B00MV3HMDW_EBOK (40 page)
It took Jessie thirty seconds before she appeared at the door and he was glad to know that she paused to look through the peephole. With their last encounter, he was relatively surprised when she immediately opened the door. What didn’t seem unusual was the alarmed look on her face and he instantly knew that she thought something had happened to one of the team members.
“Everyone is fine.” Crest waited for Jessie to take a step back so that he could enter her apartment, but she remained steadfast in her position. He briefly looked her over, taking in her gray yoga pants with a relatively see-through T-shirt that had the image of a cat on it. When she raised an eyebrow and didn’t acknowledge him with so much as a
hello
, he knew this wasn’t going to go as well as it could. Granted, that fell on his shoulders, but in his defense he’d been protecting her. “Jessie, we need to talk.”
“I’m pretty sure we said all there was to say.” Jessie tilted her chin up, her stubborn green eyes saying she wasn’t going to give an inch.
“Then I’ll cut to the chase,” Crest said, hardening his tone. He’d wanted to go about this in a civil manner. He understood her ire and had circumstances been different they wouldn’t be standing here about to discuss her safety, but instead she’d be on her knees in front of him giving him what he wanted most in this world. Unfortunately that wasn’t going to happen. “You need to pack a bag and come with me. We need to go on an assignment.”
“What are you talking about?” Jessie asked, cocking her head slightly in question. Her young face was devoid of any makeup, yet her lips still held a rosy tint that caught his attention when she pursed them in concentration. “I have nothing to do with CSA anymore.”
“I’m not going to have this discussion out in the hallway.” Crest raised an eyebrow, letting her know he was done being patient. “We’ll take this conversation inside.”
He knew Jessie well enough that when she cocked her lips to the side she was debating on whether or not to do something. He tamped down his frustration, at the same time acknowledging that if she had to think this long and hard over such a simple directive she sure as hell wouldn’t have been able to handle him on a personal level. Right when he was about to take matters into his own hands she took two steps back.
“I don’t want you to say anything,” Crest warned, not knowing if her apartment had been equipped with listening devices. He wasn’t going to take any chances. He reached into his suit jacket for the piece of paper Ryland had provided him earlier that day and held it out for her. Jessie slowly took it, understanding that the hand signal he’d just given her indicated someone could be eavesdropping on their conversation. He was pleased to see that she still trusted him enough to take his lead. “Just read your mission.”
As Jessie perused the information, Crest could tell the moment she got to the vital intelligence that proved her life was in danger. She was shaking her head, not able to believe what was in front of her…regardless that it was spelled out in black and white. It had nothing to do with a mission and everything to do with getting her out of this location and to a safe house. He took a swift look around, confirming himself that nothing was out of place and memorizing the layout.
“As I said, you need to come with me.”
“This isn’t true,” Jessie replied, disbelief written across her features. All her previous animosity disappeared as she struggled to come to terms with what he was presenting her with. Crest didn’t blame her that she was having a hard time with the cold hard facts. “Gavin, whoever gave this to you lied.”
“Jessie, we can discuss this later.” Crest felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise as he sensed something wasn’t right. They didn’t have a lot of time and his gut was telling him they needed to vacate immediately. He took the paper from her quickly, although she did try to hold on to it. “We need to leave now.”
“No,” Jessie said, continuing to shake her head in defiance. She’d always had a stubborn streak and while there were moments he thought the trait was endearing, now wasn’t one of those times. “Tell me who gave this to you.”
Crest was done playing around. She trusted him and yet they were standing in her foyer debating over something that couldn’t be changed. He closed the short distance between them and had her backed against the wall within seconds. He could feel the heat of her body through his suit but he did his best to ignore it, along with the slight gasp that escaped her lips. Her palms were lying flat against his white dress shirt where his jacket was parted, but that wasn’t what he needed focused on him. Slipping one hand behind her neck and tangling his fingers into her long brown hair, he finally spoke in a low enough voice that he felt confident wouldn’t be picked up by any devices.
“I’m done playing around, Jessie. You
are
in danger and I won’t stand on the sidelines to watch you get killed. Either you walk out of this building with me on your own free will or I’ll damned well carry you out of here over my shoulder. What’s it going to be?”
~ THE END ~
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister…and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
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Kennedy Layne
Captured Innocence
(CSA Case Files 1)
When former Marine, Connor Ortega, was ordered into the offices of Crest Security Agency on a Saturday morning, he didn’t expect the latest case to hit so close to home. A submissive has been murdered in a particularly vicious manner and to bring her killer to justice, he must go undercover. Not hard to do considering he’s already part of the BDSM lifestyle.
Lauren Bailey, a local vendor of bejeweled erotic implements, lives vicariously through her clients due to her fear of bondage. When Connor’s dominant side can’t resist trying to ease her anxieties, she accepts his proposal and agrees to his one stipulation…keep things casual.
When the killer sets his sights on Lauren, Connor is forced to rethink their relationship. He has the training it takes to catch a murderer, but does he have the courage to escape his inner demons and capture Lauren’s heart?
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Captured Innocence
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Sinful Resurrection
(CSA Case Files 2)
Sins of the past have been resurrected, predetermining their path to love. Can they overcome the treacherous obstacles set before them?
Jax Christensen likes his life just the way it is. He has his work, his club, and the occasional naked submissive to take his mind off everything else. He doesn’t talk about the past, as there is no point in reminiscing about things that cannot be altered. His chest has an empty hole where his heart used to be, but he’s grown accustomed to the constant pain. It’s become the only thing that reminds Jax that he’s alive.
Emily Weiss has never forgotten the one and only man she’s ever loved. She’s hidden for two long years in an attempt to protect Jax and herself, desperate to try and stay one step ahead of those who want her dead. She has information that could destroy the United Nations. Unfortunately, they want to eliminate her first. Emily’s exhausted and wants more than anything to feel safe once more. That was how she felt in Jax’s strong arms and she longs to be there again.
When Jax sees that Emily has risen from the grave, his heart and soul are full of anger and regret. He’ll never forgive her lies and deception. He will, however, keep her safe. He hates her for what she’s done, but he doesn’t want her death on his conscience. He’ll protect her and then walk away.
Secrets are revealed and the danger is more sinister and deadly than anyone could have guessed. Jax and Emily are forced on the run and the passion they once felt for one another burns even hotter and brighter the second time around. Jax doesn’t know how he’ll walk away this time or if he even wants to. Emily is determined to expose a high-level official within the United Nations and walk away unscathed. She wants a second chance with her first love—even if it kills her.
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Sinful Resurrection
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Renewed Faith
(CSA Case Files 3)
Is it possible to renew one’s faith in love?
Injury ended former Marine Kevin Dreier’s enlistment much too soon, leaving him with unwanted pins and screws in his right leg to serve as a constant reminder of what he’d lost. Being a team member of Crest Security Agency, however, gives him a sense of purpose and accomplishment. The determination that makes him good at his job is the same drive he’ll need to win over the woman he wants in his life.
Taking charge of her destiny, Elle Reyes has spent the last year working hard to make something of herself. She’s found a reputable place to live, saved a little money, and even secured a managing position at a club. She’s finally safe, content, and in need of nothing more, but she knows she wouldn’t have been able to turn her life around without Kevin’s assistance.
When Kevin loses a family member, Elle is convinced this is her chance of returning a favor and repaying a debt. Accompanying him to visit his family and offer support, she is faced with the reality that warm and loving homes are real. She’s torn between what she knows to be the truth and the tempting hope that something more exists.
Upon their return, Kevin’s current case crosses paths with Elle’s past. Secrets and lies encircle them as a killer ups the stakes in a cat and mouse game meant for only one winner. When time runs out, Kevin intends to be the last man standing—in life and love.
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