Ladies of the Night OMNIBUS Collection: Sizzling Romantic Suspense

by Taylor Lee

  Jase stepped back, signaling Gray to do the same. He forced himself to look at Sapphire, expecting to see terror in her eyes, the terror that was making it impossible for him to breathe. Instead, her jewel-hard eyes were bright with intent. He saw her almost imperceptible hand signals and realized that she must have spied Noah at the side wall. Knowing that what she intended was borderline suicidal, Jase almost didn’t give Noah the corresponding signal. But seeing the fierceness in Sapphire’s eyes he knew he had to comply.

  Spotting the barrel of Noah’s M110 SASS sniper rifle aimed at the back of Ventrilo’s head, Jase did the only thing he could to save Sapphire. He signaled Noah to be ready and at the almost indiscernible countdown of her fingers, Jase gave Noah the go sign. In slow motion he saw Sapphire smash her elbow in to Ventrilo’s gut at the same time dropping to her knees. The blast from Noah’s rifle echoed across the still night air. Again, as if the world was turning in slow motion, Jase swore he saw the bullet enter the back of Roberto’s head. Ventrilo’s Magnum fired, but blessedly Sapphire was on her knees in front of the shattered man as he fell to the ground, his bullet harmlessly penetrating the tarmac.

  Epilogue

  With his free hand, Jase tightened his grip on Sapphire’s arm. He already had his other arm wrapped securely around her shoulders and there wasn’t an inch of space between their bodies, but the extra grip was comforting, at least to him. It was four hours since the hideous roof top scene, when Jase knew that he’d come within split seconds of losing the woman he loved.

  He knew that for years, if not the rest of his life, the image of Sapphire, Ventrilo’s arm around her throat, his Magnum pressed against the kill spot at the base of her skull, would be in every nightmare he had. Even so, he couldn’t believe the calm courage of the woman who gave him silent orders that were 90% likely to end with her death. That he had no choice but to comply would haunt him for a lifetime, knowing the tragedy that could so easily have happened.

  Herding the “clients” into the various agencies planes and helicopters, Jase acknowledged that most of the contemptible men would be on their way to their home countries within hours. As bitter as that fact was, Jase comforted himself with the knowledge that he and his men knew who they were and planned to make the rest of their lives a living hell.

  On the flight down the mountainside on the way back to their base, Jase connected with Ian and Diamond, giving them a blow by blow description of the chilling events that ended with Ventrilo’s death and the capture of scores of his men—including and especially the traitorous Michael Porter. Ian summed up the response that echoed that of every one of their agents on the team.

  “Sapphire, I can only tell you, that when agents across the globe come together to retell the most heroic stories of brave agents, what you did today will be the first one told.” His voice dropped. “We honor you, Gabriella.”

  Jase saw the tears well up in Sapphire’s eyes. One fell when Diamond’s crisp voice came over the com.

  “Col. Ross is correct, Sapphire. While I should fire you on the spot for once again disobeying direct orders, I applaud your instincts and sheer courage. You, my dear, are the epitome of the agent I envisioned when I formed the Ladies of the Night.”

  Seeing the tears on Sapphire’s cheeks and knowing that she must be feeling the aftermath of their adrenalin-spiked venture, Jase aimed for humor.

  “Speaking of those direct, disobeyed orders, Agent Shaw: I neglected to tell you that while I’m not really into the BDSM scene, I’m a firm believer in spanking the hell out of any operative who disobeys my direct orders, particularly when I’m at nine breaches and still counting.”

  Sapphire snuggled up against him and giggled.

  “Hmm, Commander Malone, you should tell that to Noah. From what I saw yesterday, he’s a loose cannon. A righteous one, but a loose cannon all the same.”

  ~~~

  Later that evening, Jase waited for her in her living room. He was already starting on his second glass of Scotch when Sapphire entered.

  She was wearing a bright pink nightshirt. It featured a saucy looking female soldier wearing a regulation combat camouflage jacket and hat. But instead of pants, the cartoon figure was wearing thigh-high, lace topped stockings, high heeled shoes and a revealing thong. The slogan on the front of the shirt said it all.

  You couldn’t handle me even if

  I came with instructions

  Jase roared with laughter at the impish sight, although he wasn’t surprised at the moisture he felt pricking the back of his eyelids.

  He held out his hand, shaking his head at her audacity.

  “C’mere, you.”

  He pulled her up next to him.

  “Damn, Sapphire, truer words were never spoken. Did you get that just for me?”

  Sapphire laughed. “To be honest, no. But it has taken on new meaning since I met you!”

  Jase eyed the gold collar that she’d been wearing since he’d put it on her before they met with Ventrilo. Removing the tiny gold key from his shirt pocket, Jase held it up to her.

  “It’s probably time that I took that collar off, don’t you think? It’s quite a contrast to your nightshirt. ”

  Sapphire pressed her lips together as though considering and then she shrugged and grinned.

  “I don’t know, Commander. I’ve come to like it. It goes well with everything, except maybe my jeans. And, yes, it is a little odd with this shirt.”

  He tipped up her chin and gazed into her eyes.

  “I think that we should go jewelry shopping tomorrow, Gabriella. I’ve been thinking that a smaller collar would be nice. One that fits on your finger?”

  Sapphire stared at him in surprise. She was quiet for a moment and then threw him a saucy grin.

  “Hmm, that’s an interesting thought. But you’ll need to buy two. One for you and one for me. With your reputation, I’m not letting you out of my sight without a brand. Or in this case, a ring.”

  Jase laughed and pulled her closer.

  “Agreed, Agent Shaw. That’s probably wise and appropriate.”

  He held her quietly for a moment and then assumed a mock frown.

  “Now on to this evening. I don’t want to mislead you. We have some unfinished business to take care of. I believe I informed you what happens to any agent of mine that goes off the reservation, breaks ranks, and disobeys one of my orders.” He pursed his lips and deepened his frown. “Since you sashayed out of here two days ago, Agent Shaw, you’ve been quite busy. I’ve tallied that you have no fewer than fifteen infractions. They can’t be allowed to stand without repercussions, now can they? It wouldn’t set a good example for other saucy agents.”

  He cupped her rear in both of his large hands and squeezed her firm cheeks, eliciting a sharp squeal.

  “Do you know what that means, Sapphire? What I warned you would happen if you blatantly disobeyed my orders?”

  Sapphire looked up at him and met his gaze. Tossing her head, she said with an impudent smile, “Fifteen infractions? Hmm, tell you what. If you’re actually man enough to make good on your threats, Commander Malone, I’d say we best get started.”

  #########

  Want MORE of the Fierce and Beautiful

  Ladies of the Night?

  Ruby

  Coming JUNE 24!

  Chloe Harper, Code Name: Ruby is a diminutive, red-headed vixen. But don’t let her size fool you. The fierce firebrand is as accomplished with a knife and Glock 19 as she is bringing men to their feet with her womanly wiles. Noah Walker, the stunning black former Army Ranger, is no slouch when it comes to attracting women, but even he is no match for Ruby. Both agents are more than equipped to take on what appears to be a rogue operation in the command structure of the national agency that hired them. The twist and turns of this surprising mission will have your head spinning. The only thing more riveting is the passion that flares between the two indomitable agents.

  Copyright Information

  Playing with Sa
pphire

  Copyright, 2015 by Taylor Lee

  idesire publications

  All rights reserved

  Ruby

  Ruby

  Book 2

  Ladies of the Night Series

  By

  Taylor Lee

  Praise for Ruby…

  “USA Today best-selling author Taylor Lee soars with Ruby, the second book in Lee’s provocative new series, Ladies of the Night. The Ladies are covert agents in a secretive, off the grid security organization. Highly trained fighters, they’re as gorgeous as they are dangerous to the evil men they’re hired to bring to justice. The only thing these formidable women are NOT is “ladies.”

  “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” Malcolm X

  Chapter 1

  Glancing across the expanse of the ornate ballroom at the upscale Continental Club, Agent Chloe Harper’s heart skipped a beat. To be more accurate, it damn near came to a dead stop. Ditto on her breath. Chloe, aka Ruby, comforted herself with the knowledge that sans breath and a beating heart, she had only seconds left in this lifetime—if that. Managing a dry snort, she reassured herself that if her last conscious sight was a glimpse of Noah Walker, at least her life would end on a positive note.

  When her heart started pumping again and she was able to draw in a ragged breath, confirming that she would have to live through this challenging night, Chloe chided herself that if anyone could cause a woman’s heart to skip a beat, it was Noah Walker.

  It didn’t help that the tall, warm-skinned man was a colleague and, she admitted, a man she’d lusted after ever since she met him. It was also likely that he was on the top ten list of “hottest men alive” of every woman in attendance at the posh affair. How could he not be? It was as though the gods had thrown Idris Elba and Columbus Short into a male beauty blender and turned it on high. The result was, without a doubt, one of the sexiest black men Chloe had ever seen. She guessed that few people among the crowd of makers and shakers, and maker and shaker wannabes, knew that the smiling man was neither who he seemed to be, nor how he introduced himself.

  No, the problem was that Chloe did know who Noah Walker was, in all of his many charming iterations. Worse, he knew all of hers. While that could be a problem, given that they were undercover agents with two of the most secretive off the grid agencies working in the shadows, Chloe didn’t fear Noah unmasking her—any more than she would unmask him. No, the problem was that the last time Chloe had seen him, she was stark naked and having as close to an unraveled panic attack as she’d ever endured.

  Chloe felt her cheeks flame as she searched for a hiding place. To get to the ladies room she would have to walk by the crowd of people who were intent on getting as close to her colleague as possible. No matter how she chose to steal by, she was certain he would spot her. She had to admit, that even in this crowd or perhaps especially in this crowd, she would be hard to miss. Bright red hair and a sinfully tight emerald green dress were sure to draw the eye of even the most besotted fans trying to get the attention of the superstar holding court in the center of the throng.

  Slinking behind a pillar, Chloe allowed herself to remember the last time she had seen Noah Walker. Along with their partner Grayson Webb, she and Noah had been part of a group present when a despicable man had literally choked a young woman to death in an autoerotic asphyxiation sex scene gone bad. That the monster hadn’t so much as looked back when Noah had cut the bonds holding the teenaged victim and confirmed that she was indeed dead had added to Chloe’s angst. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t seen hideous sights; Chloe had survived eight years in the jungles of Somalia and more Middle Eastern countries than she cared to remember. A Staff Sergeant in the Army, Chloe Harper had served as an adjunct to several squads of Army Rangers who worked some of the most dangerous and most secretive undercover missions the Army assigned to the elite units. Given her conspicuous physical characteristics, Sgt. Harper’s inevitable role was as bait to attract whichever high level target the Army wanted eliminated.

  Chloe had been so successful that when she decided Army life was no longer for her, she’d had her choice from among the best of the security agencies that sought retired military hotshots. To everyone’s surprise, the esteemed Sgt. Harper turned down offers from the top tier companies and instead joined the incipient outfit known by its provocative name, Ladies of the Night. The first hire in the renegade company, Chloe joined its founder, Riley Davis, in what many in the industry said was a time bomb, certain to explode. Lt. Col. Davis, according to most of the men who’d worked with her, was as volatile and uncontrollable as she was beautiful. Within a year after resigning from the Army, Col. Davis had been blackballed by virtually every prestigious security agency. According to the companies she’d worked for, the unanimous conclusion was that the volatile Lt. Col. was unmanageable and therefore to be avoided at all costs.

  Chloe disagreed. She’d worked two active duty missions with Col. Davis and when she’d learned that the explosive Army hotshot was opening her own firm, Chloe had never looked back. Against the advice of everyone she knew, she approached Col. Davis and begged her to hire her. It just so happened that begging wasn’t necessary. Riley Davis confessed to her, after their five hour introductory meeting, that Chloe’s military accolades, appearance, and sheer verve made her a natural for the woman-owned, woman-only company that its founder was certain would leave the rest of the agencies in the dust. As Chloe signed the contract pledging her livelihood to the upstart company, her new boss christened her. Col. Davis had determined that all of her agents would receive code names. Setting the standard with her own code name, Diamond, the irascible leader gave the redheaded agent-to-be her code name. Chloe became Ruby.

  It was as Ruby that she’d met Noah Walker. Determined to contain her rioting emotions, Ruby forced herself to remember that fateful night they were last together. It was the first time that she’d ever given in to the horrors that she routinely experienced in her chosen profession. She was serving as a barmaid and stripper in the Caligula Club, the high-end BDSM club owned by their target. Ruby was present when the young girl had literally been strangled in front of her and the other two agents, as well as a group of leering men. When the hideous club owner made no secret of the fact that the girl’s death had aroused him, Ruby had given in to her shock. Certain that she couldn’t breathe, she’d begun shaking uncontrollably. Whisked out of the Club by her co-agents, Noah Walker and Grayson Webb, Ruby was so shaken that she barely remembered leaving the Club.

  What she would never forget was Noah holding her in his lap as Grayson sped through the midnight streets of the Phoenix suburb. Pulling up in front of Ruby’s condominium, Grayson made quick work of her elaborate security system. Inside her prized sanctuary, Noah continued to hold her while Grayson grabbed the nearest bottle of Scotch and poured each of them a tumbler full. While the Scotch served to at least to help her get breathing under control, it also made her aware of the man who was holding her on his lap. It didn’t hurt that he was also stroking her back as he held her against his strong body, crooning comforting words in her ear. Even now she could remember his masculine scent combined with the fragrance of one of her favorite colognes.

  What she had tried to forget the next morning, and for the many days that followed, was how he had put her to bed. Carrying her into her bedroom, he’d laid her on her four poster bed and began rummaging in her dresser drawers. With a satisfied grunt, that could have been a suppressed chuckle, he returned with one of her many Marvel Superhero nightshirts, this one Batman. Stripping off the miniscule scraps of material that comprised her outrageous Caligula Club “uniform,” he’d slipped the colorful nightshirt over her head and pulled it down to cover her naked body. When she woke up the next morning after a fitful sleep, she was horrified at the memory of a gorgeous hunk of a guy undressing her and seeing what he had put on her. Why, oh why, couldn’t she have had si
lky sleep slips in her drawer instead of a bunch of juvenile cartoon characters? Even now she groaned at the memory.

  With a soft snort, Ruby realized it was the same feeling she had about what she was wearing now. Knowing that there wasn’t a chance in hell that she and Noah wouldn’t run into each other sometime during the event, she tried unsuccessfully to stretch the tight fabric of her dress an inch or two lower to at least cover her upper thighs. Her dismay at the dress she had chosen was confirmed when she saw the look on Stuart Mason’s face when he spotted her. Unfortunately, it was a look that she had seen more than a few times in the past. Which was problematic since Stuart Mason was her fiancé.

  Stuart’s frown deepened as he approached her. His caustic tone underscored his distaste. Without bothering to say hello, he grasped her arm and said, “Jesus, Chloe, why did you choose to wear that dress? I told you specifically that this was a formal affair and that some very important people would be here tonight.”

  His distaste was so apparent you’d have thought that she’d chosen to wear one of her many stripper outfits, that she wore routinely in her covert line of work, to a gathering of habit-clad nuns. For a guilty fleeting moment Chloe wondered why she had chosen this particular dress and if perchance she’d done it on purpose to annoy Stuart. Deciding not to dwell on that self-aware insight, Chloe chose instead to placate him… and at the same time poke at him. After all, Stuart could do with a little poking. His pompousness demanded it.

  “And good evening to you as well, Mr. Mason. I’m pleased to see you. And may I say you look wonderful. I like your tuxedo. It makes you look impressive. I mean, even more impressive.”

  Stuart had the decency to blush at her obvious taunt. Still gripping her arm, he made an obvious attempt to explain his rudeness.

  “I’m… I’m sorry, Chloe. It’s just that I practically had to sell my left nut to get invited to this shindig. Only partners at Grafton Summers were guaranteed tickets. If I wasn’t on the Marshal case, there’s no way I could have wrangled a ticket.” He added with another annoyed glance at her dress, “I thought I’d explained how important this evening is.”