Lena Diaz - Hostage Negotiation

Many women went missing outside Mystic Glades. She escaped.

When he took the job, Zack Scott heard about the horrors waiting in the swamp. So when Kaylee Brighton dashed into the road like the devil was on her tail, the new police chief gave her a safe place to recover. Imprisoned for months, Kaylee could lead Zack to her captor. Though Zack swore to protect her, only Kaylee knew the darkness that awaited them if she returned. She couldn’t begin to understand what drove Zack, but she knew the importance of having him by her side. Because it wasn’t enough for Kaylee to have escaped. Now it was time to take back her life.

Kaylee’s frightened sobs had awakened him.

He’d grabbed his gun from beneath his pillow and bolted upright in one smooth motion, sweeping his gun back and forth, seeking out whatever had scared her. Then she’d thrashed and moaned again, and he’d realized there weren’t any bad guys hiding in the shadows of their hotel room. The bad guys were hiding in the shadowed recesses of her mind.

His heart had clenched in his chest at how terrified and pale she looked as the nightmare gripped her. So he’d put his gun away and leaned over, ready to shake her awake. But the moment he’d whispered her name and then placed his hand on her shoulder, she’d stilled, then rolled over to face him with a smile on her face, fast asleep.

He’d pulled his hand back and studied her beautiful face, watching her expression to make sure the nightmare was really gone.

Hostage Negotiation

Lena Diaz

www.millsandboon.co.uk

LENA DIAZ was born in Kentucky and has also lived in California, Louisiana and Florida, where she now resides with her husband and two children. Before becoming a romantic suspense author, she was a computer programmer. A former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award finalist, she has won a prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in mystery and suspense. To get the latest news about Lena, please visit her website, www.lenadiaz.com.

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Cast of Characters

Zack Scott—The new chief of police in Mystic Glades, Florida. When a killer sets his sights on a beautiful stranger, Zack’s first Mystic Glades case may become his last.

Kaylee Brighton—All this young woman wanted was a relaxing vacation. Instead, she was abducted and had to fight for her life. Now she’s back, forcing past her fears to help Chief Scott find another missing woman. But the killer has other plans—for Kaylee.

Cole Larson—Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Cole is assisting Zack in setting up the new Mystic Glades Police Department.

Mary Watkins—She disappeared in the Everglades and has never been seen again. Was she the victim of the Ghost of Mystic Glades? Or have the Glades become home to a very real killer?

Sandy Gonzalez—Runs Aventuras Travel Agency based out of Miami. She planned and arranged the vacation package for Kaylee. But then Kaylee was abducted. Does Sandy blame Kaylee for the negative impact to her agency?

Rick Carlson—A rookie deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. This is Rick’s second career, and he’s one of the first to volunteer to help with the search. Is that because he truly wants to help? Or is there another, more sinister, reason for him wanting to be involved?

Jasper Carraway—This Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer is abducted by the same man who abducted Kaylee. Will he escape? Or will he become the killer’s next victim?

Thank you Allison Lyons and Nalini Akolekar.

This book is dedicated to some awesome family members who cheer me on and keep me going—Denise, Estelle, George, Jaime, Jennifer, Isabelle, Laura, Letha, Lisa, Mavis Marie, Michelle and Sean. I love you all.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Many women went missing outside Mystic Glades. She escaped. When he took the job, Zack Scott heard about the horrors waiting in the swamp. So when Kaylee Brighton dashed into the road like the devil was on her tail, the new police chief gave her a safe place to recover. Imprisoned for months, Kaylee could lead Zack to her captor. Though Zack swore to protect her, only Kaylee knew the darkness that awaited them if she returned. She couldn’t begin to understand what drove Zack, but she knew the importance of having him by her side. Because it wasn’t enough for Kaylee to have escaped. Now it was time to take back her life.

Introduction Kaylee’s frightened sobs had awakened him. He’d grabbed his gun from beneath his pillow and bolted upright in one smooth motion, sweeping his gun back and forth, seeking out whatever had scared her. Then she’d thrashed and moaned again, and he’d realized there weren’t any bad guys hiding in the shadows of their hotel room. The bad guys were hiding in the shadowed recesses of her mind. His heart had clenched in his chest at how terrified and pale she looked as the nightmare gripped her. So he’d put his gun away and leaned over, ready to shake her awake. But the moment he’d whispered her name and then placed his hand on her shoulder, she’d stilled, then rolled over to face him with a smile on her face, fast asleep. He’d pulled his hand back and studied her beautiful face, watching her expression to make sure the nightmare was really gone.

Title Page Hostage Negotiation Lena Diaz www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author LENA DIAZ was born in Kentucky and has also lived in California, Louisiana and Florida, where she now resides with her husband and two children. Before becoming a romantic suspense author, she was a computer programmer. A former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award finalist, she has won a prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in mystery and suspense. To get the latest news about Lena, please visit her website, www.lenadiaz.com .

Cast of Characters Cast of Characters Zack Scott—The new chief of police in Mystic Glades, Florida. When a killer sets his sights on a beautiful stranger, Zack’s first Mystic Glades case may become his last. Kaylee Brighton—All this young woman wanted was a relaxing vacation. Instead, she was abducted and had to fight for her life. Now she’s back, forcing past her fears to help Chief Scott find another missing woman. But the killer has other plans—for Kaylee. Cole Larson—Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Cole is assisting Zack in setting up the new Mystic Glades Police Department. Mary Watkins—She disappeared in the Everglades and has never been seen again. Was she the victim of the Ghost of Mystic Glades? Or have the Glades become home to a very real killer? Sandy Gonzalez—Runs Aventuras Travel Agency based out of Miami. She planned and arranged the vacation package for Kaylee. But then Kaylee was abducted. Does Sandy blame Kaylee for the negative impact to her agency? Rick Carlson—A rookie deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. This is Rick’s second career, and he’s one of the first to volunteer to help with the search. Is that because he truly wants to help? Or is there another, more sinister, reason for him wanting to be involved? Jasper Carraway—This Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer is abducted by the same man who abducted Kaylee. Will he escape? Or will he become the killer’s next victim?