Hot Rebel by Lynn Raye Harris Read Free Book Online Page A

gray eyes were wide and fringed with long auburn lashes that she’d darkened with mascara. Her full lower lip quivered for half a second before she bit down on it.
    She looked like a somewhat frightened and helpless woman, and yet he knew she was a deadly assassin. The same as he was. She was like one of those startlingly beautiful creatures in the wild—colorful and attractive, but deadly when touched.
    “We aren’t Delta,” Nick said. “And the weaponry wasn’t for you.”
    He didn’t bother looking at the two men lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath their heads and turning the sand black. They’d arrived just in time, and his heart was still thumping over how close they’d cut it.
    Victoria pulled in a breath. “Well, thanks for rescuing me, whoever y’all are. Guess I’ll be on my way.”
    Nick snorted. “Guess you won’t.” He stepped back and thrust his chin at the van. “Get in, Victoria.”
    She let her gaze slide over the men surrounding her, and then she lifted her chin and walked over to Nick. She had to tilt her head back to look up at him, but she met his gaze evenly.
    “Another mystery ride? Sounds fun… especially if you’re there, Preacher Boy.”
    He wanted to slap a hand over her mouth—or better yet, his mouth over hers—to stop her from calling him that. He didn’t know why it rankled when she said it, but it did. Like a tiny splinter that ached whenever you accidentally pressed your finger against where it wedged beneath your skin.  
    No one called him that but Victoria. He couldn’t even remember how she’d learned his father was a minister. It wasn’t the kind of thing he talked about often, but he must have said something when they were in school together. It wasn’t a secret… it just wasn’t something he was especially keen on people knowing, either.
    “Get in, Victoria.”
    She sighed and walked over to the van. Big Mac was closest and he offered his hand. She took it and climbed up. Nick’s heart nearly stopped as her skirt lifted higher, revealing long, shapely legs. Her skin was the color of fresh cream, pale and delicate, but she was lean and muscled in a way that proclaimed her an athlete.  
    Iceman lifted an eyebrow as he walked by Nick. Then he winked and made a clicking sound with his tongue. Nick wanted to smack him. Flash also grinned and waggled both brows.  
    Jesus.
    Nick was last in the van—and those bastards had left him a seat beside Victoria. He flopped down into it as the door slammed shut and the van lurched into gear. He knew what they were up to. Ever since Billy “the Kid” Blake had been the third to fall prey to Cupid’s arrow, the guys had started to take the whole “who’s next” thing far too seriously, making bets and throwing each other under the bus in an effort not to be the one.
    First, Matt “Richie Rich” Girard went home on leave and returned with a fiancée. Then Sam “Knight Rider” McKnight fell for his best friend’s little sister. Two was a coincidence, but three—which happened when Billy reunited with an old flame, helped her expose a dirty defense contractor, and fell in love—was a trend.
    Right after Billy, Kev fell hard for Lucky. Then Jack “Hawk” Hunter got himself hitched to a pop star. Someone was next, but damned if it was going to be Nick. Victoria Royal was hot, and he was definitely interested in a little horizontal action with her—but she didn’t like him and he didn’t like her. So in spite of a sizzling attraction—at least on his part—horizontal was out.
    Not to mention the fact she’d threatened to shoot him at least twice now. That kind of thing ought to dampen a man’s enthusiasm, though he had to admit his dick hadn’t quite gotten the message where she was concerned. Even now, the sight of her encased in a sweet little dress was wreaking havoc on his imagination.
    Victoria let her gaze wander over the guys, finally turning to him. “Where are we going, Preacher