By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

A cyber intelligent Brit
with a soft side for the innocent.
A rescued MBA student with goals and dreams.
This winemaker is willing to help
—one WICKED way or another.

PRESS

Women swoon at my British accent, but I’ve been in America most of my life, hacking computers by day, and saving innocent women by night. A regular superhero. When I start getting close to Luisa, I want all disguises off. She’s falling for someone else, but I’m determined to wait it out—start a full court PRESS to make her mine.

LUISA

Focus, heal, and grow—those are my goals. After enduring the unthinkable, it’s time, time for me, time for my future. But when my walls start crumbling, it’s him who starts to pick them back up, making me see my potential. My truth. My life.

In the first part of this book there is a lot of overlap with the previous book Ridge’s Release. This is necessary so this book can be a standalone. It also tells the story of Luisa’s rescue from Press’ POV, before detailing more of Luisa’s relationship with Beau and her therapy with Dr. Benedict.

As I’m sure you already know if you have read Ridge’s release, Luisa has a crush on Beau. However, the friendship she’s developed with Press is becoming more to her. Press of course isn’t seeing that, he’s seeing Beau being a jerk and toying with her affections.

It’s revealed that Luisa being abducted wasn’t random someone specifically requested her, and the price tag just went up. With her sister’s wedding in progress, Luisa doesn’t want to cause an uproar and insists just about everyone stays on Tryst’s ranch. The only ones to travel with her will be Zin, Press and Jaicon a former MI6 agent. They’d be traveling not to Seahorse Ranch but to Napa and Press’ parent’s home.

Things start to get a bit crazy when they arrive to the news Press’ mother was taken to the hospital and when he arrives to be with his father, he finds his mother has passed. Now he’s grieving but his brother needs to be informed and his father shouldn’t be alone. Security will be an issue, but Luisa doesn’t want to leave him.

A kiss from Beau that once would have meant everything to her but now doesn’t is the cause of Press putting distance between them. His father sees what Press doesn’t in fact it seems everyone sees the truth except for Press. Did I mention things are getting crazy?

This is a favorite scene.

The flight from Paso Robles to Napa seemed impossibly long in the helicopter. However, being able to land right on my parents’ property saved an hour’s drive from the airfield.

Luisa was quiet during the flight, but periodically, I reached over to squeeze her hand in reassurance.

I couldn’t imagine how she must be feeling, particularly since I still didn’t know exactly what the message she’d received said. Once we arrived and she was safely tucked away and asleep, I’d ask Jaicon for details.

Exhaustion was setting in on me as well. I’d slept restlessly, if at all, the last few days. While I didn’t want to admit it, part of that was due to Luisa’s absence.

When the helicopter landed on the front lawn, it dawned on me I hadn’t given any thought to the sleeping arrangements. Not even as much as determining whether Luisa would stay in the guesthouse where she’d been before or in the main house. And while she’d managed in the guesthouse previously with Jaicon and the rest of the team there with her, circumstances had changed quite drastically.

The other thing I was uncertain of was when my father would arrive with Tank, Magnet, Atticus, and Blackjack. Regardless, I knew his main concern would be for Luisa’s safety and well-being.

“Naughton? Would you like to stay the night and head back in the morning?” I asked.

“Appreciate it, but I told Bradley I’d be home in a few hours.”

“I truly don’t know how to thank you,” I said, shaking his hand.

“It’s what we do, right?”

I nodded. To my knowledge, no one in the Butler family had been a member of Los Caballeros. However, we’d certainly enlisted the aid of their family— Laird and Kade in particular— on several occasions.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Jaicon was a few feet behind us, talking on her cell.

“We’ll stay at the main resident tonight,” I said to Zeppelin instead.

“Copy that, sir,” he responded.

“Are you sure it’s all right?” Luisa asked. “Of course. There’s plenty of room, and even if there weren’t, all that matters is your safety.”

I rested my palm on the pad near the front door, and it sprung open. I led Luisa inside. Jaicon and Zeppelin followed.

“I spoke with your father, who suggested you stay here this evening. Given they’ll arrive close to dawn, he said he’d stay at Beau’s,” Jaicon reported.

It wasn’t necessary for him to do so, but since the conversation had already taken place, I didn’t see the need to contact him myself to argue about it.

I picked up Luisa’s bag and led her upstairs. “Can I get you anything?” I asked.

“Where will I be staying?”

“There is a room next door to the one I’m in. It was Beau’s when we were children. Thankfully, they’ve been redecorated to serve as guestrooms.”

I opened the door, turned on the lights, and was happy to see the bed had been made, something that was definitely Mrs. Gonzales’ doing, not my brother’s. It also meant she’d changed the linens.

I pointed to an interior door. “That leads to the lavatory. I’m in the room just on the other side, but no worries about privacy. There’s an additional door on my side with a lock.”

She sighed. “I’m not worried about privacy, Press.”

I set her bag on the chest at the end of the bed. “You must be exhausted. I’ll let you get some rest. If you need anything at all, I’m just through there.”

She stood where she was, hugging herself and biting her lower lip.

“Luisa?”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Come here.” I pulled her into my arms. “Tell me what you need, pet.”

“I’m scared,” she said, barely above a whisper.

“You don’t have to be alone. I can ask Jaicon to—”

She shook her head.

“What if we read a bit?” I offered.

“You wouldn’t mind?” “I’m still tightly wound from the trip myself. It will help us both rest more easily. I’ll get my tablet from the other room. It’ll take but a minute,” I added when I pulled away, but her hand gripped mine. “Well, then, how about if you come with me?”

“Hang on.”

I waited while Luisa kicked off her shoes and removed her jacket, then I led her through the doors connecting the two rooms. Once we’d entered mine, she dropped my hand.

“This room feels different.”

I walked over to the table where my tablet sat, took off my own shoes, and dropped my jacket on the chest at the end of my bed. “How so?”

“Warmer.”

“If you’d prefer it, we can read in here. You can stay in here as well.”

“Will you stay, Press?”

My back was to her when she asked, and I was thankful for it. I closed my eyes, breathed in deep, and reminded myself that to Luisa, I was her safety net, her protector, and while she may consider me a father figure, if I had to choose, I’d prefer older brother. Not that I wanted to be either.

The desire I felt for her was completely inappropriate. She needed comfort, reassurance, someone to hold her as she slept.

The first time we lay in each other’s arms, I was overcome by grief and exhaustion after learning my mother had passed. She’d comforted me that night. Could I do the same for her now? Could I set aside the longing I felt, or would my body react of its own accord to the woman I hungered for? A kiss alone or a touch— skin to skin— would likely bring me to the epitome of pleasure.

It had been four months since I stopped seeing the last woman who’d been my lover. I hadn’t thought of her once since I first met Luisa the night she walked out of the shipping container, broken. Then, I only wanted to protect her, help her heal, be someone she felt safe with.

As she recovered, she became a woman I desired more than any other I’d ever known. It went beyond that, though. I’d fallen in love with her.
Heather Slade. Press’ Passion (Kindle Locations 2122-2172). Wicked Winemakers First Label Book Three.

A really scary twist in this one and some interesting hints about Zin and Jada.

Luisa is a lot stronger than many give her credit for, Press does see this, and he’s been in love with her for so long and she with him. I really wanted to knock some sense into him.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Should be interesting with Zin as one of the main characters.

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

USA Today and Amazon Top 15 Bestselling Author Heather Slade writes shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat romantic suspense.

She gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Forty-plus books later (and counting), she’s having the time of her life. The women Slade writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of her books in your hands.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

MAYHEM

I sit back, watch, take it all in, as I determine my next move. I’m quiet, stealthy, and always ready to act—making my enemies regret their every decision. It’s always the silent shy-type people need to worry about. And they worry about me. But when K19 needs the best profiler in the business to come out of “retirement,” it takes every bit of my charisma to convince her to help. And now, there’s no holding back. She’s going to learn why they call me MAYHEM.

GRACE

No way, not a chance. I’m officially in “retirement.” Not that I’m anywhere near old enough. I’m just done facing off against the dregs of humanity and looking filth right in the eye. And now, it’s time to trust the one man who makes it all worthwhile—the one who makes me lose control. He’s chaos and mayhem, and I cannot get enough.

Finally they’ve tracked down Hanadarko akd Grace Hunter. They’ve also got a pretty good idea she won’t want to talk to Mayhem. With Steel, Cowboy and Winslow, Mayhem is hoping to convince Grace to come out of retirement to help them solve this case. The bodies keep piling up, and they really need to solve this sooner rather than later.

There’s a lot of animosity between Grace and Mayhem and we will find out all about it in this book. For right now, they need to go over the investigation to date and start the profile. Of course, there’s a bit more to resolve first.

This is a favorite scene.

After setting up an investigation “war room,” I checked the time, stunned to see it was zero two hundred hours. Given Cowboy said they’d arrive between eight and nine hundred, they’d soon be on the road. I still had time to withdraw my demand for Mayhem’s involvement. In fact, I could request the opposite. I shook my head. Cowboy and Winslow had already witnessed enough of my drama. Instead, I’d do what I told them to tell Mayhem. I’d man the fuck up. On this go-around, I’d focus on what was important— finding a serial killer. However, from everything I’d read, we weren’t looking for one. It appeared more like a ring of murderers.

I finally climbed into bed an hour later, doubting sleep would come. When I woke what felt like five minutes later, it was because Milagro was standing at the bedroom door, whimpering.

“You gotta go out, girl?” I rolled out of bed, shocked to see how late it was. I’d slept beyond the time Mayhem, Cowboy, and Winslow were supposed to arrive. “Ugh,” I groaned when I looked out the window and saw an SUV in the driveway. Worse, Soj was standing near the passenger door, talking to the man I guessed was the reason Millie was making a fuss.

“Don’t you dare act happy to see him,” I said, knowing full well my dog would be beside herself the minute she saw Mayhem.

Before letting Millie out, I looked in the mirror and groaned a second time at the dark circles, pale skin, and wrinkles a twenty-nine-year-old woman shouldn’t have. “Good news. He won’t think I got all gussied up to see him,” I muttered, opening the bedroom door.

I took my time pulling on my boots, then walking over to unfasten the chain and unlock the deadbolt. “I’m warning you, if you run over to him, you’re not getting any bones for a month.”

Milagro didn’t even look up at me. As soon as she could squeeze her body through the opening, she ran directly to Mayhem. I wasn’t surprised. Honestly, I wanted to do the same thing. Especially when our eyes met as he bent over to rub Millie’s ears.

What I’d give to be able to turn back time and do everything differently. Keep my mind where it was supposed to be rather than becoming obsessed with the role Bryar Davies had played in my then-boyfriend’s life.

Winslow was the first to approach as I stood on the porch, watching the scene playing out in front of me and reluctantly meeting Soj’s scrunched eyes. The man knew I had a dog; he’d just rarely seen her.

“Thank you,” Winslow said, standing beside me.

“Considering I haven’t done anything yet, you might want to hold back on the gratitude.”

She shrugged. “You’re helping. That’s enough for now.”

When Mayhem and Cowboy walked in my direction, I stepped off the porch and approached Soj.

“You locked the door,” he said in a quiet voice when I got close enough that no one else could hear us.

“I had work to do.”

He nodded toward the porch, where Mayhem was sitting on the top step, Millie’s head resting on his thigh. “Who is he to you?”

“An old friend. Not that it’s any of your business.”

Soj raised a brow. “You are my business.”

I kicked at the dirt with the toe of my boot and smiled up at him. “I’m not.”

“Because of him?”

I rested my hands on his forearms. “Because of me.”

“Do you want me to leave?”

I kicked the dirt again and looked over at the porch, itching for a hit off one of Soj’s smokes. “No.”

“But you will lock the door.” He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

I snatched it from his mouth and took a hit. “We’re workin’ a case. An important one. I’m not going to have much free time. You know what I’m sayin’?”

He nodded. “You want me to leave.”

I took another hit, handed the smoke back to him, and walked away. “Come to dinner tonight,” I said over my shoulder.

Mayhem absentmindedly stroked my dog’s head as he watched me walk toward him. Yeah, my face might look like crap, but my body was a different story. I worked hard to keep it in shape. More so since I left the FBI and had little else to do.

I was tiny but packed a big punch, as my great-grandmother used to say. At five feet four and one hundred and twenty pounds, a strong wind could probably blow me over. However, it was my “perfect hourglass figure”— again, something my great-grand said— that caused men to stare in the same way Mayhem was now. I didn’t doubt Soj was equally fixated on my backside.

“Who is he?” Mayhem asked when I got closer.

I laughed. “Verbatim what he said.”

“Did you respond?”

“Yep.” I walked past him. “Come on, Millie. We’ve got work to do.” She didn’t follow me, the bitch. Instead, she waited until Winslow, Cowboy, and Mayhem came inside. Actually, just Mayhem.

“Wow,” Winslow muttered when I led her into the room where I’d set up various whiteboards. Two for victims, two for suspects, two more for questions, and finally, two more for evidence. I had more stored in a back bedroom if we needed them.

“Looks like the one you brought,” Cowboy said to Mayhem.

“She always outdid me.”

“Bathroom’s down the hall. Fridge is full of stuff to drink. We’ll figure out what to eat as we go. Soj can get takeout.” I looked over at Mayhem, who was holding a framed photo of my great-grandmother and me.

“How is Meemaw?” he said, placing the frame where it had been. “What is she? One hundred and—”

“Three,” I answered before he finished the question. She’d turned one hundred less than a month after I walked out on Mayhem and swore I’d never look back. Meemaw had let me cry on her shoulder, then told me to buck the hell up when she decided she’d seen enough of my tears.

I’d been named for my beloved great-grandmother— Grace Hanadarko— and it was Mayhem who’d first called me by her last name. It stuck and soon replaced my previous code name— Huntress— which I detested. However, no one we worked with on what would be my final case knew its significance.

“She’s quite a lady.”

My eyes met his. I knew what he was up to. When he’d referred to her that way when they first met, she responded by saying she wasn’t a damn lady; she was a “fucking broad.”

It wasn’t just me who swore like a sailor. As the story went, one of my first words was “shit,” after spending an afternoon with her. My Geepaw, her son, gave her a boatload of grief about it until, less than five minutes later, my own mama blurted the word.

“Let’s get started,” I snapped, hating that I’d introduced him to the woman who meant more to me than anyone else on the planet. Then I’d put him in second place, even over my parents and grandparents.

“I’ll go grab your board,” offered Cowboy.

“I’ll get it,” Mayhem countered, already walking out the door.

“I’ll forewarn you; I can get a little intense,” I said after he was out of earshot.

The smirk on Cowboy’s face told me he’d already been briefed on my investigation style. Truth was, I preferred to work alone— until Mayhem. He was the only man, only person, I’d worked with who could actually keep up. While the rest of the agents might be able to toss a thought in, here or there, Mayhem was right there with me, firing as fast as I did. God, it had been exhilarating. I hated how much I missed it. Now, here I was, about to jump back in with both feet.

Fuck.
Heather Slade. Code Name: Mayhem (Kindle Locations 461-521). K19 Shadow Operations Team One Book Five.

As they go over everything, I start to wonder about the case myself. Have I guessed correctly or am I going to be surprised.

Okay I was surprised. There’s so much that gets resolved in this book and I truly loved the way everything comes together.

Intrigue and suspense abound, and there is also action, sizzle and romance that rounds the series out.

I can’t wait to start reading the new series!

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

USA Today and Amazon Top 15 Bestselling Author Heather Slade writes shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat romantic suspense.

She gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Forty-plus books later (and counting), she’s having the time of her life. The women Slade writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of her books in your hands.

She loves to hear from her readers.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

She’s a kick-ass attorney.
He’s a bouncer with a secret.
When they meet, their passion is UNSTOPPABLE.

FURY

That one hurt. Bruised the ego. He moved on—and I moved out. But, I’m no whining woman. I’ve got goals to crush, cases to win for the Invincibles, and other men to bed. All I need to do is take a deep breath and count to three. Or in this case, uno, dos, Tres. Meeting a hard-bodied, irresistible bouncer of Spanish descent just might chase away these blues.

TRES

My time’s running out. Soon I’ll have to return home and face the chains of obligation that confine me. Then I meet her and she changes everything. I want her—in every way. But she can’t know the truth. She’s an attorney with laws to uphold. I can’t possibly let her down. After all, Hell hath no FURY like a woman scorned.

Ellison ‘Fury’ Storm former CIA and now Untouchables lawyer meets Tres the head bouncer at the Long Branch during a private party. The attraction is immediate, intense and I’m really surprised there wasn’t flames shooting out of my kindle with the heat and that’s just the beginning. These two enjoy a multitude of activities with plenty of sizzling scenes in between. After a dinner with Fury’s sister and parents Fury gets called to work. Vex’s brother is in need of a lawyer in Vegas. What she doesn’t expect is for Tres to accompany her.

This is a favorite scene.

I read through the report twice more, mentioning certain things contained in it to Tres. Nothing else was as significant as the gun.

Once we’d landed, I checked my phone, but I hadn’t received a response from Vex. Given I’d told him I’d let him know when we arrived, I called rather than send another message.

“Hey, Fury. I was just about to respond to your question. Sorry for the delay, but I was hoping to talk to my brother before I replied. I haven’t been able to, though.”

“Are you at the detention center now?” I asked.

“I am.” “I’ll head directly there.”

Vex thanked me before ending the call.

“I’m sorry about this,” I said to Tres. “You can check into the hotel if you’d like.”

He shook his head. “I would much prefer to accompany you.”

I found the discrepancies in this case increasingly troubling, so Tres would get no argument about going with me.

The seven-mile drive took over thirty minutes since there was no getting around the Las Vegas traffic— at least according to the driver of the car service. When I felt sure we’d been around the same block more than once, I squeezed Tres’ hand and looked out the window on my side of the car, then out the other. He squeezed mine after doing the same thing.

The next time the car stopped at a traffic light and we were four cars back from the intersection as well as in the middle lane, conveniently surrounded by semis, I saw Tres grip the door handle with one hand, while he grabbed both our bags with the other. When he opened the door and jumped out, I was right behind him.

We darted in and out of the stopped traffic, through one door of a coffeehouse, then out the other, then into a shopping center. Once I was certain we weren’t being followed, I called Vex.

“Where are you?” was the first thing he said when he answered my call. There was a frantic edge to his voice.

“Near the intersection of Charleston and Smith—”

“Do not attempt to come to the detention center,” he said before I had the chance to tell him about our strange experience.

“What’s going on, Vex?”

“There was an attempt on my brother’s life about thirty minutes ago. The entire place is on lockdown.”

“What’s his present condition?” I asked.

“He’s in the infirmary, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.”

“Vex, do you believe Kruger is safe where he is now?”

“I’m not certain.”

“I reviewed the arrest report, and there isn’t a single mention of the deadly weapon your brother was alleged to have in his possession. I’ve already begun preparing a motion to dismiss.”

“I need to get him the fuck out of Las Vegas.”

I concurred, but I wasn’t certain of the fastest way to make that happen, outside of him being taken into federal custody.

“Have you been in contact with McKenna Walsh?” The woman, whose code name was Scottie, had been undercover with Vex on a recent mission involving infiltrating the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.

At the time of the mission, she’d been on loan from the Department of Homeland Security. I’d recently heard the FBI hired her out from under DHS. I knew from the hot wash— or after-action briefing— that prior to the FBI swooping in, Vex had been pushing for the Invincibles to make her an offer.

“She’s on her way as we speak. Or will be.”

I raised a brow, not that Vex could see me. “When is she scheduled to arrive?”

“I ended the call with her when yours came in. She said she’d get on the road as soon as she could. I doubt there will be a hearing this afternoon anyway. I’m sorry about this, Fury.”

“Nothing to apologize for. This is my job. Tell me, is her intention to have Kruger taken into FBI custody?”

“If she can make it happen.”

“Does she have the clout to do it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Understood. I’ll check in with Hammer and see what he recommends.”

I looked up and saw Tres was also on his phone. Maybe he’d called Hammer since he worked for him too.

“Where did you say you were?” Vex asked.

“Long story, but I have a feeling the driver of the car service that picked me up may have a connection to whoever tried to kill your brother.”

“Jesus,” he muttered under his breath.

“I’m going to work on finding somewhere else to stay. If my suspicions are right and the driver was intentionally trying to keep me from getting to the detention center, or worse, it means whoever he works for likely knows where we planned to stay as well.”

“We?”

“Someone came with me. His name is Tres.”

“Tres from the Long Branch?” Vex asked.

“Yes.”

Vex didn’t ask any more questions, and I didn’t offer any explanation.

By the time my call ended, Tres was off his.

“I have arranged for another place to stay,” he said.

“Okay. Um, thanks.”

“Someone I know will meet us here and take us to the house.”

“House?”

Tres nodded.

No one would dispute the fact I was a control freak. Including me. Having Tres by my side, though, made me feel safe. His quick thinking when we’d jumped out of the car had impressed me. While it was hard for me not to grill him about where we were staying or who was picking us up, I came to the realization I trusted him.

“What are you thinking, mi tormenta?”

“How glad I am you’re with me.”

His face broke into a broad smile. “Your saying so humbles me.”

It was the second time he’d said something to that effect, and it was another thing I liked about him. The list was rapidly growing.

“He’s here,” Tres said a few minutes later. He led me out a side entrance, where a black SUV with heavily tinted windows waited. “Meet my friend Alejandro,” he said after we climbed into the backseat.

“Please forgive me for not exiting the vehicle. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The man’s accent was similar to Tres’, and while I wondered how they knew each other, I didn’t ask.
Heather Slade. Furied (Kindle Locations 726-779). Unstoppables Team One Book One.

From the moment they get to Vegas things get weird. Then they get even more so as a few very interesting events take place.

There is something surprising on just about every page as the heat ramps up in more ways than one. We also get to see some of my favorite folks from previous books as the intrigue and suspense surrounding Tres unfolds.

I really can’t wait for the next book in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

USA Today and Amazon Top 15 Bestselling Author Heather Slade writes shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat romantic suspense.

She gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Forty-plus books later (and counting), she’s having the time of her life. The women Slade writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of her books in your hands.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

A charming billionaire winemaker with a broken heart.
An assistant DA who’s sick of the men interfering in her cases.
And the WICKED WINEMAKER’S auction that changes everything…

RIDGE

My family started Ridge Winery, so I’m no stranger to getting what I want. But, I was shot down, turned down by a woman I thought was mine. That’s old news now, though. Water under the bridge. I’m not one to wallow or get discouraged, not my style, not my thing. This auction is everything I tried to avoid, and everything I needed. But, I’m determined to make the sassy DA see me in a new light. Let’s just see how WICKED it’s really going to get…

SERAPHINA

I don’t care how irresistible they are. The so-called good guys shouldn’t be butting into our cases. This isn’t a game of cops and robbers. This is real danger and real lives are on the line. But when it’s my life that hangs in the balance, there’s only one man I trust, one man who can save me. And believe me, he’d climb to the top of the RIDGE to protect me.

Seraphina Reeve is the assistant DA and her boss has assigned a task force to investigate the Los Caballeros. The thing is the task force consists of her, and there is no evidence whatsoever that the Los Caballeros even exist. Her boss also wants her to prosecute Brix Avila who is the supposed head of this secret society. Unable to reach Brix she arranges to meet Noah Ridge for breakfast. Now before she even gets there her mother informs her that her sister Louisa is missing. She wants to ask for help but makes the mistake of putting her job first and Noah just laughs and leaves.

Trying to contact Noah becomes an impossible feat, he won’t answer her calls, and no one’s talking. That is until she calls the sheriff, he tells her he’s at the winemaker’s ball. She quickly checks online for a ticket and gets ready for the ball. This could be an expensive way to get the help she needs. Ten thousand dollars later and she’s won Noah Ridge’s date. Only he’s not happy about it.

After a brief argument she agrees to go with him to talk about her sister’s disappearance.

This is a favorite scene.

It wasn’t until he took the turnoff for See Canyon Road that I asked again where we were going. “What are you going to do? Throw me off the mountainside?”

“Yep. You caught on. Rather than letting you drive away, I decided to murder you instead. Knock it off, Seraphina.”

I folded my arms and looked out at the moonlight on the ocean. I’d always loved this drive. When I was younger, before Luisa was born, my father would bring my mom and me here. Once we got to the top of the mountain, the views went as far north as Big Sur and south to Santa Barbara. I doubted there was a more beautiful place in all of California.

I was stunned when Ridge pulled off the road at the exact spot my father used to.

“I’d suggest we get out and walk, but there’s the thing about me murdering you to get past. Not to mention, it’s a little too cold for you to be out without a jacket.”

“My dad used to bring me here,” I said.

“He did? I didn’t realize you were from the area.”

“Lived here my whole life except for when I was at law school.”

“Huh.”

I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t put two and two together with my name. Noah was three years older than I and far more popular. He was probably away at college when my dad lost his birthright. It was doubtful he would’ve known his father had purchased our family’s vineyards and winery operation.

“You said your sister is missing.”

I nodded, knowing if I tried to speak now, I’d wind up in tears again.

“Can you tell me what happened?” His voice was soothing, so unlike it had been at the ball.

I took a couple of deep breaths. “My mother called me the day I met you for breakfast. Not that we ate. Anyway, she asked if I’ve talked to Luisa recently, and when I said I haven’t, she told me my sister hasn’t been home for two days.”

“That was two days ago, so now she’s been missing four.”

“That’s right.”

“It is unusual for her to be out of contact for that length of time?”

“Very. Especially with me. Also, she’s about to graduate with a master’s degree from Cal Poly. My mother said she left her computer at home.”

“I’m guessing any attempts at reaching her have failed?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been able to find anything on her computer? What about cell phone use? Bank account or social media activity? Do you know if she’s attended any of her classes?”

“None of the above. In fact, I went to the university, looking for her, and one of her professors told me she sent an email, stating she was leaving town and wouldn’t be finishing the semester.”

“Which doesn’t make sense if she’s about to graduate. How were her grades?”

“Summa cum laude.”

“So quitting with only a few weeks left isn’t be something she’d do.”

“Definitely not.”

“Friends?”

“No one has seen or heard from her since last week.”

“Does she have a boyfriend?”

I nodded. “His name is Jorge.”

“He hasn’t seen her, either?”

This was where it became difficult to explain. “She hasn’t been seeing him that long. Neither my mother nor I care much for him.”

“Have you been able to talk to him?”

“I only know his first name, and I have no idea where he lives.”

“Have you had her cell phone tracked?”

“I’d need a warrant.” He raised a brow.

“You haven’t been able to get one?”

“She’s twenty-three and has been missing four days. SLO PD is not exactly seeing this as a priority.”

“You couldn’t get one on your own?”

“The DA thinks I’m overreacting.”

The incredulous look on Noah’s face was the same one I’d had on mine yesterday when I approached my boss.

“I need to ask you something.”

I’d anticipated he would. The last time we talked, I’d threatened not just his best friend but the very people I was now seeking help from. “I swear I would not lie about my sister being missing in order to trick you into doing something that would jeopardize Los Caballeros— if it truly exists.”

He raised a brow and turned his head toward the ocean. “That wasn’t what I was going to ask.”

“I didn’t want you to think—”

“I wouldn’t have.”

“I’m sorry. What were you going to say?”

“Given your sister’s stellar academic career, this seems unlikely, but do you think there’s any chance the boyfriend could’ve talked her into going away?”

“I don’t think so, but she is twenty-three.”

“Like I said, it seems unlikely, just from the little you’ve told me about her.” He turned toward me. “You mentioned your mother hasn’t spoken with her. What about your father?”

“He died a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” I waited to see if my dad’s death would job his memory. It didn’t appear to.

“Tell me about the ten grand. You said you weren’t interested in the date.”

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.” Something occurred to me. “Oh my God, I’m such an idiot.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The money doesn’t go to you; it goes to the charity.” So essentially, I’d bid ten thousand dollars just to have a conversation with him. I felt sick to my stomach.

“Your plan was to use it to pay me to help you.”

I looked away.

“I’m going to help you, Seraphina. And even if you’d offered it to me, I wouldn’t have taken your money.”

“Why?”

“Am I helping you?”

“Yes.”

“Because it’s what we do.”

“I don’t have much money left,” I said without looking at him.

“Again, we wouldn’t accept your money either way.” When Ridge covered my hand with his, I glanced over at him. “And I told you I’d cover the cost of your bid.”

I shook my head. “You don’t have to do that. You said you’d help me. That’s all I care about.”

“Which, if I’d returned your phone calls, wouldn’t have cost your savings.”

“I can’t let you.”

He shrugged. “I’m sure Alex will agree to it if I offer to double the contribution.”

“Why would you do that?”

He smiled. “I could let you believe I’m gallant. However, the truth is, I always donate twenty-five thousand to the foundation anyway.”

“Thank you, Noah.” My eyes filled with tears and I looked down at his hand resting on mine. I tried to move it away, but he held tighter.

“I promise we’ll find your sister.”

“How can you be so sure?” I whispered, hating to think what not finding her would mean.
Heather Slade. Ridge’s Release (Kindle Locations 390-393). Wicked Winemakers First Label Book Two.

Ridge immediately calls the available Los Caballeros; they meet and form a plan to find Luisa.

This becomes far more complicated, and along the way Ridge discovers he really likes Seraphina. They just have to figure out a few things. Well more than just a few.

There’s plenty of action, suspense and romance in this one. Including hints on the next book. I can’t wait!

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

USA Today and Amazon Top 15 Bestselling Author Heather Slade writes shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat romantic suspense.

She gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Forty-plus books later (and counting), she’s having the time of her life. The women Slade writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of her books in your hands.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

Code name: Garrison “Cowboy” Cassidy
Target: Winslow Greer
Mission: Take the ski champion to new peaks

COWBOY

Being quiet and reserved makes cracking cases and taking down enemies—one vile and malicious criminal at a time—easy for a stealthy agent like me. But when I meet Winslow, it requires every bit of my reserve to take it slow. I know once I give in to her tantalizing ways, it’s going to be one fast, slippery slope of passion and pleasure.

WINSLOW

Death. The end. My final hurrah. At least that’s what I thought. But by some miracle, I escaped. Saving myself. That’s not enough, though. It’s not over. Peril is imminent, and I need help. Safety. Security. And there’s only one man I trust. But can I really put my life in the hands of a sexy cowboy in tight denims and a country drawl?

Olympic Skier Winslow Greer is the latest reported missing person. Garrison ‘Cowboy’ Cassidy is determined to find her before the worst happens. Whether it was a mistake or on purpose her kidnapper left her a way to escape. When she realizes she can get free, she does and runs for help.

Cowboy is notified as is Mayhem and they head to the police station. Once her parents arrive the situation is a bit touchy.

This is a favorite scene.

“Cowboy, this is Onyx. I heard from the sheriff a few minutes ago. He got a call from Lake Placid PD saying a couple just brought Winslow Greer into their station. You and Mayhem are still up there, right?”

“Affirmative.”

I was out of bed with my boots on by the time he instructed me to head there. When I raced out of the room, Mayhem came out of his.

“Ranger just called.”

“Onyx called me. Let’s go.”

Just as we pulled into the PD parking lot, Mayhem’s phone pinged. He swiped the screen. “Ranger said they’re expecting us.”

“Us?”

“Two guys working with the FBI.”

“Copy that.” Neither of us looked the part, though. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a haircut, to the point it hung past my shoulders. Both of us had visible ink and were dressed more like bikers than agents.

“Cassidy and Gable?” asked a man in uniform who greeted us at the door. “Follow me.” He walked away without waiting for a response from either of us.

“What’s Ms. Greer’s condition?” I asked when we reached a closed door and he put his hand on the knob.

“She’s shaken but has no visible signs of assault.”

“Visible?” asked Mayhem.

“She doesn’t want to go to the hospital until her parents get here.”

“They’re on their way?” I asked.

“Should arrive within the hour.”

“They aren’t here in town?”

The man shook his head. “Don’t know. It’s just what I was told.”

“Copy that.” I motioned for him to open the door. When he did, I went in first.

The blue eyes I’d stared into so often over the last few days filled with tears when they met mine. I walked over and knelt down near her chair.

“Winslow, my name is Garrison Cassidy, and I’m part of the team who’s been lookin’ for you. I sure am glad to see you, darlin’.”

Her breath caught, and the tears in her eyes ran down her cheeks. When she leaned forward and reached for me, I took her into my arms and stroked her hair as she sobbed.

“You’re safe now, sweetheart,” I soothed. “You’re safe.” I felt her nod, but until she let go, I wouldn’t either.

Too soon, I heard a knock at the door and it opening. “Excuse me, sir. Ms. Greer’s parents are on their way in.”

“I’m so sorry.” Winslow pulled away and wiped at her tears.

I brushed her hair from her forehead. “Don’t be.”

When I stood, my eyes met Mayhem’s. Thankfully, I didn’t see any judgment in them.

“Winnie!” a woman cried as she burst through the door. I took a step to the side to give Winslow and her parents space, when I felt her hand slip into mine.

“Thank you,” she whispered, looking up at me.

I squeezed her fingers before I let go, and Mayhem and I left the room.

His phone pinged. “Ranger’s requesting an update,” he said after swiping the screen.

“Go ahead.”

Mayhem gave me a head nod and walked away. Once he’d gone out the door, I leaned up against the wall and put my hands in my pockets.

“She hasn’t reacted to much until you arrived,” the police officer commented. “Other than saying she didn’t want to go to the hospital until her parents arrived.”

“She’s in shock.”

He shook his head. “Hell of a thing.” The man looked up at the ceiling and let out a heavy sigh. “We haven’t questioned her yet. The boss told us this is FBI jurisdiction.”

“Correct,” I said without looking at him. While I had no desire to put Winslow through the hell of recounting her ordeal, we couldn’t wait much longer to see if she could tell us where she’d been for the last few days.

The door opened, and Winslow’s father stepped into the hall. “What are you waiting for?” he barked, looking between the officer and me. “Why aren’t you arresting the bastard who did this to my daughter?”

“Sir, we—”

“I don’t want to hear excuses. Go do your goddamn job.”

I raised my eyes to his but didn’t respond. I understood every ounce of his anger. More, his feelings of helplessness.

“We haven’t questioned your daughter yet, sir. Until we do, we have no way of doing as you ask.”

Winslow’s father stared at the guy beside me, and I watched his fists clench in anger and his breathing accelerate with every word the officer said. Then his expression changed as acceptance gradually set in.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked a second time, but with less of an edge in his voice.

The cop turned his head in my direction.

“For you and your wife to arrive,” I responded.

“We’re here now,” he said at the same time Mayhem returned from outside. Winslow’s father looked at him, then at me. “Who are you?”

“We’re with the FBI, sir,” I answered for both of us, introducing myself first, then Mayhem, by our given names.

“Let’s get this over with.” He motioned for us to follow him into the room where Winslow sat, looking down at her hands folded in her lap, no longer crying.

Her expression, her overall demeanor bothered me. Something was off here, but I didn’t have enough information to even guess at what it could be.

Before her father had the chance, I stepped around the table and took the seat beside her. I moved the chair closer so our arms could touch if she moved even slightly. When she did, I rested my open palm on my leg, and she put her hand in it. Even without looking directly at her, I could see Mrs. Greer’s confused expression. I didn’t care what the woman thought. The minute Winslow’s hand was in mine, I felt some of her tension release. It was all I cared about.

I kept my voice even, void of as much inflection as I could. “I understand the last thing you want to do right now is talk about what happened to you, but if you have any information at all that could lead us to where you were being held, we might have a chance to catch whoever abducted you.”

Winslow’s eyes met mine, and I kept my gaze as even as my voice. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“There was a utility bill sitting on the counter addressed to Craig Ferrone.”

I looked up at Mayhem, who held up his phone. “How would you feel about us recording your statement?”

Winslow nodded, so I set my phone on the table and pressed the button to record.

“The place where he took me was on Main Street, across from the Lake Placid General Store. A basement apartment— in a brick house. The entrance is in the back, surrounded by evergreen trees.”

When Mayhem immediately followed the police officer out of the room, Winslow’s grip on my hand tightened.

“Don’t leave.”

Her father cleared his throat. “Winslow, he has to—”

“My partner and the Lake Placid PD have this handled. I’m not going anywhere.” I spoke directly to her rather than her father.

“Garrison, right?” Winslow asked.

“Yes.”

She turned toward her mother. “I’d like to talk to Garrison alone.”

“Out of the question. Your mother and I need to stay with you.” I didn’t like the edge in her father’s voice, particularly when Winslow’s gaze fell to her lap like I’d seen it do earlier.

“Give us a few minutes,” I demanded more than asked.

Winslow’s mother stood and led her husband from the room despite his objections.

I squeezed her fingers. “Take your time.”

She nodded and took several deep breaths. “He didn’t…”

I waited to see if she could go on. “Assault you?” I asked when it didn’t appear she could.

She nodded. “He kept me in handcuffs and my legs bound.”

I looked down at the floor and noticed her feet were bare. No one had thought to give this woman a pair of socks? What in the ever living hell? “Be right back—”

<em.“No!” She clung to my hand with both of hers. “Don’t go.”
Heather Slade. Code Name: Cowboy (Kindle Locations 326-394). K19 Shadow Operations Book Four.

The interview with Winslow leads them to where she was held but then dead bodies start showing up, along with additional threats. Now they have to devise a plan to keep her safe while the search continues.

There are so many revelations in this book that are horrifying, and tension escalates as they try to identify possible victims.

Obviously, there is a connection between Winslow and Cowboy and that only grows with time together.

I really love how we get to see folks from other series as well as those added to this one.

So much frustration but things are starting to be resolved, as I now wait for the next book in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

USA Today and Amazon Top 15 Bestselling Author Heather Slade writes shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat romantic suspense.

She gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Forty-plus books later (and counting), she’s having the time of her life. The women Slade writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of her books in your hands.

She loves to hear from her readers.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

A smooth billionaire winemaker.
A compassionate bidder with a loving heart.
With just one sip, it all gets a little WICKED.

BRIX

As head winemaker of the Los Caballeros winery, I like to keep it cool, collected, and smooth. Knowing my weakness, my sister sends in a secret weapon—Addison Reagan—to convince me to be in the bachelor auction. There’s no way I can turn her down.

After all, she’s everything I’ve been missing. With her unassuming and kind nature, I am bowing down to her every need, and measuring every moment.

ADDISON

I have one mission: get Brix into the bachelor auction. Easier said than done. Brix is stubborn and distant. I’m beyond shocked when he agrees. Of course there’s a catch. There always is with a man like him. I have to be the winning bidder. Not a problem. After all, he’s sexy, charming, and irresistible. He sets me on fire.

With Brix, things are about to heat up. And just when it does, my demons come barreling back. But can I count on a WICKED WINEMAKER to save me from the past?

Brix finds himself often driving to Stave when he knows Addison will be working. He hasn’t asked her out but does find himself spending as much time as he can around her. Including having breakfast at her mother and stepfather’s diner, where she waitressed in the mornings.

Addison has a bit of a crush on Brix but she doesn’t delude herself that the head winemaker and owner of Los Caballeros Vineyards would be interested in her. She lives in an apartment over the garage at her mother and stepfather’s house and works two jobs to make ends meet. Not exactly a catch.

Things are about to change though as she rushes to the hospital to be with her mother. She has no idea of the extent of the abuse her mother has been going through, it’s far more than the arguments she’s heard. What she find shocks her and has her feeling guilty for not knowing, although her mother still insists she just fell down the stairs. The fact that this is not the first visit to the ER has Addison more than a little concerned.

She’s more than a little surprised to find Brix parked by the house when she returns with her mother. Her co-worker Samantha drove her to the hospital and then helped get her mother home. Brix upon hearing Addison would be opening the diner by herself, steps up to say he’d see her there when she opened.

In the meantime Brix has his friend Press dig into Peg’s husband, Dennis, what he finds isn’t good and raises even more concerns over Addison and Peg’s safety.

Many people showed up to help with the diner including Brix’s mother and later his sister Alex, Addison’s other boss. Alex had another agenda though and wants Addison to ask Brix to be in the Bachelor Auction.

This is a favorite scene.

While I’d never call her out on it more directly than I had, the bullshit Alex was spewing about how Brix and I were perfect for each other pissed me off. Did she really think I was that much of an idiot that I’d buy into what she was trying to manipulate me into doing? There was no way in hell I’d ask Brix to be in the auction. Given how many times he’d turned his own sister down, it was obvious it wasn’t something he wanted to do.

“Addison? Are you okay?” When Brix walked into the cooler, I pretended to be counting the sheets of pastries we had left to bake tomorrow. It was something I had to do anyway; I just hadn’t thought of it until that moment.

“I’m good. How are you? You must be exhausted. You can take off, you know. I mean, we’re closed.” I vomited all those words and managed not to look at him. Bravo, Addy.

“Hey.” He stepped closer. Too close. “What was that between you and Alex?”

“Nothing.”

“Had to have been something for you to hide out in a giant freezer.”

“I’m not hiding out. I’m doing inventory.”

“Yeah? You could’ve counted everything in here ten times by now. Come on, you’re freezing.”

Brix took my hand, and it felt so warm. Hot actually. Scorchingly hot. The heat spread throughout my body. He didn’t let go, even after we were outside, at what was becoming our meeting place.

“Tell me what Alex said to you.”

I tried to pull my hand away, but he wouldn’t let go. In fact, he grabbed the other one and stepped so close our bodies were almost touching.

“Tell me what Alex did to upset you.”

“She didn’t upset me.”

“Yes, she did. Now tell me why.”

“It isn’t worth talking about. She asked me to do something, and I said I couldn’t.”

“Something to do with me.”

He didn’t say it as a question, so I didn’t feel the need to respond.

“What?”

I tried again to shake my hands free, but he held tight.

“There are a whole lot of people inside, waiting to talk to both of us, but I have no intention of letting you go until you tell me what Alex asked you to do.”

“It isn’t that big of a deal,” I said, this time jerking my hands from his. “She wanted me to ask you to be in the Wicked Winemakers’ Bachelor Auction, and I told her I wouldn’t.”

He smirked. “Why not?”

My eyes opened wide, and I put my hands on my hips. “Are you serious right now? Why not? Because she’s asked you a million times, and you’ve always refused. She was trying to manipulate me into asking, and I didn’t want any part of it.”

I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw more people walking into the diner; they’d obviously heard my outburst.

“Great.” I shook my head and looked at the ground. “Now everyone will think I’m a crazy person.”

“Yes.”

“Right! Batshit crazy.”

“No. I mean, yes, I’ll be in the auction. However, I have a few stipulations.”

I stared at him, mouth hanging open. I snapped it closed and spun around so my back was to him. “You know who really is batshit crazy? You and Alex. You two can sort this crap out on your own.”

I was headed inside when I heard him speak again.

“One stipulation involves you, Addison.”

I wanted to pull my hair out, crawl into a hole, and never come out. “No. Whatever it is, the answer is no.”

“We’ll talk about it later,” he said as he joined me at the door. “Come on, let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him.

“You’re infuriating,” I mumbled.

What did he do? He laughed.
Heather Slade. Wicked Bachelors:: Brix (Kindle Locations 733-767). The Wicked Winemakers’ Ball Book One. Kindle Edition.

All this occurs before someone burns down the diner and a large insurance policy on Peg’s life comes to light.

Things take quite a twist when Brix gets the Los Caballeros involved and his relationship with Addison heats up as well.

I love the way everything comes together especially with all the twists and turns.

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

My books are filled with things that bring me joy: music, wine, skiing, families, artists, and cowboys. Not always in that order.

I’m an Amazon best-selling author, and a PAN member of Romance Writers of America. I speak, teach, blog, am an executive sommelier, and all-around entrepreneur.

I grew up an east coast girl, and then spent half my life on the west coast. Now my husband, our two boys, and I happily call Colorado home.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

Code name: Jasper “Wasp” Theron first met Swan at
Target: Swan Lee
Mission: Prove once and for all that swans mate for life.

WASP

As an Air Force fighter pilot, I’m the best in the business. No fear. No hesitation. Attacking when you least expect it. That’s why I can’t sit by when the woman I crave, the woman who challenges me, wants to go undercover against a serial killer. No chance.

SWAN

It’s the only option, the only plan that’ll work. Infiltrate the enemy and take them down once and for all. I’m an RAF fighter pilot and M16 agent, sitting still is not who I am. But WASP has other plans. Plans to protect me, keep me safe. When I do what I want, it’s WASP who feels the sting.

Jasper ‘Wasp’ Theron first met Swan at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, she beat him in an exercise and his team is still ribbing him. Now Wasp was just a Lieutenant at the time and as such he found he was paying for all the drinks in his room dubbed hospitality suite. Dinners with the squadron were also required and the bill was split equally among everyone regardless of what they ate, there were also nights of credit card roulette where Wasp had lost the night before, this TDY was very expensive for him. After a joint debrief his commander Lt. Col. ‘Barko’ McAdams invites Swan to join them for their squadron dinner. He clearly wants to get to know Swan better. Swan wants nothing to do with him and instead sticks close to Wasp. This doesn’t go over well.

This is a favorite scene.

“Ready to head out?” I heard my commander ask. Before I could answer, Swan did.

“I appreciate the invitation. Won’t I be intruding on your boys’ night?”

“We’ve had several of those in a row, right Lt.?”

“Fifteen at my count, sir.”

Lt. Col. McAdams, call sign Barko, squeezed my shoulder. “Wasp here picked up the tab for last night’s dinner,” he said to Swan.

“Ouch. Credit card roulette?”

“I’m thinking we go that route again tonight.”

I wanted to cringe, but refrained from any visible reaction. What were the odds my card would be picked two nights in a row?

“Swan and I will ride with you tonight,” the colonel said when we exited the building where three SUVs sat at the ready.

“Copy that,” I muttered, opening the rear passenger door for them.

“I’ll sit up front if no one minds,” said Swan, walking around the back of the vehicle before the colonel or I had a chance to respond. Again, not that I would’ve, even though, truth be told, I’d rather have Attila the Hun in the car, beside me.

In the rearview mirror, I could see Barko fuming—alone—in the backseat. Clearly, not his plan.

At dinner, Swan orchestrated the same stunt, taking the seat to my right after Barko pulled out a chair for her next to him on the opposite side of the table. If I wouldn’t have looked like a complete asshole, I would’ve moved. As it was, I was stuck.

I would’ve thought it was my imagination when Swan seemed to work me into every conversation Barko started with her, but based on how pissed he looked, I knew she was doing it intentionally. What I didn’t know was why. Particularly since the more she did it, the angrier he got. So angry, in fact, that when it came time for credit card roulette, I watched him shuffle through the cards until he found mine. I just prayed I wasn’t nearing my limit, given how much I’d had to put on it in the last couple of weeks.

“What’s wrong, Lt.?” a fairly drunk Barko asked, probably because I looked as if I might be sick to my stomach. Before I could respond, Swan reached over and grabbed two of the credit cards—one of which was mine.

After handing it to me, she pushed back her chair and left the table. Barko stormed off behind her.

What the hell had just happened? I sat in my seat, stunned, until I heard my commander’s raised voice and Swan’s in response.

I found them in the hallway near the restrooms, where it looked like Barko had her pinned against the wall.

“What the fuck?” he yelled when I wrenched him away from her. By then, two other pilots had run over and got between Barko and me.

“Go!” I shouted at Swan. “Get one of the other guys to give you a ride back.”

“Wasp, I can—”

“Go!”

“I have a better idea, Theron” said Major Bjorn, our squadron’s operations director. “You give her a ride back. Once I have things under control, you and I will have a chat.”

“Yes, sir.” I started to walk away and realized no one had come to take my credit card to pay for dinner. “Um, the tab, sir…”

“It’s covered, Lt.” He motioned with his head to Barko. “He’ll be footing tonight’s bill.”

“Yes, sir,” I repeated. When I walked out, Swan followed. As we passed them, every person who’d been with us at dinner tonight looked mortified. Rightly so. Two full ranks and a lot of years separated Barko and me, and I’d just crossed a line there’d be no coming back from.

Would there be hell to pay? Damn straight, there would be, and “hell” didn’t begin to describe it. However, the look on Swan’s face when I found them in the hallway told me she wasn’t just avoiding my CO; she was afraid of him. The events of the last few hours suddenly made sense. Swan had intentionally made me the buffer between her and a man whose attention she didn’t want. A man who was pursuing her relentlessly. Not to mention, a married man.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she said once we were in the SUV. “Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you’re in?”

I took a deep breath and turned in her direction. “I was in trouble whether or not I pulled Barko off you in that hallway.”

“This could ruin your career, Wasp.”

“If I had to do it over, I wouldn’t change a thing. While this may ruin my career, as you said, after seeing the look on your face”—I shook my head—“I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself, wouldn’t have even been able look at myself in the mirror, if I hadn’t intervened.”

“Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I should’ve realized what was happening and done a better job of neutralizing the situation.”
Heather Slade. Code Name: Wasp (Kindle Locations 137-178). K19 Shadow Operations Book Two. Kindle Edition.

Swan and Wasp meet up only one more time before they’re tapped for a special mission years later. One that almost gets derailed. All this before they join with K19.

I loved getting all the background on these two, their relationship is flirty and fun but not completely smooth sailing. We also get a glimpse of Wasp’s family.

When we return to the present case things take some unexpected twists. I couldn’t stop reading until the end.

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Coming Soon!

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He’s an Invincibles contractor on the fast track to partner.
She’s a cult captive looking for answers.
Together, they’re INVINCIBLE.

RIP

I ’m on my way up—up the Invincibles ladder, ready and willing to be named partner. But first, I need to take down the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a brainwashed cult that will stop at nothing to get ahead, even hurt their own kin. And that doesn’t sit well with me. When I meet her, the daughter of the brotherhood, I know something is wrong, and dangerous. She’s in trouble and has nobody to turn to—until now.

PEARL

Conflicting feelings. Emotions that have me reeling. My father is dead. The grief is real, but the relief is paramount. I’m free. I’ve escaped the clutches of him and his vile men. With nowhere to go, I have to trust the Invincibles, especially the one who’s trying to help me. But something tells me, if I get too close, he’ll RIP my heart out.

Vex and Scottie (McKenna Walsh) have been working undercover in Aryan Brother of Texas (ABT) compound. They heard some chatter that the woman they took under their wing, Pearl Fischer, was in danger. In order to prevent anything happening to her, Vex and Scottie manage to get her out of the compound on the pretext of a meeting of the Aryan Nation in Idaho.

Since Vex and Scottie had more to do, they call in Rip to take Pearl to a safe house. Instead Rip takes her to his home on Hammer’s ranch. He felt it would offer the best security for her. There was only one little problem, and that was her ‘father’ John Fischer had kidnapped Hammer’s wife, Maeve. Rip hoped that wouldn’t be an issue.

His goal is to keep Pearl safe from the Aryan’s and figure out why they want her.

Pearl had always lived on the compound, she has no recollection of her mother, only her father. She shared a cabin with her father so she wasn’t with the rest of the single women on the compound in a barracks. Vex and Scottie had taken her in after her father died so she still was with the others. She wasn’t treated well by the other women even though she worked with them. They all had jobs to do. Only Ms. Opal treated her well and taught her to cook.

Rip first researches information on ‘cult survivors’ so he can help Pearl transition to the real world. She has no identification at all since that was all controlled by the men of the ABT. He is slowly introducing Pearl to the freedom she now has. Taking her riding and fishing, while also letting her feel useful by cooking and some cleaning.

A favorite scene is when they go fishing and after.

I couldn’t help but breathe in the scent of her. It was fresh and pure, like a meadow in springtime, when the sun has been shining down on it. I stepped around her and held the fish up once she’d reeled it in far enough. “You got a big one too! Look at that.”

“What do we do with it now?”

“This here is catch-and-release fishing,” I said as I removed the lure and tossed the largemouth bass back in the water.

“What’s the point if you just let them go?”

“It’s relaxing.”

She raised both eyebrows and cast her line again. After an hour, Pearl had caught and released six to my zero.

“Are you sure we can’t keep any?” she asked when she caught number seven, which looked bigger than the others.

I shook my head. “Why do you want to?”

“Fishing made me hungry.”

I chuckled. “Me too.”

“I don’t think I like fish, though.”

“No? I love a good fried catfish.”

“I’ve never had it.”

“Catfish or any fish?” I asked.

“Any fish.”

“Then, I know just the place for us to get some.” It would take some finagling on my part, but I thought I could make it work.

We were about fifteen minutes from the ranch when I pulled over and placed a call.

“Hey, Rebel,” I said when the woman who helped out behind the bar and in the kitchen at the Long Branch when needed answered. With both Maeve and Hammer taking some time off before the baby was born, my guess was Rebel and her husband, Edge, who was one of the Invincibles partners, were there pretty much every day.

“Hey, Rip. What can I do for you, sugar?”

“You don’t happen to have two orders of catfish you could package up for me as take out do you?”

“Sure do. You want coleslaw and potato salad with those?”

I looked at Pearl, who could easily hear everything Rebel had said. She nodded her head enthusiastically.

“That’ll be perfect.”

“Give me about fifteen minutes, and I’ll have ’em ready.”

“I’ll swing by the family entrance and grab them.”

I ended the call and was about to put the SUV in gear when I noticed a group of motorcycles headed our way. Rather than pull out, I waited a couple of minutes to give them time to pass. I wasn’t worried about any of them seeing into my vehicle since the windows were tinted pretty dark, but I wanted to get a good look at them, as much as I could see by the light of the moon anyway.

“Let me know if you recognize any of these bikes,” I said when they were almost to us. “Or anyone riding them.”

“All of them,” she said as they drove by in groups.

“ABT?”

“Yes.”

Rather than follow, I spun the SUV around and went in the opposite direction. Once I turned off the main road, I called Rebel back. “ABT headed your way,” I said when she answered. “You want me to call the sheriff?”

“A couple of them passed Tres on his way in, so he’s way ahead of you, Rip, but thanks for the heads-up.”

“I’m gonna have to take a pass on the catfish, darlin’. I’m really sorry about that.”

“Hammer is headed out with a couple of T-bones. You want me to have him bring your dinners to the ranch with him?”

“If he wouldn’t mind.”

Rebel laughed and ended the call.

I looked over at Pearl, who was wide-eyed and white as a sheet.

“It’s okay. You’re safe with me. You know that right?”

“They’re out looking for me. I can feel it.”

“Well, they aren’t going to find you.” Seconds later, we pulled through the gates of the Hammered Dubliner— a place we wouldn’t be leaving again anytime soon.

Rather than going to my house, I pulled up in front of Hammer’s and called to say I was here, waiting.

“You heard we had company at the Branch,” he said.

“Saw them myself.”

“We’ll talk more when I get there. Go on inside. I’ll let Maeve know you and Pearl will be having dinner with us. We might need to rethink the plan.”

“This is all my fault,” said Pearl. “He doesn’t want me here anymore.”

“I don’t know what you think is your fault, and unless you’re some kind of mind reader, you don’t know what Hammer is thinking either. We need to head inside in just a minute, but first, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

I knew she didn’t want to go in. I also knew she would anyway. Either way, I was about to reveal to her exactly who I was. I had to, because even though I couldn’t read minds either, I still knew Hammer was going to suggest we relocate.

She turned her body so she was facing me. “Go ahead.”

“Before this goes any further, I need you to know I’m not exactly who you think I am.”

She folded her arms. “Who are you?”

“My name is Rip, or Zane, like I told you. I just never was a part of the Nazi Freedom Riders.

Pearl smiled.

“What?”

“I knew that inside of five minutes of meeting you.”

I smiled too. “Yeah? How? Do I look too soft to have been one of them?”

“You’re too nice.” I could see the wheels turning in her head. “Mr. Robinson and Ms. Shay aren’t who they said they were either.”

“That’s right.”

“I think deep down I knew that too. Why are you telling me now?”

“So it’s easier for Hammer and me to talk freely about our next course of action.”

“What about Maeve?”

“You might not believe this, but… Maeve’s brother is actually the head of the CIA.

Again, her eyes opened wide. “She’s Irish.”

“He isn’t. He’s actually her half brother.”

“Is that who you work for?”

“Indirectly. I work for a company called the Invincibles.”

“Your woman said that name.”

I raised a brow. “She’s not my woman.”

“She wants to be.”

“You saw her for thirty seconds. What makes you say something like that?”

She turned her head away so I couldn’t see her face. “Any woman would want to be.”

“Pearl—” Before I could say another word, she got out of the SUV. I did too and headed her off before she got up the steps to the front door. “Don’t run away from me,” I said when she tried to skirt past me.

I put my hands on her arms. “Pearl?”

“What?”

“Look at me.”

She sure as hell didn’t want to, but eventually, she did anyway.

“Any man would want you to be his too.”

“You’re just saying that because I said it first.”

“Am I? Are you reading my mind now too?”

“You don’t mean it.”

“You’re wrong.” Before I could do something stupid, like show her exactly how wrong she was, Hammer’s vehicle pulled up next to mine. “You head on inside, and I’ll help him bring the food in.”

She took off as soon as I released her.

“Hey, Pearl?”

She looked over her shoulder at me.

“We’re going to finish this conversation later.”
Heather Slade. Ripped (Kindle Locations 854-918). The Invincibles Book Ten.

Knowing the ABT is searching for her leads to them traveling to an even more secure location. Buck’s ranch, The Roaring Fork in Colorado.

I really liked that Pearl took the first step towards furthering the relationship with Rip and I respected him a lot for turning her down. Not because he doesn’t want her, but he wants answers to her situation and for her to heal more first.

Plenty of ups and downs in this one and more than one surprise.

I really can’t wait for the new series with Rip at the head.

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Heather Slade

My books are filled with things that bring me joy: music, wine, skiing, families, artists, and cowboys. Not always in that order.

I’m an Amazon best-selling author, and a PAN member of Romance Writers of America. I speak, teach, blog, am an executive sommelier, and all-around entrepreneur.

I grew up an east coast girl, and then spent half my life on the west coast. Now my husband, our two boys, and I happily call Colorado home.