Not on His Watch

Not on His Watch
Cassie Miles

SECRET AGENT IN A STETSONTexas native Quint Crawford was more than just a cowboy with a big ol' black hat and a lazy drawl. He was an undercover agent on loan to the newly formed Chicago Confidential branch. His mission: Pose as an oil tycoon in order to safeguard the ultraprickly PR princess, Natalie Van Buren. His top priority: Not to lose his heart to the sassy city girl.What started as threats had escalated into a kidnapping attempt–and Natalie was scared. But she refused to be smooth-talked into having a bodyguard cramp her style. Little did she know that Quint was assigned her protector. But would she be more shocked by his secret, or that she had done the unthinkable and fallen in love with…a cowboy?

“I suppose this is the part where I fall into your arms, flutter my eyelashes and tell you that you’re my hero.”

Quint grinned. “I wouldn’t mind one bit, Natalie.”

“Don’t hold your breath, cowboy. You lied to me. You’re a bodyguard, aren’t you?”

“Sometimes.”

Quint leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees and rotated his shoulders to relieve the tension in his back. Rescuing Natalie like that had been a crazy stunt, and he was damned lucky that he’d succeeded. If he’d failed, they might both be dead.

He felt Natalie’s hand on his shoulder. “Quint? Are you okay?”

“Fine,” he said.

“You’re shaking.”

From fear, the fear of losing her. He swallowed hard. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

“And you?” she asked. “Are you hurt?”

Looking at Natalie, knowing that she was alive and well, he felt the soul-deep pain beginning to heal. “I’m just fine.”

“Good.” She straightened her shoulders. “Because I’m going to kill you.”

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

We’ve got another month of sinister summer sizzlers lined up for you starting with the one and only Familiar—your favorite crime-solving black cat! Travel with the feisty feline on a magic carpet to the enchanting land of sheiks in Caroline Burnes’s Familiar Mirage, the first part of FEAR FAMILIAR: DESERT MYSTERIES. You can look for the companion book, Familiar Oasis, next month.

Then it’s back to the heart of the U.S.A. for another outstanding CONFIDENTIAL installment. This time, the sexiest undercover operatives around take on Chicago in this bestselling continuity series. Cassie Miles launches the whole shebang with Not on His Watch.

Debra Webb continues her COLBY AGENCY series with one more high-action, heart-pounding romantic suspense story in Physical Evidence. What these Colby agents won’t do to solve a case—they’ll even become prime suspects to take care of business…and fall in love.

Finally, esteemed Harlequin Intrigue author Leona Karr brings you a classic mystery about a woman who washes up on the shore sans memory. Good thing she’s saved by a man determined to find her Lost Identity.

A great lineup to be sure. So make sure you pick up all four titles for the full Harlequin Intrigue reading experience.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Not On His Watch

Cassie Miles

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

To my old friends, critique groups, the guys at Merrick and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

Thank you for your caring support,

for your laughter and your love.

And, as always, to Rick.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cassie Miles was born in Chicago, and now lives in Denver, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with the traffic jams to prove it. She belongs to the film society and enjoys artsy subtitled cinema almost as much as movies in which stuff blows up. Her favorite entertainment is urban, ranging from sports to museum exhibits to coffeehouse espresso. Yet she never loses sight of the Rocky Mountains through the kitchen window.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Quintin Crawford—The long, tall Texan became a Confidential agent to forget his dark personal tragedy. He never expected to find sunshine in Chicago.

Natalie Van Buren—Daughter of the CEO of Quantum Industries, she struggled to earn her vice president title and learned never to settle for second best.

Henry Van Buren—The CEO of Quantum Industries, a megapowerful international oil distributor based in Chicago.

Nicco, alias Nick Beaumont—The mysterious expert in timed explosives. Who was he working for?

Gordon Doeller—The Quantum vice president in charge of marketing had his fingers in too many pies.

Eugene “Hutch” Greely—The leader of the eco-cult Solar Sons held a dangerous grudge against Quantum.

Zahir Haji Haleem—A force to be reckoned with in oil-based Middle Eastern economies. Was he a hero or a snake?

Maria Luisa Moreno and Jerome Harris—Loyal Quantum employees. Or were they?

Vincent Romeo, Whitney MacNair Romeo, Lawson Davies and Andy Dexter—Agents with the newly formed Chicago Confidential.

Daniel Austin—Founder of Montana Confidential and close friend to Quintin Crawford.

Javid Haji Haleem—A Middle Eastern ruler and twin to Zahir. He came to Chicago to aid the Confidential investigation.

Kathy Renk—The receptionist in the Confidential offices.

The Confidential Agent’s Pledge

I hereby swear to uphold the law

to the best of my ability; to maintain the

level of integrity of this agency by my