Personal Assignment (Blackthorne, Inc. #9)

She says she doesn't need protection. He knows better. And for him, it's personal.

After a second on-the-job injury, Nash “Rambler” Hanley is worried about being able to continue as a covert operative for Blackthorne, Inc. Rescuing people in distress is what Nash does, and he can’t imagine his life outside of the Blackthorne teams. While he’s stuck on medical leave, he accepts his partner’s offer of a stay at his mountain cabin to recover and regroup. Warned that the cabin needs repairs, Nash isn’t surprised to see signs of neglect. What he is surprised to see is a woman who’s taken up residence.

Danika Payton has her eyes on winning a Pulitzer for her reporting, although she’s still stuck in the soft news Living section of the Albuquerque Gazette. She’s sure her next story will move her up, but instead, she’s fired. Her boss says it’s a matter of downsizing, but the abrupt way she was let go, and the threatening letters that start arriving tell her there’s more to it. She takes to the road, doing her best to stay off the radar and ends up in a remote area in the Colorado mountains. A storm has her seeking shelter in a vacant cabin.

Nash is tempted to send Danika on her way, especially since nothing she says rings true. However, it’s clear to him she’s in trouble, and his helper instincts kick in. Danika wants no part of Nash’s help, but the haunted look in his eyes triggers nurturing feelings she wasn’t aware she had. She’ll do anything to make him laugh.

The threats escalate. But are they directed at Danika, Nash, or his partner? Can Danika and Nash figure out which of them is being threatened and who’s behind the threats before it’s too late?