Stay alive. That's all Dr. Sydney Hale can think of. In one terrifying minute, her life was turned upside down. Now the cops think she's a murder suspect, the government wants her to come in, and somebody will do anything, including kill, to get the knowledge only she has. Alone, she'll never survive on the run. What she needs is a perfect weapon, and Marine Jack Wilson just may be the answer to her prayers. Jack has always been clear about who the enemy is, but now he's not sure. Why is Sydney Hale the only survivor of a government lab breach? What secrets is she hiding? Why is the government lying to him? Jack intends to find the answers to all his questions, but first he has to keep Sydney alive long enough, and if there's anything this Marine knows, it's how to keep moving and fight back. What he doesn't know is what to do about the fierce desire she awakens in him. With no one to turn to but each other, sexual tension explodes into a passionate hunger and a tender love neither can fully trust--"or live without. And with the stakes rising, Jack and Sydney will make their stand, gambling everything they have on a choice that could save--"or destroy--"them both.
In Sri Lanka Sam Wyatt and his Dragon One teammates are tracing diamonds that will be used if not stopped by them to purchase weapons for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eeelam, who are running a terrorist campaign for a separate state. When one of his men Riley, is nearly killed and may still die, Sam turns cold with rage. He plans to finish the mission and take out one weapons dealer Rohkie for shooting his friend.
At the Archeological Restoration Dig in Thailand, Xavier, called Viva by those who know her, has found a priceless artifact. However, Rohkie learns of the find and decides to take it from the woman after he takes the woman. Sam trailing Rohkie meets Viva. He feels he has suffered a stroke as his brain no longer functions beyond an icon called Viva and his heart is racing out of control. She reciprocates as her soul melts with one look from him. However, her safety comes first as Rohkie leaves behind dead people in Sri Lanka, Bangkok, and Thailand while targeting the archeologist.
"The Irish Princess", Fionna O'Donnel is banished from her Irish home and is powerless to intervene when mercenary English knight Raymond DeClare is awarded Gleann Taise Castle. DeClare must safeguard the castle, and take an Irish bride, yet he can do neither with Fionna's bewitching presence haunting him--and the two clash between customs and beliefs, desire and destiny.