by Tia Louise
He goes back to whatever he’s doing. “As long as we need to.”
I give him another glance then just say it. “I’ve been monitoring the police scanner. They found the body.”
Derek’s eyes cut to me. “I know.”
“I figured you were keeping tabs. Looks like it’s going just like we’d hoped. The media hasn’t been alerted. Company executives are sitting on it.”
My partner’s mouth forms a straight line. “For now. I’ll be curious to see if they can pull it off.”
“I bet they do. Reynolds Corp doesn’t want that juicy scandal getting out to their shareholders or their competitors.” My grip on the wheel flexes then relaxes. “You’re all good. The police know what he was doing there. That scene had hook-up gone wrong written all over it.”
“As long as they don’t decide to pursue it.”
“They won’t. We cleaned it up too well. There’s nothing to pursue.”
He’s quiet again, that darkness back. I know he doesn’t want to talk, so I switch on the music and let it fill the space for our drive south.
The woman who greets us at the Skinniflute is not the Toni Durango I’d expected. Instead of being back in her usual biker gear of hotpants, jet-black tease and velvet-red lipstick, she’s maintained the light-brown waves. She’s wearing a modest dress, and she actually looks somewhat professional, despite her inked-up arms.
“I figured you earned this.” I slide the large brown envelope across the table to her. “It’s a grand extra. That should give you a boost.”
She picks it up, and for a few moments she seems nervous—a first.
“I was thinking…” Her voice is a little higher as opposed to the usual smoky deep. Dark eyes flicker from me to Derek. “I might try going to community college. See if I can be a secretary for real. Or maybe a police dispatcher.”
The shift in my partner’s demeanor is almost palpable. “Sounds like a good plan.”
Satisfaction shines in Toni’s face, and I have to blink twice. Did I miss something?
“I thought… since I have some experience doing undercover work, I might try working my way into criminal justice. Maybe I can help there.”
I’m nodding, wondering how that might play out exactly, but Derek is more than encouraging. “If you need a reference or have questions, let me know. Here’s my card.”
She takes the thin rectangle, and holds it, staring at it a few moments. “The way you handled that guy… I guess I saw not everybody in this business is perfect. All it takes is having your heart in the right place.”
My partner shifts in his chair, and I’m not sure her words have the intended effect.
He clears his throat. “You shouldn’t use me as a role model.”
Her eyes flash up at him, and I can tell she’s confused. “You’re saying you did something wrong?”
“Yes. I did.”
“I don’t know that I agree with you. I was on the receiving end of that guy, and you gave him what he deserved.”
Derek shakes his head. “That’s not how our country is supposed to work. And if you do go into criminal justice, you’ll see why I’m right.”
She scoots forward in her seat and reaches across to grab his arm. I lean back and watch this play out.
“I know you don’t trust me. Hell, why should you? But you’re a good man. So you did something questionable. I know why you did it—it was to protect me. And her.”
“And what would she say if she knew the whole story?”
“Don’t tell her.” Toni releases his arm and straightens in her seat. “If you love her, you won’t let her take that blame on her shoulders.”
His eyes go to hers, and he’s frowning. “Blame for what?”
“For being the reason you did it.”
The two of them regard each other a few moments in silence. I can tell that statement had an impact, and I’ll be damned if Toni doesn’t have real potential in some legitimate field. What the fuck it’ll be, I don’t know, but I’m impressed.
Standing, I drop a few bills on the table. “It’s after noon. We’d better take off if we plan to be home by three.”
Derek studies her a bit longer. “Good luck to you. You’re pretty tough.”
“Mata Hari.” She stands and follows us to the door.
I stop before leaving and give her a hug. “Thanks, girl.”
Derek holds out his hand, and she gives it a shake.
Then she holds it a beat longer. “I won’t let my past get me down if you don’t.”
His lips tighten, and then he nods. “Thanks.”
The girls are camped out on the side porch when we get back. They don’t see us, and I take the chance to try one last time. “You going to be okay?”
He lets out an exhale and looks out the windshield toward the house, were Melissa and Elaine are sitting on the small couch just inside the breezy anteroom.
“I will be.”
“Listen, what you did was wrong, it was illegal, but dammit, somebody had to stop that prick.”
“That doesn’t make it okay.”
Looking toward the place where the girls are sitting, I exhale. “Sometimes it does. It’s like when we’re in battle and lives are lost. It’s for the ultimate good.”
He doesn’t respond for a few moments, and I think it’s possible I finally found the right combination of words to help him see how he can still be a hero.
When he speaks again, his voice is reflective. “At some point, I’m going to have to tell her the whole story.”
I take a quarter out of the console and put it on the back of my hand. “Maybe.”
Derek watches as I turn the coin slowly over my knuckles, thinking. A few more passes, and I say it. “I think you should give it some time. See if it can go into that place we have to put things like this.”
He leans forward and rubs his face with both hands then he looks at his palms a moment. He turns them over and closes his fingers in a fist. “At some point she’ll have to know. She’ll have to decide if she can forgive me. If she wants to be with someone like me.”
“Mel will never turn on you.” I can’t help a laugh. “She might turn on me. I was supposed to stop you.”
He’s still contemplative, so I clap his shoulder. “Just do like I said for now. Sleep on it. Give it time. Don’t burden her with the worry. Enjoy your wife and son.”
That’s as far as we get before Melissa sees us and comes bursting through the door. “Derek!” She’s running, and her face is beaming. I can’t imagine what she’s about to say. “I found it! I found it!”
She laughs, and he steps out just in time to catch her as she jumps, spinning them both in her excitement. Elaine follows her and walks around the car to give me a hug. I kiss her head, completely preoccupied by what Melissa’s about to say.
Derek holds her waist, and he doesn’t seem as bewildered as I’d expect. She pulls her hand from behind her back, and an item I recognize all too well drops down, dangling from her fist.
“Tah daah!” She swings the gold chain with the floating heart in the air then bounces up to catch him around the neck again. “Can you believe it?”
He hugs her back, and I watch his eyes close slowly. “Where was it?”
My brow lines. I fucking know where it was as well as he does—and who had it—but it’s clear my partner is working an angle.
Melissa pops back again. “In the cushions of that damn couch! As many times as I tore it apart. I can’t believe it was there all the time!”
“I’m so happy.” His voice is low, and he puts both hands on the sides of her head, smoothing her hair back with his thumbs. I never got the whole story on why that particular item of jewelry made him snap in Baltimore. I probably never will.
“You guys coming over tonight?” Elaine walks around to her car. “I’ll follow Patrick back. I want to shower.”
She gives me a little wink, and I’m ready to let Derek and Melissa ride off into the sunset. It’s ti
me for Elaine and me to get dirty while getting clean.
“Yes!” Melissa turns to us. Derek’s hands are on her shoulders. “Oh, and Patrick?”
I squint back at her. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
I tip two fingers at my forehead and give her a little salute. “I’m the Guard, baby. Protection is what I do best.”
She gives me a smile, and even Derek’s expression softens. They’re going to be fine. In that moment, I’m confident we all are.
The End.
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If you enjoyed One to Protect, you might also enjoy Liam’s List, a New Adult Romance packed with Heat and Heart by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Haleigh Lovell!*
Liam's List
By Haleigh Lovell
His best friend’s sister.
A list.
A love story.
Can Vivian help Liam heal one steamy encounter at a time?
NOTE: Rated 18+ for language and frequent sex scenes. Complete novel. No cliffhanger. Dual POV. Companion novel to the New York Times and USA Today bestseller Vivian’s List by Haleigh Lovell.
*To be released April 24, 2014, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, and Smashwords
Bonus Content
-Hear the music that inspired the One to Hold series on Spotify! (https://play.spotify.com/user/authortialouise)
-See the images that inspired One to Protect on Pinterest! (http://www.pinterest.com/AuthorTiaLouise/one-to-protect)
-Keep up with Derek and Patrick on their Facebook Page: The Alexander-Knight Files! (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alexander-Knight-Files/1446875125542823)
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Acknowledgments
First, I have to thank you, my amazing readers! Who knew in October 2013 I’d write three books in this superfun series with more on the way? Thank you all for the emails and photo teasers and quotes and for just sharing how much you love Derek and Melissa and Patrick and Elaine (and Kenny and all the secondary characters) with me! It means so much, and it is so motivational. I wish I could give you all a big squeeze—please take these virtual hugs!
Thanks to my dear husband, Mr. TL, who is the most amazing partner, the greatest editor, my “chief brainstormer,” male POV expert, the butter to my bread… LOL! Love you so much. And to my two little ladies, who keep me giggling and who are so patient with mommy when she’s working all the time.
An absolute HUGE Thank You goes to the indispensible Erica Duvall, who I could not do all this without! You’re not just a great reader-friend and fan, you’re my girl Friday! Love you! Thanks also to Kelley Langlois for getting that ball rolling and for being so sage and encouraging and funny and awesome. You’re the best.
I love love LOVE my street team, my “Keepers”! You have all become friends to me, and as much as anybody, you guys are just amazing in your support and encouragement and sharing! Thank you so much to Ilona Townsel, Jackie Wright, Rebecca Bennett, Nicole Huffman, Melissa Tholen, Chrissy Fletcher, Karrie Puskas, Heather Carver, Jas Dela Cruz, Christi Curtis, Daphnie Bennett, Lisa Maurer, Teresa Gomez, Jennifer Marr, Melissa Jones, Jennifer Noe, Lisa Gerould, Lorraine Black, Amber Gleisner, Lucinda Pilsbury, Angela Craney, Holly Leffler, Evette Reads, Becky Barney, Jennifer LaFon, Richelle Robinson, Jess Danowski, Zee Hayat, Brandelyn Harris, Ali Hymer, Jennifer Engel, Autumn Davis, Angie Lynch, Maria Barquero, Laura Goff, Ellen Widom, Katrina Boone, and “honorary members” Nikki Hardie and Christina “Bookalicious” Badder. You guys are so fantastic—you keep me going when I’m tired and you make me feel better when I’m discouraged. Love you all so much!
Another HUGE Thank You goes to my superfly team of beta readers and critique partners, who I adore and who make me shine. Love you, Aleatha Romig, Kate Roth, Tami Johnson, Ginger Sharp (“Princeton expert”), Tracy Womack (“eagle eye”), and Rebecca Bennett (“sticker queen”).
So many bloggers have supported me since September 2013 in large and small ways, I don’t even know how I can begin to list you all here. It would take pages and pages, and invariably, I’d leave someone out. I will give a special Thanks to Melanie “Sassymum,” and Ali and DebbieReadsandBlogs for inviting me to my very first author events—what a thrill! To Angie Lynch for making me a Smut Muffin (LOL!), and to Tamela Gibson for putting Patrick on the banner in The Library (WOW!). Everyone else, please know how much I appreciate all of you. You’ve been so kind and happy to help, and every time it makes my day. I hope all the best for all of you.
Every one who leaves a happy, encouraging review, sends me a kind word, or simply buys my books and enjoys them, I appreciate you more than I can say.
Thank you! <3
About the Author
Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire all of her stories. *wink*)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.
She lives in the center of the U.S.A. with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations.
It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction.
Books by Tia Louise:
One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014
One to Protect (Derek & Melissa), 2014
One to Love (Kenny & Mr. X), 2014
One to Leave (Stuart & Nikki), TBD
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1jm2F2b
Connect with Tia:
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Available Now by Tia Louise
One to Hold
(Derek & Melissa’s story)
WARNING: Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!
Derek Alexander is a retired Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.
When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.
Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.
Standalone, M/F, HEA
Now Available on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Google Play| Kobo | ARe
Print copies on Amazon | Createspace
*Keep clicking to read an exclusive excerpt from One to Hold!
One to Keep
by Tia Louise
WARNING: Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!
There’s a new guy in town...
“Patrick Knight, single, retired Guard-turned private investigator. I was a closer. A deal maker. I looked clients in the eye and told them I’d get their shit done. And I did…”
Patrick doesn’t do “nice.”
At least, not anymore.
After his fiancée cheats, he follows up with a one-night stand and a disastrous office hook-up. His business partner (Derek Alexander) sends him to the desert to get his head straight�
�and clean up the mess.
While there, Patrick meets Elaine, and blistering sparks fly, but she’s not looking for any guy. Or a long-distance relationship.
Patrick’s ready to do anything to keep her, but just when it seems he’s changed her mind, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.
Standalone, M/F, HEA
Now Available on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | ARe
Print copies on Amazon | Createspace
Exclusive Excerpt
One to Hold
By Tia Louise
© TLM Productions, 2013
Chapter 1: A One-Week Stand
In the cool darkness of the semi-crowded bar, I could allow the last year to dissolve into a hazy fog, a far-off memory. Each low thump of bass that disappeared into the dull roar of voices beat it further down. With a little more alcohol, it could even become a dream—something that never occurred in real life. Something that could be brushed aside like a phantom, not a true form. Not a reality that burned shame, low and deep in my stomach.
