Sunday Snippet: Along the Shore

Hello, October. We're getting into the fall season and that means the rest of the year is going to fly by! The beginning of October always marks the start of the holiday season for me. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas / Yule. I'm excited!

The Last Ship had a decent episode. I was so hoping Giorgio got blown up but, alas, not the case. Here's hoping he meets with a satisfying ending sometime in the near future. His whole family can go up in flames and I wouldn't shed a tear.

I haven't watched Teen Wolf's finale yet. I'm not quite ready for its end. But it's going to be terrific. I have no doubt.

Got a few more episodes of The Defenders in. I really didn't see Alexandria's end… if it's an actual ending. You just never know with the Hand.

Hawaii Five-0 said goodbye to Max in a great episode. I'm about halfway through the season and still enjoying.

Gotham's second episode ended up being excellent. I love how everything is coming together. Interesting to see Barbara back on the screen.

That's it for television this week. Looking forward to more of my favorite shows being back soon. Tonight's post is from Along the Shore, a South of the Border tale.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vail Ericsson, a freelance security expert and skilled tracker, can find anyone for a price. But when he trails Ellery Quantrell to Mexico, he discovers she's not an escapee but a target and his role changes from pursuer to protector, whether Ellery wants him as a shield or not.

And a snippety peek…

Oh dear, if looks could kill, she'd be in serious danger right now. Okay, more danger. She hoped someone called the emergency services for the booth owner. Ellery liked the woman, Carmela, and had chatted with her almost every day since Ellery had arrived in Mexico.

She risked another glance at the man who'd come after her. He didn't have the countenance of Ivan's usual entourage of bodyguards and hired protection. Then again, he said he'd been tasked with tracking her down and returning her to Ivan.

No way in hell would she return. Not even for her brother.

The man kept his gaze moving, his body angling back and forth until he got a good look at all the upper levels and balconies. He might not be a standard Ivan goon, but Ellery didn't trust him. Not for a minute. The guy had military or mercenary training. With his build, though smaller than Puchenko's usual slabs of beefy, muscled brutes, he would no doubt hold his own. He had dark hair, a little shaggy on the top, so probably mercenary instead of military. His eyes, a rich, dark brown, had a piercing intensity. They didn't miss anything.

And currently, his gaze landed on her like a physical blow.

He quirked a brow and opened his mouth to speak, but frowned instead. His head snapped around just when a soft pop sounded. A bullet struck the stone slab less than two inches from Ellery. She squeaked but didn't scream. She'd grown too used to bullets flying to be completely freaked out.

But she didn't fight the guy when he dragged her from the seat and shoved her in front of him, marching her toward cover. He ducked into the first building they came to and pushed her against the interior wall while he did a quick assessment of their situation.

They were pinned down inside the small gift shop, unless they could exit out a back entrance. If the store had one. Some of the smaller boutiques received their deliveries at neighboring locations. A wash of anger hit Ellery. She'd been free and clear until one stupid man showed up, leading Puchenko's men right to her.

She tapped him on the shoulder. "Exactly how're you going to get us out of this one, Mr Big Shot?" Snarking at him wouldn't help their circumstances, but damn, the sarcasm gave her a needed boost.

The guy narrowed his gaze. "The name's Vail and I will figure this out." He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the shop owner. "You got a back entrance?"

The man held up his hands and shook his head. He didn't speak English. Ellery translated and asked again in Spanish. The owner smiled and nodded, pointing the way to the rear exit.

Vail tugged her behind him, his longer strides making it hard for her to keep up. Ellery followed for now. She'd find a way to lose him once they got back outside and she could make a break for it.

Attractive or not, Vail had brought the hounds of hell to her door and Ellery wouldn't soon forgive or forget.

I'm having so much fun writing Vail and Ellery and it's nice to revisit Lars and Kiernan, too.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin