Lori Wilde: Angels and Outlaws

Lori Wilde

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

What if a legend-shrouded ancient amulet belonging to tragic star-crossed lovers and reputed to possess magical powers resurfaced in modern-day New York?

What if there are also dark forces, fuelled by a dangerous obsession, seeking the amulet for personal greed and satisfaction?

And what if six women, all pure of heart and ready for true love, get caught up in the hunt for this special object, only to discover that it will dramatically alter their lives forever?

This intriguing scenario provides the framework for an action-packed six-book mini-series that promises thrills, chills, twists and turns and, of course, lots of steamy, red-hot romance.

The action kicks off in Angels and Outlaws when The White Star amulet is stolen from the exclusive Stanhope auction house in Manhattan and Detective Sergeant Sam Mason is assigned to the case. What Sam discovers about The White Star shocks him and puts gorgeous public relations representative Cass Richards at the top of his suspect list. Will true love win out?

Don’t miss a single story in this series as it builds to an exciting and unexpected conclusion in Destiny’s Hand , available from Mills & Boon® Blaze® in August 2009.

Enjoy the ride!

Lori Wilde

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

To Kathryn Lye – thanks for all your incredibly hard work on this project. only you understand how much this means.

The Legend Begins

Thousands of years ago in a faraway desertkingdom lived two young princesses named Ananand Batu. Anan was the older sister destined toinherit the throne, but Batu was the prettier ofthe two with her dark, almond eyes and her thickblack hair. While Anan was being groomed to takeover her royal duties, Batu was allowed to playfreely. Her favourite playmate was Egmath, the sonof the bravest soldier in the king’s army.

Late one afternoon, as Batu and Egmath werefrolicking among the cypress trees on the outskirtsof the village, Egmath noticed the tiny buds on herchest blooming beneath her robe and began teasingher about them. Embarrassed by the odd changesin her body and by Egmath’s gentle jokes, Batu ranaway and hid herself among the sand dunes.

She felt confused. Why had his comments upsether so? Until now, they’d joked and teased andpoked fun at each other about everything. Whathad changed? Why did she feel so self-conscious?She ducked her head, crossed her arms over herchest, willed the strange bumps away and just keptrunning.

Alarmed that he’d hurt his best friend’s feelingsand worried that Batu had gone out into the desertalone with no water, Egmath went in search ofher. He walked through the heated sand, callingher name, calling out a heartfelt apology, pleadingwith Batu to show herself.

He crested one dune after another, moving fartherand farther away from the village, but no Batu.

Evening crept over the horizon and youngEgmath’s fear and guilt grew deeper with eachdarkening second. The wind buffeted him andblew sand in his face, tossing his pleas into thetwilight. She would never hear him now. Timepassed. Stars speckled the sky.

“Batu, Batu, where are you?” he cried.

He thought he heard a jackal’s low yipping, buthe couldn’t be sure. Panic pulled Egmath fasterinto the desert night. He stumbled, fell on his face,got up and kept trudging up a high dune. Whenhe reached the summit and peered down into thebasin below, terror gripped his heart.

There stood Batu, surrounded by a pack ofsnarling, hungry jackals.

Egmath had no idea what to do. He had noweapon, and the village was too far away. If he leftto go and find help, the jackals would surely attackbefore he could return. It was up to him and himalone to save her.

Batu hadn’t seen him. She stared at the horriblecreatures, frozen with fear, trapped, unableto move. The jackals edged closer in a slowlyadvancing circle. Egmath swallowed hard, callingup every ounce of courage he possessed. His fatherhad taught him there was nothing more importantthan honour and bravery.

But how could one young boy hope to fight offeight slobbering jackals? This then was his first testas a man. He would save Batu or die trying.

Armed with nothing more than his love for Batu,Egmath let out a fierce, angry scream, waved hisarms wildly above his head and charged down thedune.

The jackals, frightened by the brave young warrior,turned and ran away into the darkness.

Egmath reached Batu. His heart was poundingand he could barely breathe. He was so scared.

“You saved my life,” Batu whispered.

He put his arms around her and held her close.“We must hurry to the village. Before the jackalscome back.”

Batu was trembling so hard she could not walk.

“I’ll carry you,” Egmath said.

He picked her up and she wrapped her legs aroundhis waist and dropped her head onto his shoulder.

Their chests were pressed tightly together. Shecould feel the steady strum of his heart beneathhers. He was her saviour, her hero.

When at last they reached the copse of cypresstrees, Egmath set her down, took her hands in hisand under the starlit sky looked her straight in theeyes. “I’m so sorry for hurting your feelings,” hemurmured. “I should never have teased you.”

“I should not have taken offence. I was silly.Thank you for caring enough to come after me.”

They stared into each other’s faces, and eventhough they were mere children they both knewthey were fated to be together.

Egmath leaned in and tentatively, tenderly brushedhis lips against Batu’s for their very first kiss.

And in that same moment a falling star streakedacross the sky, throwing itself like an angled spar –darting a brilliant white, yellow and blue. Sealingtheir kiss. Sealing their destiny.

Egmath and Batu, forever always.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Cover

Title Page Angels and Outlaws Lori Wilde www.millsandboon.co.uk Dear Reader, What if a legend-shrouded ancient amulet belonging to tragic star-crossed lovers and reputed to possess magical powers resurfaced in modern-day New York? What if there are also dark forces, fuelled by a dangerous obsession, seeking the amulet for personal greed and satisfaction? And what if six women, all pure of heart and ready for true love, get caught up in the hunt for this special object, only to discover that it will dramatically alter their lives forever? This intriguing scenario provides the framework for an action-packed six-book mini-series that promises thrills, chills, twists and turns and, of course, lots of steamy, red-hot romance. The action kicks off in Angels and Outlaws when The White Star amulet is stolen from the exclusive Stanhope auction house in Manhattan and Detective Sergeant Sam Mason is assigned to the case. What Sam discovers about The White Star shocks him and puts gorgeous public relations representative Cass Richards at the top of his suspect list. Will true love win out? Don’t miss a single story in this series as it builds to an exciting and unexpected conclusion in Destiny’s Hand , available from Mills & Boon® Blaze® in August 2009. Enjoy the ride! Lori Wilde