HIS ONLY JOB WAS TO PROTECT HERâNOT GET HER INTO BED
When his coinvestigator was attacked just moments after Detective Nick Fensom left the scene, he swore heâd never let her get hurt again. Thanks to their tense relationship, criminologist Annie Hermann wasnât happy to have Nick as her newly appointed protector. And although Nick couldnât blame her, being together 24/7 caused him to see Annie in a whole new light. Before long, he couldnât stop picturing the beautiful brunette wrapped up in his armsâand in his sheets. But allowing unfamiliar feelings to get in the way of the job was completely unprofessionalâ¦especially once Annie discovered the evidence that could cost her her life.
âTwelve hours ago, a man nearly killed you. He knows where you live. Are you going to trust that he has no reason to come back to finish what he started?â
âIf you stay here, we canât⦠You have to promiseââ
âYouâll know when I make a promise to you, Annie.â
Before she could guess his intent, his hand snaked out to cup the back of her neck. He stroked his thumb against the thumping beat of her pulse.
âI am keeping you safe whether you like it or not. Youâre right. We are on this task force job togetherâso you do your brainy thing and Iâll do what I do so that you can get us whatever clues you can. Iâm tired of this Rose Red bastard and his sick fan club having the upper hand on us. You will not be hurt again. Not while thereâs breath in my body. Understood?â
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller attributes her passion for writing romance to all those books she read growing up. When shyness and asthma kept her from becoming the action-adventure heroine she longed to be, Julie created stories in her head to keep herself entertained. Encouragement from her family to write down the feelings and ideas she couldnât express became a love for the written word. She gets continued support from her fellow members of the Prairieland Romance Writers, where this teacher serves as the resident âgrammar goddess.â Inspired by the likes of Agatha Christie and Encyclopedia Brown, Julie believes the only thing better than a good mystery is a good romance.
Born and raised in Missouri, this award-winning author now lives in Nebraska with her husband, son and an assortment of spoiled pets. To contact Julie or to learn more about her books, write to P.O. Box 5162, Grand Island, NE 68802-5162 or check out her website and monthly newsletter at www.juliemiller.org.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Nick FensomâA KCPD detective with a protective streak that fills every inch of his broad shoulders. Heâs as baffled by the eccentricities of the brainy Annie Hermann as he is by his attraction to her soulful eyes and curly hair. But whatâs a man to do when a killer targets the woman he has to work with? He becomes her round-the-clock protectorâwhether she likes it or not.
Annie HermannâThe quirky criminologist understands science and lab samples better than she understands most people, and has grown used to a lonely existence. When sheâs attacked while processing the Rose Red Rapistâs latest crime scene, itâs Nick Fensom who charges to her rescue. But with the two of them sharing a history of getting along like oil and water, can she trust her lifeâor her heartâto Nick?
Roy CarvelloâAnnieâs neighbor takes his job very seriously.
George MadiganâNickâs uncle is the deputy commissioner of KCPD.
Nell FensomâNickâs youngest sister.
Jordan GarzaâNellâs bad-news boyfriend.
Adam MatuszakâAnnieâs ex-fiancé didnât think sheâd fit in with the life he wanted.
Gobel and RamirezâWhat happened to the two cops on duty that night?
Raj KapoorâA fellow criminologist from the crime lab.
The Rose Red RapistâHis attacks on the women of Kansas City are growing more frequentâand more violent.
The CleanerâThe Rose Red Rapistâs accomplice. Psycho fan? Or key to breaking the task forceâs investigation wide-open?
With thanks to my editor, Allison Lyons.
Some books are harder to write than others. Your patience, insight and support make a difference. And the Italian food was yummy!
Prologue
The screech of brakes clawing at the frosty pavement set the driverâs teeth on edge as the van up ahead careened around the corner and jerked to a stop near the alleyway by the Fairy Tale Bridal Shop. âOf all the stupid...â
Rolling to a quieter, gentler stop half a block away, the curious driver following the van turned off the headlights and shifted the car into Park. Hugging long arms around the steering wheel, the driver leaned forward to watch the vanâs door open and see the reckless daredevil climb out. Ethereal snowflakes drifted from the low-hanging sky, turning the illumination from the streetlamps translucent, and making it difficult to pinpoint an exact height for the man, or even determine the color of clothing he wore beyond something dark. But one could make out broad shoulders as he hunched them against the wintry air and looked up and down the street.