He tapped a corner of the map. “I’ve hired a sketch artist to help Hailey put a face to Bandito. With luck, that gives us a clean lead.”
“Why not use the one in town?” Fox asked from the windowsill, arms crossed, face hard. “That would be faster.”
“I don’t trust anyone outside this family,” Jacob said, lifting his head. “Using a local might tip our hand. Might be a setup.”
The words hit me square in the chest. I’d only been here a short time, but I understood exactly what he meant.
Flapjack rubbed a thumb along the map’s edge. “If the leak’s anywhere near town, running it through town is how you get burned.”
Jax folded his arms. “You think it’s someone we know that close?” He nodded at the sweep of pins across the county.
“I think,” Jacob said, eyes moving from man to man, “trust is earned. And right now, mine ends at this table.”
Bear’s fists tightened. “Then we move before anyone else gets hurt.”
“We will,” Jacob said. “But tonight, we hold the line.”
Then his gaze landed on me and stayed there. “That includes you, Dice.”
I swallowed. Honored. Aware that whatever war they were gearing up to fight was bigger than I’d imagined. “Whatever you need.”
Jacob gave a single nod. “Close the door. We’ve got a lot to catch you up on.”
The last thing I saw before I shut that door was Sara across the hall, laughing at something Lily said. The sound was a promise of what I’d fight for, no matter what darkness waited on the other side of this room.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gracin’s heart is in every word she writes from the beginning to the end. Writing has always been a passion for her and she has been published under a separate name with multiple paranormal romances. Gracin was excited to dive headfirst into a new world of romance she loved.
Out on the ocean is her favorite place to be and would live on a cruise ship if she could, traveling around the world, but alas, adulting and responsibilities keep her grounded.
Gracin is happily married to someone who would gladly follow her onto a ship to sail away. They have four kids, who might even be more adventurous jet-setters than their mother.
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A CHRISTMAS CABIN PROPOSAL
A KINGSMILL COURTSHIPS NOVELLA
BY USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR SHARON WRAY
Prima ballerina Daphne Thibodeaux is rebuilding her life one pirouette, one brave choice, and one Nutcracker performance at a time. Abe Mosby, a former Army Ranger, is launching his dream business in the Virginia mountains and carrying a diamond ring he hopes she'll agree to wear.
But when a Christmas snowstorm strands them in a remote cabin, long-buried fears and fragile hopes resurface, threatening their future. As firelight flickers and old identities melt away, they must face the past and make a choice: let each other go… or leap into love with their whole hearts.
CHAPTER 1
Daphne Thibodeaux wastired in the way one was after doing what one loved. And as Tchaikovsky’sWaltz of the Snowflakesmusic swelled through the dance studio, light and twinkling, she grabbed on to the familiar-yet-fleeting sense of peace.
A peace that appeared sporadically, only to fade away with the winter mist.
A peace she craved to make permanent, if only she knew how.
She silently counted the music’s beats, watching pink leotards spin across the floor. The girls, ages ten to fourteen, danced with a joy that forgave the missed steps and tangled arms. It was her fourth class of the day but she wasn’t ready to end this one yet.
