“YOU’RE IN DANGER.”
Bakery owner Shelby Simons can’t deny a stalker is after her. Still, knowing she’s at risk is one thing. Admitting she needs a bodyguard is quite another. Especially when the bodyguard is Ryder Malone. The former SEAL is too big, too tough and way too attractive. Yet Ryder won’t take no for an answer. If she can’t find a place for him in her life, he’ll make one, working undercover to protect Shelby and find her attacker. But as Ryder and Shelby get closer to answers—and each other—the killer starts closing in….
Heroes for Hire
Seeking the truth—at any cost.
Ryder scooped Shelby up, racing back across the yard as another explosion rocked the house.
It threw him to his knees, but he kept his arms tight around Shelby’s soft, limp body.
“What happened?” she gasped, coughing on the acrid fumes.
“Explosion.”
“Maureen’s in there!” She shoved away, jumped to her feet and ran straight back toward the inferno.
He followed, heat searing his cheeks. “There’s nothing we can do to help her.”
She turned, tears trekking down her cheeks. Near her temple was a deep cut that oozed blood. She didn’t seem to feel the pain of it. Didn’t seem to know she was hurt.
Memories threatened to overtake Ryder. He shoved the images down deep as fire continued to lick along the facade of the house.
Shelby stopped in her tracks, her face lit by flames and stained with soot.
Ryder took her arm and urged her to the front yard. There might be another explosion, and he didn’t want Shelby anywhere near the building if there was.
SHIRLEE McCOY
has always loved making up stories. As a child, she daydreamed elaborate tales in which she was the heroine—gutsy, strong and invincible. Though she soon grew out of her superhero fantasies, her love for storytelling never diminished. She knew early that she wanted to write inspirational fiction, and she began writing her first novel when she was a teenager. Still, it wasn’t until her third son was born that she truly began pursuing her dream of being published. Three years later, she sold her first book. Now a busy mother of five, Shirlee is a homeschool mom by day and an inspirational author by night. She and her husband and children live in the Pacific Northwest and share their house with a dog, two cats and a bird. You can visit her website, www.shirleemccoy.com, or email her at [email protected].
Undercover Bodyguard
Shirlee
McCoy
MILLS & BOON
Before you start reading, why not sign up?
Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!
Or simply visit
Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
—Psalms 63:7–8
To my friends at An Orphan’s Wish who work tirelessly to shower His love on China’s orphaned children. May God continue to bless your efforts.
Contents
ONE
“Come on, Old Blue, don’t fail me now!” Shelby Simons turned the key in the ignition of her 1958 Cadillac and prayed that this time, the engine would turn over.
It didn’t, of course.
That would have made her morning just a little too easy.
“Fine. Stay here. I can walk the four blocks to Maureen Lewis’s place,” she grumbled.
She grabbed