The Secret Night

The Secret Night
Rebecca York

HE WAS WRAPPED IN A CLOAK OF SECRECY…But Nicholas Vickers was Emma Birmingham's only hope to rescue her sister from a maniac. She'd met the charismatic P.I. in her unusual, erotic dreams, and in person Nick was every bit as strong, steady, sexy. But as they planned their attack on The Master's isolated, wooded Maryland estate, Emma realized Nick was a man of mystery…if a man at all. His mesmerizing touch, hypnotic eyes, undeniable appeal hid a century-old secret. Emma knew more than her sister's life was at risk, because she'd run straight into the arms of a vampire….

There was no mistaking who she was….

Small and delicate and very beautiful, she was the woman from his dreams.

Her blue gaze was focused on him, full of astonishment and confusion. “It was you,” she whispered. “In my dreams. But how…?”

How indeed? How had they connected in such an intimate way without ever having met? Nick couldn’t focus on that now, not with her in his arms, the feminine scent of her body drawing him to her, as it had in his dreams.

She skittered her fingers across his chest, her touch raising a shiver that raced across his skin. He knew he should put her down, break the contact, yank himself out from under her spell.

That thought confused him. He was the one who wove spells, who bent mortals to his will. But with her in his arms he only reacted.

He wanted more of her. He felt the fang slits at the sides of his mouth throb with need, and he clenched his fists and teeth to keep from doing something he’d regret. But there was another powerful aroma about this woman now—the undeniable, irresistible scent of her blood.

Dear Reader,

I’m delighted to be writing another ECLIPSE book for Harlequin Intrigue. If you know my writing, you know I love the dark and spooky. Nicholas Vickers, the hero of The Secret Night, storms out of the night to hook up with Emma Birmingham, a woman in deep trouble. She’s just escaped from a commune on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Her sister, Margaret, is still there, and her life depends on Emma’s rescuing her.

Emma and Nick are attracted to each other from the first. But can Nick trust her? Or has she been sent by the cult’s sinister leader to trap him? Nick is one of my classic wounded heroes—with an edge that makes him more dangerous than most.

I’ve also brought in some of my favorite characters from previous Light Street books. Chief among them is Alex Shane, who runs the Eastern Shore office of the Light Street Detective Agency.

Next up for me is another paranormal story in an exciting Harlequin Intrigue miniseries called SECURITY BREACH. (Books two and three are by Ann Voss Peterson and Patricia Rosemoor, respectively.) Reality twists and turns, then twists again, in this exciting three-book series. The action begins after an accident in a chemical weapons plant where four men end up with paranormal powers.

Enjoy,

Ruth Glick writing as Rebecca York

The Secret Night

Rebecca York

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning, bestselling novelist Ruth Glick, who writes as Rebecca York, is the author of close to eighty books, including her popular 43 Light Street series for Harlequin Intrigue. Ruth says she has the best job in the world. Not only does she get paid for telling stories, she’s also the author of twelve cookbooks. Ruth and her husband, Norman, travel frequently, researching locales for her novels and searching out new dishes for her cookbooks.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Nicholas Vickers—He had secrets to hide.

Emma Birmingham—She was desperate to save her sister’s life.

Damien Caldwell—He used people for his own ends.

Henry Briggs—Damien Caldwell trusted him, but only so far.

Trailblazer—Why was he following Nicholas Vickers?

Margaret Birmingham—She’d gotten into a bad situation, and she couldn’t get herself out.

Butch McCard—He made no secret of his hatred for Nicholas Vickers.

Alex Shane—Could Emma and Nick count on the Light Street detective?

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 One

Nicholas Vickers, private investigator, was as comfortable in a graveyard as he was in his own game room. That the graveyard hadn’t seen a new grave dug in a very long time only enhanced his sense of belonging.

Wrapping the night’s shadows around himself like a cloak, he stood beneath a large maple tree and watched a biker gang enjoying the ambiance of Ten Oaks Cemetery. Their idea of fun did not include showing respect for the dead.