Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure
(The Paladin League, #8)
By: Patti O’Shea
Publication Date: July 1, 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237775219-wicked-temptation
Synopsis:
He’s always been a protector. She’s strong enough to fight on her own. This time, survival depends on each other.
Special Forces Sgt. Cal “Baggs” Baggnell walked away from Iona Desmond. Carving out his own heart hurt—but watching the woman he loves charge headfirst into danger hurt even more.
Iona loves Cal with her whole being, but she couldn’t change the core of who she is to fit his protective nature. He knew exactly who she was when they met—the need for adventure is in her DNA.
Now, their paths collide in Puerto Jardin, where Iona has talked her way into Cal’s op. And he’s been assigned to work with her.
Their bait: the Lost Treasure of Trujillo. Their target: arms dealer Jorge Torres. Their problem: Torres isn’t the only predator closing in.
With ruthless drug lords, rival treasure hunters, and a powerful Russian mob lieutenant obsessed with finding the billion-dollar fortune, Cal and Iona must put their past aside. The deeper they dig, the deadlier the game becomes.
As betrayals mount and enemies tighten their grip, survival depends on one thing: Trust. If they fail, they won’t just lose their second chance—they’ll lose everything.
Wicked Temptation is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.
Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who works undercover for the Paladin League as a photojournalist. This story features a second-chance romance, identical twins, and a kick-butt heroine.
Purchase:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eWZVJ8
“You’re on the op. He’s using your idea and assigning someone to play the mercenary-bodyguard. I want the role. I want to work for you. But I need your agreement.”
Now she understood. “I don’t think working together is a good idea. You’ll get in my way, try to bubble-wrap me. I can’t operate like that.”
Nodding, Cal said, “The Big Dog already extracted a promise that I wouldn’t interfere. He made it clear you’re in charge and whoever plays your bodyguard is your subordinate.” He hesitated, jaw tight. “I know it won’t be easy for me. I’m not pretending otherwise.”
“So BD didn’t assign you.”
“No, not yet. He said I wasn’t getting the job unless you agreed. He gave me until the briefing to talk you into it.”
This was more like the Cal she knew.
“Why do you want the assignment? If you can’t hide me away, all it’ll do is raise your blood pressure. We’re better off if I work with someone else.”
A long moment. Then Cal spoke softly. “This is a good team. They’re capable, honorable, trustworthy. But Io? I can’t trust anyone else to watch over you. They might kill to protect you, but I don’t know if any of them would die to keep you safe. I would. That’s why I want to be your partner.”
Her heart stuttered before she forced herself to breathe. He meant it, and that was the problem. To him, dying for her was his duty. To her, it was another weight she refused to carry. “No. I don’t want you to die for me. I’m not agreeing.”
Cal took her hand and Io fought the instinct to pull free.
“I wish you’d reconsider. The odds I’ll need to sacrifice my life are small. And look at it this way—I’m on this op even if I’m not your partner. I’ve been working it for weeks. This way you can keep your eyes on me and make sure I stay safe.”
A familiar tightness curled under her ribs. Of course he’d frame it like that, turning his death into a tactical advantage, turning her into the one responsible for preventing it.
Her lips curved anyway, the expression more armor than amusement. “Clever argument.”
“I thought so.”
“We still have a major issue. I’d have to trust you not to interfere, and I’m not sure I can.”
“I know. BD said even if you agreed, he’d replace me in a heartbeat if you whispered a complaint. He wasn’t bluffing. If I get in your way, tell him and you’ll work with Ski. He’s a good guy. Intense, but that won’t bother you.”
Io didn’t speak, thinking it through.
She was used to working alone. She didn’t want a partner. But the players here were dangerous, and she couldn’t monitor every angle alone. She needed someone watching her back. It was either Cal or a stranger.
Neither option thrilled her. But she needed time.
Slipping her hand free, she stood. “I’ll think about your offer.”
She didn’t look back.
About Patti O'Shea
Patti O'Shea's passions are writing, airplanes and traveling. Fortunately, she's been able to enjoy all three. After receiving a degree in advertising copywriting, she took a job with a major U.S. airline and now works in 757 Engineering. Besides teaching her about the planes she loves, it's given her an opportunity to travel to places like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada's Yukon Territory.
Writing, though, remains her primary love. Patti created her first romance when she was in junior high school and has been hooked ever since. She should have figured out she was a writer years earlier, however, since her dolls had such involved lives, complete with goals, motivation and conflict.
Blitz-Wide Giveaway (INT) Ends July 9th
Prize: $20 Amazon gift card
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My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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