Debra Webb - Personal Protector

“I didn’t ask you to have sex with me,” he said slowly, but the naturally seductive quality of his voice only tempted her all the more, despite his rather flat denial.

The flame that kindled to life in his eyes further belied his words and made her ache in places too long neglected. “Yes, you did.”

He moved a step nearer to her. “I didn’t ask. I won’t ask.” There was no mistaking the added layer of huskiness in his voice.

“Don’t come any closer,” she warned, though her words were meaningless, since she couldn’t possibly bring herself to move, much less run away.

“Don’t worry, querida, I have no intention of starting anything neither of us wishes to pursue.”

Oh, but she did wish to pursue—that was the whole problem.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Debra Webb was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, to parents who taught her that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. She began writing at age nine. Eventually she met and married the man of her dreams and tried some other occupations, including selling vacuum cleaners, working in a factory, a day-care center, a hospital and a department store. When her husband joined the military, they moved to Berlin, Germany, and Debra became a secretary in the commanding general’s office. By 1985 they were back in the States, and finally moved to Tennessee, to a small town where everyone knows everyone else. With the support of her husband and two beautiful daughters, Debra took up writing again, looking to mystery and movies for inspiration. In 1998 her dream of writing for Harlequin came true. You can write to Debra with your comments at P.O. Box 64, Huntland, Tennessee 37345.

Piper Ryan—The hottest news reporter in Atlanta. A terrorist organization wants her dead. The word is that they have special plans for her.

Ric Martinez—This is his first big Colby Agency assignment. He has to stay focused, but the beautiful and intriguing Piper makes it difficult.

Victoria Colby—The head of the Colby Agency.

Lucas Camp—The deputy director of a highly covert government organization. Piper is his one and only niece.

Jack Raine—A trusted confidant to Victoria and Lucas.

Townsend and Green—FBI agents assigned to Piper Ryan’s security detail.

Dave Sullenger—The news director at WYBN-TV.

Keith—The news desk assistant at WYBN-TV.

Senator Rominski—The president has named him head of the United States’ new antiterrorist organization. He has plans for Piper, as well.

Jacob Watts—Personal assistant to the senator. He wants to make a name for himself.

Alex Preston—One of the Colby Agency’s finest.

Life is what we make it, some say. But in my opinion, life is also about who we are and who we meet along the way. I have been extremely fortunate in my journey, and this book is dedicated to someone who has helped to make my dream of writing come true. She has encouraged me to stretch my imagination and to go where I wasn’t sure I could. This one is for you, Denise O’Sullivan. Thank you so much for your faith and encouragement. You are the very best editor an author could wish for, and a truly wonderful person. It is both my professional and personal privilege to know you.

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

Epilogue

“I hope you’re not leaving out anything relevant, Lucas.” Victoria leveled her gaze on her oldest and dearest friend. That sprinkling of gray at his temples and the sparkle in those devilish gray eyes wreaked havoc with her usual strict control.

Lucas’s smile widened at the implication. “Don’t you trust me, Victoria?” He propped his cane against the arm of his chair and tilted his head, emphasizing his question. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

In blatant skepticism, Victoria arched one eyebrow a fraction higher than the other. “I don’t trust anyone who has worked for the Company and Special Ops as long as you have.”

“Well,” he offered in that smoky voice that did strange things to her ability to think rationally, “I suppose I can’t blame you there. But you know I would never deceive you, Victoria.”

The sound of her name on his lips sent a rush of warmth through her. Yes, she knew he was telling the truth. Lucas would never do anything to hurt her. He had always been there for her, and now she would have one of those rare opportunities to repay him just a little of what she owed.

“All right, then, I believe I have the perfect man for the job.” Victoria pressed the intercom button. “Mildred, please ask Ric Martinez to join this meeting.”

“Martinez?” Lucas frowned. “I don’t think I know him.”

“He’s fairly new,” Victoria agreed. “But he’s good. And he has the right background for the job.”

“Mind if I perform a little screening test of my own?” All signs of amusement had vanished from his expression. “After all, this is my one-and-only niece we’re talking about.”

Victoria shrugged lightly. “Be my guest.”

The door opened and Ric Martinez stepped into the room. Tall, dark and handsome, the man’s Latin good looks combined with his fountain of charm proved valuable assets in this business. Ric Martinez could charm or con anything out of anyone.

Ric’s gaze darted from Victoria to Lucas and back. “You wanted to see me,” he said as he closed the door behind him.

“Yes. Please have a seat.” She gestured to the vacant chair in front of her desk. Before Ric could sit, Lucas made his move.

“Close your eyes, Martinez.” Lucas stood next to Ric now, the barrel of his weapon pressed to the younger man’s temple. Despite his physical handicap, Lucas could still move with more stealth than most when it served his purpose.

Ric’s gaze, still locked on Victoria, widened, then narrowed with suspicion. “What’s going on, man?” he demanded uncertainly.

“Close your eyes,” Lucas snapped.

Victoria gave Ric a nod and he immediately complied. She had no idea what Lucas had in mind, but whatever it was, it would be harmless yet prove immensely telling.

“Okay, man,” Ric said stiffly. “Just stay cool.”

“Oh, I’m cool, Martinez.” The tip of the weapon bored a little deeper into Ric’s skull. “The question is, are you?”

“I’m anything you need me to be.”

“What did you see when you walked into this room?”

His eyes still closed tight, Ric frowned. “What?”

“Give your boss a profile on the man who might just blow your brains out in the next thirty seconds.”

“Black hair, with a bit of gray,” Ric began, his posture considerably more relaxed now that he had an idea what was expected of him. “Fairly tall, lean build. Fifty years old, maybe.” His brow creased in thought. “You have a small scar on your cheek just beneath your right eye. And you obviously use a cane.”

“Anything else?” Lucas barked impatiently.

“Oh, yeah,” Ric continued, in that cocky tone that set him apart from Victoria’s other investigators. “You’re wearing a knockoff watch, a cheap navy blue suit and loafers just like my abuelo used to wear.”