Dani Sinclair - Secret Cinderella

“Darling! Thank you. Are we ready to leave now?”

In a single motion almost faster than the eye could follow, she lifted the sable coat from his careless fingers. He had only an instant to notice the shocking bit of glittery green that posed as a dress on her provocative form before both were concealed in the folds of the coat.

“What the devil do you think you’re doing?”

She didn’t even look at him. Her gaze searched the crowd. Instinctively he raised his head to see what had caused the flash of fear that darkened her lively blue eyes. He was still surveying the crowd when, without warning, she stretched up on her toes. Clasping his face, she tugged it down to within inches of her own. Her lips covered his.

“Please help me,” she whispered.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For Scott, Megan and Amanda; Ciara, Lisa and Rachel; Justin and Rick; Evan, Trevor, Kyle and Ryan; Mike, Eddie, Rene and Michele, because family is important. And for Roger, Chip, Dan and Barb, as ever. Love you guys!

An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didn’t discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when she’d come for a visit. Dani’s been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didn’t take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. With the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Dani’s kept her computer busy ever since. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA ®Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place she’s found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!

Melanie (Mel) Andrews—The white sheep amongst a family of thieves, she thought she’d escaped her criminal legacy. Now she must use her unusual skills to find a killer.

Roderick Laughlin III—–The wealthy CEO plays Prince Charming for a night—and finds he’s helped a beautiful woman flee a murder scene.

Gary Andrews—Mel’s brother may be a genius when it comes to writing computer programs, but he’s already wanted for burglary. Could he have added murder to the charges?

Carl Boswell—Roderick’s vice president didn’t intend to die. But did he intend to sell out Roderick, or was he trying to trap a thief?

Claire Bradshaw—Mel’s neighbor and good friend has moved on from her own shady past. Or has she?

Harold DiAngelis—Gary’s co-worker moonlights as a security guard. Has he moved into the big leagues with murder and theft?

Shereen Oro—The international model has been dating Roderick exclusively for the past several months, but she isn’t above flirting with the competition.

Larry Wilhelm—The CEO of Roderick’s chief competition may want to compete for more than just business.

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

“Mel?”

Melanie Andrews gripped the phone more tightly and hit the mute button on the television remote.

“Gary? What’s wrong?”

Her brother’s sigh carried clearly to her ear.

“I’m in a jam. I need a favor.”

Seven years older, her brother had never once asked for anything resembling a favor.

“Name it.”

She sensed his wry smile, but it was the ragged sound of his breathing that sent her heart skidding nervously in her chest.

“How rusty are your skills?”

Her mouth went dry. She’d known the moment she heard his voice he was in trouble, but this…

“How sharp do they need to be?” she asked nervously.

“There’s a New Year’s Eve party tonight in the hospitality suite at the Rorhem Hotel downtown.”

Her stomach contracted. He pushed out words as if the effort were painful.

“Carl Boswell is going to pass a DVD to someone at that party. I need you to steal it first.”

She inhaled sharply. “Boswell is the man from RAL who was going to buy your program.”

“Yeah. He decided to steal it instead.” The ironic tone he tried for was lost in the sound of his labored breathing.

“You’re hurt.”

He ignored the interruption. “Six-four, two-thirty. Sandy red hair. Sharp widow’s peak.”

He was fading fast. Her stomach twisted with fear. “I’ll get the DVD. I’ll bring it to you.”

“No!”

The crack of the word sent all sorts of terrified images springing to mind.

“I won’t be there,” he said more calmly. “I have a place to go.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Worry nothing. She was scared to death. “If you die on me, I’ll never forgive you.”

He managed a weak chuckle that ended on a cough. “Not a chance, kid.”

He wasn’t going to tell her. Her mind was busy supplying all sorts of horrible scenarios, but she tried to keep her voice steady by focusing on what he really needed.

“How will I know I have the right DVD? Is it labeled?”

“Might be now.” He paused, his voice growing more ragged with each breath.

“Never mind. If he has more than one, you’ll get a collection,” she promised. Mel could almost hear his slow smile.

“Be careful. He likes knives.”

“Gary!”

“Get the program back for me, kid, it’s the only copy I made. Of course that bastard could have made more by now.”

Her fingers pressed tightly against the plastic of the telephone.

“You didn’t back it up?”

Gary had been working on this program for well over a year now. Not being a computer person, the only thing she knew about his pet project was that it was some sort of security system he was very excited about.

“I can re-create it, Mel, that’s not the point.”

“Okay. Never mind.” He sounded so weak. “I’ll retrieve your brainchild, but you’ll owe me big,” she added fiercely, trying not to let him know how scared she was for him.

“Be careful. Boswell’s willing to kill for it. I don’t want to be an only child, either.”

Her heart plummeted to her toes, her wild imaginings reinforced. But she kept her tone light, trying not to let him hear her fear.

“Mom and Dad would be ticked,” she agreed. “Don’t worry, Gary, he’ll never feel a thing.”

Mel hated it when her words turned prophetic.

Carl Boswell had been past feeling anything at all when she found him. Now she clutched the slim plastic card and the keys she’d removed from his wallet an instant before she’d been discovered going through the dead man’s pockets. She continued to ignore the horrified, sick feeling in her stomach as she paused to get her bearings. She didn’t have time for sick. Not then, and especially not now.

From the elevated balcony, Mel frantically scanned the noisy crowd below, landing on a tall, imposing figure in an immaculately tailored tuxedo. The stranger moved alertly among the room’s occupants, nodding to acquaintances, but not stopping to speak to anyone. His purposeful stride was carrying him toward the exit at the far end of the ballroom.

Perfect.

As she skimmed down the stairs keeping her gaze focused on the man, she watched him pinch the bridge of his nose as though he had a headache. Understandable in this din.