Kathleen Creighton - Daredevil’s Run

The fourth book in the Taken series, 2008

Dear Reader,

Lets extend our summer lovin with this months Silhouette Romantic Suspense offerings. Reader-favorite Kathleen Creighton will enthrall you with Daredevils Run (#1523), the latest in her miniseries THE TAKEN. Here, an embittered man reunites with his long-lost love as they go on a death-defying adventure in the wilderness. Youll feel the heat from Cindy Deess Killer Affair (#1524), the third book in SEDUCTION SUMMER. In this series, a serial killer murders amorous couples on the beach, and no lover is safe. Dont miss the exciting conclusion to this sizzling roller-coaster ride!

When a handsome hero receives a mysterious postcard, he joins forces to find its sender with the woman who secretly loves him. Can they overcome a shared tragedy and face the future together? Find out in Justine Daviss emotional tale Her Best Friends Husband (#1525), which is part of her popular REDSTONE, INCORPORATED miniseries. Finally, lets give a big welcome to Jennifer Morey, who debuts in the line with The Secret Soldier (#1526), and begins her miniseries ALL MCQUEENS MEN. In this action-packed story, a dangerous-and ultrasexy-military man must rescue a kidnapped scientist. As they risk life and limb, they discover an unforgettable chemistry.

This month, youll find love against the odds and adventures lurking around every corner. Enjoy these gems from Silhouette Romantic Suspense!

Sincerely,

Patience Smith

Senior Editor

It started the way it always did, with the dream of waking up in the darkness, of being afraid, terrified. Heart racing, pounding, sweating and shaking, wanting to cry but knowing he was too big to cry. He didnt want to be a baby, did he?

He didnt cry, he didnt. But his chest and throat hurt as if he did.

Then the noise. Terrible noises-things crashing, breaking, thumps and bangs, voices yellingscreaming. A mans voice yelling. A womans voice screaming.

There were other voices, too, small frightened voices-not his!-whimpering, Mommy

And finallyfinally the other voice, the one hed been waiting for, praying for, soft as a breath blowing warm past his ear. ShhIts okayits gonna be okay. I wont let him hurt you. Nobodys gonna hurt you. Youre safe now. Its okay.

He felt safe then, and warm, and when the loudest noises came, he crouched down in the warm darkness and waited for the crashing and banging and screaming and yelling to stop and the lights to turn on, so bright they hurt his eyes. So bright he woke up.

Wade-Wade-

Matties voice. Mattie was standing beside his bed, poking him, shaking his arm.

Wake up, Wade. Wakeup!

I am awake. Stop poking me. He glared up at his brothers face, just a dark blob in the darkness of their room, and scrubbed furiously at his eyes. Whats the matter? What did you wake me up for?

You were crying.

Was not.

Yes, you were. I heard you. Did you have a bad dream, Wade?

Maybe. So what? He was the older brother, after all. Big deal. It was only a dream. Go back to sleep, Mattie.

Matties shadow didnt move, just went on standing there beside Wades bed. A small voice said, I cant. Im all awake now, too. Can I get in bed with you, Wade?

Wade let out an exaggerated breath, but the truth was, he didnt mind. Okaybut you better not kick me this time, or Im pushin you on the floor.

He scooted over and Matt lifted the edge of the blankets and crawled in beside him. For a few minutes Wade lay still, listening to his brothers uneven breathing, feeling the warmth of his body drive away the last lingering chill of nightmare.

After a while, he heard a whisper.

Was it the pounding dream, Wade?

Wades voice felt gravelly as he answered, Yeah.

Anddid he come?

Did who come?

You know who. The angel. The boy angel.

After a pause, Wade said on a long breath, Yeah

I knew it, Mattie said, wriggling down into the pillow with a yawn. He always comes when you need him

A moment later his breathing became a soft snore, and a moment after that, Wade, too, was asleep.

Wade dialed the phone from his hospital bed. He closed his eyes as he counted the rings, but it didnt help to shut out the image of his brother the way hed last seen him, making his way slowly and awkwardly through his apartment in his wheelchair.

The rings stopped after only two, surprising him. Always before when hed called, it had taken at least six rings for Matt to get to the phone.

Man, he said, that was fast.

Cell phone, his brother said. Whos this?

Its me-Wade. How are you, buddy?

HeyWade. Wow-been a while.

Yeah. He gritted his teeth against a double whammy of pain waves, one from his leg, suspended in a sling and swathed in surgical dressings, the other in his heart. Pure guilt, that one. Listen, about that-

Forget it, bro. Its cool. I understand. Sohow you been? Bad guys keepin you busy?

Wade laughed-tried to do it without moving anything that might hurt. Yeah, wellI guess Ive been better. But hey-thats not why I called. Ive got somebody here who wants to talk to you. He paused. You sitting down?

Oh, yeah, funny. Very funny. So who is it? Hey, dont tell me. You got married?

Wade looked at the woman standing beside his bed, reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. Not quite, he said in a voice gone raspy with emotions he knew better than to try and hide. Not yet. Soon though. We want you to be there. And I promise you, man, youre gonna love her. No-this is He paused, looked up at the other faces bending over him, and muttered half to himself, Jeez, I didnt think this was going to be so hard. UhMattie? Remember those nightmares I used to have? I told you about em, remember? There was this voice-you said it was-

An angel. Sure, I remember. I was a kid-what can I say. So? What about it?

Wade took a deep breath and grinned up at the man standing poised, his face a mask of suspense that didnt come close to hiding his emotions, either.

Well, little brotherguess what? Hes real. And here he is. In person. His voice broke, and he barely got the rest of it out as he handed the phone over to Cory. Mattie, say hello to our Angel. The brother you didnt know you had.

Alex Penny gave a start when the front door to the offices of Penny Tours, located in the tiny town of Wofford Heights, California, opened to admit a stranger. Almost nobody used the front door, since most people wanting to make reservations did so by telephone or online, and when they showed up in person, they would have been directed to the Rafting Center farther along and on the other side of the highway. Guides and drivers coming in from the equipment yard and warehouse used the back door.

Once in a great while, though, someone did wander in looking for information on available tours, or maybe directions to the Rafting Center, so she gave the visitor an automatic smile and was well into her customary speech. Hi. If youre looking for the Rafting Center, its about a block down on Then the mans face came into full focus.