The Big Burn

The Big Burn
Terry Watkins

Mills & Boon Silhouette
SHE'LL NEED NERVE, SKILL AND COURAGE TO SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILEDRaging wildfires on a Malaysian island have authorities calling in expert smoke jumper Anna Quick. Being recruited to extract a stranded party trapped in the inferno has Anna's blood racing and her instincts on high alert. But the mission quickly blazes out of control when she discovers the "authorities" are the CIA, the stranded party is someone she knows and she's been living an ugly lie. Anna's desperate for answers, but as shocking revelations uncover bitter deceptions, she begins to see that the truth will set her free, but lies just might save her life….

“Go, go, go!” Brock screamed.

The pilot took the chopper airborne and as they raced up over the canopy of trees below, Anna caught a glimpse of the second helicopter coming up behind them.

Brock sat down beside Anna.

“I’ve had bad dates before, Quick,” Brock yelled over the roar of ammunition firing, “but this is ridiculous.”

“Sorry about that,” she yelled back. “I’ll try for dinner and a movie next time.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I hope you do.”

Suddenly, there was an intense shudder in one of the engines, followed by violent shaking. It didn’t stop. Brock’s eyes widened.

Anna could hear the pilot shouting into the radio before he turned to them and hollered, “We’re going down. Hang on. It’s gonna be a rough—”

Dear Reader,

I’m surrounded by Bombshells so it was easy for me to write about one. Between my wife, daughter and daughter-in-law, I had plenty of material to draw upon to create Anna Quick. She’s a combination of all three of these dynamic women, with a touch of mama-bear-defending-her-cubs just for fun.

I hope you enjoy reading about Anna and her adventure as much as I enjoyed writing about her.

Best,

Terry Watkins

The Big Burn

Terry Watkins

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

TERRY WATKINS

as a high school student spent time tracking and camping in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Later he would do just about everything, from serving his country in the military to earning an MFA in writing from the American Film Institute. He’s credentialed in industrial firefighting and has carried a top secret clearance for work as a security officer. Settled now in San Diego with his wife, author Mary Leo, Terry is busy putting his love of action-adventure into novels.

For Aaron: beloved son, friend and teacher.

1970–2005

Contents

Prologue

Part One: The Smoke Jumper

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Part Two: Warrior

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Part Three: The Strait of Malacca

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Part Four: Operation Fierce Snake

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20