The Broken Protector (Dark Hearts of Redhaven #1)

by Nicole Snow

That stylized dragon tattoo coiling over her shoulder and down her arm, its black ink crisp and fluid, hinting there’s a little something more to her behind that hard-set mask.

Lieutenant Lucas damn Graves comes striding in, cockier than ever. The last time I saw him, he was in uniform—dark navy blue bordering on black, crisply stitched, streamlined to make him look sleek and powerful and intimidating. And yes, obscenely sexual. Even if he acted like an elephant dick, there was a professional front behind the façade of the uniform. Now, off duty, the man looks downright bestial.

He’s built like a tank. At least six and a half feet tall, solid brick shoulders, arms as thick and hard as oak branches.

“How do you know I’m not a real asshole?” “I don’t.” He snorts loudly. “But if you are, New York, I reckon we might just get along.” “You reckon you can keep calling me that and not die, too?” “I do, Miss Delilah.” His eyes flash brighter. Oh my God, no. ...I think we’re having a moment. “You’re so ridiculous!” I shout. I can’t help laughing, shaking my head.

Once upon a time, Montero Arrendell killed my sister. What kind of sons do you think a man like that raises?

Goddamn, she’s a little fucking cactus with curves and I’m too easily amused.

“I’ll put on some coffee. How do you like it?” Darlin’, you’re fucking it.

How the fuck does it happen? How is it that a man only needs five damn minutes to go from she’s pretty cute and feisty to falling head over heels?

I’m not the only one who’s lost someone to mystery disappearances when his best friend Ethan has been missing forever.

“Is th-that...?” “In the flesh. He needed a break from the bruising defamation case with his ex-wife. Such a circus,” Ulysses answers dryly. “No Oompa-Loompas or pirates with him tonight, I’m afraid. I might be able to introduce you, but he is a tad prickly. He might be kind, or he might keep you all night boasting about his next film project. He’s like that.”