Something's Gotta Give (Tempered Steel Book 3)

by Adams, Maggie

  Georgia blushed but stood her ground as she looked up at him. “Well, some of those women wouldn’t take ‘NO’ for an answer. I’ve seen how they work before. They needed an incentive to stay away.”

  Georgia smiled when Chance threw back his head and laughed. He reached for her, cupping his hands around her face. She went willingly, lifting her face for his kiss. He kissed her with a tenderness that made her tearful, then swept in again to take her mouth with an almost desperate edge.

  Her panties were damp when he finally pulled away. How does he do that? She wondered as cat calls and whistles permeated the room.

  “Well are congratulations finally in order?” Hank Coalson winked at Georgia.

  “Yes! I’m not only going to be lucky enough to soon be married to this beautiful woman, I’m also going to be a dad!” Chance bent and kissed Georgia right on the mouth.

  Tears welled in Angel’s eyes as she ran to hug them amid all the congratulations. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Her actions opened the floodgates and everyone surged forward to the happy couple. Corks popped as Ginny and Dixie wiped tears of joy. Nick passed out glasses of champagne for everyone, but the impending mothers. For them, he reserved a special bottle of sparkling grape juice, which he produced with a flourish amid the laughter.

  Georgia basked in the glow of Chance’s family. She had never felt so happy or so loved. She knew her momma and Missy Dee would understand. Chance was the other half of her soul.

  Angel raised a glass of champagne and called for silence to toast the couple. “Congratulations, Chance, for winning the war. And thank you, Georgia, for surrendering so gracefully,” She nodded toward the front windows where Rochelle Wilkins was giving the sheriff an earful of what had just transpired.

  Georgia’s shocked look made Chance chuckle. He drew her close to him once again. “Don’t worry. He’s on our side.”

  Amidst the noise and tears the phone began to ring. Nick went to answer it. “Lucky! Hey, I’ll put you on speakerphone so everyone can talk.”

  Nick clanged the bell that hung near the bar for silence. “Lucky’s on the phone.”

  “How are you doing? You leave for four weeks and all hell breaks loose. Sam and Angel are finally together again. Chance and Georgia announced they’re engaged.” Mac informed him.

  “Oh, and they’re going to have a baby, too!” Brandon relayed the news in a shout.

  “Hey, it sounds like congratulations all around. Well, I’ve got some news of my own.”

  “Did you find something in Vegas?” Mac asked excitedly.

  “You might say that.” Lucky returned. “Congratulate me, boys, I just got married!”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Two days later….

  Rebecca Morgan sat at her desk in the tiny office of Morgan and Morgan Private Investigations. Her sister, Renee, was sitting in the only other room, brooding. Rebecca could practically feel it. Something wasn’t right about the drug case that Renee had helped on. The Feds had captured who they thought of as the kingpin, but Renee wasn’t so sure. The oh-so-flashy Juan Santiago, was definitely a player in the drug world, but was he the big fish? That question plagued her sister and had Rebecca striving not to fall asleep at her desk while her sister turned it over in her mind. She knew better than to bother Renee with a simple need for sleep. Renee could exist on three hours or less.

  Renee burst through the door. “Someone’s coming. I saw them through the window. Douse the light and get in the bathroom.” Rebecca saw that Renee had pulled out her lethal looking revolver. She was always a bit dramatic.

  “Renny, how do you know they’re here for us? Maybe they’re visiting the bar downstairs?” Rebecca asked. Nevertheless, she doused the light.

  “Because something’s not right with the damn drug bust. I told you. And if it’s an inside problem, then they’ve got my name.” She ran a hand through her long chestnut colored hair. “Dammit! I never should have taken the Fed job.”

  Rebecca followed her sister into the bathroom. “It was just pictures and we needed the money.”

  “Shh, I can hear them on the stairs.” Renee clicked off the safety.

  The outer door knob jiggled. Voices could be heard from the hall.

  “Sam, I told you she wouldn’t be here. People actually do go home, you know.” Nick complained.

  “No, Nick. My intel isn’t wrong. We’ve been made, that’s all.” Sam knocked on the door to the office. “Ms. Morgan, we know you and your sister are in there. This is Sam and Nick Coalson. If you wouldn’t mind coming out, we’d like to talk to you about Bob MacIntyre. He’s dead.”

  “That’s too bad,” Renee shouted out. No way was she leaving this room.

  She heard more feet shuffling up the stairs. “I spotted a figure heading toward the back.” Brandon Coalson whispered. “Looks like we got here just in time. Jax is on it.”

  The ping of a rifle shot rent the air and Sam wasted no more time. Kicking in the door, he came face to face with a tall brunette and a petite redhead. The redhead held the gun aimed at his chest. The brunette held her side. Blood was seeping through her shirt.

  “You leave us alone!” The tiny redhead shouted as Nick came through the door. She glanced his way, and that was all that was needed for Sam to push the brunette to the side and grab the gun from the woman.

  Renee tried to break her fall to the ground, knowing it was going to hurt like a bitch. She was grabbed by the hair and yanked back, falling against a hard chest. She looked up trying to memorize her captor’s face. No one that good looking should be a killer, she thought. Light blonde hair and piercing blue eyes hidden behind nerdy glasses, like a real live Clark Kent.

  “Hi, I’m Brandon. We’re, um, the good guys,” he mumbled with a blush.

  “Get down woman!” Nick tackled the petite redhead to the floor as bullets ricocheted around the room.

  “You get the women out of here! The van’s running,” Sam exclaimed.

  Sam herded them along the perimeter of the room and to the door. “On my count…”

  “Just say Go, Sam,” Nick huffed. “We’re not your damn soldiers.”

  Sam grinned. “Fine…Go!”

  Sam ran ahead, checking for possible harm as Nick and Brandon carried the women down the stairs, the promised van waiting near the door.

  “Get them in. I’m going after the sniper,” Sam yelled.

  Jax came around the corner. His long blonde hair and muscular build, not to mention the wicked crescent scar along his cheek, making him look like a biker’s nightmare. “No need. He’s dead.” He wiped his hands on his shirt, leaving a trail of blood.

  Sam cursed. “Dammit, Jax! I needed to know who hired him.”

  “I know who hired him. He spilled before he turned the gun on himself.”

  They clambered into the van after the women. Jax nodded at Renee. “She need a hospital?”

  Brandon took her wrist. “Probably would be best.”

  “Her name is Renee. Renee Morgan,” Rebecca stated primly.

  “How about you, Red? How you holding up?” Nick looked her over with a keen eye.

  “I’m fine,” she mumbled. “And my name is Rebecca. Are you really saving us?” She had to ask. Renee had lost a lot of blood. She needed help. She didn’t know what she would do if her older sister died. Tears threatened to spill.

  Nick groaned and pulled her into his lap. He was a sucker for tears. “It’s going to be fine, Red. Your sister’s tough. We’ll see she’s taken care of.”

  “Where are you taking us?” she whispered.

  Renee chose that time to try and struggle out of Brandon’s arms. She cried out in pain as she bumped her side. Brandon hastened to calm her. “Shh, sweetie. It’s okay. We really are the good guys.” She still struggled.

  “Stop!” Sam grabbed her hands. “Sam Coalson, Navy SEAL, retired. These are my brothers. I was part of that drug bust.”

  “You said Bob was dead?” Rebecca whispered. She shive
red in Nick’s arms.

  “Yes. He was the point man. Got caught by Sam and took out a security officer. He mentioned something about a woman being targeted if he didn’t do the job. Jax pulled some communications and realized you and your sister were working with the Feds and Bob was dating you.”

  Jax waved a hand in greeting, but kept his eyes on the road.

  The casual way he had wiped the blood off his hands terrified Rebecca. These men weren’t anywhere near the type of men she knew anything about. And this Nick person seemed to think it was perfectly fine with her that she sat on his lap. She tried to wiggle away. She didn’t like the way her heart was fluttering either. He was too much male for her, with his dark blonde hair and blue eyes. His face seemed carved from granite. His arms tightened around her.

  “Settle down, Red. You’re fine here,” he mumbled in her ear.

  His razor stubble grazed her cheek. She shivered as his lips touched her ear. Whoa! Why did that make her want to snuggle into his chest?

  “So Jax, you going to tell us who the asshole is, or you going to make us guess?” Brandon inquired.

  Jax laughed. “You’ll never guess in a million years.” He paused for dramatic effect.

  “Jax!” Sam barked.

  “Anybody think it was kind of funny that the good Reverend Pyle made his way from the scene of the crime tonight to the police station?” Jax smiled.

  “What?! The Baptist pastor?” Brandon shook his head. “No way!”

  “Did you bug the damn police station, Jax?” Sam growled.

  Jax gave him a shit eating grin. “Of course. You learn the best intel doing that.” He sobered slightly. “I couldn’t get a clear view of him, but I thought it odd when I did get a bead on him, he went to visit Jeb Hawkins instead of helping Angel in her grief.”

  “Why the hell didn’t you tell us before?” Nick yelled.

  “No way to do anything about it at the time. Had to get the women. Besides, he wasn’t going anywhere. He has no idea we are onto him.”

  Jax pulled up to the hospital emergency room. “Next stop, Grafton police station.”

  “What are we going to do about the good Reverend?” Nick asked.

  Sam pulled open the sliding door. “Nothing for the moment. We know our man. But no evidence that can be used for a warrant.”

  “The tape?” Brandon inquired as he hefted Renee in his arms, Rebecca following close behind.

  “Not admissible. Jax wasn’t exactly playing by the rules.” Sam returned. “But at least we know who the bastard is. And we’ll soon find out if he’s working with the damn arsonist.”

  Nick stepped up. “Brandon and I will stay with the women. You two get this shit back to Ben.” He started to head to the ER doors, but turned back. “And tell Chance. He’ll make sure the other women are safe.”

  Sam got into the van and Jax took off. “So, how does this tie in to the vandalism?”

  Jax shrugged. “That’s why you were always the brains of the operation, boss. I’m just the muscle.”

  Mac’s Favorite Meatball Stew

  MEATBALLS:

  2 lbs ground beef

  1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced

  4 cloves garlic, minced

  1 large egg

  1/2 cup breadcrumbs

  1-1/2 teaspoons salt

  1/2 teaspoon pepper

  SOUP:

  3 cups sliced vegetables (I use frozen country vegetables)

  1 large onion, finely diced

  4 cloves garlic, minced

  2 tablespoons olive oil

  1 can (28 oz) Italian-style diced tomatoes

  6 cups chicken broth

  1 cup uncooked orzo pasta , or any small pasta (I like to use rainbow rotini)

  2 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach

  2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

  Salt and pepper to taste

  Instructions

  Prepare the meatballs: Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Set aside.

  In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients until evenly incorporated. Roll meatball dough into 1-in balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake meatballs at 350F 20-25 minutes or until they register 165F. Set aside.

  Prepare the soup: In a large pot over medium-high heat, saute carrots, parsnips, onion, and garlic in olive oil until vegetables are fragrant and slightly browned, about 6-7 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.

  Bring soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then stir in orzo pasta, spinach, parsley, and cooked meatballs. Reduce heat to low and simmer until pasta is cooked and vegetables are tender.

  Season soup with salt and pepper and let stand, covered for 30 minutes in order for the flavors to meld. Serve warm with fresh Parmesan.

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you. All of you. You are in my heart and my prayers. My family, my friends, my fans, have made my dreams come true. I wish all of you the happiness I have found through you.

  I love to hear from my readers and fans. Please let me know how you enjoy my series and what you might like to read in the future. Join my mailing list for news, features, and giveaways. Here’s the links to get in touch!

  https://www.www.maggieadamsbooks.com

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  https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaggiesMinxes/

  maggieadamsbooks@gmail.com

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  Getting Lucky

  Here’s an overview of my new novella from my Tempered Steel Series!

  Lawrence “Lucky” Coalson is on the track of the arsonist that torched his older brother’s construction company. The clues have led him to the Mississippi Flame Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  Taking a job as a bouncer there, he hopes to find a connection or even the arsonist. What he finds is a blonde bombshell in a bit of trouble, so like the alpha male he is, Lucky comes to the rescue.

  But what happens in Vegas is about to follow him home – and no one is prepared for the consequences.

  Here’s an excerpt from my Tempered Steel Series, Book Four….

  (Want to help me pick a title? Go to my fan club and vote for your favorite)

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaggiesMinxes/.

  “Anna, you jump every time I come near you and you get flustered if a man walks into the office. What is it? I’ll try to correct the problem if I can. I want you to feel comfortable working here.”

  Ann busied herself with straightening her desk to camouflage her nervousness. It would be so easy to tell this quiet, handsome man everything, but she couldn’t take that chance. She needed this job. And if she didn’t stop jumping like a scared rabbit every time he came in, she was going to lose it anyway. She bit her lip trying to think of what to say as she removed her keys from her purse.

  Brandon couldn’t stand the tension any longer. He touched her cheek gently with his finger, turning her to look at him. He saw the hunted look in her eyes before she could hide it and he swore silently. Too fast. He was going too fast. He forced himself to back off. She was as skittish as a newborn colt. He didn’t want to frighten her anymore. He just wanted her to stop thinking of him as the enemy.

  “If you want to talk about it, I’m here. I’m sure my shoulders are broad enough to handle anything you might dish out,” he said lightly, hoping to bring back her smile.

  But Anna didn’t return his smile. She was mesmerized with the way he was looking at her. When she realized she was staring, she transferred her attention to his shirt front, where the play of muscles could be seen as he reached for her again.

  “Anna, my sweet Anna, don’t you know what you do to me when you look at me that way?” Brandon groaned. He hadn’t misinterpreted the passion in her gaze as she stared at him. He felt all-powerful when she gazed at him like that. He couldn’t resist tasting her sweetness.

  With a start she realized his intentions and leaned backward and away from him. “Excuse me,” she murmured weakly.r />
  She almost pulled him back when she noticed the hurt that replaced the passion in his eyes, but she reminded herself that they were in a place of business, the lobby of the company, temporarily situated in his mother’s house, for goodness sake, and she needed to project proper business decorum. It was just so hard when he looked at her like she was priceless gold.

  Brandon raked his hand through his hair in exasperation. “What am I going to do with you?’

  She couldn’t give him an answer as she watched the desire reignite in his eyes. Frowning severely to mask her true feelings, she walked around him and set the letters on his desk, avoiding his penetrating gaze as she put on her coat, thrusting her keys in the pocket.

  As she started out the door, Brandon grabbed her hands. “Tell me. I’ll do anything to help you.”

  She was suddenly afraid. She didn’t want him to know her secret. She was too ashamed. She shook her head. “Nothing. You’re going to do nothing.”

  She tugged at her hands and he let her go and she ran out the door and into the night.