One agent is already missing, and now the U.S. governmentâs most confidential secret is in danger of falling into a power-hungry dictatorâs hands.
The top-secret agents of ARIES are the worldâs only hope.
Agent Robert Davidson: Heâs never let anything distract him from a mission, but finding Lily Scottâthe woman he loved and thought he had lostâstill alive has shaken him to the core. He wants the truthâand herâand is determined to have both.
Lily Scott: Sheâd never thought she would see Robert again or feel that familiar surge of desire. But now heâs here, asking questions about her life and her son that she isnât prepared to answer.
Samuel Hatch: Though pleased to be getting closer to finding his missing operative, the astute ARIES director is troubled by the ominous undertakings of the Rebelian government. If only he could reach Morrow and learn the meaning of the doctorâs last messageâ¦
General Bruno DeBruzkya: The power-hungry dictator isnât only interested in possessing rare jewels. He wants Lily Scott and her son in his clutchesâdead or alive.
Dear Reader,
âIn like a lion, out like a lamb.â Thatâs what they say about March, right? Well, there are no meek and mild lambs among this monthâs Intimate Moments heroines, thatâs for sure! In Saving Dr. Ryan, Karen Templeton begins a new miniseries, THE MEN OF MAYES COUNTY, while telling the story of a roadside deliveryâyes, the baby kindâthat leads to an improbable romance. Maddie Kincaid starts out looking like the one who needs saving, but itâs really Dr. Ryan Logan whoâs in need of rescue.
We continue our trio of FAMILY SECRETS prequels with The Phoenix Encounter by Linda Castillo. Follow the secret-agent hero deep under coverâand watch as he rediscovers a love heâd thought was dead. But where do they go from there? Nina Bruhns tells a story of repentance, forgiveness and passion in Sins of the Father, while Eileen Wilks offers up tangled family ties and a seemingly insoluble dilemma in Midnight Choices. For Wendy Rosnauâs heroine, thereâs only One Way Out as she chooses between being her loverâs mistressâor his wife. Finally, Jenna Millsâ heroine becomes The Perfect Target. She meets the seemingly perfect man, then has to decide whether he represents safetyâor danger.
The excitement never flagsâand there will be more next month, too. So donât miss a single Silhouette Intimate Moments title, because this is the line where youâll find the best and most exciting romance reading around.
Enjoy!
Leslie J. Wainger
Executive Senior Editor
This book is dedicated to my husband, Ernest, for his never-ending love and support. To my agent, Jennifer Jacksonâyouâre the best in the business. To my editor, Kim Nadelsonâfor thinking of me and always having the best ideas. To the team of talented editors at Silhouette who worked so tirelessly on this immense projectâyou guys are a true class act. And to my sisters in crimeâCathy, Jenna and Vickieâthanks for always being there.
grew up in a small farming community in western Ohio. She knew from a very early age that she wanted to be a writerâand penned her first novel at the age of thirteen during one of those long Ohio winters. Her dream of becoming a published author came true the day Silhouette called and told her they wanted to buy one of her books.
Romance is at the heart of all her stories. She loves the idea of two fallible people falling in love amid danger and against their better judgmentâor so they think. She enjoys watching them struggle through their problems, realize their weaknesses and strengths along the way and, ultimately, fall head over heels in love.
She is the winner of numerous writing awards, including the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence. In 1999, she was a triple Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist and took first place in the romantic suspense division. In 2001, she was an RWA RITA>® Award finalist with her first Silhouette release, Remember the Night.
Linda spins her tales of love and intrigue from her home in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband and three lovable dogs. Check out her Web site at www.lindacastillo.com. Or you can contact her at P.O. Box 670501, Dallas, Texas 75367-0501.
Prologue
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
Epilogue
Copyright
Luminescent green cruise missiles streamed like bottle rockets across a violent night sky. Dual neon rainbows arced gracefully, their high-pitched whistles piercing the silence like a widowâs keening. The distant explosions made the earth tremble, a frightened giant huddling against the impending pain.
Dr. Robert Davidson marveled at the eerie beauty as he ducked into a narrow alley between two crumbling buildings and took his usual shortcut toward the pub. He knew better than to travel in the open when the soldiers were in town. He might have come here as part of a government team to document humanitarian conditions, but that wouldnât stop some trigger-happy young fool from putting a bullet between his shoulder blades. General Bruno DeBruzkyaâs soldiers were equal opportunity killers.