Debra Webb - Hostage Situation

The door opened and she found herself holding her breath all over again.

Paul Reyes stood in the open doorway. Cool linen slacks and pure white shirt contrasted sharply with his smooth, dark skin. “Do you care to amend your reason for showing up at my door?”

Renee was made. Might as well give it her best effort. She thrust out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr Reyes.”

He looked at her hand, then her. Fortunately, propriety appeared to prevent him from ignoring her gesture. His handshake was soft but firm. Dark brown eyes assessed her closely, the slightest hint of suspicion lingering there.

“What is it you desire of me?” he asked as he released her hand. “Your bold determination has intrigued me.”

He was intrigued. But enough to know that he was already marked for death?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debra Webb was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, to parents who taught her that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. She began writing at age nine. Eventually, she met and married the man of her dreams, and tried various occupations, including selling vacuum cleaners, and working in a factory, a day-care centre, a hospital and a department store. When her husband joined the military, they moved to Berlin, Germany, and Debra became a secretary in the commanding general’s office. By 1985 they were back in the States, and finally moved to a small town in Tennessee, where everyone knows everyone else. With the support of her husband and two beautiful daughters, Debra took up writing again, looking to mystery and movies for inspiration. In 1998, her dream of writing for Mills & Boon came true. You can write to Debra with your comments at PO Box 64, Huntland, Tennessee 37345, USA, or visit her website at www.debrawebb.com to find out exciting news about her next book.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Jim Colby– The head of the Equalizers and the son of Victoria Colby-Camp. Jim needs a fresh start.

Victoria Colby-Camp– The head of the Colby Agency. Victoria wants the best for her son even if it means he doesn’t come to work for her.

Tasha Colby– Jim’s wife and the mother of their daughter Jamie.

Renee Vaughn– A former prosecutor. She is ready to stop playing it so straight and safe and start infusing some danger into her life. She just didn’t expect it to come with attachments.

Paul Reyes– His work is his life. He wants nothing to do with the evil monster his brother has become. If he is to survive, he will need help. He did not anticipate that help from a beautiful woman.

Victor Reyes– He wants his brother’s life in order to save his own. The only variable is how many people he will have to kill to succeed.

Joseph Gates– DEA Agent Gates has a personal stake in stopping Victor Reyes.

Sam Johnson– The grittiest new associate at the Equalizers. Don’t mess with Sam – or you might find yourself dead.

DEBRA WEBB

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This book is dedicated to Sean Mackiewicz.

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Chapter One

Chicago Monday, April 30, 5:15 p.m .

“Stop the car!”

Renee Vaughn shoved a fistful of cash at the taxi driver and scrambled out of the car. She sucked in deep, ragged gulps of air…still unable to get enough oxygen into her lungs. Her body shook with the news that had chilled her to the bone.

It’s not right.

The judicial system had failed.

She had failed.

The execution would not be stayed.

At midnight, an innocent man would die, and there was nothing she could do to help him.

Nausea roiled in her stomach. She took the few steps across the sidewalk to brace herself against the nearest building. She closed her eyes and tried to block the painful memories churning in her head.

She was a murderer.

The sounds of evening’s rush-hour traffic filtered through the haze of emotions, ushering back time and place. Renee forced her eyes open and blinked to focus.

She’d been down this road already. This wasn’t her problem any more. She should go home, put it out of her mind. She’d been taken off the case two years ago. Her former client’s new attorney had taken out a restraining order to ensure she kept her distance.

There was every reason for her to forget…to put the whole damned mess behind her.

But she couldn’t. The man sitting on death row awaiting execution was her brother. She knew the truth, or at least part of it, and he would not allow her to stop this. No one would listen to her.

The wind whipped around her, urging her to move…to pull herself together. She glanced around to get her bearings. Madison Street. She could walk home from here. Her place wasn’t more than ten blocks away. Her legs still felt a little unsteady, but she’d be okay just as soon as the initial shock wore off.

Her gaze landed on St. Peter’s. Of all places for her to decide she needed out of the confines of the taxi. Before the thought could completely evolve in her brain, she was walking through the door. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in church. Or the last time she’d prayed, for that matter.

Her mind in a chaotic battle of emotion against reason, she moved up the aisle between the rows of pews, her movements on autopilot. She approached the chapel at the back of the church and knelt in front of the icon. She lit a single candle, offered a silent prayer for the innocent man who would die a few hours from now. It would take a miracle to save her brother now and, as an attorney and former prosecutor, she knew better than to believe in miracles. Her chest constricted and a flood of tears pressed against the backs of her eyes.

Her mistake. No matter what anyone said, she knew where the fault lay.

She didn’t have to be present in Huntsville, Texas, to imagine the scene. A crowd would be gathered already. Newspaper and television journalists from across the state. Protesters, those for and against the death penalty, with their signs and chants. The family members of victims, anticipating the moment when a convicted killer would finally pay the price for his crimes.

Renee rose from the kneeler and slumped onto the front pew and sat there for a while, thankful for the anonymity and silence in the empty church. She should go home. In another hour, the church would be filled with parishioners attending Mass. But somehow she couldn’t find the strength to haul herself up and walk out the door. Instead, she sat there and stared at the flame. Reaching up with a shaky hand, she ruthlessly brushed back the lone tear that managed to escape her stronghold.

“Damn it,” she muttered, then immediately railed at herself for the slip.

Why should she punish herself for the actions of others? Her brother had caused this. She had tried to stop it once she knew the truth, but he had not allowed her to do the right thing. That was masochistic. She had promised herself that with this new move, she would not permit the past to take over her life again. If only someone would tell that to her foolish emotions.