Saturday Snippet

I continue to have Word/laptop issues, but I found a scene that fits this week's topic: public scene. Since LOCKED AND LOADED just came out, that's the book you're getting. This scene actually is semi-public. Okay, that's nto true. It takes place in the Recovery Project building, but that's kind of public…sort of… Enjoy!

"How are you feeling?" His voice dipped low as he asked the question.

The sexy vibration made her insides jump around in excitement. "The shoulder and the back hurt."

"We can get you some medical attention."

"You won't call the police but you'll call an ambulance?"

"I think he means me." A guy slipped in behind Adam. "Hey, man. Have a nice time in West Virginia?"

She tensed but Adam smiled. "Maddie, this is Caleb Mattern."

"I work with Adam."

She shook the man's hand and then pulled hers back fast. She wasn't even out of the truck and she had to battle two of them. And what exactly did these guys eat? Caleb stood over six feet with broad shoulders, light brown hair and the most soothing blue-green eyes she'd ever seen. He had that handsome mused look that reminded her of blue jeans and football of Sunday afternoons. The relaxed style matched his welcoming smile. The only surprise was the shiny gold wedding band.

Attractive or not, she didn't trust Caleb one inch more than she trusted Adam. Well, that wasn't true. She reluctantly believed Adam wanted to help her. She didn't know why or if her radar was off, but she was willing to go along for now. But only with Adam.

"I hear you got banged up," Caleb said.

She'd been with Adam every single minute since the attackers came. He hadn't made a call. She'd know since she'd been watching for a cell phone so she could steal it. "Who told you that?"

"It's on the radio." Adam frowned at her in a way that said he thought she was clueless. "How do you think?"

"When?"

Adam waved her off then reached to up to drag her out of the truck. "Don't worry about it."

She wasn't in the mood to be placated of manhandled. She pulled out of his reach and ignored Caleb's half-cough, half-laugh as she did. "You want me to trust you but you're keeping information from me. How is that fair?"

Caleb crossed his arms over his chest. "She's got you there, man."

"Don't help."

Caleb's smile grew wider. "Can't seem to stop."

"She can fight her own battles."

Caleb nodded. "I get it. I've been there."

"Where?" Maddie asked.

"Wrong." Adam glared as his teammate for about ten seconds before turning back to her. "The watch."

When Maddie could barely follow the by-play, she gave up. She needed a bed and an aspirin before she could function again. "Is that supposed to mean something?"

Adam held out his wrist to her. "It works like a telephone only better."

The black face looked like most other watches but bigger. She could see a series of buttons and when Adam hit one, the time switched to an image of the garage.

Caleb pointed around the room. "Cameras. You're almost never alone here."

She was more interested in the phone part. "Where can I get one of those?"

"Adam designed this one. We all wear them."

Through all the gunfire and running she'd almost forgotten about the other side of him. "So, the computer geek thing is real?"

Adam smiled. "I prefer the word genius."

"Yeah, I'm sure you do."

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Remember to check out the other authors' snippets:

Lacey Savage

Sasha White

Beth-Ann Mason

Shiloh Walker

Denise A. Agnew

Alison Kent

Leah Braemel

Jody Wallace

Eliza Gayle

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw