A Covert Affair
Page 29
She withdrew her pistol, whirled around, and fired.
At the sound of the gunshot, shrieks broke out. People dove for cover.
The security guard stumbled forward, his face registering shock. He dropped to his knees and collapsed facedown on the marble floor.
Next to her, James fired off two shots. She spun around and watched the two guards by the exit drop.
Quinn and James sprinted past the unconscious men and burst through the front doors, leaving chaos in their wake.
To their left, a black van took a turn at an impressive clip. Two of its tires nearly lifted off the ground.
They darted across the cement courtyard and arrived at the edge of the parking lot at the same time the van screeched to a stop.
James jerked open the back door. Quinn flung the briefcase into the back of the van and dove in after it. James hauled himself up behind her. “Go!” he shouted and slammed the door.
The van’s violent acceleration sent Quinn tumbling backward. She crashed into James, pinning him against the back. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed the side of her head.
Trembling from the river of adrenaline coursing through her veins, she had no intention of moving. “Well, that was exciting.”
“It was,” he replied. “If we can handle that, our wedding will be a breeze.”
Credit: Marilyn Stevens Photography
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Mann has a BA in history from UCLA and received her MA in library science from San Jose State University. Over the years, she has worked in public, special, and academic libraries. She and her husband have one college-aged daughter and live in Colorado. This is her second novel.
THE LIBRARIAN AND THE SPY
A librarian’s journey from the checkout desk to fast cars, stolen treasures, and international intrigue/with an introduction by suave, handsome “insurance” agent James Lockwood.
Adventure-hungry Quinn Ellington’s job solving mundane mysteries for library patrons entangles her in a mission to decode the whereabouts of a weapons cache from a priceless work of art before arms dealers beat her to it. Her adventure is filled with twists, turns, and a budding romance. Transcontinental pursuit, daring rescues, and intense covert flirting follow.
1. Spies—attractive. 2. London—criminal networks. 3. London—Harry Potter references. 4. Libraries—secrets of. 5. Best friends—nosy.
I. Ellington, Quinn.