Concealed Desire Read online

  “What is the bastard’s name? I mean it when I say that I would never let anything happen to you. I’m glad you trusted me. Now let me keep you safe,” Dax said.

  “I don’t want you hurt or in police custody because of that human stain,” Nora insisted vehemently.

  “Trust me,” Dax stated simply.

  “Evan Holtz,” she said.

  Chapter Ten

  The reading was finally happening and Dax couldn’t have been less interested in anything that was going on. That didn’t mean he couldn’t do his job, it just meant he wasn’t a happy camper. Nora had told him that the fact that Evan hadn’t shown up on any of the searches didn’t mean anything, but his gut told him something different. Something wasn’t right and if he didn’t figure it out soon, the woman he loved could be hurt, or worse.

  Nora was high on success. Though Dax had been shooting disgruntled glances her way, she’d felt a sense of exhilaration that just increased every time someone complimented her on her pastries. Her culinary classes hadn’t been a waste of time and she was on her way to becoming a full-blown caterer. It was a dream come true for her in more ways than one. As she walked around the room, the guests milled about waiting for the author to sign their copies. She noticed that the tray containing ladyfingers was empty. Nora smiled and picked it up. She headed to the kitchen and began filling the tray when a voice sent a chill down her spine.

  “You leave all the comfort, all the luxury I afforded you so you can serve mediocre pastries and fuck a man old enough to be your uncle?” a voice spat behind her.

  Nora whirled and stopped. She’d imagined this day over and over, had endless nightmares about it. There he stood, with the same look of contempt on his face mixed with a rage and madness like she’d never seen.

  “Evan. How did you find me?” she asked, managing to keep her voice calm.

  “Your mother. She wasn’t any help even after taking my money but she did give me her information. Including her maiden name. You aren’t as smart as you think. First, you’re going to come with me. Then you’re going to lure your boyfriend out of here. After I’m done with him, I’ll teach you what happens to little whores. Understood?” Evan sneered, whipping out a gun and pointing it at Nora. She gulped and took a deep breath. If this was how it ended she was happy, but there was no way she was going to let her crazy ex-boyfriend go psycho on a room full of people that she loved.

  “Now Nora!” Evan stepped closer and slapped her to get her moving.

  Just like old times, she thought as her hands flew to her face. Struggling to keep the tears inside, she began to make her way out of the back room on shaky legs.

  Dax stared around the room, noting with a frown that Nora hadn’t returned. He signaled to his men to keep an eye on Duncan as he walked to the kitchen with feet growing increasingly heavy with dread. He moved close enough to see what was happening. A man. That man called Nora a whore, pulled out a gun on her, and slapped her. Dax saw red. He burst into the room, using the element of surprise to his advantage. With a well-placed kick to the back of Evan’s knees, the man went down and the gun clattered to the floor. Nora screamed, but Dax barely heard her.

  Evan scrambled to his feet and took a fighting stance.

  “I don’t know what you think you are doing old man, but she belongs to me!” He yelled at Dax while covertly spotting his gun on the floor nearby.

  “You best turn around and walk away while you still can.”

  Evan and Dax stared at each other. Loathing filled their eyes. Then, in a surprisingly quick and agile move, Evan dove for the gun and pointed it at Dax.

  However, Dax was ready for him. This was what he trained for; disarming criminals was like playtime for him. As soon as Evan moved, Dax jumped and tackled him to the floor.

  A gunshot sounded and Dax heard Nora scream again but he kept his attention on Evan.

  “Nora belongs to herself!” Dax growled at Evan and punched him. He couldn’t remember ever being so pissed off before.

  “No one points a gun at the woman I love!” Dax stood and kicked Evan to keep him down. “I’m going to make sure you rot in jail, you piece of shit. If you so much as breathe in a threatening way toward Nora again, jail will be the least of your worries. Understood?” he growled to the sniveling man on the floor who nodded eagerly.

  “I called the cops,” Celine said from the doorway. He nodded at her and hit Evan hard enough for him to pass out. He wouldn’t be going anywhere. When he was sure, he made his way to Nora, who stared at him through tear-filled eyes.

  “Oh my God Dax…you are bleeding!” Nora gasped, looking at his arm.

  He looked down at his arm. He had been grazed by bullets more times than he would like to admit so he knew it was nothing serious.

  “The bullet just nicked me baby. No big deal. I’ll be just fine.” He took her in his arms.

  “You reduced my monster to a sniveling, weak mess. You saved me,” she whispered.

  “I promised to keep you safe, didn’t I? I promised to slay your dragons for you.” Taking her face in his hands, he began to kiss away the tears.

  “You…you said you loved me,” Nora murmured, heart soaring with what felt like heady freedom and love.

  “I do. I love you, Nora Alcott,” he whispered.

  He loved her. This amazing man loved her.

  “I love you too, Dax Quentin.” She smiled through her tears. Dax grinned and took her lips with his. Who cared about a few monsters along the way if he got the girl at the end?

  THE END

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  Who will be next to fall in love at the library?

  Turn the page…

  Delia Dresden never thought she was the kind of girl to have a one night stand.

  Everything is falling into place. She landed her dream job at the library. She’s found hope after months of unemployment. Life is finally going her way and she’s loving every second of the journey.

  So when she meets a handsome stranger at a restaurant, she’s wondering if this is just the next thing that’s going right in her life.

  After a passionate night, she realizes that she can’t go back to life before Bain. Life without his humor, his touch, his voice seems so… empty. A one night stand leads to love. Love leads to promises.

  Promises Bain might not be able to keep. Because her new love has secrets. Secrets that might interrupt their happily ever after. Can they survive the storm? Or will his secrets be unforgivable when they’re exposed to the light of day?

  Learn more...

  My Free Gift To You!

  Rule #1: Never get involved with a student.

  Professor Patel Park knows better than to risk his career on a student. It was right there in the rules; rule number one, to be exact. So what if it was his own personal rule? But when Tatiana Edwards enters his classroom, he knows things are about to heat up. Because she’s attractive as can be and there’s a look in her eyes begging him to dominate her.

  Tatiana wants to seduce her anatomy professor.

  Tatiana isn’t happy about her unexpected move, but when she meets her new anatomy professor, she can’t stop thinking about him. She can’t stop imagining him taking control and taking her. Is he the kind of guy that’s into all the dark things she wants? Or is he as vanilla and boring as most of the guys that try to come on to her?

  There’s only one way to find out!

  Get your free copy of “A Strict Lesson” today!

  I hope you enjoy the story!

  Stay Sexy and Sassy,

  Eliza

  About the Author

  Eliza Quinn lives in the Midwest with her husband and two boys. She’s loved reading since she could hold a book and has spent many a sleepless night reading just one more page. Now she has channeled that joy of reading into writing and hopes to provide you with many sleepless nights too.

  She want
s people to laugh, smile, and sigh as they fall in love with her characters. She wants to write books that make people feel. When she’s not writing, she’s reading or trying to keep up with two boys and a husband as incorrigible as the children. And she loves every second of it.

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  Other Books by Eliza

  I’ve listed the books below but you can see them all easy when you click on my Amazon Author Page.

  Desire Series:

  Controlled Desire - Book 1

  Unleashed Desire - Book 2

  Bound Desire - Book 3

  Surrendered Desire - Book 4

  Concealed Desire - Book 5 Coming July 30, 2020

  Fated Desire - Book 6 Coming August 6, 2020

  Strict Series:

  A Strict Lesson - Book 1

  A Strict Hunger - Book 2 Coming soon

  A Strict Need - Book 3 Coming soon

  A Strict Fate - Book 4 Coming soon

  A Strict ???? - Book 5 Coming soon

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  Eliza