Mission Undercover

COVERT ASSIGNMENT

When Blake Michaels’s cover as a local cop is blown and a corrupt officer attempts to kill him, he’s forced to go on the run. Under his protection is Holly Mathis, also a target for what she may know about her late husband’s investigation into corruption on the police force. Blake can’t complete his assignment without help from the beautiful widow, but getting close to a woman again is out of the question. Trapped inside the town limits by police barricades, Blake won’t surrender the mission until he finds the source of the deadly drug ring that brought him here. But as he circles closer to his target, can he get his man—and save his woman—without sacrificing his own life?

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Blake had parked across from the precinct but he knew they should be running.

“I have to. I can’t be involved in this.” Holly looked at him, her eyes searching his. “What are you going to do?”

“My best to get out of this town alive.”

She nodded, then opened the car door. She had one leg out when he stopped her. “Wait.” He was surprised by the intensity of his feelings for her, and in such a short time.

She looked back at him, but his words caught in his throat. He should say something to help her but every instinct was telling him this wasn’t right. “Please don’t do this,” he said. “You’re making a mistake by going in there.”

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, exiting the car.

He watched her enter the police station, his heart hammering against his chest. Had he rescued her hours ago from a killer only to let her walk into the lion’s den?

Dear Reader,

After I wrote Ranch Refuge, I had many people ask me if Blake would get his own story. I was happy to tell them he would! I loved giving Blake his second chance at love in Mission Undercover. Only, after his fiancée’s bitter betrayal, Blake is struggling to trust anyone, especially himself.

Usually we get into our biggest messes by relying on our own judgment instead of listening for God’s guidance. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” It’s a truth we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

I love hearing from my readers! You can contact me through my website, virginiavaughanonline.com, or through the publisher.

Blessings!

Virginia

VIRGINIA VAUGHAN is a born-and-raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger and love. She soon started writing them herself. You can connect with Virginia through her website, virginiavaughanonline.com, or through the publisher.

Mission Undercover

Virginia Vaughan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The pride of man will be humbled and the loftiness of men will be abased; And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

—Isaiah 2:17

This book is lovingly dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through whom all things are possible. And to the two little boys who have recently changed my life. Raising little ones again was not in my plan, but thankfully God had a different, wonderful path for us all.

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

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Blake Michaels pulled into the parking lot of Northshore Medical Center and cut the engine. He spotted Mason Webber’s police cruiser a few rows away. Mason was sitting behind the wheel. Blake reached for his pistol and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans. He didn’t know what Mason wanted, but he suspected it couldn’t be good.

He and Mason weren’t on the best of terms and his call asking Blake to meet him had been cryptic. Besides, Blake had gotten used to trusting no one. That’s what made this job perfect for him. After his fiancée Miranda had betrayed him, distrust came easily to him. And he had a lot of reasons to distrust the town’s police force, especially Mason Webber.

Blake got out, pulled his shirt over his weapon and then headed for Mason’s cruiser. The sound of jackhammers reached his ears, but he realized it was only construction happening outside the hospital.

He slid into the passenger’s seat of the police car and immediately saw the folder lying on the console between them. A folder with his name written on it.

That could not be good.

Mason noticed him gaze at the folder and his lip quirked as if he found the entire matter amusing. He smacked his hand against the steering wheel. “I learned something about you today, Blakey,” he said, using a nickname Blake absolutely detested. “You’re not who you claim to be.”

He held his breath. Had Mason discovered his real reason for joining the Northshore Police Department? He wanted to keep his voice casual but his mouth was bone-dry with apprehension. He’d known men like Mason during his time as an Army Ranger. Their macho bravado hid insecurities that were highlighted when a gun and bullets was added to the mix.