Run to Rome (Italy Intrigue Series--2)

Love him and leave him.

Nine months ago, undercover detective, Ispettore Evalina Gallo, protected her heart the only way she knew how, never expecting to see her savior-turned-one-night-stand again. When he returns to Italia—now a person of interest in an investigation of a local organized crime family—her personal connection to the rugged American gets her assigned to the case.

A second chance to make things right.

With his mother's pleas ringing in his ears, Ben Sanders plans to retrieve a stolen bible his father shipped to Italy thirteen years ago, and then get out as fast as he can. But with the arrival of the beautiful detective, he suspects his mother's desire to right past wrongs might not be the whole truth.

Destiny will not be denied.

Now, less than twenty-four hours after entering the country, he's getting shot at—again. In a race from Milan to Rome to find the precious book before anyone else, time is ticking for the one-time lovers. Attraction burns hotter than molten lava, but amid secrets and half-truths, they must learn to trust each other if they have any hope of a future together.

EXCERPT:

"You said you don't look back."

"I don't," he lied. Because clearly, he hadn't been able to forget about her.

"Is that a lesson learned from your parents when they stole from other people? Is that how they taught you to deal with your conscience?"

Her accent had gotten much thicker, and while he recognized she was purposely goading him, he still stiffened at her words. The realization that they were the truth sucked the air from his lungs, and he pushed away from the wall.

"How'd my parents get dragged into this?"

"You wanted to talk about family. Let us talk."

"No. I don't know what your problem is, but my conscience isn't the one that seems to be having a problem right now."

When he moved to brush past her, she grabbed his arm, her fingers gripping his bicep like a vice. The restraint snapped his tenuous control and he rounded on her. Grasping her shoulders, he backed her against the wall. Confusion surfaced when she offered no resistance. He knew from experience she could lay him out flat in one move if she wanted. So what was her game?

Hands flattened against his chest, she lifted her face to his. He swallowed hard at what he saw. Earlier she'd turned away from him. Now the heat in her gaze was pure invitation.

Closing his eyes against the temptation did nothing to stop latent desire from rising up to engulf him. Things had been explosive between them in the past. He discovered nothing had changed when his body hardened in response.