“I, um... My mom made a lot of decisions for our family out of a desperate attempt to keep my dad. She’d sometimes look at me if I was in the room after she vented about him and say, you’ve got his blood in you. I guess... That’s stuck with me. I think the last few years my dad was alive it was so tough to be around him that it’s... Fuck.”
“Kelsey?” Logan reached over then paused.
She took his hand, because she wanted that comfort.
He squeezed her hand tight. “Yeah, your dad helped make you, but that doesn’t mean you’re a carbon copy of him. It doesn’t mean you’ll make the same choices he did. You are your own person.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I tell myself that, but sometimes... Sometimes I think I’m just like him. But, here’s the thing, I don’t want to be like him. I can’t see myself making the same decisions he did.”
“I’ve never met your father, but from the way you describe him, I can’t see him in you. Not like how you’re talking. For someone to continuously cause harm to people you claim to love, that speaks to some deep issues. You aren’t perfect, but you care about people. You know what it’s like to be hurt the way he hurt others.”
Kelsey bit her lip.
Her eyes would not sweat.
She wouldn’t let them.
“For what it’s worth, I regretted everything I said immediately. I just... I panicked. I don’t think it was about the guys at all. I think...” She stared into his eyes and willed the words to come to her. “I think I realized I was falling in love with you. And that scared me. Logan, I don’t do serious relationships. I’ve never felt this way about another person because... Because...”
He lifted their joined hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “You don’t do relationships because that would mean finding out if you’re like your dad, which is your greatest fear.”
“Yeah,” she whispered.
“I’m figuring that out.” He pulled on her hand and she scooted closer. “I also don’t think you were entirely wrong. I’ve got some work to do myself. But, what if I tell you, I’m willing to take that risk because I see the good in you? I see someone I want to have beside me. Someone who can watch my back in a knife fight. Someone I want to spend time with. Someone I fell in love a long time ago.”
“What?” she yelped and pulled away.
Or tried to.
Logan had an arm around her now and wasn’t letting her go.
He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers.
“You never should have kissed me,” he whispered.
Was he saying he’d been in love with her since then?
“You aren’t serious...” And yet, her insides hoped he was.
“My mom always told me that I’d fall in love someday, and she’d be someone who could put me on my ass. I don’t know what happens now that we’ve caught Skilton or what you want to do, but I’d like to do it together. I’d like to give this a shot.”
Her insides quivered with all the hope a girl could muster. “Do you mean it?”
“Every word of it. That’s my promise to you, Kelsey.”
She blew out a breath.
It was time to be brave. Braver than she’d ever been, because that was the kind of woman she wanted to be from now on. The kind he deserved.
She curled her hand into the soft fabric of his shirt. Her insides felt like they were growing and damn it, her eyes were sweating. “Logan? I love you, and that scares the shit out of me.”
“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered.
And she believed him. Every word of it. He hadn’t just told her, he’d shown her in every way.
CHRISTMAS MORNING. Muller Residence.
Logan tip-toed down the hall. It was early still and his parents weren’t awake. He estimated they had another hour or two before they started puttering around and making a big breakfast. By then Logan’s stomach would have cannibalized his spleen. He just hoped his mother hadn’t counted the number of pecan tarts she’d made for the family get together later.
As quietly as possible, he opened the bedroom door to the guest room and ducked inside.
Light spilled in the windows, bathing the room in warmth.
They hadn’t been open when he left.
He peered at the lump in the bed.
“I know you’re awake,” he said.
Kelsey groaned. “I’m starving to death.”
He snorted and sat on the bed. “Tart?”
“What did you call me?” She flipped the comforter back and gaped at him in mock offense.
He held out the pastry.
Her grin was swift and beautiful. “You do love me.”
“Every day.” He bent and buzzed her lips with a quick kiss before she could pop the entire thing in her mouth. He’d seen her do it when his mom wasn’t looking.
She took a bit bite out of the tart.
Logan chuckled and slid back between the sheets.
The relationship was still new, and yet it felt as though she’d always been in his life. Like she belonged. They still argued. Passionately. But less about important things and more like, squeezing toothpaste from the bottom of the tube as opposed to the middle.
Two icy cold things pressed to his bare calf.
“Fuck!” Logan gasped and jerked away from her.
Kelsey covered her mouth, trying her best to smother the laughter.
“Was that your feet again?” He lifted the covers. “Fucking hell.”
“Yes,” she said between laughter.
Logan grabbed the one present he’d stolen from under the tree and thrust it at her.
“Open this,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir,” she said before shoving the other half of the tart into her mouth.
She ran her fingers under the holly printed paper then paused.
“You don’t have an early morning present,” she said around her food.
He pointed at the package. “That’s my present.”
“You got me a present for you?” She squinted at him then ripped the paper open.
Kelsey pulled out a pair of soft, leather moccasin house shoes. They were similar to his. Not exact. He’d managed to make one small request of the shoes.
“The inside is blue.” She shoved the shoe in his face, as if he hadn’t seen it before. “You got me house shoes?”
Her utter joy at a simple gift was all he wanted. That, and for her to keep her cold feet to herself.
“Aw, thank you.” She leaned over and hugged his arm.
“Just promise me you’ll wear them?”
“All the time.”
“But only in the house?”
She sighed. “Fine.”
She disappeared under the comforter to put the shoes on. This time when she ran her foot along his calf it was supple leather that touched him and not the ice blocks she called feet.
“Talked to my sisters for like, half a minute.” Kelsey turned to face him.
“Yeah?”
“Remember I told you their mom got them DNA tests over Black Friday?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I guess there was some discussion about presents this year for them and the girls decided they didn’t want gifts. They wanted to take a trip to Hawaii to see where Dad grew up.”
“That sounds cool.”
Kelsey chewed her thumbnail. “They want me to go.”
He reached over and took her hand. “How do you feel about it?”
Kelsey held onto him and stared at the comforter. “I feel...like it could be fun. I know me and my stepmom will never get along super well, but I think I’d like to go. Do that with my sisters. And who knows? Maybe we’ll discover some family is still alive?”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
“Would you want to go?” she asked slowly.
Logan paused, taking a moment to absorb it all.
He’d been prepared for a rocky start to their relationship, but all things considered once
they figured out how to communicate and listen to each other, things were easy. He knew this was a big step for her. She wasn’t just taking a trip, she was making time for family and herself. It wasn’t all work.
He wanted to be part of it, from now until eternity.
“Sounds like fun,” he said.
Her smile blossomed again. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
She curled up next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Cool. And maybe we’ll see some place neat to get married or something.”
“Wait—what?” Logan stared at her.
She grinned and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “You’re so much fun to mess with.”
“I’ve just never heard you say the M-word is all...” He thought it, but knew better than to say it.
She wrinkled her nose. “I figured I’d better start getting comfortable with it. You look at me sometimes and it’s like, written on your forehead. It gives me hives, okay?”
“Oh...” Busted. “Well... What do you think about that?”
“That you’re weird. Kidding.” She rolled over onto her back. “I think that’s something we wait on. Selfishly? Until after whatever’s going on with the Task Force. Things are fine now, but if I’m being honest? If I’m going to take that step I want to be selfish about it. I want time, and the Task Force eats all of it.”
Logan stared at her.
She’d thought about this. Enough to be able to put it into words, which was sometimes a struggle for her. Often, when she couldn’t do that she ran from a situation. Like when she’d broken up with him. It was a panic response.
He reached over and pulled her to him. This time, he couldn’t stop grinning. “But, you’ve thought about it?”
She bumped her nose to his. “Didn’t I say you have commitment written all over you?”
“Right next to your name.” He kissed her, ignoring the crumbs and her cold feet.
He was going to marry her. Someday. In the distant future. But he was marrying her.
Epilogue.
Miami International Airport. Miami, FL.
Quinten Joon strode through the Miami airport. He was a bloodhound with a scent. He was so damn close to finding Nadine. He just knew it.
What was it he was missing?
The day he’d been put on administrative leave Quinten had packed a bag and left. He knew it looked bad. He knew there would be questions.
The facts were no one knew Nadine better than him right now. If anyone could find her, it would be him.
Or so he’d thought.
Weeks later and if he had to go another day feeling like he was close and yet not getting anywhere near her, he was going to lose his mind.
There was only one thing left to do.
It was time to call Gonzalez.
Only, Quinten hadn’t been able to make himself dial her number. Not after his part in ending her career with the CIA. No, this was a conversation better had in person...
WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS next? Who is Gonzales? Why did Quinten betray her? Stay tuned for Targeted Risk.
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Explore the whole Aegis world in these series...
It all began with the Aegis Group.
Dangerous Attraction
Dangerous in Training
Dangerous Games
Dangerous Assignment
Dangerous Protector
Dangerous Secrets
Dangerous Betrayal
Dangerous Heat
Dangerous Connections
Dangerous Exposure (TBA)
More Coming Soon!
Within Aegis Group, special teams take on special jobs, beginning with the Alpha Team.
Dangerous in Love
Dangerous in Action
Dangerous in Transit
Dangerous in Motion
Dangerous in Charge
Other specialized teams exist under the Aegis Group umbrella, including Lepta Team.
Dangerously Taken
Dangerously Involved
Dangerously Deceived
Dangerously Broken
Dangerously Entwined
Troy Team has signed on to work an ultra-secret case in the Aegis Group Task Force series.
(prequel) First Risk: a newsletter exclusive serial
Stolen Risk
Forged Risk
Technical Risk
Necessary Risk
Intercepted Risk
Targeted Risk (TBA)
Hard Risk (TBA)
Burned Risk (TBA)
Final Risk (TBA)
You’ve heard about them and got your first glimpse in Necessary Risk, but now the Dangerous Ladies are here to play!
Just Business
Just Friends (TBA)
Just Casual (TBA)
Stay tuned for the appearance of the Omega Team.
In Dangerous Games it continued with the Gone Geek girls.
Beauty and the Geek
Mr. Purr-fect and the Geek
The Jock and the Geek
The Gamer and the Geek
The Adorkable Girl and the Geek
The Fake Boyfriend and the Geek
When the Seattle office of Aegis Group opened the Twisted Royals took the stage.
The Origin Story
Alpha Prince
Her Prince
Bad Boy Prince
Noble Prince
For short reads, tune in this December for the Body of Danger novella series kick-off.
Heart of Danger
Spirit of Danger
Mind of Danger
The other Smith brother takes us to the Texas SWAT series, a small town suspense series.
Fighting Redemption
Stolen Redemption
Forbidden Redemption
Reckless Redemption (TBA)
Thanks to the SWAT team, Ransom, Texas enjoys a slower pace of life beginning in The Love Barn.
Give Me Back My Man
Summer of Love
Party out of Bounds
Stolen Risk
Aegis Group Task Force #1
Jamie Silva helps lead a specialized team that works to tackle the difficult jobs. The ones the government can't be party to. When his team is recruited to join an off-the-books task force he knows the stakes are higher than ever before. He just didn't think the job would include seducing the CEO of a major tech company, or that he'd want her up against a wall, in bed or anywhere else.
Tabby Grissler is tired of waiting for Mr. Right, at least until tall, dark and handsome sits next to her at a charity event. He ticks all her boxes, except he's lying to her. Confronted with the reality that her dream guy is a government spy merely marks the beginning. Someone has stolen her tech with the intent to create a global blackout and in order to stop them, she'll have to work with Jamie. But she doesn't have to trust him.
Thrown together, Tabby and Jamie must put aside their differences and ignore their chemistry if they're going to get to the bottom of the international theft. But each clue leads them further down the rabbit hole and time is running out.
Forged Risk
Aegis Group Task Force #2
The only place Evan Ivanov has ever belonged is with his team. He takes it as a matter of pride when his team is recruited to join an off-the-books task force, but the job quickly becomes far more complicated than he could have imagined when he's sent back to his home city of Kiev. Instead of capturing an infamous criminal who makes bad guys disappear, he ends up releasing the criminal’s daughter, a beautiful young woman who has been a prisoner most of her life.
Felecia seizes on the opportunity to get away from her father. Though she tells herself not to trust Evan, he's there for her at every turn. But this rescue comes at a price. She must help the team even when that means putting herself in danger. The more she reveals, the closer she becomes to Evan and the harder it gets for her to want to be free of the team. Falling f
or her white knight isn't possible. Not when she has enemies circling.
Evan struggles to balance his relationship with Felecia with his duty to his team and finds them at odds. She must learn to go on trust and follow her heart as they follow her father's clues, only someone's hunting them.
Technical Risk
Aegis Group Task Force #3
Diha Balakrishnan knows she should be focused on the task force's latest objective, hunting down a notorious hacker. Ever since joining the team her career has been as exciting as she dreamed, but it's also lonely. Which is why she has a secret goal, one only her closest friend knows about. She wants to catch the eye of the sexy British spy.
Miles Green's career is on the ropes and he's not thrilled about being tapped to work with an American team. The chance to catch the hacker responsible for derailing two commuter trains is too good to pass up. But then he sees her. The woman with the sultry eyes, and Miles begins to wonder if she's what his life has been missing. He's always been a work first man, but she makes him want more.
After half the team is falsely arrested, it's up to Diha and Miles to work together and bring the hacker down. It's a job that requires them to work closely together, which makes ignoring the sparks that much more difficult. But while the flames burn hot between them another threat looms.
Necessary Risk
Aegis Group Task Force #4
Ivy Ashley is striking out. Fired from her gig as a live-in bodyguard, she's at the end of her rope when she is asked to join a special task force for a one-off undercover job. It's easy. All she has to do is infiltrate a harem. She even has back-up in the form of a lone-wolf spy with the sexiest lips she's ever kissed.
Piers Killam does not play well with others. Least of all an ill-prepared Army veteran in over her head with an undercover op who makes him remember why he started doing this job. Every day with Ivy revives his long-dead heart.
The race to locate the missing pieces of information for their team is on, and it's Ivy's life they're gambling with. Piers doesn't intend to share Ivy, not even with the prince she's contracted to. But when they find the digital time bomb the whole game changes. Piers will have to decide who to save and who to let go.
Intercepted Risk Page 37