Susan Kearney - Protector S.o.s.

RELAYED MESSAGE:

The SHEY GROUP is a private paramilitary organization headed by Logan Kincaid. These operatives take on high-risk, high-stakes missions in accord with U.S. government policy. All members are former CIA, FBI or military operatives with top-level security clearances and specialized skills. Members maintain close ties to the underground intelligence network and conduct high-level, behind-the-scenes operations for the government as well as private clients and corporations.

The U.S. government will disavow any connection to SHEY GROUP operations. Employ at your own risk.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And we have six breathtaking books this month that will make the season even brighter….

THE LANDRY BROTHERS are back! We can’t think of a better way to kick off our December lineup than with this long-anticipated new installment in Kelsey Roberts’s popular series about seven rascally brothers, born and bred in Montana. In Bedside Manner, chaos rips through the town of Jasper when Dr. Chance Landry finds himself framed for murder…and targeted for love! Check back this April for the next title, Chasing Secrets. Also this month, watch for Protector S.O.S. by Susan Kearney. This HEROES INC. story spotlights an elite operative and his ex-lover who maneuver stormy waters—and a smoldering attraction—as they race to neutralize a dangerous hostage situation.

The adrenaline keeps on pumping with Agent-in-Charge by Leigh Riker, a fast-paced mystery. You’ll be bewitched by this month’s ECLIPSE selection—Eden’s Shadow by veteran author Jenna Ryan. This tantalizing gothic unravels a shadowy mystery and casts a magical spell over an enamored duo. And the excitement doesn’t stop there! Jessica Andersen returns to the lineup with her riveting new medical thriller, Body Search, about two hot-blooded doctors who are stranded together in a windswept coastal town and work around the clock to combat a deadly outbreak.

Finally this month, watch for Secret Defender by Debbi Rawlins—a provocative woman-in-jeopardy tale featuring an iron-willed hero who will stop at nothing to protect a headstrong heiress…even kidnap her for her own good.

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season from all of us at Harlequin Intrigue.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor, Harlequin Intrigue

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Susan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day; now she does something really hot—she writes romantic suspense. While she no longer performs her signature fire dive (she’s taken up figure skating), she never runs out of ideas for characters and plots. A business graduate from the University of Michigan, Susan writes full-time. She resides in a small town outside of Tampa, Florida, with her husband and children, and a spoiled Boston terrier. Visit her at www.SusanKearney.com.

Dear Reader,

My HEROES INC. miniseries has been so popular that Harlequin has let me write more of them. Travis and Sandy’s story in Protector S.O.S. was inspired by a genuine love of the sea. I have many fond memories of sailing during New Jersey summers, and while I have never encountered the kind of storm described in this book, I have a vivid imagination. Besides, pushing my characters to their limits, mentally, physically and emotionally is fun for me to write and, hopefully, will be a great read. I always enjoy hearing from my readers, and you can reach me through my Web site at www.SusanKearney.com.

Best,

Travis Cantrel—Ex-Special Forces, currently employed by the Shey Group, Travis is accustomed to danger, but when he returns home to search for his kidnapped sister, his heart is in the most danger of all.

Sandy Vale—Travis’s ex-lover, she now runs a marina and delivers sailboats with best friend and partner Ellie Cantrel.

Ellie Cantrel—Abducted by strangers, she never gives up hope of rescue. And meanwhile she wonders if Alan Lavelle is a friend or a foe.

Logan Kincaid—The leader of the Shey Group. He never hesitates to support the men who work for him.

Martin Vanderpelt—A mysterious and eccentric millionaire who has a plan—one that can endanger the entire eastern seaboard of the United States.

Alan Lavelle—A man with his own agenda.

Prologue

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

“You’re late,” Sandy Vale’s eccentric millionaire client complained, his tone filled with annoyance, his wrinkled jowls sagging at his throat.

When Sandy and her first mate, Ellie Cantrel, delivered new sailboats to their buyers, most of them beamed from ear to ear. But not Martin Vanderpelt. He frowned, his lips pressed firmly together, as if he already knew that he would find something to complain about.

Sure that the cabin was shipshape, Sandy hopped off the deck, tied the bowline around the cleat on the dock, then straightened and tried to ignore Martin Vanderpelt’s scowl. “We ran into a little rough weather, sir. Nothing your boat couldn’t handle.”

Ellie positioned bumpers between the boat and the dock to protect the hull from scrapes, and Vanderpelt’s glance lingered over Ellie’s tanned legs. “For the money I paid, I expected your delivery to be on time.”

“Sorry you had to wait, but I think you’ll be pleased. She’s a beauty, Mr. Vanderpelt.” Sandy held out her hand in a friendly manner, pretending she didn’t notice the coldness in Vanderpelt’s expression. After a week at sea, she normally enjoyed landfall. But as clouds scudded over the sun and the air temperature dropped ten degrees, Vanderpelt ignored her handshake and climbed aboard the thirty-six-foot vessel, and Sandy wished she was back at sea.

She didn’t like the way Vanderpelt had looked at Ellie. Not that lots of men didn’t look at her friend. But something cold in his eyes warned her that he hadn’t made all his millions by being a nice guy.

Reminding herself that Vanderpelt wasn’t just any client and that she needed his goodwill, she bit back her sarcastic “So pleased to meet you, too.” She couldn’t afford to mouth off—not when he had bought a half dozen sailboats for his wealthy guests to race around the island. Despite the rumors about Vanderpelt’s rude manners, Sandy and Ellie were hoping for repeat business. However, while they might not be chosen to deliver Vanderpelt’s next boats, it would be worse if he complained about their service to the boat manufacturer who’d hired them.