Deadly Charade
Mad, bad, and dangerous to know… District attorney Linda Delaney never imagined she would reunite with her former lover in a courtroom. Tony Cooper has been accused of murdering a notorious drug lord. In order to distance herself, Linda assigns Tony’s case to another. But she can’t escape him ….A threat to Linda and Tony’s life brings them together once more, and their passion resurfaces. Despite his feelings for Linda, Tony can't reveal his true identity as an undercover cop. In order to bring a drug supplier to justice, he must convince Linda that he is a criminal.Will he complete the assignment…or will his mission be jeopardized by new desires and hidden enemies?
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MAD, BAD AND DANGEROUS TO KNOWâ¦
District attorney Linda Delaney never imagined she would reunite with her former lover in a courtroom. Tony Cooper has been accused of murdering a notorious drug lord. In order to distance herself, Linda assigns Tonyâs case to another. But she canât escape himâ¦.
A threat to their lives brings Linda and Tony together once more, and their passion resurfaces. Despite his feelings for Linda, Tony canât reveal his true identity as an undercover cop. In order to bring a drug supplier to justice, he must convince Linda that he is a criminal. Will he complete the assignmentâ¦or will his mission be jeopardized by new desires and hidden enemies?
âBecause I need to hear the truth. The full truth. Please, Tony. If you love me, if I ever meant anything to you, please tell me the truth now.â
Staring into her beautiful green eyes, he felt the moment it happened. He accepted the inevitable. No matter what the street said, no matter what people thought of him, Linda would never believe he had turned so completely dark. Men had threatened her life. A reporter was threatening her career. He couldnât keep her safe if he kept her ignorant.
And whatever he did, he had to keep her safe.
âAre you sure youâre ready for this?â he asked, wrapping a strand of her hair around his finger.
Dear Reader,
Alpha males are some of my favorite heroes because they are strong and sexy, but most of all complex. Theyâre also very good at hiding their emotions and vulnerability, which makes their ultimate surrender to love so satisfying. When I first wrote about Tony Cooper in Dangerous to Her, I viewed him as a flawed man who, while not classically alpha, was strong enough to fight for others. In Deadly Charade, Tony returns to the woman heâs always loved, but he does so in shackles, charged with a violent crime. By words and action, he seems to have truly changed. As Linda discovers, however, Tony is still the same loyal, courageous and loving man heâs always been. I hope you agree that getting him to admit that, to both himself and Linda, makes for lots of sexy fun.
Wishing you much love and happiness always,
Virna DePaul
VIRNA DEPAUL
was an English major in college and, despite a passion for Shakespeare, Broadway musicals and romance novels, somehow ended up with a law degree. For ten years, she was a criminal prosecutor for the state of California. Now sheâs thrilled to be writing stories about complex individuals (fully human or not) who are willing to overcome incredible odds for love. She can be found on Twitter at @virnadepaul or at www.virnadepaul.com.
For Cyndi, Rochelle and Susan for rooming with me and still thinking Iâm fun even when Iâm on deadline!
Acknowledgment
Thank you to Rochelle French, Grace Callaway, Vanessa Kier, Karin Tabke, Joyce Lamb, Cyndi Faria, Susan Hatler, Kristin Miller and Sacramento Sheriffâs Deputy Paul B., for your help with this one.
Contents
Prologue
Linda Delaney woke feeling optimistic about life and love. Even so, the comforting haze of sleep beckoned to her. She pushed it aside, longing for her loverâs embrace. Nothing felt as good as being in his arms.
She shifted, intending to burrow closer to Tony under the warm, protective haven of the sheets, but only coldness greeted her. With it came an immediate sense of panic. Dread.
Her eyes popped open and she sat up, alone in her bed. A quick glance at the clock confirmed it was the middle of the night, not even three oâclock. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, allowing tendrils of the illuminated hallway light to sneak inside, much the same way she imagined Tony had snuck out of bed, cautious not to wake her.
For a moment she closed her eyes and fought it off. The suspicion. The feeling of betrayal. The knowledge of what she had to do. But it was no use.
Tony could be watching television. He could be reading. He could be doing a multitude of things, each of them perfectly respectable and ordinary, but deep down she knew heâd snuck away for a more nefarious purpose. To get in touch with his supplier. To exchange money for the painkillers that would take away the man she loved and replace him with a stranger.
According to Tony, the last time heâd used had been a year before theyâd ever met. Sheâd chosen to believe him, but a small part of her had always suspected he wasnât telling the truth. Or that even if he was, it wouldnât last.
And sheâd been right.
God, she wished he wasnât using again. But she knew better. Sheâd seen the signs of his relapseâhis restlessness, the sleepless nights, his increasing agitationâbut had simply chosen to ignore them. Sheâd prayed she was wrong. That heâd keep his promises to her in a way her father had never been able to.
