Elle James - Hot Combat

Can a sexy SEAL discover the truth before terror explodes?

Loaned to the task force taking on the most dangerous Homeland Security challenges, injured SEAL Jon “Ghost” Caspar is assigned to protect a former lover and her daughter...and prevent an imminent terrorist attack on his Wyoming hometown.

Single mom Charlie McClain hoped she’d never again see the gorgeous cowboy who broke her heart, but with her safety compromised, she needs Ghost. Can she still resist his rugged charms...and keep a bombshell secret about their affair?

With a terrorist on the loose, Ghost struggles to remain professional. But the elite bodyguard can’t guard his heart against beautiful Charlie and her adorable daughter...

Ballistic Cowboys

His heart stood still and his breath lodged in his lungs. Everything around him seemed to freeze. No. It couldn’t be. “How old is Lolly?”

“Does it matter?” Charlie spun and walked toward the door. “If you want to see the threats, follow me.”

He caught her arm and pulled her around to face him, his fingers digging into her skin. “How old is she?” he demanded, his lips tight, a thousand thoughts spinning in his head, zeroing in on one.

For a long moment, she met his gaze, refusing to back down. Finally, she tilted her chin upward a fraction and answered, “Six.”

“Just six?” His gut clenched.

“Six and a few months.”

Her words hit him like a punch in the gut. Ghost fought to remain upright when he wanted to double over with the impact. Instead, he dropped his hands to his sides and balled his fists. “Is she—”

“Yours?” She shrugged. “Does it matter? Will it change anything?”

Hot Combat

Elle James

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ELLE JAMES, a New York Times bestselling author, started writing when her sister challenged her to write a romance novel. She has managed a full-time job and raised three wonderful children, and she and her husband even tried ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas). Ask her, and she’ll tell you what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-andfifty-pound bird! Elle loves to hear from fans at ellejames@earthlink.net or www.ellejames.com.

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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 Extract Extract Copyright

Jon “Ghost” Caspar—US Navy SEAL on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven, a special group of military men.

Charlie McClain—Telecommuting software engineer and part-time social-media analyst for Homeland Security. Lives with her daughter in Grizzly Pass, Wyoming.

Kevin Garner—Agent with the Department of Homeland Security in charge of Task Force Safe Haven.

Max “Caveman” Decker—US Army Delta Force soldier on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven.

“Hawkeye” Trace Walsh—US Army airborne ranger and expert sniper on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven.

Rex “T-Rex” Trainor—US Marine on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven.

Leroy Vanders—Rancher whose cattle herd was confiscated by the Bureau of Land Management because he refused to pay his fees for grazing his cattle on government property.

Tim Cramer—Pipeline inspector who lost his job when work dried up. With his marriage on the rocks and his wife threatening to take his child and move, he has nothing more to lose.

Bryson Rausch—Formerly the wealthiest resident of Grizzly Pass, who lost everything in the stock market.

Lolly McClain—Charlie McClain’s six-year-old daughter.

This book is dedicated to my three lovely writing friends who encouraged me to write like my fingers were on fire during our annual writing retreat. If not for them and the timing of the retreat, this book might not have been written! Thank you, Cynthia D’Alba, Parker Kincade and Mandy Harbin.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Can a sexy SEAL discover the truth before terror explodes? Loaned to the task force taking on the most dangerous Homeland Security challenges, injured SEAL Jon “Ghost” Caspar is assigned to protect a former lover and her daughter...and prevent an imminent terrorist attack on his Wyoming hometown. Single mom Charlie McClain hoped she’d never again see the gorgeous cowboy who broke her heart, but with her safety compromised, she needs Ghost. Can she still resist his rugged charms...and keep a bombshell secret about their affair? With a terrorist on the loose, Ghost struggles to remain professional. But the elite bodyguard can’t guard his heart against beautiful Charlie and her adorable daughter... Ballistic Cowboys

Introduction His heart stood still and his breath lodged in his lungs. Everything around him seemed to freeze. No. It couldn’t be. “How old is Lolly?” “Does it matter?” Charlie spun and walked toward the door. “If you want to see the threats, follow me.” He caught her arm and pulled her around to face him, his fingers digging into her skin. “How old is she?” he demanded, his lips tight, a thousand thoughts spinning in his head, zeroing in on one. For a long moment, she met his gaze, refusing to back down. Finally, she tilted her chin upward a fraction and answered, “Six.” “Just six?” His gut clenched. “Six and a few months.” Her words hit him like a punch in the gut. Ghost fought to remain upright when he wanted to double over with the impact. Instead, he dropped his hands to his sides and balled his fists. “Is she—” “Yours?” She shrugged. “Does it matter? Will it change anything?”

Title Page Hot Combat Elle James www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author ELLE JAMES, a New York Times bestselling author, started writing when her sister challenged her to write a romance novel. She has managed a full-time job and raised three wonderful children, and she and her husband even tried ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas). Ask her, and she’ll tell you what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-andfifty-pound bird! Elle loves to hear from fans at ellejames@earthlink.net or www.ellejames.com .

CAST OF CHARACTERS 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 Extract Extract Copyright Jon “Ghost” Caspar—US Navy SEAL on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven, a special group of military men. Charlie McClain—Telecommuting software engineer and part-time social-media analyst for Homeland Security. Lives with her daughter in Grizzly Pass, Wyoming. Kevin Garner—Agent with the Department of Homeland Security in charge of Task Force Safe Haven. Max “Caveman” Decker—US Army Delta Force soldier on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven. “Hawkeye” Trace Walsh—US Army airborne ranger and expert sniper on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven. Rex “T-Rex” Trainor—US Marine on loan to the Department of Homeland Security for Task Force Safe Haven. Leroy Vanders—Rancher whose cattle herd was confiscated by the Bureau of Land Management because he refused to pay his fees for grazing his cattle on government property. Tim Cramer—Pipeline inspector who lost his job when work dried up. With his marriage on the rocks and his wife threatening to take his child and move, he has nothing more to lose. Bryson Rausch—Formerly the wealthiest resident of Grizzly Pass, who lost everything in the stock market. Lolly McClain—Charlie McClain’s six-year-old daughter.