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When FBI agent Brock Williams, is assigned to a case centered around a mob-run drug operation in Oregon, he’s unprepared to find a beautiful young woman, assaulted and bloody, protecting two young children in an abandoned meth house.

Bailey Harper thought she was heading to a graduation party, only to find herself kidnapped, beaten, and left for dead. When a handsome and charismatic FBI agent comes to her rescue and offers his protection, she finds herself falling hard and fast for him.

When a deeply guarded, dark secret is revealed, will the truth drive them apart or will it strengthen the bonds of their newly found love?

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2014

768 people are currently reading
796 people want to read

About the author

Piper Davenport

94 books1,077 followers
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Piper Davenport writes from a place of passion and intrigue, combining elements of romance and suspense with strong modern-day heroes and heroines.

She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her author husband, Jack Davenport, and an obnoxious YorkiePoo named Pepper who may or may not be an international spy.

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5 stars
410 (32%)
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367 (28%)
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337 (26%)
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118 (9%)
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47 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
Profile Image for Maxine (Booklover Catlady).
1,429 reviews1,422 followers
May 15, 2025
Oh dear, there were so many things wrong with this book that I struggled to find any decent moments. The book itself has so many unrealistic themes in it that it was impossible to connect with it as a potentially real situation. It's a shame, because the blurb about the book itself sounds quite good.

* Heads Up - Minor Spoilers*

When FBI agent, Brock Williams, is assigned to a case centered around a mob-run drug operation in Oregon, he’s unprepared to find a beautiful young woman, assaulted and bloody, protecting two young children in an abandoned meth house.

Bailey Harper thought she was heading to a graduation party, only to find herself kidnapped, beaten, and left for dead. When a handsome and charismatic FBI agent comes to her rescue and offers his protection, she finds herself falling hard and fast for him.


So basically within minutes of seeing Bailey with her broken arm, all beaten up and dirty, huddled in an abandoned house with two children, FBI Agent, Brock Williams is feeling the heart strings pull. Cue eye-roll.

Bailey is taken to a "safe house" once it's established that she has information on some pretty nasty criminals that put her life at risk. But this is where the whole FBI thing falls flat. Let me explain, Brock (I mean Brock and Bailey sounds like a cocktail bar drink!) talks to her about how she got into the situation, there is NO recording equipment, no formal interview, no other FBI agent present, no note taking, and to make it worse he is holding her hand and calling her "babe" through the entire thing. Seriously? Not even police protocol never mind FBI.

It gets worse, being mindful they have known each other only a few short weeks. He is living in the safe house with her, it goes on with plenty of "babes" and "sweetheart", the lines of professionalism simply don't exist. I get the need to add the romance element, but you also need a believable plot of bringing in an FBI Agent, Safe House and victim into the plot.

All this is going on whilst he is supposed to be on a serious high profile case, but instead he's out shopping for tampons, yes indeed.

"Honey, I'm man enough to walk into a store and buy a box of tampons." And that's when it happened. He stood smiling at her, having declared he'd just bought her tampons, and she fell in love. Right there, on the spot. In love. Not the puppy love, he's hot, she's hot, let's get it on kind of not lasting love. But the forever, giver her body and soul to this man, kind of love.


So, there you go, tampons are the key to falling in love it seems. I kid you not, this is actually in the book. Urgh.

Before long we are heating up to sex scenes (after she tells him she is a virgin) which brings out his bossy side somewhat, and then the wedding talk comes up. But of course! All this in a matter of weeks in a safe house. Never mind the professional boundaries or anything. This FBI Agent would be off the case if he truly was having sex with the girl he's "protecting" in a safe house.

I get new adult books are all about romance and some steamy sex scenes, but they need a really good story and plot as well, and it needs to be at least mostly realistic. This just was not. He does not come across as an FBI Agent at all and there is no well researched elements to his character, basically he is a hot dude (from her perspective, not mine!) and that’s pretty much the end of the story.

Nope, not the best piece of fiction I have ever read and I really tried to get past all this searching for the positive but could not find any. The most ridiculous unbelievable plot. Next!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Profile Image for Janie.
873 reviews81 followers
June 22, 2018
3.5 ⭐️
Profile Image for Tina.
492 reviews7 followers
August 13, 2016
I really liked Brock, he was perhaps just a little too sweet
 photo E32AB91B-329B-4D31-B799-8F84A676E69F_zpsprxnngfj.gif
I am not a Big fan of the name calling, I mean "Beautiful/sweetheart" from day one!
BUT, babe on day four.... come on REALLY!!!....That's real professional!
*rolls eyes*

 photo 161E5BAE-9233-4D8D-A33C-201A1ECBC18C_zpslmntepbz.gif

 photo 8F3D4E48-9421-49C6-BF0A-A0769C8516DE_zpsmy62o0qw.jpeg “Honey, I’m man enough to walk into a store and buy a box of tampons.”

I really wanted to strangle Bailey, a million times the longer I read the book!
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She was just so dumb!
 photo F1A8DFF6-8BBA-4F56-B354-2C94763D4D0E_zpstgbeczlz.gif

Give me some Jaxon Quinn or Dr. Stone instead
 photo 0E792853-4D5F-4D36-80CF-BDABB1FAE0E5_zpsdhkrlyly.gif
Profile Image for Emily.
5,866 reviews546 followers
May 24, 2016
FBI agent, Brock Williams doesn't know what he stumbled upon when he finds Bailey Harper and two children in a dilapidated house. Bailey wakes up in a hospital to find her friend missing and being questioned by the FBI. What Bailey divulges puts her in protective custody and under the watchful eye of Brock. Brock knows from day one that he wants to protect Bailey, but his strong feelings for her muddles the line between protector and witness. Will they be able to uncover what is going on in order to keep Bailey safe and build a future?

Great story, the end I thought was a bit rushed but overall entertaining read. I think if you are starting out with Piper Davenport stories you should start with the Guardian series since the characters are involved in the Dogs of Fire. Not necessary but fills in some gaps. Liked Bailey a lot she was a strong heroine who has a shy side, Brock is sweet with Bailey. Another fantastic read from this author.
Profile Image for Daniela.
1,185 reviews
July 29, 2019
Overall it was good but not great. My biggest issue was that everything happened too quickly. I'm one for details therefore building the character's and this book lacked that. It's unfortunate because after reading the MC series and Brock, Dallas and Jaxon were a part of them so I was looking forward to finding out more about their stories. I believe this series was written well before the MC series so Piper has become a better writer.
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books399 followers
May 18, 2015
I did things a little backward when I read the spin-off series first, but I finally had a chance to come back for the FBI couples after getting the biker couples. I eagerly picked up this first book and it dove right into the story for a fast-paced read.

The story opens with Brock Williams and his FBI team investigating reports that a abandoned house known for use in making meth has some activity. Their raid produces two frightened children and an injured woman. He slowly gets the story out of her and learns that these three escaped a bad situation, but there are others that they need to be looking for. Brock doesn't know what all they are dealing with, but he does know that Bailey Harper is now the material witness that he has to keep alive. It doesn't take him long to realize that this case is personal and he'll do whatever it takes to solve the case and keep Bailey safe.

Bailey went through a harrowing experience when she allowed her college roommate to talk her into a party and it went bad from there. Now, she is in hiding after someone tried to take her life at the hospital and she is confused about the feelings Brock brings out. She has never been this attracted to a guy, but Brock holds her at arms length because she is his job. It's frustrating, but she learns that she's not the only one feeling impatience for the case to be over so they can explore their feelings. The answers finally come and they are shocking, but at least she has Brock at her side to help her face it all.

This story is one of those that has a solid foundation or 'good bones', but it didn't quite get there. Beyond the premise which is solid, the development was weak, the transitions were rough, the plot got loose, and the romance was not developed much.

I felt dropped into the story and then hustled through it. I was confused or lost a few times whether it was the suspense part of the case mostly happening off scene or the romance going from strangers to declaring 'I love you's to doing it like bunnies and marriage. Blink and you missed something. The FBI procedural part of it made me cringe because normal rules were bent to accommodate the story and I'm not talking about the forbidden aspect of the Special Agent falling for his witness, but the many improbable actions that happened while Bailey was in custody.

But, as I said, there were good bones to it. I was vested in the likeable characters and I enjoyed the surrounding cast too. The idea of their romance and their passion worked for me even if it happened too fast. These two are sizzling and dive right in to the sexy times. The suspense had a twist to it that was foreshadowed enough that I wasn't surprised, but it still added a layer of sympathy for when it was revealed. I am vested enough that I want to go on and get Dallas and Masie's story and of course eventually Jaxon.

In summary, I was left wanting more, but not hating what I got. I know that the writer hit her stride by the time the spin-off series occurs two books later so I'm game to keep going. It was a quick read and I think those who enjoy mild romantic suspense and slightly spicy romance should keep it in mind.
Profile Image for Ellen Anderson.
1,251 reviews
April 22, 2018
Witness

This is my very first book by Piper Davenport, but it definitely won't be my last. I loved the characters in Witness, both Bailey and Brock along with the secondary ones. The story is suspenseful while still being light, which is what I really like. A quick read and very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Ansu.
950 reviews19 followers
December 4, 2014
When I read Road to Desire which was my first Piper Davenport book I was excited to have found a new author who had a very good writing style that I liked and enjoyed so much so that I couldn't wait to find more PD books.

Oh my, there where sooooooo many things wrong with this book. Where do I start?.
Witness was a disappointment to me. You do not call a witness as a police officer, "BABE", also there was no threat to Bailey except for the hospital incident, so surely there would be questions raised by the bosses for spending man hours for 3 agents on a case with no substance.

Bailey's incident when she saw a Russian dude through the restaurant's window, was just plain silly, it felt like Piper wanted to make a big deal out of something but got it all wrong. Why was Bailey not concerned that her parents where involved with illegal stuff, she was so lackadaisical about it. She showed no emotions, when Ali died nothing, this is your best friend who died and when you are told you move on pretty quickly.

Bailey's stubbornness at the hospital in revealing what happened to her and who where involved, was so put on, it did not feel real at all. One would have thought that she would want the FBI, for crying out loud, to find her friend and all those kids.

Poor book to read, move on and pick something else up as this book will frustrate you. It certainly did that to me.


Profile Image for Tracy O’Sing.
327 reviews35 followers
September 15, 2014
Oh! Please put my in protective custody.... Bailey Harpers courageous and feisty ends up caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. After being rescued by FBI agents while protecting 2 children is taken to a safe house under protective custody. While in the care of FBI agent Brock Williams, the FBI take care of her as they work the case of missing children and the death of Bailey's best friend. While FBI agents Brock, Dallas and Jaxon work to solve the case. Meanwhile Brock is falling for Bailey and Bailey feels the same... This attraction leads to some wonderful steamy moments.
Thoroughly enjoyed this quick romantic read that contained a few twists that were unexpected, the story was fast paced and feel that it was over to quickly, although the story ends well I would like to hear more about Dallas and Jaxon as well as more on Brock's sister, Payton...
Profile Image for BookWormAli.
240 reviews11 followers
January 2, 2018
I liked the premise and the fact that there was some time involved but it would have been better as a full novel. It just seemed too much packed into a short time and as such not connecting with me. I wanted more, I wanted to see them explore their feelings not blurt them out in a ten second conversation. I also wanted in depth conclusion on her family and the "bad guys". We didn't even find out until the Epilogue.

I did like the plot but it just begged for more. That being said I like the connection of the characters and will continue to read the series, as well as her MC series.
456 reviews6 followers
December 1, 2014
I tried to really like this one. The blurb gave me promise but some of the incidents in teh book were to far fetch for me. Especially stories that claim the main hot male character had not had sex in years. That I just have a hard time believing. Once I read something like that in a story, everything just shuts down for me.

Profile Image for Sarah.
88 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2015
Overall, this was a good story. However, there were several times where it could have been better. It felt like a lot was skipped. How did she feel/react when they got the evidence? How did her meeting his family play out? What happened to/with the mafia groups? There are just too many unanswered questions. Still, it kept me engaged and interested. Therefore, a 3⭐⭐⭐ review.
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,615 reviews36 followers
November 9, 2016
I quick read with insta everything- something I enjoy. I really enjoy Bailey's babbling and Brock may not follow FBI protocol, but he can be my protector any day!
Profile Image for Fiction Junkie.
1,860 reviews174 followers
February 11, 2018
Not as great as the Dogs of Fire, but still a great read. I loved it. I sentence of talk of rape of a side character, wasn't descriptive, it was just mentioned. Great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Meiwilli.
1,643 reviews5 followers
May 6, 2018
Conflicts of Interest…

Brock Williams and his FBI team rescued a woman and two children from an abandoned meth house. The children appear to be fine but the woman has been “severely” beaten and has a broken arm. The woman is taken to the hospital where the emergency room doctor, Alec Stone, who just happens to be the brother of Brock’s teammate, Dallas Stone, treats her. Though she is dirty, bruised and broken, Brock has an instant attraction to the woman…almost 22-year old Bailey Harper.

Already a bad idea…

Brock takes Bailey to a safe house because she still may be in danger because the FBI has no idea who perpetrated this dastardly crime. And while the FBI is involved because of the children, it’s Bailey who gets all the attention…from Brock, Alec, and Dallas. Jax doesn’t appear to be smitten in the slightest (smart man).

I Love You, let's get married…

It’s been a couple of weeks but Brock and Bailey are in love…Of course, they can’t act on this love because it would be unprofessional, a conflict of interest and probably get Brock fired in the real world but nevertheless, Brock’s teammates know what’s up and have no problem understanding and covering for him. A few more unbelievable Brock and Bailey situations develop and the next thing you know, they get a reprieve from the safe house to go to a hotel…

Meet the parents…

Brock somehow knows Bailey’s parents are not good people and that they are in some way behind her and the kidnapping of the children. Bailey turns out to be a “Rich little girl with mommy issues.” Mom and dad are loaded and apparently complete idiots. Things get pretty trumped up with no explanation and spiral downward quickly to a nice neat epilogue that has the parents locked up, and the couple happily married.

Oh vey what a mess! This story goes from zero to sixty and not in a good way. It lacks the meat of the storyline, the characters are poorly defined and there are many editing issues. Proceed with caution or not at all.
Profile Image for Shaly.
1,198 reviews
April 23, 2018
DNF @ 49%

Where the fuck is the professionalism in this book?

This was just a hot fucking mess! I really hate it when the synopsis of a book is really good but the context of it just flat out sucks! This book fell into that category!

First off what I want to know is why two men, ptofressionals at that, were fighting over a 21 year old girl? Both Alec, a doctor, and Brock, an FBI agent, were past their thirties! That wasn't even all that bad, what had me rolling my eyes was when Brock accused Alec of crossing the line with a patient! Unfuckingbelievable! Um...pot meet kettle! This coming from a man who was just kissing and pawing at the victim of a crime and the person he was charged to protect! Again...professionalism?

I can go on and on but between a supposedly great FBI agent who doesn't even come close to doing his job and the whole instalove between him and his charge...not to mention all the pet names he calls her...yuck... I was just to fucking disgusted to keep reading this...

Thankfully this book was free because I would have gone ballistic if I would have paid for this. I've never read anything by this author, for all intents and purposes she's a great author but by this book I'm not sure I agree. I wouldn't mind picking up another book...eventually, though not any time soon.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
805 reviews19 followers
April 26, 2018
This is a quick read, but full of action. Bailey is a recently graduated college student, who is from a wealthy family. Right before moving back home, she is pulled into going to a party with her room mate, that takes a turn for the worse. She is assaulted, drugged, and kidnapped, along with her friend. When she escapes, and is found by an FBI agent, she is taken into protective custody while they try to keep her safe, and unravel the mystery of what happened and why.

Bailey is a feisty young woman! Even after all she went through, and through everything that happens throughout the story, she keeps a positive outlook. She takes a bad situation, and makes the most of it, finding love when least expected. Brock isn't sure what to make of Bailey to begin with. Despite the immediate feelings he has for her, he tries his best to stay professional. She, too, tries to keep her distance, but things quickly heat up!

This is a fun filled, action packed novella! Even though it's a relatively quick read, there are lots of details, descriptions, and a solid plot to keep you interested. (A little hint, some of these characters play a role in upcoming books, so pay attention!) All told, this is a great story, that I really liked!
Profile Image for Jodie.
149 reviews
November 15, 2023
MUST READ SERIES! The MC Universe of the Dogs of Fire, Burning Saints, and Primal Howlers starts here with the first book in the Guardian Series. This starts off with the guys from the FBI that make many appearances in the other books of this MC universe. While it’s not necessary to read this book before the Dogs of Fire Series, I highly recommend that you do so that you can appreciate the nuances of these characters.

FBI agent, Brock Williams, finds his “one” in Bailey Harper after rescuing her from a wrong place, wrong time, kidnapping. He offers her his protection and they both find themselves falling for each other hard and fast. As deeply guarded dark secrets are revealed, the two will need to hold on tight to each other and see it through.

I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. The only complaint that I have (reason for 4 stars instead of 5) is that when getting into the mystery of the kidnapping and the dark secrets that surround them that it could have lasted a bit longer. It wrapped up a little too quickly in my opinion. Everything is answered by the end so you aren’t left hanging.

This series is definitely worth checking out! Enjoy the ride! I sure did!
2,814 reviews57 followers
June 23, 2017
I must hang my head in shame. This has been sitting on my Kindle for a longer than I can remember. I have no excuse for not reading it and frankly I am a little disappointed in myself for waiting so long. I should have known it would a good read. I should have known it would be loaded with drama but also with a few great laughs. And the epilogue -- Holy Moly!!!!! I didn't see that coming.

Brock Williams is an FBI agent working in Oregon on a mob case. He stumbles across a battered damaged woman protecting two children in an abandoned meth house. When Bailey wakes up in the hospital, Brock is by her side and there he will stay.

This forbidden romance has a lot of ups and downs and so many challenges that you keep reading just to see what comes crashing down next. Luckily for Bailey, Brock has a stubborn streak and refuses to walk away. Her innocence (thanks to her growing up sheltered) makes for some great situations. When her innocence is destroyed and her life is pulled out from under her she will be happy to have Brock catch her.
2,814 reviews57 followers
February 20, 2018
It is official. I have witnessed another great story by Piper Davenport. So much excitement. So many thrills. Such suspense and unexpected evil. If that wasn't amazing enough there is lots of steamy hotness. And of course it wouldn't be a Piper Davenport book without a great romance. Woozers!!!!!!

Bailey Harper was taken my mistake. She was lucky enough to escape with two young children, hiding in an old drug house. Luck is on Bailey's side when they are found by Brock Williams, FBI agent.

Who knew finding Bailey would open a case leading to so many illegal activities and so many surprising suspects. Who knew that love could be found in an abandoned building. Page after page I was entertained. Page after page the addiction grew. The excitement building and building until the truth was everything. Shock and Awe!!! And my reward for such patience a beautiful HEA.

Profile Image for Yas.
102 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2023
There is a reason this book was free. Absolute drivel wrapped in every problematic cliche in the world.

FBI agent rescues a bleeding, beaten girl 10 years his junior and gets such a hard on that he starts stroking her ID card photo outside the drug den he finds her in? Creepy. Calling her “beautiful”, “babe” and offering to watch her while she showers in the hospital? Creepy. Getting worked up when her doctor offers his personal number because it’s ‘unprofessional’? Creepy AND hypocritical.

Yet this “beauty pageant looking” college student thinks he’s god’s gift to earth and is ~soooo attractive~. Has broken ribs and finds it hard to even breathe one minute only to have a nightmare and throw her arms around FBI perv’s neck the next. Honestly baffling - and this is the first 40 odd pages.

So poorly written it’s like the author downed a bottle of wine, flicked between law & order, grey’s anatomy and soft porn before writing this shit in an evening.
Profile Image for Ashante Williams.
2,057 reviews3 followers
October 15, 2024
Brock & Bailey: triggers- drugs, kidnapping, trafficking. This book was just okay. It needs a lot of editing to clean it up a bit. There's a lot of jumping around with no Segway to move the reader smoothly into that part of the story. So there are moments where we're in the present, then all of a sudden the story will switch to something else and we don't know if it's a memory or a dream before poof, we're back in the present. The author also does this with time jumping as well. Whether it's the next day, a week later, a month or a year. The jump just happens out of the blue. The story has potential except for that. It's an interesting concept but the plot twist wasn't really a twist because it wasn't a surprise or shock leaving the suspense to be just kind of blah. However, I will give the bill 🌶️🌶️🌶️ for the sexy moments.
Profile Image for Deb B.
1,852 reviews16 followers
March 30, 2019
I had seen this series mentioned a few times and didn't realise until the latest book was released that the first two books covered the histories of Brock & Bailey, Dallas & Macey. Loved both couples from the first mention of them in Dogs of Fire so happily jumped into this series. Book one, sadly didn't do a lot for me. The writing style isn't smooth and the time frame is over the top fast, and the resolution and final explanations were just way too abrupt .. maybe this is because it is a novella and not a full length book … hoping the next two books are better.
I did enjoy the story though and still love the characters. it's probably really only a 3.5 but have rounded it up rather than down
Profile Image for Diane.
2,821 reviews22 followers
July 9, 2025
2 & 1/2 disappointing stars

Brock and Bailey’s unlikely romance between an FBI agent and a bruised and battered victim starts out well with a daring rescue but quickly transforms into a far fetched romance with little to no intrigue. I can’t imagine a world where an human trafficking case languishes for a month with little development except in the bedroom where the virginal victim suddenly becomes a wanton tigress and I love you’s are exchanged within a month. Seriously? If the author had decided to spend more time with unraveling a realistic plot and less time with boring minutiae and gratuitous sex this might have been a better read but as it stands it’s a ridiculously juvenile romance and a painstakingly poor attempt at a romantic thriller.
Profile Image for Angela Armstrong.
434 reviews5 followers
May 9, 2018
Has potential

Look, the plot has potential, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. This reads more like a plot summary than an actual story, we're given just enough detail to get the gist but not enough for a cohesive story. Several times new facts and subplots are introduced in a manner that indicates prior knowledge (the reader's that is) when it's simply not there. I skimmed the last quarter because I wanted resolution but I was disengaged by then.
Sorry, one star is an awful book. Two stars is a barely tolerable one. This was barely tolerable, barely, but only because of the execution.
Profile Image for Kimberly’s Book Briefs.
73 reviews4 followers
March 9, 2019
This is another book that I can't stress enough how much I loved!
​After being kidnapped and beaten inside a meth house while protecting two children, Bailey is saved by hot-agent Brock. Placed in witness-protection, Brock is one of three men looking out for her. But only he has googly eyes for the woman he's supposed to be protecting. I love protective alpha males and Brock doesn't fall short. Brock and Bailey break the rules and run with their unexpected relationship. I wasn't expecting the sudden twist and turns but this was a quick read and one I reread from time to time. I loved Brock and Bailey's story and I wish there was more of them.
514 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2019
Not having read any of Piper Davenports books yet I was surprised and, sad to say, disappointed. This story has so much potential but falls lackingly short. The book gives you the feeling that perhaps the author was not really feeling it herself and was not connecting with her characters. The characters were dysfunctional and lacklustre. An FBI agent who fumbles through a simple search and seizure. A supposed intelligent young woman who comes across more like an air- headed bimbo. That's not to say the story didn't have it's good moments, but they were to few and far between. It lacked depth. I am going to read the next book in the hope that the story improves.
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