Margaret Daley - High-Risk Reunion

A PERILOUS SECOND CHANCE

When district attorney Tory Carson returns home after a long day in court prosecuting a gang leader, she finds her house trashed. Concerned that the vandalism is connected to the trial, the local police chief calls the Texas Rangers…and her former love Cade Morgan responds. Tory’s history with Cade—and the secret they share—makes her reluctant to let him back into her life. But Tory doesn’t want to choose between bringing down a gang leader and protecting her teenage daughter. With the threat escalating the longer she tries the case, the safest place for Tory and her daughter is at Cade’s ranch. But can Cade protect them long enough for Tory to bring the criminal to justice?

“You need to leave with me now,” Cade said.

“But I can’t,” Michelle said. “The basketball game just started.”

“Sorry. This isn’t up for debate.” Tory grasped her teen daughter’s hand.

Cade stepped forward. “We’ll use the back door. Let’s go.”

The man Tory was prosecuting right now was ruthless. But he wouldn’t let his daughter—or Tory—be Mederos’s victim.

Seeing the two together was like staring at a younger version of Tory. Both had long, curly blond hair, a thin build and a sprinkle of freckles across their noses.

Cade went through the double doors, inspecting the corridor on both sides. Empty. “Okay, let’s hurry.”

Tory and Michelle went first, with Cade trailing behind. Now all they had to do was make it to the parking lot.

A few feet from the exit, Michelle halted. “What’s going on, Mom?” She looked over her shoulder at Cade. “Who are you?”

“I’m Cade Morgan, Texas Ranger, and you two are in danger here. I’m here to take you to your house.”

He wanted to say so much more. But there was no time for that right now.

MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats, who think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com.

High-Risk Reunion

Margaret Daley

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

To all the Texas Rangers

for their dedication and hard work as police officers.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A PERILOUS SECOND CHANCE When district attorney Tory Carson returns home after a long day in court prosecuting a gang leader, she finds her house trashed. Concerned that the vandalism is connected to the trial, the local police chief calls the Texas Rangers…and her former love Cade Morgan responds. Tory’s history with Cade—and the secret they share—makes her reluctant to let him back into her life. But Tory doesn’t want to choose between bringing down a gang leader and protecting her teenage daughter. With the threat escalating the longer she tries the case, the safest place for Tory and her daughter is at Cade’s ranch. But can Cade protect them long enough for Tory to bring the criminal to justice?

Introduction “You need to leave with me now,” Cade said. “But I can’t,” Michelle said. “The basketball game just started.” “Sorry. This isn’t up for debate.” Tory grasped her teen daughter’s hand. Cade stepped forward. “We’ll use the back door. Let’s go.” The man Tory was prosecuting right now was ruthless. But he wouldn’t let his daughter—or Tory—be Mederos’s victim. Seeing the two together was like staring at a younger version of Tory. Both had long, curly blond hair, a thin build and a sprinkle of freckles across their noses. Cade went through the double doors, inspecting the corridor on both sides. Empty. “Okay, let’s hurry.” Tory and Michelle went first, with Cade trailing behind. Now all they had to do was make it to the parking lot. A few feet from the exit, Michelle halted. “What’s going on, Mom?” She looked over her shoulder at Cade. “Who are you?” “I’m Cade Morgan, Texas Ranger, and you two are in danger here. I’m here to take you to your house.” He wanted to say so much more. But there was no time for that right now.

About the Author MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats, who think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com .

Title Page High-Risk Reunion Margaret Daley www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28

Dedication To all the Texas Rangers for their dedication and hard work as police officers.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

EPILOGUE

Dear Readers

Extract

Copyright

ONE

District Attorney Tory Carson closed her eyes and drew in a deep, composing breath, but as she released it slowly, an image of the dark-haired, tattooed man intruded into her mind. After a long day at court in El Rio, Texas, a town not far from San Antonio, she’d pulled into her garage and sat behind the steering wheel for a few moments, trying to decompress after an intense afternoon selecting members for a jury in the Diego Mederos trial.

As Mederos was escorted from the courtroom, he’d looked right at her, winked and smiled. The memory sent a chill racing through her body. She’d convicted hardened criminals before as the county district attorney, but this one was different. In his black eyes, she’d seen pure evil lurking behind the swagger he presented to the world. Finally, an angry father had come forward to testify against the man who ran a biker gang and murdered the witness’s only son.

Her hands ached from gripping the steering wheel so hard. She pried them away and rubbed them together. When she’d become the DA six years ago, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t bring home her cases and ruin her time with her daughter, Michelle. She glanced at the clock on the dashboard and quickly gathered her briefcase and purse, then exited her car.

She was later than she thought and hoped as pre-arranged when she was running behind that Michelle had caught a ride with her best friend, Emma, to the junior varsity’s basketball game at the high school gym.

At fourteen, Michelle’s world revolved around boys and playing basketball. It was times like this that Tory really missed her husband, Derek, who died two years ago. He was the one who’d gotten Michelle interested in basketball. After he’d come home from work, they used to play together most evenings. Her daughter adored her father. His death had been so hard on both of them. But especially Michelle.