Marital Privilege

Marital Privilege
Ann Voss Peterson

SHE'D WED A STRANGER…"My name isn't Alec Martin," he'd said. Laura thought she'd married a salesman and that their unborn baby would have the idyllic childhood she'd never had. But suddenly her ordinary husband knew how to do extraordinary things, like fire guns and hot-wire cars. And thanks to a witness, the mob had been brought to their doorstep with every intention of bringing Laura's "husband," Nikolai Stanislov, and his future offspring, back into the family fold.Now Laura's only option was to go on the run with a man she barely knew. A man who was proving, time and again, that he wouldn't go down without a fight. Or let her go without one.She'd never loved him more.Or trusted him less.

“Did you ever consider giving me a choice?”

“We chose each other, Laura. Our feelings for each other had nothing to do with my background. That hasn’t changed.”

“Everything’s changed.”

“Because my past is different than you thought?”

“Because my future is different. Our son’s future is different.”

This morning, when she’d awakened, her life had been everything she’d ever wanted. She had a thriving business. She thought she was married to the man of her dreams. And she had a perfect little son on the way.

And now her marriage—everything she knew—was gone.

Marital Privilege

Ann Voss Peterson

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

Special thanks to Lynda Sandoval, Linda Style,

Susan Vaughan and Virginia Kelly for their help

filling the gaps in my limited knowledge.

To my critique partners Carol Voss and Judith Lyons.

And to my family for doing without wife and mother

while I battled the Russian mob.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ever since she was a little girl making her own books out of construction paper, Ann Voss Peterson wanted to write. So when it came time to choose a major at the University of Wisconsin, creative writing was her only choice. Of course, writing wasn’t a practical choice—one needs to earn a living. So Ann found jobs ranging from proofreading legal transcripts, to working with quarter horses, to washing windows. But no matter how she earned her paycheck, she continued to write the type of stories that captured her heart and imagination—romantic suspense. Ann lives near Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband, her two young sons, her Border collie and her quarter horse mare. Ann loves to hear from readers. E-mail her at ann@annvosspeterson.com or visit her Web site at annvosspeterson.com.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Alec Martin—Born Nikolai Stanislov, Alec has tried to build a new life since entering the Witness Security Program. But when the man he sent to prison—his own father—is paroled, he has to run to save his life—and that of his wife and unborn son.

Laura Martin—She thought she was married to the man of her dreams, a safe caring man, only to find out he’s the son of a mobster. But before she can figure out if she still has a marriage, she has to run for her life.

Ivan Stanislov—The powerful head of a faction of the Russian Mafiya, Ivan wants revenge almost as much as he wants his unborn grandson.

Wayne Bigelow—The reporter says he wants to help Alec. Can he be trusted?

Tony Griggs—When the U.S. Marshal died, he gave away Alec’s new identity. Now his murder might bring Ivan Stanislov down.

Detective Mylinski—Is the seemingly honest cop beyond suspicion?

Special Agent Callahan—He needs Alec’s help to bring down Ivan Stanislov, but will he be able to honor his promise to keep Alec safe?

Sergei Kamarov—The murderous brute wants revenge and to regain his place in the warm spot.

Pavel Tverdovsky—The young thug is the future of the Russian mob.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen