Hero - The Ambush: Special Forces Romance by M. S. Parker Read Free Book Online Page A

that? It's probably just a fan...”
    “Why doesn't matter,” Haze said. He turned me as we entered the beach house, shielding me from whatever or whomever might have already been inside. “The guest bathroom. Get inside and lock the door.”
    “Haze, you're scaring me.” I tried to pull away again and, this time, he let me go even though he continued herding me where he wanted me to go. “It's probably just some idiot friend of Ricky's, or paparazzi. Worst case, it's someone who thinks they can steal a few bucks. There's no reason to go to DefCon 1.” Despite what I said, I let Haze maneuver me toward the bathroom.
    “He wasn't dressed right.” Haze didn't look at me as he spoke. He was clearly in full Special Forces mode. “Neutral hat pulled low, fatigues, not someone you normally see around Malibu. He was dressed to be invisible in a landscape, not in a crowd.”
    “And for some reason you think that means I'm in danger? You honestly believe someone is after me?” Anger started to burn away my fear as I clutched the doorframe. “What aren't you telling me?”
    “Let me do my job, Leighton.”
    The click of the front door latch froze us both. I could feel the blood draining from my face even as adrenaline flooded through me.
    I spoke in a low whisper, “What's going on, Haze?”
    He didn't answer. He unhooked my hands from the doorframe, gave them a reassuring squeeze, and then pushed me back. The door shut a second later and I quickly locked it. I stood pressed against it, trying to hear what was happening in the open area of the main room.
    Silence opened up like a sinkhole, and I clung to the door. Worry for Haze as much as myself crept through me. Was I really in danger? What if Haze was killed trying to protect me?
    There was a sharp yell followed by a heavy thud. I scrabbled to unlock the door, my only thought that I couldn't let anything happen to Haze.
    Then I heard it. A rumble of laughter. Haze's deep booming laugh joined by another familiar voice.
    “Ian?” I called, already starting to open the door.
    “All clear, Leighton,” Haze said.
    As I reached the end of the hall, I saw Ian standing in the sunken living room rubbing the back of his head. “Grandfather hired the right man to protect you. I can now say from personal experience that your bodyguard is very good at his job.”
    “What on earth are you doing here?” Everything I'd been feeling merged into anger.
    “Man, what a welcome,” Ian said with a grin. “First, I get tackled by this guy, and then my own sister is less than happy to see me.”
    Haze extended a hand to me and I took it, still shaky as I walked down the stairs to join Ian in the sunken living room. “You've never been here before. And Haze said you jumped the front gate.”
    “You didn't answer your phone. I thought something was wrong.” Ian looked from me to Haze and back, a strange expression coming over his face. “Wait, did I interrupt something? I can leave.”
    I pulled my hand out of his, ignoring the pang I felt when he didn't try to stop me. Not surprising. He was good at letting things go. “You're not interrupting anything.” I sighed. “I need a drink.”
    Ian jumped up the steps to the sleek, open kitchen and rolled up his sleeves. “I do make a mean Bloody Mary. Want one, Haze?”
    “I'm working,” Haze said.
    My brother turned to the refrigerator for tomato juice, and I felt Haze's eyes on me. The warmth of his look on my bare skin made my bikini feel even smaller. I rewrapped my sarong into a makeshift sundress and tied the ends behind my neck. The fabric was light, and for a moment, the nearly transparent barrier only intensified his gaze. I walked into the kitchen to put the counter between us before my body responded and I did something stupid. Again.
    “First, you're going to tell me why you decided to make a surprise visit when you've never been here before,” I said, giving him a stern look.
    “And then what?” Ian poured a