Relentless Protector. Colleen Thompson

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      A RUTHLESS ARMY RANGER

      Former army ranger Cole Sawyer reacts on instinct when he sees beautiful young widow Lisa Meador pull a gun at the bank. He foils the robbery, but when Lisa screams as the real robbers take off with her son, he realizes that things aren’t what they seem. Driven by a painful secret, Cole makes the split-second decision to join forces with Lisa and trail the criminals across Texas.

      A DESPERATE SINGLE MOTHER

      Haunted by his failure to save Lisa’s husband in Afghanistan, Cole is determined to help her rescue her son. But he’s even more determined not to give in to his growing attraction to her. As they untangle clues and face the potentially devastating loss of their quarry, they soon realize that the kidnappers’ motives run deeper—and darker—than they ever expected....

      A LITTLE BOY’S ONLY HOPE

      “I swear to you,” he promised, “they aren’t taking me alive. I’m sorry, Lisa—sorrier than you’ll ever know.” And sorrier still for what I haven’t told you.”

      “Don’t. Please.” She raised herself onto her toes and brushed the fullness of her warm lips across his. The kiss was soft and fleeting, yet somehow it sent a jolt that blazed through his brain and body as if he’d never experienced a woman’s touch before. Desire gripped him, a searing need to turn and claim her mouth in earnest, to find out what it was about her that had somehow stirred that pile of cold ash that was once his beating heart.

      “I’ll come for you,” Cole managed, his voice rough. “And, Lisa, if there’s any way—any way at all—to make it happen, I’ll be bringing your son with me.”

      Relentless Protector

      Colleen Thompson

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      After beginning her career writing historical romance novels, Colleen Thompson turned to writing the contemporary romantic suspense she loves in 2004. Since then, her work has been honored with a Texas Gold Award, along with nominations for a RITA® Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award and multiple reviewers’ choice honors, along with starred reviews from RT Book Reviews and Publishers Weekly. A former teacher living with her family in the Houston area, Colleen has a passion for reading, hiking and dog rescue. Visit her online at www.colleen-thompson.com .

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      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Captain Cole Sawyer—Leaving his elite army ranger unit wasn’t easy, but turning his back on a fellow soldier’s gorgeous widow in her hour of need is impossible—as impossible as his growing attraction to the courageous young mother who threatens to take his combat-hardened heart by storm.

      Lisa Meador—When an ordinary afternoon errand goes terribly wrong, this determined young widow will stop at nothing—including the kidnappers’ demands that she commit bank robbery—to free her only child. When a handsome stranger interferes, she enlists his help—never guessing the devastating secret that binds them.

      Tyler Meador—Determined to be as brave as his soldier father was in combat, Lisa’s five-year-old son relies on his imagination, and his trusty stuffed octopus, to keep his fears at bay.

      Lee Ray Hardy—Despite a long rap sheet and a bad drug habit, this career criminal has a soft spot for the kidnapped boy. But will that be enough to save him from his partner’s schemes?

      Evie LeStrange—A violent sociopath with an ax to grind, Evie wants to get rid of her incriminating encumbrance—but only after inflicting as much pain as possible on a woman she didn’t choose at random.

      Deputy Trace Sutherland—This by-the-book deputy still loves the ex-wife he’s been assigned to ride with, but will either of them survive her reckless disregard for safety?

      Deputy Jill Keller—A near-death experience has done little to temper her gung-ho attitude toward law enforcement. But will her lingering love for her ex-husband finally make her see the light?

      To those who serve and sacrifice...

      and the no-less-courageous families who love them.

      Contents

       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

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Excerpt