In New York Times bestselling author Karen Robardsâs latest heart-pounding romantic suspense novel, a reckless former detective knows too much, and a hostage negotiator is forced to join him on the run for his life.
âTwas the night before ChristmasâŚand dozens of rich, influential hostages are trapped inside a sprawling lakefront mansion in New Orleans. The perp? Detective Reed Ware, model cop turned outlaw. Reedâs out for truth and will stop at nothing to get itâincluding waging a coup among the cityâs most elite, including the mayor, the council chairman, the sheriff, and the superintendent of policeâŚwho just happens to be hostage negotiator Caroline Wallaceâs father.
Cool, calm, controlled. Thatâs Carolineâs reputation. But when Reed, looking even hotter than he did years ago when seventeen-year-old Caroline tried to seduce him, becomes her next case, sheâs swept up by their still-sizzling tension.
Nothing about tonight is what it seems, and itâs up to Caroline to put the pieces togetherâif she can think fast enough over the pounding of her heart. But the harder Caroline tries to do her job, the more she begins to wonder whose side sheâs really on.