Surrender is the greatest sin
For adventure guide Ryan Quinn, a week in Fiji babysitting a hen party should be a cakewalk. Only, the bride turns out to be sexy movie star Serena Hightower, and the wedding turns out to be very much in question. Ryan wants to help Serena, but hes not sure he can trust himself with hernot when she is his every temptation personified
Serena Hightower just needs one week in paradise to figure out what she wants. Unfortunately, what she wants is the one thing she cant havethe rugged and charming Ryan Quinn. Serena craves Ryans touch, the haven of his arms. But to be with him, shell have to risk her career and her future, not to mention his. If she throws it all away for the chance at happiness, will he do the same?
Praise for Kate Hoffmanns Mighty Quinns
The author continues to do a wonderful job with her
beloved Quinn family saga. A perfectly paced
page-turner, this setup novel for the New Zealand
Quinns is firmly in place and off to a great start.
RT Book Reviews on The Mighty Quinns: Malcolm
The Mighty Quinns: Malcolm is a winning combination
of exciting adventure and romance. The captivating
prologue pulled me into this engaging story with
characters that are likable, interesting and genuine.
This is a sweet and sexy read that kept me
entertained from start to finish.
Harlequin Junkie
Keep your fan handy! It was impossible for me
to put this steamy, sexy book down until the
last page was turned.
Fresh Fiction on The Mighty Quinns: Jack
Sexy, heartwarming and romantic, this is a story to
settle down with and enjoyand then reread.
RT Book Reviews on The Mighty Quinns: Teague
This is a fast read that is hard to tear the eyes from.
Once I picked it up I couldnt put it down.
Fresh Fiction on The Mighty Quinns: Dermot
Dear Reader,
Its hard to believe another Quinn trilogy has come to an end. Every time I finish a miniseries, I always wonder where the Quinns will lead me next. This time it was New Zealand, and it was a wonderful place to research and write about. Next time? Who knows?
I expect, if I looked hard enough, I could find Quinns in every corner of the world. Dont worry, Ill keep looking for as long as you like to read about the family. And until we meet again
Happy reading,
Kate Hoffmann
The Mighty Quinns: Ryan
Kate Hoffmann
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATE HOFFMANN has written over seventy stories for Mills and Boon. Her first book was published in 1993, and last year she celebrated twenty years as a romance writer. In addition to writing, Kates interests include theater, music, gardening, costume design and vegetarian cooking. Kate lives in southeastern Wisconsin with her cat, Chloe, and many small dust bunnies.
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Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Praise
Dear Reader
Title Page
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prologue
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Epilogue
Extract
Copyright
Prologue
THE WIND HOWLED outside the house on Gordon Road, shaking the windows. The dream had Ryan Quinn in its grip, and though he wanted to wake up, he felt as if the darkness had swallowed him whole.
In the dream, a knock sounded at the bedroom door, so loud that it shook the floor. He slowly crossed the room, the floor icy cold against his bare feet. He stopped short as the knob began to turn, the terror welling up inside of him. The door swung open and a huge figure filled the space.
Ryans breath came in shallow gasps as the fear overwhelmed him. He looked up from the mans boots to his cold weather gear. The hood of the mans jacket was pulled low over his face and Ryan watched as he brushed the hood back.
A scream tore from Ryans throat and he bolted up in his bed, his heart slamming against his chest. His twin brother, Rogan, pushed up from his pillow on the bed next to him, rubbing his eyes. Jaysus, Ryan, wake up. Youre having a nightmare.
Ryan swallowed hard, pulling the blankets up to his chin. Im okay. Im okay.
Rogan shook his head. What was it this time?
Since their fathers death a year ago, Ryan had had trouble sleeping. Hed been plagued with vague, unsettling dreams, dreams that reflected the grief and fear that existed in the Quinn house. But this was a new one, more vivid and frightening.
Ryan shivered, his body trembling uncontrollably. Itit was Dad.
Rogan crawled out of his bed and sat down on the edge of Ryans mattress. Really. You saw him in your dream?
Ryan nodded, swallowing back the fear. Tears filled his eyes and he brushed one off his cheek. He was frozen. His face was made of ice and his eyes were black holes. And there was snow in his hair and beard.
Did he say anything?
No. But he smiled at me.
It was just a dream, Rogan said.
Ryan turned to him. Some nights, before I go to sleep, I imagine that hes still alive. I imagine that he walked off the mountain and is living somewhere in Nepal or Tibet. That hes safe.
He isnt, Rogan said. Mum says that hes dead and we need to accept that. But...sometimes I wish he was alive, too.
Do you think theyll ever find him?
Mal says that even if they do, they could never bring him home. It would be impossible.
I wish I could see him just once more. Just so I could remember him.
What would you say to him? Rogan asked.
Ryan had to consider his answer. He knew he shouldnt be angry with his father, but there was a tiny part of him that was. Max Quinn had promised to always come back, but hed broken his promise, turning Ryans world upside down.
Their lives had changed overnight. Money was suddenly in very short supply, and the worry over the family finances was deeply etched in their mothers face. Theyd had to leave their little house in Rotorua, leave their friends and school and come to live in Raglan with their mothers parents.
Lydie Quinn had been sad for nearly a year, staying in her room and not coming out, even for Ryan and his three siblings. Ryan had been afraid for such a long time, and he wasnt sure how to help his mother. But hed found odd jobs and made a few dollars here and there, each week handing over the money to his grandmother for groceries.
And though his siblings still worshipped the man who had been their father, Ryan was the only one who also saw that hed had flaws. Hed left his family with nothing. Hed thought he was invincibleand hed been wrong.
Rogan pulled the blanket up and crawled into the bed. Ryan moved over to make room. Mum wants to drive to Rotorua tomorrow so we can go to the cemetery. Its been a year. They put up a monument and she wants us to see it.
Is it going to be sad? I dont want to watch her cry anymore.
I expect it will be, Rogan said. But best to keep our chins up and carry on.
Ryan flopped back on the pillow, his gaze fixed on the shadows that danced on the ceiling. I want him to come home.
I know, Rogan said, lying down beside him. Someday, maybe we can go look for him. We could bring him home and put him in the cemetery.
Ryan shook his head, the thought of seeing his father frozen in time more frightening than the nightmare. I dont want to remember him that way. I want to remember him like he was when he was alive. Before hed broken his promise and died.
Maybe youre right, Rogan said.
But I do want to climb mountains someday, he said. Just like Dad. I want to see all the things that he saw.
We will, Rogan said.
Ryan closed his eyes and tried to picture his father alive and happy. But no matter how hard he tried, the image of the man in the dream kept nagging at his brain. How could this have happened to Max Quinn? Hed always told his children that he would keep himself safe, that they had nothing to fear.
Had he forgotten his promise? Or maybe promises didnt mean anything to grown-ups. Well, it would mean something to him. Ryan made a silent vowhe would never break a promise, ever.
Go to sleep, Rogan said. Youll feel better in the morning. Rogan put his arm around his brother, and Ryan clutched him tightly.
Promise me that youll never die, Ryan whispered.
I wont. I promise. Now you promise, too.
I wont die. Not until Im an old man. I promise.
1
RYAN QUINN STARED out the rain-blurred windscreen of Rogans Land Rover, his gaze fixed on the dark tarmac. In the distance, the landing beacons from Aucklands airport illuminated the night sky.
How long are you going to wait?
All night if I have to, Ryan murmured, glancing over at his twin brother, slumped in the drivers seat. Theyre coming in from Los Angeles on a private jet. I dont reckon theyll be keeping to a strict schedule.
Serena Hightower, Rogan said, shaking his head. How did you get so lucky?
Ryan shrugged. Im not sure Id call it lucky. Its just another job.
Yeah, but the scenery is going to be splendid, Rogan said, reaching for the coffee hed set in the cup holder. What are you going to do with them? I asked Dana what your plans were, but she said theyre top secret.
Were going to Fiji.
Really? Weve never guided in Fiji before. Thats more of a vacation spot.
Well do some light trekking, maybe some climbing. Surfing. Sailing.
What about supplies and equipment and
Its not that kind of trip. Im just on board as...an advisor. Someone who can take care of all the details for whatever they want to do.
Kind of like a...babysitter?
Ryan glanced over at his brother, ready with a retort. But there was no way around it. That was pretty much the job description. But how the hell was he supposed to refuse the offer? He was getting his regular rate plus expenses and a promised bonus at the end, all of which he intended to keep for himself. And if he did the job well, there might be other opportunitieswhich meant a chance to carve out a life of his own, away from the family business. I prefer to call it a facilitator.
Hed been considering a break from the family adventure-guiding business for a long time, and lately, it seemed as if that time was now. Both Mal and Rogan were settling down with women theyd met, planning their futures, searching for ways to cut back on the trips they took for Max Adrenaline. Theyd both assumed that Ryan would happily take over the brunt of the work.
But hed made no promises to them and had plans of his ownhe wanted to start a surf school. He lived right on the beach; hed been surfer since the age of nine. And hed always been a decent teacher. The only thing he didnt have was the money to make it happen.
His fee, plus a big tip on this job would provide a good start.
How did you get this job? Rogan asked.
I guided a bloke named Thom Perry last year. He was on our Mount Blanc trip. Perry owns Greenmoor Studios in Los Angeles. Serena Hightower is starring in some big blockbuster they have coming out after Christmas. Shes marrying her boyfriend right before the premiere, and he doesnt want any bad press.
Bad press?
This is her hen party. She and her bridesmaids want one last fling before she gets married, and Perry wants to make sure they dont create any problems for the studio.
So its your job to get her safely to the altar so this blokes movie can make more millions?
Thats about it, Ryan said. How hard can it be? Five women on a tropical island.