sweet and single, not to mention Kayla’s best friend. Maybe he can shed some light on this story.
“Must have been Canadian women who fought the war of 1812. The American infantry probably retreated from pure exhaustion faced with intractable stubbornness,” the Commander stated, guiding Kayla toward the exit.
Kayla jerked her head in a sassy way. “Didn’t you hear? They ended up in Canada in the first place because they were lost and wouldn’t ask for directions.”
