âIâm not going to have sex with you, Martinez.â
âI didnât ask you to have sex with me,â he said slowly, but the naturally seductive quality of his voice only tempted her all the more, despite his rather flat denial.
The flame that kindled to life in his eyes further belied his words and made her ache in places too long neglected. âYes, you did.â
He moved a step nearer to her. âI didnât ask. I wonât ask.â There was no mistaking the added layer of huskiness in his voice.
âDonât come any closer,â she warned, though her words were meaningless, since she couldnât possibly bring herself to move, much less run away.
âDonât worry, querida, I have no intention of starting anything neither of us wishes to pursue.â
Oh, but she did wish to pursueâthat was the whole problem.
Debra Webb was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, to parents who taught her that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. She began writing at age nine. Eventually she met and married the man of her dreams and tried some other occupations, including selling vacuum cleaners, working in a factory, a day-care center, a hospital and a department store. When her husband joined the military, they moved to Berlin, Germany, and Debra became a secretary in the commanding generalâs office. By 1985 they were back in the States, and finally moved to Tennessee, to a small town where everyone knows everyone else. With the support of her husband and two beautiful daughters, Debra took up writing again, looking to mystery and movies for inspiration. In 1998 her dream of writing for Harlequin came true. You can write to Debra with your comments at P.O. Box 64, Huntland, Tennessee 37345.
Piper RyanâThe hottest news reporter in Atlanta. A terrorist organization wants her dead. The word is that they have special plans for her.
Ric MartinezâThis is his first big Colby Agency assignment. He has to stay focused, but the beautiful and intriguing Piper makes it difficult.
Victoria ColbyâThe head of the Colby Agency.
Lucas CampâThe deputy director of a highly covert government organization. Piper is his one and only niece.
Jack RaineâA trusted confidant to Victoria and Lucas.
Townsend and GreenâFBI agents assigned to Piper Ryanâs security detail.
Dave SullengerâThe news director at WYBN-TV.
KeithâThe news desk assistant at WYBN-TV.
Senator RominskiâThe president has named him head of the United Statesâ new antiterrorist organization. He has plans for Piper, as well.
Jacob WattsâPersonal assistant to the senator. He wants to make a name for himself.
Alex PrestonâOne of the Colby Agencyâs finest.
Life is what we make it, some say. But in my opinion, life is also about who we are and who we meet along the way. I have been extremely fortunate in my journey, and this book is dedicated to someone who has helped to make my dream of writing come true. She has encouraged me to stretch my imagination and to go where I wasnât sure I could. This one is for you, Denise OâSullivan. Thank you so much for your faith and encouragement. You are the very best editor an author could wish for, and a truly wonderful person. It is both my professional and personal privilege to know you.
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
âI hope youâre not leaving out anything relevant, Lucas.â Victoria leveled her gaze on her oldest and dearest friend. That sprinkling of gray at his temples and the sparkle in those devilish gray eyes wreaked havoc with her usual strict control.
Lucasâs smile widened at the implication. âDonât you trust me, Victoria?â He propped his cane against the arm of his chair and tilted his head, emphasizing his question. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
In blatant skepticism, Victoria arched one eyebrow a fraction higher than the other. âI donât trust anyone who has worked for the Company and Special Ops as long as you have.â
âWell,â he offered in that smoky voice that did strange things to her ability to think rationally, âI suppose I canât blame you there. But you know I would never deceive you, Victoria.â
The sound of her name on his lips sent a rush of warmth through her. Yes, she knew he was telling the truth. Lucas would never do anything to hurt her. He had always been there for her, and now she would have one of those rare opportunities to repay him just a little of what she owed.
âAll right, then, I believe I have the perfect man for the job.â Victoria pressed the intercom button. âMildred, please ask Ric Martinez to join this meeting.â
âMartinez?â Lucas frowned. âI donât think I know him.â
âHeâs fairly new,â Victoria agreed. âBut heâs good. And he has the right background for the job.â
âMind if I perform a little screening test of my own?â All signs of amusement had vanished from his expression. âAfter all, this is my one-and-only niece weâre talking about.â