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For the very first guest blog post of the new year here on Whispers in Purple, please welcome best-selling, award-winning author Tanya Eavenson. We're spotlighting her newest release, To Gain a Bodyguard, along with a special treat ... an excerpt from Chapter One. Take it away, Tanya!
To Gain a Bodyguard:
A job worth dying for, a love worth fighting for.
Undercover ICE agent Madi Reynolds has spent
years infiltrating a human-trafficking ring, but when her life is threatened,
she is forced to walk away and advised to leave the country. Undeterred, she
continues her plan to attend her brother’s Christmas wedding, with her partner
assigned as her bodyguard. But after seeing Brice care for her niece, she finds
it's more than her life that needs protecting. Is there really any defense for
the heart?
War Veteran and ICE agent Brice Johnson has been defending his country and
American lives for as long as he can remember. Now, he faces the biggest
assignment of his life--protect the woman he loves. He's never been one to run
from a fight, but when an old flame butts in expecting a second chance with
Madi, and crippling visions of war call out to him, he begins to wonder if
surrender is an option after all.
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CHAPTER ONE
The vanity lights from the hotel room accented the
highlights in Madi Reynolds’ blond curls. Fingering them, she turned her head to the side and
practiced an alluring bat of her lashes.
She
was an ICE agent for Homeland Security, but first, she was a woman. Today, she
would use both to uncover where a local pimp named Prince was hiding the girls
he’d bought through a sex-trafficking ring.
Madi
had her own girls, also undercover agents, in four major cities. They knew her
as Constance. According to intelligence she was a player, but tonight’s meeting
would be her first reach into Atlanta.
After
taking a tissue from the box, she blotted her tawny lips, admiring the lace
trim on her neckline where the digital mic would capture her conversations. She
inhaled a long breath and tossed the tissue into the waste basket.
From
the moment she’d woken, she couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. She
rehearsed how the next few hours would go—where she’d sit, what she’d say. So
much hinged on the outcome of this meeting.
A
text came through her cell. Hey, Madilyn, I’m coming to town and hope to see
you before the wedding.
Why
was Asher texting her now?
She
muted her phone and ignored the message. Bowing her head, she let a prayer
form. Lord, give me the words, and the—
Two
knocks sounded.
“Amen,”
she whispered, then put command in her voice. “Who is it?”
“Covington.”
“Enter.”
The
door gave its typical creak as it opened. Brice Johnson stepped into the room,
stowing his key card inside his dark jacket.
Madi
caught a glimpse of the Glock in his side holster and wished she were wearing
hers, but there was little room after she poured herself into this dress.
She
met his haunting blue eyes and her heart jarred at the intensity of his gaze.
To most, he was a war veteran. Undercover, he was Constance’s bodyguard. But to
Madi… She wasn’t sure what they were to each other.
A
look in his expression made her pause.
Whatever
was behind those eyes, his gaze had yet to waver, but hers fell away. She
reached for the two-carat diamond earrings and slipped them on. “Is everything
set?” She lifted the box that held the matching diamond necklace and opened it
gently, hoping he couldn’t see her nervousness. She was never nervous. What was
wrong with her? This meeting was too important. Lives of children were at
stake, and she had to play her cards to perfection.
“Everything
is set, but there’s been a change.”
“Oh.”
She began fastening the necklace, her fingers fumbling with the clasp.
“You’ll
be with Agent Scott.”
She
flinched as Brice took a step closer and slid her long curls over her shoulder.
“I
know you’ve been uncomfortable around him lately, but I need to make sure there
aren’t any surprises.” He took over fastening the necklace.
“How
would you know I was uncomfortable?”
“You
bite the inside of your lip.” He lingered for a moment, then laid her hair
along her back.
“Madi.”
This
was the way they were together, him quiet, protective, keeping her at arm’s
length. She, on the other hand, found herself breathless in his presence,
keeping the hope of them alive.
“Yes?”
she whispered, afraid her voice would reveal how his simple touch affected her.
He
met her gaze in the mirror once again. “Please be safe.”
“I’ll
try.” She swallowed.
Emotion
waged within his features as his eyes slid to her neckline. “The wire in
place?”
Her
pulse quickened and all she could do was nod.
His
gaze returned to her face, lingering for a second longer before he turned and
left.
Taking
in a needy breath, she stared after him.
At
times she sensed his mind and heart were untouchable. But moments like these
turned the hope of them into unquenchable flames.
About Tanya:
Tanya Eavenson
is an international bestselling and award-winning inspirational romance author.
She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her
favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a
good book.
You can find her at :
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