Roll the Dice (24 page)

Chapter Forty-four

Kai knew he should wipe the grin from his face after Cory smacked his
arm, but dammed if he could. Lit up from inside, his heart swelling, he felt
like a man stretched ten feet tall. This gorgeous woman had the 'hots' for
him—no—she loved him—and he liked the knowing.

In fact, he liked it very much. His own heart wobbled around inside him,
filling him brimful with so much tenderness, that like a mountain spring turned
into a waterfall, it was impossible to contain. Waiting for her to recharge, he
held her in his arms.

Slowly she began to emerge from her faint, the shakes that had attacked
her body started to fade. Her long eyelashes fluttered and then lifted. His
first sight of her adorable eyes, sapphire in normal times now black ice with
worry, and he knew he was a goner. She lifted her shaking hand and caressed his
face, wincing when she again noticed the blood still draining from a superficial
wound.

"You're okay," she said softly.

"I'm fine. What about you? I barely caught you before you hit the
ground." He kissed her hand and held it against his lips.

Hey you two, I could stand a little help if you're finished with the
schmoozing. I have a wife and kid in that shack and it's time to get them out.

Kai helped Aurora to stand and kept his arm around her shoulders until
he knew she was steady on her feet. "I got a quick peek in the window
before the rotted rope broke on the chimes. Both Deb and the baby are
fine."

He'd never tell his friend about the picture he'd seen of Rhondo holding
his son's hand, appearing fixated on the tiny baby…or the terror on his wife's
face as she watched helplessly.

Kai knew how he'd feel if that were his family inside with Rhondo. He'd
want to rip the bastard apart limb from limb. But he also knew his friend had
gotten sick of the killing when they were overseas. His reason for becoming a
cop was to try and stop bloodshed not add to it.

Kai glanced around and noticed the cop cars lined up on the main road.
Rhondo would see them also. Never knew what a perp might do once his escape
route had been closed.

Aurora stepped away and he saw her mentally harden, the earlier soft
glow on her face replaced with grim determination. Lips tight and eyes
narrowed, she surveyed the surroundings like a professional who knew her
business.

Moving over to Cory, she spoke so only the three would hear. "Did
you send some troopers around the perimeter to close off any chance of him to
escape?"

"Got them in place already."

Cory turned first to her and then to Kai. Showdown was all he said, all
he needed to say.

"Oh yeah! Today we take this prick." Not even a small doubt
crept into her tone. Kai decided it was as if she knew something, a
premonition.

Made the hairs stand up on his neck a little. Made him realize he'd do
anything it took to have a future with this woman. Maybe even give up his
intention, his sick revenge.

So he wouldn't make a fool of himself, pick her up and run from the
danger, he stuck his hands deep into his pocket. A funny kind of plastic card
poked into his fingernail and the pain made him pull it out. It was the card
one of the victim's mother's had given him. A card featuring The Serenity
Prayer and it read:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage
to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

A sledgehammer to the head couldn't have hit him any harder. To receive
this message at this time—a coincidence?

He pictured again the sight of the big lug tenderly cuddling the hand of
the tiny infant and the ball of hatred he'd nourished in the pit of his stomach
began to unwind.
 

Aurora and Cory believed in the law, in justice and maybe he needed to
also. Mind made up, relief felt sweet. He'd choose her.

Cory's excited voice broke into his thoughts.
 
"The door is opening. He's coming out. Be careful he isn't
using Debbie as a hostage."

All three took their stance, weapons drawn and ready.
 
Alone, Rhondo stepped off the veranda into
the open, then raised his gun and began firing in their direction.

Three weapons blasted.

One bullet killed.

The sequel for Roll the Dice
–
to be released early in 2013
.

High
Stakes Gamble

Aurora and Kai will be back together in this thrilling romantic suspense
called "
High Stakes Gamble
". Conflict throws a spanner in the
love affair that began in "
Roll the Dice
" and it isn't certain
whether these two characters can overcome their differences. Kai can't accept
that Aurora killed a man, especially after she'd begged him not to. Aurora
can't accept that Kai could leave her without any discussion as to why she did
what she did. Then a predator, who steals babies and then sells them,
interferes with their dispute and draws them back into being partners. A thief
who's decides she wants Aurora's newborn to be her final mission on the dark
side. This beautiful baby she'll keep for her own before she disappears
completely into her a life.
More great reads from Mimi Barbour
– but on a lighter note!

My Cheeky Angel
– Book one of the
Angels with Attitudes
 
series,

From a lonely
tomboy to a hotshot businesswoman, baggy jeans to suits and stilettos, we
unravel the story of Annie and her path to finding not only herself but also
true love.

His Devious Angel
– Book two of
the Angels with Attitudes Series

Man-hater Sadie Wright gets mixed up with a crazy, hotshot soldier
when he runs her down with his convertible. Now she's stuck having to accept
his help to do her dog-walking job. Just her luck that some of the expensive
pets go missing, and Liam decides the puppy-mill rumor needs to be
investigated.

She's Me

First Book of the
Vicarage Bench Series

If you love time
travel tales - this spirit travel romance will take you from 2006 back to 1963,
but with a twist.

It’s true that the
gorgeous model goes back in time, but she invades the body of a shy, chubby
librarian.

 Now they
both have to unravel the magic in order to find their true love.

“She's Me
 
is a
delightfully deep read.” ~Kimber, Fallen Angel Reviews (4 Angels)

He's Her

Second book of the
Vicarage Bench Series

“Quirky and sparky
and Ms. Barbour gets the mix

right....A great
little story. Recommended.”

~V. Scurfield,
WRDF (Fantastic, Stays on Shelf)

We're One

Third Book of the
Vicarage Bench Series

“
You definitely need to pick up WE'RE ONE and
all

the other stories
in this series. You will not be

disappointed.”

~Roberta, You
Gotta Read Reviews

(rated - You Need
to Read)

“Together Again”

“I don’t think I have ever read a spirit-traveling book until now and I
must say I think this is a fascinating subject.

What was most intriguing was how the author accounted for every
question I could possibly have pertaining to this particular time travel.

As much as I loved the plot line in the book, what I will forever
remember about this book is it made me laugh.

Not just a little bit, but with Mrs. Dorn’s shenanigans I laughed out
loud constantly.

This is definitely a book I highly recommend.
 
”

~Val, You Gotta Read Reviews

(rated - You Gotta Read

“Together for Christmas”

Finalist in the
Gayle Wilson 2012 contest.

This plot was simply amazing and I felt an array of
emotions of happiness, sadness, surprise, and many more. I

I highly recommend Together For Christmas, especially for
those that enjoy a good holiday book.

 
~Highly Recommended Luta Wolfe - TBR

.
A great holiday book with an incredible entertaining plot that draws you in and
keeps you turning the pages.

I
encourage everyone to grab a copy. You won't be disappointed.

~Lorhainne Eckland - Author of The Forgotten Child

Thank you so much for reading
 
Roll the Dice,
book two of the
Vegas Series. The sequel High Stakes Gamble will be released early in 2013.

If you enjoyed reading this novel, it would be a very kind gesture for
you to leave a short, honest review on Amazon.

Authors thoroughly enjoy knowing that readers like their stories.

Hopefully, others will read your words and choose to buy the book

because of your sentiments and that would be
real
sweet!

Mimi Barbour lives on the beautiful east coast of Vancouver Island and

fills her days with writing and promoting her work. The rest of her day
is spent in her garden, doing minimal housework, and visiting with her husband
while he cooks their dinner.

"The favorite part of my job is meeting the characters from each
new book. Designing them the way I want and having them act however I think
they should. It's thrilling, especially when most of my make-believe folks are
so very interesting. They're fun and surprising, and in most cases, people I
would love to interact with in reality."

  My
 
website: 
 
http://www.mimibarbour.com/

  Or my blogspot:  http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com

  Or follow me on twitter:
 
https://twitter.com/#!/Mimibarb

  Or on Facebook…

 
 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page/203964072966134