Kate Allenton (19 page)

     
He kissed her slow and long in an embrace that would make anyone and everyone long for the
love she shared with Ethan. The once-in-a-lifetime kind of love that people spent their whole

lifetimes searching for. She’d found it, and she was never letting it go.

     
“Forever,” she whispered.

     
“And ever, my love,” he whispered back against her lips.

                                                      
****

     
General Lister glanced around the living room. In the years he’d been in charge of the
Phantom’s and the unusual gifts they wielded he never witnessed the kind of camaraderie he’d come
to expect and admire over the last few years. They were like his children; heck, Gracie was his

child…but he loved them all. Husbands, wives, children and grandbabies filled the room with

laughter and talking. A peace settled over him like none he’d ever experienced before. None of those
in his command would ever take for granted the love that they’d found. They’d grow stronger

together; they’d watch over each other and protect each other long after he retired. He was leaving
behind a legacy. His legacy wasn’t the destruction of Black or even keeping the world safe, although
no one would ever know the truth. It was helping those he loved and cared for find inner peace and
balance in a world that was forever changing. That
was
his so called super power unbeknownst to
the Phantoms under his command. The ability
to sense those
that belonged together, like a wolf
could sense his mate. He had an uncanny knowledge
and
could see the colorful binds that matched
and tied the pairs together. This was Lister’s Legacy;
what
he’d worked his ass off to achieve that no
man or threat would ever be able to tear apart.

                                                   
####

I hope you enjoyed the Phantoms’ trials and tribulations as much as I enjoyed writing them.
When writing this series, I had every intention of stopping after Cathy’s book, but it seems my muse
has had another idea. There will be future books
with the
grown-up children, future books that
include the Bennett children and the characters
I’ve come
to love. I hope you continue with me on
this journey and through each of their tales of love
and
suspenseful situations as they come into
their own understanding of
their hopes, dreams, and desires.

    
Here’s a sneak peek at Megan’s story. (Book 3 of the Carrington-Hill Series) I hope you enjoy
and please remember that this is unedited and as my muse will tell you…subject to change.

                                                  
Chapter 1

“I think you need to cool off, stud.” Megan Hill grinned as she dumped the entire pitcher of
beer over fellow investigator, Garrett Donovan’s head. The employee handbook had failed to

mention if beer dumping would be grounds for termination, not that she thought her brother,

Marco would fire her anyway. “Marco promised me none of his guys were male chauvinist assholes,
yet… here you sit.”

    
Garrett flew out of his wet seat, pulling the soaked shirt out and away from his body. He looked
like a drowned puppy. His hair lay flat against his head as rivets of beer slid down his face and off
his crooked nose.

    
“What…are you sexually frustrated, Megan? Tell me…did your vibrator run out of batteries,
honey. Because you should really consider buying some more if it only takes one comment about
your breast size to spark your fire.”

Megan tossed the empty pitcher on the table;
her
clenched fist went to her hips. “Apologize
before I hurt you.”

    
“I’ll give you an apology.” Garrett grabbed
her and
pulled her body flush against his. His
muscular arms encased her, holding her close.

    
A gasp escaped her lips giving him an opening
to go
in for the kill. He pressed his lips to hers
and leaned her back over his arm. The kiss wasn’t
gentle,
it was demanding and filled with a passion
unlike any she’d ever felt. Too soon it came to an
end.
Another minute and she would have

succumbed to his charm…or was that arrogance.
He
eased her up and let his hands trail a path
starting at the side of her breast down her side, before
he
stepped back. Her shirt wasn’t the only
thing left wet from the sudden embrace. He’d done
more
than stolen her breath; the damn asshole.

    
“How was that, sugar?”

    
“I’ve had better.” Megan quipped with a smirk
and
wink while picking up her beer and blowing
Garrett an air kiss. “You’re the one out of practice.”

    
“Children, Children…”
Marco scolded while approaching the table in the
little hole in the wall,
bar. “You two really need to learn to get along. Maybe if I put you two in the sandbox together,
you’ll learn to play better and come out with more of an appreciation for each other’s talents.”

    
“You wouldn’t.” Megan narrowed her eyes, shooting proverbial daggers at her big brother. If
she didn’t need this job, she’d tell Marco exactly what she thought of that idea.

    
Marco’s knowing gaze, shifted back and forth between them both while he settled in his chair.
His brown eyes were assessing, reading, taking in every detail, like he’d done when she was younger.
When he knew she’d been up to mischief. “As of now, you two are partners, so start acting like it.”

    
“Since we’re partners…” Garrett glanced at Megan. “My bed or yours, sweetheart?”

    
Marco stood and clasped Garrett on the back. “You’d be wise to remember, she is my sister and
I am your boss. I suggest keeping this on a strictly professional level if you don’t want your momma
to post your ugly mug on the outside of a milk carton.” He gave Garrett a challenging look. “Are we
clear?”

    
Garrett’s brows dipped before he tore his gaze away from Megan. “Yes sir, crystal clear.”

He flung his jacket off the nearby chair and shoved through the exit door leaving her to deal
with the mess they’d made…and she wasn’t referring to the beer. “Jerk.”