FBI agent Jack Holland broke every rule in the book falling for the girlfriend of Angelo Cabrini, son of a New Jersey mob boss. But even if Callie Lansing's relationship to Angelo was actually a cover and her heart was free, her relationship with Jack put both of their lives at risk. Nothing, though, could make Jack regret the liaison that led to the birth of their son, Jonathan.
After Angelo discovers Callie's pregnancy, he went after Jack and wound up dead. Now Jack is on the run with a large on his back. The only thing keeping Callie and Jonathan safe is the mob boss's believe that the baby is his grandchild. But if Victor Cabrini discovers the truth before Jack can put him behind bars, it could mean death for his sweet covert family . . .
Excerpt:
An infant’s cry broke the stillness
of the maternity ward as Jack crept through the hallway. He looked toward the
nursery. Should he go there first or to where Callie was? The room was less
risky and he needed to see her. Assure himself she was okay.
The door was ajar so he slipped
through, closing it enough to allow a sliver of light to filter in. He made out
the petite shape of the sleeping woman then saw the bassinet next to her. His
breath left his body. The baby was here with her.
Stepping closer, he looked down on
the clear container, the blue tag proclaiming this child to be a boy. Squinting
in the dim light, he read the words. Mother’s name: Callina Lansing. Baby:
Jonathan.
Jonathan. She’d named the baby after him. A
lump clogged his throat. A son. Damn. He had a son and wouldn’t be able to get
to know him, see him grow, share in his life. This fucking world was too cruel
at times.
He shouldn’t take the chance but he
needed to hold him. It was vital that he touch the life he and Callie had
created. He wanted—no needed—to let his child know how much he loved him. The
powerful emotion emanated from his heart even as he gazed down at the tiny
figure. How could love grow this fast? His first glimpse was only a second ago.
Now the feeling consumed him.
Reaching down, he stroked the side
of his son’s face. The baby turned his head, his bow-shaped lips opening
slightly. Jack’s heart beat faster. The protective instincts that had always
come into play when he was around Callie, throbbed to life and expanded as he
gazed at the sweet face of his son. Heat like an electric storm surged through
his blood. How could he protect this child in his current situation? He’d bring
more danger upon him if he hung around. Eight months of running, trying to
escape the long arm of Victor Cabrini, had shown him what hell was. Now he
glimpsed a small piece of heaven.
He slid his hands under the infant,
lifting him from the bed to hold him close. Jonathan barely weighed anything.
His heart constricted yet again. The innocent baby scent wafted into his
nostrils and he blinked back the moisture filling his eyes. The reaction was
primitive and territorial. This was his
son.
Their child’s eyes opened but no cry
erupted so Jack relaxed. It shook him to the core knowing Callie had named the
baby after him. After deserting her she had every right to hate him. As much as
he hated himself. Leaving her hadn’t been in his plans but the choice had been
ripped away from him. It had taken a while to recover from the stabbing. Then
the fuck-up by the Bureau had happened.
He stared again at the unfocused
eyes of his son, his forehead touching that of the infant’s. Kissing his face,
he absorbed every little facet he could. Who knew if he’d ever see him again.
Gazing at the sleeping woman, her innocent
face relaxed in slumber, caused more pain to rip through his heart. Her dark
hair, streaked with natural reds and golds, was a riot of curls that framed her
peaceful face. Long lashes fanned over high cheekbones, highlighting the lovely
structure of her eyes. His beautiful Calico Cat.
Had the pregnancy and labor been
hard? She must have looked amazing, all round and filled with his child. Regret
tore through him, anger warring with that emotion. Anger that his life had been
stolen from him. He’d been fighting to get it back, but didn’t seem any closer
now than he’d been eight months ago.
Jonathan let out a small mewing
sound and Jack snuggled him close. “I’m right here, pal. I might not be around
much but I wanted to let you know…I love you very much.” His voice cracked with
emotion. “I’m your Dad.”
He had a son. Was now a father. But
he couldn’t be a father—not in the way that it mattered. He’d swore he’d be
better than his dad. But this—he’d be
worse. As it began to sink in, his hands shook with the enormity of the
situation.
A noise from Callie drew his eyes to
the bed. She shouldn’t see him. It was too dangerous. Still he wasn’t ready to
give up holding his son quite yet. You might as well rip his heart from his
chest and throw it on the floor.
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Bio:
Kari Lemor was one of those children who read with a
flashlight under the covers. Once she discovered her mom’s stash of romance
novels, there was no other genre to even consider. For years, she had stories
stewing in her mind, stories of love and happily ever after. But writing wasn’t
something she ever liked in school. Of course, no one ever asked her to write a
story about a couple falling in love. Now that her children are grown, she can
concentrate on penning tales of dashing heroes who ride to the rescue and feisty
heroines who have already saved themselves.
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