Once Burned (Blackhawk Security)

NO ENEMIES, NO RIVALS,
NO MESSY BEAK-UPS…
SO WHO’S TRYING TO KILL HER?

Julia’s made a great life for herself— she’s now the chef-owner of Madeline’s, the restaurant she’s always dreamed of, and it’s one of the best in Seattle. But suddenly she finds her great life falling apart—on every front.

Madeline’s is losing $10,000 a month, and as if that’s not bad enough, someone sabotaged her stove during the evening rush. Now someone’s broken into her home. And tried to push her under a bus. And installed spyware on her laptop.

At the insistence of her best friend, she’s finally recognized the need for help. She thought they’d just investigate, but Blackhawk Security’s recommending a bodyguard—someone who’ll be with her night and day, bossing her around in the name of “security.” Of course she rebels!

But former Delta Force officer Nico Elliott wins her over right away, going undercover as a busser at Madeline’s and on the very first night uncovers:

• A possible scheme to steal from the restaurant
• Missing lighting between Madeline’s and her car
• A second break-in, and hidden microphones in her house

And she discovers he’s a great busser, in addition to his other talents. If she has to have a bodyguard, this is a real pro-- and so easygoing. Not to mention easy on the eyes. The kind of guy she could really go for if things were different.

As for Nico, he’s in deep. The attraction he feels is all but disastrous in his job—there’s no way he can let it get in the way of the op. Still— this thing between them sizzles and simmers like dinner at Madeline’s. And the truth is so dangerous, buried so far in the past that they both need to be on high alert.