Carla Cassidy - Target in Jeopardy

A prodigal Colton comes home...

...to the shock of his life!

Grieving the loss of his late wife, Dallas Colton rarely lets his guard down. The one time he indulges in a wild night of passion, it yields unexpected results. Seven months later, Dallas finds himself expecting twins with prosecutor Avery Loganand working to protect Avery from criminals who want her dead. But when long-buried secrets rise from the grave, their growing family is soon under siege.

Avery drove as fast as possible toward Dallass cabin.

She had no idea if the truck that had followed her, that had attacked her, would turn around and come after her or not. She grabbed her cell phone out of her purse but was too busy frantically driving to make a call.

Fear still clawed at her throat as her eyes shot to her rearview mirror over and over again. She didnt see anyone following her yet, but she feared the truck would suddenly appear right behind her once again.

She finally pulled up in front of Dallass cabin and pulled to a halt next to his truck. Safety. She continued to sob as she took her phone and raced for his front door.

Dallas! She beat on the door with her fist. Fear was still a frantic, screaming beast inside her. There was no answer. She banged on the door once again. Dallas, please help me!

* * *

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Dear Reader,

We love our Coltons, and what could be better than a Colton book that includes a serial killer and a surprise pregnancy?

It was such fun writing Avery Logan and Dallas Coltons story. I love to write about people exploring the possibility of love. It makes me remember falling in love with my husband.

Of course, for Avery and Dallas, all is not smooth. There are definitely bumps in the road for these two...bumps and danger. If you want to know if they survive and if true love manages to overcome the darkness that is thrown in their paths, then you just need to read the book!

As always, happy reading!

Carla Cassidy

COLTON 911:
TARGET IN JEOPARDY

Carla Cassidy

Carla Cassidy is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 120 novels for Harlequin. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from RT Book Reviews for Anything for Danny. In 1998, she won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from RT Book Reviews. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.

Books by Carla Cassidy

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Colton 911

Colton 911: Target in Jeopardy

Cowboys of Holiday Ranch

A Real Cowboy

Cowboy of Interest

Cowboy Under Fire

Cowboy at Arms

Operation Cowboy Daddy

Killer Cowboy

Sheltered by the Cowboy

Guardian Cowboy

Cowboy Defender

The Coltons of Red Ridge

The Colton Cowboy

The Coltons of Shadow Creek

Coltons Secret Son

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Contents

A very Logan slowly walked up the stairs to the courthouses front door. She paused for a moment before going inside the stately three-story brick building where justice was handed out on a daily basis.

She took her job very seriously. She always arrived early and took a moment or two to relax on the top concrete step before heading inside to face her job as a criminal prosecutor.

There were several other people standing around and waiting for the courthouse to officially open its doors to the public, including some who would find out their fate.

She shifted her briefcase from one hand to the other and drew in a deep breath of the September air. Autumn was her favorite time of the year. The changing colors of the trees in Whisperwood, Texas, were particularly pretty this year. Deep reds battled with shades of orange and yellow, and created a vision of nature at its finest.

Optimism buoyed her in spite of the fact that her feet already hurt and her lower back ached. Today was the last of the witnesses, and hopefully final arguments would occur by noon. She was relatively sure as prosecutor that this was going to be a win for Lady Justice. Although Dwayne Conway wasnt the big drug lord she dreamed of bringing down, if shed done her job right at least hed be one more lowlife drug-selling creep off the streets.

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through her. Her heart suddenly wept a single name... Zeke. Since his death a little over a year ago, a day didnt go by that she didnt grieve for him. Hed been her best friend and her beloved younger brother, and a heroin overdose had taken him away from her forever.

She shoved thoughts of Zeke away and took one more glance around at the people gathered at the foot of the stairs. Suddenly she froze.

He stood with a small group, including Forrest Colton, who was due to testify in the trial today. Was it really him or was she just imagining it?

Dallas. His name whispered from her lips as a thousand emotions rushed over her. She stared at the mans profile, drinking in the sight of his wavy, sandy-colored hair and his straight nose. Yes, there was no question in her mind, it was him. She knew his eyes were an azure blue and that he had an utterly charming smile.

She also knew what it felt like to be held in his strong arms and how his sexy lips could kiss a woman completely mindless. She knew what it felt like to make exquisite love with him. What she didnt know was his last name.

She wrapped an arm around her burgeoning stomach, and at the same time he turned and looked up. His eyes widened in obvious stunned surprise at the sight of her. His gaze swept the length of her body, pausing on the huge baby bump that had annihilated her waistline months ago, and then his gaze trekked back up to her face.

She remained frozen in place, not sure what to do. Should she turn around and run? What was his reaction going to be? It wasnt like she really knew him. Theyd shared only a single night together, a passionate night fueled by a little too much alcohol and loneliness. It had also been a foolish night without birth control or protection.

He said something to the others in the group and then slowly climbed the stairs to where she stood. Her heart beat a million miles a minute as he drew closer.

He was just as handsome as she remembered, with his light hair, intense blue eyes and well-defined features. She held her breath as he finally reached her.

Avery, he said in greeting.

Hi, Dallas. Its been a while. Good Lord, this was definitely the most awkward moment shed ever experienced in all of her thirty-three years. His gaze once again lingered on her very pregnant belly. Uh...yes, she said, answering what she knew his question might be.

He shifted from one foot to the other, as if at a loss for words, and his face instantly paled. She had only a couple minutes left before she needed to be in her seat in the courtroom. Uh, its nice to see you again, she said. I need to get inside. She turned toward the door, but he stopped her.

Avery, obviously we need to talk. He pulled his wallet out of his black slacks pocket and drew out a business card and handed it to her. Thats got all my contact information on it. Could we maybe meet somewhere later today, after youre finished here?