Angels and Outlaws. Lori Wilde

      

      Angels and Outlaws

      Lori Wilde

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Dear Reader,

      What if a legend-shrouded ancient amulet belonging to tragic star-crossed lovers and reputed to possess magical powers resurfaced in modern-day New York?

      What if there are also dark forces, fuelled by a dangerous obsession, seeking the amulet for personal greed and satisfaction?

      And what if six women, all pure of heart and ready for true love, get caught up in the hunt for this special object, only to discover that it will dramatically alter their lives forever?

      This intriguing scenario provides the framework for an action-packed six-book mini-series that promises thrills, chills, twists and turns and, of course, lots of steamy, red-hot romance.

      The action kicks off in Angels and Outlaws when The White Star amulet is stolen from the exclusive Stanhope auction house in Manhattan and Detective Sergeant Sam Mason is assigned to the case. What Sam discovers about The White Star shocks him and puts gorgeous public relations representative Cass Richards at the top of his suspect list. Will true love win out?

      Don’t miss a single story in this series as it builds to an exciting and unexpected conclusion in Destiny’s Hand, available from Mills & Boon® Blaze® in August 2009.

      Enjoy the ride!

       Lori Wilde

      MILLS & BOON

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      To Kathryn Lye – thanks for all your incredibly hard work on this project. only you understand how much this means.

       The Legend Begins

      Thousands of years ago in a faraway desert kingdom lived two young princesses named Anan and Batu. Anan was the older sister destined to inherit the throne, but Batu was the prettier of the two with her dark, almond eyes and her thick black hair. While Anan was being groomed to take over her royal duties, Batu was allowed to play freely. Her favourite playmate was Egmath, the son of the bravest soldier in the king’s army.

      Late one afternoon, as Batu and Egmath were frolicking among the cypress trees on the outskirts of the village, Egmath noticed the tiny buds on her chest blooming beneath her robe and began teasing her about them. Embarrassed by the odd changes in her body and by Egmath’s gentle jokes, Batu ran away and hid herself among the sand dunes.

      She felt confused. Why had his comments upset her so? Until now, they’d joked and teased and poked fun at each other about everything. What had changed? Why did she feel so self-conscious? She ducked her head, crossed her arms over her chest, willed the strange bumps away and just kept running.

      Alarmed that he’d hurt his best friend’s feelings and worried that Batu had gone out into the desert alone with no water, Egmath went in search of her. He walked through the heated sand, calling her name, calling out a heartfelt apology, pleading with Batu to show herself.

      He crested one dune after another, moving farther and farther away from the village, but no Batu.

      Evening crept over the horizon and young Egmath’s fear and guilt grew deeper with each darkening second. The wind buffeted him and blew sand in his face, tossing his pleas into the twilight. She would never hear him now. Time passed. Stars speckled the sky.

       “Batu, Batu, where are you?” he cried.

      He thought he heard a jackal’s low yipping, but he couldn’t be sure. Panic pulled Egmath faster into the desert night. He stumbled, fell on his face, got up and kept trudging up a high dune. When he reached the summit and peered down into the basin below, terror gripped his heart.

      There stood Batu, surrounded by a pack of snarling, hungry jackals.

      Egmath had no idea what to do. He had no weapon, and the village was too far away. If he left to go and find help, the jackals would surely attack before he could return. It was up to him and him alone to save her.

      Batu hadn’t seen him. She stared at the horrible creatures, frozen with fear, trapped, unable to move. The jackals edged closer in a slowly advancing circle. Egmath swallowed hard, calling up every ounce of courage he possessed. His father had taught him there was nothing more important than honour and bravery.

      But how could one young boy hope to fight off eight slobbering jackals? This then was his first test as a man. He would save Batu or die trying.

      Armed with nothing more than his love for Batu, Egmath let out a fierce, angry scream, waved his arms wildly above his head and charged down the dune.

      The jackals, frightened by the brave young warrior, turned and ran away into the darkness.

      Egmath reached Batu. His heart was pounding and he could barely breathe. He was so scared.

       “You saved my life,” Batu whispered.

      He put his arms around her and held her close. “We must hurry to the village. Before the jackals come back.”

       Batu was trembling so hard she could not walk.

       “I’ll carry you,” Egmath said.

      He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist and dropped her head onto his shoulder.

      Their chests were pressed tightly together. She could feel the steady strum of his heart beneath hers. He was her saviour, her hero.

      When at last they reached the copse of cypress trees, Egmath set her down, took her hands in his and under the starlit sky looked her straight in the eyes. “I’m so sorry for hurting your feelings,” he murmured. “I should never have teased you.”

      “I should not have taken offence. I was silly. Thank you for caring enough to come after me.”

      They stared into each other’s faces, and even though they were mere children they both knew they were fated to be together.