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Three Months Later. Krieger Inc Company Garden Party, Los Angeles, CA.
Yvonne adjusted the flowing shawl she’d draped around her torso and glanced around the entry to the party. Her baby bump was only noticeable because she’d dressed to show it off. Today was, after all, Baby Day.
The calendar she kept on her desk at work had a secret code countdown to this weekend. By some magic, she’d found the perfect candidate to replace her. The woman was a whiz, handled Theodore like a champ and didn’t back down. For the last month Yvonne had mostly been warming a seat, doing a pittance amount of work, while wanting to be anywhere else.
Her mind was made up, and she had no reservations about today.
A warm hand came to rest on the small of her back. She glanced up at Nolan and smiled. He and Vaughn had flown in at three that morning straight from a job he still wasn’t ready to talk about just to be with her.
“Okay.” Tabby strode through the doorway leading to rooms closed off for today’s company event.
“You look nice. Cute shoes.” Yvonne eyed the familiar strappy black heels. She’d picked them out as Nolan’s apology present.
“Thanks. A certain unavailable man gave them to me. I don’t hold it against him.” Tabby grinned. “They’re waiting for you.”
Yvonne nodded, her mouth going dry.
“Want us to tag along?” Tabby asked.
“No.” Yvonne glanced up at Nolan.
They’d talked about this. She had to face down her family alone, or else Mom would forever say that Nolan was behind this, driving a wedge between them.
“You got this.” He bent and kissed her cheek. “We’ll be outside.”
Nolan slapped Vaughn on the shoulder and the two men ambled off, out into the party around the pool.
She sighed and smiled. Nolan looked damn good in a suit.
“You are so in love it’s gross.” Tabby elbowed Yvonne and chuckled.
She shook the moment off and glanced at Tabby. “What happened with you and Vaughn? I thought...”
Tabby’s smile turned sad. “It was fun while it lasted, but...I’m not the woman for him.”
“Sorry.” Yvonne winced.
“Don’t be. The sex was amazing. He and I, we just didn’t connect. And that’s okay.”
“You really liked him though.”
“I did. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t make a man be the person you want them to be. You have to like who they are already.”
“True.”
“You’re doing that smiling thing again.” Tabby nudged her. “Go. Get this over with.”
Yvonne nodded, pushed her shoulders back then strode through the door. Once she was out of sight she pulled the shawl from around her shoulders and left, it draped on the back of a chair.
She was ready to move into her little bungalow with Nolan and figure out what their future looked like, imperfections and all.
Yvonne locked eyes with her mother through the open door leading into the more comfortable living room of Theodore’s L.A. home.
“There you are, darling.” Mom spread her arms wide.
Yvonne stepped around another chair, then into the room.
They were all there. Mom. Dad. Theodore. Douglas. And now they were all looking at her.
The gray knit dress didn’t hide anything.
Yvonne cupped her hands just below the bump, something that had become habit the last few weeks.
“We have a few things to talk about.” She pasted on a smile, looking each person in turn.
Mom’s face was pale.
Dad’s eyes took up his whole face.
Douglas merely smirked and sipped his beer.
Theodore’s brows were crawling into his hairline, but his lips curved into a smile.
“I’ll say.” He rubbed his hand across his jaw.
She sucked down a deep breath before beginning. “First, before anything else, I want to tell you all that I love you very much. What I’m about to say, it’s personal. It’s for me and the family I’m starting.”
“Yvonne...” Mom’s voice wavered.
Theodore crossed the room and wrapped his arm around Yvonne’s shoulders before giving her a gentle hung.
“Do what you have to,” he whispered.
Tears sprang to Yvonne’s eyes, and she clutched her older brother’s waist.
“Today I’m giving my final notice, in writing, to both Dad and Theo.” She glanced from her brother to their father. “I know this is a surprise to you and you probably have questions.”
“What is it?” Theodore gestured to her stomach, his hand hovering in the air as if he didn’t quite know what to do.
“This is a baby.” She took his hand and placed it against her. “And in five months someone besides me will get to hold it.”
“That’s some secret you’ve been keeping.” Theodore grinned at her. “Congrats, Vee.”
“Thanks.” She smiled then dared a glance at the rest of her family.
Dad had his arm tight around Mom’s shoulder, whispering in her ear. She nodded, but otherwise seemed to shell-shocked to say anything.
“I guess you’re serious about your boyfriend then?” Douglas walked over. He eyed her stomach, but didn’t show Theodore’s interest.
“I am.” Yvonne wouldn’t rock the family boat any more than this today. She’d ease them into her new world order later.
Douglas nodded. “He’s a good guy.”
“Don’t think that just because I’m gone things are going to get easier for you.” Yvonne had been surprised when Douglas applied for an entry level position at Krieger when the dust settled after DC.
“Shit, I wish.” He shook his head. “That woman you hired busts my balls daily.”
“She knows you’re going to take her job someday. I give it two or three years if you work hard enough.” Yvonne reached over and smoothed her little brother’s tie.
Dad steered Mom across the room. Yvonne didn’t expect Mom to accept this development well. Yvonne was ruining that picture perfect family Mom had always tried to control. The best part was that Yvonne no longer cared. She was her own person, with her own future.
Dad let go of Mom then pulled Yvonne in for a hug, the kind of tight, lift her off her toes she missed.
“I’m proud of you,” he whispered.
His words caught her off guard. At best, she’d hoped he would accept her decision. But pride? She didn’t begin to understand why, but she’d take it. Because Yvonne was damn proud of herself for figuring out that even though she was on the path, she told herself she wanted, she’d been unhappy. Until now.
“I’m proud of me, too,” she whispered back.
NOLAN TOOK A LONG pull on the beer. He kept his eyes locked on the house. No part of him liked sending Yvonne in there alone to have this talk with her family, but she’d had a dozen points why she wanted and needed to do this on her own.
“She’ll be fine. Here.” Tabby handed out a new round of beers to him and Vaughn. “To our girl kicking ass.”
Nolan took the third beer Tabby had pushed on him and set it on the rock retaining wall with the others. And here he’d thought he would be the nervous one. Tabby was about to come apart at the seams.
“There she is,” Tabby blurted.
Yvonne stepped out onto the patio, a hand up shielding her eyes. Her other arm was tucked into the crook of Theodore’s arm.
“God, why did you let her wear wedges?” Tabby smacked Nolan’s shoulder. “What if she falls?”
Yvonne locked eyes with Nolan across the party.
His heart did that funny thing in his chest and damn if he wasn’t a lucky bastard.
Theodore led Yvonne across the party to join them. Judging by her older brother’s smile, it hadn’t all been bad.
“Well?” Tabby asked.
“You knew?” Theodore frowned.
“Yeah. I called it before she even knew.” Tabby planted her hands on her hips.
Yvonne shrugged. “I think Mom and Dad are too shocked to say much of anything right now, and Doug doesn’t care.”
“Dad’s happy,” Theodore said with a knowing nod.
“Whatever. It’s done.” Yvonne grinned and glanced at Nolan.
“You’re really leaving me, Vee?” Theodore pressed his hand to his heart and gave her a pathetic whimper.
“You’ll survive, or you’ll finally hire an assistant who can do the job right.” She kissed her brother on the cheek then let him go and stepped to Nolan’s side.
He wrapped his arm around her, everything right in his world.
“Okay, so, are we good to start planning?” Tabby held up her hands. “I’m dying to start shopping for you two. When are you moving? Officially?”
“You’re moving?” Now Theodore looked panicked.
Yvonne glared at Tabby. Nolan laughed and Vaughn muttered something under his breath.
“Yes, I’m moving. Thanks, Tabs.” Yvonne glared at Tabby, but there was no heat in it. She was too happy.
Nolan still wasn’t entirely certain the house Yvonne had her heart set on would work. It was small compared to her other homes. They’d be downsizing a lot. But she kept saying it was what she wanted, for them, for their little family. And he’d trust her.
“Where and when are you moving?” Theodore zeroed in on Nolan. “And when were you going to ask permission to steal my sister?”
“I stole her.” Nolan shrugged then kissed the top of Yvonne’s head. “I’m not going to ask permission.”
Yvonne spent a moment catching Theodore up on the impending sale of her LA home. Her condo in New York was long gone. Tomorrow they’d close on the bungalow. And then things would move on.
“I need to go find the bathroom,” Vaughn announced.
“Oh, don’t go to the pool house. That’s where everyone goes.” Yvonne wrinkled her nose. “Come into the house and I’ll show you. I need my phone, anyway.”
Nolan shifted his weight to follow Yvonne, but Tabby grabbed his arm.
“We’ll be here,” she said with a smile.
Nolan remained rooted to the spot when he really wanted to tag along after Yvonne. He’d begun to crave her presence between ops. Her calm soothed him, balanced him out.
“The three of us should talk,” Tabby said when Yvonne was halfway to the house.
“I’ll say.” Theodore turned to face Nolan. “This serious?”
“Yup.” Nolan was prepared to weather the gauntlet ten different ways.
Theodore nodded and glanced away.
“My question is do you plan on marrying her?” Tabby asked.
Nolan clenched his jaw. He’d promised Yvonne to consider his words before he spoke and telling Tabby to fuck off might only set her off. Tabby pissed off was something he’d like to avoid.
“I’d like to know that, too.” Theodore crossed his arms over his chest.
“I think that’s something that’s between me and Yvonne.”
They still had to talk about his drunken phone call. He’d had a tight window between jobs and had a few too many beers blowing off steam. Once more, he’d spoken before he thought. Telling Yvonne to marry him hadn’t exactly worked out. He doubted she’d ever respond well to orders. It was a good thing she’d never enlisted. She had appreciated the donuts he’d sent to her office the next day.
“That’s fair,” Theodore said.
“Seriously?” Tabby gaped at Theodore.
Theodore kept staring at Nolan. “Just putting this out there, Yvonne once said if she ever got married she wanted to use our grandmother’s ring. Mom never liked it, so Dad has it in a safety deposit box. I could get it.”
Well hell. That was the kind of lifeline he needed. Rings and the sort weren’t his forte. Tabby would enthusiastically help him shop, but he doubted they’d agree on anything.
“I suppose we should trade numbers. Just in case.” Nolan pulled out his phone.
“You’re lucky she likes you.” Tabby huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I am.”
“Put a girl out of her misery and tell me if you’ve at least brought up the topic?” Tabby huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Don’t make her break out her little black book.” Theodore thumbed at Tabby. “She’s persistent.”
Nolan sighed. “Does it count if I was drunk?”
Tabby gasped and clapped her hands while Theodore chuckled.
“That totally doesn’t count.” Tabby grinned. “But as far as drunk dials goes, that’s acceptable.”
“I knew Yvonne was up to something, I just didn’t think it was this.” Theodore locked eyes with Nolan. “I’d give you the warning about our family, but I think good luck is more in order.”
Theodore extended his hand and Nolan clasped it in a firm shake.
“Welcome to the family,” Theodore said.
“And speaking of family,” Yvonne announced returning on Vaughn’s arm. She smiled up at Nolan, lashes fluttering. “Just so you know, your mother has decided to tell her friends she is the one who introduced us.”
“How...?” Nolan squinted, unsure how his mother had come to that conclusion.
“I don’t know, but it might be a better story than Vegas?” She slid her arm into Nolan’s. That beaming smile of hers made his heart do funny things. He loved that she was doing that more, smiling, laughing, enjoying herself.
He bent his head and kissed her cheek. “That’s an awesome story.”
“Do you really want to tell your daughter she should go to Vegas to find her Prince Charming?” Her brows rose.
“Wait.” Tabby squealed. “You’re having a girl?”
Horror struck Nolan at the thought of his baby following in their footsteps. “Mom’s story is better.”
“We don’t know if it’s a girl—yet. I’m just saying...” Yvonne shrugged.
Nolan wrapped his arms around her for a gentle hug.
His forever Vegas girl.
They were perfectly imperfect in every way, and he loved it.
Stay up to date with the whole Lepta Team in Dangerously Taken. Stay tuned for Dangerously Deceived!
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Explore the whole Aegis world in these series...
It all began with the Aegis Group.
Within Aegis Group, special teams take on special jobs, beginning with the Alpha Team.
Other specialized teams exist under the Aegis Group umbrella, including Lepta Team.
In Dangerous Games it continued with the Gone Geek girls.
When the Seattle office of Aegis Group opened the Twisted Royals took the stage.
Stay tuned for the appearance of the Troy Team and Omega Team.
For short reads, tune in this December for the Body of Danger novella series kick-off.
The other Smith brother takes us to the Texas SWAT series, a small town suspense series.
Dangerously Taken
Aegis Group Lepta Team #1
The mission: Rescue an executive translator being held hostage in Iraq without falling in love.
Erin Lopez never thought her life would be more dangerous as a civilian. She hoped she'd put her days dodging bullets behind her. Now, her only salvation is in the arms of a slow-talking man who makes her heart remember what it's like to love again.
Retired Army Ranger Riley Smith knows what it's like to fight the past every time he closes his eyes. Erin's dark, haunted eyes only tell a fraction of her story, and when she reaches for comfort, he can't tell her no. She makes this broken man want to be whole again.
The closer Erin and Riley get to the truth behind Erin's kidnapping the more dangerous their path becomes. Someone wants Erin silenced at any price. Riley can’t let that happen, but keeping her alive means facing that their no strings attached arrangement is a lie.
Dangerous Attraction
Aegis Group 1
Ex-Navy SEAL Travis Ration is an expert hunter. Whether his prey is criminal or victim, he always gets his mark. He's no hero, just a man doing his job. It’s all he has after a felony conviction after a bad judgment call. When the FBI call in a favor and ask him to look into a serial killer over the holiday break, he jumps at the opportunity to fill the long, cold days with something besides regret and bad movies. In Las Vegas, he's on the hunt for a prolific serial killer no one wants to admit exists. The leads are dry and the evidence gone, until she walks into his life. Bliss Giles—curvy, sassy and everything he can't have.
What’s worse, Travis knows Bliss’ sister is the killer's latest victim. She fits the profile. Time is running out and the fastest way to retrace the killer's path is with Bliss at Travis' side. In the seat of danger. He vows to keep Bliss safe and his hands to himself, after all, a nice girl like her doesn't need a guy like him in her life. Too bad no one told Bliss Travis was off-limits. She tests his boundaries and pushes his control every minute they're together until he can't remember why wanting her is a bad idea.
The hunters become the hunted in this tale of serial killers and SEALs for hire. One broken man must unpack his baggage, a woman has make a leap of faith and a sister chooses to live in this new, romantic suspense serial by NYT & USA Today bestselling author, Sidney Bristol.
Warning: Hold onto your panties, because nothing is safe.
Dangerous in Love
Aegis Group Alpha Team 1
He follows orders.
A good SEAL, Shane York values chain of command. Following the rules means staying alive. All of that is wrecked when his team is sent to Jamaica on a hostage rescue. She’s not the mission, but they leave no one behind.
She breaks the rules.
Travel blogger Lacey Miles lives for today. Thanks to her unexpected rescue from certain death, she has a shot at tomorrow. She wants her mercenary captors to pay, and she has the evidence to ensure it—if she lives long enough to deliver it.
Opposites spark an unlikely romance in the heat of danger.
Delivering the intel and keeping the hostages alive becomes priority one for the Aegis Group Alpha Team. The last thing Shane and Lacey have time for is love. As the team races home and bullets fly, rules fall by the wayside and lines begin to blur. With a traitor in their midst, will love be a distraction or a strength?
Book List
Aegis Group
Dangerous Attraction
Dangerous in Training
Dangerous Games
Dangerous Attraction
Dangerous Protector
Dangerous Secrets
More Soon!
Aegis Group Alpha Team
Dangerous in Love
Dangerous in Action
Dangerous in Transit
Dangerous in Motion
Dangerous in Charge
Aegis Group Lepta Team
Dangerously Taken
Dangerously Involved
Dangerously Deceived (coming soon)
Dangerously Broken (coming soon)
Dangerously Entwined (coming soon)
Texas SWAT
Fighting Redemption
Stolen Redemption
Reckless Redemption (coming soon)
Hot Redemption (coming soon)
Rebel Redemption (coming soon)
Filthy Redemption (coming soon)
Gone Geek
Beauty and the Geek
Mr. Purr-fect and the Geek
The Jock and the Geek
The Gamer and the Geek
The Adorkable Girl and the Geek
The Fake Boyfriend and the Geek
Twisted Royals
Alpha Prince
Her Prince
Bad Boy Prince
Noble Prince
Tarnished Heroes
Spy Games
Assassin Games
Traitor Games
Hot Rides
Drive
Shift
Chase
Bayou Bound
Picture Her Bound
Duty Bound
Bound Memories
Bound & Tamed
Other BDSM Titles
Committed
Bound with Pearls
Collar Me in Paris
Festive Seduction
Electric Engagement
So Inked
Under His Skin
The Harder He Falls
His Marriage Bargain
Fighting His Desire
Standalone Titles
Falling for His Best Friend
Dream Vacation (free read)
