Rush

Jace started
     arguing. Gabe chuckled and then tightened his hold around her waist. He smiled down
     at her, his love shining brighter than the star atop the Rockefeller tree.
    “What do you say we go home and practice giving them a baby to fight over?”

Turn the page for a special preview
of the next book in Maya Banks’s
Breathless trilogy
    fever
    Coming in April 2013 from Berkley Books

Please note:
    The following is not final and
may differ from the published book.

Bethany Willis rubbed her palms down the worn legs of her pants and briefly closed
     her eyes, swaying as she stood in front of the basin containing all the empties she’d
     collected from the ballroom.
    She was tired. So damn tired. And hungry. The best part of this gig—besides the fact
     it was cash paying—was the food. She was allowed to take leftovers, and judging by
     the amount of food bustling in and out of this place, there was going to be plenty.
    Rich people always did things in excess. There was no way the number of people invited
     to this party justified the amount of food and booze being fronted. She mentally shrugged.
     At least she’d get a decent meal, even if the stuff was too fancy for her palate.
    There’d be enough for Jack too.
    A wave of sadness engulfed her, and just as quickly, guilt. She had no business feeling
     this way because Jack had come back around. He did that. Disappeared for months and
     then reappeared, usually when he needed a place to crash, a friendly face. Food, money…Especially
     money.
    Her chest squeezed because she knew what he did with the money he asked for, even
     as he hated to ask for it. He never looked her in the eye. Instead he’d drop his gaze
     and he’d say, “Bethy…there’s this thing. I need…” And it was all he’d say. She gave him money because she
     couldn’t do anything else. But she hated the way he said
Bethy
. Hated that nickname when it had once been one she adored, because it had been given
     to her by someone who cared for her.
    Jack. The only person in the world who’d ever tried to shield her from anything. The
     only person who’d ever given a damn about her.
    Her brother. Not by blood but in every other way it counted. He was hers just like
     she was his. How was she supposed to ever turn her back on him?
    She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
    There was a sound at the side door, the one that opened to the alley where the trash
     was taken out. She glanced up to see Jack leaning against the frame, his head tilted
     back so he could glance down the alleyway. That was Jack. Always one eye on escape.
     He never went into any situation unwary and without his escape route planned.
    “Bethy,” he said in a quiet voice.
    She flinched, knowing why he’d come. She didn’t say anything and instead reached into
     her apron pocket for the wadded up bills she’d stuffed there. Half up front. Half
     when she went off duty for the night. Jack would get this half. The other half would
     have to feed her until she found another gig, and she never knew when that would be.
    Hurrying to where he stood, she pressed the bills into his hand and watched uncomfortably
     as his gaze skated sideways, not making eye contact with her as he shoved the money
     into the ripped, torn jeans. His stance was uncomfortable. She knew he hated this.
     She hated it too.
    “Thank you,” he whispered. “You okay? You got somewhere to sleep tonight?”
    She didn’t, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. So she lied instead. “Yeah.”
    Some of his tension eased and he nodded. “Good. I’m working on it, Bethy. I’ll have
     a place for both of us soon.”
    She shook her head in denial, knowing it was what he always said, and also knowing
     it wasn’t going to happen.
    He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. For a long moment, she closed her eyes
     and imagined different circumstances. But that was pointless. It was what it was and
     wishing for it to be different was like pissing in the wind.
    “I’ll be checking on you,” he said.
    She nodded. And then as he started to melt back into the shadows of the alley, she
     looked up and said, “Be careful, Jack. Please?”
    His smile was just as shadowy as the night. “Always, babe.”
    She watched him go as the knot in her throat grew bigger. Damn it. Rage built but
     she knew it was a useless emotion. Her fingers curled and uncurled at her sides and
     the itch invaded. The need, the craving. She fought it, but it was a hard battle.