Aimee Thurlo - Undercover Warrior

A NAVAJO UNDERCOVER AGENT COMES TO THE RESCUE OF AN INNOCENT VICTIM IN ANOTHER COPPER CANYON MYSTERY BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AIMÉE THURLO.

Erin Barrett was the sole survivor of an armed assault on her company. Her saving grace? Undercover agent Kyle Goodluck, who’d grown from troubled youth to total warrior. Though he agreed to protect Erin, he still had unanswered questions. Starting with how much she could be trusted. But only Erin knew what these terrorists wanted—and were willing to kill for. Kyle just had to gauge how forthcoming she was going to be about it. Standing their ground as New Mexico heated up with cross fire, Kyle wouldn’t settle for anything less than absolute victory. And with Erin as his spirit guide, he wouldn’t have to settle for anything anymore….

“From this point on, expect the unexpected. That’s how you’ll stay alive.”

His bluntness made a chill run up her spine.

Agent Goodluck stood straight, shoulders thrown back—a warrior’s stance. The black leather jacket enhanced his powerful build. Everything about him spoke of unwavering self-assurance.

The full impact of what had happened slammed into her again. Men she’d never seen before had tried to kill her. One of the gunmen had actually died less than ten feet from her. What was worse, she might still be a target.

Tremors ripped through her and she folded her arms around her middle, as if trying to hug herself.

A heartbeat later, Kyle threw his black leather jacket over her shoulders.

“No, I’m okay,” she managed.

“You’re holding it together, but that’s not the same as okay,” he said, his voice gentle.

Maybe not, but she couldn’t show him how badly she wanted him to wrap his powerful arms around her and never let go.

Undercover Warrior

Aimée Thurlo

www.millsandboon.co.uk

AIMÉE THURLO is an internationally known bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense novels. She’s the winner of a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews, a New Mexico Book Award in contemporary fiction and a Willa Cather Award in the same category.

Aimée was born in Havana, Cuba, and lives with her husband of forty-three years in Corrales, New Mexico, in a rural neighborhood filled with horses, alpacas, camels and other assorted livestock. Her husband, David, was raised on the Navajo Indian Nation. His background and cultural knowledge inspire many of her stories.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

Kyle Goodluck—His last assignment for NCIS ended in tragedy. Now he was at home, working undercover, on the trail of terrorists. His chief suspect was dead, and the only witness, Erin Barrett, was under his protection. Erin was temptation itself, dangerous to be around—no matter where her loyalties lay.

Erin Barrett—Her boss, Hank Leland, was killed right before her eyes, but she’d been rescued just in time by the rugged Navajo man who insisted he was with the IRS. All she wanted in life was to raise enough money to buy her own farm. Now her life was a nightmare, and her only hope rested with a man she couldn’t trust. Kyle was destined to break her heart...if they lived long enough.

Preston Bowman—He was a Hartley detective, and Kyle was his foster brother. Together they had to learn why Hank Leland had been killed, and what his connection was to a terrorist cell planning an imminent attack. Who were Hank’s contacts, and why were they so interested in Erin Barrett?

Bruce Leland—Even Hank, his brother, couldn’t trust him, and after Hank was killed, Bruce was caught breaking into his home. Bruce was clearly a man with a gambling addiction, but was he also a traitor?

Frieda Martinez—Hank’s flashy girlfriend easily attracted men, first Bruce, then his brother. Yet the moment he was killed she dropped out of sight. Now the search was on for the woman who held the key to murder...and maybe more.

Ed Huff—He was the bartender at the Quarter Horse Bar where Frieda worked as a waitress. He knew she was trouble from the start. The woman had secrets, but Ed knew how to use those to his own advantage. Just how far he could push her was anyone’s guess.

Joe Pacheco—Joe was a retired police officer well known in the community. Now he worked for Secure Construction, Hank’s company. When Hank was killed, Joe became a target. He needed help, but Joe didn’t trust the Feds, NCIS included.

Ron Mora—The paralegal worked for Moe Jenner, Hank’s attorney. When the well-known lawyer disappeared, Ron refused to help them find his boss. Either Ron was covering for Jenner, or something illegal was going on.

Every author has special friends. This is our way of thanking those of you who have made our work possible through a smile, an encouraging word or by simply believing in us.

With that in mind, this book is dedicated to DZ, Sheila and Duffy.

Contents

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Extract

Chapter One

Kyle Goodluck liked living on the edge. He carried his NCIS badge with honor, stood tall and faced things squarely. He’d served his country well, first as a marine and now as a federal agent. This time the case he was working on had brought him back home.

Kyle watched his brother, Hartley Police Detective Preston Bowman, take a call. Preston’s face was characteristically impassive and hard. Once finished, he put the cell phone back in his pocket.

“Sorry for the interruption,” Preston said. “Now talk to me. What’s going on? I thought you were going to turn in your badge and come home for good this time.”

He wouldn’t lie to his brother, but Kyle wasn’t above sidestepping the issue. “You know how it goes. Sometimes you have to step back and think hard about long-term decisions, particularly ones that’ll affect your future.”

“So you’re not ready to talk about what’s really going on.”

He laughed. “Nothing much gets past you, does it? Forgot who I was dealing with for a sec.”

“You and I have always been able to read each other,” Preston said. “I’m guessing you’re under orders, but this is my turf. You may need my help and HPD’s cooperation somewhere along the way. Keeping us in the dark is a bad idea.”

“I hear you—loud and clear.” Preston’s warning was unmistakable. He wouldn’t take it well if an undercover op went down under his nose and he knew nothing about it. Unfortunately, orders were orders.

“I better be shoving off,” Preston said. “Where are you planning to stay? You can use the ranch house at Copper Canyon, if you want. We’ve continued with the upgrades and it’s in pretty decent shape right now. You’ve also got Hosteen Silver’s letter waiting for you there...,” he said, pausing for a reaction.

“No way I’m opening that, buddy. The first four of us who did ended up getting married. I’m leaving that envelope unopened in the desk drawer for the foreseeable future.”