Heart of a Hero by Debra Webb and Regan Black Excerpt

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Trapped with a madman…

Trail guide Charly Binali is alone in the Rockies with a madman and his armed mercenaries, and he's demanding she lead him to a powerful, hidden device. And when help comes in the unexpected form of her very hot neighborhood mailman, Charley discovers the "nice" guy she gave her heart to isn't who she thought.

Undercover CIA agent Will Chase hated lying to Charly, but getting to that dangerous device first is a matter of national security. It's seven bad guys against him and Charly, but between his training and her survival skills, they just might beat the odds—if he can get her to ever trust him again.

Excerpt: 

Washington, DC

"I'm in. But I'm not wearing the shorts."

Director Thomas Casey eyed William Chase, one of the newest recruits to his team known as the Specialists. He respected independent thinkers. Went out of his way to select highly skilled individuals who knew how to solve problems quickly and creatively. Still, it was rare when anyone on his handpicked team showed this kind of attitude. Maybe he'd made a mistake with this cocky young guy fresh from an elite Navy SEAL team.

"A uniform is a uniform," Thomas said, keeping his voice even.

"That's true, sir," Will agreed. "And it should convey authority."

Thomas couldn't believe he was having this discussion with so many bigger issues at play. "You'll have time to come to terms with how the US Postal Service conveys authority in Colorado before the weather warms up out there." He wanted someone on his new task force planted in the middle of the country. Someone who could respond effectively to a variety of situations.

"Shorts are for kids and physical training. Are you going to pull me off this operation if I don't wear the shorts?"

Thomas reached out and closed the plain manila file outlining Will's assignment. Potential assignment. It could've been worse, Thomas supposed. He could be having this conversation in a public setting rather than the absolute privacy of his office. He couldn't get a read on whether or not Will was kidding around. The uncertainty and unease set off warning bells in his head. He considered asking why the shorts were such a big deal and decided it didn't matter. Through the years, he'd worked with so many men and women, those who did the impossible tasks in the field and those who worked right here supporting them. Eventually his luck with recruiting was bound to run out. One more sign that it was time to retire and put his personal life, his hopes for a family, ahead of the nation's problems. But his nation needed him, had demanded his expertise one last time. If he assembled the right team, he could walk away with confidence.

"I've changed my mind, Will. You're not the right man for this job after all."

"Because I won't deliver mail in those ridiculous shorts?"

Thomas drummed his fingers on the file, met Will's stony gaze. This recruit might be a bit too independent. "Because you're agitated over a small conformity issue and that makes me question what you'll do when the stakes are higher."

"Agitated is a bit of a stretch." The smile on Will's face didn't reach his serious eyes. "You have to agree every postman who complies with that dress code is nothing more than a sheep."

"Thank you for your time," Thomas said, determined to go with a different Specialist for this post.

Will didn't budge. "Forget the shorts. Forget agitated. You saw this one—" he pointed to the folder "—whatever it is, and chose me because I succeed, always, when the stakes are highest."

"I was wrong," Thomas said with a casual hitch of his shoulders. "It happens. Close the door on your way out."

"No, sir. I want this assignment."

Thomas laughed. Couldn't stop it. No one gave him this much trouble, other than his wife, and that had been long before they married. He shouldn't find it refreshing. "You think you know how far you can push me?"

"No, sir. I know how far I can push myself."

Want to read more? Pick up your copy of Heart of a Hero today and look for the next Specialists: Heroes Next Door To Honor and Protect coming June 1, 2015

Live the adventure!

~Regan