by Katie Reus
That way, he would have been free of scrutiny from others in Kuznetsov’s organization and able to walk away and live his life. Unfortunately for the FBI, the guard had nothing on Kuznetsov the Feds could actually use, but at least they had a why for what Semyon had done. That reason would never be released to the public or media, however. And Dimitri? He was now missing—probably dead simply because Kuznetsov didn’t want him to talk to the Feds—and unable to be questioned by the FBI. Darcy only knew because Leighton had told Brooks—and he’d told her. She was glad he didn’t keep secrets from her.
“Good. I’ve texted her a few times, but I didn’t want to bother her,” Olivia said.
“Thank you. She definitely needs friends right now.” And Emma had lost a few in the last couple weeks. Obviously they hadn’t been real friends, but Darcy knew that knowledge wouldn’t make it any easier on her sister.
At the sound of the little bell over the front door of the shop jingling, she turned to see Brooks and Savage entering.
For a moment, all her focus was on Brooks. How could it not be? The man was incredible, all broad shoulders and raw masculinity. Plus, that sexy little dimple when he smiled made her panties melt. And he had on his Stetson today. Which just made her mouth water. He was definitely rocking the sexy cowboy look.
She was vaguely aware of Savage saying hello before moving on to his bride-to-be. Darcy might have responded, she couldn’t be sure. Smiling up at the man she loved more than anything, she said, “I thought you had to work today.”
“I let the foreman take over.”
Technically he had more than one job, she’d discovered. He still ran the ranch—if peripherally—and had cofounded Redemption Harbor Consulting. She’d also learned that their mission statement and what they actually did were two different things. Basically they helped people who couldn’t afford it and, in some cases, couldn’t go to the police for help because their situation was tricky. But for the next couple weeks, Brooks was sticking close to home. He didn’t think Kuznetsov was a threat to any of them, and according to Gage, the man didn’t seem to be showing an interest in any of them, but Brooks had been protective and possessive.
Not that she was complaining. “Good. You’re wearing the Stetson later tonight,” she whispered. “And nothing else.”
The grin he gave her made her insides melt. “Sounds like a plan. And speaking of later tonight, do you want to stay at my place?”
They’d been staying at her little house the last couple weeks since it was closer to town and she’d been dealing with various work things. But it wasn’t fair to him to always stay at her place, so she nodded. “Of course. I just need to pack a bag.”
“Do you think you can take off tomorrow?” he murmured, setting one big hand on her hip.
Warmth ribboned through her. She wanted to lean into him, but if she did, she was pretty sure she wasn’t going to stop at a brief kiss. “I’d already planned it.”
His eyes seemed to darken as he watched her and the heat there was unmistakable. “Good.”
She wasn’t sure how it was possible but there was a wealth of emotions in that one word and she felt them all the way to her core. Tonight couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter 31
—I will always choose you.—
Darcy eyed the ladder leading to the top of Brooks’s barn. Well, one of them, because there were a few barns on the property. “I’m going to be honest and tell you that if you plan on getting lucky…I’m not sure I’m adventurous enough to do it in a bunch of hay.” She shuddered at the thought of little bugs that might be hiding in it.
He barked out a laugh she felt all the way to her toes. God, she’d missed that laugh. And his smile. “I just want to show you something.”
“Is that like…a euphemism?”
He laughed again. “Come on, or I can’t give you your surprise.”
She eyed him once more before climbing upward. As she reached the top, a bunch of lights flipped on. She let out a little gasp and climbed onto the hayloft floor. There was no hay up here, just a bunch of twinkle lights, throw blankets and pillows right by the huge open windows. And what looked like… “Is that a picnic?” she asked, turning to him as he joined her on the platform.
He simply grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he led her to the blankets.
“I can’t believe you did all this.” It was incredible.
“I might have had a little help getting it set up. Hadley was here earlier.”
Aww, his sister. Darcy absolutely adored Hadley, and was glad that she and Brooks were becoming friends.
As Darcy sat on one of the pillows, she let out another gasp. It was such a clear night with a near full moon that she could see for miles out the windows. Rolling hills, quiet livestock sleeping, and a huge pond glistening under the moonlight. “This is incredible.”
“I’m glad you like it. Champagne or hot cocoa?” he asked, sitting across from her.
She eyed the open picnic basket and loosened her scarf slightly. “How about champagne?” It had been a long day and this was the best surprise ever. As he pulled out two glasses, she couldn’t help but stare at him. “This is incredibly sweet, thank you.”
He looked at her then, a seriousness in his eyes. “I love you, Darcy.”
She would never get tired of hearing that. “I love you too.”
After opening the bottle, and pouring their glasses, he handed her one and took his own. “We’ve got chocolate and cheese, your favorites, but first…” He motioned outward to the wide open night sky in front of them.
She wasn’t sure what he wanted her to look at—until the fireworks started.
Actual fireworks. Because he’d remembered what she’d teasingly said to him weeks ago.
The sky lit up with a kaleidoscope of reds, greens, yellows… Her eyes widened at the shapes they created. Flowers, starbursts, and even— “Is that a horse?” she practically squealed, not caring that she sounded like a teenage girl. It was incredible.
His grip around her tightened and she leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder. Champagne forgotten, she set it down and wrapped her other arm around him. This was the sweetest gift ever.
As a burst of red hearts filled the sky, followed with I love you, Brooks turned her toward him. And that was when she saw the little jewelry box.
She stared, not quite comprehending as he shifted and knelt in front of her.
He opened the box, his hand only slightly trembling. “Marry me, Darcy?”
“Yes!” She wasn’t sure why it came out as a shout but she couldn’t control her happiness. “Yes, yes, yes!” Since she was too flustered to take her gloves off, he helped her and slid the diamond ring on her left-hand ring finger.
She barely glanced at it as she cupped his face with her hands. He crushed his mouth to hers in a clear, dominant claiming that thrilled her to her toes.
When he finally lifted his head, his smile was adorable. “I was so nervous,” he murmured.
She couldn’t imagine why, but she brushed her lips over his again. Did he seriously think she might have said no? “This was amazing.”
“You’re amazing. And I’m never letting you go.”
“Right back at you, cowboy.”
He grinned, revealing that little dimple and once again she melted. Well, melted even more. “There’s no hay up here,” he murmured, reaching for the buttons on her coat.
She laughed at the gleam in his eyes and reached for the buttons on his jeans. No, there wasn’t. And she didn’t care how cold it was… With Brooks at her side for the rest of her life, she’d never be cold again.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Dangerous Witness. I hope you enjoyed it! If you’d like to stay in touch with me and be the first to learn about new releases you can:
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Happy reading,
Katie
Excerpt from
Savage Rising
Redemption Harbor Series
by Katie Reus
Copyright © 2017 Katie Reus
It didn’t take too long to make her way to the second floor, even though the place was huge. An “estate” was definitely the right term for this ranch. Olivia wasn’t even sure how many rooms the house had, but everywhere she looked was real wood, stone and a whole lot of natural light.
Her flats were silent on the wood floor as she turned left down another hallway. When she heard Skye’s voice, she knew she was in the right place. As she neared the third door on the left as Colt instructed, she heard a male voice.
One she didn’t recognize. Deeper, kinda rumbly. “I’m just saying, what kind of mother drags her kid into something like this? That’s some stellar parenting,” he muttered. “At least the kid is safe here.”
Rage blossomed inside her chest, making her face go warm and her hands ball into fists at her sides. After driving all night, she was beyond exhausted and running on caffeine. Add in that she was terrified about Martina and keeping her daughter safe and she was about to snap. And some guy wanted to question her maternal skills?
Jaw clenched tight, she pushed on the already halfway open door. And came face to face with…The Hulk. Dark hair, green eyes, and huge.
Definitely one of Skye’s crew, since Skye was standing right next to him and he’d been discussing her. Well, Olivia didn’t care who he was. He had no right to judge her or talk about her as if he knew her. She really wished she’d worn heels or something to give her height and confidence. Even though it would have been ridiculous to do so on a ranch. Instead she was in jeans, a frilly feminine top and ballet flats. Meanwhile, this jerk was like a big, hulking…caveman. If he wasn’t such a jerk he might be attractive in a dangerous, bad boy type of way.
“Are you talking about me, you ass…face?” Gah. Normally she tried not to curse if Valencia was around so that had come out awesome. Internally wincing at her pathetic trash talk, she barreled on, unable to rein in her big mouth. “I didn’t drag my daughter into this intentionally. I made some really stupid choices when I was young and impressionable. Do I regret them? Of course. But I can’t take them back. And I might be a lot of things, but a bad mother isn’t one.”
She should know, because she’d had one. “I just had to tell my kid that she’s going to miss her Thanksgiving play, something she’s been looking forward to for weeks. And it breaks my heart. The woman who raised me, my daughter’s ‘Nana,’ is being held captive by a psycho, and you want to talk about my parenting? Whoever you are, keep your thoughts to yourself. I already feel bad enough right now!” Heart pounding, she stared at the hard face of this unknown man. Normally she would never have gone off on anyone, and definitely not someone who must be friends with Skye. No, Olivia did not like confrontations. But she was exhausted, beyond stressed, and walking a tightrope right now.
He blinked once, staring down at her before he cleared his throat, and had the decency to look apologetic. “I’m sorry. You’re right.” His voice did that deep rumbly thing again.
Skye cleared her throat as well, drawing Olivia’s attention to her. “Olivia…meet your partner, Zac Savage.”
Olivia sighed. Awesome. Of course this guy was her partner. Because why wouldn’t he be?
Acknowledgments
First, I’m grateful to Manda Collins and Angela Quarles for our caffeine-fueled plotting day. To Kari Walker, I’m very grateful for all your insight into this book and series. Kelli Collins, thank you for such thorough developmental edits. Julia Ganis, thank you for copy editing. Jaycee, once again I’m in love with your design work, thank you. To my wonderful readers, thank you guys for embracing this new series! For my family, I’m grateful you deal with my deadlines. And as always, I’m grateful to God.
About the Author
Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Darkness series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.
However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. For more information on Katie find her on twitter @katiereus or visit her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please visit her website: www.katiereus.com and join her newsletter.
Complete Booklist
Red Stone Security Series
No One to Trust
Danger Next Door
Fatal Deception
Miami, Mistletoe & Murder
His to Protect
Breaking Her Rules
Protecting His Witness
Sinful Seduction
Under His Protection
Deadly Fallout
Sworn to Protect
Secret Obsession
Love Thy Enemy
Dangerous Protector
Lethal Game
Redemption Harbor Series
Resurrection
Savage Rising
Dangerous Witness
Deadly Ops Series
Targeted
Bound to Danger
Chasing Danger (novella)
Shattered Duty
Edge of Danger
A Covert Affair
The Serafina: Sin City Series
First Surrender
Sensual Surrender
Sweetest Surrender
Dangerous Surrender
O’Connor Family Series
Merry Christmas, Baby
Tease Me, Baby
It’s Me Again, Baby
Mistletoe Me, Baby
Non-series Romantic Suspense
Running From the Past
Dangerous Secrets
Killer Secrets
Deadly Obsession
Danger in Paradise
His Secret Past
Retribution
Tempting Danger
Paranormal Romance
Destined Mate
Protector’s Mate
A Jaguar’s Kiss
Tempting the Jaguar
Enemy Mine
Heart of the Jaguar
Moon Shifter Series
Alpha Instinct
Lover’s Instinct
Primal Possession
Mating Instinct
His Untamed Desire
Avenger’s Heat
Hunter Reborn
Protective Instinct
Dark Protector
A Mate for Christmas
Darkness Series
Darkness Awakened
Taste of Darkness
Beyond the Darkness
Hunted by Darkness
Into the Darkness
Saved by Darkness
Guardian of Darkness
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