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Chapter 9
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Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 10
Jackson woke to the sun coming in through the window.His head pounded, and he moaned as he rolled away from the light. He was normally up before dawn, but for some reason, he was still exhausted this morning.His arm hit something soft. Something that murmured and shifted beside him.Immediately, his eyes flew open. He sprang up in bed.It was morning. He'd fallen asleep next to Charlie, drifted off with his arms around her when he should have been out tracking down the rat who shot Leo.He leaped up off the mattress. The motion woke Charlie, whose eyes fluttered open."What's going on?" she asked groggily when she saw him reaching for his gun on the nightstand."I fell asleep," he said. "I fucking fell asleep. The bastard's probably long gone by now." But it didn't matter. If the fucker was anywhere on the island, he'd find him.Behind him, a soft sound escaped Charlie's lips. It was so quiet, he doubted she even realized she'd made it, but when he turned around, he found her
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 11
Charlotte was finally on the adventure she'd dreamed of.The coordinates led to a point about four miles away from the city of Hvar, on a section of the island they'd quickly realized was undeveloped - though they learned after a quick stop at the Tourist Information Center by the wharf that there were a number of foot trails along that section of coast. To save time, they rented a motorized scooter to take them as far as the roads would go.She asked to ride behind him on the scooter. She told him it was because she'd never ridden one before - which was true - but the truth was that she just wanted to be close to him. Their conversation in bed had left a knot in her stomach the size of a watermelon. She didn't know what would ultimately happen between them, but in the meantime, she wanted to be as close to him as possible."You ready?" he asked over his shoulder as she settled onto the seat behind him.She slid her arms around his waist and pressed herself against his back. He see
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 12
When he saw Charlie go over the cliff, Jackson's vision went red.He'd come upon them just in time to see the bastard try to grab Charlie's leg. Just in time to see her stumble and fall. And in that second, his entire world had exploded.In no time at all, he was on top of the bastard. Beating him. Trying to tear his head off.But this man was bigger than his companion - who currently lay unconscious back on the trail. This man met Jackson punch for punch. Kick for kick. For every strike Jackson landed, he received one in return. And all the while in his head he kept seeing Charlie go over the cliff. Charlie, who was only here because of him. Charlie, who had somehow become his entire world.Charlie...His opponent got him in the ribs, knocking the breath right from his chest. He didn't have time to recover, and the next swing swept him onto his back.He hooked his leg around the larger man's knee and pulled him down to the ground. He had to finish this guy. Had to get over the c
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 13
Charlotte understood now.It wasn't that she hadn't understood before, but now it felt like the whole world had opened up in front of her. She felt wild. She'd never experienced a rush like this before.She and Jackson were on the ferry back to Split to meet up with the rest of the Set. They'd had no choice but to leave their unconscious opponents among the olive trees, but Jackson had phoned in an anonymous tip about the location to the local police force. It would buy them some time, at least. Meanwhile, the necklace and Vincent's accompanying set of riddles were stowed safely in her bag, and though she longed to pull them out and study them, she knew she shouldn't. Not here, anyway. So she stood next to Jackson at the ferry's rail and looked out over the water. The sun beat down on her skin and spray splashed up in her face, and though part of her wanted to stand here in this beauty forever, another part of her couldn't keep still.She couldn't stop touching Jackson, either. And
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 14
BOOK TWO: HUNTING HIS JEWELIt was chilly for September. Even for Chicago.He shoved his hands into his pockets, bracing himself against the crisp wind that blew in off the lake. A couple of blocks away, someone was leaning on their car horn. The street he was on was quiet, though. Asleep. The only sounds were the rustle of dead leaves blowing across the sidewalk and the tread of his boots against the cement.He was breathing too fast. If he wanted to pull this off, he couldn't look anxious. He clenched and unclenched his hands in his pockets, trying to redirect his nervous energy. The gun he had tucked in the back waistband of his jeans felt rough against his clammy skin. He didn't like carrying a gun. But it would be stupid to face Niko without one. It was stupid to face Niko at all, but at least this time he'd be prepared. This time...Leonardo Moretti woke with a start, reaching instinctively for the gun he always kept in the back of his pants.It wasn't there.With a growl,
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 15
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos IslandsThis was a terrible idea.Ruby Whitlock walked down the cruise ship's gangplank, trying to psych herself up for the third day of her honeymoon from hell. Her first glimpse of the island of Grand Turk looked promising - or at least exactly like the pictures in the brochure - but even the turquoise water, white sand, and cloudless blue sky couldn't stop her from plotting Jamie's murder as she followed a crowd of shuffling octogenarians toward the huge "Welcome to Grand Turk" sign at the end of the cruise pier. To the left of the pier, the beach was already crowded with people, most taking shelter in lounge chairs under big green umbrellas.She'd been working on her murder plan for four days now, ever since her cruise ship had left Fort Lauderdale. First, she'd lure Jamie back to her apartment, promising him the chance to "explain himself" that he'd been begging for since the day she found out about his dirty little secret. She'd been racking her br
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 16
For a brief moment, she let herself hope.She let herself imagine that the arms dragging her out of the museum belonged to her Sexy Stranger, that he was pulling her away into safety and rescuing her from whatever she'd accidentally stumbled into.That hope faded the moment she felt the gun pressed to the back of her head."Keep moving," growled Gravelly Voice from behind her. To the others, he yelled, "Stay back or I'll actually shoot her this time!"She was starting to regain her senses. A high-pitched ringing still vibrated through her ears, making her head throb, but she was starting to make sense of her surroundings again. She hadn't been shot. She wasn't dying. But that didn't mean the danger was over.The man currently dragging her outside was Gravelly Voice's companion, and while he was certainly the better-looking of the pair, that wasn't saying much. He had a crooked nose and one of his eyes was slightly larger than the other.The Caribbean sunlight was blinding after t
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 17
Leo was startled by the intensity of the relief he felt at seeing Ruby unharmed. He was so relieved, in fact, that he didn't see the frying pan come swinging at his kneecap until it was too late."Mother fu - " His curses dissolved into Italian, into the phrases his father used to shout at Luigi the cat whenever he got underfoot. He sank down onto the deck, clutching his knee as searing pain shot up his leg.The girl was quick. She was up the ladder and shoving past him while the pain was still blinding him, but he reached out instinctively, grabbing for her. He managed to catch her by the ankle as she tried to run past, and she fell onto the deck next to him.He only just managed to get his arm up in time to block the pan as it swung at his head. Another jolt of pain rattled through him, this time aggravating the healing bullet wound in his upper arm. He bit back another string of curses."Damn it, woman, I'm trying to rescue you!""I don't know what you people want with me, but
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Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 70
Sloane wanted to die of humiliation.She'd been willing to let Donovan tell the Set about them, but this was not the way she'd expected this news to come out.Donovan climbed off the bed, grabbing her bra and bringing it over to her."Thanks," she said, cheeks blazing. At least he looked as embarrassed as she felt. Whatever happened, at least they were in this together - in this and everything.There was something amazingly beautiful about that realization.She released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She still felt shaken, and physically weak, and she knew the gaping, gnawing pit in her stomach - with two holes, one for each of the children she'd never meet - would never truly go away. But there was something else there now, too. Something that made her feel stronger. She was no longer alone.Still trying to make sense of this strange new feeling, she finished dressing. Then Donovan held his hand out to her. "Shall we?"She would have much rather have hidden he
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 69
When they reached the hotel, Donovan took Sloane to her room."I need to check your back," he told her as he laid her gently on her side on the bed.The moment she touched the mattress, a gray-and-white hairball bounced up out of nowhere, and Donovan bit back a curse of surprise. He'd forgotten all about the little furry demon.The cat hardly spared Donovan a glance. Instead, it went straight to Sloane and rubbed itself against her arm, then curled up against her belly, snuggling in as if the only reason she was here at all was to provide the little beast with a warm place to sleep.Donovan shook his head, chasing away the insults he wanted to hurl at the little beast."If the wound isn't deep, we can treat it here," he told her. "Otherwise, I'm taking you to a hospital.""Wouldn't it look suspicious, walking into the hospital with a knife wound?" Sloane asked, gently stroking her cat's fur.He frowned. "You think I care about that when your wellbeing is on the line?"That sile
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 68
It all happened so fast that Sloane didn't have time to think. Just react.She was still reeling from her emotional confession to Donovan when she saw the glint of metal behind him. Her mind had only had a split second to scream, "Blade!" before she saw the knife arcing down toward Donovan's shoulder. She cried out, giving Donovan a hard shove out of the weapon's path.If she'd been a little stronger - or Donovan a little smaller - he might have avoided the knife completely. Instead, it caught the edge of his sleeve, slicing down his arm as he twisted out of the way.But despite the injury, Donovan was fast. His instincts took over quickly, and he sent his fist flying back toward his attacker.It was the tourist Donovan had nearly attacked earlier. But no ordinary tourist would carry a knife like that, let alone swing it at a stranger.But apparently he hadn't expected Donovan to fight back. Or maybe he'd thought that if he'd hit his mark Donovan would not have been able to defend
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 67
"This is it," Toshi said, rubbing his hands together as they stood in front of the Alcazaba. "The final stretch, you guys!"Donovan wished he felt as enthusiastic as his teammate. Instead, he found himself fighting a lump of unease.It's this damn city, he thought. Malaga was a beautiful place, but it twisted his judgment around until he could no longer tell up from down.He hadn't slept at all last night. He'd just kept thinking of Sloane in the next room. Even Toshi's snoring on the other side hadn't been able to drown out the heat of his desire. And it certainly hadn't eased the fire in his loins.But that wasn't the only thing bothering him. He'd been on edge ever since their near-miss with the suspected arms dealer back in Ponta Delgada. They'd escaped, but something about that scenario still niggled at him. Why hadn't Alyssa warned them? For that matter, why would Vincent Rinaldi hide a clue on the property of a man like that? Had he truly been as naive as Alyssa claimed? Or
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 66
Malaga, Spain - The Next DayIs this some sort of punishment? Sloane wondered, stepping out onto the balcony of her hotel room. A reminder of my past sins? Yesterday had shaken her in more ways than one, but returning here, to Malaga, was unsettling in a different way. This couldn't be simply a bad coincidence - the universe had to be testing her. Why else would it bring her back here? Now?She hummed a reassuring song to herself as she stepped out onto the balcony of her room, trying to ease the wild restlessness that had taken up residence in her heart ever since they'd arrived here last night. This balcony was larger than the one where she'd stood the last time she was here. Below her, the mid-morning sun cast the street in bright light, and the buzz of voices floated up as locals and tourists went about their day.She held Valiant in her arms, and the cat purred and snuggled closer to her chest, clearly enjoying the cuddles and the soft singing. He was becoming quite the wandere
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 65
Donovan held Sloane tightly against his chest, trying to keep her from making too much noise as she wriggled and twisted in his arms."Sloane," he rumbled in a low voice, "it's just me."She stopped struggling, and he released her mouth, then her arms. She twisted around, looking up at him in surprise."Way to give a girl a heart attack," she whispered back."I didn't want you to scream and draw attention to us.""Have you ever heard me scream?" she asked. She didn't look angry, though - just concerned. "What's going on? You guys didn't give me very much of a warning.""A man came out of the house," Donovan told her in a low voice. "Carrying a rifle. I think you were spotted." Beneath the surface, he was fuming. He knew they shouldn't have let her take this risk on her own. When that man had come stalking out with that big gun...something inside him had snapped. He still wasn't entirely sure how he'd managed to keep himself from attacking the man on sight.He angled himself to t
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 64
Sloane dropped into a crouch behind one of the large, manicured shrubs. Then she wiped the raindrops off her glasses, taking stock of her surroundings.The coast was clear, and her path was straightforward enough. If she hugged the wall, the shrubs would cover her nearly all the way to the pohutukawa tree. Then she could hide herself among the tree's large, twisted branches until she'd found her prize.She could still feel the imprint of Donovan's fingers on her sides, as if his touch had burned her through her T-shirt. But she couldn't think about that right now, just as she couldn't think about that intense look in his eyes as he'd watched her slip away. Or the fact that, not two hours ago, he'd kissed her. And she'd kissed him back.She had a mission.It should be easy, she told herself, creeping along through the mulch and damp soil along the wall, humming under her breath. She kept one eye on the house, just in case. It still didn't look like this Mr. Beaufort was even home, a
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 63
Donovan watched Sloane flee, rubbing his bottom lip.He'd told himself he'd heed Cruz's advice and control himself around her. This was not the time to indulge his carnal urges, not when the fate of the Set was at stake. Not when it might push Sloane away again. And yet when she'd looked at him, when she'd caressed his cheek with such tenderness, he'd been unable to stop himself from tasting her again.He didn't drink. He'd never been interested in alcohol, not after what had happened to his parents and sister. He'd often bitterly prided himself on his sobriety; how anyone could willingly partake of something that destroyed so many lives was beyond him. But he'd heard people speak of addiction - of that incessant, agonizing yearning, of that craving that was impossible to deny, no matter how much you knew you'd regret it in the end.That's what he felt around Sloane. He'd spent his entire life avoiding addiction, and he'd stumbled into it anyway. Thrown himself into it, consequences
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 62
If Sloane was being honest, she'd always been a little intimidated by women like Alyssa Berry - beautiful women who never seemed to have a hair out of place or a wrinkle in their clothes. Women who knew how to command men with the flash of a smile or a practiced giggle. It was some sort of sorcery that Sloane had never understood, and there was a time in her life she would have given anything to know its secrets. Women like Alyssa felt like an entirely different species.Which is why, when Alyssa declared that she was tired of waiting and marched toward the doors of the hotel - not even wobbling the slightest bit on her tall heels - Sloane had no idea what to do.Toshi had tried to stop her. But Alyssa had simply batted him away. So Sloane had gone after her, catching her right as the woman had managed to hail a taxi."You can't go," Sloane said."I can and I will. I'm a free woman, aren't I?" Alyssa paused with her hand on the taxi door. "I don't wait around for men, love, and nei
