Cassie Miles - Mountain Retreat

Her fiancé, a marine held captive for months in a war-torn country, is back on American soil…with secrets.

For six agonizing months, Sidney Parker had no idea if her beloved fiancé, a US Marines captain, was alive or dead. Held captive in a South American dictatorship, Nick Corelli is suddenly back home in Texas. But instead of the romantic reunion Sidney expects, Nick is working with the CIA—and another mysterious agency—on a covert mission. One that places Sidney’s life in jeopardy. When the safe house meant to protect them is compromised, Nick rushes Sidney to a mountain retreat…and now she wants answers. Yet their greatest enemy is lying in wait for the ultimate showdown.

Nick. It was really him.

Sidney couldn't see his face, but she knew it was him.

She took off running. She crashed into the glass wall. Her palms splayed against it. “Nick.”

He turned. His hands met hers against the glass.

Sweet Lord, was this possible? She stared, unblinking. If she closed her eyes, she was afraid he'd disappear.

He came around the wall through the door and reached toward her. She latched on to his hand, laced her fingers through his. He was thinner than the last time she'd seen him. His complexion was pale as though he'd been ill, but this was definitely her fiancé.

She lifted her hand toward his face and touched the V-shaped scar on his jaw.

“Oh, Nick, I missed you so much.”

“It's okay. I'm here. I'm back.”

But there was something different. When she peered into his eyes, she didn't see the man she had once loved with all her heart.

Nick Corelli looked back at her with the eyes of a stranger.

Mountain Retreat

Cassie Miles

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CASSIE MILES, a USA TODAY bestselling author, lives in Colorado. After raising two daughters and cooking tons of macaroni and cheese for her family, Cassie is trying to be more adventurous in her culinary efforts. She's discovered that almost anything tastes better with wine. When she's not plotting Mills & Boon® Intrigue books, Cassie likes to hang out at the Denver Botanical Gardens near her high-rise home.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Title Page About the Author Cast of Characters Dedication 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 Chapter Twenty-Three Extract Copyright

Sidney Parker—Her eidetic memory tortures her with painful details about her kidnapped fiancé.

Nick Corelli—He never purposely wanted to hurt Sidney. But as a Marine, duty comes first.

Tomas Hurtado—The dictator of the oil-rich South American country of Tiquanna.

Elena Hurtado—The exotic and beautiful wife of the dictator.

Rico Suarez—He works for Dictator Hurtado. Or does he?

Miguel Avilar—The dashing leader of the rebel forces is determined to overthrow Hurtado.

Victoria Hawthorne—The CIA special-agent-in-charge struggles to control the situation.

Sam Phillips—The CIA special agent helps Sidney. What does he want in return?

Randall Butler—As a Marine Corps intelligence officer, he keeps a close eye on Nick.

To my kids and friends and docs and therapists and everybody who made it possible for me to be sitting here at my computer. And, as always, to Rick.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Her fiancé, a marine held captive for months in a war-torn country, is back on American soil…with secrets. For six agonizing months, Sidney Parker had no idea if her beloved fiancé, a US Marines captain, was alive or dead. Held captive in a South American dictatorship, Nick Corelli is suddenly back home in Texas. But instead of the romantic reunion Sidney expects, Nick is working with the CIA—and another mysterious agency—on a covert mission. One that places Sidney’s life in jeopardy. When the safe house meant to protect them is compromised, Nick rushes Sidney to a mountain retreat…and now she wants answers. Yet their greatest enemy is lying in wait for the ultimate showdown.

Introduction Nick. It was really him. Sidney couldn't see his face, but she knew it was him. She took off running. She crashed into the glass wall. Her palms splayed against it. “Nick.” He turned. His hands met hers against the glass. Sweet Lord, was this possible? She stared, unblinking. If she closed her eyes, she was afraid he'd disappear. He came around the wall through the door and reached toward her. She latched on to his hand, laced her fingers through his. He was thinner than the last time she'd seen him. His complexion was pale as though he'd been ill, but this was definitely her fiancé. She lifted her hand toward his face and touched the V-shaped scar on his jaw. “Oh, Nick, I missed you so much.” “It's okay. I'm here. I'm back.” But there was something different. When she peered into his eyes, she didn't see the man she had once loved with all her heart. Nick Corelli looked back at her with the eyes of a stranger.

Title Page Mountain Retreat Cassie Miles www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CASSIE MILES , a USA TODAY bestselling author, lives in Colorado. After raising two daughters and cooking tons of macaroni and cheese for her family, Cassie is trying to be more adventurous in her culinary efforts. She's discovered that almost anything tastes better with wine. When she's not plotting Mills & Boon® Intrigue books, Cassie likes to hang out at the Denver Botanical Gardens near her high-rise home.

Cast of Characters

Dedication To my kids and friends and docs and therapists and everybody who made it possible for me to be sitting here at my computer. And, as always, to Rick.

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Working as a barmaid at the Silver Star Saloon in Austin put Sidney Parker’s eidetic memory to good use. She could easily remember the drink orders for this table of twelve. With thumbs hooked in the belt loops of her thigh-high jean skirt, she faced the group of well-dressed young people who were still wearing their security badges from the state capitol.

“What’ll it be?” she asked.

They could have answered in one voice: beer. But the Silver Star was a designer brewery with products ranging from Amber Angel to Zoo Brew. Sidney mentally recorded the order and gave a nod.