Overwhelming Force
He lost her once. He won't lose her again.Despite an illustrious career as a top hostage negotiator, Joe Matarazzo is haunted by the past. It was a year ago that three innocent lives were lost under his watch. But Joe isn't the only one who remembers that day. When Joe's exes begin to fall victim to a violent stalker, Joe seeks the help of Laura Birchwood--a lawyer and the woman he once loved. Despite old wounds, Laura agrees to help Joe find out who's framing him. And while they expect to be met with danger, they're unprepared for passion that still burns strong. And their determination to give what was between them a second chance.
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He lost her once. He wonât lose her again.
Despite an illustrious career as a top hostage negotiator, Joe Matarazzo is haunted by the past. It was a year ago that three innocent lives were lost under his watch. But Joe isnât the only one who remembers that day. When Joeâs exes begin to fall victim to a violent stalker, Joe seeks the help of Laura Birchwoodâa lawyer and the woman he once loved. Despite old wounds, Laura agrees to help Joe find out whoâs framing him. And while they expect to be met with danger, theyâre unprepared for passion that still burns strong, and their determination to give what was between them a second chance.
Omega Sector: Critical Response
Joe pulled her close again and they crossed the street to her house.
She handed him the key to her door. âYou know, I think itâs safer for you if I stay at your house until we find Bailey Heath.â
He slid her jacket off her shoulders and Laura turned to look at him, smiling. âOh, yeah? And is some psychopath stalker the only reason youâre interested in staying here?â
He hung her jacket on the back of the dining room chair and soon his followed suit. He turned his gaze on her. It could be called nothing less than predatory.
Everything inside her heated at the look in his eyes.
âAre you saying you might be interested in something other than me being your bodyguard?â He took a step closer.
âIâm pretty sure thereâs something Iâd like you to do with my body, but guard it isnât what I had in mind.â She gripped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him closer. She took a step back until her spine was fully up against the door.
He was everything she should run from. He was everything she craved.
JANIE CROUCH has loved to read romance her whole life. She 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.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Joe MatarazzoâHostage negotiator for Omega Sectorâs Critical Response Division. Wealthy, charming, dangerous.
Laura BirchwoodâColorado attorney who has a history with Joe Matarazzo. Heâs already destroyed her once. She should stay as far from him as she can.
Derek WatermanâSWAT leader for Omega. Raised on a ranch in Wyoming, and with a past in Special Forces, heâs a warrior at heart. Married to Molly Humphries.
Lillian MuirâSole female member of Omegaâs SWAT team. Helicopter pilot. Sharpshooter.
Steve DrackettâDirector of the Critical Response Division of Omega Sector.
Jon HattonâCrisis-management expert and profiler for Omega. Engaged to Sherry Mitchell.
Sherry MitchellâTalented forensic artist; engaged to Jon Hatton.
Molly Humphries-WatermanâMarried to Derek Waterman. Six monthsâ pregnant. Criminal pathologist and head of the forensic lab at Omega Sector.
Lance ThompsonâDetective for the Colorado Springs Police Department. Knows something isnât right and is determined to get to the bottom of it.
Deacon CrandallâFriend of Joeâs, a man who gets things done. Works inside the law, or sometimes outside if he needs to.
Summer WorrallâLost her husband, Tyler, in a hostage situation a year ago.
Omega Sector: Critical Response teamâMade up of the most elite agents our nation has to offer; providing expertise and support to local law enforcement for crises of all kinds.
To Allison, my editor. You gave me my first shot and Iâll forever be grateful. Here we are, ten books later, and you still havenât gotten a restraining order against me yet. Iâll consider that a win. Thank you for all you do.
Contents
Sheâd watched him for a year.
Sheâd traveled all over the country going wherever he went. Others might call it pathetic, but she didnât think so. Besides, what else did she have to do since heâd taken everything from her?
Joe Matarazzo had cost her the man sheâd loved. Losing everything after thatâher job, her friends, her homeâhad been his fault, too. Joe Matarazzo had cost her the future.
So now she journeyed around and watched him. Or when she couldnât travel she scoured the internet for information about him.
Whenever she heard his name on a police scanner she prepared to rush to the scene. She had no doubt he would save the day once again.
Why couldnât he have saved the day when it had mattered the most?
