Virginia Vaughan - Reunion Mission

FRAMED

Lured into a dark classroom, high school teacher Claire Kendall stumbles over the body of a dead student—and into the clutches of the killer. Certain she’s about to die, Claire is shocked when DEA agent Matt Ross bursts in and rescues her. The former army ranger who broke her heart ten years ago is back in town to bust a drug trafficking ring operating at the school. With Claire being framed for the young informant’s murder, she has to put aside their past and trust her handsome ex to keep her safe. But someone is dead set on bringing their hometown reunion to a permanent end.

Rangers Under Fire: Nothing’s more dangerous than falling in love.

“You shouldn’t be alone until we find the person who killed your student and tried to abduct you,” Matt said.

Claire shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one is after me.”

“We don’t know that, Claire. You could still be in danger.”

She glanced up at him, curiosity pooling in her eyes. “Why? What did you find?”

“Your student, Luke, didn’t send you that text asking you to come to the school. He couldn’t have. He was already dead by the time that text was sent. Whoever it was lured you here and was waiting for you, Claire.”

He saw her mind racing. “Who would do that? Who would want to hurt me?”

“That’s a good question, and one we need to figure out.” He’d meant it when he’d said he wasn’t leaving until he knew Claire was safe…and that was looking less and less likely. There was no way he was going to let her go home alone. She would be a sitting target. “I would feel better if you weren’t alone.”

She gazed at him for a moment. Was she thinking of the past?

VIRGINIA VAUGHANis a born and raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger and love. She soon started writing them herself. You can connect with Virginia through her website, virginiavaughanonline.com, or through the publisher.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay,

You are the potter: we are all the work of Your hand.

— Isaiah 64:8

This book is dedicated to my mom, Sylvia.

Your strength and perseverance throughout the years

has been my inspiration. God truly blessed me

when He made me your daughter.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text FRAMED Lured into a dark classroom, high school teacher Claire Kendall stumbles over the body of a dead student—and into the clutches of the killer. Certain she’s about to die, Claire is shocked when DEA agent Matt Ross bursts in and rescues her. The former army ranger who broke her heart ten years ago is back in town to bust a drug trafficking ring operating at the school. With Claire being framed for the young informant’s murder, she has to put aside their past and trust her handsome ex to keep her safe. But someone is dead set on bringing their hometown reunion to a permanent end. Rangers Under Fire: Nothing’s more dangerous than falling in love.

Introduction “You shouldn’t be alone until we find the person who killed your student and tried to abduct you,” Matt said. Claire shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one is after me.” “We don’t know that, Claire. You could still be in danger.” She glanced up at him, curiosity pooling in her eyes. “Why? What did you find?” “Your student, Luke, didn’t send you that text asking you to come to the school. He couldn’t have. He was already dead by the time that text was sent. Whoever it was lured you here and was waiting for you, Claire.” He saw her mind racing. “Who would do that? Who would want to hurt me?” “That’s a good question, and one we need to figure out.” He’d meant it when he’d said he wasn’t leaving until he knew Claire was safe…and that was looking less and less likely. There was no way he was going to let her go home alone. She would be a sitting target. “I would feel better if you weren’t alone.” She gazed at him for a moment. Was she thinking of the past?

About the Author VIRGINIA VAUGHAN is a born and raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger and love. She soon started writing them herself. You can connect with Virginia through her website, virginiavaughanonline.com , or through the publisher.

Title Page Reunion Mission Virginia Vaughan www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter: we are all the work of Your hand. — Isaiah 64:8

Dedication This book is dedicated to my mom, Sylvia. Your strength and perseverance throughout the years has been my inspiration. God truly blessed me when He made me your daughter.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Claire Kendall unlocked the side door to Lakeshore High School and slipped inside. The hallway was dark and eerily quiet on a Sunday afternoon. The hall lights were controlled by a main switch in the storage room, but they took a while to power on and Claire didn’t want to bother with them. The overhead light in her classroom would be enough, especially if she opened the window blinds and let the sunlight stream in. She took out her cell phone and hit the flashlight function, noticing as she headed down the hall how it seemed to stretch farther than it did when the lights were on and kids were present.

She reached her classroom and saw it, too, was dark. Strange. She was supposed to be meeting her student Luke Thompson here. The text message he’d sent her earlier had indicated he was already at the school waiting. Had he given up waiting for her and left?

She reached up and flipped the light switch, but nothing happened. The room remained dark.

As she moved to open the blinds to at least give them some light, her foot caught on something on the floor and she stumbled, catching herself on one of the student desks. She turned the phone light to the floor to see what she’d tripped on and spotted something between the rows of desks. As she moved the light closer, she saw the outline of a hand...then an arm...then a body sprawled on the floor.

“Luke!” Claire knelt beside him, but he didn’t move at the sound of his name. Her knees touched something wet and sticky. Dread filled her at the realization of what had happened.

She looked at her hand and saw blood. Luke’s blood.

She stifled a scream. Panicking wouldn’t do any good now. She needed to remain calm. If there was a chance Luke was still alive, she had to get help. She hit the keypad on her phone and tried to dial 9-1-1, but her hands were shaking so badly that she had to reenter the number.