Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1)

by Chantel Rhondeau

  As far as the fiction bits, while Nick and Carlie won’t be the focus characters in the remainder of this series, they will make appearances. I’ll miss them, but I have other agents’ stories to tell (and romances to find). I’m really excited about Book 2 ~ Love & Redemption. The idea for it is what made me realize that Agents in Love would become a series. Maybe Shelley will finally find Mister Right…

  Many of you know I don’t pre-plot, so while I have the vaguest idea for the stories following this one, I’m really excited to find out more about the motivation for our villain turning to the dark side and I look forward to exploring the other questions brought up for me while writing this. I believe there are going to be five books altogether, but it is hard to know for sure. What I do know is that I will be writing as quickly as I can, and I hope you join me for the next part of the story.

  I wish you happiness and joy. Thank you, as always, for reading my story.

  ~ Chantel

  To keep up to date on information about upcoming releases or get in contact with me, visit:

  Website: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChantelRhondeau

  DISCLAIMER: S.A.T.O., Maharla, and Sayle, Washington are products of my imagination. To my knowledge, there is no such secret organization and I’m certainly not implying that our US government really has people assassinated if they can’t legally bring them to justice. This is a work of fiction and not meant to be my personal reflection on the government nor a conspiracy theory. It is purely for your enjoyment and entertainment. And…I hope you enjoyed!

  Chapter Extras - Crime & Passion - Excerpt

  Did you miss the story of Nick’s friends, Donovan and Madeline Andrews? Get caught up with their romance – Now available:

  A decorated police officer, more intent on justice than following the letter of the law, lands in trouble when a schoolteacher finds a dead body on the beach.

  Officer Donovan Andrews knows how to have a good time—ask any woman in town. But when it comes to men abusing their wives or children, Donovan takes it upon himself to make them regret it.

  Madeline Scott is unlucky in love. All she wants is a quiet place to heal, away from cheating, womanizing men. However, her life is far from peaceful once she stumbles across the body and witnesses someone fleeing the scene.

  Terror spreads in Pleasant View when the small community hears a killer is on the loose. All evidence points to Donovan, and he realizes someone is trying to frame him. When troubling suspicions from his past surface, even fellow officers believe he’s guilty. Madeline might be the only person who can clear his name, but first he has to win her trust.

  The body count rises and no one is safe. The murderer makes it clear Madeline is next. Soon, Donovan’s whole world is focused on protecting her and keeping himself out of prison. The more time he spends with her, the harder it is to fight his growing attraction. Since she’s been burned by love, convincing Madeline he’s interested in something more than hot sex may prove harder than keeping her alive.

  ***

  Excerpt – Chapter One:

  The glassy eyes of the corpse seemed to stare at Madeline. A brisk breeze carried the scent of salt and fish, and blew her long hair around her face. Crashing waves were the only sound on the deserted beach other than panting from Madeline’s four-legged companion. Water lapped at the dead man’s feet, devouring him bit by bit as the tide rose.

  “Are you there, Ms. Scott?” the 911 dispatcher asked.

  “Yes, I’m here,” Madeline whispered. “Please send someone quickly. The tide’s coming in.”

  “We have a unit in the area. Don’t touch anything.”

  As if I would. Madeline shivered at the horrified look on the man’s face. Pleasant View was a small coastal town. It was the type of place where everyone knew their neighbors, but Madeline had only moved here two months earlier.

  Too bad she hadn’t met this particular resident under different circumstances. Yellow and blue nylon rope wrapped around the man’s neck cut off his air supply forever, ending whatever type of life the handsome blond might have had.

  Madeline looked back up the beach, thinking about what she saw. When she had approached this area, she noticed a slightly built person jogging away. She shuddered again. If that person were responsible, they couldn’t have killed the blond long before she walked up.

  Brutus strained at his leash, bringing her back to the present as he tried to get closer to the body. Madeline could only guess the smell of the recently deceased drove the Great Dane crazy.

  She tugged on his leash. “Sit, Brutus.”

  The big, black dog heaved a sigh and lowered his back haunches, looking up at Madeline reproachfully.

  She heaved a sigh of her own. At 160 pounds, the muscular Great Dane allowed her the illusion of control while she held the leash, but really, Madeline maintained power only at the dog’s behest.

  A police cruiser pulled into the parking area. Two officers hopped out and made their way down the beach. An ambulance stopped behind them and medics poured from the vehicle, assembling their equipment.

  Not that it would do them much good. The man was beyond requiring medical attention. He needed a coroner.

  “The police are here,” she said into the phone.

  “That’s good, Miss Scott. We can hang up now. Have a nice day.”

  Yeah, right. A nice day? Sure. Because she stumbled across bodies all the time and this was no big deal. Madeline shuddered. The man had been warm when she checked for a pulse, and the image of his sightless gaze was sure to haunt her dreams.

  She put the cell phone into her pocket and watched as the rescue people ran down the beach. There was no reason for them to hurry, except for the rising tide.

  The first officer approached, his attention focused solely on her. He didn’t even glance at the body. “Miss Scott, is it? Dispatch said you discovered the body?” He gave a friendly smile as he closed the remaining distance between them. “I’m sorry. That must’ve been a shock.”

  Madeline nodded. “Yes, it was, Officer...”

  “Andrews, Donovan Andrews.” He stuck out his hand and gave another reassuring smile.

  Madeline smiled back, trying to offer some reassurance of her own as she shook his hand. No, Officer Andrews, I’m not going to faint. I promise I won’t complicate your crime scene by breaking into hysterics. Madeline almost laughed, though she wished she really could faint.

  She shivered and hugged her arms tightly to her body. Having been idle for several minutes, the bite of the cold wind chilled her skin. While she and Brutus trotted along at a quick pace, she'd been warm enough. Now, Madeline wished she’d brought a jacket.

  Officer Andrews must have noticed. He slipped his arms from his black windbreaker and slung it around Madeline’s shoulders, battling the wind to wrap it around her. He adjusted the collar against her neck and his fingers brushed her skin lightly, sending a tingle of awareness through her. The gesture, and her body’s reaction to it, caught her off guard. Madeline took a step back, avoiding his touch.

  “Sorry,” he said. “You look like you’re freezing. I know it’s April, but you really shouldn’t go around without a jacket in the evening, Miss. It gets mighty cold.”

  Madeline grabbed the edges of his jacket and pulled it tightly against her. His spicy scent tickled her senses as it wafted up from the fabric. “Thanks. I’ll remember that. Normally I run with Brutus and don’t stand around long enough to get cold. Next time I find a body, I’ll keep running.”

  “Touché.” A grin flashed across his face briefly. “Seriously, though, are you okay?”

  She nodded and looked up at him, pleasantly surprised she had to look up. At five foot ten, Madeline was a giant compared to most women. She’d long since given up the dream of being one of those petite, delicate things men loved to wrap their arms around.

  Andrews was very tall with a slender body. His police uniform didn’t offer much in the
way of discovering what his body looked like, but Madeline sensed a core of strength. At least if she dated him she could wear heels.

  And where did that thought come from?

  Activity whirled next to them as the EMS team attended to the body. Officer Andrews spared a glance for the corpse, and his blue eyes tightened around the corners. His face paled and when he met Madeline’s eyes again, he looked shaken.

  “Did you know him?” she asked.

  The officer nodded.

  Great question, genius. In a town of less than 3000, of course he knew the victim.

  Andrews put his arm around Madeline’s shoulders. “Why don’t I take you and your friend up to sit in the police cruiser? It’ll be warmer in there, and I need to ask you some questions.”

  Madeline nodded. It seemed odd that this man would put his arm around her like this, having just met her, but she appreciated his calming presence as he led her to the car. Brutus followed along without complaint, and Madeline allowed herself to lean on Officer Andrews. She forgave herself for acting so girly in that moment.

  After all, she did just discover a body.

  ***

  Interested in reading more? This book is now available! Visit my website for more information and a link to the first 3 chapters: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com/p/my-available-titles.html or search for it at your favorite book retailer.

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