Desperado Lawman

Desperado Lawman
Harper Allen

KIDNAPPED HEARTSTess Smith was bolder than the broncs Virgil Connor tamed as a boy at the Double B Ranch, where he'd been sent for breaking the law one too many times. Heck, the FBI agent still couldn't believe the sassy tabloid reporter had kidnapped him at gunpoint. She claimed she was protecting runaway child witness, Joey Begand, who swore someone in the Bureau wanted him dead. And when two goons posing as agents tried to mow them down, Connor had to admit they might be right. He knew there was only one place where they could buy time so he could sort out this mess–the Double B. But first he had to earn his captor's trust, even if it meant seducing Tess into submission…and losing his desperado heart forever.

“We’re sharing a motel room for the next few hours so—”

Tess paused and glanced at the grim-faced man secured by his own handcuffs. The man was hard angles of bone and solid muscle, but his crystalline-gray eyes were soft—even beautiful.

“Connor.” His interjection was brusque. “Drop the agent part, lady, since the fact that I’m FBI doesn’t seem to mean much to you. And yeah, we’re in a motel room, but not for any of the reasons a man and woman usually come to a place like this.”

She felt faint heat touch her cheeks. Turning her back, she rummaged through her purse. “You sound disappointed, Agent Connor. Although I doubt you have much social life at all. The job’s your life. You probably live in a one-bedroom apartment and you’ve never bothered buying more than a bed and maybe a couch. Did I miss anything?”

“Just that I always carry a spare key for my handcuffs.” Spinning around in shock, she saw crystal-gray eyes looking coldly down on her. “Aside from that, I’d say you were dead on, lady. Seeing as you know me so well, this shouldn’t be a surprise.”

Even as Tess’s lips parted in a gasp, Connor’s mouth came down hard on hers.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

We have a superb lineup of outstanding romantic suspense this month starting with another round of QUANTUM MEN from Amanda Stevens. A Silent Storm is brewing in Texas and it’s about to break….

More great series continue with Harper Allen’s MEN OF THE DOUBLE B RANCH trilogy. A Desperado Lawman has his hands full with a spitfire who is every bit his match. As well, B.J. Daniels adds the second installment to her CASCADES CONCEALED miniseries with Day of Reckoning.

In Secret Witness by Jessica Andersen, a woman finds herself caught between a rock—a killer threatening her child—and a hard place—the detective in charge of the case. What will happen when she has to make the most inconceivable choice any woman can make?

Launching this month is a new promotion we are calling COWBOY COPS. Need I say more? Look for Behind the Shield by veteran Harlequin Intrigue author Sheryl Lynn. And newcomer, Rosemary Heim, contributes to DEAD BOLT with Memory Reload.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Desperado Lawman

Harper Allen

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Harper Allen lives in the country in the middle of a hundred acres of maple trees with her husband, Wayne, six cats, four dogs—and a very nervous cockatiel at the bottom of the food chain. For excitement she and Wayne drive to the nearest village and buy jumbo bags of pet food. She believes in love at first sight because it happened to her.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Tess Smith—On the run with a child witness, reporter Tess can’t allow FBI Agent Virgil Connor to take Joey back into custody—not when someone in the Agency is a traitor. But hijacking Connor at gunpoint wasn’t the plan….

Virgil Connor—Even if Tess Smith is right about Joey, he can’t let them stay on the run forever. But can he protect them from an unknown enemy?

Joey Begand—“I see monsters.” That’s what nine-year-old Joey’s been saying since he witnessed a murder. The only adult who believes him is Tess, but can she keep him safe from a killer?

Del Hawkins—The tough ex-marine runs a boot camp ranch for bad boys—like Connor once was. But his own past holds a dark secret that could put Tess and young Joey in danger.

Paula Geddes—Connor’s partner, she’s already risked her life once to keep witness Joey Begand safe.

John McLeish—Connor wants him for murder. Del remembers him as a hero. Tess wonders if they’re both right.

Arne Jansen—The FBI Area Director has no choice but to put out a shoot-to-kill order on now fugitives Agent Connor and Tess.

Alice Tahe—The Navajo matriarch sees evil threatening the Double B Ranch and Joey.

To T.:

Tell the others the circle is unbroken, buddy.

Contents

Prologue

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