The Ex Assignment - Victoria Paige Page 0,117
and engage the kickstand. Removing his helmet, he shifted in his seat. The look on his face was part exasperation and part amusement. “Trust me.”
Getting annoyed at her husband on their wedding night was not ideal, so Gabby called on every ounce of her patience as she got off the bike and followed him down a flight of steps to the entrance—not unusual for hilltop houses.
At the bottom of the stairs was a slate patio bordered by railings on two sides. The house itself had a rust-red entrance door beside a brief expanse of solid wall that transitioned to floor-to-ceiling windows. Gabby walked to the edge of the patio to see how far the wall of windows went. Part of the house was cantilevered off a cliff, but there appeared to be another level.
She glanced back at Declan. “Basement?”
He was holding the door open. “View is better in here.”
The foyer provided an excellent perspective of the open floor plan. The first thing Gabby checked on during their house-hunting field trips was the kitchen, but her gaze was drawn to the glass panels that surrounded the living area.
“Three bedrooms and yes, a basement which I’ve converted to an armory and a bunker.”
She barely heard him. And she knew she should ask him if the arms he kept there were illegal, but that was a conversation for another day. Gabby moved to the windows, a hand pressing against the cold glass. A majestic view of Los Angeles and the ribbon of light that was the strip were on full display below.
“It’s breathtaking.”
“To love you is to understand your love for this city.” Declan’s words were close to her ear and sent a shiver up her spine, a heat low in her belly. “Your need to protect it. I hope you understand my need to protect you.”
Gentle hands eased her around to face him. “I’m your husband,” he said. “It’s my instinct to shield you from harm. You’re my cop. You belong to me, too, and I protect what’s mine. I love you,” he rasped. “So damned much, Gabby.”
Was it possible to see need, frustration, and adoration on a person’s face at the same time?
Yes. Those emotions were written all over Declan’s face. How could she explain to him that she felt exactly the same way about his clandestine association with Garrison?
“I hope you know what you mean to me too, outlaw,” she whispered. “Every time you step in to protect me, you infuriate and make me love you even more. How is that possible?”
He grinned. “Because we’re perfectly matched?” His hands started roving up and down her body, stealing inside her shirt, and caressed bare skin. Gabby leaned into his warmth, ready to climb the sexy beast that was her husband.
She hummed against his mouth. “The outlaw and the detective.”
“That’s right.” His mouth closed on hers and they began a slow dance of feverish kisses.
They nearly tripped over something and Gabby wrenched her mouth away from him, looked down at what nearly caused them to break their necks and saw a stack of boxes. “What are these?”
“Boxes from my condo in Virginia. I had Kade ship them over.”
“But you were in LA the whole time. How could you let other people pack your stuff?”
“After my time overseas, I never unpacked.”
“We’ll need to remedy that.”
“Later,” Declan murmured as he drew her back into his arms. “Much later.”
*** The End ***
Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a review. They help authors.
Migs and Ariana’s book is next in PROTECTOR of CONVENIENCE. Preorder now! It releases on October 12, 2020.
Acknowledgments
The Ex Assignment had been in the works since late last year. I wrote the bulk of the first draft in December 2019. January 2020 brought about a rebranding of almost all my covers because I had to create paperbacks for a book signing in March. But then suddenly, the world tipped on its axis. It had been a long road to finding my reading and writing mojo again. Cooking and baking became my therapy much to the despair of my jeans. I bet most of you have made banana bread at least once, right?
Little by little, I put my writer brain back together, and with renewed determination, polished up Declan and Gabby’s story. I also finished Migs and Ariana’s book—Protector of Convenience, which is slated for an October release. So you all can say, I got my writing mojo back and then some.
None of these would have been possible without my favorite people in the Book World.
A big thanks to my developmental editor, Geri, with whom I’ve spent countless hours of brainstorming fun. We both like the same tropes. Although we don’t necessarily agree on our preference for alpha males or recipients of unrequited love, we agree on the elements that make a story great. You also ground me when my plots tend to veer into the wild side. Maybe I need to write that urban fantasy series after all. I remember one of your first comments to me was: “Vee! You have enough plot here for four books!” :D
I’m so lucky to have an amazing editor in Kristan Roetker. You and I have worked together for years and I love how our relationship has evolved over several books. You continue to polish my manuscript and make it shine without changing my voice. Working with you has been effortless and I look forward to working with you for more years to come.
My special thanks to Sue—one of my very first readers. You’ve provided me valuable insight over the years and this book was no different if not requiring a bit more discussion. The complicated relationship between this couple was the subject of many email exchanges. Your feedback on getting clarity on the timeline regarding Gabby and Declan’s past contributed to the overall cohesiveness of the story. And your eagle-eye is always appreciated!
Thank you to Victoria Colotta of VMC Art and Design for beta reading my unedited work. Your feedback has been immensely helpful!
Thank you to Dana Curlett-Dunphy of A Book Nerd Edits. Not only did you provide final eyes on the manuscript, but I also enjoyed our zoom buddy reads.
To Debra Presley of Buoni Amici Press. Thank you for being a badass on all things author-related that enable me to concentrate on writing!
To readers, bloggers, and especially my group, Very Important Paige readers, thank you for your continued support!
And lastly, to the hubby and Loki. Both of you are always understanding of the times when I lock myself in my writing cave. You both make sure I have what I need to thrive in my author life whether it’s sustenance, hugs, or doggy kisses. Love you both to the moon and back.
Connect with the Author
Find me at:
Facebook: Victoria Paige Books
Website: victoriapaigebooks.com
Email: [email protected]
FB Reader Group: Very Important Paige readers
* Sign up for my newsletter and receive Beneath the Fire for free.
Also by Victoria Paige
Rogue Protectors
The Ex Assignment
Protector of Convenience (October 2020)
Guardians
Fire and Ice
Beneath the Fire (novella)
Silver Fire
Smoke and Shadows
Susan Stoker Special Forces World
Reclaiming Izabel (novella)
Guarding Cindy (novella)
Protecting Stella (novella)
Always
It's Always Been You
Always Been Mine
A Love For Always
Misty Grove
Fighting Chance
Saving Grace
Unexpected Vows
Standalone
Deadly Obsession
Captive Lies
The Princess and the Mercenary
* All series books can be read as standalone