Annslee Urban - Broken Silence

SHE’S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET…

…and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn’t save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he’s got them both in his sights.

Someone was watching her, waiting for an opportunity—

Enough. She tamped that thought down, left her office and walked into the lobby. Patrick was there.

“I finished work early. I stopped by to see if you were still here.” He was at her side in two long strides.

A shiver skidded up her spine. “Instead of talking to me, I figured you’d want to get some sleep after staying up all night in your car.”

He grinned. “I caught a few winks. With a lunatic on the loose, I expect a few more nights of surveillance.”

Patrick’s attentiveness wasn’t personal, she told herself. It was his job. Too bad he didn’t realize what doing his job did to her haywire emotions.

She thought about that morning. Her guard had not only slipped but completely unraveled the moment Patrick wrapped his strong arms around her.

“Okay, let’s go.” She spun around and headed for the door.

As he started to follow, three sharp pops split the air, one after another. Amber jerked back around with a shriek.

Gunfire!

“Get down!” Patrick yelled, barreling toward her, but not before another series of bullets whizzed through the plate glass, blowing out half the front window.

ANNSLEE URBANgrew up watching old-time romance movies, which she attributes to her passion for sweet romance, true love and happy endings. Raised in the foothills of Arizona, she survived temperature shock when she moved to western Pennsylvania, before settling in North Carolina with her husband and children. Aside from writing, Annslee enjoys cooking, traveling, playing with grandbabies and all things chocolate! You can reach Annslee at maryannsleeurban@gmail.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

—Deuteronomy 31:6

This book is lovingly dedicated to my three beautiful daughters: Gina, Andrea and Olivia.

You are among my greatest blessings and my inspiration.

And to my Grandkiddos: Cameron, Isaac, Jayce and Kaylee, who are a constant reminder of God’s wonder and grace.

Also a special thanks to my editor, Shana Asaro, and my agent, Mary Sue Seymour. Thank you for all you do. It is a privilege and blessing to work with you.

And most of all I thank my heavenly Father for making this dream come true.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text SHE’S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET… …and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn’t save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he’s got them both in his sights.

Introduction Someone was watching her, waiting for an opportunity— Enough. She tamped that thought down, left her office and walked into the lobby. Patrick was there. “I finished work early. I stopped by to see if you were still here.” He was at her side in two long strides. A shiver skidded up her spine. “Instead of talking to me, I figured you’d want to get some sleep after staying up all night in your car.” He grinned. “I caught a few winks. With a lunatic on the loose, I expect a few more nights of surveillance.” Patrick’s attentiveness wasn’t personal, she told herself. It was his job. Too bad he didn’t realize what doing his job did to her haywire emotions. She thought about that morning. Her guard had not only slipped but completely unraveled the moment Patrick wrapped his strong arms around her. “Okay, let’s go.” She spun around and headed for the door. As he started to follow, three sharp pops split the air, one after another. Amber jerked back around with a shriek. Gunfire! “Get down!” Patrick yelled, barreling toward her, but not before another series of bullets whizzed through the plate glass, blowing out half the front window.

About the Author ANNSLEE URBAN grew up watching old-time romance movies, which she attributes to her passion for sweet romance, true love and happy endings. Raised in the foothills of Arizona, she survived temperature shock when she moved to western Pennsylvania, before settling in North Carolina with her husband and children. Aside from writing, Annslee enjoys cooking, traveling, playing with grandbabies and all things chocolate! You can reach Annslee at maryannsleeurban@gmail.com.

Title Page Broken Silence Annslee Urban www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. —Deuteronomy 31:6

Dedication This book is lovingly dedicated to my three beautiful daughters: Gina, Andrea and Olivia. You are among my greatest blessings and my inspiration. And to my Grandkiddos: Cameron, Isaac, Jayce and Kaylee, who are a constant reminder of God’s wonder and grace. Also a special thanks to my editor, Shana Asaro, and my agent, Mary Sue Seymour. Thank you for all you do. It is a privilege and blessing to work with you. And most of all I thank my heavenly Father for making this dream come true.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

The distant toll of the Chatham County, Georgia, clock tower rang twelve noon as Amber Talbot left the Safe Harbor Counseling Center and headed down River Street to her car.

The forecast had called for late-afternoon thunderstorms here in Savannah, but already dark clouds hovered low in the sky. A rising breeze swept the tree-lined streets, rustling spring foliage and delivering a sudden chill to the air. Turning up her collar, Amber eyed the murky waves that boomed against wooden docks. Boats tied to their posts bobbed like corks in the water. Curling whitecaps crashed over their bows.

Amber pulled in a breath of humid air and picked up her pace. Perfect weather to snuggle up with a good book. Exactly what she needed. After weeks of being bogged down at work, she was treating herself to a restful weekend.