Secret Keeper
Although a missing Annie Harlowe and her entire family were at the forefront of a Cooper Security investigation, Wade Cooper never expected to stumble upon the half-conscious beauty in his own backyard. Thankfully, Annie had somehow escaped her captors.Unfortunately, she had no memory of the past three weeks. Before long, the memories slowly began to return–and the threats to her life turned deadlier. And although her well-being was becoming more than just an assignment, Annie's safety remained the battle-scarred marine's top priority. Still, for a man who'd avoided the risks a relationship was bound to bring, could Wade really walk away once this case was closed? And what could his future possibly hold if he did?
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HER MISSING MEMORIES COULD BLOW THEIR CASE WIDE OPEN
Although a missing Annie Harlowe and her entire family were at the forefront of a Cooper Security investigation, Wade Cooper never expected to stumble upon the half-conscious beauty in his own backyard. Thankfully, Annie had somehow escaped her captors. Unfortunately, she had no memory of the past three weeks. Before long, the memories slowly began to returnâand the threats to her life turned deadlier. And although her well-being was becoming more than just an assignment, Annieâs safety remained the battle-scarred marineâs top priority. Still, for a man whoâd avoided the risks a relationship was bound to bring, could Wade really walk away once this case was closed? And what could his future possibly hold if he did?
âWeâre a pair,â she said with a smile. âYouâre all bitter and gimpy, and Iâm muddle-headed and weak as a kitten.â
He laughed aloud, as if surprised by her blunt candor. âBitter and gimpy, huh?â He pushed away from the tree trunk and patted the pistol he had tucked into a waistband holster attached to his jeans. âWell, thatâs where the Glock comes in handy. The great equalizer.â
She eyed the gun, realizing for the first time that sheâd allowed herself to go out in the woods alone with an armed stranger. Just how desperate had she become to find someone to trust?
Even now, with the possibility of treachery placed firmly in her head, she didnât feel afraid of Wade Cooper. Every instinct she had told her he was one of the good guys.
But could she really trust her instincts, with so much of her memory missing?
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
Annie HarloweâThe D.C.-based reporter has no memory of the past three weeks of her life, or what happened to her parents, who had disappeared with her. Now Wade Cooper says she can trust him to keep her safe. But how can she trust anyone?
Wade CooperâA war injury has left the former marine feeling like anything but a hero, but when a kidnapped woman escapes her captors and needs his help just to stay alive, can Wade rediscover his inner warrior?
General Emmett HarloweâThe air force general was one of three generals in charge of a dangerous peacekeeping mission in a war-plagued country in Central Asia. Are the national security secrets he possesses the reason for his recent abduction? Or does it have something to do with a mysterious coded journal?
General Edward RossâThe late army general kept a coded journal during his last few years of service. Now a whole lot of dangerous people want to get their hands on the journal. What secrets does it contain?
Security Services Unit (SSU)âMacLear Securityâs secret unit disbanded when the company fell to scandal. But many of the operatives are still working as mercenaries, with no moral code to guide them besides greed, making them extremely dangerous.
Jesse CooperâWadeâs brother is determined to figure out the secrets in the coded journal, certain the answer could help protect the country against dangerous forces aligned against it. But how far will he go, what will he risk, for the answers?
Evie MarshâThe daughter of U.S. Marine Corps general Baxter Marsh is convinced her father holds a key to the coded journal. But can she convince her stubborn parent to share what he knows with Cooper Security?
For my fellow Intrigue authors,
who are a fine bunch of writers and an endless source of encouragement, experience and support.
Contents
Chapter One
Stars glittered across the vast wasteland spreading in front of her, blurred by the rain pouring down her face and into her eyes.
No, she thought, struggling for lucidity. Not stars. Couldnât be stars. Not on the ground.
Water. Must be water.
Water. Water everywhere....
A large, dark shape loomed ahead, slumbering in the downpour. No lights there, she thought bleakly. Just a hulking black nothing that should have been her salvation.
Marsh. The name came to her fuzzy brain, clawing for a foothold. General Marsh. Get General Marsh. General Marsh can help.
But General Marsh wasnât home.
She stumbled forward, coming to a stop only when she crashed sideways into the rough clapboard siding of the dark, silent house.
