Welcome back to mid-week tease. We're still on the forced proximity theme and we're staying in the Royal House of Saene universe with my first spinoff from the series, SAVING HER GUARD.
This story explores what happens to the people left behind when Princess Isha is abducted (see HIS CAPTIVE PRINCESS), focusing on Kojo, her chief bodyguard, and Latifah, the operative responsible for her capture. So off the bat, Kojo and Latifah are enemies but Kojo must work with her, if he wants to rescue the princess and redeem himself. The two are stuck together on a road trip and must share a hotel room with only one bed! LOL
I loved writing this story and playing the characters off against each other. Enjoy the teaser
“Why should I trust you?” Kojo watched her body language, trying to gauge any deception.
“You shouldn’t. But I have something just for your ears only.”
He didn’t’ trust her. But something had changed inside her once Doona’s name dropped into the equation. He wanted to know why? Also, it seemed she didn’t like Doona anyway since she’d called him ‘bastard’.
“Luke, excuse us for a minute,” Kojo said.
Nodding, Luke stepped out and shut the door.
“I’m all ears,” Kojo said, giving his full attention.
“Look,” she started, twisting in her seat to face him. “I know this whole situation is hard on you.”
He stiffened, glaring at her. “You have no clue what’s hard on me.”
She raised her hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Whatever. But I can help you.”
“Help me, how?”
“I can take you to the princess.”
His heart raced. He wanted that, but he didn’t trust her. She was trying to trick him again. “All of a sudden, you can take me to the princess. Why now?”
“Isn’t that what all this is about. You want to see the princess and know she is okay. You want to rescue her, don’t you?”
More than anything else. “Yes.”
“But if you hand me over to Kweku Doona, he will torture me to get answers. It will take days, and you will be no closer to finding the princess because I won’t talk. I’d rather die than tell him anything. And the situation will be out of your control. I can’t imagine the good people of the Kingdom of Bagumi will be happy that you lost their princess. I know your life will be forfeit if she never returns.”
He stiffened, his anger flaring. Stowing his weapon in his holster, he reached for the door.
“Wait.” She touched his shoulder, her palm branding his skin.
He stared at her hand, glaring. “I told you not to touch me.”
“I’m sorry.” She raised her hands. “Can you not see beyond your ego? I’m trying to save you.”
“My ego? How dare you? You’re the reason I’m in this mess in the first place.” He clenched his hands to stop from strangling her.
“I know it's my fault, and I want to make it up to you.” Her voice was soft, enticing.
“By taking me to her.”
“Yes.”
“And what’s in it for you.”
“Freedom. You don’t tell the Doona shit who I am, and you don’t hand me over to anyone else. In return, I’ll take you to the princess. Just you and me.”
“Just you and me. You’ll take me to her today.”
“Well, it will take more than a day to get to her.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s not in Nigeria anymore.”
His heart clenched, and he wrapped his hand around her neck, yanking her close. “I hope you didn’t hurt her.”
“No. We didn’t hurt her.” She rasped, choking on his grip as she tried to claw at his hand.
He loosened his grip but didn’t release her. “Where is she?”
“I can’t tell you.” She coughed.
Oh, she's so going to frustrate him. LOL
More about SAVING HER GUARD (The Protectors series #3)
BLURB
Upstanding royal bodyguard Kojo’s primary job is to protect the prime princess of Bagumi from danger. So, when his charge vanishes from her star-studded party at a Lagos hotel, he knows his life won’t be worth living if he doesn’t find her in one piece. Unfortunately, with inept local law enforcement and dead-end leads, time is running out fast.
Until a chance encounter with a mysterious woman sets his instincts on alert and his heart into overdrive. He’s sure the seductive and lethal Latifah holds the answers to his quest. But, how low is he ready to fall to rescue the princess and redeem himself?
This is a Royal House of Saene spinoff and should be read after His Captive Princess (Royal House of Saene #3) to avoid spoilers and for maximum enjoyment.
Available in ebook and paperback
Check out the other books in The Protectors series HERE