Regan Black - Colton P.i. Protector

He’s claiming redemption—and the woman he wants

A riveting Coltons of Red Ridge romance

A sudden attack and a dognapping leave K-9 trainer Danica Gage shaken to her core. Even more surprising is her rescuer: P.I. Shane Colton. Years ago her family stole Shane’s freedom, but now Danica needs him to catch a criminal. And she must fight the urge to run into his arms...because wanting him could be a deadly mistake.

REGAN BLACK, a USA TODAY bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. Raised in the Midwest and California, she and her family, along with their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats and a quirky finch, reside in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the rich blend of legend, romance and history fuels her imagination.

Also by Regan Black

Killer Colton Christmas“Special Agent Cowboy”Safe in His SightA Stranger She Can TrustProtecting Her Secret SonGunning for the GroomHeavy Artillery HusbandThe Hunk Next DoorHeart of a HeroTo Honor and To Protect

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Colton P.I. Protector

Regan Black

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-07890-0

COLTON P.I. PROTECTOR

© 2018 Harlequin Books S.A.

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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For Alexis, dog lover extraordinaire and daughter of my heart, with a big thank-you for your service with the police department.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text He’s claiming redemption—and the woman he wants A riveting Coltons of Red Ridge romance A sudden attack and a dognapping leave K-9 trainer Danica Gage shaken to her core. Even more surprising is her rescuer: P.I. Shane Colton. Years ago her family stole Shane’s freedom, but now Danica needs him to catch a criminal. And she must fight the urge to run into his arms...because wanting him could be a deadly mistake.

About the Author REGAN BLACK, a USA TODAY bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. Raised in the Midwest and California, she and her family, along with their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats and a quirky finch, reside in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the rich blend of legend, romance and history fuels her imagination.

Booklist Also by Regan Black Killer Colton Christmas“Special Agent Cowboy”Safe in His SightA Stranger She Can TrustProtecting Her Secret SonGunning for the GroomHeavy Artillery HusbandThe Hunk Next DoorHeart of a HeroTo Honor and To Protect Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Title Page Colton P.I. Protector Regan Black www.millsandboon.co.uk

Copyright ISBN: 978-1-474-07890-0 COLTON P.I. PROTECTOR © 2018 Harlequin Books S.A. Published in Great Britain 2018 by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental. By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher. ® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries. www.millsandboon.co.uk Version: 2020-03-02

Dedication For Alexis, dog lover extraordinaire and daughter of my heart, with a big thank-you for your service with the police department.

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

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

In her office at the Red Ridge K9 Training Center, Danica Gage finished the reports for the day and shut down her computer. From the kennels, she heard the faint whining of the newest arrivals, two Belgian Malinois puppies. At three months old, they were beginning their journey to become working dogs. Danica loved this first stage when the goal was to teach a dog basic obedience and uncover the inherent strengths.