Jack emitted a snort. Guest was clearly a euphemism. De Carlo’s report stated that her bedroom — beside Vadim’s — had been awash in Italian designer boutique clothes and silk lingerie with the price tags still attached. A check of Vadim’s credit card history showed he’d purchased them all. A man didn’t buy expensive clothing for a mere guest.
He raised the binoculars and used the rest of the time to study the villa. The house, part of it dating to the 1600s, was a mix of soft-red brick, native-stone chimneys and flagstone terraces. It stood at the end of a long avenue lined with ancient lime trees. On one side was the vineyard, tended by the adjacent farmer cooperating with the task force. On the other side, opposite the watchers, sprawled gardens, a swimming pool and guesthouses.
“They come,” one of the Italians said. “De Carlo says five minutes ETA.”
Jack’s adrenaline surged and his temples throbbed. Deep breaths calmed him. Photographs had put a face to Vadim, but now he was finally going to see his enemy in the flesh.
When he heard tires crunch on the gravel driveway and the purr of a powerful engine, he raised the binoculars.
A silver-gray S-Class Mercedes sedan rolled up to the portico, and the driver climbed out, a swarthy man in a lumpy sport coat. The Italian bodyguard one Guido Mazza. He made a small bow as he opened the rear door.
The diamond dealer eased smoothly from the backseat. He gleamed like his wares, in a tailored suit the same silver-gray as his luxury automobile. At a distance he looked fit, trim and much younger than his fifty years.
Fifty is all you’ll have. Jack’s eyes narrowed as he memorized the man’s features.
Even teeth showing in a crocodile smile, bright and bogus, Vadim extended a hand for the woman.
Jack had seen photographs of her too, snapshots taken with telephoto lenses. Hot as the Italian sun but with a freshness that surprised him. Sophie Rinaldi, aged twenty-seven, from Pelham, New York. An American tourist who after two weeks of touring Italy moved in with Vadim. She—
What he saw next short-circuited his thought processes. A slim foot in a red sandal extending from the Mercedes. Then a long, shapely, tanned leg. And the other.
“The guy is pond scum, but mamma mia, he sure can pick ’em.” Beside Jack, Leoni had awakened.
The Rinaldi woman accepted Vadim’s proffered hand as she slid from the leather interior. After smoothing her skirt — a gauzy red thing that floated to her knees — she tossed back her hair and smiled.
That soft curve of lips sent a shock wave of heat into Jack’s veins. Need slammed into his groin. Never had the mere sight of a woman affected him with such power. Why now? Why her?
Classic oval face, full lips, a mass of softly curling dark hair, toned feminine curves — the sensual Italian look. Hot but nothing special. Except she wasn’t what he’d expected, even from the telephoto shots. Softer, like her name, Sophie. With a breathless, otherworldly quality that kept his gaze riveted to her instead of to his target.
A fluke — effects of the sun and anticipation. He exhaled slowly, then again until the sensual vise loosened. He dragged his gaze from the woman to Vadim.
As the driver pulled the car around to the garage, Vadim and Sophie strolled toward the house. The diamond dealer leaned back his head and laughed at something she said. He brought her delicate hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. The older man didn’t have his hands all over her, but why would he when she was in his bed every night? An assumption on DARK’s part, but a logical one.
“Lucky bastard,” Leoni muttered. “He’s old enough to be her father.”
That wasn’t how Jack would’ve put it. But close enough. At the sight of his enemy’s meticulously manicured hand on her slim one, white-hot pain seared Jack’s chest and temples. He should shoot right now. But he wanted the son of a bitch to know who executed him and why.
The two continued their casual conversation as the woman tucked a soft wave of thick, dark hair behind one ear.
“Why the devil can’t we hear them?” Jack whispered. “No bugs or wiretaps, but what about mics or EARS41?” The Electronic Acquiring Reconnaissance System was a high-tech listening system.
“We tried. He’s got blockers we haven’t cracked. So we hang out in the vineyard and tail them. Old-fashioned police work.” Leoni yawned as if ready for another nap.
When the couple reached the doorway — wide double doors with a massive knocker — Vadim gestured to indicate that he was staying outside. He pointed toward the swimming pool, where his other thug waited for him. Petar, with an unpronounceable last name, came from Cleatia, like his employer.
Sophie smiled. Rising on tiptoes, she placed a hand on his shoulder. She brushed a quick kiss on his mouth.
Vadim barely reacted. Jack’s face heated as though she’d kissed him. More heat dived south of his belt. He swore under his breath.
With a little wave, she pivoted, her flirty skirt allowing a glimpse of creamy thigh before she vanished inside the villa.
“Woman likes to tease. Like all of ’em,” Leoni said as he angled his binoculars to follow Vadim. “A velvet trap.”
Tease? Maybe. More like torture. But Jack couldn’t let himself be distracted by a woman. For damn sure not a murderer’s woman like Sophie.
Sophie. Shaken, he sat back on his heels. He nearly dropped the binoculars. How did she go from being the Rinaldi woman to Sophie?
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed this, the third of my books about the men and women of DARK. Dark Rules features two characters I absolutely loved creating. After appearing as a secondary character in two previous books, Simon Byrne demanded his own book. Simon is a cocky rebel who delights in breaking rules, but he always gets results. The fun for me was in pairing him with Janna, a brilliant geek and a by-the-book heroine, and letting the sparks fly. Their story is one of overcoming fear in order to love and trust. To do that, sometimes you have to break the rules.
I hope you enjoyed this book. If you did, please help others find the book by leaving a review at the retailer where you purchased it.
--Susan
About the Author
SUSAN VAUGHAN is the multi-published author of romantic suspense novels. Her books have won the Golden Leaf, More Than Magic, and Write Touch Readers’ awards and have been an RT Book Reviews Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Nominee and a finalist for the Booksellers’ Best and Daphne du Maurier awards. Her books have been translated into German, French, Spanish, and Icelandic and published in more than eleven countries. She’s a West Virginia native, but she and her husband have lived in Maine for many years.
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Also by Susan Vaughan
* The DARK Files series *
DARK MEMORIES (Book 1)
DARK COVER (Book 2)
Coming Soon
DARK VENGEANCE (Book 4))
* Devlin Security Force *
ON DEADLY GROUND (Book 1)
RING OF TRUTH (Book 2)
CLEOPATRA’S NECKLACE (Book 3)
AT LAST – a Devlin Wedding (Novella 3.5)
* Task Force Eagle *
ALWAYS A SUSPECT (Prequel)
NEVER SURRENDER (Book 1)
ONCE BURNED (Book 2)
TWICE A TARGET (Book 3)
TASK FORCE EAGLE BOXED SET
* Stand Alone Novels *
PRIMAL OBSESSION
For more information and first chapters, please visit:
www.SusanVaughan.com
Reviews of Susan Vaughan’s Books
~ THE DARK FILES
“For non-stop danger and passion, I recommend DARK MEMORIES.” - Romance Junkies
“Clear a place on your keeper bookshelf … an intelligent romantic suspense… Susan Vaughan writes with fresh, vibrant l
anguage free of the clichés you have grown tired of.” – ReaderToReader.com about DARK MEMORIES
“Susan Vaughan's book starts with action, intrigue, well-developed characters and sexual tension, all of which are sustained to the very end.” – RT Book Reviews about DARK COVER, 4.5*
“What a skillfully written story of romance and suspenseful mystery. The tension is always intense, whether it is from the ever-present danger or from the unspoken sexual feelings... Susan Vaughan has created a powerful story … where the characters are memorable and the plot speaks to the heart.” - CataRomance Reviews about DARK COVER, 5*
“An outstanding love story, another superior example of Ms. Vaughan’s ability to create genuine characters with whom the reader can relate. A tension-filled story where emotions and danger often collide.” – Cataromance Reviews about DARK RULES, 5*
“This is a fast paced romance with plenty of action and adventure. Believable
characters and an extremely adventurous plot keep you entertained while the romance
and dialogue keep you hooked. A definite keeper.” – Coffeetime Romance about DARK RULES, 4 cups
“An action-packed story with a sizzling romance at its center. This is a fast-paced read with a great, hot romance between two people who couldn't be more mismatched.” – RT Book Reviews about DARK VENGEANCE, 4.5* Top Pick!
“An edgy suspense woven with betrayal, secrets and a passion hot enough to burn your fingers. Ms. Vaughan pens a thriller with poignant characters and an intense plot that will have you wanting to turn the pages to see what will happen next.” – Romance Junkies about DARK VENGEANCE, 4*
~ DEVLIN SECURITY FORCE
“Start this book when you have plenty of time. You won’t want to put it down.” –5 stars from Amazon reader Marsha R.W. about ON DEADLY GROUND
“This book has it all. Drama, suspense, danger and a love story.” –5 stars from Amazon reader Carrie P. about ON DEADLY GROUND.
“A good, entertaining read.” –PetulaReadsRomance.com, 5 stars about RING OF TRUTH
“Fabulous read. Read this book. You won’t be disappointed.” –Ashley Book Blog, 5 stars about RING OF TRUTH.
“This book is a clearly written, fast-paced page-turner filled with mystery, action, adventure, and intrigue. I highly recommend this book and series.” – Goodreads Review 5* about CLEOPATRA’S NECKLACE
“Fantastic story and wonderful ending.” – Amazon Reader 5* about CLEOPATRA’S NECKLACE
~ TASK FORCE EAGLE
“NEVER SURRENDER is filled with action, suspense, romance.” – Fresh Fiction
“NEVER SURRENDER bristles with both suspense and romance.” –Reader Grady H –5 Stars on Amazon
“ONCE BURNED is action packed, with a number of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing and reading.” – Fresh Fiction
“A good and fast-paced story with a similar cocktail of romance and mystery... and I just love it!” –Amazon reader John P about ONCE BURNED 5 Stars
“TWICE A TARGET gives you heart-pounding excitement from beginning to end.” –Fresh Fiction
“Plenty of mystery and intrigue... The characters are fantastic.” –Crystal Lanham about TWICE A TARGET, on Goodreads
~ PRIMAL OBSESSION
“Susan Vaughan writes an intensely romantic thriller.... The depth of the characters in the story is probably the part that makes this such a great read. They’re all exceptionally well crafted.” - The Romance Studio - 5 Hearts
“PRIMAL OBSESSION is a first-class thriller with the author successfully throwing suspicion on all characters.” WRDF Review
Dark Rules (The DARK Files Book 3) Page 23