BLAZE ERUPTING: Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella Read online

  Within seconds, Ellie Mae was against him. The pain was worth it. Hugh put his good arm around her and kissed her wet hair. “It’s okay, Ell.”

  She shoved him. Hard. “What the holy fuck were you doing?” She backed up, her face wet, fury in her eyes. God, she was beautiful. Those blue eyes were deep enough to get lost in forever. “You don’t tell somebody you love them and then go crash an SUV full of bombs into a fucking river.” She was yelling now. Had a good set of lungs on her.

  “Underwater explosions don’t propel objects through the water as far as surface explosions,” he gently explained. “It’s the drag water exerts on objects.”

  She hit him in his good arm. Hard. “I know that. I got an A in chemistry, remember?” Tears were sliding down her face.

  “Ah, baby? I think you’re in shock.” Hell. He might be, too. An interesting ringing had set up between his ears. He moved for her and then ducked back when she tried to hit him again. If he remembered right, she wasn’t that great of an aim. If she hit his injured arm, it’d drop him.

  Connor jumped down the stairs. “Hugh, man.” He reached him, gingerly plucking a stick out of Hugh’s waist. Blood flowed out of somewhere near his ribcage and trickled down his jeans. “You, um, might need stitches.”

  Hugh grinned as the world started to tilt in what should be an alarming manner. “Yeah. Hey. We’re friends now.”

  “We surely are.” Connor caught him in strong arms right before he hit the ground. Now that was a good friend.

  Chapter Fourteen

  My first week on the job wasn’t so bad. I got shot, had a concussion, ended up needing several stitches, and prevented an explosion from causing spent nuclear fuel to burn and throw radiation across the land. Oh. And I fell in love with my Ellie Mae.

  —Hugh Johnson, Brigade Notes

  Hugh kicked back in his Missouri quarters, contentedly eating some vanilla ice cream that Nora had so kindly brought to him after he’d been all stitched up. He sat on the flowery couch with his feet up on the dented coffee table. The bed was behind him, the kitchenette to his right, and a small television on a table in front of him. How long would they have television?

  Most of the plane ride home was a blur, but now he was rather content. Where was Ellie, anyway?

  A knock sounded on his door. “Come in.” He licked his spoon. There she was.

  Nope. Connor strode inside, still wearing a leather duster that made him look like a badass. “Came to check on you.” He hovered near the sofa.

  Hugh gestured to the seat. “You can stay.”

  Connor grinned, his teeth a flash of white in his dark face. “No way. Ellie will be finished debriefing Nora soon, and she’s pissed, man. I mean, pissed.”

  Hugh paused in his ice-cream eating frenzy. “She’s mad? Really?”

  Connor’s eyebrows rose. “Hell, yeah. I’ve never seen her like this.” He patted Hugh’s healthy shoulder. “But I think you’re awesome, brother. Great job today.”

  Hugh grinned. “You, too. This is going to be quite the ride, isn’t it?”

  Connor gave him a look. “Yeah. I’m glad you have my back.”

  “Ditto.” Hugh meant it. Connor was a hell of a soldier. It was nice to bond.

  “All right. I’m out of here before she arrives,” Connor chuckled, turning and all but jogging for the door.

  Some brother. Hugh smiled. This was a good place, and these were good people.

  Ivan poked his head in the door, his eyes a piercing blue. “Is Ellie here yet?”

  “No.” Hugh motioned him in. “You’re welcome, though.”

  Ivan glanced behind him. “That’s ah, all right. I’ll come back later. I’m glad you’re okay.” He smiled and then disappeared.

  Huh. The intelligence specialist was afraid of sweet Ellie? Interesting.

  The door shoved open, and Hugh straightened, relaxing upon seeing Deke stride inside. “Hey. You done debriefing?”

  “Not yet,” Deke whispered, his green eyes sober. “I just wanted to check on you. Great job today, man. I’m glad we brought you on board.”

  Hugh frowned. “Why are you whispering?”

  Deke straightened to his full and rather impressive height. “I’m not,” he whispered.

  Hugh shoved the spoon into the ice cream carton. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of Ellie.”

  Deke’s eyes widened. “Nope. Just wanted to make sure you were doing great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The dangerous soldier backed to the door, gingerly slid outside, looked both ways, and then made a run for it.

  Hugh swallowed. Okay.

  The door opened again, and sweet Ellie Mae stood there. Her thick hair bounced around her shoulders, and her stunning eyes shot sparks.

  He tried not to wince.

  “I cannot believe you drove toward a river with bombs in the car.” She moved toward him, her hips swaying in a very nice way. “That was insane. Dumber than dumb. Did you have a lobotomy in the ten years we were apart?”

  Man, she was lovely. “No.” He set the ice cream on the table by the sofa. “I’m, um, sorry I scared you.”

  “Scared me?” Her voice rose about fifteen octaves. “Scared me. You’re sorry you scared me.”

  He nodded.

  “Not good enough.” For once, her cheeks weren’t pink. They had bloomed a very angry red. “Not even close.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I am. I love you, Hugh Johnson. I mean it. Forever. No more bombs.”

  Her words were a hit to the chest. She loved him. He tried not to smile, because even though she’d said what he wanted to hear, she was still obviously furious with him. Fuck, this was confusing. He tried to move and then winced.

  Her face softened just a little. Was that concern? Hell yes. He’d totally run with it. He gingerly patted his newly stitched abdomen and then leaned forward. “I’m so sorry, Ellie Mae,” he groaned, pouring it on thick. “Let me come talk to you.” He let his breathing hitch.

  “No.” She rushed for him, settling him down and sitting next to him. “Don’t move.”

  “Well, okay.” He wrapped his good arm around her and drew her close. Yeah. She’d ended up right where he wanted her.

  She caught his satisfied gaze. “Oh. You did not.”

  He tried to look injured. Truth be told, Nora had given him a very nice pain killer. “I love you, Ellie Mae.”

  * * * *

  Those three words just melted right through Ellie, as he no doubt planned. She pressed her palm against his very sure and strong heart. “You said there was no going back,” she said softly.

  He covered her hand with his. “I did say that. Meant it, too.”

  She snuggled into him, her body still rioting. “Then no more messing with bombs. Next time, we figure out a safer way to be…safe.” They were silly words, especially considering the world was dying from a pandemic, but she needed them. Needed to somehow hold on to the thought that they’d survive. Together. “I need you, Hugh.”

  He ran his palm down her arm, giving comfort and reassurance. Yeah. He knew how hard those words were for her to say. When she’d lost her mom, she’d lost all family.

  Now she had him and the rest of the Brigade gang. They were family. All she had. “I’ve already started searches for Orion and that Wanda woman you talked about. More danger is coming. You can’t take chances like that,” she said.

  He gently eased her onto his lap, straddling him. His blue eyes, so dark and fathomless, caught her gaze. “I promise to be more careful because nothing is going to take me away from you, sweetheart.” He stroked down her face. “I waited a long time for you. I’m not going to let you get away now.”

  Her heart turned right over. He was solid and sure beneath her. All of him. The crush she’d had in college had grown into something strong. Real and everlasting. “I waited longer for you.”

  His grin was a little lopsided. “I never was as smart as you. So that makes sense.”

  She chuckled.

/>   He leaned up, capturing her mouth. His kiss was sweet and sexy, slow and sure. Definitely all Hugh. “I love you, Ellie Mae. For as long as we have.”

  She leaned into him, caressing his jawline. “We’d better have forever, Hugh.”

  He kissed her again. “I promise.”

  * * * *

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Rebecca Zanetti, discover Tangled, Teased and Tricked.

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  The Hunter

  For almost a century, the Realm’s most deadly assassin, Chalton Reese, has left war and death in the past, turning instead to strategy, reason, and technology. His fingers, still stained with blood, now protect with a keyboard instead of a weapon. Until the vampire king sends him on one more mission; to hunt down a human female with the knowledge to destroy the Realm. A woman with eyes like emeralds, a brain to match his own, and a passion that might destroy them both—if the enemy on their heels doesn’t do so first.

  The Hunted

  Olivia Roberts has foregone relationships with wimpy metro-sexuals in favor of pursuing a good story, bound and determined to uncover the truth, any truth. When her instincts start humming about missing proprietary information, she has no idea her search for a story will lead her to a ripped, sexy, and dangerous male beyond any human man. Setting aside the unbelievable fact that he’s a vampire and she’s his prey, she discovers that trusting him is the only chance they have to survive the danger stalking them both.

  * * * *

  TRICKED

  A Dark Protectors—Reese Family Novella

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  He Might Save Her

  Former police psychologist Ronni Alexander had it all before a poison attacked her heart and gave her a death sentence. Now, on her last leg, she has an opportunity to live if she mates a vampire. A real vampire. One night of sex and a good bite, and she’d live forever with no more weaknesses. Well, except for the vampire whose dominance is over the top, and who has no clue how to deal with a modern woman who can take care of herself.

  She Might Kill Him

  Jared Reese, who has no intention of ever mating for anything other than convenience, agrees to help out his new sister in law by saving her friend’s life with a quick tussle in bed. The plan seems so simple. They’d mate, and he move on with his life and take risks as a modern pirate should. Except after one night with Ronni, one moment of her sighing his name, and he wants more than a mating of convenience. Now all he has to do is convince Ronni she wants the same thing. Good thing he’s up for a good battle.

  Tangled

  A Dark Protectors—Reece Family Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

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  Now that her mask has finally slipped…

  Ginny O’Toole has spent a lifetime repaying her family’s debt, and she’s finally at the end of her servitude with one last job. Of course, it couldn’t be easy. After stealing the computer files that will free her once and for all, she finds herself on the run from a pissed off vampire who has never fallen for her helpless act. A deadly predator too sexy for his own good. If he doesn’t knock it off, he’s going to see just how powerful she can really be.

  He won’t be satisfied until she’s completely bare.

  Theo Reese had been more than irritated at the beautiful yet helpless witch he’d known a century ago, thinking she was just useless fluff who enjoyed messing with men’s heads. The second he discovers she’s a ruthless thief determined to bring down his family, his blood burns and his interest peaks, sending his true nature into hunting mode. When he finds her, and he will, she’ll understand the real meaning of helpless.

  Vampire’s Faith

  By Rebecca Zanetti

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  The Dark Protectors are back on June 19, 2018 with Vampire’s Faith!

  Vampire King Ronan Kayrs wasn’t supposed to survive the savage sacrifice he willingly endured to rid the world of the ultimate evil. He wasn’t supposed to emerge in this time and place, and he sure as hell wasn’t supposed to finally touch the woman who’s haunted his dreams for centuries. Yet here he is, in an era where vampires are hidden, the enemy has grown stronger, and his mate has no idea of the power she holds.

  Dr. Faith Cooper is flummoxed by irrefutable proof that not only do vampires exist . . . they’re hot blooded, able to walk in sunlight, and shockingly sexy. Faith has always depended on science, but the restlessness she feels around this predatory male defies reason. Especially when it grows into a hunger only he can satisfy—that is if they can survive the evil hunting them both.

  * * * *

  Chapter 1

  Dr. Faith Cooper scanned through the medical chart on her tablet while keeping a brisk pace in her dark boots through the hospital hallway, trying to ignore the chill in the air. “The brain scan was normal. What about the respiratory pattern?” she asked, reading the next page.

  “Normal. We can’t find any neurological damage,” Dr. Barclay said, matching his long-legged stride easily to hers. His brown hair was swept back from an angled face with intelligent blue eyes. “The patient is in a co
ma with no brain activity, but his body is... well…”

  “Perfectly healthy,” Faith said, scanning the nurse’s notes, wondering if Barclay was single. “The lumbar puncture was normal, and there’s no evidence of a stroke.”

  “No. The patient presents as healthy except for the coma. It’s an anomaly,” Barclay replied, his voice rising.

  Interesting. “Any history of drugs?” Sometimes drugs could cause a coma.

  “No,” Barclay said. “No evidence that we’ve found.”

  Lights flickered along the corridor as she passed through the doorway to the intensive- care unit. “What’s wrong with the lights?” Faith asked, her attention jerking from the medical notes.

  “It’s been happening on and off for the last two days. The maintenance department is working on it, as well as on the temperature fluctuations.” Barclay swept his hand out. No ring. Might not be married. “This morning we moved all the other patients to the new ICU in the western addition that was completed last week.”

  That explained the vacant hall and nearly deserted nurses’ station. Only one woman monitored the screens spread across the desk. She nodded as Faith and Dr. Barclay passed by, her gaze lingering on the cute man.

  The cold was getting worse. It was early April, raining and a little chilly. Not freezing.