Book excerpt: He’ll protect her at all costs. Even if she’s his undoing. Hugh Smith has devoted his life to saving others but one grave mistake on his part caused the death of Anneliese MacDonald’s parents. So when he is summoned to protect her from a possible threat, Hugh doesn’t think twice in obeying—even in the face of danger. Because he knows there is no way to save himself. Anneliese MacDonald was devastated by the loss of her parents to an attack by the Taliban at a time when her only problem was figuring out how to seduce Hugh Smith. When small reminders of that nightmarish time make their way into her home, she gladly accepts Hugh—whom she still has a crush on—as her temporary guardian. With danger lurking around every corner, Hugh will sacrifice everything to ensure Anneliese’s security, but the greatest danger of all might be to his own closed-off heart. A thrilling and steamy contemporary romance that will delight fans of authors Nora Roberts, Barbara Freethy, and Jill Shalvis. Perilous Love stands on its own, but it’s also part of USA Today bestselling author Cristiane Serruya’s TRUST Universe.