Resurrection, page 20
part #1 of Redemption Harbor Series
As she stepped out onto the pale blue carpet runner covered with white flower petals, all she saw was Colt. Everything and everyone faded away as she walked down the makeshift aisle toward the man she loved. She’d never even thought to dream of someone so wonderful because she couldn’t have imagined someone like him existed.
It seemed only seconds passed before she was standing in front of Colt. His broad shoulders stretched against the jacket of his tux and his green gaze was pinned to hers, focused and loving. She wanted to kiss him, to wrap around him and never let go. Instead she reached for his hands, taking them in hers. Touching him always grounded her.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” His voice was low, reverent.
Throat thick, she smiled at him. “So are you.”
The grin he gave her was wicked and she felt it all the way to her core. “You ready to make me an honest man?”
Laughing lightly, she turned with him toward Gage, who was their officiant—thanks to the internet. But she kept her hands firmly intertwined with Colt’s. It was hard to believe she’d been afraid to tell him she loved him at one point.
Now all she wanted to do was say it every day. And she planned to, for the rest of their lives.
Epilogue
Seven months later
Colt stepped into the conference room of Redemption Harbor Consulting to find Skye and Savage engaged in a serious game of darts to decide who had to file the most recent paperwork.
“Your arm action is as weak as your trash talk.” Skye threw a red dart, hitting the target dead center. “And I just kicked your ass. Twice.”
“I don’t know how, but I think you’re cheating.” Savage tossed the rest of his darts onto the polished table they normally used for meetings. Then he grinned when he saw Colt. “Your wife’s cold, man. That’s the third time I’m filing this week.”
Colt would never tire of hearing her referred to as his wife. “Well I think I’ve got good news for both of you. For all of us. Might have a new admin assistant.”
“Thank God,” Savage muttered, clapping him on the shoulder once before leaving the room.
“You found someone?” Skye started boxing up all the darts from across the table.
“Maybe.” He collapsed on one of the cushy seats and let his head fall back as he watched Skye. He loved seeing her so relaxed. She’d just come off a job with Savage—in which they’d stolen sensitive material from an asshole trying to blackmail his ex-partner. The two of them worked well together, and while Colt loved working with Skye, some jobs required different types of expertise. And Skye and Savage were both damn good at getting into places they shouldn’t.
Skye frowned as she put the top on the dart box. Turning to him, she put her hands on her jean-clad hips. The black T-shirt she had on molded to all her curves and all he could fantasize about was peeling it up inch by inch until she was bared to him. Some days it was hard to believe that she was his and that they’d started to build this life together. “What’s up? I thought you said the job was over.”
“It is. I’m good. Just tired. And they insisted on paying me.” He shook his head and set the check down on the table. It wasn’t much, but he hadn’t had the heart to turn it down because it was a matter of pride.
A neighborhood a city over had been targeted by thugs shaking down local business owners for “protection.” One of the owners had stood up to them, called the cops—and ended up in the hospital with broken ribs and a concussion for his trouble. After that no one had been willing to talk. So Colt had done his thing and now the thugs were in jail and the owners had their neighborhood back. It was small time compared to the ops he’d run in the past, but he felt damn good about helping those people. Leighton had been with him for the majority of the job, but things had taken a couple weeks and he needed some rest.
Well, rest and time with Skye.
“I hope you’re not too tired for naked time,” she murmured, coming around the table. Straddling him, she leaned down to kiss him, rubbing her breasts against his chest. Just like that he was hard.
“I’m never too tired for that,” he murmured, setting his hands on her hips. He’d missed her like crazy. They’d talked on the phone multiple times a day—and had a few rounds of phone sex—but holding her like this was a hell of a lot better.
“Get a room, you two.” Gage stepped into the conference room, a slice of Mercer’s pizza in his hand. Of course Mercer hadn’t made it since he was home with the new baby and Mary Grace, but it was from one of his restaurants. “Preferably not one in the building.”
“You better have a damn good reason for interrupting,” Colt growled.
“Skye, your friend is here to see you. Olivia, the one who visited a while back. She’s got her kid with her…and a duffel bag. She’s moving stiffly, as if she’s hurt. She’s also wearing sunglasses. Inside.”
Colt started to stand even as Skye slid off him. They were both quiet as they stepped out into the hallway, Gage right with them.
They’d helped two women escape their abusers since starting the company, but he hadn’t thought Olivia was with anyone—not since leaving her husband years ago. No matter what her problem was, they were going to help.
When they reached the end of the hallway, stepping out into the lobby, his jaw tightened as he saw Olivia standing there looking fragile and afraid. Even if he couldn’t see her eyes because of the sunglasses, her body language said it all.
Her little girl, with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail, smiled nervously when she saw him, but then pure relief crossed her expression when her gaze landed on Skye.
His wife dropped his hand and moved toward the two females faster than he’d thought possible, her legs eating up the distance in seconds.
“What happened?” Skye demanded even as six-year-old Valencia jumped into her arms. Skye might claim to be afraid of kids, but Valencia had stolen her heart—and he’d seen her cuddling Mary Grace and Mercer’s new baby on more than one occasion.
The little girl was deaf, but had cochlear implants so she could hear if she chose to. Before Olivia could answer Valencia signed to Skye—who understood perfectly. Colt was still learning sign language so he was rusty but he was pretty sure she’d just said “a bad man hurt Mommy.”
“Can we talk about this in private? I was hoping maybe…” Olivia’s voice cracked once before she cleared her throat. “Maybe Colt could watch Valencia so we could have a few minutes to talk, just the two of us?” she asked, signing and speaking at the same time.
Skye nodded then signed to Valencia, asking her if she minded hanging out with Uncle Colt.
Valencia shook her head then wiggled in Skye’s arms before cautiously stepping over to him. She’d been so relaxed the last time they visited, giggling and wanting to play video games, so whatever had happened, he had a feeling she’d seen something. Maybe even her mother hurt.
Which brought out all his rage, but he locked it down. He didn’t want the little girl to sense it. When he looked at Skye, it was clear she felt the same. Her blue eyes sparked with anger as she turned to Olivia and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Whoever had hurt Skye’s friend had made the biggest mistake of their life. Now that Olivia and Valencia had Skye and the whole crew to back her up, they were safe. And someone was going to pay.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Resurrection. I hope you enjoyed it! And I hope you’re ready for the all new Redemption Harbor series! 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
Lethal Game
Red Stone Security Series
by Katie Reus
Copyright © 2017 Katie Reus
Did you do what I told you to?
Isa shook her head as she read Mara’s text, a smile tugging at her lips. A man stepped up next to her, joining the crowd of people waiting for the elevator.
Her fingers flew across the screen. Yes, weirdo. You’re the only woman I know who would order me to dress sexy when going to a meeting with said woman’s own husband.
Mara had called her this morning and ordered her to wear something designed to make a man’s tongue fall out of his mouth. She hadn’t actually done what Mara had said because this was a professional environment, but she’d dressed up a little more than normal.
You’ll thank me later, came Mara’s responding text.
Is this about who I’m meeting with today? You know I don’t mix business and pleasure. So even if her new partner was sexy as sin it wouldn’t matter. He might as well be sexless. She didn’t have any interest in anyone, anyway. Not since… She swallowed hard, shutting that thought down.
“You look really familiar,” the man next to her said.
Since Mara hadn’t responded Isa tucked her phone into her purse and gave the man a neutral smile. When she looked at him, however, she realized she had seen him somewhere. The memory of that ‘meeting’ was disgusting. “I don’t think so,” she murmured. Yeah, she really didn’t want to talk to this guy.
“No, I’m really good with faces and I’m certain we’ve met before.” He watched her carefully, looking at her as if he was trying to decide if he’d seen her naked or not.
The guy’s whole demeanor was off-putting and she wondered if he was a new client for Red Stone. She certainly hoped not. “The reason I probably look familiar,” she said quietly, dropping her voice so that the others around them couldn’t hear, “is because I was at Club Bardot the other night and saw a prostitute give you a blow job right in the VIP section.” She’d been there following someone for one of her past jobs—seeing if there was another angle to being able to infiltrate the company. Meaning, potential bribery of an employee. She hadn’t had to use that angle, thankfully.
He blinked in clear surprise, but he didn’t seem embarrassed. “She wasn’t a prostitute.”
That was his response? She coughed to cover up an uncomfortable laugh. “Oh, I just assumed.”
He straightened, clearly not deterred. “Well, listen—”
She shook her head. “I’m not trying to be rude, but I literally had to see your dick against my will when you whipped it out for the entire VIP section to see. I don’t think we have anything to say to each other.”
Isa heard a woman snicker behind her and realized she hadn’t been as quiet as she’d thought. But seriously, it was too early in the morning for this. She hadn’t even had her coffee yet.
The guy shrugged, not even fazed. “Your loss.”
She snorted to herself. Yeah, she was sure she’d lose a lot of sleep over this guy. When two elevators’ doors opened, she slipped into the opposite one he got into. At thirty she was too young to be out of the dating game, but damn, if this was what was out there, she was fine being single. She hadn’t been in any state of mind to start dating again over the last year, and right about now she was glad for that.
As people streamed into the elevator, her phone dinged a few times in a row. Scrolling through her messages, all from work, she started responding as the car whooshed to life. A few people quietly talked amongst themselves but one by one everyone disembarked as the elevator rose higher and higher. Normally she made an effort to talk to people and be polite but this morning she didn’t have it in her.
After leaving the restaurant yesterday evening she’d been feeling off. She knew why, too. She’d thought of Graysen West all night. Had even dreamed of him. It was making her edgy, and she hated that—but she didn’t hate him. That was what drove her the craziest. She should hate the man after what he’d done, but…some stupid part of her still held on to all those sweet memories.
Lies, she reminded herself. All those memories might be real but everything about them had been a lie. Ugh, get the freak over it already. She wished life was that easy, that she could just order herself to forget him and move on. Unfortunately, getting over a man like Graysen was hard. It wasn’t just that he was sexy—which he was. He was giving and sweet… Gah, and a giant liar. What the hell was wrong with her? He wasn’t giving or sweet. He sucked.
As a woman moved off past her, Isa slipped her phone into her jacket pocket and glanced at the shiny chrome keypad on the elevator wall. Only three floors to go. She hadn’t dressed as sexy as Mara had said to, but she was wearing a dark green sheath dress with high heels that she could admit showed off her toned calves. She didn’t love everything about her body—what woman did?—but she liked her legs.
“You really need better spatial awareness.” A familiar, deep voice from behind her made her jump out of her skin.
Feeling almost numb, she turned to find Graysen West standing there—and looking way too sexy for his own good. Or for her own good. She’d thought she was completely alone in the elevator now.
She blinked once. Yep, he was still there. Well over six feet of raw masculinity, bright blue eyes she could drown in, and a disapproving frown that somehow made him look sexy.
“When did you get on?” Okay, that was probably the dumbest thing that could have come out of her mouth, but whatever. She was just glad she’d found her voice.
“Same time you did. But you were too busy on your phone to notice.” He frowned, looking all judgmental, and she just about snapped.
“Seriously, that’s the first thing you say to me? You criticize me about being on my phone?” She’d been working, not that that was remotely the point. He had no say in her life. If she wanted to play games on her phone, she damn well would.
“You’ve got to pay better attention to your surroundings. Did you even know there was someone else still on the elevator with you?”
Isa felt almost possessed as she lashed out. A year of built-up anger and hurt came bursting to the surface with his obnoxious ‘I know better than you’ tone. Her arm was moving before she’d processed what she was doing but when her fist connected with his nose, she cursed at the pain that jolted through her hand. Punching someone hurt.
He grunted as his head snapped back. But other than that he barely reacted.
She belatedly realized he hadn’t even moved to defend himself, and considering his training, he would have with anyone else. Stupid tears stung her eyes because she felt bad for punching him and she hated the insane way she’d just reacted to seeing him. It was completely nuts. She’d literally just assaulted someone in an elevator.
But Graysen apparently brought out the crazy in her. She spun away from him as the elevator doors opened, glad that no one was waiting and thankful for the escape. She didn’t care why he was here. She wasn’t dealing with him right now. Not now, not ever.
She heard him call her name but she ignored him and ducked in to the nearest women’s bathroom before he could see her cry. She’d cried enough over that man and she’d punch him again before she let him see her have an emotional breakdown.
Acknowledgments
It’s time to thank my usual crew! As always, I owe a big thanks to Kari Walker for everything you do. Joan Swan & Julie Kenner, thank you for a fun plotting week and all your help with outlining this new book and series. For Sarah, thank you for all your behind-the-scenes work that helps keep me balanced. Jaycee, thank you for another great cover. Julia, I’m grateful for your editing expertise. A big thanks to Joanna Moreno and Grace Sandvigen for helping with translations. I’m also grateful to my very understanding family. And, last but not least, thank you 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
The Serafina: Sin City Series
First Surrender
Sensual Surrender
Sweetest Surrender
Dangerous Surrender
