Special Ops Exclusive

A WANTED MAN MEETS HIS MATCH

In the midst of revolution, about to be trampled by a rioting mob, star journalist Rebecca Parker won’t give up on a story’even when a sexy military man literally sweeps her off her feet to safety. Nick Prescott is a hot number, hot copy and a bad liar. Who is he? Who needs him dead? How is he tied to a sinister government plot? By teaming up with Nick to uncover the truth, the red-haired spitfire puts her own life in danger. Ignoring his warnings to walk away, Rebecca proves she does what she wants…but does she get the love that she needs?

Nick’s lips curved in a faint smile. “This isn’t going to happen, darling.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Meaning?”

“You and me…sleeping together.”

A laugh slipped out of her mouth. Well, this was a first. She found Nick’s lack of interest oddly refreshing.

And total bull.

“Oh, really?” She injected a teasing note into her voice. “So you’re saying that you’re not attracted to me?”

Nick let out a breath. “No, because I’d have to be a monk not to be attracted to you. What I’m saying is that I won’t sleep with you.”

“I see.”

“It’s nothing personal,” he added, looking and sounding awkward. “I can’t focus on anything other than fixing this mess. I’m also not the kind of man who does the casual fling thing, so…”

“I totally get where you’re coming from.” She pursed her lips. “There’s just one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m the kind of woman who wants what she can’t have.”

Dear Reader,

Well, this is it, the third installment of the Hunted miniseries. I’m sad to say goodbye to my sexy Special Ops soldiers, but I am happy to finally bring you Nick’s story!

From his introduction in Soldier Under Siege, Nick captured my heart with his sweet and laid-back personality. But in Special Forces Rendezvous, we caught a glimpse of Nick’s not-so-sweet side as he vowed to bring down the people hunting him.

The more I got to know Nick, the more I realized that this good guy was packing a bit of an edge beneath the surface. Foreign correspondent Rebecca Parker, the heroine of this final book, discovers the same thing. She thinks getting a scoop out of nice-guy Nick will be a piece of cake and that she can have him wrapped around her little finger in no time’but the gorgeous soldier proves to be more stubborn, and far more seductive, than she ever would have dreamed.

I hope you enjoy the conclusion to the Hunted trilogy. And make sure to check out the first two books if you haven’t done so already’Tate and Sebastian’s adventures await you!

Happy reading.

Elle

Special Ops Exclusive

Elle Kennedy

ELLE KENNEDY

A RITA® Award-nominated author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting.

Elle loves to hear from her readers. Visit her website, www.ellekennedy.com, for the latest news or to send her a note.

For Cyndi, Rochelle and Susan for rooming with me and still thinking I’m fun even when I’m on deadline!

Acknowledgment

Thank you to Rochelle French, Grace Callaway, Vanessa Kier, Karin Tabke, Joyce Lamb, Cyndi Faria, Susan Hatler, Kristin Miller and Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy Paul B., for your help with this one.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Mala, Cortega

The crowd was growing disruptive. Angry shouts boomed in the afternoon air as hundreds of protesters raised their fists and chanted their outrage, standing united outside the parliament building. The mob’s hostility was palpable, the first stirrings of violence coming as no surprise to Nick Prescott, who watched the scene without comment.

Standing under the pillared entrance of the coffee shop across the street, he examined the throng of people and swallowed a frustrated groan. Just his luck. After nearly two weeks of coming up empty, he finally got a real lead to investigate, only to find himself in the middle of a protest involving an election that didn’t even concern him.

No way would his informant show up for their meeting today. Salazar was a member of the private guard that protected Cortega’s president and government officials, and judging by the chaos in the streets, the countless news vans and story-hungry journalists, the man probably wouldn’t be able to find time for a clandestine meeting.

Sure enough, Nick’s cell phone buzzed less than ten minutes later, indicating a text message from Salazar.

With a muttered curse, he read the message, then dialed a number. When Captain Robert Tate picked up the phone, Nick got right to the point.

“Salazar bailed, but he said he’ll try to meet with me tomorrow. Let’s hope the protesters realize how futile this cause is and will have dispersed by then.”