by Maren Smith
“There’s no time. She’s been protected. We have to get out.” Refusing to take no for an answer, he raced toward her, grabbing her arm and yanking her down the hall. His heavy footsteps seemed to echo even on the carpet and a series of visions flashed in front of his eyes as his heart matched the countdown of an invisible clock.
He had no memory of running down a narrow set of back stairs, only the ticking in his mind.
Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
The blast tossed them down the last few steps onto the landing, pitching them forward. He covered her body with his as they hit the wall with a hard thud. Fire alarms shot off all around them, the high-pitched sound screaming above the concerned cries of guests and employees alike. “Are you okay?” Rolling over, he jumped into a crouched position, his ears ringing. Dust and debris covered almost everything, leaving a blanket of soot, smoke rolling from the upper floors. He prayed to God the local fire department would respond quickly.
She groaned, giving him a short nod. “What in the hell?”
“Carmen.” He gathered her into his arms, pulling her to her feet. “You’re injured.”
“I’m fine, but why a bomb?” Her smile was warm but her eyes unfocused. “I need to make certain everyone else is all right. I have to do my job.”
Sebastian hissed, brushing loose strands of hair from her eyes. “Maybe to eradicate any evidence. Do not try and approach Carmen alone. He’ll be prepared.”
“I won’t. There are other agents and together we’ll try and hunt him down before he has a chance to get away. Stay out of this. Please.” She wiped her face, anger clawing against her features.
There were so many things he wanted to say to her, a longing deep inside to take her away from the melee. “I’ll be waiting.”
Kissing his lips, she allowed the touch to linger if only for a few seconds. “I hope you will.”
As he watched her walk away, watching her turn a single time as if to see if he was indeed waiting, he sagged. Goodbyes were all he’d ever known, only this time, the requirement could quite literally break his heart.
Almost three hours later, and after herding guests from the building and working with the fire department and the local police, she stood on the bridge, glaring down at the moat. Her thoughts were treacherous as her anger continued to build. If only she’d followed her instincts sooner, hunting and taking out Carmen, perhaps this horrific event wouldn’t have occurred. All she knew was that a body had been found in the debris, positive identification still pending, but from what she’d heard, one of the Masters was missing and someone, apparently, had been shot. But she didn’t have details on that.
Still, the other person who hadn’t been found? Carmen. He’d completely disappeared, no doubt abled by the score of EMT personnel, employees and guests parading through the Castle. She’d given a description to the local police, complete with details of the man’s costume, in the hopes the assailant would be found.
Somehow, she knew better. Criminals had a way of disappearing without a trace.
There’d been no talk about Grace, but she assumed the young woman had been taken away to yet another safe location, away from the Castle. She gripped the railing as other guests headed for the busses, their late departure a necessity. Yes, she should gather her things and follow suit, but her time in the Castle hadn’t been concluded. Not by a long shot. She studied the murky water in the moat, still hoping for the appearance of an alligator. Allowing a slow breath to escape, she wandered back up the set of stairs, slipping past another set of paramedics on her way to the second floor.
She kept her head down as she approached Sebastian’s room. Seeing the door ajar, her heart sunk, her cop instinct kicking in. Yanking out her Glock, she peered at the crack, unable to see anything. Both hands on the weapon, she gently pushed the door open with her foot, holding back, waiting. There was no flashing muzzle, no rush of men ready to complete her demise.
There was only an empty room. As she walked further inside, sadness overtook her. Gone were Sebastian’s things, his suitcase and toiletries all scooped up, leaving nothing to remind her of the amazing two days she had spent here with him.
She slid down the wall, moving the weapon from hand to hand, trying to reconcile his reason for leaving. His words the night before had certainly given her his inner thoughts, but she hadn’t wanted to believe he could leave so easily. As if he didn’t care. Maybe he never had.
Cassandra wasn’t certain how long she kept her position crouched on the floor, but she was going to have to make a report, then find her way back to New York. As if she cared any longer. As she climbed to her feet, she took tentative steps toward the bed, brushing her hand on the pillow. There would be no scent of him given the change in bedding, but she was somehow comforted by the closeness of where they’d shared an intimate exchange.
What a way to describe her experience. Sighing, she turned, noticing a slip of white on the dresser. She swallowed before advancing. Seeing her name on the outside of the envelope, the impressive scrolled text just another reminder how special the man truly was. Her fingers were numb, making it difficult to pull out the single sheet. When she did, all she could do was smile.
She read his message several times, smiling at the fact he’d signed his name at the bottom.
All my love,
Sebastian Roberts
“Gotcha.” Now, she would be able to find him.
“Complete insubordination.”
Cassandra heard the words and had known they were coming. She stood in front of Sheila, her hands behind her back, her head held high. She’d prepared herself on the plane ride back, her thoughts originally jumbled, but clarity hit her the moment she arrived back in New York.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Sheila demanded as she rose to her feet.
“I was doing my job in the best method for the circumstances and the situation at hand,” she answered, trying her best to maintain a positive attitude.
“Uh-huh. And in doing so, you allowed a bomb to go off, injuring half a dozen people and killing one.”
“I don’t see how that’s my fault. I wasn’t there to capture and arrest Mr. Massino.”
Sheila slapped her hand on the desk. “I gave you direct orders to abort the assignment. You could have gotten yourself killed.”
“But. I. Didn’t.”
“That’s beside the point.” She turned toward the window.
Cassandra waited, remaining quiet.
“I’ve been asked to suspend you pending a full investigation. I don’t want to do that, but I don’t think I have another choice,” Sheila said quietly.
“You’re answering to your superior. I understand. There are a few things I need to tell you first.” She smiled as Sheila cocked her head.
Cassandra glanced at the note for at least the tenth time today. She fingered the writing, her emotions all over the place. The choice had been hers alone. As she made the last turn, double checking the GPS coordinates, she held her breath. Finding the location had been rather difficult and the area very secure. The driveway was expansive, flanked on both sides by stone columns, orange trees flanking the aggregate, low hanging fruit threatening to fall into her convertible rental car.
She pulled the car around the curve, parking directly in front of the set of double mahogany doors. Everything about the house and grounds was lavish, exquisite. And massive. After exiting the car, she reached over, grabbing her Glock from the passenger seat. She studied the area, searching for any sign of activity before taking quiet steps toward the set of stone stairs. She was nervous, her heart skipping and as she reached for the front door, a moment of uncertainty thwarted her actions. There were too many what-ifs but she was determined to see this through.
The door was unlocked, opening silently into an impressive marble foyer, a winding set of stairs located on the back wall. Closing the door, she waited, listening. The lilting sound of music could be heard coming from somewhere in the house
. She followed the trail, moving through an expansive kitchen, the area complete with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.
She rubbed her hand across the counter, searching for any sign of life. Everything was far too pristine, as if the owner never spent any time in the home. She bit back a laugh and continued her trek, moving through a library and living room. The set of French doors was lined by floor to ceiling windows overlooking a lagoon style pool and palm trees.
The music was coming from outside.
Twisting the handle, she crept outside, leaving the door wide open, and headed toward the edge of the pool. The scent of flowers and foliage filtered into her nose. Everything was serene.
“I wasn’t certain you’d come.” The voice was husky, the tone one of desire.
“I wasn’t certain I would, either.” Her words were only a whisper. She closed her eyes briefly as a hand was placed on her shoulder, turning her around.
“Hello, Cassandra.” Sebastian’s eyes were twinkling. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, Sebastian Roberts.”
“Are you here to arrest me or to submit?”
She kept the gun in both hands for a solid minute before placing the weapon in her open hand, offering him the gun. “I left the FBI. I heard you disappeared. Word on the street is that the Sanduchi family is pissed.”
“They’re always pissed about something.”
“And what about Mr. Massino?”
“Rumor is he died at the Castle. If not, our paths will cross again when the time is right.” Taking the offering and placing it on one of the tables, he exchanged the piece for a colorfully wrapped present. “I believe this belongs to you.”
Quitting her job had been easier than she would have expected; but finding Sebastian had taken sleuthing skills. Luckily, the note not only contained his last name but also clues leading her to his address in Florida as well. The rest had been accepting her role, the one she knew to be the right thing in her heart. As she pulled away the bright red ribbon, sliding the paper away, she realized she’d never felt more at peace. The moment she opened the box, she knew exactly what to do. Taking the collar into her hands, she lowered her head out of respect. “Thank you, Master Sebastian.”
“Welcome home, sweet kitten.”
The End
Piper Stone
Bestselling author Piper Stone writes in several genres including romantic suspense, thrillers, erotic romance, dark erotic, Domestic Discipline, spanking, Domination and submission and traditional romance. She has a love of the non-traditional, preferring to create worlds that defy the imagination. Wine and sous vide cooking are only second to her love of golden retrievers and you might find all three nestled in the pages of a book or two.
She has several releases from Blushing Books including Truth or Dare, His Demands – Dirty Little Secrets, Submissive For Hire, His Hidden Girl – Dirty Little Secrets, Becoming – Power Exchange and the Rescue Me Series, Maverick and Shadow. The Missoula Smokejumper Series – about seven smokejumpers, their danger and dominating passion – has seven books and two prequels.
You can find her at:
https://www.facebook/piper-stone-573573573166169730
http://darkdangerousdelicious.wordpress.com
https://twitter.com/piperstone01
https://bookbub.com/authors/piper-stone
[email protected]
http://www.theromancereviews.com/Piperstone
Dark + Dangerous + Delicious = D3
Literary Emotions Unleashed…
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Piper Stone and Blushing Books!
Truth Or Dare
Submissive For Hire
Honor and Obey Series
Honor and Obey, Vol. One
Honor and Obey, Vol. Two
Dirty Little Secrets Series
His Demands - Book One
His Hidden Girl - Book Two
His Judgment - Book Three
Power Exchange Series
Becoming - Book One
Rescue Me Series
Maverick -Book One
Shadow - Book Two
Missoula Smokejumpers Series
Fire at the River’s Edge, Prequel Vol. 1
Standing at the River’s Edge, Prequel Vol. 2
Embracing the Quiet Night - A Christmas Novella
Ignite, Book One
Burn, Book Two
Forged, Book Three
Firestorm, Book Four
Blaze, Book Five
Scorch, Book Six
Inferno, Book Seven
Anthologies
Hero Undercover
12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2017
Sweet Town Love
Connect with Piper Stone
darkdangerousdelicious.wordpress.com
[email protected]
Guarding Grace
Katherine Deane and Kate Richards
Chapter 1
Chris
Chris Nelson leaned against the wall, waiting for the women to enter from the small bathroom off Marshall’s office.
“Sorry about that.” Kaylee, Marshall’s wife, waddled to her chair, which her husband pulled out for her. “You know how it is.” She grinned and rubbed her very pregnant belly. She was due in eleven weeks and radiated a happy glow. So did the proud papa to be. Chris’ boss.
Marshall smiled as he helped the second woman into her chair. Gorgeous. Tall, maybe five-foot-nine, possessing a willowy figure with perfect curves in all the right places. She beamed up at him from under her dark sunglasses.
“Thank you.” Her voice was pure heaven, making Chris stand straighter.
“All right, now that everyone is accounted for—” Marshall began.
“Wait, you don’t want the rest of the staff here for this?” the new Dom, Stephen, interrupted.
“Thank you, Stephen.” Marshall turned a sturdy jaw and piercing blue eyes toward the newest Dominant at the Castle. “Everyone I deemed necessary to be here is here. Have a seat.”
“Yeah, okay.” Stephen puffed up his chest like he was the big boy on the playground and took a seat next to Grace. “Hey, we don’t wear sunglasses inside, little girl. Take them off.”
What the hell? Before Marshall could say a word—and it looked like he was about to lay into the younger man, hard—the perfect brunette pushed back her chair and swiveled toward Stephen, whipping off her sunglasses to show the most beautiful blue eyes Chris had ever seen. Gorgeous, full of fire. But unseeing. Shit. The woman was blind.
“I wear them so people don’t feel uncomfortable. Does my gaze make you uncomfortable?”
If a blind woman could glare, that was what she was doing. Staring down the young punk whose cheeks were reddening as if he had been chastised for stealing the last cookie.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Marshall stood, clasped the woman’s hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You okay, Gracie?”
She turned toward him, then frowned and sat back down, leaving her glasses off. “I told you I can take care of myself.”
“Very true.” Marshall nodded. “I’m nodding right now, Gracie. You just can’t see it.”
She grinned.
Marshall continued, “While I agree you can handle yourself in almost any situation thrown at you, and any man…” He paused to glare at Stephen again, whose swagger unpuffed just a little. “You can’t protect yourself from this, and you know it.” He passed around a stack of manila folders. Jackson strode over to stand beside Chris and share his folder.
The room fell silent as they quickly pored over the information. The first section held a set of pictures of a bloody stairwell, followed by one of a body crumpled in the corner. Next were pictures of two more deceased men in different rooms.
“One gunshot, point-blank to the head. The other looks like his throat was cut, correct?” Chris was just there to observe, but hell, he knew these pictures. He’d seen this kind of death before
.
“Yeah, how’d you get the second one figured out without seeing the front of the body?” Marshall asked him.
“The blood spray, amount, trajectory, the way the victim is lying.” He glanced at Grace, sitting there so stoically, and wondered how she fit into all of this. “Sorry if I overstepped.”
“No, you’re right in your assessment, and I have a job for you also.” Marshall stood and raised his voice. “Everyone, meet my cousin, Grace Barnes. As you can see, she is in the middle of some very nasty problems.”
Kaylee squirmed next to him.
“You’re telling me a blind chick killed three guys and is hiding out in our Castle?”
Oh God, when would Stephen learn to shut up? Chris felt a tremendous urge to go over and punch the smirk right off the man’s face, but Grace’s fists clenched—she was prepared to take the guy down another notch. She didn’t need to.
Kaylee jumped up and leaned her big belly right into his face. “All right, look. I don’t care if you are a new Dom here or not. Open your mind up for two stinking seconds and think about the possibilities. Does anything else sound feasible besides a beloved, blind family member going all Xena: Warrior Princess on three innocent people? And for the record, if you really think that’s the case, why are you still sitting so close to her?”
His eyes widened, and he inched ever so slightly to the side. It could have also been to get the tummy away from him.
Marshall gave a small sigh. “Thank you, pet. Now, have a seat before you get yourself all worked up again. We don’t want to stress the baby out, do we? Maybe we should do some more lines later to remember to take it easy.”
