Janie Crouch - Overwhelming Force

He lost her once. He won’t lose her again.

Despite an illustrious career as a top hostage negotiator, Joe Matarazzo is haunted by the past. It was a year ago that three innocent lives were lost under his watch. But Joe isn’t the only one who remembers that day. When Joe’s exes begin to fall victim to a violent stalker, Joe seeks the help of Laura Birchwood—a lawyer and the woman he once loved. Despite old wounds, Laura agrees to help Joe find out who’s framing him. And while they expect to be met with danger, they’re unprepared for passion that still burns strong, and their determination to give what was between them a second chance.

Omega Sector: Critical Response

Joe pulled her close again and they crossed the street to her house.

She handed him the key to her door. “You know, I think it’s safer for you if I stay at your house until we find Bailey Heath.”

He slid her jacket off her shoulders and Laura turned to look at him, smiling. “Oh, yeah? And is some psychopath stalker the only reason you’re interested in staying here?”

He hung her jacket on the back of the dining room chair and soon his followed suit. He turned his gaze on her. It could be called nothing less than predatory.

Everything inside her heated at the look in his eyes.

“Are you saying you might be interested in something other than me being your bodyguard?” He took a step closer.

“I’m pretty sure there’s something I’d like you to do with my body, but guard it isn’t what I had in mind.” She gripped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him closer. She took a step back until her spine was fully up against the door.

He was everything she should run from. He was everything she craved.

Overwhelming Force

Janie Crouch

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JANIE CROUCH has loved to read romance her whole life. She cut her teeth on Mills & Boon Romance novels as a preteen, then moved on to a passion for romantic suspense as an adult. Janie lives with her husband and four children overseas. She enjoys traveling, long-distance running, movie watching, knitting and adventure/obstacle racing. You can find out more about her at www.janiecrouch.com.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

Joe Matarazzo—Hostage negotiator for Omega Sector’s Critical Response Division. Wealthy, charming, dangerous.

Laura Birchwood—Colorado attorney who has a history with Joe Matarazzo. He’s already destroyed her once. She should stay as far from him as she can.

Derek Waterman—SWAT leader for Omega. Raised on a ranch in Wyoming, and with a past in Special Forces, he’s a warrior at heart. Married to Molly Humphries.

Lillian Muir—Sole female member of Omega’s SWAT team. Helicopter pilot. Sharpshooter.

Steve Drackett—Director of the Critical Response Division of Omega Sector.

Jon Hatton—Crisis-management expert and profiler for Omega. Engaged to Sherry Mitchell.

Sherry Mitchell—Talented forensic artist; engaged to Jon Hatton.

Molly Humphries-Waterman—Married to Derek Waterman. Six months’ pregnant. Criminal pathologist and head of the forensic lab at Omega Sector.

Lance Thompson—Detective for the Colorado Springs Police Department. Knows something isn’t right and is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Deacon Crandall—Friend of Joe’s, a man who gets things done. Works inside the law, or sometimes outside if he needs to.

Summer Worrall—Lost her husband, Tyler, in a hostage situation a year ago.

Omega Sector: Critical Response team—Made up of the most elite agents our nation has to offer; providing expertise and support to local law enforcement for crises of all kinds.

To Allison, my editor. You gave me my first shot and I’ll forever be grateful. Here we are, ten books later, and you still haven’t gotten a restraining order against me yet. I’ll consider that a win. Thank you for all you do.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text He lost her once. He won’t lose her again. Despite an illustrious career as a top hostage negotiator, Joe Matarazzo is haunted by the past. It was a year ago that three innocent lives were lost under his watch. But Joe isn’t the only one who remembers that day. When Joe’s exes begin to fall victim to a violent stalker, Joe seeks the help of Laura Birchwood—a lawyer and the woman he once loved. Despite old wounds, Laura agrees to help Joe find out who’s framing him. And while they expect to be met with danger, they’re unprepared for passion that still burns strong, and their determination to give what was between them a second chance. Omega Sector: Critical Response

Introduction Joe pulled her close again and they crossed the street to her house. She handed him the key to her door. “You know, I think it’s safer for you if I stay at your house until we find Bailey Heath.” He slid her jacket off her shoulders and Laura turned to look at him, smiling. “Oh, yeah? And is some psychopath stalker the only reason you’re interested in staying here?” He hung her jacket on the back of the dining room chair and soon his followed suit. He turned his gaze on her. It could be called nothing less than predatory. Everything inside her heated at the look in his eyes. “Are you saying you might be interested in something other than me being your bodyguard?” He took a step closer. “I’m pretty sure there’s something I’d like you to do with my body, but guard it isn’t what I had in mind.” She gripped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him closer. She took a step back until her spine was fully up against the door. He was everything she should run from. He was everything she craved.

Title Page Overwhelming Force Janie Crouch www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JANIE CROUCH has loved to read romance her whole life. She cut her teeth on Mills & Boon Romance novels as a preteen, then moved on to a passion for romantic suspense as an adult. Janie lives with her husband and four children overseas. She enjoys traveling, long-distance running, movie watching, knitting and adventure/obstacle racing. You can find out more about her at www.janiecrouch.com .

Cast of Characters CAST OF CHARACTERS Joe Matarazzo—Hostage negotiator for Omega Sector’s Critical Response Division. Wealthy, charming, dangerous. Laura Birchwood—Colorado attorney who has a history with Joe Matarazzo. He’s already destroyed her once. She should stay as far from him as she can. Derek Waterman—SWAT leader for Omega. Raised on a ranch in Wyoming, and with a past in Special Forces, he’s a warrior at heart. Married to Molly Humphries. Lillian Muir—Sole female member of Omega’s SWAT team. Helicopter pilot. Sharpshooter. Steve Drackett—Director of the Critical Response Division of Omega Sector. Jon Hatton—Crisis-management expert and profiler for Omega. Engaged to Sherry Mitchell. Sherry Mitchell—Talented forensic artist; engaged to Jon Hatton. Molly Humphries-Waterman—Married to Derek Waterman. Six months’ pregnant. Criminal pathologist and head of the forensic lab at Omega Sector. Lance Thompson—Detective for the Colorado Springs Police Department. Knows something isn’t right and is determined to get to the bottom of it. Deacon Crandall—Friend of Joe’s, a man who gets things done. Works inside the law, or sometimes outside if he needs to. Summer Worrall—Lost her husband, Tyler, in a hostage situation a year ago. Omega Sector: Critical Response team—Made up of the most elite agents our nation has to offer; providing expertise and support to local law enforcement for crises of all kinds.