Table of Contents
Raves for Christina Dodd
Dodd delivers a high-octane, blow-out finale.... This romantic suspense novel is a delicious concoction that readers will be hard-pressed not to consume in one gulp.
Publishers Weekly
Warm characterizations and a caperlike plot make Dodds hot contemporary romance a delight, and the cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eager for the sequel.
Booklist
Dodd brings her unique sense of plotting, character, humor, and surprise to this wonderful tale. Youll relish every word, cherish each poignant moment and ingenious plot twist, sigh deeply, and eagerly await the sequel. Dodd is clever, witty, and sexy.
Romantic Times
Dodd adds humor, sizzling sensuality, and a cast of truly delightful secondary characters to produce a story that will not disappoint.
Library Journal
Strong and likable characters make this an enjoyable read. Ms. Dodd peppers the story with interesting secondary personalities, which adds to the reading pleasure.
The Best Reviews
Sexy and witty, daring and delightful.
New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros
A master romantic storyteller.
New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah
Christina Dodd keeps getting better and better.
New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
Treat yourself to a fabulous bookanything by Christina Dodd!
New York Times bestselling author Jill Barnett
Other Books by Christina Dodd
CHRISTINA DODDS THE CHOSEN ONES SERIES
Storm of Visions
Storm of Shadows
CHRISTINA DODDS DARKNESS CHOSEN SERIES
Scent of Darkness
Touch of Darkness
Into the Shadow
Into the Flame
CHRISTINA DODDS ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Trouble in High Heels
Tongue in Chic
Thigh High
Danger in a Red Dress
Dear Reader,
The way to fight a woman is with your hat. Grab it and run.
The guy who said that was a wise man. He knew what most men dontwomen are powerful creatures who should be handled with care, or they can become very, very dangerous.
When I wrote Trouble in High Heels, I knew exactly how lawyer Brandi Michaels would react when she discovered her lousy, deceitful fianc got his girlfriend pregnant, then had the guts to ask for her engagement ring back. I knew she would become as dangerous as a wounded lioness, pawn the ring, and use the money for a new gown and killer heels. Then she would go to a society party looking for revenge. And a fabulous revenge she would find... in Roberto Bartolini.
Roberto is an Italian count, sex in an Armani suit, Johnny Depp without the eyeliner. He has more than money, more than breeding, more than lookshe radiates power. Brandi considers him as challenging as Everest, and shes ready to scale his heights.
What Brandi doesnt know is that Roberto comes from a family of famous robbers; hes been accused of jewel theft; and hes in town to steal the magnificent Romanov Blaze, a priceless cursed diamond. Nor does she know that shes part of his defense team.
Brandi is in deep trouble.
When I wrote Tongue in Chic, I knew Natalie Meadow Szarvas was a different kind of dangerous ladyless sophisticated, more wholesome, but just as determined to complete her mission of recovering her grandmothers painting, even if it involved breaking and enteringand getting caught by the mansions owner.
Though Meadow is a fast thinker, Devlin Fitzwilliam is a fast talker gifted with the face of a dark angel. In Meadow, he recognizes the opportunity for revenge against her family, but hell soon discover the real reason he cant seem to let the rash, eccentric, laughing artist escape his control... or his heart.
Brandi and Meadow are the kind of dangerous ladies I love to writeintelligent, funny, willing to stand and fight for what they believe, and oh so surprised when love sweeps them off their feet.
I hope you enjoy this chance to enjoy two of my favorite novels in one volume, and rememberin the right circumstances, every lady is dangerous.
Warmly,
Christina Dodd
www.christinadodd.com
For the wild at heart!
Trouble in High Heels
For Scott.
When I write about love forever,
I write about you.
Acknowledgments
Some books come to fruition without struggle.
So Im told.
My thanks to my editor, Kara Cesare, for holding my hand through the battle, and to Kara Welsh, for being so patient through disaster and flood. To my plot group, Lisa Kleypas, Connie Brockway, Susan Kay Law, and especially Susan Sizemore and Geralyn Dawson, who answered my panicked phone calls with brutal wisdom and witty banter. And to my agent, Mel Berger, thank you for being a sounding board, mentor, and friend.
1
Nashville, Tennessee
Fourteen years ago
Eleven-year-old Brandi sat in the open door of her bedroom with the floaty princess curtains and the pretty canopy bed, and listened to the sound of her mothers hysterical voice.
But I dont know how to write a check.
Its time you learned. Her father couldnt have sounded more disgusted.
But you always did that for us.
Thats right. Daddy was sort of stomping as he packed. Id come home from a hard days work at the office and I had to sit down and pay the utilities and the house payment and the credit cards and all the other bills. I had to make the reservations anytime we traveled and arrange to have someone mow the lawn. Taking care of you was a damned pain in the ass.
But you wanted it that way!
Daddy must have recognized the justice of her statement, because he sounded a little nicer. Its not hard, Tiffany. Then he was back to impatience. For Christs sake, my secretary can do it.
Its her, isnt it? Mamas voice shook with suspicion. Its Susan. That little slut is the one youre leaving me for.
Shes not a slut, he snapped. Then he took a long, audible breath. And Im leaving you because you dont do anything except... groom.
Brandi imagined her father waving his big hands at her thin, blond, immaculately coiffed and manicured mother.
What do you want me to do? I can do whatever you want. Mama sounded panicked.
Brandi knew Mama was panicked, because Brandi was scared, too.
You cant carry on an intelligent conversation. You cant discuss my business with me. The reason you always get picked for jury duty is because you dont know a damned thing about current events. He snorted. A man like me needs an intellectual challenge, not an aging doormat.
Brandi had to know what was going to happento her parents, and to her.
Brandis mother gasped. Im thirty-two!
As I said.
Why was he being so mean? Tiffany was beautiful. Everybody said so. All Brandis friends at ballet envied her for having a mother who looked like a movie star. Brandi didnt think it was so hot having people talk to her all the time about Tiffany and ask if she was proud to have such a pretty mother, but she always smiled and nodded her head, because then they always said, And youll look just like her when you grow up!