Toxic Truth
(Brotherhood Protectors - Contemporary
Erotic Suspense - MF)
by Tina Donahue
Blurb:
Only he stands
between her and a hired killer.
When
Kenzie discovered a toxic truth that harms military personnel, the
international corporation where she worked put a hit on her. Desperate to
survive, she escapes to the Crazy Mountains to hide out at a deserted cabin she
recalls from childhood.
Lucas
owns the property now. As a former Ranger and sniper, he’s never met a more
terrified young woman. Yet despite her fear, she’s determined to bring her
former employer to justice.
Not
without his help.
Fearless,
honorable, and sexy as sin, he’s the hero she’s always needed.
There’s
no turning back as they surrender to their mounting passion for each other and
meet danger head on to bring a criminal enterprise to justice, saving those
service members most at risk.
Excerpt:
She
couldn’t chance him knowing who she was if his buddies were looking for her. It
didn’t seem likely, given his easy-going personality and what he’d already
revealed about himself. However, risking anything at this point wasn’t wise.
“Why is my name important?”
“Are
you a movie star or some kind of internet sensation?” He worked his mouth to
stop his smile. “Afraid I’ll recognize you from your name rather than how you
look at this point?”
A
drowned dog probably had her beat in the beauty department. Hardly caring, she
rubbed the blanket over her lenses to dry them but left thick smears instead.
“This
might work better.” He pulled a rag from his back pocket. “It’s clean.”
After
taking it, she worked on her glasses, uncertain whether to feel bad for
treating him like a criminal or to maintain her caution as to what he might do
next. Vigilance won out. “Anything else you can tell me about yourself?” She
pushed the rag in her jacket pocket. “Like why you’re up here alone— You are
alone, right?”
He
scratched his stubbled cheek. “If you’re asking if I have a wife and kids, it’s
a firm no on both counts. There’s no long-term girlfriend in my cabin either.
How about you? You running from an ex-husband, ex-lover, or a current one in
those two categories?”
“Why
are you in the middle of nowhere?”
New
muttering beneath his breath. “Because I like it?”
She
swore.
“Easy.”
He used the same voice on her that he had with Caesar.
For
some reason, it didn’t piss her off but made her tired instead. “I can’t tell
you how much it’d help if you gave me some details as to who you are.”
Understanding
and kindness rose in his eyes. “Fair enough. I’m former military, Army.” He
lifted his slicker. Beneath it, he wore a Ranger sweatshirt. “When I left the
service, I came home to Montana. Had a chance to get this property and took
it.”
That
didn’t make sense. “You’re so rich you bought this place and don’t have to work
any longer?”
He
grinned, his smile wide and inviting. “Don’t I wish, but no. Even if I had the
funds, I’d still want to keep busy and offer my assistance to anyone who needs
it. I’m in security, so to speak. I work on assignment. When each ends, I
return here to wait for my next call.”
Sincerity
rang in his voice and showed on his luscious face. More importantly, he wanted
to help people. Still… She’d been cautious for so long, her misgiving lingered.
“What did you mean by ‘so to speak’. It’s either security or it’s not. Which is
it?”
“Do
you always ask so many questions?”
She
bounced in place. “I don’t know you.”
“Hey,
I gave you my blanket, I’ve offered to call for help to get your car out, and I
don’t know you either. Not even your name. Is it a secret?”
She
looked to the side. “Kenzie Caltrane.”
“Was
that so hard?”
His
softened tone and big body called to her as few things had. She was fucking
weary and scared, and simply wanted to melt into his arms and beg him to make
things better. Which he couldn’t. One man who worked security didn’t have that
power. Damn, getting involved in her problems might get him killed, too. “You
shouldn’t have stopped to help.”
“Why
not?”
“Because
you can’t.” The tears she’d held back
for weeks poured out, turning into hitching sobs. “You’ll get hurt.”
“Hey,
hey.” He gathered her to him in a protective caress. “Nothing’s that bad. No
one’s that powerful. If your current or ex, or whatever, is after you, I can
get you to a safe place and—”
“You
can’t stop the entire government.”
She pushed away. “You can’t stop an
assassin.”
His
features slackened. “What?”
She
put out her hand, warning him to keep his distance. “Go back to your cabin.
Pretend you never saw me. Forget my damn name.” A new sob caught in her throat.
“You can’t help.”
“Calm
down, please.” He lifted his hands but didn’t touch her. “I’m not going
anywhere. I sure as hell don’t intend to leave you out here alone to face
whatever—”
“You.
Have. To.” She edged back. “There’s no choice. If you think you can call 9-1-1
and fix this, it isn’t possible. The federal government is involved. They’ll
bury you.”
Alarm
sparked in his eyes then faded, resolve replacing it. “Involved in what? What
are you talking about? Who are you?”
For once, she
got in his face. “I’m a toxic truth to the feds and others. They don’t want me
around. That’s why they’ve put a hit out on me.”
About Tina:
Tina is an Amazon and international
bestselling novelist who writes romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for
traditional publishers and indie.
Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic
Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three
of her erotic novels were Readers'
Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in the EPIC
competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was chosen Book of the
Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love
Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances. Two of her
titles received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another two won second place in the NEC RWA contest
(different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s
Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production
company in Story Direction.
