Bailed Out (The Anna Albertini Files #2) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,118
of it, a word she’d forgotten how to use. The slightest of hopes warmed that blue organ in her chest, reminding her of who she used to be. Who she’d lost.
Another figure stepped forward, this one big and silent. Deadly power vibrated in the shift of muscle as light illuminated him from behind, shrouding his features. “I didn’t tell you to put your shirt back on.” No emotion, no hint of humanity echoed in the deep rumble.
His lack of emotion twittered anxiety through her empty abdomen. Without missing a beat, she secured each button, keeping the movements slow and sure. “I take it you’re Mercury.” Regardless of name, there was no doubt the guy was in charge.
“If I am?” Soft, his voice promised death.
A promise she’d make him keep. Someday. The breeze picked up, tumbling weeds across the lonely 405 to halt against a Buick stripped to its rims. She quelled a shiver. Any weakness shown might get her killed. “You know who I am,” she whispered.
“I know who you say you are.” His overwhelming form blocked out the light, reminding her of her smaller size. “Take off your shirt.”
Something about his command gave her pause. Before, she hadn’t cared. But with him so close she could smell male, an awareness of her femininity brought fresh fear. Nevertheless, she again unbuttoned her shirt.
This time, her hands trembled.
Straightening her spine, she squared her shoulders and left the shirt on, the worn material gaping in front.
He waited.
She lifted her chin, trying to meet his eyes although she couldn’t see them. The men around them remained silent, yet alertness carried on the oxygen. How many guns were trained on her? She wanted to tell them it would only take one. Though she’d been through hell, she’d never really learned to fight.
The wind whipped into action, lifting her long hair away from her face. Her arms tightened against her rib cage. Goose bumps rose over her skin. She was accustomed to being vulnerable, and she was used to feeling alone. But she’d learned to skirt danger.
There was no doubt the man in front of her was all danger.
She shivered again.
Swearing quietly, he stepped in, long, tapered fingers drawing her shirt apart. He shifted to the side, allowing light to blast her front. Neon blue glowed along her flesh.
“Jesus.” He pressed his palm against her breastbone—directly above her heart.
Shock tightened her muscles, and that heart ripped into a gallop. Her nipples pebbled from the breeze. Warmth cascaded from his hand when he spread his fingers over the odd blue of her skin, easily spanning her upper chest. When was the last time someone had touched her gently?
And gentle, he was.
The contact had her looking down at his damaged hand. Faded white scars slashed across his knuckles, above the veins, past his wrist. The bizarre glow from her heart filtered through his fingers. Her entire chest was aqua from within, those veins closest to her heart, which glowed neon blue, shining strong enough to be seen through her ribs and sternum.
He exhaled softly, removing his touch.
An odd sense of loss filtered down her spine. Then surprise came as he quickly buttoned her shirt to the top.
He clasped her by the elbow. “Cut the light.” His voice didn’t rise, but instantly, the light was extinguished. “I’m Mercury. What do you want?”
What a question. What she wanted, nobody could provide. Yet she struggled to find the right words. Night after night, fleeing under darkness to reach him, she’d planned for this moment. But the words wouldn’t come. She wanted to breathe. To rest. To hide. “Help. I need your help.” The truth tumbled out too fast to stop.
He stiffened and tightened his hold. “That, darlin’, you’re gonna have to earn.”
_____________________
Available Now: Mercury Striking
You’ll love Alpha male vampires who enjoy the sun, eat steak, and don’t need to take your blood to survive!
The Dark Protector Series
Also By Rebecca Zanetti
The Anna Albertini Files
Disorderly Conduct
Bailed Out
Adverse Possession
The Santa Subpoena (Fall 2021)
The Deep Ops Series
Hidden
Taken Novella
Fallen
Shaken (in Pivot Anthology)
Broken
Driven
Unforgiven (2021)
The Scorpius Syndrome Series
Prequel: Scorpius Rising
Mercury Striking
Shadow Falling
Justice Ascending
Storm Gathering
Winter Igniting
Knight Awakening
Scorpius Syndrome/The Brigade Novellas
Scorpius Rising
Blaze Erupting
Power Surging (2021)
Hunter Advancing (2021)
The Dark Protector Series
Fated (Book 1)
Claimed (Book 2)
Tempted Novella (2.5)
Hunted (Book 3)
Consumed (Book 4)
Provoked (Book 5)
Twisted Novella (5.5)
Shadowed (Book 6)
Tamed Novella (6.5)
Marked (Book 7)
Talen Novella (7.5)
Vampire’s Faith (Book 8)
Demon’s Mercy (Book 9)
Alpha’s Promise (Book 10)
Hero’s Haven (Book 11)
Guardian’s Grace (Book 12)
Rebel’s Karma (Book 13)
Immortal’s Honor (Book 14)
Realm Enforcers (Dark Protector spinoff)
Wicked Ride
Wicked Edge
Wicked Burn
Wicked Kiss
Wicked Bite
Dark Protectors: Reese Family novellas
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Dark Protectors: Rebels novellas
Vengeance
Vixen
Vampire
The Sin Brothers series
Forgotten Sins
Sweet Revenge
Blind Faith
Total Surrender
The Blood Brother series (Spinoff of Sin Bros)
Deadly Silence
Lethal Lies
Twisted Truths
The Maverick Montana series
Against the Wall
Under the Covers
Rising Assets
Over the Top
* * *
To keep up to date:
https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.books
http://rebeccazanetti.com/rebeccas-newsletter/
READING ORDER of Series
I know a lot of you like the exact reading order for a series, so here’s the exact reading order as of the release of this book, although if you read most of them out of order, it’s okay.
* * *
THE ANNA ALBERTINI FILES
Disorderly Conduct
Bailed Out
Adverse Possession
The Santa Subpoena (Fall 2021)
DEEP OPS SERIES
Hidden (Book 1)
Taken Novella (Book 1.5)
Fallen (Book 2)
Shaken (in Pivot Anthology) (2.5)
Broken (Book 3)
Driven (Book 4)
Unforgiven (Book 5) - 2021
Dark Protectors / Realm Enforcers / 1001 Dark Nights novellas
Fated (Dark Protectors Book 1)
Claimed (Dark Protectors Book 2)
Tempted Novella (Dark Protectors 2.5)
Hunted (Dark Protectors Book 3)
Consumed (Dark Protectors Book 4)
Provoked (Dark Protectors Book 5)
Twisted Novella (Dark Protectors 5.5)
Shadowed (Dark Protectors Book 6)
Tamed Novella (Dark Protectors 6.5)
Marked (Dark Protectors Book 7)
Wicked Ride (Realm Enforcers 1)
Wicked Edge (Realm Enforcers 2)
Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers 3)
Talen Novella (Dark Protectors 7.5)
Wicked Kiss (Realm Enforcers 4)
Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers 5)
Vampire’s Faith (Dark Protectors 8) ***A great entry point for series, if you want to start here***
Demon’s Mercy (Dark Protectors 9)
Vengeance (Rebels 1001 DN Novella)
Alpha’s Promise (Dark Protectors 10)
Hero’s Haven (Dark Protectors 11)
Guardian’s Grace (Dark Protectors 12)
Vixen (Rebels 1001 DN Novella)
Rebel’s Karma (Dark Protectors 13)
Vampire (Rebels 1001 DN Novella)
Immortal’s Honor (Dark Protectors 14)
*** The Dark Protectors/Reese Brothers 1001 Dark Nights novellas (Teased, Tricked, Tangled) can be read any time after Marked. There’s no crossover.
SIN BROTHERS/BLOOD BROTHERS spinoff
Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers 1)
Sweet Revenge (Sin Brothers 2)
Blind Faith (Sin Brothers 3)
Total Surrender (Sin Brothers 4)
Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers 1)
Lethal Lies (Blood Brothers 2)
Twisted Truths (Blood Brothers 3)
SCORPIUS SYNDROME SERIES
**This is technically the right timeline, but I’d always meant for the series to start with Mercury Striking.
1. Scorpius Rising (Prequel novella - was actually written after Mercury Striking and shows how it all started)
2. Blaze Erupting (Scorpius/Brigade novella, 1001 Dark Nights)
3. Power Surging (Scorpius/Brigade novella)
4. Hunter Advancing (Scorpius/Brigade novella)
Scorpius Syndrome NOVELS
* * *
1. Mercury Striking (Scorpius Syndrome 1)
2. Shadow Falling (Scorpius Syndrome 2)
3. Justice Ascending (Scorpius Syndrome 3)
4. Storm Gathering (Scorpius Syndrome 4)
5. Winter Igniting (Scorpius Syndrome 5)
6. Knight Awakening (Scorpius Synd. 6)
MAVERICK MONTANA SERIES
Against the Wall
Under the Covers
Rising Assets
Over the Top
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than fifty romantic-suspense and dark paranormal novels, which have been translated into several languages, with millions of copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publisher’s Weekly starred reviews, won RT Reviewer Choice awards, have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World and Women’s Day Magazines, have been included in Amazon best books of the year, and have been favorably reviewed in both the Washington Post and the New York Times Book Reviews. Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest. Find Rebecca at: www.RebeccaZanetti.com