Alexis Morgan - Dark Warrior Unbroken

So why were you hunting me, Lena? he whispered from close by her ear.

Like shed tell him that! Hunting? What makes you think I was?

Youre not ready to hear what I think, little girl. His smile continued to taunt her.

Im not a little girl. Especially the way he was making her feel at the moment. Oh yeah, she really needed to put some distance between the two of them.

She was about to tell him so when she realized that his eyes had become fixed on her mouth as he slowly leaned in close enough that his warm breath teased her skin. What was he doing? Please tell her he wasnt going to kiss her! She should be outraged, but instead she wasintrigued.

Dear God, her world rocked on its axis the second his lips settled over hers. As her ability to think short-circuited, she grabbed on to the first thing she could find to anchor herself as the alley seemed to rock and roll: Sandor himself. Her fingers clutched his arms, the buttery-soft leather of his duster doing little to disguise his muscular strength.

This had to stop!

HIGH PRAISE FOR DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED, THE FIRST BOOK IN ALEXIS MORGANS SIZZLING NEW SERIES

Red-hot talent Morgan kicks off another supernatural series, the Talions. In setting up the challenges and unique characteristics of her protagonists, she ensures that there will be more adventures to come. This is great stuff!

Romantic Times

This book sucked me in, and I didnt want to stop reading.

queuemyreview.com

In Ranulf, Ms. Morgan gives the reader a hero that is beyond a doubt an Alpha Hero. Youve got a book that must go to the top of your must-read-as-soon-as-you-get-it list.

Simply Romance Reviews

AND ACCLAIM FOR HER SEXY PALADIN SERIES:

This is so hot!

New York Times bestselling author Susan Sizemore

Transfixing and sexy!

Romantic Times

REDEEMED IN DARKNESS

Captivating, compelling, and totally hot! Dont miss this series!

Alyssa Day, USA Today bestselling author of Atlantis Unleashed

IN DARKNESS REBORN

Utterly compelling. I love these hunky, sexy, heroic guys! Great sexual tension and action. Really terrific and totally unique.

Katherine Stone, author of Carolines Journal

DARK PROTECTOR

An innovative story line, passionate protective champions, and lots of surprising twists. Dont be left outpick up a copy, settle in, and enjoy.

Romance Reviews Today

A complex paranormal fantasy that pulls readers in from the first page and doesnt let them go.

Paranormal Romance Writers

DARK DEFENDER

Tons of suspense and drama. Morgan proves that sheshere to stay.

Romantic Times

An intense plot with twists and turns and wonderful surprises.

Paranormal Romance Writers

Also by Alexis Morgan

THE PALADIN SERIES

Darkness Unknown

Redeemed in Darkness

In Darkness Reborn

Dark Defender

Dark Protector

THE TALION SERIES

Dark Warrior Unleashed

Pocket Star Books

A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2009 by Patricia L. Pritchard

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

POCKET STAR BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1866-2483049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com [http://www.simonspeakers.com].

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-6396-9

ISBN-10: 1-4165-6396-2

Visit us on the Web:

http://www.SimonandSchuster.com [http://www.SimonandSchuster.com]

Meredith, this one is for you. Since the day you were born, Ive had so much fun watching to see what youd accomplish next. Thanks for being my daughter. I couldnt imagine a better one.

Acknowledgments

Writing a book is never a solo effort. It takes the help of a lot of talented people to take a story all the way from concept to publication. Id like to thank everyone who made my story even better.

To my fabulous agent, Michelle Grajkowski, bless you for all of your encouragement and support. You help keep me sane, and you make me laugh. It always helps to know that youre just a phone call away.

To my incredibly talented editor, Micki Nuding, I so appreciate how you make my best writing even better. Ive learned so much from you, and your encouragement and support mean so much.

And finally, to everybody at Pocket who contributes so much to the success of my books. You might be behind the scenes, but I know youre there and how hard you work. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dark Warrior

UNBROKEN

Chapter 1

L ena Wilson was a woman with regrets. Her shoulders sagged as the days heat and her high heels made the short walk even harder than expected. Shed worn dress clothes out of respect, but her usual jeans and boots might have been a smarter choice. Lord knows, the person she was going to see wouldnt have cared.

Pausing at the top of a rise, she pulled out the simple map the caretaker had given her. She was almost there.

One, two, three

She counted off the headstones to alleviate the oppressive silence, her footsteps slowing as she approached the end of the row, her goal but a few feet away. She crossed that last painful distance and sank to her knees on the cool grass.

Her hand reached out to trace the inscription on the polished granite marker: a name, a couple of dates, a Bible verse, a firemans badge. Not nearly enough to define the man who was buried there. Maynard Cooper had been her friend, her father figure, her conscience.

At long last the tears came, flowing down her cheeks in hot streaks.

Coop, Im so sorry.

Her throat closed, damming up the flood of apologies she owed to the man whod been laid to rest on the pastoral hillside overlooking his beloved city. As the tears tapered off and her breathing eased, peace slowly stole over her. Coop had never judged her as harshly as she judged herself, but the self-forgiveness she needed would have to be earned.

That shed missed his funeral hadnt been her fault, but missing out on the chance to heal the breach between them was. She placed her palm over his name, needing that small connection as she contemplated her next step.

If she couldnt make peace with her old friend, she would do the one thing no one else had been able to: avenge his death.

With a new sense of purpose, Lena rose to her feet and walked away, making plans. Somewhere in this city there was a killer with Maynard Coo pers blood on his hands. She wouldnt rest until the bastard was brought to justice.

The shrill ringing of a phone was Sandor Kearns least favorite way to wake up, especially when hed been up late. He didnt know which half of his job he hated more: the frustrating search for the Grand Dames lost relatives, or his new role as chief enforcer for the Talion warriors Kerry commanded. He covered his eyes with his forearm to block out the sunshine and groped for the phone with his other hand.

When he finally found it, he growled What? into the receiver.

Kerrys voice was a mixture of good humor and business. Sorry, Sandor, did I wake you up?