CHERISHED WITNESS by Melanie Atkins

CHERISHED WITNESS - New Orleans Detectives: Book One by Melanie Atkins

Kelly Watson, aka Teresa Pastral, threw the Fifth Amendment out the window when she testified against her mob boss husband at his murder trial. Now divorced, she has begun a new life in the Witness Security Program. Only--the mob finds her, thanks to handsome lawman J.T.
Romano, who uses her as bait to lure the man who murdered his wife and unborn child to town. To ensure her safety, she is forced to trust J.T., the man who has betrayed her to the mob. But can she also protect her heart?

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

J.T. Romano slipped out the tiny restaurant's side door and into the foggy June night. A heavy mist rose off the bay, masking the beach road and turning the street lamps into pale, hovering ghosts. The damp air smelled of tomato sauce and brine. One car passed, its taillights winking like giant crimson eyes in the haze.

He leaned against the restaurant's rough brick wall and massaged his knotted neck muscles. Returning to his old hometown of Snake Bayou, Mississippi, and to Romano's in particular, was eating away at his nerves. Yet sooner or later, the stress would be worth it.

He'd have his wife's killer — and his revenge.

His mouth curved in a grim smile. His brother Peter had asked him to come home to manage the restaurant after he was injured in a near-fatal motorcycle accident, and J.T. had agreed. He'd do all he could to help Peter keep Romano's in the black.

But he also had another agenda.

"Hey, J.T." Scott, the slouchy young kitchen supervisor his brother had hired for who-knew-what reason, stuck his head out the door. "Got another problem in here."

"Naturally," J.T. muttered, shoving away from the wall. This place was one freaking disaster after another. But if working here would help him catch Yuri Calamondo, the man responsible for the death of his wife and unborn child, he would gladly endure the frustration. He eyed the kid. "What is it now? Is someone upset?"

"Who do you think?" Scott asked with an audible sigh. "It's Kelly, balking about going into the dining room — again. This is getting old."

"Who's the reason this time?" J.T. raked a hand through his close-cropped hair. Kelly Watson was the reason he was here. She was gorgeous and sexy, but she was certainly no waitress, even though she put on a damned good act. Except for her jumpiness. But then, he guessed anyone hiding in the Witness Security Program had a right to be edgy.

Scott shrugged. "Just some guy. Come see for yourself."

"Fine. I'll be right there." J.T. puckered his brow. Yeah, she was a nervous wreck. Anxious and beautiful, with honey-blonde hair and the sexiest green eyes he'd ever seen. Yet he couldn't dwell on her good looks. He was here to catch a murderer. Never mind that he no longer carried a badge.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK