Cindi Myers - Christmas Kidnapping

When her son is kidnapped at Christmastime, a therapist must turn to an FBI agent for help—before it’s too late…

Something is stopping Special Agent Jack Prescott from being his best. He’s run countless missions, but when one hits too close to home, he needs help that most men wouldn’t ask for. Andrea McNeil has counseled plenty of FBI professionals before, but no one has been harder to reach than Jack. She’s never been involved with one of her patients up close and personal, but when her son is abducted, she turns to Jack for help. Now they have to help each other to bring her son home and stay a step ahead of his kidnappers. Both of them need a breakthrough—and a miracle—if they’re going to bring Ian home for Christmas.

“They left a note.”

She handed him a piece of paper, the message on it typed in block letters: YOUR BOY WILL BE SAFE AS LONG AS YOU COOPERATE. YOU AND YOUR BOYFRIEND BRING TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE ADDRESS WE’LL GIVE YOU TOMORROW AND WE WILL TALK THEN. DO NOT GO TO THE POLICE OR TELL ANYONE ELSE. WE HAVE PEOPLE WATCHING YOU AND WE WILL KNOW. MAKE ONE WRONG MOVE AND YOUR BOY WILL DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH.

Andrea sank into a chair, her hand over her mouth, stifling a sob.

Jack read the note again. “Who is this boyfriend they’re talking about?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not dating anyone. I haven’t, since before my marriage. I think they mean you.”

Christmas Kidnapping

Cindi Myers

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CINDI MYERS is the author of more than fifty novels. When she’s not crafting new romance plots, she enjoys skiing, gardening, cooking, crafting and daydreaming. A lover of small-town life, she lives with her husband and two spoiled dogs in the Colorado mountains.

CAST OF CHARACTERS 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 Extract Copyright

Special Agent Jack Prescott—The FBI agent is tortured by the fact that, while he remembers the faces of almost everyone he meets, he can’t recall the man who murdered his best friend. His attraction to the therapist he sought help from is complicating his life and distracting him from his duties.

Andrea McNeil—The widow of a cop who was killed in the line of duty, Andrea uses her training as a therapist to help other officers and their families. When terrorists kidnap her son, she turns to one of her patients for help. But the intense and troubled Jack Prescott may be more dangerous to her peaceful, ordered life than she could have imagined.

Ian McNeil—Andrea’s son survives a kidnapping and looks up to Jack, but Andrea worries this adoration will only lead to hurt.

Gus Mathers—The fellow FBI agent was Jack’s best friend. He was murdered before Jack’s eyes, and Jack struggles with guilt and an inability to remember his friend’s killer.

Duane Braeswood—The terrorist leader survived a horrific accident and has vowed revenge on the agents who have hounded him. Will Jack be his next victim?

Anderson—The terrorist wants to make a name for himself in the organization. Killing an FBI agent is one way to do so.

Eddie Roland—Braeswood’s second in command has taken on more of the lead since his boss’s accident, but now agents suspect Roland has a new agenda of his own.

For Jim and Jim

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text When her son is kidnapped at Christmastime, a therapist must turn to an FBI agent for help—before it’s too late… Something is stopping Special Agent Jack Prescott from being his best. He’s run countless missions, but when one hits too close to home, he needs help that most men wouldn’t ask for. Andrea McNeil has counseled plenty of FBI professionals before, but no one has been harder to reach than Jack. She’s never been involved with one of her patients up close and personal, but when her son is abducted, she turns to Jack for help. Now they have to help each other to bring her son home and stay a step ahead of his kidnappers. Both of them need a breakthrough—and a miracle—if they’re going to bring Ian home for Christmas.

Introduction “They left a note.” She handed him a piece of paper, the message on it typed in block letters: YOUR BOY WILL BE SAFE AS LONG AS YOU COOPERATE. YOU AND YOUR BOYFRIEND BRING TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE ADDRESS WE’LL GIVE YOU TOMORROW AND WE WILL TALK THEN. DO NOT GO TO THE POLICE OR TELL ANYONE ELSE. WE HAVE PEOPLE WATCHING YOU AND WE WILL KNOW. MAKE ONE WRONG MOVE AND YOUR BOY WILL DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH. Andrea sank into a chair, her hand over her mouth, stifling a sob. Jack read the note again. “Who is this boyfriend they’re talking about?” he asked. “I don’t know. I’m not dating anyone. I haven’t, since before my marriage. I think they mean you.”

Title Page Christmas Kidnapping Cindi Myers www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CINDI MYERS is the author of more than fifty novels. When she’s not crafting new romance plots, she enjoys skiing, gardening, cooking, crafting and daydreaming. A lover of small-town life, she lives with her husband and two spoiled dogs in the Colorado mountains.

CAST OF CHARACTERS CAST OF CHARACTERS 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 Extract Copyright Special Agent Jack Prescott—The FBI agent is tortured by the fact that, while he remembers the faces of almost everyone he meets, he can’t recall the man who murdered his best friend. His attraction to the therapist he sought help from is complicating his life and distracting him from his duties. Andrea McNeil—The widow of a cop who was killed in the line of duty, Andrea uses her training as a therapist to help other officers and their families. When terrorists kidnap her son, she turns to one of her patients for help. But the intense and troubled Jack Prescott may be more dangerous to her peaceful, ordered life than she could have imagined. Ian McNeil—Andrea’s son survives a kidnapping and looks up to Jack, but Andrea worries this adoration will only lead to hurt. Gus Mathers—The fellow FBI agent was Jack’s best friend. He was murdered before Jack’s eyes, and Jack struggles with guilt and an inability to remember his friend’s killer. Duane Braeswood—The terrorist leader survived a horrific accident and has vowed revenge on the agents who have hounded him. Will Jack be his next victim? Anderson—The terrorist wants to make a name for himself in the organization. Killing an FBI agent is one way to do so. Eddie Roland—Braeswood’s second in command has taken on more of the lead since his boss’s accident, but now agents suspect Roland has a new agenda of his own.

Dedication For Jim and Jim

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Experience had taught Andrea McNeil to trust her first impressions of a man. She had learned to read temperament and tendencies in the set of his shoulders and the shadows in his eyes. Whether they were heroes or the perpetrators of heinous crimes, they all revealed themselves to her as much by their silences as by what they said.