Linda O. Johnston - Covert Alliance

Passion flares between a mysterious woman and a covert investigator who knows her secret…

With death threats behind her and a hot new appearance, “Kelly Ladd” defies Identity Division rules to go undercover in Blue Haven. She’s determined to bring down her sister’s killer and protect her nephew. A job as a waitress seems like the perfect disguise…until she’s recognized by Alan Correy, a security expert with a competing agenda! Although Kelly mistrusts Alan as much as he disdains her rule breaking, they agree to work together, even pretending to date. But as they close in on the killer, the romance becomes real…as real as the death the murderer leaves in his wake.

“So what do you want to talk about?”

“You, Kelly. And Shereen Alsop.”

Even though she’d expected this, at least somewhat, she flinched but didn’t stop walking.

“Who’s that?” she asked. Part of her training when provided a new identity was to admit nothing, so she wasn’t about to tell Alan she recognized that name. Her real name.

“That’s good,” he said. “You’re at least complying with some of the instructions you were given. But you shouldn’t have come here. That was completely against what you were told.”

“Oh, really?” She kept her tone light. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The hand holding hers moved enough to swing her around, and suddenly Alan was looking down at her. Kelly could still see the anger on her companion’s face, and it made her wince.

“I…” Before she could figure out how to finish, his mouth came down on hers.

His kiss was startlingly sexy, and so was the way his body soon molded to hers.

Get away from him, something inside her screamed. She could be in danger.

* * *

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Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Extract Copyright ,

This is my second book about the ID Division of the US Marshals Service. The first was Covert Attraction (12/13).

I created the ID Division for the situation where a person knows about a crime that affects her but didn’t witness it and can’t provide other evidence against the guilty party. And then the guilty party threatens that person, but remains subtle about it.

In that case, the endangered person can’t get into a witness protection program, since she can’t testify in court or provide other evidence to help convict the guilty party. But she still needs help. And the guilty party still needs to be prosecuted.

That’s where my ID Division comes in. It both helps create a new identity for the person in trouble, and also sends a team member undercover to locate the missing evidence to convict that guilty party.

And once again, in Covert Alliance, the woman whose identity was changed and the undercover operative looking for that evidence clash—yet find their mutual attraction irresistible.

I hope you enjoy Covert Alliance. Please come visit me at my website, lindaojohnston.com, and at my weekly blog, killerhobbies.blogspot.com. And yes, I’m on Facebook, too.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

LINDA O. JOHNSTON loves to write. While honing her writing skills, she worked in advertising and public relations, then became a lawyer…and enjoyed writing contracts. Linda’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won a Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Linda now spends most of her time creating memorable tales of paranormal romance, romantic suspense and mystery. Visit her on the web at www.lindaojohnston.com.

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As with Covert Attraction, Covert Alliance is dedicated to those in danger, and those in love.

And yes, as always, I dedicate this book to my wonderful husband, Fred.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Passion flares between a mysterious woman and a covert investigator who knows her secret… With death threats behind her and a hot new appearance, “Kelly Ladd” defies Identity Division rules to go undercover in Blue Haven. She’s determined to bring down her sister’s killer and protect her nephew. A job as a waitress seems like the perfect disguise…until she’s recognized by Alan Correy, a security expert with a competing agenda! Although Kelly mistrusts Alan as much as he disdains her rule breaking, they agree to work together, even pretending to date. But as they close in on the killer, the romance becomes real…as real as the death the murderer leaves in his wake.

Introduction “So what do you want to talk about?” “You, Kelly. And Shereen Alsop.” Even though she’d expected this, at least somewhat, she flinched but didn’t stop walking. “Who’s that?” she asked. Part of her training when provided a new identity was to admit nothing, so she wasn’t about to tell Alan she recognized that name. Her real name. “That’s good,” he said. “You’re at least complying with some of the instructions you were given. But you shouldn’t have come here. That was completely against what you were told.” “Oh, really?” She kept her tone light. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The hand holding hers moved enough to swing her around, and suddenly Alan was looking down at her. Kelly could still see the anger on her companion’s face, and it made her wince. “I…” Before she could figure out how to finish, his mouth came down on hers. His kiss was startlingly sexy, and so was the way his body soon molded to hers. Get away from him, something inside her screamed. She could be in danger. * * * If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you think of Harlequin Romantic Suspense! #harlequinromsuspense

Dear Reader

Title Page Covert Alliance Linda O. Johnston www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author LINDA O. JOHNSTON loves to write. While honing her writing skills, she worked in advertising and public relations, then became a lawyer…and enjoyed writing contracts. Linda’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won a Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Linda now spends most of her time creating memorable tales of paranormal romance, romantic suspense and mystery. Visit her on the web at www.lindaojohnston.com .

Dedication As with Covert Attraction, Covert Alliance is dedicated to those in danger, and those in love. And yes, as always, I dedicate this book to my wonderful husband, Fred.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3