"negotiations are taking a dangerous turn"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted July 11, 2012
Romance Suspense
It started out as a simple cost saving option for Sage
Dumont -- her company Marine Drilling needed some oil well
drilling machinery and they could be purchased at a great
price as used from a Saudi company, an additional plus was
not waiting for the items to be manufactured which would
alter their production timeline. Unfortunately it would
appear as if security would be an issue. Somehow it leaked
out that the sheik was coming to the states to do a deal
with the Dumont's and now there was a concern for Sage and
her grandfather Ian's safety. So Ian hired a security man
from Atlas Security which is how Jake Cantrell wound up at
their offices, suit and tie, for what was a protection
detail. When he realized that his assignment was a good
looking sexy socialite he was rather surprised. But he was
the right man for the job not only because his ex-military
training gave him sharp reflexes and had also taught him a
great deal about Middle Eastern protocol. All would be
necessary to keep Sage safe from harm and also prevent her
from any political gaffs.
Sage couldn't get over the fact that her grandfather had
hired this "terminator" of a man. Fully acknowledging that
Jake was a hunk she dismissed any attraction since her
fiancé Phillip was more her type. It was obvious that the
two of them were doomed to butt heads over practically
everything starting with who was the boss. Sage wasn't
accustomed to following orders and she immediately learned
that neither was Jake. Thankfully the deal with the sheik
was to take a short time. But Sage's plans took an abrupt
turn when her secret meeting became media folly and once it
was public knowledge all the crazies came out protesting
just about anything -- in front of her office building for
one. Jake had hoped to keep a lid on the meetings but now
all bets were off. Protection for Sage and her grandfather
were going to be amped up. This also meant Jake was going
to take a larger role meaning lots more time with Sage,
which he knew was going to test his ability to keep her at
arm's length. She had in a short time invaded his thoughts
and dreams. Now he was going to practically live with her.
And Sage wasn't making it any easier. Any time their eyes
met they practically threw off sparks. It wasn't going to
take much to fan those flames. Luckily they both understood
that they had nothing in common. Their lifestyles were
light years apart. Only their hearts and bodies weren't
listening, they were too busy reacting to the undeniable
pull.
Another great installment in Martin's The Raines of Wind
Canyon series. You
can never have too many handsome hunks to drool over and
heroine to save. Such fun watching strong personalities try
to outdo each other -- the tests of wills are legendary in
Martin's books, and leave you wanting more. Each book
leaves you with a tease for what's to come, a delicious
tease. Don't worry if you missed one, each story stands
alone, but why deny yourself.
SUMMARY
Millions of lives are on the line. But for him, only one
truly matters. It's not in bodyguard Jake Cantrell's job description to
share his suspicions with his assignments. Beautiful
executive Sage Dumont may be in charge, but Jake's not on
her payroll. As a former special forces marine, Jake trusts
his gut, and it's telling him there's something off about a
shipment arriving at Marine Drilling International. His
instinct is aroused...in more ways than one. A savvy businesswoman, Sage knows better than to take some
hired gun's "hunch" as gospel. And yet she is learning not
to underestimate the man her grandfather hired to protect
her. Determined to prove Jake wrong, Sage does some digging
of her own and turns up deadly details she was never meant
to see. Drawn into a terrifying web of lies and deceit-and into
feelings they can't afford to explore-what Jake and Sage
uncover may be frighteningly worse than they ever imagined.
ExcerptThe Dumont woman was staring, one of her dark eyebrows
elevated in question. He noticed she was wearing a flashy
diamond engagement ring. Since he felt a jolt of heat
whenever he looked at her, it was probably good she was out
of his reach.
Excerpt #1
Walking out of the elevator across the shiny black
granite floor, Jake Cantrell made his way to the
receptionist desk on the tenth floor of Marine Drilling
International. The waiting area was done in black leather
sofas and chairs, the receptionist desk dark walnut and
chrome, nothing but the best for the Dumonts, the family
who owned the company.
A good–looking woman, late twenties, wavy,
shoulder–length mink–brown hair, busily
searched the drawers and cabinets behind the desk, bending
over in a tailored pencil shirt, providing him with a
perfect view of a very shapely ass.
He almost smiled. Even the help was first class.
She jerked upright at his approach, noticing him for the
first time, and her face colored, a pretty face, remarkable
really, with amazing golden brown eyes. Those eyes looked
him up and down, which took a while, being six–five,
two–hundred thirty–five pounds.
"May I help you?" she asked.
He gave her a smile. "I'm Jake Cantrell. I've got an
appointment at ten with Ian Dumont."
She frowned. "He didn't mention it. He's getting ready
for a meeting. You might have to wait a while."
"Not a problem. In the meantime, I could sure use a cup
of coffee."
Amusement tipped her mouth up, a tiny dimple appearing
next to plump, rose–colored lips. "I'll see what I
can do." But she didn't make a move, just turned to the
woman hurrying toward her across the waiting room.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, Ms. Dumont," the woman
said. "Thank you for covering for me."
Sonofabitch, a Dumont, Jake thought. Asking her to
fetch him a cup of coffee was probably not the best idea
he'd ever had.
"It's not a problem, Marie." She tipped her head toward
Jake. "Mr. Cantrell is here to see Ian. I have to go into
the meeting. Could you get him a cup of coffee while he
waits?"
Jake felt the slight rebuke in the glance she cast his
way. Clearly, she wasn't used to fetching a man much of
anything.
"Of course," Marie said. The Dumont woman headed for
the tall walnut door leading into Ian Dumont's imperial
domain, her strides long and purposeful, as if she had
someplace important to go. He liked a woman who didn't
dawdle. And besides the great ass, she had a pair of legs
that wouldn't quit.
He watched her disappear behind the door, wondering what
role she played in the Dumont empire, then turned his
attention to the receptionist.
Marie was smiling. "Mr. Cantrell, Mr. Dumont mentioned
that you would be coming in. I believe he wants to see you
as soon as you arrive."
"Thank you, Marie."
I'll bring coffee into the meeting." The woman blushed
as he walked away. It was his size mostly, he figured,
that made women take a second look. He was used to it by
now.
He shoved open the office door and stepped inside, found
only two people in the room––the woman he had
subtly insulted and a silver–haired gentleman in his
late seventies, slightly stooped but still impressive,
undoubtedly Ian Dumont, CEO of the company.
"Mr. Cantrell, I assume," the man said. "Our mutual
friend, Trace Rawlins, had nothing but good things to say
when he recommended you for this job. Please do join us."
The Dumont woman was staring, one of her dark eyebrows
elevated in question. He noticed she was wearing a flashy
diamond engagement ring. Since he felt a jolt of heat
whenever he looked at her, it was probably good she was out
of his reach.
Ian Dumont reached out to shake his hand. A strong,
solid handshake that set the tone for the discussion
ahead. "Why don't we all sit down?" Ian suggested.
They spaced themselves at the near end of the conference
table, which sat in the middle of a room done in the same
walnut and chrome as the waiting area.
Ian fixed his attention on Jake. "I asked you here to
discuss providing security for one of our people during an
upcoming business negotiation."
"S.E. Dumont, you said when we spoke on the phone."
"That is correct."
"Wait a minute," the dark–haired woman
interrupted, her gaze sliding toward Jake. "Ian, you
aren't thinking––"
"Mr. Cantrell, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter,
Sage Elizabeth Dumont."
The room fell silent. Sonofabitch. She was his
assignment?
"I don't need a bodyguard, Ian."
The old man turned toward her, a determined glint in a
pair of eyes that looked strikingly similar to the flashing
gold–ringed brown ones belonging to his granddaughter.
"Mr. Cantrell has experience in Middle Eastern protocol
as well as a background in personal security. Isn't that
correct, Mr. Cantrell?"
"Over the years, I've done a lot of corporate protection
work, both in South America and the Middle East. I worked
in Saudi for three years after I got out of the Marines.
So yes, I know the protocols."
"This is simply not necessary," Sage said.
Both men ignored her. "I understand you were in Special
Forces. You served in Iraq, I believe."
"That's right."
"Sage is Vice President of Acquisitions and Distribution
for Marine Drilling. Currently she is involved in a
transaction that may reach the three hundred million mark.
A deal being negotiated with Sheik Khalid Al Kahzaz of
Saudi Arabia. The sheik and his family are due to arrive
in just a few days."
"I see," Jake said noncommittally. Protecting a
corporate exec was one thing. Protecting a spoiled young
socialite who got her job because she was a member of the
Dumont family was something altogether different.
"With your experience," Ian continued, "I'm hoping you
will be able to guide my granddaughter through this visit
with our Saudi friends, and should trouble arise in the
city, also keep her safe."
"That's what I get paid for."
Sage shifted in her chair, irritation clear in her
face. "We need to discuss this in private, Ian."
The old man smiled indulgently. "We can do that, of
course, but the result will be the same. You're
representing Marine Drilling International. You will be
prominently engaged in entertaining the sheik, his daughter
and son, and the rest of his party. Currently, there is a
great deal of unrest in the Middle East. Last night there
was an incident right here in the city. Mr. Cantrell can
handle whatever problem might come up." He rose from his
chair, and Jake and Sage stood up, too.
Ian turned to Jake. "When can you start?"
Part of him wanted to refuse the assignment. He didn't
want to deal with a bossy, cantankerous female. The other
part was looking for something interesting to do after
weeks of mostly sitting behind a desk. "If we only have a
short time until they arrive," he found himself saying, "we
had start today."
Sage's spine went a little straighter. She fixed her
gaze on Jake. Even with her ultra high heels she had to
look up at him, which he could tell she didn't like.
"Fine," she said. "I'll see you in my office in half an
hour. Does that work for you?"
"I'll be there."
As soon as the door swooshed closed behind her, Jake
heard Ian chuckle. "I knew she was going to pitch an
all–out fit about this, but I want her safe. She
means everything to me, Mr. Cantrell."
"It's just Jake. And you can count on me to take care
of her––whether she likes it or not."
Ian Dumont just smiled.
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