Barb Han - Texas Hunt

“Stop!” he shouted.

She froze but didn’t turn around to face him.

“What in hell’s name is going on, Lisa?” Ryan caught up to her, put his hand on her arm to support her, and blew out a frustrated breath when she recoiled.

“I’m sorry. I need to go.”

“Not so fast. The only place you’re going is inside.” He urged her to turn around and he was surprised she did.

The look on her face, the resignation, should have made him feel bad. He didn’t want to go down this road with her. The one where he was basically forcing her to talk. But she was in danger and he couldn’t put up with this any longer.

“He’ll come back.” There came the fear in her eyes again.

“Not tonight, he won’t.”

Texas Hunt

Barb Han

www.millsandboon.co.uk

BARB HANlives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com.

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My deepest thanks go to Allison Lyons for the amazing talent she brings to make each story the absolute best it can be—I am beyond grateful. I’m incredibly blessed to work with Jill Marsal and I’m looking forward to many more years together.

There are three people who cheer me on through late nights and weekends, who are always quick to build me up if my spirits dip, and who inspire me to reach deeper every day so that I can be half the person I see reflected in their eyes. Brandon, Jacob and Tori—my three beautiful gifts!—my world is so much brighter because of you!

And to you, Babe, because the life we’ve built together is so much better than I ever thought possible—and you are at the center of it all. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Introduction “Stop!” he shouted. She froze but didn’t turn around to face him. “What in hell’s name is going on, Lisa?” Ryan caught up to her, put his hand on her arm to support her, and blew out a frustrated breath when she recoiled. “I’m sorry. I need to go.” “Not so fast. The only place you’re going is inside.” He urged her to turn around and he was surprised she did. The look on her face, the resignation, should have made him feel bad. He didn’t want to go down this road with her. The one where he was basically forcing her to talk. But she was in danger and he couldn’t put up with this any longer. “He’ll come back.” There came the fear in her eyes again. “Not tonight, he won’t.”

Title Page Texas Hunt Barb Han www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author BARB HAN lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com .

Dedication My deepest thanks go to Allison Lyons for the amazing talent she brings to make each story the absolute best it can be—I am beyond grateful. I’m incredibly blessed to work with Jill Marsal and I’m looking forward to many more years together. There are three people who cheer me on through late nights and weekends, who are always quick to build me up if my spirits dip, and who inspire me to reach deeper every day so that I can be half the person I see reflected in their eyes. Brandon, Jacob and Tori—my three beautiful gifts!—my world is so much brighter because of you! And to you, Babe, because the life we’ve built together is so much better than I ever thought possible—and you are at the center of it all. I love you!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Copyright

Chapter One

Lisa Moore woke with a start. She tried to push up to a sitting position. Motion made a thousand nails drive through her skin and her head split four ways. Bright fluorescent lights blurred her vision. Her arms gave out and she landed hard on the firm mattress.

“Whoa, slow down there.” Before she could shift her position enough to try sitting up again, Ryan Hunt was kneeling at her side. She didn’t want to acknowledge just how much his presence calmed her rising pulse.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Looking around, realizing she was in the hospital, she added, “What am I doing here?”

“I came as soon as I got the call,” Ryan said, his low, deep timbre wrapping around her. An emotion flickered behind his eyes that she couldn’t immediately pinpoint. At six foot two with the muscled body of an athlete, Ryan could take care of himself and anyone else around. She told herself that was the reason him being there comforted her...but comforted her from what?

Reality dawned on her as a full-body shiver rocked her. She’d been attacked by Beckett Alcorn, son of the most prominent man in town. His father had recently been named a person of interest in the fifteen-year-old kidnapping case that had rocked the small tight-knit community of Mason Ridge, Texas. News broke yesterday that Charles Alcorn had escaped before questioning and a manhunt was under way to find him.

Fear seized her, cramping her stomach. What if Beckett came back? No one would suspect him, the grieving and confused son. Too bad she couldn’t tell Ryan what had actually happened, what she really knew. She’d done her part. She hadn’t told a soul what Beckett Alcorn had done to her. So why was he trying to deliver on a fifteen-year-old threat now?

“Who else has been here?” She glanced at the door.

“Our friends. Your sister.” The questioning look he gave her reminded her that she couldn’t afford to give away her true emotions. No one could know about Beckett.

“What really happened to you?” The sight of Ryan—his gray-blue eyes and hawk-like nose set on a face of hard angles softened by rich, thick, curly dark brown hair—settled her fried nerves enough to let her think clearly.

Beckett had misjudged her this time. She’d distracted him long enough to escape. He’d be better prepared next time. Lisa and her family were in grave danger and she needed a plan.

“A guy came out of nowhere and jumped me. I’m guessing they didn’t catch him.” Playing dumb with Ryan was her only choice. Otherwise, Beckett would hurt her sister or nephew as he’d promised.

“Must not’ve.” Ryan’s cell buzzed, his gaze followed hers to the door. “People have been dropping by or calling every half hour to check on you.”

“Where’s my sister?” Panic beat rapid-fire against her ribs.