A NAVAJO UNDERCOVER AGENT COMES TO THE RESCUE OF AN INNOCENT VICTIM IN ANOTHER COPPER CANYON MYSTERY BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AIMÃE THURLO.
Erin Barrett was the sole survivor of an armed assault on her company. Her saving grace? Undercover agent Kyle Goodluck, whoâd grown from troubled youth to total warrior. Though he agreed to protect Erin, he still had unanswered questions. Starting with how much she could be trusted. But only Erin knew what these terrorists wantedâand were willing to kill for. Kyle just had to gauge how forthcoming she was going to be about it. Standing their ground as New Mexico heated up with cross fire, Kyle wouldnât settle for anything less than absolute victory. And with Erin as his spirit guide, he wouldnât have to settle for anything anymoreâ¦.
âFrom this point on, expect the unexpected. Thatâs how youâll stay alive.â
His bluntness made a chill run up her spine.
Agent Goodluck stood straight, shoulders thrown backâa warriorâs stance. The black leather jacket enhanced his powerful build. Everything about him spoke of unwavering self-assurance.
The full impact of what had happened slammed into her again. Men sheâd never seen before had tried to kill her. One of the gunmen had actually died less than ten feet from her. What was worse, she might still be a target.
Tremors ripped through her and she folded her arms around her middle, as if trying to hug herself.
A heartbeat later, Kyle threw his black leather jacket over her shoulders.
âNo, Iâm okay,â she managed.
âYouâre holding it together, but thatâs not the same as okay,â he said, his voice gentle.
Maybe not, but she couldnât show him how badly she wanted him to wrap his powerful arms around her and never let go.
AIMÃE THURLO is an internationally known bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense novels. Sheâs the winner of a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews, a New Mexico Book Award in contemporary fiction and a Willa Cather Award in the same category.
Aimée was born in Havana, Cuba, and lives with her husband of forty-three years in Corrales, New Mexico, in a rural neighborhood filled with horses, alpacas, camels and other assorted livestock. Her husband, David, was raised on the Navajo Indian Nation. His background and cultural knowledge inspire many of her stories.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Kyle GoodluckâHis last assignment for NCIS ended in tragedy. Now he was at home, working undercover, on the trail of terrorists. His chief suspect was dead, and the only witness, Erin Barrett, was under his protection. Erin was temptation itself, dangerous to be aroundâno matter where her loyalties lay.
Erin BarrettâHer boss, Hank Leland, was killed right before her eyes, but sheâd been rescued just in time by the rugged Navajo man who insisted he was with the IRS. All she wanted in life was to raise enough money to buy her own farm. Now her life was a nightmare, and her only hope rested with a man she couldnât trust. Kyle was destined to break her heart...if they lived long enough.
Preston BowmanâHe was a Hartley detective, and Kyle was his foster brother. Together they had to learn why Hank Leland had been killed, and what his connection was to a terrorist cell planning an imminent attack. Who were Hankâs contacts, and why were they so interested in Erin Barrett?
Bruce LelandâEven Hank, his brother, couldnât trust him, and after Hank was killed, Bruce was caught breaking into his home. Bruce was clearly a man with a gambling addiction, but was he also a traitor?
Frieda MartinezâHankâs flashy girlfriend easily attracted men, first Bruce, then his brother. Yet the moment he was killed she dropped out of sight. Now the search was on for the woman who held the key to murder...and maybe more.
Ed HuffâHe was the bartender at the Quarter Horse Bar where Frieda worked as a waitress. He knew she was trouble from the start. The woman had secrets, but Ed knew how to use those to his own advantage. Just how far he could push her was anyoneâs guess.
Joe PachecoâJoe was a retired police officer well known in the community. Now he worked for Secure Construction, Hankâs company. When Hank was killed, Joe became a target. He needed help, but Joe didnât trust the Feds, NCIS included.
Ron MoraâThe paralegal worked for Moe Jenner, Hankâs attorney. When the well-known lawyer disappeared, Ron refused to help them find his boss. Either Ron was covering for Jenner, or something illegal was going on.
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With that in mind, this book is dedicated to DZ, Sheila and Duffy.