They all shook their heads, pessimists. Poor Chad didn’t think a woman would give him a chance. Not only because he’d lost his legs, but the guy was suffering from some serious PTSD. Sax had raced down the hall many a time after hearing skin-crawling screams coming from Chad’s room. He’d be on the floor half the time, coming out of some hellish nightmare. The worst ones, he’d confided, were that he had his legs. He’d get out of bed and drop to the floor.
Chase’s mouth tightened as he spun his laptop back to face him. “Can we get down to business? The Bahamian authorities have gone as far as they can with the human-trafficking situation. They shut down two operators and recovered four more women. But those two are only fingers in a bigger organization that’s spread far and wide. The FBI cracked the ring in New York, but they haven’t been able to crack some of the others. There’s just not enough evidence. They’ve asked us to unofficially intervene and see what we can dig up. These people are nasty, filthy thugs who trade in flesh. If things get bloody—as they sometimes do—our government will do whatever they can to keep us out of it. Which means free rein.”
Chase had a gleam in his eyes as he surveyed his group, who all made various noises of triumph and anticipation. “We have a couple different areas to investigate. I’m sending you in three different directions so we can simultaneously nail down whether there’s anything illegal going on. We tracked a faint trail to a BDSM club in New Orleans. The women who work there as ‘facilitators’ are Russian, and we think they’re being abused and coerced to pay off the debt to be brought to this country. Infiltrating this club is the first op.”
Sax tilted his head back. “One of us is going to have to spank women as part of our job? Seriously?”
“To be convincing, possibly. As you know, the course of an investigation can lead to some pretty wild turns.” Chase turned to Knox. “I’m sending you in.”
Knox’s face went completely white. His mouth worked for a second before any sound came out. “Me?” The word nearly squeaked out, but he cleared his throat. “Yes, sir.”
“You and Vivi will pose as a couple trying to save your marriage.”
Vivi had been taking a sip of her coffee—evil smile at Knox’s predicament intact—when Chase dropped that bomb. She spewed liquid over the table and surged to her feet. “You cannot send me on a mission like that with him. We don’t even get along.”
Chase gave her a patient, tolerant look. “That’s precisely why this works so well. The tension and conflict between you will be real. That being said, you also won’t be tempted to”—Chase swept a look at Risk and Sax—“fall for the temptations of the flesh, especially surrounded by sexual props.”
Sax, like his brothers, was trying like hell not to laugh. They were already in enough trouble.
Vivi dropped into her seat with a thud, her face as white as Knox’s. Sax could tell she was trying very hard not to look at him.
If Chase was amused by their reactions, or the predicament he was placing them in, he gave none of that away. Consummate professional that he was. “Vivi, be like the SEALs and just say, ‘yes, sir.’ ” And he knew exactly how to poke her ego, too. Sax had to fight not to snort a laugh, and he could see Risk battling the same impulse.
Her mouth worked for a second, and Sax bet she was swallowing back some pretty words. Not. Finally she said, “Fine, sir.” Ah, still had to be the rebel.
Chase speared Sax with a look that said he did not appreciate Sax’s amusement over his comrades’ discomfort. “Don’t laugh too much, Mr. Cole. You’re going to Siberia.”
“Siberia? As in Russia Siberia?”
“Actually, you’ll start in Moscow and follow the trail. I have a contact from a non-governmental trafficking organization who will work with you. I want you to find the source of the recruiting, staying off the Soviets’ radar. Weather in October: teens at night, about thirty during the day.” Sure, now he let his own amusement trickle out with a twitch to his mouth. “Pack warm, my friend. Because you’re only going to have Risk to cuddle with at night.”
Sax held back his groan, even if Risk did not. “Yes, sir. When do we fly out?”
“Eight tonight.”
Sax gave him a nod, then traded a glance with Risk. He knew exactly what his brother was thinking. They were going to get in a whole lot of warmth before they left. Yep, a whole lot.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Big Al, for all the good information I can’t mention here. Or you’ll have to kill me, right?
Michelle Lesslie for Louisiana vernacular and lively Facebook convos!
As always, I’m eternally grateful to my Loveswept team, bar none the best group of people I’ve had the privilege of working with.
BY TINA WAINSCOTT
Justiss Alliance Series
Wild Hearts
Wild on You
Wild Ways
Wild Nights
PHOTO: © KELLY MACDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY
USA Today bestselling author TINA WAINSCOTT has always loved the combination of romance and suspense, because nothing complements falling in love better than being hunted down. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas, Wainscott creates characters with baggage, past hurts, and vulnerabilities. They go through hell, find love, and, at the end, find peace in who they are and everything they’ve gone through. And isn’t that what everyone wants?
tinawainscott.com
@Tina_Wainscott
The Editor’s Corner
As the hustle and bustle of the holidays, not to mention cold and flu season, approaches Loveswept’s prescription for your well-being is very simple, and reasonably priced too: Check out our new November releases, as low as $2.99. Just what the doctor ordered, right?
The courageous men of USA Today bestselling author Tina Wainscott’s Justiss Alliance series never give up and never make promises they can’t live up to—Wild Nights comes out this month and features Saxby Cole and Jennessy Shaw in Tina’s wildest story yet. USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy’s Club Sin series continues with the wicked, sensuous novel from Freed. Ashlyn Macnamara’s historical romance What a Lady Demands introduces readers to a smoldering new love story threatened by past betrayals—fans of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries will adore it. USA Today bestselling author Maggie McGinnis has written a captivating novel spiced with holiday magic, featuring a rugged Montana man who mends a Northeast girl’s jaded heart—don’t miss, A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise. And the Weird Girls return in another edge-of-your-seat novel, A Curse Unbroken, from Cecy Robson! Just when Celia thinks the supernatural world can’t turn deadlier, a new rival emerges to prove just how dangerous a power-hungry Were can be, yum!
For the New Adult reader, check out our Flirt line featuring debut author Amber Hart as she pushes contemporary romance to its wildest limits in the heart-pounding novel Until You Find Me, the story of a girl who travels to Africa to protect the legacy of one man—and stays for the love of another. Regina Cole’s debut, Draw Me In, is a steamy novel of hot ink and delicious angst, where two tortured artists take a leap of faith despite the past that threatens to tear them apart.
Stay well and follow the prescription above—if you do you’re guaranteed a happy, healthy, romantic holiday season. Until next time…
~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
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By authors you’ll always remember
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A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise
by Maggie McGinnis
Available from Loveswept
“So she came back lame last night?” In a roomy stall at Whisper Creek Ranch, Daniel kept one hand on Sky Dancer�
�s withers while he skated his other down her front leg.
His friend Cole paced the stall, muttering. “We let a Chicago gal take her out alone yesterday. She denies anything happened, but that leg says otherwise.”
Daniel shook his head. Whisper Creek might finally be turning its first profit, but week after week, inexperienced riders arrived in Montana thinking they were going to be bona fide cowboys and cowgirls by the time they left. Cole and his brother Decker had their hands full keeping their horses safe from the city yokels.
“Poor girl.” Daniel kept one eye on the horse and one on the twins, who were at the other end of the stable, checking out the goats. Sky Dancer flinched as Daniel got to a tender spot, but he kept his voice low and his hands steady as he checked her out. “So how’s business this week? Looks like you’re full up, even with the wedding next weekend.”
“We’ve been booked all summer, thanks to that damn website Ma put up. I just wish they were here as much for the horses as they are to score a cowboy fling.”
Daniel laughed. Cole, Decker, and their mother were joint owners of Whisper Creek Ranch, but everyone knew Ma held the proverbial reins. “What’d you think was going to happen when she put those sunset-cowboy shots up on the site?”
“In my defense, we didn’t even see her take those pictures. And I never thought we’d end up listed as one of the top ten girls’ getaway places in Montana.”
“Cole, those pics practically have a Come to Montana—Do a cowboy caption.”
Cole socked him in the arm. “Enough.” He rubbed Sky Dancer’s nose. “So what do you think?”
Daniel straightened up and palmed a carrot nub into the horse’s mouth. “I think this gal gets a vacation for a few days, but she should be fine. Light exercise, no riders, and I’ll check her at the end of the week. Sound good?”
“That’s what I figured, but I wanted your eyes on her.”
Cole led the way out of the stall, then called to Bryn and Gracie. “Hey, girls. Want to see something?” He beckoned toward a stall at the other end of the barn, and the girls leaped up to follow him.
When they got to the last stall, Cole lifted them both up to peer over the top, and they both squealed their little-girl shrieks.
Daniel came up behind them and watched as Bryn and Gracie took in the foal that had been born just days ago. Bryn’s mouth was a perfect O, and her eyes were shining. “Is it a boy? Or a girl?”
“A girl.”
Gracie nodded. “Good. What’s her name?”
“We haven’t decided yet. Do you two have any ideas?”
Bryn wrinkled her nose in concentration. “How about Ariel?”
“Or Jasmine?” Gracie added.
“Rapunzel? She has pretty hair!”
Cole raised his eyebrows at Daniel, only half-suppressing a smile. “Movie week again?”
Daniel shook his head as the names flew out his girls’ mouths, evidence that they’d spent way too much time in front of the television yet again this week. They were kids’ shows, but still. Guilt clawed at him every time he turned that damn TV on so he could finish his paperwork at night or answer a call from a concerned client.
As if he’d conjured it, his phone started ringing. He cringed, though Cole laughed when he heard it. “Your mother-in-law had better never find out you assigned her that dun-dun-dun-DUN ringtone.”
Gracie picked the phone up from the shelf before Daniel could grab it and send the call to voice mail. “Hi, Nana! Guess what? We’re at the barn, and there’s a baby horse! We’re going to name it Jasmine!”
“Rapunzel!” Bryn muscled in.
Daniel heard Evelyn’s shrill voice, but couldn’t make out the words. She was about two years shy of admitting she needed hearing aids, so in the meantime, she just made like a megaphone and accused everyone else of speaking too quietly.
“Yup! Daddy’s here. Do you want to talk to him?”
Daniel grimaced as he took the phone and headed away from Bryn and Gracie. With the girls, Evelyn was syrupy sweet. But for him, speaking with Evelyn was like chipping at an igloo three miles thick. She’d thawed a bit for the six years he’d been married to her daughter, but after Katie had died and he’d decided to move Gracie and Bryn back to his Montana hometown, the ice walls had thickened considerably.
Nevertheless, she was the girls’ grandmother, and he was determined to keep her in their lives, for Katie’s sake. He and the girls flew back to Denver once a month, and Evelyn had an open invitation at his house, though she rarely used it.
That worked out pretty well for both of them.
He put the phone to his ear. “Hello, Evelyn.”
“Daniel. Looks like no church again this week?”
“Horses trump hymns once again, yes.”
“I don’t appreciate your tone.”
“I know. What can I do for you, Ev?”
“Are the girls ready for the wedding? You had no trouble getting the dresses? Shoes?”
“They’re ready. It’s been flower girl central around here all week.”
“Well, we’ve decided to come up a bit early to help out, so don’t worry about a thing.”
“Early?” His gut sank. “How early?”
“We’ve changed our flight from Friday to Wednesday.”
“Really, we’re fine. You don’t need to come up early.”
Please don’t come up early.
“Well, you’re in the wedding, too. I’m sure you have a lot to do. We’ll just be there to help. You’ll hardly know we’re there.”
Daniel stifled a bitter laugh. Right.
He sighed. “Wednesday’s…fine.”
Crap. That was two less days than he needed to get the house into some semblance of order.
“We’re anxious to see the girls. It’s been quite some time.”
“Sixteen days, Evelyn. We were there two weeks ago.”
“Well, it feels longer now that you’re so far away.”
Daniel rolled his eyes as he pictured her doing a dramatic sniff that was completely wasted on him.
Evelyn and Patrick had been destroyed when their only daughter had died, and in the months afterward, Ev had been a constant presence in his home. At first he had welcomed the help, but as the days passed and Daniel had started to see how Evelyn was insinuating herself more and more into their lives, he’d realized it was time for him to draw the line and figure out how to make his new three-person family work.
In the end, making that work had meant moving back to Montana, and though it’d been a year since they’d left, Evelyn was just as bitter as the day she’d stood sobbing beside the U-Haul truck, making Daniel pry the girls away from her. He wished there’d been another way, but he’d needed to be where he could heal, where he could work, where he could make a fresh start and move past the clouds of grief that still crept into the corners of his vision if he wasn’t careful.
And that had meant leaving Denver behind.
Evelyn sniffed delicately. Again. “Don’t trouble yourself with picking us up at the airport. We’ll rent a car and drive up. Oh! And before I hang up, I wanted to let you know we’ve heard some very good news from Southwick Academy.”
He stopped abruptly. “Southwick Academy? What kind of news?”
“Good, good news. They may have two openings for fall.”
“I thought we were done talking about this.”
“It’s an excellent school. An amazing opportunity.”
“I’m sure it is, but I am not sending my girls to boarding school. It’s not an option.”
“Katie always dreamed of sending them to her school, Daniel.”
Katie hated that school, Evelyn.
“Not an option. Wasn’t six months ago, wasn’t three months ago, and isn’t now.”
“They wouldn’t necessarily have to live on campus. We could work out another arrangement.”
Daniel sighed. “There is no arrangement to work out, Evelyn. They live with me, they have always lived with me, and
they will continue to live with me. I’m sure the Academy has a stellar reputation, but I’m not sending Bryn and Gracie to school back in Denver.”
“But we’ve pulled a lot of strings to get them in, and we received news yesterday about these unexpected slots.”
“I never wanted you to pull any strings.”
Evelyn performed her classic long-suffering sigh. “Southwick doesn’t have openings. Ever.”
“Well, it looks like they do now. The girls will not be attending Southwick, and they will not be moving back to Denver. I can’t believe you went ahead and did this without my knowledge.”
“We just want the best for them. We’re just trying to help them get the best education possible.”
Daniel knocked his palm against his forehead. The nerve. He took a deep breath, working to keep his voice level. “I appreciate your concern, and I understand that you want the best for the girls, but it’s my job to make these types of decisions, not yours. Home is here in Montana now, Evelyn. Not in Denver. Not anymore.”
She was silent for a few long seconds. “We can discuss this when we get there. We have some other ideas we’d like to run by you. Perhaps I shouldn’t have gotten into this over the phone.”
“Perhaps,” he couldn’t help but echo, his tone hollow.
“We’ll see you on Wednesday. Good-bye, Daniel. Love to the girls.”
As he pocketed his phone, Daniel took a moment to gather himself before he turned around and pasted on a smile for Gracie and Bryn, who were now running his way.
Over his dead body would his little girls go back to Denver to friggin’ boarding school.
Cole caught his eye, brows raised in concern. Must be his fake smile wasn’t holding water. Cole pointed toward the main lodge. “Girls, you’ll never believe what Ma was baking this morning.”
“What?” They chorused in stereo.
“Chocolate chip cookies!”
Wild Nights Page 26
