Extreme Measures

Extreme Measures
Brenda Harlen

Colin McIver is back in town, and the only person who isn't thrilled by the return of the hometown hero is his ex-wife, Nikki Gordon. She just wants to know when he's leaving. Because Colin always leaves. And this time, she hopes he'll be gone before he can discover the secret she's kept hidden for five long years…their daughter, Carly!A murderous stalker is after Colin, who is seeking only solitude and anonymity. Learning about his little girl only makes him more determined to stay and win Nikki's trust again. But when danger strikes too close to home, Colin has to risk everything he holds dear to protect his family. Will his attempt cost him the woman and child he loves–forever?

“How long do you figure it will be before we end up in bed together again?”

The sheer arrogance of Colin’s question should have annoyed her, but his words—and the images they evoked—sent a quick thrill through her. But she couldn’t let him kiss her again, because if he did, she knew she’d be lost.

“You…uh…really need to go,” she said, just a little breathlessly.

Then his lips were on hers and all thoughts of further protest evaporated.

This was crazy. It was wrong. He wouldn’t stay in town for the long term. He never did. Maybe he’d come back occasionally now that he knew about Carly, but she couldn’t hope for any more than that. He’d already broken her heart once before. She could not—would not—give him that power over her again.

Dear Reader,

As always, Silhouette Intimate Moments is coming your way with six fabulously exciting romances this month, starting with bestselling Merline Lovelace, who always has The Right Stuff. This month she concludes her latest miniseries, TO PROTECT AND DEFEND, and you’ll definitely want to be there for what promises to be a slam-bang finale.

Next, pay another visit to HEARTBREAK CANYON, where award winner Marilyn Pappano knows One True Thing: that the love between Cassidy McRae and Jace Barnett is meant to be, despite the lies she’s forced to tell. Lyn Stone begins a wonderful new miniseries with Down to the Wire. Follow DEA agent Joe Corda to South America, where he falls in love—and so will you, with all the SPECIAL OPS. Brenda Harlen proves that sometimes Extreme Measures are the only way to convince your once-and-only love—and the child you never knew!—that this time you’re home to stay. When Darkness Calls, Caridad Piñeiro’s hero comes out to…slay? Not exactly, but he is a vampire, and just the kind of bad boy to win the heart of an FBI agent with a taste for danger. Finally, let new author Diana Duncan introduce you to a Bulletproof Bride, who quickly comes to realize that her kidnapper is not what he seems—and is a far better match than the fiancé she was just about to marry.

Enjoy them all—and come back next month for more of the best and most exciting romance reading around, right here in Silhouette Intimate Moments.

Yours,

Leslie J. Wainger

Executive Editor

Extreme Measures

Brenda Harlen

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

BRENDA HARLEN

grew up in a small town surrounded by books and imaginary friends. Although she always dreamed of being a writer, she chose to follow a more traditional career path first. After two years of practicing as an attorney (including an appearance in front of the Supreme Court of Canada), she gave up her “real” job to be a mom and try her hand at writing books. Three years, five manuscripts and another baby later, she sold her first book—an RWA Golden Heart Winner—to Silhouette.

Brenda lives in southern Ontario with her real-life husband/hero, two heroes-in-training and two neurotic dogs. She is still surrounded by books (“too many books,” according to her children) and imaginary friends, but she also enjoys communicating with “real” people. Readers can contact Brenda by e-mail at brendaharlen@yahoo.com or by snail mail c/o Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

For Angela Muirhead (aka “Joanie”) Because our friendship started a long time ago at a hockey game.

And with thanks to:

My brother, Jim, for stories and insights from the dressing room.

My husband, Neill, for research on explosives…and other things.

And Leslie Wainger and Susan Litman, for giving this story a chance, and helping to make it better.

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 1

Colin McIver was back and Nikki Gordon was probably the only person in all of Fairweather, Pennsylvania, who wasn’t thrilled about the return of the hometown hero. Of course, no one else had the questionable privilege of being his ex-wife.

Why was he back?

She crossed the parking lot of the sports’ injuries clinic, scanning the article in the local newspaper she’d swiped from the staff room.

Why now?

“Hello, Nicole.”