“I’m looking for my socks. Your friend, Tate, he’s not snoring anymore.”
Ben shrugged, still with his eyes closed, “Yeah, that’s a good thing.”
"No, it's not," she huffed, "If he's not snoring, it probably means he's not breathing, or he's awake."
Ben remained drunk with sleep and indifference, “He’s breathing. I’m sure of it. Go back to bed.”
“No,” Tara stated firmly, “Not until I make sure he’s okay.”
“No, I’ll go check,” Ben asserted, pushing himself out of the chair and to his feet. He needed a shot of coffee spiked with some adrenaline. “Get some sleep.”
“I’m not going to be able to until you come back and tell me he’s still breathing in there.”
"I'm going," Ben smirked as he watched her sit on the bed with her arms folded across her chest.
The minute Ben touched the adjoining door, something tingled down his spine. It didn’t feel right as he pressed his ear up against the door. He didn’t hear anything. He didn’t sense anyone in the room. After turning the knob as quietly as possible, he poked his head into the other suite.
The bed had been slept in, but the covers were tossed aside with the door leading to the hallway open with the slightest sliver of light peeking into the room. He swallowed hard as he stepped back into Tara’s room. His shoulder holster sat across the back of the chair he’d been sleeping in.
Tara jumped up, “What’s going on?”
"I should have listened to you. That's what's going on. Tate's not in there. If he's up and about, then there might be a threat. Stay here. I'm going to check it out. When I go into the other room, lock this door behind me and leave your phone on. Keep that chair against the door. You'll know when we come back to you."
“And if you don’t?”
“I’m coming back here, Tara.” His assurance vibrated around the room.
Ben checked the clip in his handgun, added another to his back pocket, and left the room. The adjoining room was dark. He could only hear the sound of his own breaths. Tate was meticulous about order and organization. Every night before he slept, he’d lay his pants across a chair with his boots facing out. Both were gone.
Tate was up, dressed, and out of the room. Ben wondered what drew his friend out of bed in the middle of the night. After a quick search of the area, he took notice that Tate’s gun was gone too. He didn’t like the feeling crawling through his gut.
Ben crept to the door that led to the hallway and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He wished they had radios to communicate. He also wished that Tate woke him up before he went out on an adventure in a hotel packed with civilians.
Instead of dwelling on the myriad of questions circling his mind, Ben focused his energy on locating Tate. He skulked down the hallway in one direction until he reached the staircase.
Nothing. It was just as before; not a sound to be heard. He returned to the hallway to search the other end, creeping along the walls with his ears perked. The closer he got to the other staircase, the more his gut tingled. He couldn't stand not being able to call out to Tate, but he didn't want to risk blowing his cover if he had found something.
One step after another, Ben made his way into the stairwell. Opening the door, he saw the twisted body of Tate on a few landings beneath him. His heart raced. Emotions blinded him. He shouted to his best friend and colleague, “TATE!”
Hopping the stairs two at a time, Ben rushed to Tate, who was unconscious with a gash on his head. Tate wasn't one to get surprised. He couldn't believe the sight before him. They'd underestimated the man thought to be chasing them.
“Tate,” Ben’s voice shook as he pulled his phone out to call for help. “Come on, bro. Get up, Tara’s going to be pissed at me if you don’t.”
He went to touch him, but just before his fingers reached Tate’s face, a voice spoke to him, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Huh?” Ben turned to see the voice’s origin, but he was too late. The blow he took to the head forced him to collapse on top of Tate. His last fleeting thought was the thought of leaving Tara alone. He only hoped that she listened to him.
About the Author
Alexandra Maxwell is an author of sexy, smart romance books. She tells greats stories that SIZZLE and things get HOT.
Alexandra Maxwell and her sister Kara Maxwell are the Romance Sisters. Alexandra is the naughty older sister and things get steamy in her books. Kara is the nice baby sister, with some spice of course. They are both hopeless romantics. Both love to write with electric chemistry between the characters, great settings and twist and turns of the plot and between the sheets. Fall in love with Alexandra and Kara and stay in touch with them to get behind the scenes nibbles, appetizing insider information about upcoming books, free gifts, and special offers. www.romancesisters.com
ALSO BY ALEXANDRA MAXWELL
Book 1 Dagger of LUST
Book 2 Dagger of DESIRE
COMING SOON:
Book 3: Dagger of DANGER
Book 4 Dagger of Obsession
Book 5 Dagger of Love
COMING SOON:
The Billionaire and the Beauty Series:
Book 1. Secret Pleasure: Control
Book 2. Secret Pleasure: Domination
Book 3. Secret Pleasure: Power
Book 4. Secret Pleasure: Respect
Book 5. Secret Pleasure: Passion
Meet Kara Maxwell
I adore my sister Kara. I hope you will too. We’ve been scribbling stories since we learned to write. We both love writing romances for you. I’m the naughty one. Warning my books have some juicy scenes. Some heat and steam are good for your health! Kara is the nice sister with some spice of course. Get to know both of us! Join us for a fun ride!
Love,
Alexandra
www.romancesisters.com
By Kara Maxwell
COMING SOON :
Book 1 Made For Him
Book 2 Made For More
Book 3 Made For You
Book 4 Made For Love
Book 5 Made Forever
COMING SOON :
Book 1 Return to Love
Book 2 Return to Passion
Book 3 Return to More
Book 4 Return to Me
Book 5 Return to US
FREE GIFT from Alexandra Maxwell
My Dear Readers,
You are the reason I write romances. I am thrilled to share this gift with you.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/v3famee2n4
Forever yours,
Alexandra
www.romancesisters.com
Dagger of Desire Page 4
