Amelia Autin - A Father's Desperate Rescue

The latest chapter in the Man on a Mission series spotlights a film star in his darkest drama yet.

Widower Dirk DeWinter is a screen legend, but his favorite role is caring for his twin toddlers. So when his daughters are kidnapped while he’s on location in Hong Kong, the desperate dad enlists the help of private investigator Mei-li Moore to track them down. But digging up secrets from Dirk’s past unleashes something more potent—and dangerous—than either of them ever expected.

Mei-li knows Dirk is off-limits, both professionally and emotionally, yet she still can’t help but fall for the doting father. As their mission threatens to unravel, will they risk their hearts and lives to save the twins—and each other?

Dirk’s smile faded, replaced by an expression Mei-li had trouble reading at first. Then it came to her. Desolation. The way a man might look if all hope and light and faith had been extinguished. “You’re withdrawing from the case?”

“Not at all,” she reassured him. “I’m still willing to give it my best shot. But I won’t lie to you—I’ll be relying more on gut instinct than on past experience. If you still want me on the case…”

He didn’t hesitate. “I want you on the case.”

“Then I’m in, a hundred percent.”

He frowned suddenly. “Is that what you’re going to say in front of Vanessa and Chet? That you don’t have any experience in cases like this?”

She nodded. “If they’re involved, the more I downplay my credentials, the less likely they’ll worry about what I might uncover. The less worried they are about me, the more likely they’ll let something slip…assuming there is something for them to let slip. See what I mean?”

Dirk’s eyes warmed with admiration. “Damn, you’re good.”

Suddenly there was something more in his eyes, his face, something Mei-li responded to instinctively, and all at once she could hardly breathe.

Be sure to check out the previous books in this exciting miniseries.

Man on a Mission: These heroes, working at home and overseas, will do anything for justice, honor…and love.

* * *

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

When I wrote King’s Ransom, part of my Man on a Mission miniseries, Dirk DeWinter, movie star extraordinaire, threatened to hijack the story from King Andre Alexei IV of Zakhar—not an easy thing to do with an alpha male like Andre. So I knew I would have to write Dirk’s story, especially since heartbroken readers begged for Dirk to have his own happily-ever-after ending.

Now Dirk is back, a man at the top of his game professionally. But personally? His life is a shambles. His beloved wife of twelve years is dead, and the twin daughters she gave him before she died are a constant reminder of the worst day of his life.

It’s not until his daughters, Linden and Laurel, are kidnapped while Dirk is on location in Hong Kong filming a movie that he realizes keeping them at an emotional distance hasn’t protected them from the sins of his past. He’ll do anything—even trade his own life—to rescue them.

Enter Mei-li Moore, private investigator and hostage negotiator. Dirk is more than willing to pay the ransom—no matter how high—until he learns ransom isn’t the true motive. Can Mei-li help Dirk bring his daughters safely home in A Father’s Desperate Rescue, and at the same time rescue Dirk himself by breaking through the concrete shell guarding his bruised and battered heart?

I love hearing from my readers. Please email me at AmeliaAutin@aol.comand let me know what you think.

Amelia Autin

A Father’s

Desperate

Rescue

Amelia Autin

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Award-winning author AMELIA AUTIN is an inveterate reader who can’t bear to put a good book down…or part with it. She’s a longtime member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), and served three years as its treasurer. Amelia resides with her PhD engineer husband in quiet Vail, Arizona, where they can see the stars at night and have a “million-dollar view” of the Rincon Mountains from their backyard.

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For Andrew Marvell, who wrote, “The grave’s

a fine and private place. But none, I think,

do there embrace.” For my mother,

Lorraine Ruby Leydecker Autin, who set my feet

on the path, and who made my week when

she said I made her cry with one of my books.

And for Vincent…always.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The latest chapter in the Man on a Mission series spotlights a film star in his darkest drama yet. Widower Dirk DeWinter is a screen legend, but his favorite role is caring for his twin toddlers. So when his daughters are kidnapped while he’s on location in Hong Kong, the desperate dad enlists the help of private investigator Mei-li Moore to track them down. But digging up secrets from Dirk’s past unleashes something more potent—and dangerous—than either of them ever expected. Mei-li knows Dirk is off-limits, both professionally and emotionally, yet she still can’t help but fall for the doting father. As their mission threatens to unravel, will they risk their hearts and lives to save the twins—and each other?

Introduction Dirk’s smile faded, replaced by an expression Mei-li had trouble reading at first. Then it came to her. Desolation. The way a man might look if all hope and light and faith had been extinguished. “You’re withdrawing from the case?” “Not at all,” she reassured him. “I’m still willing to give it my best shot. But I won’t lie to you—I’ll be relying more on gut instinct than on past experience. If you still want me on the case…” He didn’t hesitate. “I want you on the case.” “Then I’m in, a hundred percent.” He frowned suddenly. “Is that what you’re going to say in front of Vanessa and Chet? That you don’t have any experience in cases like this?” She nodded. “If they’re involved, the more I downplay my credentials, the less likely they’ll worry about what I might uncover. The less worried they are about me, the more likely they’ll let something slip…assuming there is something for them to let slip. See what I mean?” Dirk’s eyes warmed with admiration. “Damn, you’re good.” Suddenly there was something more in his eyes, his face, something Mei-li responded to instinctively, and all at once she could hardly breathe. Be sure to check out the previous books in this exciting miniseries. Man on a Mission: These heroes, working at home and overseas, will do anything for justice, honor…and love. * * *

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Epilogue Extract Copyright , When I wrote King’s Ransom, part of my Man on a Mission miniseries, Dirk DeWinter, movie star extraordinaire, threatened to hijack the story from King Andre Alexei IV of Zakhar—not an easy thing to do with an alpha male like Andre.