Excerpt & Giveaway Tour: Hard As Ice by Raven Scott
Hard
as Ice
Fortis # 1
Fortis # 1
By:
Raven Scott
Releasing
July 28, 2015
Dafina
Blurb
A
covert ops specialist, a cyber-surveillance expert, and an unmatched
international security and recovery pro. These are the men of Fortis.
When money is no object, discretion is essential, and the police are
not an option, the wealthy and powerful call on this trio of former
government agents with elite military training—not to mention charm
and good looks…
Former
CIA agent Evan DaCosta is ready to continue his life of adventure,
intrigue, and service. That means joining Fortis—and taking on the
recovery of precious jewels stolen from a prestigious auction house.
The list of suspects is long, but Evan is focused on the possibility
of an inside job. Now he’ll have to go undercover and stay close to
the gorgeous business manager, Nia James.
A
gifted salesperson, Nia worked hard to get where she is today. Now,
with her career at stake, a target on her back, and Evan watching her
every move, she’s feeling the pressure and the
heat. As Nia and Evan become intensely entangled, can they survive
the secrets and threats standing in their way or will they run out of
time?
Excerpt
“Mr.
DaCosta,” she stated in a sultry voice, her hand extended. “I’m
Nia James. I understand that you’d like to hear more about our
auction services?”
She
looked up to meet his eyes squarely. Hers were a warm brown, with
speckles of copper and honey. Evan cleared his throat, matching her
firm handshake. Tiny sparks sizzled up his forearm.
“Nice
to meet you, Miss James. I was told Worthington would be able to help
with an estate auction?”
They
were interrupted before she could respond.
“Here
you go, Mr. DaCosta,” stated the receptionist as she handed him a
chilled bottle of fancy imported
spring
water.
“Thank
you. And it’s Evan, please. Mr. DaCosta was my father.”
Emma
giggled, flipping back her silky blond hair.
Evan
thought he caught Nia roll her eyes, but it was the tiniest movement,
and her pleasant, polite smile didn’t waver.
“Thanks,
Emma,” added Nia. The young girl nodded and walked away.
“Yes,
we handle estate sales,” continued Nia smoothly. “Depending on
what items are involved, we
could
provide support for an on-site event, as part of a larger auction, or
here through our consignment sales. We’ve also done several
successful online auctions if that’s something you’re interested
in.”
Evan
nodded, taking a small sip of his drink.
“I
haven’t given it much thought, to be honest. My father died last
year, and left me his collection.”
“I’m
very sorry to hear that,” she immediately replied. Her eyes
softened, causing Evan to pause. He wasn’t expecting authentic
empathy. She’s really good.
“Why
don’t you come up to my office, and we can go over some of the
details?”
He
looked at his watch.
“I
have a meeting shortly, so I can’t stay now. But I can come by
again later today. Is six o’clock too late?”
“I’m
afraid it is. We close at five.”
“That’s
unfortunate. I have to sort things out as soon as possible. I don’t
have much time available over the next few weeks before I head back
home to Virginia, and Worthington comes very highly recommended.”
“I’m
sure we can arrange something,” Nia offered.
“Good.
If you don’t mind meeting after hours, I’m staying at the Harbor
Hotel. Why don’t I make us
dinner
reservations tonight for six o’clock?”
It
wasn’t a question, and he could see that Nia was genuinely
surprised.
“Mr.
DaCosta—”
“Evan,
please.”
“Evan,
that’s not necessary.”
“Sure
it is. If you need to work late to meet me, the least I can do is
feed you,” he dismissed her qualms while pulling a business card
out of his inside jacket pocket. “My cell phone number is on there,
and my assistant’s.”
“But—”
Evan’s
phone rang, interrupting additional protests.
“Sorry,
I have to take this. See you at six,” he told her with a nod, then
turned to walk briskly across the
gallery
floor. “Tony, what do you have?”
“The
security guard is on the move,” the agent stated. “He’s on
foot, carrying a duffel bag and looks
pretty
agitated.”
“Did
he make you?” Evan asked. He was now outside and getting into his
car.
“Negative.
I just arrived when he burst out of the back entrance of his
building. Something spooked him
and it
wasn’t me. I’d bet my paycheck that he’s skipping town.”
“Follow
him,” instructed Evan as he revved the engine. “I’ve got your
location and I’m on my way.”
He
hung up the phone, then pulled the Bentley smoothly out into traffic,
headed toward the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester.
Author
Info
RAVEN
SCOTT is
married with two daughters and two dogs, living in the beautiful city
of Burlington, Ontario, in the greater Toronto area. She
discovered her love of fiction at an early age, devouring hundreds of
books over the years. She reads everything from historical and
contemporary romance to mystery, sci-fi and suspense. By the
time Raven finished University, she had her own stories brewing in
her imagination. Writing became a satisfying hobby, then a
fulfilling career. When Raven isn't reading or writing, you can
find her outside with her family. Find out more
at www.ravenscottbooks.com,
or visit her on Facebook and Twitter @ravenscottbooks.
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