“Steaks are done.” Jack placed the platter on the table.
“What did Kevin say about you signing with a new manager?” Emma asked.
“Huh! It’s a wonder you didn’t hear him shouting out here. He said I was an ungrateful bitch and I’d regret it, then he hung up on me. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“He was trying to take advantage of you,” Hone snapped. “Bastard. If he decides to visit you in person, I’ll give him a knuckle sandwich with a punch to wash it down.”
Jack snorted and Emma echoed the sentiment.
“I might let you,” Cassie said. “Wow, I hang around you guys for a while and turn into a bloody-thirsty wench.”
“My wench,” Hone said with satisfaction.
Emma chortled. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“I like him,” Cassie said and winked at her man…ah, dragon. “Will you take me flying?”
“We’ll have to get permission from Manu because I’m not sure if his units will make you invisible,” Hone said.
“This is so exciting. I’m learning about this new, mysterious world. How is Manu?”
Hone frowned. “Not good. Samuel is doing everything he can to provoke him.”
“Samuel wants to die and Manu is the only one who can give him death.”
Cassie set down her knife and fork. “How?”
“The sword,” Emma said. “Now that June is gone, Manu is the tribe leader. He bears the responsibility for every dragon within the Auckland region.”
“If June was the leader, how come Manu had the magic sword?” Cassie asked.
“The sword chooses the leader by melting into their body. It rejected June and accepted Manu before June flew here. Kahurangi said that was the final bit that made his mother snap,” Hone said.
“Fascinating, but scary too.” Cassie pushed her plate away and retrieved the letter. She ripped open the envelope and scanned the contents. “I don’t believe it. Listen to this.”
She started reading aloud.
Dear Cassie,
Although we didn’t know each other well, I feel as if I owe you an explanation and Dillion wanted to say hello. No doubt, the police have already contacted you to ask if you’ve seen me. The drugs belonged to me, and when your land and house remained vacant, I decided to risk an extra planting on your land. The attacks and the clown thing happened because of me. I wanted to scare you away until the crop was ready to harvest. Unfortunately, my ex-wife and your discovery of the crop forced me to escalate my plans. No matter, since everything turned out in the end. Dillion is safe and we have a new home, a new life and new opportunities.
Thank you for being so good to Dillion. You were amazing with him, and I will be forever grateful.
Best wishes,
Matthew Jamieson
“Is there a postmark?” Hone asked.
“It was posted in Hawaii almost two weeks ago. I doubt they’re still there,” Cassie said.
“Are you calling the cops?” Jack asked.
Cassie folded the single sheet of paper and stuffed it back in the envelope. “No, I don’t think so. They could be anywhere by now. Besides, the cops probably assume Matthew has fled New Zealand. They’ll already be following leads and searching outside the country.”
Hone picked up her hand, seeming to take delight in the physical contact. “At least we can relax our guard and you’re no longer in danger.”
“I wish we could help Manu,” Cassie said. “He saved me. You all saved me.”
“Because we understood what you meant to Hone,” Emma said. “It was easy to see.”
“I had no idea,” Cassie said indignantly. “Why didn’t anyone tell me? It would’ve saved me a lot of heartache.”
Hone squeezed her hand. “You needed to choose me, sweetheart. Accept that we were meant to be.” He leaned over and kissed her.
“Ew,” Emma said. “We’re still at dinner.”
Cassie laughed against Hone’s lips. She was right where she wanted to be with the man she loved.
Silver linings.
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Please turn the page for a glimpse of My Scarlet Woman and Snared by Saber, two of my other paranormal romances.
Enjoy!
Shelley
Excerpt – My Scarlet Woman
Copyright 2015 Shelley Munro
Middlemarch Shifters, book 1
The lady in red.
The second brother to mention her. Curiosity piqued, Saber turned to check out the view. His breath stalled until the tight vise around his lungs reminded him to breathe. Saber inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring, feline genes kicking in.
He wanted the lady in red.
But that wasn’t the purpose of this shindig. Saber consciously relaxed, telling himself she was too obvious. The invitation a little blatant for his taste, but she might spark the urge to mate in one of his brothers. “Fine. We’re next in line for introductions anyway.” He watched one of the elders walk up to the lady in red and offer his arm. The lady smiled, and Saber adjusted his thoughts. A touch of vulnerability flitted across her pale face before she answered a question posed by the elder. Wistfulness. Hope. She treated the elder with courtesy and respect, earning points from Saber. He’d noticed the impatience of some of the other women waiting to enter the marquee. Excitement jumped in him. This plan would work. The lady in red would make a fine sister-in-law.
The elder led her toward him and his brothers. Saber indicated Felix with a jerk of his head, but the elder stopped in front of him.
“May I present Joanna Scarlet?” the elder said. “This is Saber Mitchell.”
“Just call me Jo,” the lady in red murmured, her voice a low, sensual hum that speared through him, winding his stomach in knots of desire and lust and uncharacteristic possessiveness. Her attractive floral scent reminded him of old-fashioned flowers and herbs. Maybe a touch of vanilla. It seeped deep into his lungs, drawing him in like a helpless insect. Saber sighed. His Scarlet woman. If his brothers didn’t stop with the leering, he was going to smack some manners into them. Whoa…his?
She studied them all with frank interest and nodded when the elder introduced his brothers. Shock finally yielded to common sense and the voice of reason. Saber saw Joanna—call me Jo—was chatting to another elder and a plump dark-haired girl who had stopped at their side. “Okay, boys. You’ve had your joke. How much did they pay you, Sid?”
The elder offered a gentle but determined smile and spoke in a low undertone so the lady didn’t hear. “Lad, you need a mate. This one is for you.”
A protest formed in Saber. He didn’t have a destined mate. And he’d accepted his fate to travel through life alone when his search during his younger days had turned up nothing but entertaining sexual partners. The elder was wrong. Wasn’t he? He glanced at Joanna Scarlet and battled the bolt of lust that zapped the length of his body again. Every sense jumped to hyper-alert. He smelled her delicate floral perfume and the underlying feminine scent specific to her. Heard her slow, steady breaths. Saber could practically feel her body pressed against his. She called him on every level. Pushing aside the panicked, out of control sensation, he aimed for nonchalance. Oh, yeah. He couldn’t deny he was interested, but what if it was a false alarm? What if he was disappointed again? Saber answered his own question with a silent grunt. He’d pick himself up and carry on. That’s what he’d do. That’s what he always did.
“Not frightened of the little lady, are you, Saber?” A clear taunt colored Felix’s whispered words. Wh
en Saber glanced at his other brothers, he saw amusement and unholy glee. Ambushed. In his own trap.
Saber turned to Jo, accepting the hand fate and the elders had dealt him. “Would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to,” she murmured, tucking her hand in his. Her fingers were cool to the touch, but Saber knew instinctively this was a façade. The lady possessed hidden fires, flames as hot as her Scarlet name. Suddenly he wanted to tend and stoke the fires until they flared out of control. But not here. Not with everyone looking.
Emily moved into his arms, her heart giving an excited blip. When a slow ballad started, she moved automatically across the grass dance floor. Her heels sank into the grass so she danced on tiptoe, balancing easily in his arms. Her bag swayed against her hip with each move, its contents a silent reminder of what she wanted to achieve tonight.
Call me Jo.
She had no idea what had possessed her to tell everyone her name was Joanna. Cinderella syndrome? Perhaps. Because tonight she felt like a fairy tale character. The lure of fun and mischief called, enticing her to outrageous thoughts of a one-night stand. Her mouth firmed with determination. Thoughts she intended to carry out.
She tipped back her head to study the man—Saber Mitchell. About six inches taller than her, the man had short, dark hair and light green eyes. Intense green eyes full of sensual promises. Emily shivered with longing. The touch of a male. Sex.
It had been so long.
Touches of humor lurked at the corners of his beautiful eyes and lips as if he smiled often. Put together, his features were attractive and pleasing to her eye. The muscles beneath her fingers were strong and his tan, along with his calloused fingers, told her he worked outdoors. Although the man was difficult to read, Emily sensed a wide vein of integrity ran within. She’d watched him with his brothers while they waited to enter the marquee.
Yep, he was perfect in his tight black trousers, the white cotton shirt and contrasting red tie.
The exact opposite of Michael.
A few more subtle tests would tell if he’d qualify as the man. Was he married for one? She wasn’t about to break up a marriage, not since she’d been on the receiving end of a triangle. Ditto any serious relationships. Once she’d cleared up these questions, it was full steam ahead. Emily knew it was irresponsible, fool hardy, a few other things as well but she wanted to feel a man’s body wrapped around her, she wanted the closeness and the intimacy even if it was for just one night. Heck, she plain wanted sex. Playing alone didn’t cut it any longer. Emily needed to know she was desirable, that a man wanted her.
Tonight was the night.
Purchase My Scarlet Woman
Excerpt – Snared by Saber
Copyright 2017 Shelley Munro
Middlemarch Capture, book 1
Something woke Eva. An out-of-place noise. A faint rustle. A footfall?
She sat up in bed, eyes straining to pierce the darkness of their chalet.
“Casey?”
Casey didn’t answer.
“C-Casey?” Although she aimed for a firm timbre, her voice emerged coated with fear because her gut was screaming something was wrong. Casey was a light sleeper. Why wasn’t she answering?
A prickling sensation crawled up her spine while her gaze roved the darkness, searching, searching, searching, as senses honed from growing up on the streets worked overtime.
Someone, something was in their chalet.
“Casey, are you there?” Her friend hadn’t been sleeping well during the two solar days they’d been at the resort and sometimes went for a walk along the beach. Maybe that was it. She’d woken just as Casey was leaving. She listened for an instant longer and heard nothing. Slowly, she willed her body to relax, her breathing to return to normal.
A black shape leaped at her without warning. She screamed, scrambled back, away. A hand slapped over her mouth. Another pushed her flat to the mattress. Memories rose like a specter, tossed her into a thick pool of fear.
“Keep still. I’m not going to hurt you,” a masculine voice growled against her ear.
Her breath seesawed in and out. A shudder went through her. He wasn’t going to get her again. He wasn’t.
She was stronger now. More capable.
She let her body go limp, waited for her captor to relax…
Then kicked, connecting with hard muscle.
“Fuck,” he snarled and grabbed her roughly.
With a screech, she sank her teeth into his arm and bit down until blood flowed into her mouth. He bellowed, flinging her away. She was up and racing for the door before he could seize her again.
“Oomph!” She blundered into a low table, bashing her shins. The table skidded across the tiles, signaling her location.
Escape. She had to get to the door. Run to the next chalet for help. Find Casey. Frantic, Eva hugged the wall and slid toward the door, her gaze darting to and fro, trying to locate the man in the darkness.
He’d felt big, muscular, but he stalked like a predator, so silent. A tremble rippled through her body, her skin prickled, hair at the back of her neck lifted with foreboding.
Damn it. Where’s Casey?
A hell of a time for her to do a moonlight flit.
Eva inched farther along the wall, trying to picture the chalet interior in her mind. She reached out, hit the door handle.
“Got you,” a man whispered.
Eva yelped and she ducked her head to bite again. Her captor grunted, grasped her firmly and tossed her back on the sleep-bed.
No surrender! No capitulation without a fight. She wielded her elbows, aiming for his ribs.
“Fuck it. Stop fighting.” He cursed a colorful streak, snatched her again, fingers biting into her arms.
Strong. Too strong.
Gods, it was happening again…
“Let me go. Please, let me go and I won’t tell anyone.” Her voice scarcely recognizable, she gulped, frantic for air. His hands shifted, grazed her breast. She lashed out with her fist, wriggled, kicked, sobbed. “No. No, no, no!”
“Fuck.” The man’s grip tightened and he twisted what felt like rope around her wrists.
“No!” Panting, she lashed out with her feet. “Please don’t do this.” Terror crawled over her. Her pulse thundered in her ears. Fast. Choppy. She lashed out again and almost wriggled free. “No, let me go! Please, please. Don’t hurt me!”
She backed up on the sleep-bed, toppled off the mattress, hit the floor with a spine-jarring thump. Unable to break her fall, her head struck the tiles. Pain speared through her skull, stunning her for an instant.
He was on her in a trice, his weight pressing her down before she could gather her addled wits.
She felt a cloth pressed against her nose. Pungent and unpleasant, the scent brought tears to her eyes. Couldn’t get away. Couldn’t hold her breath. Stark panic loomed then, but it was too late. Had to breathe.
She slumped, edges of black sliding over her vision.
Lights out.
Nobody home.
“You done?” Saber’s voice ripped through the darkness. His nostrils flared and he stiffened. “Who’s bleeding?”
“She bit me,” Felix said in an aggrieved tone.
Unexpectedly, a laugh escaped Saber. He flicked on the light and saw his brother sitting on the floor with the unconscious woman. She was bleeding too. “You hurt her. I told you not to hurt her!” For an unexpected second, Saber wanted to rip the scantily clad woman from his brother’s arms, cradle her protectively in his own.
Sweet baby Jesus, he had to get past his…his…infatuation with this woman.
He didn’t want another woman, didn’t need one after Lori.
He clenched his hands into fists, the prick of claws bleeding through the tops of his fingertips shocking him even more. What the fuck?
“I didn’t do anything. All I did was hold her so she wouldn’t hurt herself. Why is she bleeding?” Felix asked in alarm upon seeing the woman’s head. He brushed aside her blonde h
air and probed the wound. “Honestly, I didn’t hit her when she bit me. I heard a thump. She must’ve hit her head when she fell off the sleep-bed.”
“Bring her. We’ll treat her injuries on the way. Hurry before we attract attention.” Saber waited until Felix picked up the woman and carried her from the room before he flicked off the light. He tried not to notice the generous swell of her breasts as Felix passed. He tried not to notice the length of her bare legs beneath the bit of pale-blue silk she was wearing.
He tried to focus on Lori, the woman he’d loved and lost.
He failed on all three counts.
“She’s okay,” Felix said when Saber joined him at the rear of the vehicle. “The bleeding has already stopped. I’ve sprayed the area with anti-infection serum.” He strapped her into the rear of the vehicle, checked her pulse and nodded. “I’ll stay with her, just to make sure the bleeding doesn’t restart.”
Saber gave a clipped nod and closed the rear door for his brother. He jogged around to the cockpit and strapped in, trying to get past his rush of guilt. No choice.
Saber started the shuttle, and moments later, when they were clear of the resort, he hit vertical climb and punched in the coordinates for the camp. Instead of setting the vehicle to automatic pilot, he operated it in manual, needing something to concentrate on other than his zigzagging thoughts. He’d failed Lori, but he wouldn’t fail everyone else who depended on him.
By the time they reached the captive camp on the far boundary of their land, daylight had broken. Saber landed the vehicle and powered down. He opened his door and leaped out, the tweet and chirp of birds and insects an assault against his ears. The vivid flora on this island attracted bugs and beasties by the truckload. They seemed to thrive in the fragrant tropical heat.
Saber wiped the sweat from his forehead and strode to the rear of the vehicle. He hoped his family thrived too.
“How is she?” Saber’s eyes went right to the woman, her pale face and her loose golden hair.
“Still sleeping due to the sedative on the medi-cloth,” Felix said. “I’ll wait around until she gains consciousness.”
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