upcoming re-releases

I have a few more books to re-releases that I've gotten the rights back to.

Leave Me Breathless and Shutter will be first.

Then Master Delacroix.

I've also got a couple of new ones coming up in there as well.

Dangerous and The Master's Game.

It's looking like it's going to be a busy year..:)

Trista

New releases...

Declan is the next book in the Crime and Punishment series and will release sometime tonight. Yay!!

 Blurb:

F.B.I. agent, Declan Reed can’t believe his luck when he sees sexy Jillian Drance standing in the middle of his BDSM club looking like a lost puppy.

She agrees to one night only. She doesn’t have time for relationships and doesn’t want one. A demand that suits Declan just fine until he realizes that one night wouldn’t be nearly enough.

Jillian isn’t interested in a relationship with any man, much less a man who’s life is in constant danger. Unfortunately, she can’t stop thinking about him and the way his dominating personality makes her feel.

Just when Declan is starting to break down her walls, the serial killer he’s been after turns his sites on exasperating Dom. Can Declan catch the killer before the killer catches him?

**** 

While I'm waiting for Declan to publish on Amazon, I've started working on the next book in the series, Sweetest Sin.

Sweetest Sin will actually combine two series. The Mercenary Series and Crime and Punishment. A cross over of sorts..:)

I'll keep you posted on the progress, and in the meantime, if you haven't read the series here are the links to the books in reading order.

Topping the Domme 

Master Delacroix

Theirs To Share

Burning Submission

The Master's Den

Coming in print...

Just one of the books coming soon to print..:)

Also available in print...

Topping the Domme

Social Prey

Theirs to Share..:)

Now available...And check out that new cover!! :)

Cowboys...

Do you love cowboys? How about menages? Well, I have both covered in The Cowboys and Witch, which is now live at Amazon both for sale and in Kindle Unlimited!

https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Witch-Trista-Ann-Michaels-ebook/dp/B0752W9N41/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503569182&sr=8-2&keywords=the+cowboys+and+the+with+by+trista+ann+michaels

Big sale

Spark of Magic is on sale for .99 on Amazon. Be sure and grab the first book in the Spark of Magic series while it's so cheap!  :)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071XMVSG1

Now available

                                                             A Ghost of a Chance..:)

Coming soon...

Coming in May!!

New release!!

Just two weeks until the release of Two For Tessa!! I'm so excited. This story is a stand alone story, but will loosely tie into the Mercenary series. It will be book three if you want to read them in order..:)

Book one - Social Prey
Book two - Dirty, Sexy Dom

Book three -

Re-releases!!

I've got a ton of them..lol

Starting March I'll begin re-releasing my Ellora's Cave titles starting with the Fantasy series.

Fantasy Bar
Fantasy Resort
Fantasy Seduction

Seduction is already out, but Bar and Resort will both release in March. After that will come Two For Tessa, which is the new romantic suspense, either at the end of March or first week of April.

Over the next two years I'll be releasing at least one book a month. Some new, some previously published. So it's going to be a busy time at my house. I just hope I can keep up with the schedule I've set up...lol

<hugs>
Trista

Coming soon!!!

Coming soon!! Two For Tessa. My newest romantic suspense menage!

This story is stand alone but will loosely tie into the Social Prey series. If you like suspense, drug cartels, two hot brothers and hot kinky sex then this one is a must read!

Fabulous review!!

Fabulous review from Redzworld!

Review

Trained to feel nothing. Trained to kill. Cara’s psychic powers limited her future but when her father is murdered, she feels more than she should. Will her emotions save her or send her spiraling out of control? Hayden doesn’t see a killer when he looks at Cara. He sees a woman struggling to re-cork her bubbling emotions. He sees a woman he would like to have a future with, but will her past allow her to grasp a future filled with love? In Up in Flames by Trista Ann Michaels we meet children grown. While this series can be read as a stand alone, you will better enjoy the story if it is read in chronological order. Hayden is more cerebral than his brother, father or uncle. But he is equally protective. Cara doesn’t really need his protection, at least physically. I loved that Cara was a weapon and way more dangerous than Hayden on his best day, but she needed Hayden. She needed the balance and understanding he brought to their budding relationship.  Ms. Michaels gave us a character in Cara that was innocent and pure of heart, but extremely deadly. It was an interesting dichotomy which I found added to the growing love between Hayden and Cara. Hayden had to fight not only Cara but himself. His sense of honor made it difficult for him to see Cara as more than a patient. Cara refused to allow her inexperience to define what she could have with Hayden. Ms. Michaels gave us two strong willed characters who became friends before they became lovers. Would they get the opportunity to build upon their physical relationship to forge a future? You can only find out within the pages of Ms. Michaels’ ninth installment in the Entwined Fates series.

                        Five Shooting Stars 

On sale!!

On sale for December! Book one of the Crime and Punishment series. Get your copy today before it goes back to regular price!

Topping the Domme

Adult Education..:)

Check out my new cover. Adult Education...available November 1st.

Excerpt 13...Fantasy

To count down to the upcoming release of Fantasy Seduction, I''ll be posting several excerpts from Fantasy Resort. Although some of the characters appear in all the Fantasy Books, all titles are stand alone. Keep checking back for more...:)

Chapter Thirteen

Four weeks later

“Hello? Are you decent?” Kira asked as she stuck her head into the front door of the tiny cabin, a platter of lobster tails from Earth in her hand.

“If we weren’t would you join us?” Jaimee teased with a smile from the kitchen.

“Watch it, Romeo,” Jerrod replied dryly as he stepped in behind Kira.

“What’s the matter, Jerrod? Afraid she’d like me better?”

“All right,” Nicole chided as she walked in from the patio. “That’s enough from the two of you.”

Jerrod and Jaimee shared a grin.

“It’s such a nice day, I thought we could eat outside,” Nicole said as she grabbed the plate of vegetables and a bottle of wine.

The four of them headed out to the patio. Jaimee had moved the table beneath the wide umbrella tree, allowing them some shade from the warmer afternoon sun.

“Have you heard from Brett?” Jaimee asked as he opened the wine bottle and filled their glasses.

“Actually, he arrived here last night.”

“And already paired off with someone.” Kira smiled behind her glass of wine. “He bid for a slave.”

Nicole raised an eyebrow. “Really? He didn’t seem the type.”

Jerrod frowned. “There’s a specific type that buys a slave?”

“Well. Not really a type. He just seemed more charming than…” Kira scrunched her nose, struggling to find the right word.

“Than a Dom?” Nicole offered.

“Exactly,” Kira said with a smile.

“Well, whatever the reason, he paid a fortune for her. Seemed determined to have her,” Jerrod said.

“Maybe she was the woman of his dreams,” Nicole sighed.

Jaimee snorted. “Maybe buying a slave was the only way he could get a woman.”

“Jaimee,” Nicole scolded. “Brett is a nice-looking man. Any woman would be interested.”

“Any woman, huh?” Jaimee scowled.

Jerrod chuckled. “Somehow I don’t think that was the right thing to say.”

Leaning closer, Nicole placed a soft kiss against his lips. “He has nothing to worry about and he knows it.”

With a smile, Jaimee playfully chucked her under the chin.

“Before he headed to the auction, Brett told me the man you ladies shot will survive and stand trial.” He inclined his head toward Jaimee. “They’ll need you when it goes to trial.”

“I’ll be there,” Jaimee said and reached for one of the lobster tails.

“Have you thought about where you’re going from here?” Jerrod asked as he too filled his plate. “The offer of resort physician is still yours if you want it.”

“I appreciate the offer, but Nicole and I have talked about it and I’m going to return to Earth and teach at Cambridge. I talked to them last week about coming back.”

“England?” Kira asked.

“This cabin is yours, so whenever you want to come back, it’s here.”

Jaimee smiled. “Thanks, Jerrod. I’m sure we’ll be back often.”

“You better be,” Kira grumbled. “Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked Nicole.

“I wanted to wait and be sure that’s what we were doing.”

“What are you two going to do about the bar?” Jerrod asked.

“I’ve been thinking about that and I believe we should make Dax a full partner. What do you think?” Nicole asked Kira.

She smiled broadly. “I like the idea. He’s been with us since the beginning.”

“Speaking of which, have either of you ever seen him participate in the bar?” Jaimee asked.

Nicole pursed her lips, thinking back. “No. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I have. Have you, Kira?”

Kira shook her head, a frown creasing her brow. “No.”

“Maybe the man’s a eunuch,” Jerrod offered as he scooped vegetables onto his plate.

“He’s not a eunuch,” Kira replied with a snort.

Three pairs of eyes stared at her, waiting for her to elaborate. Kira’s gaze moved around the table, looking at each of their shocked and questioning expressions. “What? I walked in on him one morning in the shower.” When they didn’t say anything, just continued to stare at her, she sighed. “Nothing happened. I saw him, I left. That’s it.” She glared at their continued silence. “Moving on.”

Jerrod chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Nicole took the platter Jaimee offered and inhaled the strong scent of butter and spices. She overfilled her plate, piling it full of vegetables and bread. She didn’t think twice about the amount until Jerrod pointed it out to her.

“Nicole, honey. Are you hungry?” Jerrod asked, his voice filled with amusement.

Licking the butter from her finger, Nicole studied the plate before her with a frown. “You know it’s weird, but I can’t seem to get enough to eat this week. I’ve been hungry all the time.”

“Hungry all the time? Last week you were sick every morning. And just yesterday you were complaining your breasts hurt.” Kira grinned. “Honey, are you pregnant?”

Nicole’s hand froze halfway to her mouth, the glass of wine she’d picked up completely forgotten as she stared in shock at her friend. Pregnant? She hadn’t even thought of that.

Jaimee quickly grabbed the wineglass from her hand and set it back down on the table. “Don’t drink that.”

“What?” she asked, slightly confused.

“Nicole, when was your last birth control shot?” Jaimee asked.

“I know I had one when I first arrived.” Glancing at Kira, she shook her head. “But I can’t remember. Did I have any more after that?”

“I don’t know, honey. If you did, you didn’t tell me.”

“Come with me.” Standing, Jaimee grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. “We’ll settle this right now.”

Kira began to stand as well, but Jerrod grabbed her hand and pulled her back down. “Don’t go in there, Kira. Let them do this alone.”

She turned to him wide-eyed and pointed toward the door that Nicole and Jaimee had just entered. “But she…”

A soft smile touched his lips. “She’ll be fine. Jaimee’s with her. He is a doctor, after all.”

“I know, but…”

Again, she glanced at the door, a frown pulling at her brow. Nicole was her best friend and it just seemed strange not being there.

Leaning forward, Jerrod cupped her chin and turned her so she would face him. “You know, all this talk about babies has me thinking.”

“About?”

“About maybe having one of our own.”

His finger brushed along her jaw sending a shiver down her spine. Had she heard him correctly? Her heart jumped in excitement at the very idea of having his baby. “You want to have a baby?”

“We talked about this, remember? I told you I wanted lots of babies.” For a second, he looked unsure, almost nervous. “Have you changed your mind? Do you not want any?”

“Jerrod,” she sighed, then smiled from ear to ear as she jumped from her chair and into his lap. He grunted, then laughed as she landed on his thighs and planted a hot, wet kiss on his lips.

“I take it that’s a yes,” he smiled between kisses.

“Yes,” she giggled, then deepened it, sliding her tongue into his awaiting mouth.

He moaned and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. Her soft hands cupped his face, then moved into his hair as the kiss deepened. His free hand moved up to cup her cheek, softly brushing his thumb across her warm flesh. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you more,” he said with a grin.

“But wait.” Suddenly, she sat straighter, her eyes widening with worry. “We can’t raise a baby here.”

“Honey, we’re beyond wealthy. We can raise this baby wherever you want.”

“Really?” she asked, a small smile curving her lips. He was so good to her. Spoiled her, if the truth were known. She was just so thrilled he wanted to have a baby. She’d been thinking about it for a while, but for some reason had been afraid to broach the subject. Unsure that it was the right time.

“Really,” he murmured as he cupped her chin and tugged her face back to his for a slow, deep kiss.

* * * * *

Nicole bit at her lower lip as she watched Jaimee prick her finger then place the blood sample within the med scanner. He looked angry and tense. Was he mad? Did he not want a baby?

The ten seconds it took seemed like forever and she took several deep breaths trying to calm her racing heart. A baby. Would she make a good mother? And what if Jaimee didn’t want it?

The scanner beeped and she watched the expression on Jaimee’s face. He looked almost relieved as he smiled at the scanner. Her heart sank. “I’m not pregnant.”

Jaimee’s gaze shot to hers and he shook his head no. Nicole glanced at the ground, her heart breaking. She’d had no idea how much she wanted kids until just this second.

“No, sweetheart, you misunderstood.” His finger tipped up her chin and she met his shining, happy gaze. “You’re pregnant. We’re going to have a baby.”

“What?” She gaped. “I’m pregnant?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, his smile widening.

He set the scanner on the counter and gently engulfed her in his arms. Once the shock wore off, she laughed. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held him tight. “We’re having a baby,” she giggled.

“I love you, Nikki,” he whispered in her ear.

“I love you too.” Pulling away, she stared into his eyes. “You’re happy about this right? I mean, it’s not too soon?”

His strong hands framed her face, and he smiled down at her with the most loving expression—it made her chest tighten. “I’ve never been happier about anything in my life.” He inclined his head toward the patio. “How about we go share the good news?”

She returned his smile with one of her own. “Yeah.”

Arm in arm, they walked back out to the patio, ready to share the news with their friends. Kira was on Jerrod’s lap, the two of them engaged in a slow kiss that made Nicole grin. Jerrod’s hand rested on the side of Kira’s cheek, his other at her back, holding her close. They were so cute, so perfect together.

Jaimee cleared his throat, catching their attention. “We can’t leave the two of you alone together for five minutes.”

They broke apart slowly, as though not the least bit embarrassed or upset that they’d been caught. Kira smiled at Jerrod dreamily before turning back to Nicole. With a start, she sat up straight. “Well?” she asked.

Nicole smiled, her face she was sure beaming with happiness and pride. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Kira squealed and jumped from Jerrod’s lap. Jerrod grunted as her hand landed on his crotch in her haste to get off him. Jaimee laughed and Jerrod scowled back at him. “Be quiet. I’m already pissed you interrupted.”

“You’re all bark, old man,” Jaimee teased as Jerrod stepped next to him and slapped his shoulder in congratulations.

“Oh, honey. I’m so happy for you,” Kira said as she engulfed Nicole in a hug.

Jerrod hugged her as well, placing a loud, wet kiss on her cheek, making her laugh.

She was still laughing when Kira grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the table. “Come back and eat. You need to feed that baby.”

Nicole sat back down in her chair and placed her hand over her stomach. A baby, she thought in wonder.

“Something else to drink for the mother-to-be,” Jaimee said as he placed a glass of tea in front of her. Sitting, Jaimee leaned over and kissed her cheek. She smiled at him and softly touched the side of his face with her hand.

She had everything she would ever need. The love of her life, a baby on the way, and two of the best friends she could ever hope to have.

Life was perfect.

The End

Excerpt 12...Fantasy

To count down to the upcoming release of Fantasy Seduction, I''ll be posting several excerpts from Fantasy Resort. Although some of the characters appear in all the Fantasy Books, all titles are stand alone. Keep checking back for more...:)

Chapter Twelve

Nicole smiled at Jaimee as she slipped her dress over her head. Last night had been incredible. The things he’d done she never dreamed of being able to go through with, but she hadn’t been afraid with him. For the first time in her life, she felt free.

Walking over to where he stood, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. With a moan, he pulled her closer and held her tight. “What was that for?” He grinned down at her, his eyes shining with love.

“For just being you.”

He brushed her hair away from her face and placed a soft kiss against her forehead. “Tell me you love me,” he whispered.

“I love you.”

Just as his lips were about to touch hers, the door burst open and hit the wall behind it with a bang. Nicole squealed and turned to stare wide-eyed at Jerrod and Brett.

“What the hell’s going on?” Jaimee demanded.

“They’re here.” Brett said as he stepped forward and grabbed Nicole’s arm, pulling her away from Jaimee.

“What are you doing? Who’s here?”

“Sergeant, take her to Jerrod’s office with Kira, then stand guard.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait.” Nicole struggled to get free of his grip and turned to look at Jaimee’s worried expression.

“Go with him, Nicole,” Jaimee said sternly as he turned to take the gun Jerrod held out to him.

“What’s going on?” she demanded of the man dragging her down the hall.

“The men that are after Ethan are here.”

“Oh, God,” she sighed, her heart lodging in her throat.

* * * * *

Loranis heard someone approach and quickly shoved the other two men behind an open door.

“Don’t you think it was a little too easy getting in here?” Caric asked.

“Quiet,” Vorash snapped and motioned toward the crack in the door and the couple approaching.

“That’s her,” Caric whispered as they watched the officer pull Nicole behind him. They remained behind a partially open door, trying to see where he was taking her.

“Did he say Ethan?” Loranis asked with a frown.

“Ethan’s Jaimee, I’d bet my life on it. So this is where they’ve been hiding the son of a bitch. Follow him, Caric. We might need her. Loranis and I will go after Jaimee.”

Caric smiled as he slowly stepped out into the hallway.

* * * * *

“How did they find out?” Jaimee demanded.

“We’re not sure,” Brett sighed.

The six of them slowly made their way down the corridor. Jerrod and Brett in the front, the three guards in the back and Jaimee in the middle.

“So what now?” Jaimee snapped.

“Try to get out of this in one piece,” Jerrod said, throwing him a sideways grin over his shoulder.

“What about the women?”

“They’re safely locked away in my office. No one can get in without a passcode.”

Jaimee’s grip on his gun tightened as they came to the grand salon, a two-story great room with a balcony that overlooked the main level. They would cross the room on the lower level, which meant they would be sitting ducks to someone above them.

“Is there another way to the main entrance?” Brett asked as he surveyed the upper level.

“Not from this end.”

“We’d have a better shot of this outside.”

“Where are you taking me, anyway?” Jaimee asked.

“Well, we’re not really taking you anywhere,” Jerrod replied.

“Excuse me?” Jaimee narrowed his eyes. Jerrod outweighed him in muscle by a good seventy pounds or more, but that didn’t stop the anger from rising in his chest. “You’re using me as bait?”

“Yeah,” Jerrod and Brett replied in unison.

“Son of a bitch! You know, the three of us need to work on our communication.”

“If we make it out of this,” Brett snickered, “that will be the first thing on the agenda.”

Jaimee turned and pointed a finger at Brett, but the scathing put-down he was about to say was stopped short.

“Enough, both of you,” Jerrod snapped. “We don’t have time for this. The two of you can kill each other later.”

Nodding his head, Jaimee cocked the pistol he carried, his eyes scanning the room ahead. “So you deliberately let them in here, hoping they would try to get me.”

“We believe they were initially after Nicole, but we’re hoping they’ll see us escorting you and go after us instead.”

“Risky,” Jaimee snarled.

“Yeah, but if we’re lucky, effective.” Jerrod grinned.

“And if we’re unlucky?” Jaimee asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We’re not going to be unlucky,” Jerrod answered pointedly. “Keep positive.”

“Let’s do this. It’s now or never, I guess,” Brett sighed.

Motioning with his hand to move forward, the six of them made their way toward the glass doors on the other side of the room. It was empty, the usual crowd moved to a safer location in the building. It seemed strange, seeing it so empty when just yesterday it was packed full of people.

Just as they passed the halfway point, a shot rang out from the upper level. Heat seared the back of Jaimee’s shoulder as a laser shot grazed his upper back. “Damn it,” he snapped and ducked behind a chair.

“You all right?” Jerrod asked as he crouched behind a chair next to him. A shot hit the wooden edge, splintering it. The shards rained down on him and he bent his head to keep them out of his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It just grazed me,” Jaimee answered and then ducked as well as another shot hit his chair.

Glancing behind Jerrod, he noticed Brett and two of the guards behind a sofa. One of the guards had been shot and remained motionless on the floor. Glancing at his back, he could see he was still breathing. “He’s still alive,” he said to Jerrod and motioned his head toward the fallen guard.

Jerrod looked as well and let out a curse. “Cover me,” he said and as Jaimee and Brett fired toward the balcony, Jerrod made a run for the guard, dragging him with him behind the chair.

Jaimee quickly examined the wound, making sure it wasn’t life-threatening. It had hit the man’s shoulder but it looked like he may have hit his head as he went down. Blood seeped from an open wound at his temple.

“He’ll be okay for now, but he’ll need attention soon,” Jaimee said to Jerrod, who nodded in understanding.

A shout was heard from the upper level and Jaimee glanced around the edge of his hiding spot to see one of the men fall to the floor below. “One down.”

“Two to go,” Brett answered back.

Jerrod shook his head. “There’s only two up there. There’s only two guns firing.”

“How they hell can you tell that?” one of the guards snapped.

Brett sighed. “They’re using lasers, we’re not. They sound different.”

“Then where’s the third?” Jaimee asked, dread filling his chest.

“The women,” Jerrod murmured.

Fear gripped Jaimee’s chest. Nicole. He couldn’t let anything happen to her. Standing, he scanned the balcony for the figure he’d seen earlier.

“Jaimee, get the fuck down,” Jerrod snapped.

Jaimee shook his head as he continued to look for him. No one was firing. Had he left? Finally, he found him. He sat close to the edge, his fingers frantically fiddling with his gun, which had apparently jammed.

“I got you, you son of a bitch.”

The man looked up just in time to see Jaimee fire his gun, hitting him point-blank between the eyes.

Brett shook his head. “You’re either braver than hell or dumber than shit.”

“I just want to get to Nicole.” With that he turned and ran in the direction of Jerrod’s office.

“Take care of him,” Jerrod said to one of the remaining officers, pointing toward the injured man, and took off after Jaimee, Brett close on his heels.

* * * * *

Kira paced the room, her eyes continually straying to the gun lying on Jerrod’s desk. He’d taught her quite some time ago how to use it. It was lightweight and shot burner rounds instead of lasers. The small pellets entered your body and burned like lava, usually rendering the victim unconscious regardless of where you shot him. A perfect gun for her since you didn’t have to be a good shot.

“Why on earth did I agree to stay here?” she murmured to herself. She could be out there helping them. And where was Nicole?

The light on the door panel turned green, and she tensed. Glancing toward the desk, she realized she was too far away to get to the gun in time.

“Kira?”

Nicole’s voice made her sigh in relief and she started for the door. “Nicole, are you—”

A shot was fired from the hallway and the guard behind Kira lurched into the room. Nicole turned to see what had happened and a man stepped forward, backhanding her across the face. She yelped and fell sideways onto the floor.

Kira quickly stepped closer to the wall and picked up the heavy brass candlestick resting on a small side table. The man hadn’t seen her yet, and she took a second to look at Nicole. She was struggling to stand, a moan slipping past her lips. The man walked over to Nicole, and as quietly as possible Kira crept up behind him. With as much power as she had, she swung the candlestick, hitting him in the back of the head.

He fell to the floor with a groan and she let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Running to Nicole, she tried to help her stand, but was pulled up by her hair. She squealed as pain raced through her scalp.

“Kira,” Nicole shouted as the man threw her across the room toward Jerrod’s desk.

Nicole struggled to get away, but her mind was still foggy from the blow. He pulled her up roughly by the collar of her dress, her feet dangling off the ground.

“Let me down,” she sneered. She fought off waves of fear and unwanted memories. She’d sworn she’d never let another man do this to her. She had to keep her wits about her.

“Such a pretty little thing you are,” he purred.

His nasty breath brushed across her face and she winced, her nostrils flaring. “Oh, God. You stink. Let me down!”

His eyes narrowed dangerously and fear gripped Nicole’s chest. “All in due time, wench.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Kira going for the gun. Blood roared through her ears as she tried to think of something to do. Raising her hand, she pressed her thumb into his eye socket. He yelled as her thumb pressed deeper, pushing his eye back into his head.

“You bitch!” He dropped her and Nicole crouched on the floor, giving Kira a clear shot.

Kira fired and with a yell, he fell back. His screams echoed throughout the room as the burner bullet burned him from the inside out. Kira ran over and helped Nicole to her feet, engulfing her in a hug.

“Are you okay?” they asked in unison.

Jaimee burst through the door, almost tripping over the guard on the floor. “Nicole,” he sighed when he noticed her by the desk.

Running over, he pulled her into his arms. Nicole held tight, her eyes clenched shut to ward off the tears that threatened. “Thank God you’re okay,” he whispered.

“Kira?” Jerrod yelled as he too came barreling through the door. Kira launched herself into his arms.

“Don’t you ever leave me alone again. Do you hear me?” she sobbed.

“I don’t know,” Brett teased as he surveyed the damage. “Looks like you ladies can take care of yourselves.”

“If it’s all the same,” Nicole said from the safety of Jaimee’s arms, “I think I’d rather be protected.”

“Me, too,” Kira sighed, still not releasing her hold on Jerrod.

Leaning over the fallen officer, Brett felt for a pulse. “He’s still alive, call for a medic transport,” Brett said to the other officer standing in the doorway.

Moving to the man who’d attacked the women, Brett nudged him with his boot, causing him to moan. “I’ll be damned. He’s still alive as well.”

“Give me two minutes,” Jaimee sneered.

Brett shot him a scowl. “This one will stand trial. You worry about her, let me handle this one.”

* * * * *

Nicole sat on a wicker sofa watching the guards load the bodies into a transport bound for Meenus Prime. Jaimee sat next to her, applying a cold compress to her cheek, which had begun to swell.

“Better?” he asked.

She nodded, her lips lifting into a small smile. It hurt to do any more than that.

“Well, looks like we’re all set,” Brett said as he came to stand next to Jerrod and Kira. “I’m sorry you were left out of the loop, Jerrod.”

Jerrod scowled. “Just know that in the future, if you want my help again, you’ll tell me everything.”

Brett nodded. “Fair enough. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.” He glanced around then turned back to Jerrod with a grin. “Interesting place you have here. I’ll have to come back and check it out a little more.”

“I’ll save you a room.”

He nodded, then turned to Jaimee. For a moment they just stared at one another, lost in silent battle.

Nicole sighed and removed the cold compress. “Will the two of you just knock it off? Shake hands,” she demanded.

Brett snorted and Jaimee laughed. “I guess we better do as she says,” Brett said with a grin and held out his hand.

Jaimee stood and accepted it. “Take care, Brett.”

“I will,” he said and turned to leave. “See you soon, Jerrod.”

“We’ll be here,” he replied, then turned a pointed look to Jaimee. “Don’t you think it’s time we got that back looked at?”

“Back?” Nicole asked, then pushed Jaimee’s shoulder, making him turn. A large tear went across the back of his shirt and she pulled it apart to see the long, deep burn beneath. “Jaimee,” she gasped. “A few more inches and the laser could have cut your head off.”

“But it didn’t, Nicole,” he whispered to her over his shoulder.

Her hands began to shake at just how closely she’d come to losing him again. Jaimee grabbed then and held them tight as he turned to face her. “I’m okay.” Bringing her hands up, he kissed them. “See. I’m okay.”

She nodded, the tears building in her eyes. “I know. It’s just a delayed reaction, I guess.”

Jerrod squeezed her shoulder and handed her a med kit. “Why don’t you take him to the cabin and fix him up?”

She took the kit and smiled up at the man she considered a brother. “I will. Thank you, Jerrod.”

He smiled and placed a soft kiss to her cheek. Kira walked over as well and kissed her forehead, then smiled at Jaimee. “Take good care of her.”

“I will,” he said with a wink.

Jerrod placed his hand on the small of Kira’s back to escort her back to the grand salon, which was now in the middle of some much-needed cleanup as the guests quickly trickled back in.

“Come on, baby. Let’s go home,” he said as he pulled her to her feet.

Home, she thought with a grin. It was funny how she now considered this place home. But in her heart, she knew anywhere she went with Jaimee would be home.