Contract Bride. Debra Webb

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Jennifer Ballard—The daughter of pharmaceuticals magnate Austin Ballard. Who is she really? She can’t seem to prove her true identity, but one thing is certain…someone wants her dead.

      Ethan Delaney—Former Special Forces soldier turned Colby Agency investigator. If anyone can prove the identity of the real Jennifer Ballard, it’s Ethan. But can he keep her safe and not lose his heart, as he has sworn he will never again do?

      Victoria Colby—The head of the Colby Agency.

      David Crane—A vice president at Ballard Pharmaceuticals and the fiancé of the real Jennifer Ballard. Is Crane friend or foe? After all, he did once save Ethan’s life.

      Dr. Kessler—The genius behind a new, revolutionary cancer drug. Is he simply out for revenge against Ballard Pharmaceuticals?

      Lucas Camp—The deputy director of a highly covert government organization. A very good friend of Victoria Colby’s.

      John Logan—A specialist in Lucas’s organization.

      Simon Ruhl—One of the Colby Agency’s finest.

      Amy Wells—A receptionist at the Colby Agency.

      This book is dedicated to the kind of friend who doesn’t come along very often. A lady with whom you can share your hopes and dreams and, most important, your accomplishments. But more than anything she has been there for me—always. She has been my cheerleader, my confidante and my advisor. I can never thank her enough. This one is for you, Lyn Stone. For all your kind words and understanding, for all your praise and faith…for being a true friend.

      Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Epilogue

      Prologue

      Jennifer Ballard stared at her reflection in the cheval mirror once more, anticipation swirling inside her. A veil of French netting draped her shoulders and the exquisite headpiece adorned her upswept blond hair. The fitted bodice of her gown was heavily embellished with pearl and sequin detailing and the flowing satin skirt and chapel-length train were the stuff of which Cinderella-dreams were made.

      She drew in a deep, calming breath. This was her wedding day—the day she’d waited for her entire life.

      She’d always dreamed of a wedding exactly like this. A fairy-tale chapel set upon a wooded hillside…a handsome groom who would love and protect her from this day forward. Though much older than she, David Crane was both kind and compassionate. She respected him personally as well as professionally. He didn’t quite make her heart go pitter-patter, but there was much more to life than that. He understood her, respected her work, and more important, her father trusted him implicitly.

      Her father. A fresh wave of tears brimmed. If only he was well enough to be here, but he wasn’t. He’d insisted she not delay her wedding for him. Instead, he’d asked his old friend, Russell Gardner, to be his stand-in and give her away. Jenn smiled a little at that. She loved Russell, too. She’d called him Uncle Russ for as long as she could remember. If her father couldn’t give her away, there was no one else she would prefer to do the honor.

      The sound of the dressing-room door opening startled Jenn from her musings. She turned to see who’d violated the strict rule that no one was to see the bride until the wedding march sounded.

      She smiled in spite of herself. “Uncle Russ, what—?”

      He lunged, half stumbling, across the tiny room and grabbed her by the shoulders. “You must run, Jenn. Run as far and as fast as you can.”

      Worry stole into her heart. “I don’t understand. Has something happened to my father?”

      Russ shook her hard. “Listen to me,” he said hoarsely. “Run!”

      Only then did Jenn notice the pallor of his complexion, and the tiny beads of sweat forming on his brow. “What’s wrong? Tell me what’s happened?”

      “It’s Crane,” he said tightly, as if it pained him to speak. “You mustn’t believe anything he says. He’s lied…” A strangled groan rendered the rest of his words unintelligible.

      “What are you saying?” She couldn’t have heard him right. She knew David. He would never lie, certainly not to her. Russ tried to continue, but swayed as if too weak to stand. She steadied him. “Please tell me what’s wrong!”

      “The Kessler Project. There’s something very…wrong,” he murmured. “He’s lied about all of it. Your life is in grave danger…there are things you don’t know…”

      His knees buckled and he collapsed in Jenn’s arms. “Oh, God!” She staggered beneath his weight as she lowered him to the floor. He was unconscious. She started to shake him, but the bright crimson stain painted down the front of her dress captured her attention.

      Blood.

      Now, with the lapels of his tuxedo jacket flared open, she could see that Russ was bleeding. She stared down at his still form, shock settling over her. A small round hole in his chest was steadily leaking the dark life-giving fluid.

      He’d been shot.

      Commanding herself to act, she checked his pulse. Her own heart pounded. Her