he last thing he wants to do is play bodyguard to the woman who broke his heart.
As the wife of a pioneer in the field of biotechnology, Katherine Stallworth had an up-close view of the ugly underbelly of corporate espionage and the cutthroat nature of competition. When her husband is murdered and her life threatened, she turns to Raheem Miller, the one man she can trust–despite their sordid past.
Years ago, Raheem fell in love with Katherine–older, sophisticated, and way out of his league. And nothing has changed. While he’d rather avoid this assignment, he’ll never forgive himself if anything happened to her. In the middle of conducting an investigation into her husband’s death, he discovers a conspiracy that could rock the very foundation of the United States.
Now he must bring the culprits to justice while keeping Katherine alive and his desire in check. Easier said than done.
They exited the apartment, and outside, Raheem slipped dark sunglasses over his eyes and surveyed the street filled with passing cars and briskly walking pedestrians. He didn’t always wear shades, but they served a practical purpose when he worked close protection. In addition to shielding the eyes from direct sunlight, flashes, or glares, they kept eye movements hidden from potential attackers. As security personnel, his eyes constantly roved the immediate area around the principal, and this simple fashion tool made it a little more difficult for a would-be attacker to know where he was looking and which way he was going to move.
The first thing he noticed was Morris talking to the doorman, his back turned to the Mercedes. Raheem realized he had forgotten to let him know they were coming downstairs. Because he’d been distracted—by Katherine’s scent, the urge to caress her skin, and his own long held attraction to her.
Morris and the doorman were both laughing heartily at a joke, and Raheem’s temperature spiked.
“Morris, can I talk to you for a minute?”
They stopped laughing, Morris’s eyes opened wide, and he walked over. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you say you were coming downstairs.”
“I didn’t alert you, but what the hell is going on here? Why aren’t you paying attention to the car?”
“What do you mean?” Morris asked.
“Have you already swept the vehicle?”
“Of course. I do a sweep every morning,” Morris said, sounding offended.
“Then why don’t you have eyes on it?” Raheem demanded.
Morris’s cheekbones flushed pink. “Do you really think someone could do anything to the vehicle with me standing right here?”
“Do you really think it would be hard for someone to do something to the vehicle? How difficult would it be for them to attach a tracking device or an explosive to the undercarriage while you’re yakking it up?”
Jaw tight and more color flooding his cheeks, Morris didn’t respond, probably knowing Raheem was right.
“It’s okay,” Katherine interrupted.
“No, it’s not okay,” Raheem said angrily.
“Morris is very good at his job,” she said, her glare signaling he should stop.
“Why did you hire me? To make sure you stayed safe.”
“I would appreciate it if you don’t talk to me in that tone.”
“And I would appreciate it if you’d let me do my job.”
He didn’t care Morris was silently watching the exchange. Katherine had to learn to trust him. He turned to Morris. “We need to do another check of the vehicle.”
“I’m going to be late for my meeting,” Katherine said.
“Then you’ll be late,” Raheem said.
Her eyes flashed at him. “May I speak to you privately for a moment please?”
She didn’t wait for a response and stalked away—heels clicking the sidewalk and the natural sway of her hips catching his eye. While Morris checked the car, Raheem followed and Katherine swung around and faced him.
“Do you have to talk to me like that in front of Morris?”
“You have to let me do my job,” Raheem grated.
“I have no problem with you doing your job, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to talk to me however you please. You work for me,” she enunciated.
“Exactly. And my job is to keep you safe.” He removed his sunglasses and challenged her with a stare. “If you don’t like my methods, fire me.”
Katherine’s chin tilted a little higher. “Keep pushing me and I will. Get that damn chip off your shoulder.”
She swept past him and went to talk to the doorman. After Morris finished checking the vehicle, they all climbed in and took off.
Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sensual, passionate romance novels, and was born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not busy reading or writing, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. To get sneak peeks, notices of sale prices, and find out about new releases, visit her website and join her mailing list. Enjoy free stories on her website at www.delaneydiamond.com.
It was supposed to be a fresh start. A completely blank slate in a place where no one knew about the tragedy that ripped her family apart six months ago. A tragedy Rowan can’t help but blame herself for.
Now the only thing she wants is to blend in. To escape the house that has become more like a prison. Her new school is her only hope. Somewhere she can pretend she’s just like everyone else.
Only Rowan doesn’t realize how unique she is. Holden is the first to recognize it, but he’s not the last.
Rowan can’t explain the draw she feels to the guys who have found their way into her life. The way something seems to spark the first moment she touches each of them. How it almost hurts to walk away from them at the end of each day.
Things are changing, from the ripple of power humming just below her skin to this new family she’s finding herself a part of. But not all of the changes are good.
Someone doesn’t like the power Rowan is stepping into or the bonds she’s forming with the guys who have gifts as rare and strong as her own. And when the truth is revealed, it has the power to burn everything in its wake…
I tilted my head back so that I could see his face. “You felt it?”
He nodded. “I knew you were hurting somehow.” There was confusion in his expression, wariness, but also, a fierce protectiveness. “They need to shield you better.”
My hands fisted in Vaughn’s T-shirt. “They do, but no one can stop words.”
“I could,” he grunted.
“But I really don’t want you to go on a murderous rampage to stop a few mean girls.”
We’re about to enter the junior studio on the opposite side of the building when Mara catches up with me.
“Excuse me!” she pants, her cheeks flaming pink. “Could I speak to Mr. Blackwell for a moment?”
The other panel members turn to look at me, to see if I’ll comply.
Sonia is particularly curious. She knew something was up the moment I told her to offer Mara the studio. The discounted rate was a fabrication, invented by me on the spot. The same with this grant. It’s all leverage to get Mara right where I want her: completely at my mercy.
“Of course,” I say quietly. “The rest of you go on without me. I’ll join you momentarily.”
I lead Mara down the hall to an empty studio several doors down. I step into the clean, deserted space. She hesitates in the doorway, afraid to be alone with me.
“Are you coming?” I ask, eyebrow raised.
Pressing her lips together, she marches into the room, closing the door behind her.
I wait for her to speak, watching the rapid rise and fall of her chest, thrilling at the hectic spots of color on her cheeks.
She’s illuminated with fury, eyes blazing, cheeks flaming. Her dark hair swirls around her face, defying gravity from the pure electric tension between us. Her thin hands tremble, and she digs her nails into the thighs of her jeans.
“I know it was you,” she says, her voice low and hoarse.
I’m enjoying this so much I can hardly stand it. Her rage, her fear, and the delicious predicament I put her in, all mixed together in a potent cocktail. Her expression of shock when she saw my face, and the awful struggle as she had to discuss her work with the panel, while her brain must have been twisting and turning inside her skull . . . I’m so glad I have it all recorded. I can’t wait to watch it over again tonight.
“What was me?” I say mildly.
“You know,” she hisses. Her whole body is shaking. I’d like to hold her against me, to feel those tremors vibrating through my frame . . .
“Please explain.”
Her eyes glint with tears of fury, but she refuses to let them fall. Her lips are swollen and chapped, as if she’s been biting at them . . .
“Someone snatched me off the street. They tied me up, cut my wrists, and left me in the woods. You were there. I saw you. You stood over me, staring at me. You saw I needed help. And you walked right over me. You left me there to die.”
“What a bizarre accusation,” I say. “Do you have any proof?”
I know she doesn’t. I just want to see how she’ll respond.
“I saw you,” she hisses. “I’ll tell the cops.”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea.” I tuck my hands in my pockets, tilting my head as I look at her. “That would cause a lot of problems for you. You’d lose the studio, of course. The grant, too.”
“Are you threatening me?” Her voice rises, the edge of hysteria sharp as razor wire. “Why are you doing this? Why did you do this to me?”
She holds up her arm so her loose bell sleeve drops away, revealing the long, jagged scar across the wrist. The scar is still healing, raised like a welt on the skin.
“I didn’t do that,” I scoff.
Mara falters, her upraised hand dropping an inch.
Interesting—she doesn’t actually know who cut her.
“You were there,” she insists.
“So what if I was?”
She startles, shocked that I admitted it.
“Then you did this!” she shrieks.
“No,” I growl. “I didn’t.”
In one swift step, I close the space between us. Mara tries to turn and run, but I’m much too fast for her. I seize her by the arm, yanking her toward me, holding up that accusing hand and branded wrist.
I look down into her terrified face, pinning her in place with my gaze as much as my fingers locked around her wrist. “There’s no limit on predators in the world,” I hiss. “And no lack of damaged girls to attract them.”
Sophie Lark is an Amazon Bestselling author who writes intense, intelligent romance, with heroines who are strong and capable, and men who will do anything to capture their hearts. She lives with her husband, two boys, and baby girl in the Rocky Mountain West.
She has a slight obsession with hiking, bodybuilding, and live comedy shows. Her perfect day would be taking the kids to Harry Potter World, going dancing with Mr. Lark, then relaxing with a good book and a monster bag of salt and vinegar chips.
