Josh's Salvation (Redemption Book 4)

By Cara Marsi

Suspense. Sizzling. Sultry.

When two federal agents with a heart-shattering history are thrown together on a deadly undercover mission, they must fight to live and to have a future together.

Lia Valdez’s heart was broken when her father, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty. She’d followed his footsteps into law enforcement, only to have her heart shattered again by a fellow Drug Enforcement Agent. Josh Tanner broke through the walls she’d built around her heart, then walked away without explanation. Now she’s rebuilt those walls, stronger than ever.

Josh Tanner joined a clandestine division of the Drug Enforcement Agency hoping to atone for the sins of his rebellious youth. But one horrific night in Mexico crushed his hopes, costing him both the life of his partner and the love of his life.

Forced to work together on a deadly mission to bring down a West Coast drug kingpin, Lia isn’t sure she can trust Josh again. But with her life—and her heart—on the line, she may have no choice. Maybe they can have a future together. But first, they have to survive.

This is a 25,000 word sensual novella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cara Marsi
• Release date: Jul 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463228104

Cara Marsi

An award-winning and eclectic author, Cara Marsi is published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. She loves a good love story, and believes that everyone deserves a second chance at love. Sexy, sweet, thrilling, or magical, Cara’s stories are first and foremost about the love. Treat yourself today, with a taste of romance. When not traveling or dreaming of traveling, Cara and her husband live on the East Coast in a house ruled by two spoiled cats who compete for attention. Read excerpts of all Cara's books and sign up for her newsletter at www.caramarsi.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

W here the hell is that agent?

Josh Tanner gripped the plane’s control wheel, fighting the anxiety that tied his gut in knots. The instrument panel lights mocked him, a stark reminder that soon total darkness would descend on the Mexican desert. Damn it! He’d had a hard enough time navigating the small runway in the light. If that damn agent didn’t get here soon, Josh would have to take off without him. On the ground, his plane could become a shooting gallery for the drug cartel and whatever else was out there.

Shots sounded. Adrenaline pumping, Josh cocked his gun and prepared for flight. A movement in the bushes, followed by more gunfire, alerted him someone approached. A slight figure, weaponless, sprinted out of the brush and across the dirt runway to the plane’s open passenger door, climbing in and slamming the door shut.

Special Agent Valdez reporting. Go, go, a female voice said.

Josh taxied away, accompanied by a barrage of bullets.

Once they were in the air headed to Tucson, Josh allowed himself to relax a little. But just a little. Shit! Valdez? It couldn’t be. The last time they’d been on assignment together, it had ended badly.

Are you hit? he asked.

I’m okay.

Her sultry voice had always sent heat rocketing through him, and still did.

He glanced at the figure next to him. Do you have it? His voice came out harsher than he’d intended.

She held up a flash drive. Yeah, I got it. And almost got my ass killed. I see you’re still your old surly self, Tanner.

Lia. Of all the female DAB agents, why did she have to show up on his plane?

"Valdez to you, Tanner."

The hard edge to her voice knifed him with regret. "Still sweet as ever, Valdez."

I’m not any happier about this than you are, Tanner. Once we’re debriefed, we’ll go our separate ways. I hope for good, this time.

The knife blade of regret plunged deeper into him.

They didn’t speak again on the short flight. He cast a furtive glance at her. Arms folded across her chest, she stared straight ahead, her jaw set in a firm line. Her thick black hair fell in wild disarray around her face and over her shoulders. Smudges of dirt marred her perfect olive skin. She’d never been more beautiful.

His fingers itched to run through her lush fall of hair again. He wanted to kiss her full pink lips, to see the sparkle and fire in her deep brown eyes. Her smile and her sweet laugh had always calmed him. He’d lost all rights to loving Lia the day he walked out on her. He kicked aside the memories and pulled his attention from her. Dwelling on the past never did anyone any good.

He radioed the tower at the small, private Tucson airport used by the DAB, Drug Apprehension Bureau, to tell them how many miles out he was, then completed his descent checklist. A black SUV with the keys in the ignition would be waiting when they landed. They’d drive to the safe house for their debriefing and to be given their next assignments.

Chapter 2

Crap! Of all the agents in the DAB, why the hell Josh Tanner? Lia pressed against the passenger side door of the SUV, getting as far as possible from the man who’d taken her heart and stomped on it.

She slid a look at Josh’s strong profile with his hawk-like nose. Illuminated by the dash lights, faint black stubble accentuated his firm chin. His black hair curled around his ears. Dressed in ripped jeans and a green T-shirt that had seen better days, Josh Tanner was the most beautiful man she’d ever met. His muscled forearm flexed with his movements, making his tattoo of a heart pierced by a dagger seem alive.

A thick blanket of tension covered the interior of the SUV on their silent ride to the safe house on the outskirts of Tucson. A battered old car was parked on the street in front of the nondescript rancher. Like all the other houses, it sat forlornly on its plot of dried-up earth, a remnant of better days. With the violence and drug dealing nearby, the neighbors hid behind closed doors and blinds. The house was perfect for the comings and goings of DEA and DAB operatives.

Josh and Lia exchanged looks as he opened the garage door with the automatic opener. She assumed the parked car belonged to their DAB contact, but they had to be careful. Josh pulled into the garage and closed the door, then shut off the engine. Before exiting, they took out the guns in the glove compartment, and, guns ready, they trudged cautiously into the house.

Lia relaxed her muscles and lowered her gun when they entered the living room. Victor Garcia, first in command of the Southern Arizona division of the DAB, pushed up from the sofa. Middle-aged and fit, Victor was dressed like a street bum with dirty jeans and a ripped Army jacket.

Victor? Lia set her gun on a nearby table. Didn’t expect to see you here. Normally one of Victor’s subordinates would debrief them.

What’s up? Josh set down his own gun. Must be important if you came.

It is. Victor nodded toward Lia. You do have what we need, don’t you?

Of course I have it. I’m good at my job.

I know you are, Victor said.

She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out the flash drive to hand to him.

Clutching it, he said, You did a good job, Lia. He swung his attention between her and Josh. Get some rest, both of you. I’ll take this to the office and see what we’ve got. I’ll be back here tomorrow around noon to debrief you and cover you on your next assignment. I’ll text you when I’m outside. Don’t open the door unless you know it’s me.

He turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

Frowning, Lia said, Gotta wonder what’s in that thumb drive. She yawned. I’m going to bed. Almost getting killed always makes me sleepy. She pivoted to head down the hall to the small bedroom, stocked with clothes and toiletries, she’d used before.

Wait, Josh called out.

She turned and met his eyes, those amazing gold-flecked hazel eyes, and felt herself falling under his spell again. What?

I’m glad you’re okay. His tone had softened from the one he’d used in the plane. Was it bad out there?

She bit back her smart retort. Josh seemed genuinely concerned. It was bad, but could have been worse. She shuddered. If they’d caught me, death would have been welcome compared to the torture they’d have put me through.

Josh stepped closer until they were a whisper apart. I know how vicious that cartel is, and what they do to women. How did you get the flash drive?

Lia took a half-step back, needing space between her and the too-appealing Josh. She wanted to hate him, had to hate him, but when he looked at her like that, his eyes soft, his full lips in a straight line, she found it hard to breathe, let alone think.

I posed as a servant girl from the village. Rodrigo, the cartel’s second-in-command, took a liking to me. I didn’t discourage him.

Anger flitted across Josh’s face. You didn’t…

She bristled. He had no