Desert Secrets

DEADLY PURSUIT

When aid worker Lexi Shannon is abducted at gunpoint in Mali, she quickly learns her kidnappers are really after her brother—and the money he’s stolen. Landing at the secluded desert compound, ex-military pilot Colton Landry has a clear mission: rescue his brother-in-law, who’s being held for ransom. But after discovering the kidnappers also have Lexi, there’s no way he’s leaving her behind. Their daring escape soon turns into a deadly chase when their plane is shot down, stranding them in the desert. Making a desperate run for the Moroccan border, Lexi and Colton must trust each other and rely on their strength and ingenuity to survive. But it may not be enough to outrun and outsmart their relentless pursuers...

“Lexi...we need to go. Quickly.”

“I don’t understand.” She didn’t want to go anywhere. Not when she finally felt safe.

“The men who were looking for us have just arrived.”

Lexi’s heart pounded inside her chest. The men who’d grabbed her were here? A wave of panic streaked through her.

“We’ll be okay, but I need you to come with me now.”

Issa was waiting for them. “We must hurry,” he said, making his way in front of them.

Lexi glanced back as Colton grasped her hand and led her down a sharply twisted flight of stairs.

Issa pushed open a heavy wooden door that opened up into some sort of garage.

“Here’s the Jeep.”

“So we drive out of here?” Lexi asked.

“It’s our only option.”

The fear was back, spiraling in her gut. She glanced at Colton and caught the same look of worry in his eyes as he reached out and grasped her hand.

“We’re going to get out of this.”

She nodded, but wasn’t convinced anymore that there was a way out.

Dear Reader,

I’ve had people ask me if I’ve experienced some of the things I put my characters through, and thankfully I could always say no. While a lot of people love an adrenaline rush, I don’t, and I certainly have no desire to experience any of the scenarios from my suspense novels. But while I was in the process of finishing this story, three armed men walked into our house, tied up my family and robbed us.

The experience changed how I felt about a lot of things, including writing suspense. Before I could continue, I had to rethink why I write what I write. I was eventually able to move forward and pour my emotions from the attack into this story, which ended up bringing me healing. And I hope that once you’ve read this story, you’ll remember the fact that the God who created the universe wants to be your refuge and fortress—no matter what you are going through.

Be blessed,

Lisa Harris

LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award winner and winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from RT Book Reviews. She and her family are missionaries in southern Africa. When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa, visit her website at lisaharriswrites.com.

Desert Secrets

Lisa Harris

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. I cling to You; Your right hand upholds me.

—Psalms 63:7–8

To those who are seeking.

May you find Him when you seek with all your heart.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Lexi Shannon winced at the sharp sting of her captor’s hand across the side of her face. She blinked back the tears, then reached up to wipe away the metallic taste of blood that had pooled in the corner of her mouth.

“I’m going to ask you one last time,” the man repeated. “Where is your brother?”

She looked up at his weathered face and forced herself to catch his gaze. “I don’t know.”

He stood over her in his khaki fatigues, anger flashing in his eyes at her response. “Then we have a problem, because my boss isn’t going to like your answer. We know he was in Timbuktu with you.”

She pressed her nails into the palms of her hands, determined not to cry. “He was with me, but like I’ve already told you, he left yesterday morning, and I have no idea where he is now.”

He squatted down in front of her, his dark eyes boring through her. “Then tell me again. Everything you know about your brother’s visit.”

Lexi glanced across the makeshift compound where they’d kept her the last few hours. Past the rustic tents made of animal skins toward the endless ripples of the orange Sahara shimmering in the late afternoon sunlight. There was nothing but the sand in every direction and the raging sun above them.

“Five days ago, Trent came to visit me in Timbuktu,” she said, repeating what she’d already told them. “He told me he’d decided he wanted to see some of the world and I was his first stop. He never mentioned you, or your boss, or owing money to anyone. Never mentioned he was in any kind of trouble.”