“Yeah.” He kissed her again and held her close. “I love you, Mariana Lopez.”
She snuggled into his hard body. “I love you, too. Forever.”
He chuckled. “It’s going to be an adventure.”
“I hope so.” Then she laughed along with him.
Epilogue
The boisterous crowd had bundled up against the early snow, their happiness obvious as they enjoyed the outdoor festivities following Evan O’Connell being made sheriff. He’d won easily, and Sheriff Baker had conceded…from a jail cell. The guy would face some time for kidnapping Mariana and blowing up the truck. Raine was glad about that.
Kind of. He would’ve liked to have gotten in a couple more punches.
Mariana hustled up with apple ciders in both mitten-covered hands. With a white knit hat on her hair, she looked adorable. A snowflake landed on her nose. “Here. It’s delicious.”
“Thanks.” He’d watched her the entire time she’d worked the crowd with Tabi and was comfortable that she was safe. The drink was good. Nice and warm.
Her phone rang, and she pulled it out of her pocket to glance at the face. “It’s Laura.” She quickly pressed a button. “Hi. You’re on speaker with Raine. He can’t wait to meet you when you visit next month.”
Raine smiled even as he scanned the gathering for any threats. “Hi.”’
“Hi. Can’t wait to meet you, too.” Laura sounded distracted. “You’re not going to believe this, but we’ve found your stalker. Do you remember a computer tech named Kenny Jilloby?”
She swallowed. “Kind of? I think he worked on our system a couple of times.”
“Yes, he did. We just caught him sending roses to another woman from the same building, and he admitted to sending you flowers and notes. Didn’t once try to follow you. The guy has issues, though.”
Raine made a mental note to have Cade find out everything there was about good ole Kenny.
Mariana smiled. “Great job finding him.”
“Thanks. The other news is that he has no clue where you went, so he switched to another great love, as he called her. Leaving was a good move. He’s in custody now, so that’s over.” Laura shuffled papers. “Oh. Gotta go. See you two soon.” The line went dead.
Mariana tucked the phone away,. “You’re going to love her.”
Sure. If Mariana loved her, he’d protect her as well. “I’m sure.”
Tabi bounced up with Evan behind her. “I’m so glad this happened. A new sheriff.” She motioned Abby and Noah over. The lovebirds had been back a week and had definitely pitched in to help. “I have awesome news. We have the corrupt sheriff out of office, and Abby is going to run for mayor next year. I’m running her campaign.”
Abby stumbled. “Mayor? I’m not running for mayor.”
Her mate, vampire Noah Siosal, sighed. “I have a feeling you are. Right, demoness?”
Tabi grinned. “Yep. You turned in all the necessary documents weeks ago. I mean, the mayor, sheriff, and that judge railroaded you when your dirtbag ex set you up. Don’t you want to stick it to them?”
Abby smoothed her dark hair away from her face. “Not really. I’m happy.” She smiled at her mate.
Tabi sighed. “Fine. Then don’t you want to help clean up the town? Make it safe and good again?”
Good plug.
Abby slowly nodded.
“Good,” Tabi said. “Evan and Noah will be honest police officers, and you’ll be a great mayor. Mariana and I are contributing to the town with our businesses, and once you’re mayor, you can appoint Raine as a judge when that dirty one faces a scandal.”
Raine and Abby jumped as one. “What scandal?” Abby asked.
Tabi shrugged. “He’s been skimming the books on a nonprofit he started with his brother. We’ll time the disclosure just right.”
Evan tugged his demoness closer. “Tell me you didn’t create this situation.”
“I’d never do that,” the blonde protested. Then she paused. “Okay. I’d do that, but I didn’t this time. He’s really skimming.”
Raine gave in to temptation and drew his mate closer to his side. “I don’t want to be a judge and have plenty to do with my investments and businesses.”
Tabi shrugged. “Come on. It’s just for a couple of decades. We all set out to clean up this town, and that’s the last step. I think it’s a great idea. I’m sure that Mariana would be so proud of you if you’d be a judge. Surely you’ve learned some law in your centuries on earth.”
Truth be told, he’d gone to a couple of law schools. He looked at Mariana.
She snuggled into his side. “It’s your call. I love you regardless.”
He sighed. “Fine, but just for a couple of decades. Then you find somebody else.” He grasped Mariana’s hand. “We’ll be back.” They strode away as the snow fell lightly around them.
“She has your number,” Mariana said as he lifted her to sit on top of a wooden picnic table.
He shrugged. “I can be a judge for a while if it cleans up the town. Do you like your practice here?”
She nodded. “I do. For a couple of decades.” Her smile was sweet and calmed everything inside him. “So long as we’re together, I’ll go anywhere.”
He leaned over and kissed her, overwhelmed that this brilliant, kind, and talented female wanted to be with him. No matter what. Their lives would be full of adventure, some drama, and lots of love. Even if the Maxwell enemies found them, they’d triumph. They’d deal with it all together. “I’m glad I made you mine, mate.”
She grinned, and her eyes sparkled. “Me too, Vampire.”
Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Rebecca Zanetti, discover Vixen, Vengeance, Blaze Erupting, Tangled, Teased, and Tricked.
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DRAGON REVEALED by Donna Grant
A Dragon Kings Novella
CAPTURED IN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
A Montgomery Ink: Boulder Novella
SECURING JANE by Susan Stoker
A SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series Novella
WILD WIND by Kristen Ashley
A Chaos Novella
DARE TO TEASE by Carly Phillips
A Dare Nation Novella
VAMPIRE by Rebecca Zanetti
A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella
MAFIA KING by Rachel Van Dyken
A Mafia Royals Novella
THE GRAVEDIGGER’S SON by Darynda Jones
A Charley Davidson Novella
FINALE by Skye Warren
A North Security Novella
MEMORIES OF YOU by J. Kenner
A Stark Securities Novella
SLAYED BY DARKNESS by Alexandra Ivy
A Guardians of Eternity Novella
TREASURED by Lexi Blake
A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
THE DAREDEVIL by Dylan Allen
A Rivers Wilde Novella
BOND OF DESTINY by Larissa Ione
A Demonica Novella
THE CLOSE-UP by Kennedy Ryan
A Hollywood Renaissance Novella
MORE THAN POSSESS YOU by Shayla Black
A More Than Words Novella
HAUNTED HOUSE by Heather Graham
A Krewe of Hunters Novella
MAN FOR ME by Laurelin Paige
A Man In Charge Novella
THE RHYTHM METHOD by Kylie Scott
A Stage Dive Novella
JONAH BENNETT by Tijan
A Bennett Mafia Novella
CHANGE WITH ME by Kristen Proby
A With Me In Seattle Novella
THE DARKEST DESTINY by Gena Showalter
A Lords of the Underworld Novella
> Also from Blue Box Press
THE LAST TIARA by M.J. Rose
THE CROWN OF GILDED BONES by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Blood and Ash Novel
THE MISSING SISTER by Lucinda Riley
Discover More Rebecca Zanetti
Vixen
A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella
Click here to purchase.
Tabi Rusko has a simple to-do list: Rob a bank, steal a recording, set up a lucrative factory, and survive the assassins on her tail. Sure, she’s a demoness with the cunning and instincts that come with her species, but she’s always spent more time exploring than training, and her fighting skills are okay at best. One sexy man, a human cop no less, is responsible for her being stuck in a small hick town and forced into a human anger-management group that’s crazier than her. To make matters worse, his dangerous blue eyes and hard body leave her breathless and ready to rumble, and his overbearing attitude is a challenge a demoness can’t refuse.
Evan O’Connell just wants to enjoy his time out of the military by policing a small town and hopefully pulling cats from trees and helping old ladies cross the street before he succumbs to the disease plaguing him. The last thing he needs is a stunning, too sexy, pain in the butt blonde casing his bank and causing a ruckus everywhere she goes. There’s something different about her that he can’t figure out, and when she offers him immortality in exchange for her freedom, he discovers that isn’t enough. One touch of her, a whirlwind beyond his imagination, and he wants the Vixen to be his forever, as soon as he takes care of the centuries old killers on her tail.
* * * *
Vengeance
A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella
Click here to purchase.
Vengeance and revenge are the only forces driving vampire soldier Noah Siosal since losing his brother to an enemy he’s been unable to find. He’s searched every corner of the globe, going through adversaries and piling up bodies until finally getting a lead. The last place he wants to be is in a ridiculous anger management group with people expressing feelings instead of taking action. Until one fragile human, a green-eyed sweetheart being stalked by danger, catches his eye. One touch, and he realizes vengeance can’t be anywhere near her.
Anger and self-preservation are the only motivations Abby Miller needs or wants right now. Falsely accused of attacking the man who’s terrorized her for years, she’s forced as a plea bargain to attend an anger management counseling group with people with some serious rage issues, while learning true self defense on the side. Yet a man, one more primal than any she’s ever met, draws her in a way and into a world deadlier than she’s ever imagined. He offers her protection, but she finds the fight is really for his heart, and she’s ready to battle.
* * * *
Blaze Erupting
Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella
Click here to purchase.
Hugh Johnson is nobody’s hero, and the idea of being in the limelight makes him want to growl. He takes care of his brothers, does his job, and enjoys a mellow evening hanging with his hound dog and watching the sports channel. So when sweet and sexy Ellie Smithers from his college chemistry class asks him to save millions of people from a nuclear meltdown, he doggedly steps forward while telling himself that the world hasn’t changed and he can go back to his relaxing life. One look at Ellie and excitement doesn’t seem so bad.
Eleanor Smithers knows that the Scorpius bacteria has and will change life as we know it, but that’s a concern for another day. She’s been hand-picked as the computer guru for The Brigade, which is the USA’s first line of defense against all things Scorpius, including homegrown terrorists who’ve just been waiting for a chance to strike. Their target is a nuclear power plant in the east, and the only person who can help her is Hugh, the sexy, laconic, dangerous man she had a crush on so long ago.
* * * *
Tangled
A Dark Protectors—Reece Family Novella
Click here to purchase
Now that her mask has finally slipped…
Ginny O’Toole has spent a lifetime repaying her family’s debt, and she’s finally at the end of her servitude with one last job. Of course, it couldn’t be easy. After stealing the computer files that will free her once and for all, she finds herself on the run from a pissed off vampire who has never fallen for her helpless act. A deadly predator too sexy for his own good. If he doesn’t knock it off, he’s going to see just how powerful she can really be.
He won’t be satisfied until she’s completely bare.
Theo Reese had been more than irritated at the beautiful yet helpless witch he’d known a century ago, thinking she was just useless fluff who enjoyed messing with men’s heads. The second he discovers she’s a ruthless thief determined to bring down his family, his blood burns and his interest peaks, sending his true nature into hunting mode. When he finds her, and he will, she’ll understand the real meaning of helpless.
* * * *
Tricked
A Dark Protectors—Reese Family Novella
Click here to purchase
He Might Save Her
Former police psychologist Ronni Alexander had it all before a poison attacked her heart and gave her a death sentence. Now, on her last leg, she has an opportunity to live if she mates a vampire. A real vampire. One night of sex and a good bite, and she’d live forever with no more weaknesses. Well, except for the vampire whose dominance is over the top, and who has no clue how to deal with a modern woman who can take care of herself.
She Might Kill Him
Jared Reese, who has no intention of ever mating for anything other than convenience, agrees to help out his new sister in law by saving her friend’s life with a quick tussle in bed. The plan seems so simple. They’d mate, and he move on with his life and take risks as a modern pirate should. Except after one night with Ronni, one moment of her sighing his name, and he wants more than a mating of convenience. Now all he has to do is convince Ronni she wants the same thing. Good thing he’s up for a good battle.
* * * *
Teased
A Dark Protectors—Reece Family Novella
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The Hunter
For almost a century, the Realm’s most deadly assassin, Chalton Reese, has left war and death in the past, turning instead to strategy, reason, and technology. His fingers, still stained with blood, now protect with a keyboard instead of a weapon. Until the vampire king sends him on one more mission; to hunt down a human female with the knowledge to destroy the Realm. A woman with eyes like emeralds, a brain to match his own, and a passion that might destroy them both—if the enemy on their heels doesn’t do so first.
The Hunted
Olivia Roberts has foregone relationships with wimpy metro-sexuals in favor of pursuing a good story, bound and determined to uncover the truth, any truth. When her instincts start humming about missing proprietary information, she has no idea her search for a story will lead her to a ripped, sexy, and dangerous male beyond any human man. Setting aside the unbelievable fact that he’s a vampire and she’s his prey, she discovers that trusting him is the only chance they have to survive the danger stalking them both.
Rebel’s Karma
Dark Protectors, Book 13
By Rebecca Zanetti
Coming June 8, 2021
Click here to purchase.
There’s no denying destiny…
For too long, Benjamin Reese has masked his deadly skills and temper with loyalty and humor. A vampire-demon hybrid, he fiercely protects his family, guards his brothers, and destroys the enemy without mercy. But when he discovers one fragile, beautiful blonde—a woman once mated to a Kurjan, no less—every primal instinct he has buried for centuries roars to life. With the mating mark she roused on his hand entwining their fates, no one will prevent him from keeping her safe and making her his, forever…
Or desire…
Karma wishes she could remember her last name. Or if she even h
ad one. All she has in this confusing new world is a desperate duty to save the innocent. That means destroying the dark, dangerous, and desirable Benjamin Reese and everything he loves—an impossible task even before his touch arouses a passionate hunger she can’t afford. She’s certain a deadly enemy watches her every move, but it’s not until Benny kisses her that she tastes true danger…
* * * *
An excerpt from Rebel’s Karma (Benny’s Story)
Karma had bigger things to worry about than the life of this massive hybrid. She allowed herself one moment to stare into his unusual eyes. Oh, many immortals had metallic-silver eyes, gold eyes, even copper or purple. But his were a combination of all argent colors, mingling into a hard-edged glint, even with the humor lurking there. In another time, she might’ve thought him beautiful. She’d learned long ago that beauty could mask the darkest of evils.
Vampires were bad, demons were bad, and this male was a hybrid of both. When he decided to kill her—and he would at some point—she wouldn’t stand much chance of surviving. Yet she still couldn’t comprehend why he’d come for her. “Why are you here?”
“For you. To rescue you because I couldn’t last time.” He stretched out his arms and healed a broken finger in his left hand.
Vampire: A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella Page 12