Release Day ~ Stayfire ~ Mimi Strong

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

 

Peaches Monroe works at a bookstore in small town Washington. She's also a plus-size lingerie model, and the former girlfriend of Dalton Deangelo. He's the sexy, smoldering actor who plays TV's hottest vampire.

Now Dalton is back in town, hiding out from his past and a ton of bad publicity.

He can't keep his hands off Peaches, even though she's dating someone else.

Peaches knows that being friendly with Dalton always ends up in complete disaster, but he does have an interesting proposal for her--a wedding proposal. He says a fake wedding will save his career, and he needs her.

As much as she'd love to run into the arms of the incredibly hot, deliciously sexy actor, she's also afraid. He keeps hinting that he loves her, but he won't say the words.

Even if he did profess his love, can you ever really trust an actor?

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Buy Now

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Teaser

 

 

I pulled the cord to shut the curtains, then slipped off my bra and walked over to the bathroom. He met me at the door, a towel slung around his waist. Kissing my neck, he said, “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. I want to make you come tonight. Many times.” “It’s been a long day.” I looked over at the tub, which was the size of a multi-person jacuzzi. Dalton had turned the water on and it was filling via multiple spouts. “Let’s pace ourselves,” I said. As the tub filled, I carefully removed my beautiful new watch and set it on the counter. I climbed into the hot, welcoming bath, and soon we were bobbing around in sudsy, fragrant hot water. (Okay, one of us was “bobbing” a little more than the other, and I do mean my peaches.) I’d never been in such a fancy hotel room before, and I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn Presidents had stayed in that suite. The bathroom alone was bigger than should be legally allowed, on account of spoiling people forever. After a night there, how could I ever go back to my own hovel of a bathroom? With the sink and the tub and the toilet all sharing the same room? (This fancy bathroom had a separate enclosed space for the potty, in case you’re wondering, and, yes, there was a bidet, too.) We took our time soaking in the tub, playing footsies and making eyes at each other from opposite sides of the tub. “Does this hot tub remind you of anything?” Dalton asked. “Do you mean the time we almost got shot by some crazy guy with a shotgun?” “That was a good day.” He took a breath and disappeared down into the water. His hands pulled my knees apart, and he dove at my pussy with such speed, I practically screamed, but it turned into a sigh when he just gave me a gentle, underwater lick. He surfaced in front of me, wiped the water from his eyes, and kissed me. It had been too long since I’d felt his lips on mine, but now that we were kissing, the time and distance disappeared. After a moment, he pulled away. “That was a great kiss,” he said. “You’re welcome.” He smiled, looking almost shy. “Earlier today, at the airstrip, you made me a promise.” I gazed into his beautiful green eyes, made brighter by the hot water of the tub. “I did? That doesn’t sound like me, because I make threats, not promises.” He grinned wider. “I said that if I kissed you, everything would get complicated. You agreed with me, and promised me nothing short of disaster.” That did seem familiar. “How do you have such a good memory? Oh, duh. From memorizing scripts. Wow, I’m going to have to be careful what I say around you.” He kissed me again, then settled onto his knees before me in the enormous tub. “I do remember things. You and Shayla rented an apartment, sight-unseen, when you went away for college. You said the landlord must have taken the photos from a ladder, outside the windows, to make the place look bigger.” I splashed some water his way jokingly. “Showoff. Let me think about this. Your first apartment had rats and a toilet in the kitchen.” He laughed. “A tub, but close enough.” “And look at us now, in this fancy-schmancy hotel bathroom. It’s a good thing one of us has talent and good looks, and the other is great at playing a vampire.” His eyes flew open in mock anger. “Someone’s going to pay for that horrible joke.” I was running through a few comebacks in my head when I noticed his attention drifting down to my breasts, looking like pale, flesh-colored islands in a sea of bubbles. I ran one hand down the middle of my breasts seductively, then cupped both of them and pinched my nipples to firmness. His eyes didn’t stray from the waterline. I continued to stroke my fingertips around my breasts, enjoying the look of concentration on his face. He swept the surface bubbles aside so he could see all of my body. “That’s new,” he said, looking down at my new tattoo, on the inner edge of my hip bone. “Oh, that. I had a lapse of judgement in LA.” He traced the tattoo with his finger. “You had more than one lapse of judgement in LA.” “But it’s cute, right? My tattoo?” “Doves Cry. Of course it is. Everything’s cute on you.” I smiled, and then relaxed in the warm water as he ran his hands along my thighs. “Touch yourself,” he said, and I knew he meant further down than my breasts. He waved more bubbles aside, so the water was clear. I settled down into the tub further, and I parted my legs so he could see everything. I slid my hand down my front and theatrically ran my index finger up and down over my clit. Damn, but that felt good, especially with him watching. I could feel my cheeks flushing, but I couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment, or arousal, or both. His voice deep and thick, he said, “Keep going.” I opened my mouth to say something lippy about me doing his job for him, but the expression on his face was so serious. I slid down further, curving my spine to a comfortable shape. Self-conscious of how much I was hunching, I rolled my shoulders back and adjusted my position so my arm wasn’t squashing my right breast in half, but angled underneath. That small change, however, put my hand in an awkward position. Dalton must have sensed this, because he said, “Don’t worry about a performance. I don’t want porn. I want to see the truth. Do you trust me enough to show me your true beauty?” “I don’t know. Can you kiss me some more?” “Yes,” he breathed, and he moved in close again, licking and sucking my lips, then kissing me as we shared one breath, back and forth.

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Meet Mimi

 

 

 

 

Facebook / Website / Amazon / Goodreads

 

 

Bestselling author Mimi Strong thinks life is too short to be anything but outrageous.

She's the author of 3 USA Today Bestsellers, STARDUST, FOR YOU, and BORROWED BILLIONAIRE, as well as STARLIGHT, HER TEDDY BEAR, BILLIONAIRE NOVELIST, KISSING COACH, and PRETTY GIRLS.

Mimi lives on the west coast with her green-eyed husband and two ginger cats. She loves her beautiful readers and sends you all big hugs in the form of awesome books full of sex, humor, and heart.

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Buy Now

 

 

 

 

Amazon / Amazon CA / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Barnes & Noble

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Cover Reveal ~ Fighting to Stay ~ Kasey Millstead

Cover: Cover It Designs

Expected Release Date:

December 15, 2013 

“Never stay, Lacey. Promise me. Promise right now, that whenever things go bad in life, you will run. Never, ever stay.”

Lacey Monroe was used to running. When things got bad, when things got dangerous, when there was a chance that she would get hurt – physically or emotionally – she did what her momma said. She ran. She kept running, until she landed in Salt Rock, Alabama. She meets Roam Cooper, the Vice President of the Mayhem Motorcycle Club and for the first time in her life, Lacey considers staying…and then, right before her eyes, her world falls apart. And she runs again.

“No more runnin’, Lacey. ‘Bout time you started fighting to stay.” – Roam.

**This is a stand-alone, full length novel with a happy ever after**

ADD TO GOODREADS

Kasey Millstead lives a quiet life in country New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and their four young children. She enjoys baking, singing (ridiculously out of tune) & spending time with friends and family. Kasey has always harboured a deep love for reading and writing, and she is now lucky enough to be living her dream of being an Author.

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Cover Reveal ~ Phenomenal X ~ Michelle A. Valentine

Today we're excited to help Michelle A. Valentine reveal the cover to her upcoming New Adult novel, Phenomenal X!  

Phenomenal X is a sexy story with a hot alpha male who will leave you hot, bothered and wanting more! 

Title: Phenomenal X

Author: Michelle A. Valentine

Release Date: TBA

Reveal Organized by: I Love Indie Books

About Phenomenal X

From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and woman lose their minds with desire.

Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist.

One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same

Add Phenomenal X on Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18756982-phenomenal-x

An Excerpt

His lips pull into a tight line, and I fully expect him to release me, but he doesn’t. Xavier’s grip stays firmly in place. “It’s fine if you don’t want to say what’s on your mind. I get that, but no more frowning for the rest of this trip, or I might be forced to find other ways to make you smile just to piss your boyfriend the fuck off.”

My mouth drops open and I can’t stop myself from asking, “What kind of ways?”

Damn my stupid curious brain. That just set him up for all kinds of more dirty talk.

He tries to fight back a smile, but it doesn’t work. It comes at me in full, glorious force. “More ways than that sweet brain of yours could ever imagine.” He leans into me and I tense while he still holds me in place. He’s close enough that if I pushed forward a couple inches our lips will meet in what I imagine would be an earth altering kiss. “I could do things to your body that most women only dream about while reading their dirty, porn romance novels, and I promise you’d fucking enjoy it.”

About Michelle

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series.

Find Her

Blog:

http://michelleavalentine.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-A-Valentine/477823962249268?fref=ts

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/M_A_Valentine

Goodreads Author Page:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6540645.Michelle_A_Valentine

Cover Reveal ~ Starfire ~ Mimi Strong

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

 

Peaches Monroe works at a bookstore in small town Washington. She's also a plus-size lingerie model, and the former girlfriend of Dalton Deangelo. He's the sexy, smoldering actor who plays TV's hottest vampire.

Now Dalton is back in town, hiding out from his past and a ton of bad publicity.

He can't keep his hands off Peaches, even though she's dating someone else.

Peaches knows that being friendly with Dalton always ends up in complete disaster, but he does have an interesting proposal for her--a wedding proposal. He says a fake wedding will save his career, and he needs her.

As much as she'd love to run into the arms of the incredibly hot, deliciously sexy actor, she's also afraid. He keeps hinting that he loves her, but he won't say the words.

Even if he did profess his love, can you ever really trust an actor?

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Teaser

 

 

We climbed up, stepping sideways so we didn’t murder ourselves on our roller skates. We grabbed our things and proceeded up higher and higher, until we were in darkness. I could barely see Adrian’s face, but I found his lips easily.

We kissed, sitting next to each other on the flat wooden bleacher step. I took his lower lip on my mouth and felt carefully with my tongue for the tiny scar from his lip ring.

He pressed his tongue hungrily into my mouth as one hand came across and landed on my bare knee.

He moved his lips away from mine, and over to my ear. He took my earlobe in my mouth and gently sucked it, the way he had my thumb. My skin prickled all over, and I felt myself begin to glow with sweat.

Moving down my neck, he licked and sucked and gently bit my skin until I was moaning. I could hear the crackle of his saliva as he sucked my neck, let go, and held it again with gentle pressure.

At the same time, his hand moved slowly up my leg—trepidatiously, like the hand of a young guy trying to get to third base for the first time.

I whispered, “Are you trying to get to third base?”

He pulled his hot mouth away from my neck, the saliva evaporating and cooling my neck suddenly. To accentuate this, he blew air gently on my neck. I shuddered with pleasure at the sensation.

In the shadows, I saw him lick his lips, then say, “It would be a crime for me to skip second base.” His gaze was directly on my peaches, looking luscious and heaving from my rapid breathing.

“May I?” he asked, holding out both hands, inches from my sweater puppies.

I grabbed his hands by the wrists and brought his hands firmly to me, squeezing over his hands to get him started.

“This is heaven,” he said, squeezing them together and lowering his face to the crease, breathing deeply.

I entwined my fingers in his hair and held him tightly to me—not smothering-tightly, but firm enough to let him know I liked him touching me.

“You smell fucking unbelievable,” he said, his voice muffled.

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Meet Mimi

 

 

 

 

Facebook / Website / Amazon / Goodreads

 

 

Bestselling author Mimi Strong thinks life is too short to be anything but outrageous.

She's the author of 3 USA Today Bestsellers, STARDUST, FOR YOU, and BORROWED BILLIONAIRE, as well as STARLIGHT, HER TEDDY BEAR, BILLIONAIRE NOVELIST, KISSING COACH, and PRETTY GIRLS.

Mimi lives on the west coast with her green-eyed husband and two ginger cats. She loves her beautiful readers and sends you all big hugs in the form of awesome books full of sex, humor, and heart.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

 

Buy Now

 

 

 

 

Amazon / Amazon CA / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Barnes & Noble

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ Let Love Shine ~ Melissa Collins

 

 

Book Title: Let Love Shine, Novella Author: Melissa Collins Genre: NA / College Contemporary Romance Release Date: January 10, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

What comes after “they lived happily ever after?” Maddy and Reid have seen their fair share of trials and tribulations, of love and loss. Facing down the biggest challenges of their young lives, they managed to survive and endure. With the future stretching out before them, they must learn to navigate new and unfamiliar paths. Being new parents, starting new jobs, and continuing college is enough to overwhelm any couple. New challenges come up daily, as do small victories. Watch Maddy and Reid grow stronger together in this “one year later” tale of the everyday stuff that happens in real life. With a solid foundation of love under their inexperienced feet – and with the help of their family and friends – Maddy and Reid learn how to let love shine, lighting the way for a beautiful future to come.

 

 

 

I’ve always been an avid reader. Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer. Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer. I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it. When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity. My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there. I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

 

 

 

 

Yet, here we are a year later and we couldn’t be happier to have Braden’s first birthday party tomorrow with our friends and family. Between prepping for the party, me working overtime, and Maddy finishing up her last summer course, we’ve barely been able to stay awake past eight every night. But watching them dance and laugh in front of me makes it all worth it. I pull them both into my arms and just hold them for a quick second before Braden starts shimmying out of Maddy’s arms. He’s caught sight of his Lightning McQueen racecar on the floor and is reaching for it. Handing him his car, Maddy puts him in his bouncy seat. I should be warmed by the sight of my wife taking care of our son, talking baby talk to him and kissing him sweetly. But all I can see is her ass right now. Yep, I want her. “Get over here.” I pull her back to me once Braden’s situated and brush her hair out of her eyes. “You look beautiful, you know that?” I trail sweet, soft kisses behind her ear and down her neck. “Hmmm.” She mumbles and it makes me smile against her skin. Moving from her neck across to her mouth, I feel her lean into my lips. This is something else of which I’ll never get tired. Her full, luscious lips pressed against mine; the taste of her sweet mouth still drives me crazy. “Well, hello there.” Pulling away from our kiss, Maddy arches her eyebrows as she presses her hips into my groin. The last motion surprises me more than a little. To say that our sex life has been different in the last year is, well, it’s an understatement to say the least. “What? I’m not allowed to want my wife.” I grab her ass and push her into my erection a bit more. Our hands roam as the kiss rises in intensity. I fist a handful of her hair and pull her mouth even closer to mine. It’s the hottest kiss we’ve had in a while. Just as her hips start to roll into mine, we’re distracted by a sound, and smell, to which we’ve grown all too accustomed in the last year. Before I can even move my hands from her body, Maddy’s pinching her nose closed. “Not it!” She calls out and laughs. “Damn, you’re getting quick!” It’s kind of been our thing to decide who gets to change him. I scowl playfully at her and she just laughs at me. “Dude, you’re killing my game.” Braden smiles as I hold him out in front of me. “Holy crap! What the hell did you feed this kid today?” Seriously, he’s lethal.

 

 

 

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Let Love In

Let Love Stay

Let Love Heal

 

 

 

 

 

Let Love In

 

Let Love Stay

 

Let Love Heal

 

 

 

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Cover Reveal ~ Hide ~ Karen French

 

 

Synopsis

 

THE PROTECTORS: Though they work independently and at times are oceans apart, their ties to each other remain strong. They’re related by blood or bond – this group of men and women in law enforcement, government intelligence, and the military who do what others cannot to serve, defend, and protect. HIDE: THE PROTECTORS SERIES — BOOK FOUR Allison Sandoval is on the run after discovering the secret her new husband, Rafael, the leader of a South American country, has kept hidden from the world. She must tell what she knows and stop Rafael but she is on her own, physically weakened by his abuse, and she is running out of time. Zach Corrigan, owner of a Special Ops organization, accepts the job to find Allison, a woman he is told is mentally ill and who suffers from hallucinations and paranoia. But when Zach finds her, something isn't right and after he returns her to her husband, Zach can't get her out of his mind or the belief that he's made a mistake in taking her back. Zach is determined to right that wrong. What began as a job is turning into something more. With Zach, Allison finds a refuge and something she’d given up on, hope. But Rafael isn't the only one hunting Allison. The CIA wants her too. Zach will do everything in his power to make Allison safe, beginning with finding a place for her to hide. But with enemies all around them, there is no place to hide . . .    

 

Meet the Author

 

 

 

Facebook / Twitter / Website / Goodreads / Amazon

Karen Fenech writes contemporary and historical romantic suspense and suspense-mystery. Her novels, originally released in hardcover by Gale under the Five Star Expressions imprint, have received critical acclaim and have been praised by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Kat Martin, Maureen Child, and Debra Webb. Her novel BETRAYAL has been translated into Japanese, and her short fiction has been translated into Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian. She lives with her husband and daughter.

If you'd like to know when the next Protectors novel is available, sign up for Karen Fenech's notification-only news at: http://www.karenfenech.com/books.html

 

Praise for Karen

 

{GONE} Karen Fenech's GONE is a real page turner front to back. You won't be able to put this one down!" —NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KAT MARTIN

{GONE} "Karen Fenech tells a taut tale with great characters and lots of twists. This is a writer you need to read." —USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR MAUREEN CHILD

{GONE} Readers will find themselves in the grip of GONE as this riveting tale plays out. GONE is a provocative thriller filled with a roller coaster ride that carries the suspense until the last page." —DEBORAH C. JACKSON, ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY

{BETRAYAL} "An excellent read." —DONNA M. BROWN, ROMANTIC TIMES MAGAZINE

{THE PROTECTORS SERIES} "Romantic suspense at its best!" —USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR MAUREEN CHILD

{UNHOLY ANGELS} ". . . a superbly intricate tale of greed, power, and murder. . . a suspenseful and believable story that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. Highly recommended! —D.B. HENSON

 

  Excerpt

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

It was now or never. Allison Sandoval took one last glance over her shoulder. The ballroom was crowded on this Saturday evening, filled with the dignitaries and diplomats who’d gathered to honor her husband, Rafael, on his last night on U.S. soil. In the morning, he’d be flying back to his native South America. But he’d be leaving without her. Rafael was tall and the height advantage gave him a wide view of the room, but the crowd around him was thick. Allison had been slowly working her way from his side. At any other time, it would be impossible for her to take more than a step away. He, or one of the men Rafael publicly called her bodyguards but who were in reality her jailers, always pulled her back. But the men around Rafael tonight were as tall as he was and Allison took the opportunity to blend in with those milling around him. Her grip on the champagne flute stretched the skin tight across her hands as she forced herself to move slowly, not to make a mad dash for the exit. She was sweating. Could feel perspiration trickling down her neck, left bare with her hair swept up into an intricate style, and continuing down her spine beneath the flowing silver gown. At the door, an elderly man was making his way into the room. He held the door open and Allison walked by him into the hall. With regret, she bypassed the coat check. Her dress had sleeves that covered her arms, but the late October air was cold. She’d been out of the States for six months and in the South American heat. She’d forgotten how cool the nights could get in New York at this time of year and this year, this part of the state was experiencing unusually frigid weather. Didn’t matter. She would not retrieve her coat. The place was crawling with security people who missed nothing. She could not risk anyone suspecting she was about to leave the building. She’d almost reached one of the Ladies’ rooms on this level of the luxury hotel. Earlier, when she’d accompanied Rafael on a tour of the building, she’d taken note of where the washrooms were located, seeking one that wasn’t at the end of a corridor. What she’d found wasn’t ideal, but she’d make do. She chose the restroom that provided the best access. She turned down that corridor and kept walking. A door at the end of the hall led to a staircase. She made her way down the six flights. Her heels clicked against the steps, echoing in the stairwell, and she glanced back over her shoulder, fearing she would give herself away. But no one came charging through the door after her. Rather than take the exit that opened to the lobby, she continued down to the underground garage. There would be a way to the street from there and freedom. She dropped the glass of champagne she was still holding in a garbage can and left the hotel. The cold air hit her and while it stole her breath, it was also bracing. She was a long way from being free yet, but it was the closest she’d come since marrying Rafael. The last months had been horrific. Tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked them back but some still fell. She swiped them away, angry with herself for going back there. For allowing Rafael to torture her even though she wasn’t with him. She had been strong before. She would be again. She would not let that pain and fear defeat her. As hard as he’d tried, Rafael hadn’t broken her. Her eyes stung with tears again and again she forced them back. Her life was not the only one that depended on her getting away from Rafael. A woman turned to look at her. Allison couldn’t afford to be noticed, to have anyone recall she’d passed this way. She stepped out from beneath the street lights, went into the shadows cast by the tall buildings and increased her step as much as she was able. What she really needed to do was to stop and lean against one of the buildings. She was so tired. It was a struggle to remain on her feet. The small burst of strength she’d mustered to make her escape had waned. She was breathing hard, a combination of her body’s weakness and terror. It was the terror that kept her moving. She couldn’t be caught. If Rafael found her . . . For an instant, fear cut off her breath. No, she would not be caught and taken back to Rafael. She had to finish this with him. She could not fail. She didn’t know how long she’d walked, dragging her feet, when the tall buildings gave way to smaller structures spaced wider apart. Traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular, was thin here. One of the small buildings looked to be a factory of some kind. Whatever it was, the place looked deserted for the weekend. Could she spend the night there? Did she dare stop moving? The place would be locked but it was possible she could find something in the alley beside the building to break a window. She winced at doing that but as she shivered in the bitter cold, she tamped down on her conscience. Moonlight lit her way into the alley. She bent and got down on the ground. She spotted a wine bottle, minus the cap. Would the bottle be enough to break the window? She wasn’t sure, but she had to try. She was about to reach for it, then curled her fingers into her palms. When she reached out would she find she was mistaken and the bottle wasn’t there, that there wasn’t any bottle at all? She couldn’t always trust what her own eyes told her. She closed them briefly, afraid this would be one of those times. But, no. When she forced herself to reach out, her fingers closed around the neck of the bottle. Her pulse sped up. Allison left the alley. It was a weekend. No one should be back to work in that building before Monday. Still, she hesitated. She couldn’t afford to make a wrong move. If she came upon someone police would be called. Then Rafael. Fear had the back of her neck prickling. No lights were on inside the building. The building did look closed up tight. She could barely keep herself upright now in her exhaustion. Her body swayed toward it but she didn’t take a step. She remained where she was. She faced her reality. As much as she needed somewhere to sleep and to hide for the night, even if the door was wide open, she couldn’t go into that dark place. She closed her eyes at her weakness, fighting back tears. She was now shaking and huddling into herself in a futile attempt to get warm. She went back into the alley, to the small alcove dug into the side of the building, and went as deep inside it as she could.

* * *

Zach Corrigan was sleeping when the monitor beeped, signaling the secure perimeter around his place had been breached. He was instantly awake and on full alert. He rolled onto his side and punched buttons on the small panel in the wall, bringing up a view of the outside. He owned a large stretch of isolated land in Blake County, New York. A long, unnamed dirt road, bordered by trees, led only to Zach’s place. Anyone on this road would be coming to see him. Moonlight provided excellent light tonight, making the lights around the place unnecessary. Zach’s house came into view, a big ranch-style, as did the extension off the main house that served as the base of operations for his organization. Behind was a huge pond, currently frozen over. The cameras he had set up at strategic points on the grounds showed several views of the place. Zach would see his visitors long before they reached his front door. The vehicle making its way to him was a limousine and though the occupant likely had no idea he or she was being monitored, there was no attempt to conceal the approach. An assassin wouldn’t announce his arrival. It was just shy of two in the morning on a Sunday. Zach’s business didn’t run nine to five and late callers weren’t unusual. But if this were one of Zach’s government contacts coming to his door about a mission, they would have called first. Zach’s line of work made it essential that he be cautious. He made no apology for it. He tracked the progress of the limousine. Decided to let it proceed. If he’d misjudged his visitor, he’d soon rectify that. He slept naked and now put on jeans and a T-shirt. His gun was on his nightstand, always ready. He secured it at his back, under the shirt, then left the bedroom. A coffee maker was on a timer set to start at seven a.m. He got the machine going. As the rich aroma of the strong dark brew filled the air, the monitor beeped again, this time to indicate a presence on his driveway. Zach called up the images on the kitchen monitor. Two men emerged from the limousine. One was built like a brick, clearly muscle for someone, but he stood against the hood of the black car, making no attempt to follow or shield the other man who moved briskly to Zach’s front door and rang the bell. Zach filled a mug of coffee for himself and drank a bit before going to the door to meet his visitor. He opened the door and checked out the muscle. The guy hadn’t moved from the limo. He stood with his arms folded at his chest, his hands tucked under his arms to ward off the cold. Zach focused on the man in front of him. His cashmere coat flapped in the breeze. The wind put color in his cheeks that were sallow and drawn. His eyes looked heavy from lack of sleep. “Help you?” “Are you Zachary Corrigan?” Zach clocked the man at around his own age—early thirties. The guy had an accent. South American. Zach had spent enough time in that region to be able to pinpoint exactly where on the continent his visitor was from. This man was from a remote area. Zach had learned of a diplomatic visit to the U.S. from the country’s leader in a bid to secure financial aid. That leader was Rafael Sandoval, the man now standing here with Zach. “I’m Corrigan,” Zach said. The man extended a gloved hand. The leather was of the finest, soft as melted butter. “I am Rafael Sandoval,” he said. “Mr. Corrigan. I need your help.” Sandoval’s expression was earnest and desperate. Zach stepped back from the door and led the other man to the kitchen. Zach topped up his mug. “Coffee?” “No, thank you.” The man didn’t look like he needed the caffeine. He looked about to jump out of his skin. Zach leaned back against the dark counter. In addition to jobs for Uncle Sam, Zach’s organization also took on work from other countries and from private clients. “Who sent you to me?” “Roger Morse told me about you,” Sandoval said. Sandoval named one of Zach’s government contacts. “What do you need my help with?” “Mr. Morse does not know the reason I have come to you,” Sandoval added. Zach narrowed his eyes. “Which is?” “Before I begin, I must confirm that you are a military man.” Zach kept his gaze on Sandoval, wondering where this was going. “I’m sure you already got from Morse that I was a SEAL.” Sandoval let out a long breath. “I am also a military man. There is a code of honor among us. I need to ask for your utmost discretion.” “Why don’t you tell me what this is about?” Sandoval’s shoulders slumped then he straightened his posture. “I need you to find my wife.” “I’m not a PI.” Zach wasn’t going to elaborate on what his organization did. His contracts for the government were classified, sending him and his people into places in all parts of the world where others couldn’t or wouldn’t go. He maintained the same level of confidentiality for the jobs he took from private clients. “I do not need an investigator,” Sandoval said. “I need someone with your skills and your discretion. I am here in your country in an attempt to secure aid for mine. I cannot let word about my wife’s disappearance become front page news. I cannot allow the focus to shift away from my country’s very real need. This is a personal matter. My wife, Allison, and I were attending a gathering in my honor yesterday evening. It was to be our last night in your country. We were to fly home this morning. One moment Allison was standing at my side and the next she was gone. I confess I was distracted. An agreement with your country would mean so much to mine.” Sandoval rubbed his gloved hand back and forth across his brow with what appeared to be enough force to shred skin. “I was not paying enough attention to Allison.” Zach leaned forward. “If your wife was abducted—” “No. She was not abducted.” Sandoval squeezed his eyes shut so tightly the skin at the corners puckered. “She walked away.” Zach pushed off the counter. “Unless your wife is a minor, she’s perfectly free to come and go as she pleases. There’s nothing I can do for you.” Sandoval rubbed his brow hard again. “Obviously, she is of legal age. You do not understand. She must be found.” Zach repeated his earlier statement. “I’m not a PI. I can recommend a good investigator though I’m not sure you need one. You have your own people to look for her, my government and law enforcement would also look for her. You don’t need me.” “My wife is delicate. Fragile. Law enforcement and government agencies would overwhelm her when they find her. She must be handled gently.” Sandoval withdrew his wallet and from it a photograph he held out to Zach. “This is Allison.” Zach glanced at the picture without taking it. The woman was a stunner. Waves of blond hair fell to her shoulders. Big eyes in a deep green rather than the blue he expected to go along with all that fair hair. She was dolled up and dressed to the nines in what looked like a pose for a State photo—wife of the country’s new president. Zach raised his gaze from the picture and back to Sandoval. “This isn’t the type of work my organization handles.” Sandoval ran a shaking hand back through his hair. “My wife is not a well woman.” The idea of an ill woman out on the streets without help didn’t sit well with Zach, but if she were sick, why would she leave? There had to be a reason Allison Sandoval had left her husband. Zach eyed Sandoval and asked him straight out. “Why’d she leave you?” “It was not deliberate. Allison wandered away from the ballroom last night. She does that if I do not keep a close watch on her.” Zach crossed his arms. “What aren’t you telling me?” Sandoval’s face drew tight in an expression of pain. “My wife suffers from delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. She cannot determine what is real from what is imagined. She is on medication but she has been gone since last night and has been without it. And it is so cold to be outside. She must be found now. She will not survive long on her own.” Zach frowned. Clearly, the woman needed to be found quickly. He had no doubt he could do that and a lot faster than if he sent Sandoval on his way to find someone else to do the job. It wasn’t his usual recovery mission but Allison Sandoval needed to be recovered. Zach addressed Sandoval. “I’ll find her.”