Treasured: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

Lexi Blake

Sep 2021 · 1001 Dark Nights Press

About this ebook

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

David Hawthorne has a great life. His job as a professor at a prestigious Dallas college is everything he hoped for. Now that his brother is back from the Navy, life seems to be settling down. All he needs to do is finish the book he’s working on and his tenure will be assured. When he gets invited to interview a reclusive expert, he knows he’s gotten lucky. But being the stepson of Sean Taggart comes with its drawbacks, including an overprotective mom who sends a security detail to keep him safe. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but when Tessa Santiago shows up on his doorstep, the idea of her giving him close cover doesn’t seem so bad.

Tessa has always excelled at most anything she tried, except romance. The whole relationship thing just didn’t work out for her. She’s not looking for love, and she’s certainly not looking for it with an academic who happens to be connected to her boss’s family. The last thing she wants is to escort an overly pampered pretentious man-child around South America to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble. Still, there’s something about David that calls to her. In addition to watching his back, she will have to avoid falling into the trap of soulful eyes and a deep voice that gets her heart racing

But when the seemingly simple mission turns into a treacherous race for a hidden artifact, David and Tess know this assignment could cost them far more than their jobs. If they can overcome the odds, the lost treasure might not be their most valuable reward.

**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.**

Reviews for Treasured:

“A fun read with great banter and fantastic characters.” - awlovestoread

“Readers are treated both to an expansion of the couple’s hotter than Hades chemistry, as well as lots of mystery and suspense. The combination of the two made this a five star read.” - cheryl33610

“All the ingredients necessary for heart-pounding action, high heat romance, and naturally a HEA” - A Wonderful World of Words

“Treasured is a quick, fun, and steamy read.” - Becky on Books

Ratings and reviews

I have to admit this is one of those series that captured my heart years ago and has held it. There is just a feeling of magic to the couples and I have always gotten a kick out of the families - Solid stories and characters that stay with you long after the closing scene Tessa - Sweet Stubborn Tess David - Smexy professor with a secret - you know that saying about the quiet ones... A chance meeting Instant chemistry (that kiss...) Tessa's stubbornness Ian's insistence (did he know?) An island A villainous plot A midnight rendezvous All the ingredients necessary for heart-pounding action, high heat romance, and naturally a HEA Looking forward to Kyle's story

David Hawthorne made me cry, there, I admit it. In the world he and his family live in, he feels he doesn’t fit in. He is intellectual in a world ex-military mercenaries. Even in his tight, incredibly close family, he feels set apart, not unloved, just not part of the crowd. He had felt this way most of his life, so it isn’t new for him, but he still feels it sharply. Tessa is sure of her place at work, much the same as David is at his work, but she feels separated by class. She is working class, came from working class, and walked away from a billionaire fiancé whose world she didn’t fit into. Tessa and David meet by accident and hit it off. Then Tessa runs scared, and then fate put them together again. Lot of doubt, figuring out oneself, and the other, and some great sexy times follow before the suspense part of this romantic suspense kicks in. By the end of this book, I felt happy, satisfied, and comforted by how things all worked out. My only issue is I could read more about these two for a few more hours!

About the author

Lexi Blake is the New York Times bestselling author of the Masters and Mercenaries, Thieves, The Perfect Gentlemen, Masters of Menage, and Rising Storm series. Many titles in her series as well as many of her stand-alone titles have become bestsellers.