Anna J. - Reunited With The P.i.

In this Honor Bound romance, a perilous change of heart looms for two former lovers...

Exactly why should P.I. Vince Sutton take his ex-wife’s case? Because she, assistant district attorney Simone Armstrong, put his brother in jail? Because the ambitious spitfire still drives him crazy? No, he’ll take it because “The Avenging Angel” makes him a deal he can’t refuse. Sparks fly when Vince works all-too-closely with Simone to locate her missing key witness...but in the process, they are drawn into a cold case. As much as he tries, Vince can’t deny that he’s never gotten over beautiful Simone, but can he admit his feelings to her—and himself? And can he save her from the danger that’s heading their way?

“Careful, Simone. Baiting me will only make me do something you’ll regret.”

“Like what?” She crossed her arms over her chest and inched up that defiant chin of hers.

“Well? I’m waiting.”

“Yes, you are, aren’t you?” He moved in, cupped the back of her head and dropped his mouth onto hers. He wasn’t certain who was more surprised.

There was only one thing more invigorating than kissing an expectant Simone and that was kissing an angry one. He drew her so tightly against him he wasn’t certain whose heart was beating double time.

She nipped at his lip gently. He grinned even as he pulled back and opened his eyes to stare into hers.

“Anytime you want to add sex to the deal, you let me know.”

She lifted a hand to his face, stroked gentle fingers down his cheek before she curled her fingers under his chin. “I hope you got that out of your system, because it’s not going to happen again.”

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Be sure to check out the next stories in this exciting miniseries!

Honor Bound—Seeking justice...and falling in love

* * *

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Dear Reader,

I’ve often wondered at what age we are most vulnerable as children. At what point can something happen that’s so devastating that we are changed from whatever fate meant us to be? For me, I was nine and the event was my parents’ divorce. I can trace so much of what makes me who I am directly to that event.

When the idea of the Honor Bound trilogy first took hold, I knew: three friends had survived something tragic, their childhood friend’s murder. From a psychological and writing perspective, the idea that Simone, Allie and Eden would deal with Chloe’s murder in entirely different ways made writing these stories even more exciting.

When Simone Armstrong first appeared in More Than a Lawman, I realized she would do whatever it takes to protect those she considers “hers.” As a prosecutor, her dedication gives her what she needs: the opportunity to put dangerous criminals behind bars. But at what cost to herself? I could find only one answer: her marriage. Can you hear me cackling with glee at the discovery of who her hero had to be?

You guessed it. Her ex-husband.

Vince Sutton fell hard for Simone from the moment they met, but as a former soldier who continues to fight his own personal battles, he wasn’t a man used to taking second place. And that opened up a lot of those “conflict” doors.

I’m a fan of reunion stories and as soon as I’d found these two characters, I knew I’d struck gold. It’s a serious battle of wills and one I hope you enjoy reading.

Anna J.

Reunited with the P.I.

Anna J. Stewart

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ANNA J. STEWART, a USA TODAY and national bestselling author, loves to spend a free weekend curled up in her favorite chair with Snickers, her cat, remote in hand, flipping through whatever streaming service her Wi-Fi will connect to. A geek at heart, she loves blow-’em-up action and sci-fi movies and has rarely met a superhero she didn’t like. Anna writes both sweet contemporary and romantic suspense for Harlequin and believes that, when all is said and done, there’s nothing better than writing about falling in love, with a little action thrown in for good measure.

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For Brenda Novak

who never let me forget this was the dream.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

“Miss Armstrong, is the state ready to proceed with opening statements?”

Simone gripped the gold-tipped fountain pen her father had given her for law school graduation, a graduation he couldn’t be bothered to attend. An unfamiliar rush of uncertainty flooded her body and pulled her to her feet. She ignored the not-so-subtle murmurs of the packed courtroom along with the amused gleam of challenge in high-priced defense attorney Silvio Poltanic’s beady-eyed stare.

“Respectfully, Your Honor...” Thanks to the five years she’d spent in the Sacramento County DA’s office, none of the unease in her belly eked out in her practiced, determined voice. “The district attorney’s office would like to request a week’s postponement.”

“Your Honor!” Poltanic pushed his significant bulk out of the wooden chair. His nasal voice made Simone dig her manicured nails deep into her palm. “The jury has been chosen. My client has been waiting for over four months for his day in court. We are ready to proceed immediately.”

“And we will. In one week. I apologize, Your Honor. I take full responsibility for my lack of preparedness.” The words nearly sliced through her. There hadn’t been a day in all of Simone’s twenty-nine years that she hadn’t been prepared for whatever life threw at her, but even she hadn’t expected the call from Mara Orlov’s protective detail this morning letting her know that sometime in the last twelve hours her star witness had vanished.

“I do see where the original trial date was set for next month.” Judge Buford glanced over his wire-rim glasses from Simone to the files on his desk. The tension in Simone’s chest eased even as she sensed Poltanic’s blood pressure rise from across the aisle. “I also understand the district attorney recently let three of his full-time investigators go.”

“One of whom was assisting me on the case, Your Honor.” It wasn’t a lie...exactly. She had been assigned an investigator when the fraud investigation into Denton and his business practices first landed on her desk. Before Christmas. Last year.

“As it is a Thursday and there’s no court tomorrow, I’m inclined to grant the prosecution’s request,” Judge Buford said.

“But—”

“In light of that, Judge.” Poltanic held out a hand to calm his protesting, panicking and suddenly pale client. “I would like to revisit the issue of bail for Mr. Denton. As I’ve previously argued, he has a wife, children.” He motioned to Marilyn Denton and their two teenage sons sitting in the gallery behind their father. The older boy had a defiant, controlled expression on his face while his brother looked...lost. “Along with a business that needs tending, not to mention Mr. Denton has strong ties to the community.”