Synopsis

Police officer Mia Donovan is studying for the detective’s exam when her captain offers her an assignment – be Finn O’Rourke’s personal bodyguard for the next three weeks.  He’s in town to film a movie, he has a stalker, and the threats are escalating.

Mia isn’t interested – she’s focused on the looming exam.  But her captain convinces her that successfully protecting Finn will look very good on her record when promotion decisions are made.  So, reluctantly, she takes the assignment.

Finn isn’t the arrogant, egotistical actor Mia expected.  There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the ‘most hated man in America’, Finn’s nickname since he cheated on his girlfriend, a beloved pop star.

But his stalker is lurking and the threat is escalating.  Although Mia’s feelings for Finn are growing, her job is to protect Finn, not fall in love with him.

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Excerpt

Finn shoved his hand through his hair as he paced in front of the window, both appreciative of his godfather’s concern and irritated by his interference.  “Doug, it’s great that you want to protect me.  I appreciate it.  Really.  But I don’t need a cop hanging around for the next three weeks.  I’ll hire private security if the situation escalates.”

Finn’s hand tightened on his phone as he imagined the field day the paparazzi would have with a cop following him around.  ‘Cops called on Pretty Boy O’Roarke!’  ‘O’Roarke a danger to Chicagoans?’  ‘O’Roake arrested!’

Yeah, he didn’t want anything to do with the cops.

“You hire all the private security you want, Finn.”  His godfather’s voice boomed over the phone, as rough as the waves crashing onto Oak Street Beach below Finn’s window.  “But I’m the goddamned police superintendent in Chicago, and I want a cop in there.  This stalker is escalating.  First that note, then a wedding ring?  This is serious.”

“No cops.  Okay?”

“No one will know she’s a cop.  She’ll be posing as your girlfriend,” his godfather retorted.

“That’s even worse,” he groaned.  “I don’t want a pretend girlfriend.  If the stalker is a woman obsessed with me, the situation could escalate.  I’m not going to do this, Doug.”

He hadn’t dated anyone since the fiasco with Gemma a year and a half ago.  Hadn’t had the stomach for it.  Pretending would be awkward and uncomfortable and unnecessary.  And he’d be trapped, since Doug’s cop would be staying in his suite if he went along with this crazy scheme.

“Really?”  Doug’s voice took on the steely tone Finn had dreaded when he’d played with Doug’s sons twenty years ago.  “You don’t want a cop protecting you?  You want me to have to look your father in the eye and tell him I let some psycho nut job kill his son on my watch?  Huh?  Is that what you want, Finian?”

Finn closed his eyes and banged his head lightly on the window.  Doug was bringing out the big guns.  Finian.  If his full name didn’t work, the next step would be calling Finn’s mother.  They both knew what would happen then, and it wouldn’t be pretty.

“Damn it, Doug!”  Finn knew the hell that would rain down on him if his mother got involved.  “Fine.  But don’t expect me to hold her hand in public.  Or kiss her.  I’m not giving the vultures any money shots.”

“That’s fine, Finny.  Wouldn’t expect you to.  Wouldn’t expect her to, either.”  Doug’s voice was smooth and happy, now that he’d gotten his way.  “She’ll be on the job.  All business.   But she’s going to be with you, wherever you go.”

And wouldn’t that be fun.  “Yeah.  Fine.  Send her over.”

“First thing in the morning, son.”

Finn could hear the self-satisfied smile in his godfather’s voice.  “Doug, I know you mean well, but you’re a pain in my ass.”

“And your ass will still be alive when you leave Chicago,” Doug retorted.  “Now go be evil and nasty in that movie of yours.”

“Give my love to Marie,” Finn said, hanging up the phone a little harder than necessary.

About the Author

Two-time Rita finalist Margaret Watson has sold millions of copies of her thirty eight books.  After writing spicy Harlequin romances, Margaret dials it up a notch with her latest, the Donovan Family series.  Once you start reading these sexy romantic suspense stories about a family of Chicago cops, you won’t be able to stop.

When not writing, Margaret practices veterinary medicine.  She lives near Chicago with her husband, three daughters and a menagerie of pets.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips, NYT bestselling author, says, “Margaret Watson, a star in the world of contemporary romance, grabs you on the opening page and keeps you reading to the happily ever after.”

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