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  A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  By Lexi Blake

  1001 Dark Nights

  Protected

  A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  By Lexi Blake

  1001 Dark Nights

  Copyright 2018 DLZ Entertainment, LLC

  ISBN: 978-1-945920-98-1

  Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose

  Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Book Description

  Protected

  A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  By Lexi Blake

  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

  A second chance at first love

  Years before, Wade Rycroft fell in love with Geneva Harris, the smartest girl in his class. The rodeo star and the shy academic made for an odd pair but their chemistry was undeniable. They made plans to get married after high school but when Genny left him standing in the rain, he joined the Army and vowed to leave that life behind. Genny married the town’s golden boy, and Wade knew that he couldn’t go home again.

  Could become the promise of a lifetime

  Fifteen years later, Wade returns to his Texas hometown for his brother’s wedding and walks into a storm of scandal. Genny’s marriage has dissolved and the town has turned against her. But when someone tries to kill his old love, Wade can’t refuse to help her. In his years after the Army, he’s found his place in the world. His job at McKay-Taggart keeps him happy and busy but something is missing. When he takes the job watching over Genny, he realizes what it is.

  As danger presses in, Wade must decide if he can forgive past sins or let the woman of his dreams walk into a nightmare…

  **Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

  About Lexi Blake

  Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem. She also writes contemporary Western ménage as Sophie Oak.

  Connect with Lexi online:

  Facebook: Lexi Blake

  Twitter: authorlexiblake

  Website: www.LexiBlake.net

  Sign up for Lexi's free newsletter here.

  Also from Lexi Blake

  ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

  Masters And Mercenaries

  The Dom Who Loved Me

  The Men With The Golden Cuffs

  A Dom Is Forever

  On Her Master’s Secret Service

  Sanctum: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Love and Let Die

  Unconditional: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Dungeon Royale

  Dungeon Games: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  A View to a Thrill

  Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  You Only Love Twice

  Luscious: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped

  Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Master No

  Just One Taste: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 2

  From Sanctum with Love

  Devoted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Dominance Never Dies

  Submission is Not Enough

  Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Top

  Perfectly Paired: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 3

  For His Eyes Only

  Arranged

  Love Another Day

  At Your Service: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 4

  Master Bits and Mercenary Bites~Girls Night

  Nobody Does It Better

  Close Cover

  Protected

  Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten

  Lost Hearts (Memento Mori)

  Lost and Found, Coming February 26, 2019

  Lawless

  Ruthless

  Satisfaction

  Revenge

  Courting Justice

  Order of Protection

  Evidence of Desire, Coming January 8, 2019

  Masters Of Ménage (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)

  Their Virgin Captive

  Their Virgin’s Secret

  Their Virgin Concubine

  Their Virgin Princess

  Their Virgin Hostage

  Their Virgin Secretary

  Their Virgin Mistress

  The Perfect Gentlemen (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)

  Scandal Never Sleeps

  Seduction in Session

  Big Easy Temptation

  Smoke and Sin

  At the Pleasure of the President, Coming 2019

  URBAN FANTASY

  Thieves

  Steal the Light

  Steal the Day

  Steal the Moon

  Steal the Sun

  Steal the Night

  Ripper

  Addict

  Sleeper

  Outcast, Coming December 4, 2018

  LEXI BLAKE WRITING AS SOPHIE OAK

  Small Town Siren

  Siren in the City

  Away From Me

  Three to Ride

  Siren Enslaved

  Two to Love

  Siren Beloved

  One to Keep

  Siren in Waiting

  Lost in Bliss

  Found in Bliss

  Siren in Bloom, November 6, 2018

  Pure Bliss, Coming March 5, 2019

  Siren Unleashed, Coming Spring 2019

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  As always I want to thank my whole team – Kim Guidroz, Danielle Sanchez, Stormy Pate, Riane Holt, Kori Smith, and my son who better have formatted this book properly! Thanks to Liz Berry and MJ Rose who built a place where authors can express themselves freely, can bring even their craziest ideas to life. This book really belongs in the Crossover Collection because Wade is the final bodyguard to find his happily ever after. I would like to thank my fellow authors – Larissa Ione, Carly Phillips, Corinne Michaels, J Kenner, and Susan Stoker – for bringing the bodyguards to vivid life.

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One

  Click here to explore

  FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black

  CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham

  CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom

  DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake

  AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione

  NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones

  SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair

  ROPED IN by Lorelei James

  TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights:

  TAME ME by J. Kenner

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two

  Click here to explore

  WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan

  WHEN
IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham

  EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby

  MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair

  CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner

  ADORED by Lexi Blake

  HADES by Larissa Ione

  RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton

  DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James

  RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON KING by Donna Grant

  PURE WICKED by Shayla Black

  HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye

  STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham

  KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster

  TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti

  THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights:

  THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice

  SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three

  Click here to explore

  HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham

  SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst

  DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice

  ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey

  DEVOTED by Lexi Blake

  Z by Larissa Ione

  FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige

  EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby

  UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton

  HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye

  DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant

  KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  STRUNG UP by Lorelei James

  MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian

  TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti

  DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black

  THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely

  SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four

  Click here to explore

  ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley

  ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg

  SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde

  RAZR by Larissa Ione

  ARRANGED by Lexi Blake

  TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti

  HOLD ME by J. Kenner

  SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst

  TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey

  HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton

  EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye

  BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant

  TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James

  STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely

  MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian

  HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham

  PRINCE ROMAN by CD Reiss

  THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan

  DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige

  NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby

  DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights:

  TEMPT ME by J. Kenner

  Sign up for the 1001 Dark Nights Newsletter

  and be entered to win a Tiffany Key necklace.

  There's a contest every month!

  Click here to subscribe.

  As a bonus, all subscribers will receive a free copy of

  Discovery Bundle Three

  Featuring stories by

  Sidney Bristol, Darcy Burke, T. Gephart

  Stacey Kennedy, Adriana Locke

  JB Salsbury, and Erika Wilde

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Lexi Blake

  Also from Lexi Blake

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Discover the Lexi Blake Crossover Collection

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Five

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

  Discover More Lexi Blake

  An excerpt from Memento Mori by Lexi Blake

  Special Thanks

  One Thousand and One Dark Nights

  Once upon a time, in the future…

  I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.

  I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and

  the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast

  library at my father’s home and collected thousands

  of volumes of fantastic tales.

  I learned all about ancient races and bygone

  times. About myths and legends and dreams of all

  people through the millennium. And the more I read

  the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered

  that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually

  become part of them.

  I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher

  and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I

  would not be telling you this tale now.

  But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off

  with bravery.

  One afternoon, curious about the myth of the

  Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to

  see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar

  (Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then

  sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written

  and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,

  the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand

  women.

  Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived

  in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged

  places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had

  never occurred before and that still to this day, I

  cannot explain.

  Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

  taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can

  protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

  protect herself and stay alive.

  Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

  And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

  point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

  And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that

  he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

  As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new

  one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

  you now.

  Prologue

  Broken Bend, TX

  15 years before

  Geneva Harris was going to die. It was right there and he was a horrible person because he kept her on the edge. That brilliant place only Wade Rycroft had ever taken her to was within reach, but every time she thought she would fall over the edge, he pulled his hand away.

  “Not yet.” He kissed her again.

  She groaned. “It better be soon or my dad is going to be home and then you’ll likely be facing the business end of that shotgun he never uses.”

  His gorgeous face split in a wide grin. Her heart threatened to seize because he was the single most beautiful guy in the world. The whole town was crazy for the Rycroft brothers, but not a one of them compared to hers. “Your daddy points a shotgun my way and I’ll just marry you sooner. Now hush and give me wha
t I want.”

  She’d been trying to do that for hours, it seemed. Wade kissed her again and moved over her, his gorgeous face staring down at hers.

  She held on as he finally seemed to get serious. He thrust up and joined them together. This was where she always wanted to be, connected to the love of her life, holding on to him while he brought them pleasure.

  He hit the right spot deep inside her and she went flying over the edge.

  Of course she’d been flying ever since the day he’d kissed her six months before. She’d been tutoring him in geometry so he could graduate with his class. It wasn’t because Wade wasn’t smart. He simply hadn’t been motivated. After a few weeks, she’d learned a lot about him and fallen madly in love. Everyone had been shocked when the nerd of Hamilton High School had started dating the senior class’s most popular boy.

  None more than her old friend Brock. She’d been fast friends with Brock Howard when they were young and her father had done some accounting work for his. Her dad had finally joined the Howard family company and they’d been thrown together a lot. He’d been an odd kid, the son of the wealthiest family in town, but none of the others ever seemed to want to play with him. He’d come back from private school the year before and he and Wade had hated each other on sight.

  Wade fell forward and she welcomed his weight. In a matter of days, this feud between Wade and Brock would be over and they would be starting their lives. Wade was going to boot camp in the morning and she would spend the summer looking for a place to go to school. It would all depend on where he was stationed after his training, but she was going to make it work. If she had to get her degree online, then that was what she would do.