Attracted to Fire
Authors: DiAnn Mills
Tags: #FICTION / Christian / Romance, #FICTION / Romance / Suspense, #FICTION / Suspense
Praise for novels by DiAnn Mills
Breach of Trust
“This masterfully crafted suspense novel immediately hooks the reader. . . . A real page-turner.”
Booklist
“Featuring a well-paced plot and an engaging protagonist, Mills's new series launch is a solid . . . suspense title.”
Library Journal
“A novel jam-packed with twists that will leave readers breathless. A must-read for any avid suspense reader.”
Romantic Times
“An engaging page-turner with intriguing characters facing difficult choices.”
CBA Retailers + Resources
“A fast-paced, character-driven thriller. . . . Readers who enjoy the works of Dee Henderson, especially her O'Malley series, will love
Breach of Trust
.”
Midwest Book Review
Sworn to Protect
“Readers who like contemporary romantic suspense . . . will enjoy this intriguing page-turner.”
Booklist
“A glimpse into the dangerous world of border patrol makes for an interesting and worthwhile read.”
Romantic Times
“Combines the best aspects of thriller, romance, and inspiration to offer an exciting and satisfying read.”
Associatedcontent.com
Pursuit of Justice
“A character-driven story that is sure to keep you reading long into the night.”
Romantic Times
“Mills packs this third book in the Call of Duty series with an interesting cast of suspects that keeps the reader guessing. Fans of romantic suspense will savor the pursuit of justice.”
CBA Retailers + Resources
“DiAnn Mills scores another home run. . . .
Pursuit of Justice
is Christian fiction at its best, and Mills has established herself as a suspense novelist of the highest caliber.”
Christianfictionbookreviews.com
“Mills once again pulls her readers into a fast-paced, action-filled suspense story that will keep them enthralled to the very last page.”
Freshfiction.com
“Characters with grit, faith, and stories with real meat on their literary bones . . . that's what you'll find in a book by DiAnn Mills.”
TitleTrakk.com
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Attracted to Fire
Copyright © 2011 by DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of woman copyright © by Image Source/Getty Images. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of man copyright © by Matti Hillig/Maxx Images. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of landscape copyright © by Design Pics/Jupiter. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of clouds copyright © by Thinkstock/Jupiter. All rights reserved.
Author photo copyright © 2010 by Kelly Hornberger Photography. All rights reserved.
Designed by Jessie McGrath
Edited by Kathryn S. Olson
Published in association with the literary agency of Janet Kobobel Grant, Books & Such, Inc., 5926 Sunhawk Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Mills, DiAnn.
Attracted to fire / DiAnn Mills.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-4143-4864-3 (sc)
1. Secret serviceâUnited StatesâFiction. 2. Teenage girlsâFiction. 3. Children of presidentsâUnited StatesâFiction. I. Title.
PS3613.I567A93 2011
813'.6âdc22 2011023618
Dedicated to the courageous men and women of the Secret Service
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to all who made this book possible: Beau Egert, Cass Taylor, Dr. Dennis Hensley, Dr. Eriko Valk, Dr. Richard Mabry, Julie Garmon, Louise Gouge, Marsha Tallman, Mona Hodgson, Stephen Steeves, and Tom Morrisey.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
“If he doesn't muzzle his daughter, he's going to lose the presidential nomination.”
Special Agent Meghan Connors cringed at the TV anchor's analysis of Vice President Hall's campaign, even though the statement rang with validity.
“Although early popularity polls indicated Hall to be a strong contender for the presidential race, his ratings are dropping daily.” The blonde reporting the news gave the camera a tilt of her head. “We are currently waiting for a statement from his office regarding Lindsay Hall's appearance on
The Barry Knight Show
last evening, where she stated, âMy father is a poor excuse for the office of president of the United States.'”
The screen flashed a clip of Lindsay Hall sporting cleavage and lots of leg.
“And she's our new assignment?” Special Agent Bob Lawson eased back in his chair and stuck his thumbs in his pants pockets. “I've heard she swears like a convict. Smacked a couple of agents in the face.”
Meghan kept her opinions in check. She focused on the TV mounted in the corner of the coffee shop, not far from the White House. Thank goodness the shop was empty except for the barista moving to whatever was playing on his iPod.
The news anchor continued her report. “Take a look at Lindsay Hall's escapade three nights ago.” The screen reverted to footage taken in a local nightclub. Lindsay toasted the camera with a bottle of beer. Clearly inebriated, she sat in a booth enjoying media attention. The news anchor shook her head with a smile, an obvious display of her political preference. “Many are asking, âIf Vice President Hall cannot control his daughter, how can he effectively run our country?'”
Ouch. That nailed the situation. Meghan wrapped her fingers around the loop of her coffee cup and walked out onto a patio filled with umbrella tables and chairs. A steady mist filled the afternoon heat with humidity. She needed to focus on her new assignmentâand the challenges ahead. Protecting the VP's daughter was supposed to be a promotion. If she failed, this could mean a permanent stall in her career.
Sensing Bob standing beside her, she turned to give him her views about their situation. “We're made of better stuff than the agents dismissed from Lindsay's protection team.”
“I keep telling myself that.”
“They let her manipulate them. Plain and simple.”
“But we're not babysitters. We're special agents for the Secret Service.”
Meghan didn't know the agents who'd been reassigned as a result of Lindsay's latest antics, but Bob had called them friends. She took a sip of her strong coffee, ignoring the raindrops gaining momentum. “Escorting her to the TV station and not informing the vice president was poor judgment. Her statements severely damaged the VP's image. Maybe even his chances of securing the party's nomination.”
“Everything she says and does chips at his ability to lead the country.
The Barry Knight Show
and that entire TV network are out to crucify him and the party.”
“So we're back to our assignment.” Meghan stepped under the coffee shop's canopy to avoid the rain. “I'm committed to protecting her, and I know you are too.”
“I have to be.” Bob set his cup on an empty table. “Taking a bullet for her would qualify as above and beyond.” He pressed his lips. “But that's what we do, right? Can't let personal opinions get in the way of duty.”
“Absolutely, and I'm sure there are plans to curb her actions. In factâ” Her phone rang, and she reached inside her shoulder bag. A quick glimpse told her it was her supervisor, Tom Warrington, from the Secret Service office.
“Bob there with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need both of you in my office at 1400. Ash Zinders, the SAIC for this assignment, needs to brief you and the other agents assigned to the protectee.”
Meghan slipped her phone back into her shoulder bag and relayed the information.
Bob whistled. “Good old A2Z isn't wasting any time.”
The nickname for the special agent in charge assigned to Lindsay Hall's protection detail wasn't a title any agent would say to his face. He was known for his obsession with detail and his domineering personality. Meghan hadn't met the agent, and she didn't look forward to his browbeating.
“It really bothers me that she now has six agents protecting her when any other VP family member has three.” Bob pulled a dollar from his wallet and anchored it beneath his cup. “Did I say I regret accepting this assignment? Hasn't been two hours since the call.”
“There's a reason, Bob. We were chosen because the VP needed agents who can get the job done. But I question the number of us too, and what it means.”