Night Fall

by Cherry Adair

  Sydney’s heart did a little tap dance. Woohoo! Excitement.

  Thank God.

  After five weeks of doing nothing more thrilling than compensating for her surgically enhanced boobs, interviewing fellow plastic surgery patients, writing and walking the beach, she was ready to scream with boredom. This was the longest she’d stayed in one place in years.

  Why all the guns? Was someone stealing penile implants? The thought amused her. A chapter in her new book Skin Deep on that subject would be entertaining to write if nothing else.

  There was much yelling and talking as the soldiers moved with purpose toward her middle-of-the-row bungalow. Whoever they were looking for didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell. She felt a twinge of sympathy for their hapless prey. A mouse couldn’t escape detection faced with such determination and manpower.

  She observed several men knocking on doors far down the line of bungalows to her right. It wouldn’t take them long to get to hers. The bungalows were all but empty. At least she thought they were. Sometimes when she’d been walking the beach late at night, she’d seen lights go on or off, and thought she heard voices. But she’d never seen anyone coming or going. As far as she knew, only nine of the twenty-five of the small, luxury beach houses still housed patients. Sydney knew them all.

  Polly Straus, nose and boobs; Stan Simpson, chin. There was Karen with her enhanced butt and higher cheekbones, and Denise with her face bandaged after her skin resurfacing and full lift. There was flirty, movie mega star Tony Maxim who’d looked better before he was “done.” And Kandy Kane, a porn star whose new double Fs made her look as though she were a Macy’s hot air balloon ready for lift off. The soldiers might linger at Kandy’s door awhile, but they’d be knocking at her door soon enough.

  Sydney lifted her glass, taking a sip of cold, crisp Casa de Amaro chardonnay and letting the fruity flavor roll on her tongue as the soldiers got closer.

  Setting down her glass on the coffee table, she went to find a wrap before they got there. She had a few questions of her own to ask and her new, larger breasts distracted even herself. Crossing back to the window as she tied the belt of a short white robe, Sydney listened to the crunch of gravel as two men approached her front door. Her heart lurched in anticipation. God, she loved drama.

  Reaching for the doorknob, she froze in her tracks as a primitive chill of awareness raced up the back of her neck. Exactly the same chill as when she’d been a kid, and frightened to put her feet on the floor because of the monster under her bed. She’d always had a terrific imagination.

  The hair on the back of her neck and arms stood up. This was not her imagination.

  Someone was in her room.

  She started to spin around just as a large hand curved over her mouth. The second he touched her, Sydney’s eyes went wide and her teeth snapped together mid-scream as terror rendered her immobile.

  To the incredibly brave men and women of the United States armed forces who put their lives on the line every day to serve our country here and overseas. You labor every day to ensure the safety of the people under your protection, risking your lives to preserve the lives and safety of others. Your sacrifices are not forgotten. From the bottom of my heart I thank you.

  Praise for Cherry Adair

  White Heat

  “A gripping and passionate story by up-and-coming author Cherry Adair. This book grabs your attention on page one and doesn’t let go until the heroine welcomes the hero home with final words.”

  —Seattle Times

  Hot Ice

  “A relentless page-turner with plenty of enticing plot twists and turns.”

  —Seattle Post-Intelligencer

  “[A] fast-paced and intricately plotted tale of danger, deception, and desire that is perfect for readers who like their romantic suspense adrenaline-rich and sizzlingly sexy.”

  —Booklist

  “Adair has done it again! The chemistry between Hunt and Taylor is red-hot, and the suspension is top-notch.”

  —Rendezvous

  “A very sexy adventure that offers nonstop, continent-hopping action from start to finish.”

  —Library Journal

  “Get ready to drool, sigh, and simply melt…Fascinating characters, danger, passion, intense emotions, and a rush like a roller-coaster ride.”

  —Romance Reviews Today