Free In the Still of the Night:Sexy Romantic Suspense (Book 2 The Blonde Barracuda's Sizzling Suspense Series) by Taylor Lee Page B

Jake to sit down. He frowned and hesitated but she smiled at him and said softly, “At ease, Jake. I like a clear view of the target.”
    He gave her a forced grin then nodded and reluctantly took his place beside Dalila.
    Dalila turned her attention to Lexie.
    “Are you a fighter like your brother was?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    Lexie’s curt response was purposeful. She was grateful that neither Jake nor Brady jumped in to amplify. It was an acknowledgment that she could handle this situation without their help.
    Dalila replied, “All of you are?” She gazed up at Jake and added with a sly smile, “How interesting. It makes for some interesting nights.”
    In the silence that followed, Jake moved back in his chair obviously preparing a response. But before he could speak, Dalila brushed against his arm and gave Lexie an understanding if patronizing glance.
    “I’m not surprised that you want to associate with Jake. He is popular for many reasons, not the least of which is that he is a true hero. I’m sure you know that he singlehandedly took down the drug cartel that had taken over the Army base in Yuma.”
    Jake laughed his infectious laugh, and shook his head.
    “You’ve got that one wrong, Dalila. The true hero of that adventure was Lexie. If it wasn’t for Lexie and the fact that she throws a mean knife, I wouldn’t be here.” He winked at Brady and added, “Oh, and Brady played a role as well.”
    Dalila’s lip curled at the corner. “How sweet. No wonder you feel as though you owe her something. I know how protective you were of Anthony. I’m not surprised you feel the need to protect his little sister.”
    At that moment the waitress appeared and they were saved from further conversation by the ordering process. As they were deciding, Dalila smiled up at Jake.
    “I don’t think I’ve had Indonesian food since the last time that you and I were in Cairo, Jake. I remember how charmed we were to find an Indonesian restaurant in the heart of the capital of Egypt. But then it is a more cosmopolitan city then many of the places we were stationed.”
    Lexie reached for Brady’s hand but he beat her to it. It was on her knee before she could grab for it. He grasped hers and gave it a comforting squeeze. Lexie struggled not to bite her bottom lip but the habit was too entrenched. Through the roar in her ears, she heard Jake’s laconic reply.
    “Hmm, Dalila, I didn’t remember that you were on that mission. But then there were at least forty CID agents at that dinner. I didn’t have time to meet them all. That’s the challenge of being both the commander and the dinner speaker. Hard to be social.”
    Lexie looked up in time to see Jake gazing at her. Clearly his response was meant for her, not the woman at his side who had the decency to flush. Even so, Lexie knew it was unlikely that she would be able to eat and wondered if she shouldn’t just leave now. Dalila seemed to sense the opening and said in a patronizing voice stroking the emerald at her neck, “Is that a diamond you are wearing in your navel, Alexis? How quaint. The only people who wear jewels in their navels in my country are belly dancers.”
    Her emphasis on ‘belly dancers’ underscored that at least in Dalila’s view they were tantamount to prostitutes.
    Lexie smiled. “No, it isn’t a diamond. It is a dimestore bauble. I only wish I were like the belly dancers. They are much more skilled than I am. They’re able to keep their jewelry in place when they dance. I’m not nearly that accomplished.”
    Dalila’s eyes widened as though in shock. “You don’t mean to tell me that you have pierced your navel.”
    Lexie gave her a casual nod. “Mm hmm. To match the piercings on my nipples.”
    Brady choked on his beer, spraying a mouthful across the table. Lexie pounded him helpfully on his back. Brady knew full well that she didn’t have pierced nipples. She glanced over to see Jake looking at her through narrowed eyes. His lips were