The Outsider's Redemption. Joanna Wayne

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      “I don’t know what you’re up to, Sarah, but even if I slept with you, even if I made love to you until sunup and it was the best I ever had, it wouldn’t change anything.”

      “Make love? Is that what you thought I was asking you to do?”

      “It sure sounded that way to me.”

      “Then you don’t listen too well, cowboy.” Sarah sat up straight, this time holding the sheet so that all Cody could see was her face. “I was having a bad case of nerves and thought you were feeling down yourself. A little closeness sometimes helps, but I had no intention of—of being intimate with you.”

      Cody stared at her, his mouth open, his ego slammed down a peg or two.

      “But just for the record,” she continued, so angry she couldn’t bite back her words. “If I had made love with you, it would have been the best you ever had!”

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      The holidays are upon us again. This year, remember to give yourself a gift—the gift of great romantic suspense from Harlequin Intrigue!

      In the exciting conclusion to TEXAS CONFIDENTIAL, The Outsider’s Redemption (#593) by Joanna Wayne, Cody Gannon must make a life-and-death decision. Should he trust his fellow agents even though there may be a traitor among their ranks? Or should he trust Sarah Rand, a pregnant single mother-to-be, who may be as deadly as she is beautiful?

      Another of THE SUTTON BABIES is on the way, in Lullaby and Goodnight (#594) by Susan Kearney. When Rafe Sutton learns Rhianna McCloud is about to have his baby, his honor demands that he protect her from a determined and mysterious stalker. But Rafe must also discover the stalker’s connection to the Sutton family—before it’s too late!

      An unlikely partnership is forged in To Die For (#595) by Sharon Green. Tanda Grail is determined to find her brother’s killer. Detective Mike Gerard doesn’t want a woman distracting him while on a case. But when push comes to shove, is it Mike’s desire to catch a killer that propels him, or his desire for Tanda?

      First-time Harlequin Intrigue author Morgan Hayes makesher debut with Tall, Dark and Wanted (#596). Policewoman Molly Sparling refuses to believe Mitch Drake is dead. Her former flame and love of her life is missing from Witness Protection, but her superior tracking skills find him hiding out. While the cop in her wants to bring him in, the woman in her wants him to trust her. But Mitch just plain wants her back….

      Wishing you the happiest of holidays from all of us at Harlequin Intrigue!

      Sincerely,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Associate Senior Editor

      Harlequin Intrigue

      The Outsider’s Redemption

      Joanna Wayne

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Joanna Wayne lives with her husband just a few miles from steamy, exciting New Orleans, but her home is the perfect writer’s hideaway. A lazy bayou, complete with graceful herons, colorful wood ducks and an occasional alligator, winds just below her back garden. When not creating tales of spine-tingling suspense and heartwarming romance, she enjoys reading, golfing or playing with her grandchildren, and, of course, researching and plotting out her next novel.

      Joanna loves to hear from readers. You can request a newsletter by writing her at P.O. Box 2851, Harvey, LA 70059-2851.

      Books by Joanna Wayne

      HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

      288—DEEP IN THE BAYOU

      339—BEHIND THE MASK

      389—EXTREME HEAT

      444—FAMILY TIES*

      471—JODIE’S LITTLE SECRETS

      495—ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

      505—LONE STAR LAWMAN

      537—MEMORIES AT MIDNIGHT

      569—THE SECOND SON*

      573—THE STRANGER NEXT DOOR*

      577—A MOTHER’S SECRETS*

      593—THE OUTSIDER’S REDEMPTION

      The Confidential Agent’s Pledge

      I hereby swear to uphold the law to the best of my ability; to maintain the level of integrity of this agency by my compassion for victims, loyalty to my brothers and courage under fire.

      And above all, to hold all information and identities in the strictest confidence….

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Cody Gannon—Being a Texas Confidential agent meant everything to him until he learned why he’d been selected.

      Sarah Rand—Has she sold out to the enemy or is she just an innocent woman running for her life?

      Penny Archer—The Confidential agents’ right-hand woman has a secret longing to get into the action.

      Daniel Austin—A Texas Confidential agent for fifteen years, he was killed by Calderone. Or was he?

      Tomaso Calderone—A ruthless criminal whom the Confidential agents have been trying to stop for years.

      Elmore Cochran—The man whose office Sarah broke into to steal classified information.

      Mitchell Forbes—The crusty, dynamic leader of Texas Confidential and Cody’s hero—until he learned the truth about the man behind the badge.

      Brady Morgan, Jake Cantrell and Rafe Alvarez—The other members on the Confidential team. Their allegiance is to Mitchell, and Cody is not certain he can trust them with details of his current mission.

      Grover Rucker—Sarah’s previous boss, recently retired.

      Peter Rucker—Grover’s son, but his sudden appearance at their hideaway has Cody and Sarah wondering if he doesn’t know more than he claims.

      Maddie Wells—A neighboring rancher and a widow who’s been trying to get Mitchell Forbes to pop the question for years.

      This book is dedicated to my friend Virginia, who not only lives the life of a romance heroine but is a true friend who makes me laugh, even on my worst days. And to Wayne, always.

      Contents

       Prologue