Take me Higher
By Dahlia Rose
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About this ebook
Haven Daniels fought for years to be on the top of the reporting game, and now the story of a lifetime was hers. There was only one small hitch. Someone didn’t want it to make the papers and attempted to kill her to silence her words. There was only one thing she could do, only one place she could run, and Haven didn’t think that she would be welcome. Niall Owens asked her to marry him while he was in the navy, and she said no. Now he was one of the best rock climbers in the country and worked for the Rescue Service in Yellowstone Park. Haven knew that even if he didn’t like her, he would protect her. She didn’t expect to have all of those old feelings resurface. Haven found out she still loved Niall and his fierce passion. But this time he might be the one to send her away.
The first time in five years since he saw Haven, and she was hurt off the side of a cliff. Then she was asking for his help. The love that he buried for her punched him like a fist to the gut but he tried to rein it in while he tried to keep her alive. It didn’t mean that the kiss they shared didn’t burn through him like a wildfire in the park he knew like the back of his hand. Niall wasn’t willing to put his heart back in her hands, since she crushed it the first time. Instead he would help Haven and then send her away. But as time passed, it seemed that was easier said than done.
Dahlia Rose
Dahlia Rose is the best-selling author of contemporary, military and paranormal romance with a hint of Caribbean spice. She was born and raised on a Caribbean island and now currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her five kids, who she affectionately nicknamed “The Children of the Corn,” and her biggest supporter and longtime love. She has a love of erotica, dark fantasy, sci-fi, and the things that go bump in the night. With over six dozen books published Dahlia has become a reader favorite. Not only because of her writing but her vivacious attitude in talking to her fans online and at various events. Books and writing are her biggest passions, and she hopes to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of her books. http://hearttoheartwithdahliarose.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/author.dahliarose www.twitter.com/dahliarose1029
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Take me Higher - Dahlia Rose
Table of Contents
Take me Higher
Take Me Higher
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
About the Author
Take Me Higher
Copyright © July 2012, Dahlia Rose
Cover art designed by Mina Carter © July 2012
ISBN 978-1-937394-56-1
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Chapter One
When she was eight years old, Haven recalled lying in the playhouse her father built in the tree out back and pretending she was a reporter. She wanted to be Lois Lane from the Daily Planet and solve all the big mysteries before she wrote that award-winning exclusive. More often than not, when her friends came over, they would be hunting her neighborhood for the best stories. Mrs. Miller’s dog had puppies or Dr. Brennan’s house was vandalized by the teenage kids down the block. She would write up her stories and present them to her bemused parents each night. Her paper was called The Haven News. Then her father died and her mother remarried. The Haven News became something she kept her secrets inside. There were no more fun exclusives about the neighbors. Instead, it held only fear and a burden that only she bore. When her mother passed, it became worse. Her news was horror ever present in every day of her life. Until she got away, until she was free, but in that time, she never lost her will to dream.
From there it was the high-school paper and then off to college on a scholarship for journalism and she was living her dream. Instead of manual typewriters and the fast-paced click of the keys, there were the beeps and sounds of laptops. Type setting was not set by hand anymore, everything was computerized, but Haven wouldn’t change a thing. She ran her hand lovingly over the antique typewriter that sat on her desk. A gift from her parents when she got her first award for a story she wrote in school. It went national, even being picked up by all major newspapers and news networks.
That was before it all went bad and for a few years, her life became one of misery. It was the only thing she took from that house when she left. It reminded her of times past when her childhood was a happy one. Haven loved her job and wouldn’t change it for the world. There were mistakes, thing she should’ve done differently. But Haven didn’t dwell in the past. She was one of the top reporters for the Salt Lake City Tribune. She headed and ran the online newspaper she’d convinced the owners to implement. They had over two million users and advertising space was bought up through the rest of year. Everything was gravy in her world, all except in one place, her heart ached at night. She longed to be held, to feel the warmth of the man she loved next to her. It wouldn’t happen. She’d burned that bridge five years ago. Niall. The name was like a lance though her system.
She’d stayed at the office late before heading out to a confidential informant who’d given her a lead on the story she knew would put her in the Pulitzer limelight. It was so hush-hush she hadn’t even mentioned it to her editor-in-chief. Only a hint that had him drooling, the most important thing that she would help three girls who now lived with the fear that she’d dealt with at a child. She wanted documentation and proof before she wrote the story that would take worldwide headlines when it broke.
It had been raining all day. The night was cool and damp as she stepped outside. Apprehension ate at her, but Haven pushed it aside. You’re a reporter, suck it up. The job was dangerous at points, but this was worth it. Besides, she had her TASER and pepper spray in her purse. Plus, she took regular self-defense classes. If anything happened, she would take care of it. The meeting place was a park bench across from City Hall. Haven pulled up and parked. It wasn’t New York City, but there was enough lighting to see that her informant sat waiting for her. He looked around nervously and so did she. They would be able to see if they were being approached from any direction.
She moved quickly toward the man on the bench. Haven pulled her coat around her tighter. She wanted this over as soon as possible. Her apartment and the warmth of her bed called to her. It was summer in Utah and the air was chilly. A cup of hot chocolate would be good, two large marshmallows, she thought with a smile.
Hey Ralphie, whatcha got for me?
Haven asked as she sat down.
Ralphie was rail thin and graying on the sides of his head. He was a two-bit lawyer who’d stumbled onto something big. His eyes were wild in his gaunt face and he licked his lips nervously. He looked paler than usual and was even more apprehensive on the phone. Haven’s instinct began to tingle with warning. Something was definitely up.
She put her hand on his and it shook. Hey, what’s wrong?
Listen, kid, you gotta promise to help me get out. When this thing blows, I need to be far away from Salt Lake,
Ralphie said. I need money, kid, enough for a new start.
Haven began to tally what she had in her account and winced. There goes my new bed. But this story should bring in the bacon big time. A new bed could wait. Okay, I think I can swing two grand.
No more?
Ralphie asked.
"Listen, Ralphie, a reporter is as good as their next big story and I get paid a salary like anyone else no matter what I do for the Tribune, Haven explained.
When I get this story off the ground, you can call me and I’ll wire you some more, I swear."
He nodded. Okay, I know you’re square, kid, that’s why I came to you. When can you get me the money?
Meet me here tomorrow at ten in the morning. I’ll go to the bank first thing and swing by here before work,
Haven said. I promise, now what do you have for me?
He pulled a large manila envelope from behind his back and handed it to her. It’s all in there. Don’t open it now, read it when you get home. All the documentation you need, all authenticated. When you open this, you’ll be in danger until this story comes to light. Hell, probably even after so take care...
That was the last word he ever spoke. Haven jerked in surprise and watched a small, neat hole appear in the middle of his head before is eyes rolled back until she saw the whites. His body slumped and she scrambled away, hearing the sound of bullets hitting the grass right behind her feet. Oh shit, oh shit. Her mind raced as she ran to her car. She got behind the wheel and got the key into the car with shaking fingers as quickly as she could. When she pulled away with the tires squealing, a car swerved out behind her. The headlights were in the rearview mirror, and she could hear the assailants gun the engine. The car jerked as they rammed the back of her vehicle, and she gave a small scream. The streets were deserted, and she pressed her foot down on the gas and gave the car a quick turn down a side street. Her pursuers followed and her mind raced to figure out where she should go and how to get rid of them. There was one thing for certain. She’d seen Ralphie die. If they caught her, they wouldn’t just take the envelope. They would kill her too.
Find a police station,
Haven said to herself, and mapped where the closest would be in her head. Those fuckers won’t follow you there.
Another quick turn. This time, she took out a garbage can with her car and hauled ass down the street. When she saw the light of the Salt Lake police department ahead, she smiled in relief when the car broke off and turned down a different street. She parked close to the front door and leaned her head against the steering wheel, breathing so hard it was loud inside the silent car. What did Ralphie give her that could make