The Royal Spy's Redemption Read online

  All is Dangerous in Dallas—with crime, mystery and passion!

  Possessing priceless rubies gifted to the British royal family, MI5 agent Knox St. Germain stumbles into Gabby Sanchez’s store, bleeding from a gunshot wound. The stunning caterer has seen the danger to friends who discovered the jewels, but now she faces an even greater threat—the lethally sexy agent with a hidden motive!

  Both hiding troubled pasts and feeling wary of relationships, fiery Gabby and roguish Knox develop a powerful attraction as they go on the run. Their adversary: someone who’ll murder—and worse—to get the rubies. And when the killer does, Knox must choose between saving the gems and his gem of a woman!

  The good girl he’d accused her of being was nowhere in evidence as she responded to his invitation to pleasure.

  She sucked on his tongue before biting his lower lip with her teeth, the wanton invasion making him dizzier than an entire bottle of whiskey to his shoulder ever could have.

  Who was she? This willing partner on a sensual exploration of just how far they could push each other. Hell, they were both fully clothed and he wasn’t sure he’d ever been more turned on in his life.

  “You’re not one to let a gunshot keep you down.”

  Knox knew he should resist—knew he should pull back and walk away—but so help him he was rooted to the chair. Murmuring against her mouth, he smiled against her lips. “Consider it the power of your healing touch.”

  “Hmm.” Gabriella smiled against his lips before nipping a quick kiss. “Maybe I need to start stitching up men instead of turkeys, and I might get a few more dates.”

  Whether it was the playful banter or the mind-numbing power of kissing Gabriella Sanchez, Knox didn’t know, but as he felt himself falling under once again, he struggled to surface.

  Moray was still out there. The rubies were still out in the open. And she was still in danger.

  So he pulled back, willing himself to look away from the dark, molten depths of her eyes and the lush, pink lines of her mouth.

  Walk away, boy-o. It’s the only way.

  Be sure to check out the previous books in the Dangerous in Dallas miniseries:

  Danger and desire fill the hot Texas nights…

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  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to the world of sultry Southern danger with the fourth and final book in my Dangerous in Dallas series, The Royal Spy’s Redemption (following Silken Threats, Tempting Target and The Professional). Gabriella Sanchez has built an incredible business on sheer grit and moxie. The only girl in a tight-knit family of boys, she’s spent her life frustrated by the overprotection and general nosiness of her loved ones.

  Knox St. Germain is a man on a mission. A member of Britain’s MI5, Knox is in Dallas to secure the Renaissance Stones and keep them from falling into the wrong hands—namely his boss, whom he suspects of going rogue.

  Knox and Gabriella have only known each other a few days, but there are definite sparks and a simmering attraction when they get together. When Knox goes to Gabriella for help after sustaining a gunshot wound while recovering the rubies, he inadvertently unleashes a larger problem that forces them on the run—together.

  I have so enjoyed sharing this series with you and hope that Knox and Gabby’s story brings you as much joy reading it as I had writing it. It’s so much fun as a writer to take two people who seemingly have nothing in common and show how well-matched they truly can be. And when the hero is as sexy as Knox St. Germain, well…don’t say I didn’t warn you!

  Enjoy!

  Best,

  Addison Fox

  THE ROYAL SPY’S

  REDEMPTION

  Addison Fox

  Texas transplant Addison Fox is a lifelong romance reader, addicted to happy-ever-after. There’s nothing she enjoys more than penning novels about two strong-willed, exciting people on that magical fall into love. When she’s not writing, she can be found spending time with family and friends, reading or enjoying a glass of wine.

  Contact Addison at her website—addisonfox.com—or catch up with her on Facebook (addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).

  Books by Addison Fox

  Harlequin Romantic Suspense

  The Coltons of Texas

  Colton’s Surprise Heir

  Dangerous in Dallas

  Silken Threats

  Tempting Target

  The Professional

  The Royal Spy’s Redemption

  House of Steele

  The Paris Assignment

  The London Deception

  The Rome Affair

  The Manhattan Encounter

  Secret Agent Boyfriend

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

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  For Roxane

  I know we say Tank brought us together, but I believe our friendship was fated even without canine interference.

  You are the sister of my heart. I love you,

  Mary Poppins.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Colton’s Texas Stakeout by C.J. Miller

  Chapter 1

  Growing up with five brothers, Gabriella Sanchez assumed she’d experienced everything the male of the species could throw at her. From the gross to the ridiculous, she was quite sure she’d seen it all.

  That was, until a sexy British cop with a gunshot wound stumbled through the front door of her shop.

  “Knox!” Gabby screamed his name as the man stumbled into her, a solid wall of heat and flesh as he wrapped his arms around her in an awkward hug.

  She screamed his name once more and half staggered, half dragged him a few more feet before spreading her legs and resetting her grip. Whatever adrenaline had carried him to her shop door had given out, and he’d passed out judging by the deadweight that pressed against her.

  A large stack of wine boxes still stood where she’d left them earlier; she’d been unable to get to the inventory for an upcoming tasting series after the excitement of the afternoon. Her friends, Violet, Cassidy and Lilah, had needed her help after they’d accidentally come into possession of a cache of rubies.

  And clearly they weren’t the only ones who needed assistance.

  Knox St. Germain was a British MI5 officer who had shown up recently and inserted himself into the whole mess with the rubies. Although she didn’t fully understand his job, Gabby had expected his influence and, frankly, his interference would have made the evening’s events—a sting operation in a downtown park—go more smoothly.

  The blood currently covering his shoulder suggested otherwise.

  Her friends had only discovered the cache a few weeks prior. And it had taken them several days to let her in on what they’d found. Gems, buried in the concrete floor of their shop, placed there more than fifty years ago when they were hidden away by their landlady, Mrs. Beauregard.

  Mrs. B’s father had moved them from Britain after World War II under the auspices of the Crown.

  So how did MI5 even catch wind of their rediscovery?

  Cassidy, Lilah and Violet hadn’t shared, nor had the men who’d come to their aid. Gabby certainly hadn’t told a soul.

  Yet Knox St. Germain had found out anyway and had been dispatched with all haste from Mother England to recover them.

  Shifting Knox once more, she used the thick line of heavy boxes to support him as she shuffled them forward. Settling his weight against the wall of wine cases, she held him still to avoid his falling.

  “Knox!” She added a light slap to his cheeks along with his name, pleased when it pulled him from the faint.

  “Just need...some downtime.” He tightened his arms, the move was enough to pull her off balance, and she staggered beneath his weight, glad she’d traded the day’s heels for a pair of slippers.

  Something warm covered her bare shoulder; the tangy, coppery scent of blood only added to her awareness. “What happened?”

  “Park. Drop. Rubies.”

  His voice faded on the last word, and she struggled to keep him upright. “Stay with me!” The sharp order was followed immediately by an image of her friends. Violet, Cassidy and Lilah, along with the men who’d come to their rescue, had planned a sting operation for that evening to finally capture the evil Tripp Lange, the man at the heart of all the violence they’d dealt with since discovering the gems. Since Knox’s arrival in Dallas, Gabby knew he had inserted himself into
the operation and had gone along to the park.

  Although they’d already texted her they were fine and had promised to share details in the morning, she now began to wonder. “Violet? Max? Are they okay?”

  “Fine. Away.” Knox seemed to right himself, his arms tightening briefly before he stopped and summoned himself to his full height, stepping away from the supporting boxes. She had a quick flash of something she intimately recognized—sheer, stubborn, gritty will—before the pain he was dealing with returned to his crystal-blue gaze. “They’re fine. This isn’t about them.”

  Not about them? Hadn’t that been the whole purpose of the private meet at Klyde Warren Park? Her friends had come into possession of three matched rubies—the famed Renaissance Stones of legend—and they needed to ensure they stayed out of enemy hands.

  Gabby had done some quick internet research after Violet had shared the discovery of the gems. The rubies had a nasty history. Since their initial discovery as one large stone by the British East India Company in the seventeenth century, the gems were cut down into the trio they were today. The stones had led men to vile acts of depravity and madness, and murder trailed the stones, leaving blood as red as the rubies in its wake.

  And now there was more blood.

  A fresh stack of kitchen towels she’d set out early for the tasting caught her eye and she snagged one to press against his shoulder. “Take this and try not to bleed all over my clean floor.”

  He took the towel without question and as he staunched the wound, a wash of red filling up the white towel, a flash of reality battled the surreal that had settled over the scene.

  Instinct—raw and surprisingly well honed—had her moving into action. She shot a quick glance around her business and pointed him toward a long bar she used for class demonstrations and wine tastings. “Here. Hold on to this counter.”

  His reluctant agreement almost had her smiling in victory but she tamped it down, well aware a quick gloat wouldn’t sit well with a wounded—and decidedly alpha—male.

  Satisfied he had his balance, she raced back to the front door and flipped the lock, then hit the light switch. Darkness flooded the room, leaving nothing but the eerie glow of the streetlamps outside, visible through the glass doors.

  Had someone followed him? Who had shot him? And why was he here?

  The questions tumbled over themselves, one after the other, even as something small and quiet and a lot like satisfaction whispered through her mind that she was pleased he’d come to her.

  “Get a damn grip, chica. Hello. Highly suspicious gunshot wound.” She muttered the words to herself, well aware a call to the police would be a far better choice than helping the man with the enigmatic gaze.

  And then she turned toward the silhouette she’d left at the bar and fought the light flutter in her belly. Knox didn’t appear to have moved. His large hands still clutched the edge of the thick stainless steel counter.

  Khaki cargo pants hung low on his hips, while a stretch of gray cotton spread across his back. A large red stain marred his left shoulder, rapidly turning the T-shirt black in the darkened light.

  “Can you walk?”

  He lifted his head from where he stood stock-still, his gaze focused on the counter. “Yes. Bullet just nicked the flesh.”

  The ice-blue eyes that had already done a solid number on her insides in their previous meetings had a glazed, unfocused look, and she knew he wasn’t nearly as good a judge of his condition as he should be.

  Men.

  To be fair, her reasoning seemed to have taken a sizeable detour, even as she cycled through her mental Rolodex. She could call her cousin, Isabella, who worked nights in the ER, to come take a look. The idea had merit—and Isabella was discreet—but something held her back.

  Wrapping an arm around his waist, she pulled him close, careful to avoid pulling too quickly and forcing him off balance. “Do you have me?”

  “Yes.”

  “We need to get out of the front area here. Even with the lights off, we’re too easy to see through the windows.”

  He nodded, the motion exaggerated enough to put pressure against her body as she forced him to walk.

  “Easy. Step by step.”

  “I shouldn’t—”

  “Shhh. Focus on getting back to the kitchen.”

  While her catering shop—a renovated warehouse in Dallas’s Design District—was sizable, the trek to her kitchen wasn’t anything she’d ever considered. Suddenly, the door to her kitchen—and safety—seemed a mile away.

  Using the stubborn streak she’d honed since birth, she moved them forward. One foot. Then the other. They walked, slow and plodding, as she fought to maintain the press of his body and the increasing pull of shock and gravity that was determined to drop him to the floor.

  The entire shop was maybe twenty yards from the front door to the back. Despite the relatively limited space, the distance to her industrial kitchen seemed interminable. Gabby cleared the two of them through the swinging door that acted as sentinel to her inner sanctum just as the screech of tires echoed in front of the building. “Damn it.”

  “What?” Knox’s head tilted upward.

  “I locked the door, but forgot to set the alarm.”

  “You can’t go back out there.”

  “I’ve got a keypad back here, but you’re weaker than you were. Can I leave you unsupported?”

  He grunted at that—whether in acknowledgment or irritation, she wasn’t sure—before standing straighter. “Go. Now. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Although that imperious tone usually set her teeth on edge, she ignored it in favor of expedience. And a funny sort of relief that he’d want the property armed.

  Ignoring the odd mishmash of thoughts, Gabby hotfooted it to the back entrance and keyed in the code—her grandmother’s birthday—and prayed she wasn’t too late. The blinking green light that said all her doors and windows were closed flipped to red just as she slammed the last number into the keypad. Instantaneously, the piercing siren that accompanied a breach lit up the interior of the kitchen, growing louder as the stainless steel surfaces deflected the sound, pushing it back into the atmosphere like a living, breathing wall of energy.

  She shoved Knox toward a large pantry, ignoring whatever cleanup would no doubt be involved in having a large man bleed all over her food before racing back toward the swinging door. She tipped it open slightly to view the outer room of the shop and could see a man fleeing down the front steps of her business, his large silhouette and strained gait highlighted by the streetlamps that lined Slocum Street.

  “Is the bastard gone?”

  Even with the unceasing clanging, Gabby heard the question. “Yes.”

  “Then turn off the bloody alarm.”

  For the second time in a span of moments, ire tickled the back of her neck at his imperious words and snappish orders. It was time to set things to rights. She stalked back to the alarm keypad and reset the code. The cell phone she’d left lying on the counter rang, and she snatched it up, answering the alarm company on the other end.

  “No, I’m fine. False alarm.” She added the required password to confirm she wasn’t actually being held hostage and thanked the man on the other end.

  “Beef enchilada is your password?”

  Knox’s sultry voice held the unmistakable notes of pain, but she didn’t miss the veneer of humor underneath. “I make damn good enchiladas.”

  “I curse myself for not sampling them. It’s still an odd password.”

  “It’s as good as any other.” She shrugged and fought down the natural swell of concern working its way through her defenses. She might be the youngest child in a family of boys, but she had a damn fine mothering instinct.

  Not that she’d put it to good use, of course. A fact her mother reminded her of on a near-daily basis. Especially since it had been two—no, three?—years since her last serious relationship.

  Had it really been that long?

  Gabby shook off the embarrassing answer, well aware it had been that long. She’d been so focused on getting her business off the ground, the ninety-hour weeks more joy than punishment, but her personal life had paid the price. Just that evening, in fact, her mother had reamed her out for not having a date to her cousin’s engagement party.