Hard as It Gets (34 page)

Authors: Laura Kaye

BOOK: Hard as It Gets

9.63Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

“You can count on me,” Charlie said. “There was never any love lost between me and the Colonel, and I have my own vendetta against the Churchmen now.” He held up his bandaged hand.

Becca’s heart ached for everything everyone in the room had lost. It was already so much. And it might not be over. “You can count on me, too. After everything you’ve done for me, I’d do anything for each of you.”

“And me,” Miguel said. “I know I’m not part of the team, but I’m invested now.”

Jeremy stood up. “You’re my brother,” he said, pointing at Nick from across the group. “I’d stand with you no matter what you’re up against.”

Every man in there agreed. Whatever had happened between them in the past, their bond was forged anew in that moment. Becca swallowed around the lump in her throat.

Nick nodded and got to his feet. “All right, then. The Hard Ink Special Forces Team is hereby stood up.” Chuckles went around the room, releasing a bit of the tension. “And I’m proud to serve with each and every one of you, including Miguel, Jeremy, Becca, and Charlie. We’ll take our friends where we find them, and each of you has proven yourself.” Approving murmurs followed.

The puppy jumped on the mattress.

“Cool dog,” Charlie said. “Heh. We match,” he said, waving his hand. “Three legs, three fingers. What’s her name?”

The guys tried and failed to restrain their laughter. Everyone looked at her, and Becca just shook her head. How could she possibly choose anything else after “Eileen” had successfully run the operation to rescue her brother. The guys were attached to the silly name. Truth be told, so was she. “Her name’s Eileen.”

“What?” Shane asked, a grin on his face. “Seriously? I named her?”

“No, man. I’m the one who sang the song,” Nick said.

“But I’m the one who said Eileen . . .”

The squabbling devolved from there until they were singing again. “Sorry,” she said, leaning in to kiss Charlie’s cheek. “I’ll get them out of here so you can sleep. It’s the middle of the night.” She brushed his hair back again. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

Charlie nodded. “See you in the morning.”

Simple words she’d feared she’d never hear again. She blinked back tears—nice that they were tears of joy for once. “All right, ya hooligans. Either be quiet or get out so Charlie can sleep. Nurse’s orders.” Slowly but surely, the party broke up. Everyone protested sleep, but really they were all two or three days overdue.

Nick slipped his hand into hers as they crossed the gym. She looked back over her shoulder, and Charlie’s eyelids were already sagging. Eileen curled up in a ball by his side.

Quietly, Becca and Nick got ready for bed and crawled in together. His arms wrapped around her and held her tight to his chest. “I want you to stay here,” Nick said.

Becca tilted her head back. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I want you to live here with me. Not just because your house isn’t safe and all this is going on. Because I want you by my side. I’m a better man with you. And I want to be there for you, too, every day and every night. Charlie’s welcome, too. No matter what, you’re family now to me. I love you, Becca.”

Hearing him say it would never get old. Emotion lodged in her throat. How, in the midst of the worst crisis of her life, had she gone from being utterly alone to finding a whole new family and the love of her life?

“I love you, too, Nick. And I don’t want to be anywhere but here.”

“God, sunshine, that’s the best news I’ve ever heard.”

Becca smiled and reveled in his soothing touch. She hoped with everything she was that she could keep being the light and warmth in his life, because the anchoring weight in her gut told her things could very well get worse before they got better.

“Where’d you go?” he asked, kissing her neck.

“Nowhere, Nick. I’m right here with you. No matter what.”

Acknowledgments

A
s they often are, this book was very much a group endeavor. Nick Rixey’s world came to life around a birthday dinner table, as great friends and wonderful authors Stephanie Dray and Christi Barth helped me brainstorm the series plot. With the help of Jennifer Schober, those rough ideas took shape into something much more ambitious than I expected—but also hugely exciting. And then my wonderful editor, Amanda Bergeron, entered the picture, helping make this writer’s dream come true. Without these four women, I never would’ve had the chance to meet Nick, Becca, and all the other wonderful characters at Hard Ink Tattoo.

Bringing the story to life on the page was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done—and one of the most rewarding. I absolutely could not have accomplished it without the constant cheers and encouragements of writer friends Lea Nolan, Joya Fields, Christi Barth, and Stephanie Dray. Christi went way, way, way above and beyond by critiquing the entire manuscript with lightning-fast speed and incredible insight. And Stephanie, too, offered a critique that pushed me to make the story better. Amanda Bergeron offered wonderfully thoughtful and engaged editorial guidance and challenged me to go deeper into the characters and the story. I can’t thank each of them enough.

I also need to offer a special thanks to my husband, Brian, and daughters Cara and Julia for putting up with an MIA wife and mom while I escaped to the world of Hard Ink. This book would never have been finished without their devotion and support, and it means the world to me.

Finally, I offer thanks to Laura’s Heroes for everything they do, and to the readers, who welcome characters into their hearts and minds and let them tell their stories over and over again! –LK

Special acknowledgment to the following readers who suggested dog names I used in the book:

Sadie: Cathe Green, Michelle Wilson, Dawn Howell Tinari, Kelly Ridgely DeLeon, Alison Gail Rush

Georgia: Sheri Vidal, Sara Long Butler

Phoebe: Julie Cooper Barber, Polly Greathouse Coffy, Amanda Brown

Shiloh: Nancy Lux-Nicholson

Trinity: LaVerne Clark, Carrie Marcinkevage

Hopalong: Amy Villalba

Tripod: Linda Eisenberg

Cujo: Carlyn McGill

Ilene: Laura Stein Bubley

Eilene: Panera friend Elicia Brand Leudemann

Clover: Joanne O’Meara, and Hope: Amy Villalba, Hayley Reynolds, Crystal Sworden, Grace Zamora, Christina Mesmiller, were other names I wanted Becca to consider, but there was just too much going on! Thanks to the nearly two hundred people who suggested names for Becca’s puppy! You guys rock!

Can’t get enough

of the men of Hard Ink?

Good news, they return with

HARD AS YOU CAN

in March 2014!

Five dishonored soldiers

Former Special Forces

One last mission

These are the men of Hard Ink

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn’t want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

About the Author

L
AURA
K
AYE
is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and a cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

www.laurakayeauthor.com

Visit
www.AuthorTracker.com
for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.

By Laura Kaye

Hard As It Gets

Coming Soon

Hard As You Can

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

HARD AS IT GETS
. Copyright © 2013 by Laura Kaye. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

EPub Edition DECEMBER 2013 ISBN: 9780062267894

Print Edition ISBN: 9780062267887

FIRST EDITION

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

About the Publisher

Australia

HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street

Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

http://www.harpercollins.com.au

Canada

HarperCollins Canada