Carol Ericson - Secret Agent Santa

Claire shoved through the glass doors and took off down the sidewalk toward the car. Mike must’ve seen her in the rearview mirror because the engine growled to life at her approach.

The man yelled after her, but she had no intention of stopping.

Despite her high-heeled boots, she took off in a run, someone sprinting behind her.

She tugged open the door and scrambled inside the car. The man had caught up with her and made a grab for her coat as it flew out behind her.

“Claire?” Mike’s voice gave her strength and purpose.

“Go, Mike! Just go!”

That was all he needed from her. No questions, no answers.

He floored the gas pedal and the car lurched away from the curb, flinging the door open and shedding the government man hanging on to it.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CAROL ERICSONlives with her husband and two sons in Southern California, home of state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery, wild freeway chases and a million amazing stories. These stories, along with hordes of virile men and feisty women, clamor for release from Carol’s head. It makes for some interesting headaches until she sets them free to fulfill their destinies and her readers’ fantasies. To learn more about Carol, please visit her website, www.carolericson.com, “Where romance flirts with danger.”

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To Margery, hope this Christmas brings you fond memories

Contents

Cover

Introduction A flood of adrenaline surged through her. Claire shoved through the glass doors and took off down the sidewalk toward the car. Mike must’ve seen her in the rearview mirror because the engine growled to life at her approach. The man yelled after her, but she had no intention of stopping. Despite her high-heeled boots, she took off in a run, someone sprinting behind her. She tugged open the door and scrambled inside the car. The man had caught up with her and made a grab for her coat as it flew out behind her. “Claire?” Mike’s voice gave her strength and purpose. “Go, Mike! Just go!” That was all he needed from her. No questions, no answers. He floored the gas pedal and the car lurched away from the curb, flinging the door open and shedding the government man hanging on to it.

Title Page Secret Agent Santa Carol Ericson www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CAROL ERICSON lives with her husband and two sons in Southern California, home of state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery, wild freeway chases and a million amazing stories. These stories, along with hordes of virile men and feisty women, clamor for release from Carol’s head. It makes for some interesting headaches until she sets them free to fulfill their destinies and her readers’ fantasies. To learn more about Carol, please visit her website, www.carolericson.com , “Where romance flirts with danger.”

Dedication To Margery, hope this Christmas brings you fond memories

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

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Password Failed.

The message mocked her, and Claire almost punched the computer monitor. She didn’t think it would be easy figuring out her stepfather’s password, but she didn’t think it would take her almost fifty tries over the course of three weeks, either. How did those hackers do it?

Placing her fingers on the keyboard, she closed her eyes, racking her brain for the next possible password. The voices in the hallway stopped her cold, sending a ripple of fear across her flesh.

She had no reason to be in this office, especially with a lavish party going on downstairs— her lavish party. She whipped her head around, the action loosening her carefully coiffed chignon, and lunged for the French doors. She parted the drapes, grabbed one handle and slipped through the opening onto the balcony.

She clicked the glass door shut just as she saw the door to the office crack open. Placing her palms against the rough brick, she sidled along the wall until she reached the edge of the balcony farthest from the doors.

Feathers of snow drifted from the night sky, leaving a dusting of white on the Georgetown streets. DC rarely saw snow in December. Just her luck.

She crossed her arms, digging her fingers into the cold skin exposed by her sleeveless gown. She couldn’t stay here long or her stepfather’s security detail would find her and would have to chip her stiff body from the brick facade of the town house.

The French doors next to her swung open and Claire flattened herself against the wall. Her stepfather, Senator Spencer Correll, must’ve noticed the parted drapes or the chill in the room and had decided to investigate. What possible excuse could she offer for being out on the balcony in the snow in an evening gown in the middle of a party?

“I love it when it snows in DC.” Her stepfather’s hearty tone reassured her that he had no idea anyone was lurking out here—it also sounded forced. He must be putting on an act for someone—but then, when didn’t he put on an act?

“We’re not going to have a white Christmas in South Carolina, so maybe I’ll stay here for a week or two and soak up the atmosphere.”

The other man’s Southern drawl marked him as a constituent from her stepfather’s home state. She just hoped the snow didn’t enthrall him enough to step onto the balcony.

“I suggest you do. Nothing like Christmas in DC.”

Spencer’s voice sounded so close, she was surprised he couldn’t see her breath in the cold air. She held it.

“It’ll be an especially merry Christmas for you, Senator Correll, if you vote for that...uh...subsidy.”

“It’s a done deal. I’ll introduce you to my assistant tonight. Trey will take care of all the details. After tonight, your boss should be reassured.”

“Looking forward to it.” The toe of a polished dress shoe tapped the pavers on the balcony, and Claire clenched her teeth to keep them from chattering.

“There’s quite a crowd here tonight, Senator. I understand your stepdaughter, Claire, is an amazing fund-raiser.”

“If by fund-raiser you mean relentless harridan, that’s Claire.” Spencer chuckled. “Just like her mother.”

Claire’s blood ran like ice through her veins, and it had nothing to do with her rapidly dropping body temperature. The chill in Spencer’s voice when he mentioned her mother buoyed her suspicions that he’d had something to do with Mom’s death. Maybe by discovering what he was up to with his vast amount of fund-raising and secretive meetings with suspected terrorists she would finally uncover evidence tying him to Mom’s so-called accident.

She still had the video—the video that had sent her reeling and tumbling down a rabbit hole.