Battle Tested
Someone WAS always watching her… Rosalyn Mellinger never meant to dupe Steve Drackett, she didn’t know he was part of Omega Sector—she fled after their weekend of passion to protect him from her ruthless stalker, The Watcher. But Steve is the only one who can protect her…and their unborn child!
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Someone WAS always watching herâ¦
Everywhere she went, Rosalyn Mellinger had eyes on her. The Watcher followed her everywhere. It seemed hopeless, inescapableâ¦especially when she met Steve Drackett on vacation. Another person to be hurt by her stalker. But Rosalyn didnât know Steve was part of Omega Sectorâthere was literally no one better to protect her, if sheâd just open up to him. He had years of experience, and while the Watcher preyed upon Rosalyn, Steve would beat him at his own game.
But Rosalyn had a secret even Steve couldnât see coming: a baby from their vacation romanceâ¦
Omega Sector: Critical Response
Steve did something he hadnât done in twenty years of law enforcement: lowered his weapon in shock.
âRosalyn?â
She reached up and lowered the hood of her windbreaker as she turned completely around.
It was her. Beautiful black hair, gorgeous blue eyes. Even the splattering of freckles over her nose. Rosalyn was alive.
Which was impossible because heâd just IDâd her dead body a few hours ago. Steve didnât care. By whatever miracle she was hereâand he would get her to explain it all, no doubtâhe would take it.
He holstered his weapon and pulled her into his arms. Then yanked her back immediately, looking closer at the rest of her body.
Rosalyn was here. She was alive.
And unless he was very, very wrong, she was definitely pregnant.
JANIE CROUCH has loved to read romance her whole life. The award-winning author cut her teeth on Mills & Boon Romance novels as a preteen, then moved on to a passion for romantic suspense as an adult. Janie lives with her husband and four children overseas. She enjoys traveling, long-distance running, movie watching, knitting and adventure/ obstacle racing. You can find out more about her at www.janiecrouch.com.
This book is dedicated to my aunt Donna. You are a blessing
to me and so many others. Thank you for all the times you brushed my hair (because goodness knows I didnât do it) and loved me like a second mother. And for teaching me that romance books are the best books.
Contents
Rosalyn Mellinger had reached her breaking point.
She was exhausted, frightened and about to run out of money.
Sitting in a diner in Pensacola, Florida, one sheâd chosen because she could see both the front customer door and the rear employee entrance from her corner booth, she huddled around the third cup of coffee sheâd had with her meager meal, stretching out her stay here as long as possible.
Although sitting with her back to the wall didnât help when she had no idea what the person who stalked her looked like. She tensed every time the tiny bell chimed signaling someone new had come through the door, like it had just now.
The couple in their mid-eighties, entering and shuffling slowly to a table, were definitely not the Watcher.
But she knew he was around. She knew because she would get a note later tonightâor an email or a text or a phone callâthat would say something about her meal here. About what sheâd eaten or the name of her waitress or how sheâd used sweetener in her coffee rather than sugar.
Some sort of frightening detail that let her know the Watcher had been nearby. Just like he had been for the last five months. She scanned faces of other patrons to see who might be studying her but couldnât find anyone who looked like they were paying her any attention.
It always seemed to be that way. But still the Watcher would know details as if he had been sitting here at the booth with Rosalyn. And would mention the details in a message to her, usually a note slid under her door in the middle of the night.
Rosalyn clutched her coffee cup, trying to get her breathing under control.
Or maybe the Watcher wouldnât say anything about the diner at all. Maybe he wouldnât contact her for days. That happened sometimes too. Rosalyn never knew what to expect and it kept her on the precipice of hysteria.
All she knew for certain was the constant acid of fear burning in her gut.
Her waitress, Jessie, who couldnât have been more than eighteen or nineteen years old, wiped the table next to Rosalynâs, then came to stand by her booth. The kid looked decidedly uncomfortable.
âIâm sorry, maâam, but my manager said I would have to ask you to leave if youâre not going to order anything else. The dinner crowd is coming in.â
The burn in Rosalynâs belly grew at the thought of leaving the diner, although she didnât know why. She was no safer from the Watcher in here than she was somewhere else.
