FriendorFoe by Frances Pauli

When Simon Maxwell's archenemy backs out of the annual competition, he thinks the prize is in the bag. But a surprise appearance from The Spartan's long-lost sister leaves Simon scrambling for a foot hold.
    He's sworn to protect the town, but the girl from his past has him spinning in circles from the start. Is she here to help her brother, or are her motives pure? When every turn hides another trap and each twist holds a new secret, Simon risks more than just his honor. Can he win the girl before the finish line? And how can he save the town, when winning the race means losing his heart?

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    This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
    Friend or Foe
    Copyright © 2011 Frances Pauli
    ISBN: 978-1-55487-834-5
    Cover art by Angela Waters
    All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
    Published by Devine Destinies
    An imprint of eXtasy Books
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    www.devinedestinies.com

    Friend or Foe
    By
    Frances Pauli

    The Players
    The rooftops glowed in the moonlight, perfect square platforms arranged like tiles above the sleeping town. Simon Maxwell stretched his hamstring and peered across the urban vista. He smelled trouble.
    His gloved hands gripped the brick ridge that ran along the edge of the roof. He dropped into a lunge and scanned the shops across the street. A vinyl banner proclaimed tomorrow's activities. It rippled a beacon for those in opposition to order and lawfulness. He listened and stretched and waited for the Goons to act.
    It never occurred the him that they might not. Simon had guarded over the town for ten years. He knew the drill. Tomorrow the mayor would wield his oversized, brass-plated scissors, cut the giant ribbon and open the annual event. That meant tonight The Spartan's goons slunk through the streets below, intent on making mischief. It was Simon's job to stop them.
    He switched legs and inspected the shadows in front of Larry's Five and Dime. Something fluttered down the sidewalk. Simon tensed every muscle and fixed his gaze on the movement. Anticipation swept through him. He held his breath. A rumpled parade flier scuttled into view. The breeze carried it past an alley and across to the entrance of Sparky's Tune and Lube.
    He should fetch it. The breeze huffed again and the flier rolled further down, stopping in front of the wide garage doors where the floats waited. The square windows shone with the moon's reflection like vacant eyes. Simon's gaze caught movement inside.
    He shot across the rooftop in three strides, pushed off with his heel and soared over the alley. He landed in a crouch atop the town theater and stared directly into the garage. For a moment the windows remained still. Then a flash crossed one and Simon saw the outline of a figure.
    He leapt from the roof, grabbed the nearest light pole and swung around it, hitting the ground soundlessly. The pool of light bathed his chiseled form in sharp detail before he rolled to the side and back into the shadows. He crossed the street in two leaps, slid to a halt and pressed against the garage wall and