Im through fighting with you, Rhea.
He stopped, turned. No.
Damn you, Joey!
I may not have your respect right now, but Ill have your loyalty. Youre stuck between a hard place and an even harder man, darlin. Your future, and our sons, are mine. The sooner you get used to that, the better off youre going to be.
Rhea shook her head, her eyes wide. What are you saying?
Im saying that in three days, youre going to stand beside meas my wife.
Dear Reader,
In like a lion, out like a lamb. Thats what they say about March, right? Well, there are no meek and mild lambs among this months Intimate Moments heroines, thats for sure! In Saving Dr. Ryan, Karen Templeton begins a new miniseries, THE MEN OF MAYES COUNTY, while telling the story of a roadside deliveryyes, the baby kindthat leads to an improbable romance. Maddie Kincaid starts out looking like the one who needs saving, but its really Dr. Ryan Logan whos in need of rescue.
We continue our trio of FAMILY SECRETS prequels with The Phoenix Encounter by Linda Castillo. Follow the secret-agent hero deep under coverand watch as he rediscovers a love hed thought was dead. But where do they go from there? Nina Bruhns tells a story of repentance, forgiveness and passion in Sins of the Father, while Eileen Wilks offers up tangled family ties and a seemingly insoluble dilemma in Midnight Choices. For Wendy Rosnaus heroine, theres only One Way Out as she chooses between being her lovers mistressor his wife. Finally, Jenna Mills heroine becomes The Perfect Target. She meets the seemingly perfect man, then has to decide whether he represents safetyor danger.
The excitement never flagsand there will be more next month, too. So dont miss a single Silhouette Intimate Moments title, because this is the line where youll find the best and most exciting romance reading around.
Enjoy!
Leslie J. Wainger
Executive Senior Editor
One Way Out Wendy Rosnau
WENDY ROSNAU
Her first book, The Long Hot Summer, was a Romantic Times nominee for Best First Series Romance of 2000. Her third book, The Right Side of the Law, was a Romantic Times Top Pick. She received the Midwest Fiction Writers 2001 Rising Star Award.
Wendy loves to hear from her readers. Visit her Web site at www.wendyrosnau.com.
This book is dedicated to you, the readers, who have expressed interest in my Brotherhood series and the Masado brothers.
A special thanks to my editor, Gail Chasan, for believing in me and for putting up with my red ink pen time and again.
Also for allowing me the freedom needed to make this series come alive on the page.
Grazie
Contents
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Chapter 1
No, the real drama, at least for Rhea Williams, had come hours later when she had returned to her bedroom to find the silver cross glistening on her pillow.
She had scarcely been able to breathe as she backed out the door, then raced down the hall to Niccis room. Only, she knew before she swung the door wide that her son was gonethat like a thief in the night, his father had breached the house and taken him.
She had prayed she was wrong, had prayed for mercya shred of compassion. But there
was no mercy, no compassion, only an open window and an empty bed where her son had slept for the past two years.
A gust of wind lifted the curtain at her bedroom window, and in spite of the heat, Rhea shivered. Key West was warm, but after the sun went down, the wind could become as dangerous and unpredictable as a vengeful witch. Especially during hurricane season.
The smell of rain was heavy in the air, the pounding surf a constant roaring in her ears. The tropical storm the islanders had been preparing for was less than ten hours away. Rhea hated storms, but she would rather meet a hurricane head-on than return to Chicago and face Niccis father.
In the beginning, all she had wanted was to go back, and for Joey to know about his son. But then the days had turned into months, the months into years, and slowly Santa Palazzo had become her home.
Oh Godhe knew they had created a childa beautiful black-haired, brown-eyed baby boy.
What will you do, Rhea?
The voice was soft behind her, as soft as the touch on her shoulder. Rhea turned from her bedroom window to face Graces twenty-four-year-old daughter. Elena stood hugging herself, her eyes red from crying. Tonight had been a nightmare for both of them.
Rhea, did you hear me? How will you get Nicci back? When Rhea didnt answer right away, Elena squeezed her shoulder. Youre scaring me, Rhea. Theres a way to get him back, isnt there? Youll fight, right?
Fight Joey
Elena had no idea how ridiculous that statement was. She had no idea what lay hidden behind all the closed doors to the past. She had no idea the complexity of the situation, or the danger. But then, why would she? Shed been carefully sheltered from the secrets by layers of liestwenty-four years of lies.
When I called to tell my father about Moms stroke, we had no idea that Nicci had been kidnapped. But hes coming, Rhea. On his way right now. Hell be here in a few hours. Well tell him what happened, and hell know what to do. He loves Nicci. You know that.