Chasing Secrets
UNLAWFULLY WEDDED?Clayton Landry would do whatever it took to prove his innocence–and Victoria DeSimone was the key to clearing his name. Her testimony had sent him to jail for a crime he didn't commit and he could never forget what she had cost him. Clayton had escaped to find justice…but his salvation meant marrying a woman he couldn't trust.Newly wedded to an escaped con and on the run from the law, Victoria didn't think things could get much worse–but she was wrong. When their quest to clear Clayton's name turned deadly, their need to believe in each other was suddenly a matter of life or death.
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âI never promised I could offer you happily ever after.â
Knowing that and hearing it were different animals. It felt as if someone were tearing her heart into pieces, bit by agonizing bit.
âI never expected you to,â Tory acknowledged. While she appreciated Claytonâs directness, she wasnât in any huge hurry to hear him share any more of it. âWhile I genuinely care about helping you clear your name and, by association, mine, Iâd be the first one to stand up and shout that there is no future in this. That being the case, there also wonât be any more sex in this.â
âFine by me,â he returned easily.
Too easily. But this wasnât the time or place to contemplate the utter foolishness of allowing herself to fall in love with an escaped convict who just happened to be her husband.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
This month youâll want to have all six of our books to keep you company as you brave those April showers!
Debra Webb kicks off THE ENFORCERS, her exciting new trilogy, with John Doe on Her Doorstep. And for all of you who have been waiting with bated breath for the newest installment in Kelsey Robertsâs THE LANDRY BROTHERS series, we have Chasing Secrets.
Rebecca York, Ann Voss Peterson and Patricia Rosemoor join together in Desert Sons. You wonât want to miss this unique three-in-one collection!
Two of your favorite promotions are back. You wonât be able to resist Leona Karrâs ECLIPSE title, Shadows on the Lake. And youâll be on the edge of your seat while reading Jean Barrettâs Paternity Unknown, the latest installment in TOP SECRET BABIES.
Meet another of THE PRECINCTâs rugged lawmen in Julie Millerâs Police Business.
Every month you can depend on Harlequin Intrigue to deliver an array of thrilling romantic suspense and mystery. Be sure you read each one!
Sincerely,
Denise OâSullivan
Senior Editor Harlequin Intrigue
For Cherry Adair:
Thanks for sharing your incredible time and talent. You are a great writer but an even more amazing friend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelsey Roberts has penned more than twenty novels; won numerous awards and nominations; and landed on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the Ingrams Top 50 List. She has been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post, and makes frequent appearances on both radio and television. She is considered an expert in why women read and write crime fiction, as well as an excellent authority on plotting and structuring the novel.
She resides in south Florida with her family.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Clayton LandryâConvicted of a crime he didnât commit, Clayton finally has a chance to clear his name. But in order to do so, he needs to kidnap the woman who sent him to prison.
Victoria DeSimoneâHer testimony helped put Clayton behind bars, but Victoria knows her former boss is innocent. Sheâll do anything to help set him freeâ¦even become his wife.
Pam LandryâThe murder of Claytonâs ex-wife leads to a trail of liesâ¦and Pamâs surprise double life.
Michael GreerâHis claim that Clayton had to know something about Pamâs hidden fortune sends Clayton and Victoria on a mission to uncover some long-buried secrets.
Seth LandryâAs sheriff, Seth had a duty to bring Clayton to justice. But as a brother, he would do anything to see the Landry name cleared.
Chandler LandryâThe local news anchor had to report on Claytonâs jail break, but that didnât mean he couldnât do some work behind the scenes.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Thunder crashed outside. Inside, the framed photograph of her parents rattled against the mahogany nightstand. A bolt of lightning crackled. The shadows in her bedroom were momentarily dispelled in a flash of bright white.
Victoria DeSimone grumbled and yanked the extra pillow over her face in an attempt to soften the harsh sounds of the storm raging well into its second hour.
The violent weather wasnât all that uncommon for Montana in September. A war was being waged in the black skies above the mountains in the distance. Air, heated that afternoon by an unusually warm sun, was pitted against cooler air rolling down from the north. The battle had produced one of those freakish momentsâthunder snow. More accurately, thunder slush. Huge drops of rain pelted against the window and then clanged against the downspout. Intermingled with the rain came periods of heavy, wet snowflakes. She reminded herself that large flakes were good. They meant the snow wouldnât amount to much, if anything.
And that was good. Especially for a nonnative. She kicked at the quilt bunched around her legs. She hated thunder snow. She hated rain. Most of all she hated Montana.
Seven years ago it had seemed like a great idea. Move out into the shadow of the Rockies. Do something dramatic. Commune with nature. Experience the freedom of the great outdoors. She didnât recall reading anything about thunder snow. Or the reality that the fresh, crisp air was freezing.
