AS A MAN OF ACTION, HED NEVER BREAK PROTOCOL. BUT HED NEVER BEEN SO TEMPTED
Although he was trying to crack a global conspiracy, former soldier Jesse Cooper had an even more important mission: keep new hire and girl-next-door Evie Marsh safe. Shocked to learn Evie could be the key to bringing down this secret plot, the head of Cooper Security had to stifle his attraction to her. After all, the case was on the lineand so were their lives. But between dodging bullets and staying one step ahead of the enemy, temptation became impossible to resist. As a man made for danger, Jesse thought sweet Evie had no place in his world. Then, in the heat of the moment, she proved shed always have his backor die trying.
What happens now?
His hand lingered a moment, his fingers warm against her jawline. Were going to a safe house.
We?
You and me.
Oh.
He cocked his head. Is that a problem?
She shook her head. No. No problem.
Except it was. It was a huge problem. It was hard enough getting over her lingering feelings for her boss when she passed him in the hallway at Cooper Security three or four times a week.
How was she supposed to move on with her life stuck in a safe house with him 24/7?
Secret Intentions
Paula Graves
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alabama native Paula Graves wrote her first book, a mystery starring herself and her neighborhood friends, at the age of six. A voracious reader, Paula loves books that pair tantalizing mystery with compelling romance. When shes not reading or writing, she works as a creative director for a Birmingham advertising agency and spends time with her family and friends. She is a member of Southern Magic Romance Writers, Heart of Dixie Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America.
Paula invites readers to visit her website, www.paulagraves.com .
MILLS & BOON
Before you start reading, why not sign up?
Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!
SIGN ME UP!
Or simply visit
signup.millsandboon.co.uk
Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Evie MarshCooper Securitys junior accountant thinks shes over the secret crush she had on her boss. But when shes the target of a deadly group of guns-for-hire, and Jesse Cooper deems himself her personal bodyguard, will her resolve be put to the test?
Jesse CooperThe former marine has dedicated all the resources of Cooper Security to bringing down a conspiracy that threatens countries around the globe. But when Evie Marsh becomes a target, will he risk her life to find the answers he seeks?
The Espera GroupThe oil policy group has been pushing for nations across the globe to sign the Wolfsburg Treaty creating a multinational agency to control oil production and profits. But to what lengths will they go to get what they want?
Special Services Unit (SSU)The ruthless mercenaries are paid well to thwart the Espera Groups enemies. Theyll stop at nothing to use Evie Marsh against her father, a man whose secrets are putting his whole family at risk.
General Baxter MarshThe retired Marine Corps general was one of three generals who uncovered a global conspiracy to manipulate the price and production of oil. So why is he determined to keep his secrets?
General Edward RossThe late army general kept a coded journal during his last few years of service. But he died without revealing his part of a three-layered code key that could unlock the journals secrets.
Rita Marsh KingsleyEvies older sister was once engaged to Jesse Cooper. Though recently married, does she still hold the former marines heart?
Nolan CavanaughThe computer genius knows more than hes tellingand now hes in danger. Can Evie and Jesse find him before the SSU does?
For my Aunt Marie, one of my most avid fans. I love you.
Contents
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
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Excerpt
Chapter One
Have you seen Rita?
Jesse Cooper peered through the binoculars and wondered if he could avoid answering his sisters question. He could pretend he hadnt heard her or fake a reason to get off the phone. But shed just ask again.
He lowered the binoculars and leaned against the headrest. Briefly. Hed spotted Rita Marsh and her mother entering Millwood Presbyterian Church a half hour earlier. Her father, General Baxter Marsh, had arrived a few minutes later alone. No idea where Evie was.
She didnt see you, did she?
No. He hadnt been invited to the wedding.
You sure we should hang back so far? Isabels voice held a hint of doubt. She hadnt been the only one of his brothers and sisters to question whether Jesses go it alone decision had been the right one.
Jesse wasnt sure he was right either, but he couldnt pretend he wasnt worried. And because Ritas father had hired his own security for the wedding, Jesse and his Cooper Security agents couldnt exactly form a perimeter around the church without drawing notice.
We have to play it this way, he said. Ill call if anything starts to go down. He said goodbye to his sister and lifted the binoculars again, focusing on a compact car swinging into a parking spot near the side of the church.
Ah, there she is.
He adjusted the lenses to watch Evie Marsh stride toward the side door of the church, muscles flexing beneath her slim-fitting jeans. A long black garment bag draped over her shoulder no doubt held her bridesmaids dress. Jesse idly wondered what shed look like in that dress.
Maybe hed catch a glimpse after the wedding, when the bride and groom emerged for the rice throwing. At least he hoped it would be his first chance to see Evie in her dressit would mean the wedding had proceeded as planned. No matter what his family thought, hed love to see Rita Marsh married to her nice professor without incident. What he and Rita had shared had been over a long time ago.
His cell phone rang. He smiled at the name on the display. Hi, Evie.
Where are you positioned?
Not much got past Ritas brainy little sister. In the side lot of the convenience store across the street from the church.
How many agents with you?
Just me. I have others ready to move on my order.
There was a faint rustling sound on the other end of the line. Jesses mind wandered into dangerous territory, imagining Evie undressing to put on the bridesmaid dress. He dragged his thoughts back under rigid control as she said, I told you Dad hired a whole security team for the wedding.
Thats why Im across the street. He checked his watch. Eleven-thirty. The wedding was at two. Attendees would be arriving soon, making it that much harder to keep an eye out for anything strange.
I should have asked you as my date, Evie muttered.
I dont think Rita would have appreciated that. Their relationship might be over, but he wasnt exactly one of his ex-fiancées favorite people. Or your dad.
Its just stupid youre sitting over there instead of here where you can see whats going on.
Im hoping nothing happens and all this worry was for nothing.
But you dont really think thats true, do you? Evie asked. Jesse could tell she wanted to hope for the best, but she had never been a cockeyed optimist. Little Evie Marsh had always been a realist, even as a gangly teenager following Jesse and Rita around during their courtship.
Its best to prepare for any eventuality, he answered.
He heard Evies soft sigh over the phone. Id better check on Mom and Rita. I dont know whos more high-strung today.
Is she really happy? he asked before he could stop himself.
There was a long pause on Evies end of the line. Yes, shes really happy. She loves Andrew a lot.
Jesse waited for a familiar twinge of pain, but it never came. Good, he said, meaning it.
Ill check in again before the ceremony, she said and hung up.
Jesse closed his phone and picked up his binoculars, scanning the area for trouble and praying hed find none.
* * *
E VIE LAID HER PHONE on the dressing table and eyed the closed door of the brides rooms inner dressing room. Rita was in there, talking with their mother as they finished the last touches on her hair and makeup. Evie wondered if her mother was asking the same question of Rita that Jesse had just asked of her.
Was she really happy?
Thered been a time Rita would have answered no. Shed spent a lot of time mourning her breakup with Jesse Cooper, although shed been the one to end things when Jesse wouldnt give up his Marine Corps career for her.
Rita shouldnt have tried to force Jesse to be something he wasnt. He was a leatherneck through and through, even now, years after leaving the Marine Corps. It was written all over him, from his masculine bearing to his hard-toned body and high-and-tight haircut. It had never made sense to Evie that the same qualities Rita had found so irresistible were the very qualities shed wanted him to change to be her husband.
She supposed everything worked for the best. Rita had found a man who adored her and treated her like a queen. A woman could do a lot worse than Andrew Kingsley.
Evie eyed her bridesmaid dress. She didnt relish the idea of squeezing herself into the tight bodice until absolutely necessary, but she didnt want to mess up her hair again by re-dressing in her T-shirt and jeans just to go take a look at the sanctuary. The florist had delivered the flowers earlier that morning, so she hadnt been able to get a look at the final decorations during the rehearsal the night before. She knew from her sisters description that the sanctuary was going to be beautiful. She just wanted to see it for herself.
She compromised by slipping Ritas white silk bathrobe over her slip before she padded barefoot into the corridor.
The sanctuary was at the far end of the hall, accessible by a double door that opened into the auditorium next to the piano by the altar. Evie stuck her head inside and took a quick look around.
Rita had selected an autumn palette for her wedding, her flower arrangements consisting of gold, russet and burnt-orange roses, lilies and chrysanthemums. The bridesmaid dresses were a rusty red that reminded Evie of dogwood trees in autumn. The pews were adorned with simple copper bows and the unlit unity candles at the front were a soft peach.
Pretty, isnt it?
Evie turned to find a man in a black tux watching her from the front pew. On the pew beside him sat a large black trumpet case.
Beautiful, she agreed.
Im a little early. Or the rest of the orchestra is late. He shrugged.
He was nice-looking. Early thirties, pleasant features, trim and masculine. Also friendly and uncomplicated. Shed had about all she could take of complicated, she thought, her mind wandering to the oh-so-complicated man watching for trouble from a convenience-store parking lot.
Youre in the wedding? the musician asked.
Sister of the bride. She smiled. Guess Id better go get dressed.
She backed out of the sanctuary and started down the hall toward the brides room. Shed gone about ten feet when she saw a rush of movement through the windows facing the churchs side parking lot.
Security guards, she recognized, though the men her father had hired were in plain clothes rather than uniforms. They shared a fierceness of purpose as they streamed toward the door at the end of the corridor.
Panic tightened Evies gut. Had something happened?
As she started sprinting toward the brides room, someone grabbed her from behind in a strong, rough grip. She tried to struggle free, but her captor sprayed her in the face with something that stung on contact.
Pepper spray, she realized with shock, gagging as she tried to breathe. Her eyes slammed shut, burning as if on fire, and when she tried to scream, her voice came out in a tortured croak. She tried to remember the evasion methods shed learned during her Cooper Security orientation training, but the pain in her eyes and her lungs overwhelmed her so that it was all she could do to draw her next breath.