Heroes In Uniform (3 page)

About the Author: Patricia McLinn

SNOWBOUND
by
Karen Fenech,
USA Today Bestselling Author

When her cover is blown in a criminal operation to apprehend a human trafficker, FBI Special Agent Mallory Burke is put in a car destined for a mountain cabin to be tortured and killed. But a snow storm results in an accident that leaves all but Mallory dead and she finds herself in the midst of the raging storm and in the care of Police Captain Gage Broderick. Mallory's relief that Gage is a cop is short lived. He has secrets of his own.

Gage is haunted by an incident in his recent past. The last thing he wants is to become embroiled in Mallory's investigation -- or to feel this powerful attraction to her.

But the lives of twelve women depend on Mallory and Gage working together to stop this man -- the women's lives and now Mallory's life. He knows about her. He knows where she is. And he wants her dead.

About the Author: Karen Fenech

DEATHBLOW
by
Dana Marton,
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

Former small-town football hero turned cop, Joe Kessler never met a linebacker, perp, or a woman he couldn't handle. Then a troubled single mom walks into his life, and the only place this hot jock will ever see 'easy' again is in the dictionary.

About the Author: Dana Marton

HER LAST CHANCE
by
Toni Anderson,
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

Eighteen years ago the Blade Hunter found his first victim on the streets of New York City.

As a child Josephine Maxwell was attacked and left for dead. She learned the hard way that life is a constant struggle for survival. She can’t waste time pining over a man she can’t have. Now the killer has returned, and the only person who can save her is the FBI agent she deceived and betrayed six months ago.

Now he’s back to finish the job.

Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes has made it his life’s work to fight on the side of law and order, even though it cost him the only woman he ever loved. The return of a serial killer gives him the excuse he needs to force his way back into her life. But in order to catch the killer and safeguard Josie's life, he has to break all the rules and risk losing his heart again.

About the Author: Toni Anderson

EVERLASTING
by
Lori Ryan,
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

A perilous homecoming…

It’s been years since Katelyn Bowden last set foot in Evers, Texas. Sent away at age four by her father, the town sheriff, after her mother was murdered, Katelyn thrived under the loving care of her aunt in Austin. Now that Alan Bowden is suffering from dementia and dying, it’s time for his daughter to finally come home. But that means having to face the new sheriff, John Davies, the handsome ex-New York cop whom her father has always loved as a son, a fact that Katelyn has long resented.

When John Davies realizes his mentor’s daughter may be hiding the key to a decades-old mystery, he fears that her repressed memories of her mother’s death could make her the target of a killer who’s still at large. He’s also finding it more and more difficult to resist his powerful attraction to the beautiful, talented artist. Then, as shocking revelations about local murders, past and present, slowly come to light, the threats against Katelyn’s life become all-too real—and only John Davies can protect the lady his heart commands him passionately to love from the peril that surrounds them both.

About the Author: Lori Ryan

BARELY DANGEROUS
by
Nina Bruhns,
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

Lieutenant Blue Wolf Cooper has a bear problem—as in, he suspects the sassy new Forest Service fire spotter he wishes would light his fire is part of a vicious bear poaching ring he is working undercover trying to shut down.

Maggie Johansen has a bare problem—as in, she keeps having dreams that the tall, dark, and sexy sports writer who’s camped nearby boldly climbs up her isolated fire lookout tower, strips her bare, and makes crazy, incredible love to her.

But they both have far bigger problems than their explosive attraction. Coop has no idea his pretty prime suspect is really a federally protected witness...while Maggie is afraid that bad guys far more dangerous than bear poachers have been sent to kill her. Despite their growing love, Coop and Maggie nearly fall prey to doubt and suspicion...until they bare their souls and learn to trust, so they might face the secrets and hidden dangers together, and find a lifetime of happiness.

About the Author: Nina Bruhns

DANGEROUSLY HOT

Dangerously Series — Book One

by Gennita Low

Dangerously Hot
: Chapter One

Outskirts of Tallinn, Estonia

The man was delicious to look at. What Americans would call “hot.” Tall. Dark-haired and rakish-looking with that stubble. And, as always, that heated look in his jewel-green eyes gave her a sudden need for a long cool drink, preferably with vodka.

She was long past the point of wondering why he affected her this way. He just did. At each meeting, she anticipated his gaze, so direct, so damn intimate, and each time, she couldn’t help herself. She winked at him. And then, depending on the situation, they would pick up or exchange items in the middle of the place or one of them would back away, following the unspoken protocol of a first-come-first-serve basis.

It was part of the game. She could play it a bit hotter but knew she couldn’t afford it. It was just too bad they were on opposite sides because she had a feeling it’d be more than a bit hotter.

Scorching, more like.

Her superiors wouldn’t approve any consorting without their say-so. After all, she was their fixer. She couldn’t be seen being friendly with someone who could use it against her.

But damn, he was hot. She waited for him to step back, do his usual two finger salute to acknowledge that she’d arrived first this time, but instead, he started walking slowly toward her.

She frowned. This wasn’t their pattern. Nowadays, their respective agencies had agreed to do things with the least casualties as possible. Yes, some treaties actually included secret clauses like “first-come-first-serve,” “positional operative compromise” and “negotiable exchange.”

So civilized.

She didn’t back away as he approached. Curiosity stopped her. He had a hand in his jacket, probably a weapon. It occurred to her she might be a target but she didn’t think so. If he’d wanted to kill her, he’d have done so already from five meters away. Or any number of times she’d bumped into him the last ten or so months.

They’d never spoken to each other directly. He’d never touched her. Their long looks at each other had been when there were no witnesses.

She watched, unable to move, as his hands came up and cupped her face. Tilted it up. His thumbs rubbed her cheeks. She didn’t do a thing as his head swooped down and his lips caught hers. His tongue swept into her surprised mouth. Tangled. Tasted. Vodka and lime. Five seconds, tops.

He stepped back and gazed down at her, those eyes cool and unreadable. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, a smile of a man who had just discovered a secret.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while now,” he softly said, that husky American Southern twang sending a tingle down her spine.

That voice was distinct, instantly recognized in the European underground. The Cowboy had a reputation of getting things done his way. But she had a reputation too, a lethal one.

She continued watching him as he disappeared into the shadows. Five seconds could get a man killed. Five seconds could change one’s life.

* * *

“So, did you make your move?”

Luke unzipped his leather jacket, shrugged out of it, and hung it on the hook by the entrance. His friend, Konstantin, continued regarding him from the small dining table as he walked to the fridge. Perusing his options, he closed it, and went for hard liquor instead. He went to sit across from his flat mate. He took a swig from the bottle.

Konstantin flapped the newspapers, folding it over, his dark eyes mocking him with a knowing gaze. “Was she that good? Or that bad?”

Ignoring Konstantin was pointless. He’d just continue riding him all night.

“Maybe I didn’t see her,” Luke said.

“And maybe cows don’t fly. You have the lovesick look about you, buddy.”

Luke grinned. Konstantin’s trademark of over-the-top exaggeration was just what he needed to loosen the tension inside him. His frustration must really be showing. Konstantin had that “I got you pegged” look in his eyes. “Pigs. It should be ‘and maybe pigs fly.’ Cows already don’t fly, Kostya.”

“
Whatever
.” Konstantin copied the popular American slang term with bored perfection. He flicked his hand expressively. “You’re changing the subject. You can’t distract me from my quest.”

His flat mate also loved online role-playing games. His current obsession was some medieval quest for magical weapons that pitted worldwide players against each other. Luke had watched him at his gaming sessions now and then, although it was beyond him why anyone, let alone someone who was in their business, would play a multi-level dungeon and dragons game for months on end without getting bored.

When asked, Konstantin had just shrugged and replied that it kept him on his toes, and besides, he met interesting people, from professors of medieval history to young men bored with their current factory jobs. Luke supposed those types were interesting to his friend only because they were ordinary people living safe, ordinary lives. He was so into it, he’d brought his current gaming character, Sir Constantinus, into his real-life dialogue, both amusing and somewhat disconcerting to some.

Luke took another swig and peered over the bottle. “And your quest is?”

“Come on, we all deal with information. Do you know how much I could get for proof that The Cowboy and La Niina are sitting on a branch?”

“In a tree,” Luke corrected and frowned. “I should’ve known you’d try to sell information like that.”

Konstantin snorted. “You don’t care if I do or I don’t. The ladies think The Cowboy is a handsome challenge anyway.”

Luke hadn’t chosen that nickname. They called him that because he was so obviously American, with his South Georgia drawl and his boots. It was a pretty useful one since it didn’t sound particularly threatening and was easily identifiable. It didn’t take too long for many in the underground network to get to know the name and it was the first one on their minds any time they needed something fixed that needed an American handler.

Exactly what he wanted. Information from the fringe. Non-network news.

As for La Niina, the woman given that handle of the cold front, that swept through the oceans, was neither a child or frigid. In fact, she was all woman and smoldering hot.

“You know, your silence is louder than any rock concert.” Konstantin reached for his own drink. He cocked an eyebrow before tipping his head back. “You didn’t get any.”

Luke laughed. He certainly wasn’t going to divulge any more information than necessary. “You have it all figured out, Kostya.”

“She’s La Niina. She may have a positive effect on masculine parts but that icy attitude wilts everything. And,” Konstantin added, “she beat you to the place first. Again. How many times this year already?”

“Not that many.” Six to be exact. Out of the dozen or so times they’d gone after the same thing, they’d somehow arrived at almost the same time. She’d scowled the first couple of occasions when he’d beaten her by those crucial seconds, but the very first time she’d gotten the best of him, he’d been rewarded with a sexy smile and a kiss blown in his direction. It was the first smile he’d ever seen on her lips and it lit up her usually guarded eyes.

No, he was convinced that icy attitude about which everyone was so turned off was fake. He’d seen amusement in her eyes before and she’d given him enough saucy winks, betraying a hidden side of her.

Everything about her intrigued him. He had too much going on to make any move, but she often invaded his thoughts. Too much.

When they’d first met, he’d been amused by the icy wall of disdain the dark beauty had thrown up at him and everyone around. She’d looked as if she had other better things to do with her time than mixing around with a bunch of politicians. He hadn’t blamed her. It was a boring affair, with lots of standing around and hand clapping after long, pompous speeches.

It was only an hour or two later, when they’d “bumped” into each other while crawling in the ventilation system, that he’d realized she wasn’t just arm candy for some wealthy contributor. They’d paused without any startled movements, as if it was quite normal to meet in cramped spaces in between building floors, and she’d cocked her head and studied him for a few seconds before whispering in accented English, “I’m going
that
way.”

She’d pointed to a different direction from his. He’d nodded and replied, “Have fun,” before moving on. Different agendas. He hadn’t thought she would report him.

That was the night he’d asked Konstantin to get him a file on her. Since then, he and the delectable Niina, as everyone called her, had “bumped” into each other in Macedonia, France, Switzerland, even Morocco. It was always interesting how different she looked and acted each time, yet the look she always gave him had the same intriguing amusement. She’d also managed to not have any direct contact with him. Most fixers knew and contacted each other for favors and exchanges of information. From Konstantin’s file, “La Niina” didn’t do that much.