She had an identity to protect. He had to make sure it wasnât exposed.
Since leaving the CIA under questionable circumstances, Amanda Caldwell has been living a quiet, uneventful life in a sleepy mountain town. But when Rick Cooper, her former partnerâand former loverâmakes an unexpected reappearance, she senses things are about to get a lot more interesting....
Rickâs mission is to protect Amanda and her identity from an assassin whoâs picked up her trail. It isnât long before working together stirs up all the passion and energy theyâd once shared on the job. And in Rickâs bed. Still, thereâs more to Rickâs assignment than he can share with his âpartner.â Revealing the truth wouldnât be smart. But keeping his secret could be deadly.
âMaybe I should check to see if someoneâs outside.â She sat up on her knees, preparing to stand.
âWhere are you going?â He caught her arm, holding her in place. She bit back a soft gasp as his fingers tightened on a sore place on her arm. Had she injured herself during her mad dash through the woods?
His fingers loosened and fell away. âDid I hurt you?â
âNo,â she said, but the burning in her arm hadnât subsided. She lifted her fingers, pressing the sore area. She felt a rip in her jacket and a sticky wetness. âI think I cut myselfââ
She heard a rustling noise, then a snick. Light cut through the gloom, making her squint.
âLet me see.â Rick pointed his flashlight at her arm.
Looking down, she saw a ragged furrow in the arm of her olive-drab jacket, just above the elbow. The edges were singed and damp with drying blood. She knew exactly what it was, even before Rick spoke.
âYouâve been shot.â
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alabama native Paula Graves wrote her first book, a mystery starring herself and her neighborhood friends, at the age of six. A voracious reader, Paula loves books that pair tantalizing mystery with compelling romance. When sheâs not reading or writing, she works as a creative director for a Birmingham advertising agency and spends time with her family and friends. She is a member of Southern Magic Romance Writers, Heart of Dixie Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America.
Paula invites readers to visit her website, www.paulagraves.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Amanda CaldwellâAfter suffering torture at the hands of a brutal injury, the former CIA agent has gone into hiding. But a ruthless foe has found her, and sheâs forced to put her life in the hands of a man she never thought sheâd see again.
Rick CooperâThe former security contractor knew the consequences of falling for a spy, but that hadnât made walking away from her any easier. Now his lover is in danger, and heâs willing to risk his life to save her. But is he willing to risk his heart?
Alexander QuinnâThe CIA master spy was instrumental in tearing Rick and Amanda apart three years ago. Why is he working so hard to bring them back together?
Jesse CooperâRickâs brother owns a security agency and hired his brother after Rickâs former employer, MacLear, collapsed under the weight of an international scandal. But does he have an ulterior motive for helping Rick protect Amanda?
The TigerâThe man who tortured Amanda during her spy days has never been identified, much less captured. Is he behind the attempts on her life?
Security Services Unit (SSU)âMacLear Securityâs secret unit scattered after allegations that the unit acted as a private army for a corrupt State Department official. But are some of the agents still selling their services to the highest bidder?
Damon NorthâAn undercover agent whoâd once infiltrated the SSU, heâs been trying to work his way back into their trust. How far is he willing to goâand who is he willing to riskâto get what he wants?
Maddox HellerâThe wealthy former marine seems to be working his own angle in his attempts to help Amanda. Can she and Rick trust his motives?
For my wonderful editor, Allison.
Thank you for your invaluable input and your belief in me. I hope I live up to it.
Prologue
Gazing across the bleak gray waters of the Tidal Basin at the Jefferson Memorial, Barton Reid tugged the lapels of his coat up to cover his exposed neck. Snow fell in halfhearted showers that mostly melted as they hit the concrete walkway extending along the bank to accommodate the tourists.
Strange to think in a few short weeks, the cherry blossoms would be in bloom. And if he played his cards right, heâd be here to watch them bloom for years to come.
Footsteps thudded toward him, too swift and determined to be a touristâs. He didnât turn right away. He didnât want to look desperate. Play it cool. Stay in control. Thatâs how a kid from the streets of Philly had made it into the highest echelon at the Department of State. It would take those skills, and every favor he could call in, to stay out of prison.