Joanna Wayne - Fearless Gunfighter

This courageous rodeo star is one lethal attraction...

Rodeo rider Tucker Lawrence lives for risk—even after seeing his best friend die in a rodeo accident. But there’s no chance in hell he’s going to let FBI agent Sydney Maxwell tackle treacherous Texas Hill Country alone to find her missing sister. Even if the pretty profiler is putting his guarded heart in danger...

With her sister in the hands of a serial killer, Sydney will break all the rules she has to. Tucker is as reckless as he is charming, but his trail savvy and courage are invaluable as they run her quarry to ground. Still, Sydney can’t afford to gamble that the irresistible passion flaring between them is anything but an adrenaline rush. Or that they’ll survive long enough for real love...

The only thing that really mattered was finding Rachel and the rest of the missing women.

Sydney’s hand was already on the door handle when Tucker stopped at the gate to the Double K Ranch.

“I’ve got it,” Tucker said. “A real cowboy never lets the bloody wounded do the work.”

“More of the cowboy code?”

“If it’s not, it should be.”

She watched him unlatch the gate and swing it open. It was midmorning now and the sun glistened on his shirtless shoulders and chest. His muscles rippled. Bull-rider muscles, and he’d be back to that soon.

But for now he was making it clear that he was all hers. The shocker was that she was thankful to have him around.

Fearless Gunfighter

Joanna Wayne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JOANNA WAYNE began her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series, such as Sons of Troy Ledger and Big “D” Dads. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, with her husband. You may write to Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com.

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To my wonderful friend and neighbor Zona, the only former

rocket scientist I can always count on to have an extra Diet Coke

on hand. And in memory of her loving husband, Jim, who actually

did help put a man on the moon. Also, a call-out to all my friends

who love the rodeo and bull riders as much as I do. Happy reading, all.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text This courageous rodeo star is one lethal attraction... Rodeo rider Tucker Lawrence lives for risk—even after seeing his best friend die in a rodeo accident. But there’s no chance in hell he’s going to let FBI agent Sydney Maxwell tackle treacherous Texas Hill Country alone to find her missing sister. Even if the pretty profiler is putting his guarded heart in danger... With her sister in the hands of a serial killer, Sydney will break all the rules she has to. Tucker is as reckless as he is charming, but his trail savvy and courage are invaluable as they run her quarry to ground. Still, Sydney can’t afford to gamble that the irresistible passion flaring between them is anything but an adrenaline rush. Or that they’ll survive long enough for real love...

Introduction The only thing that really mattered was finding Rachel and the rest of the missing women. Sydney’s hand was already on the door handle when Tucker stopped at the gate to the Double K Ranch. “I’ve got it,” Tucker said. “A real cowboy never lets the bloody wounded do the work.” “More of the cowboy code?” “If it’s not, it should be.” She watched him unlatch the gate and swing it open. It was midmorning now and the sun glistened on his shirtless shoulders and chest. His muscles rippled. Bull-rider muscles, and he’d be back to that soon. But for now he was making it clear that he was all hers. The shocker was that she was thankful to have him around.

Title Page Fearless Gunfighter Joanna Wayne www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JOANNA WAYNE began her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series, such as Sons of Troy Ledger and Big “D” Dads. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, with her husband. You may write to Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com .

Dedication To my wonderful friend and neighbor Zona, the only former rocket scientist I can always count on to have an extra Diet Coke on hand. And in memory of her loving husband, Jim, who actually did help put a man on the moon. Also, a call-out to all my friends who love the rodeo and bull riders as much as I do. Happy reading, all.

Chapter One Chapter One Saturday, September 9 Rachel Maxwell opened her eyes. The world remained black. She tried to lift her arms, but blistering pain attacked with the slightest movement. She was alive. That was all she was certain of. Death couldn’t hurt this bad. Her pupils slowly adjusted to the darkness, but the hammering inside her skull was so intense her brain couldn’t identify where she was or why. Random thoughts skirted her consciousness. A faint line of brightness on the other side of the room provided the only illumination. Most likely a space beneath a door, so there must be a light on somewhere. No windows to let in a scant glow of moonlight. No sounds except her own ragged breathing. She was on her back, stretched out, perhaps in a bed, perhaps not. Her fingers impulsively went to her face. Her cheeks felt swollen, but numb, the only part of her that didn’t ache. She struggled to focus. Fear swelled, crashing through her like ocean waves as scraps of nightmarish images crept through the shadows of her mind. The man dragging her into his truck. His creepy hands all over her. And then the punishing blows. Her stomach heaved as the memories grew more distinct. Not a nightmare, but horrifying reality. She forced her body to move, slid over until her hand touched what felt like rough, splintered wood. She rolled off what must be no more than a pallet of some kind and onto the hard floor. Every joint and muscle cried out for mercy as she forced herself to scoot up on her elbows and crawl toward the light. When she reached the door, she struggled to stand, her fingers clawing at the door frame until she could wrap them around the doorknob. She hesitated. If the door opened, it might only lead to more hell. But the faint hint of escape held sway. She turned the knob and shoved her body against it. The door didn’t budge. She beat on the door with her fists. Agony and hopelessness took hold as she slid back to the floor. Tears filled her eyes and sobs shook her pain-racked body. She’d been imprisoned by a monster. The worst was no doubt yet to come.

Chapter Two Chapter Two Tucker Lawrence braked his mud-encrusted black pickup truck in front of a small stucco-and-wood house on a quiet neighborhood street on the outskirts of Lubbock, Texas. The home was veiled in darkness. No sounds. No sign of movement, which meant Lauren Hernandez hadn’t heard the news yet.