Cassie Miles - Undercover Protector

Michael would keep Annie safe at all costs. He just hoped she wouldn’t shoot him for what he was about to do…

Michael placed himself between Annie and the other police officers. “Annie is seeing me. She’s my fiancée.”

Annie gasped and jabbed him in the back.

“Really? When’s the wedding?” another officer asked.

“Maybe the fall.” Michael turned Annie’s flushed face to his. “Maybe Christmastime.”

Annie clenched her jaw. “If you think I’m going to stand here and—”

Michael silenced her with a kiss.

Though only intended to keep her quiet, his kiss became real when Annie’s initial struggle calmed. Her arms encircled and embraced him. Her lips were sweet and soft. Her supple curves molded to him, and the fire of her anger took on a passion of its own.

Reluctantly, he broke away.

“Guess that settles it,” the police chief said. “If you two aren’t engaged, you should be. Congratulations.”

Annie’s blue eyes were dazed. Her full lips parted, but no words came out.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

Harlequin Intrigue has such an amazing selection this month, you won’t be able to choose—so indulge and buy all four titles!

We’re proud to present an exciting new multi-author miniseries, TEXAS CONFIDENTIAL. By day they’re cowboys; by night they’re specialized government operatives. Men bound by love, loyalty and the law—they’ve vowed to keep their missions and identities confidential.…Amanda Stevens kicks off the series with The Bodyguard’s Assignment (#581).

Ruth Glick writing as Rebecca York has added another outstanding 43 LIGHT STREET story to her credits with Amanda’s Child (#582). When sexy Matt Forester kidnapped Amanda Barnwell from her Wyoming ranch, he swore he was only protecting her. But with her unborn baby’s life at stake, could Amanda trust her alluring captor?

We’re thrilled to bring you Safe By His Side (#583) by brand-new author Debra Webb. This SECRET IDENTITY story is her first ever Intrigue and we’re sure you’ll love it and her as much as we do. Debra has created The Colby Agency—for the most private of investigations—and agent Jack Raine—a man to die for!

In Undercover Protector (#584) by Cassie Miles, policewoman Annie Callahan’s engagement to Michael Slade wasn’t going to lead to the altar. Michael’s job was to protect Annie from a deadly stalker. But nothing would protect Michael from heartbreak if he failed.…

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Undercover Protector

Cassie Miles

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Award-winning author Cassie Miles has written thirty-five novels of romance and suspense. She grew up in southern Illinois and Los Angeles, California, and spent enough time in Chicago to become a lifelong Cubs fan before making her permanent home in Colorado, where she raised two daughters. Before she started writing full-time, she held many positions, including personnel secretary, kiddy photographer, waitress, shipping clerk and reporter for a mountain newspaper. Her favorite things are long walks on rocky beaches or in the mountains, reading, Impressionist art, slot machines, sailboats, Elvis and falling in love the second time around.

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

122—HIDE AND SEEK

150—HANDLE WITH CARE

237—HEARTBREAK HOTEL

269—ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT?

285—DON'T BE CRUEL

320—MYSTERIOUS VOWS

332—THE SUSPECT GROOM

363—THE IMPOSTOR

381—RULE BREAKER

391—GUARDED MOMENTS

402—A NEW YEAR’S CONVICTION

443—A REAL ANGEL

449—FORGET ME NOT

521—FATHER, LOVER, BODYGUARD

529—THE SAFE HOSTAGE

584—UNDERCOVER PROTECTOR

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

567—BUFFALO MCCLOUD

574—BORROWED TIME

HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION

61—ACTS OF MAGIC

104—IT’S ONLY NATURAL

170—SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES

235—MONKEY BUSINESS

305—UNDER LOCK AND KEY

394—A RISKY PROPOSITION

Annie Callahan—The cool policewoman devoted her life to protecting others—and forgot to protect herself.

Michael Slade—Bridgeport’s infamous bad boy is back in town, more protective—and secretive—than ever.

Lionel Callahan—Has Annie’s grandfather known where to find Michael all this time?

Drew Bateman—Eleven years in prison gave him time to plot the ultimate revenge.

Derek Engstrom—The Bridgeport police chief has more to solve than local crimes.

Jake Stillwell—The richest man in town is going broke—what might he do to save himself?

Bobby Janowski—The former bully is now a cop, with the law standing behind him.

Marie Cartier—She touched many lives in Bridgeport before her untimely death.

To Jerry and Jean, Oregonians.

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

Epilogue

The gusting spring rain shimmered in her headlights and reflected off the slick asphalt in the parking lot outside the gray three-story apartment building where Annie Callahan lived. She swerved into the only available space, at the far end, then cut the engine and turned off the lights. The wet heavy darkness descended like the final curtain of a very long play.

But there would be no applause. Annie’s only performance was everyday common-sense living. She peered through the windshield, wishing there had been a closer parking space. She’d be drenched before she reached the front vestibule.

“Might as well get it over with.” She shoved open the car door and stepped outside. Long strands of blond hair escaped her ponytail and were plastered to her cheeks by the wind. Shivering, she splashed through little puddles on her way to the trunk. It had been a long day.

After she’d completed her regular eight-hour shift on the Salem police force, she’d visited her grandpa at the hospital, where he was recovering from a stroke. In just a few days Grandpa Callahan would be Annie’s full-time job. She’d taken a month’s leave of absence so she could move back home to Bridgeport and take care of him. He was the only family she had left.

Faraway lightning cracked the black skies as she popped the trunk and grabbed a paper sack of toiletries, which she balanced on her hip next to the holster on her police utility belt. There hadn’t been time to change out of her uniform. The sopping wet navy blue fabric clung to her arms and legs. If her captain could see her now, she’d get a serious reprimand. Where’s your slicker, Callahan? She’d forgotten it. This morning had been cloudless and sunny, and she hadn’t been thinking about rainwear. Just because this was Oregon didn’t mean it had to rain every single day. No excuses, Callahan. You’re a cop. You’re supposed to be prepared for anything.