Meghan Carver - Under Duress

FAMILY ON THE RUN

Criminals are trying to kidnap attorney Samantha Callahan’s adopted daughter, Lily—and she has no idea why. So when bullets start flying, Samantha and Lily speed off in her car…and crash right into help. Ex-cop Reid Palmer is shocked when former law school classmate Samantha rear-ends his car and then climbs in with her daughter and begs him to drive. Now they are on the run, and Reid will do anything to protect them and figure out why kidnappers are after Lily. As they struggle to evade capture, Reid begins to realize that Samantha is more to him than just a woman in trouble. But with the enemies closing in and their motives finally revealed, will Reid be able to make sure justice is served?

“Stop!” The strident voice echoed around the bare hallway. Lily let loose of Samantha’s hand to cover her ears.

Samantha glanced back. It was him. The man who had broken into their room and then followed them into the store.

“Run!” Reid commanded, and her feet obeyed.

“Get out.”

She and Lily dashed past Reid. In her peripheral vision, she saw him turn and follow.

Lily grunted at Samantha’s side, a step ahead.

At the door, she pushed it open and Lily ran through. As she jogged through, she turned to look back. The thug lumbered only two paces behind Reid.

Samantha moved aside as Reid stepped through the door. He swiveled around and grabbed the edge of the door, shoving it back toward the thug as he tried to step through. The heavy metal door collided with the thug’s face with a resounding crack. He fell back and hit the floor. They watched for a moment, but the man didn’t move.

By sixth grade, MEGHAN CARVER knew she wanted to write. After a degree in English from Millikin University, she detoured to law school, completing a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University. She then worked in immigration law and taught college-level composition. Now, she homeschools her six children with her husband. When she isn’t writing, homeschooling or planning another travel adventure, she is active in her church, sews and reads.

Under Duress

Meghan Carver

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

—Psalms 107:13

To Steve, my happily-ever-after. You’ve been telling me to write a book for two decades. Here you go. May there be many more.

To my children; the Bigs for brainstorming and proofreading and nagging me to “go write,” and the Littles for their help and obedience to the Bigs so I could “go write.”

To my editor, Emily Rodmell. Thank you for your encouragement, your wisdom and your availability in The Search for a Killer Voice. I’m honored that you saw potential in me.

To Love Inspired Historical author Angel Moore. Thank you for believing I could write for Love Inspired Suspense. Your encouragement and helpfulness are invaluable. This story wouldn’t exist without you.

To my writing friend and critique partner, Jenni Brummett. Thank you for sharing with me the absolutely lovely way

you have with words. I appreciate the time and energy you’ve funneled into this story and my life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text FAMILY ON THE RUN Criminals are trying to kidnap attorney Samantha Callahan’s adopted daughter, Lily—and she has no idea why. So when bullets start flying, Samantha and Lily speed off in her car…and crash right into help. Ex-cop Reid Palmer is shocked when former law school classmate Samantha rear-ends his car and then climbs in with her daughter and begs him to drive. Now they are on the run, and Reid will do anything to protect them and figure out why kidnappers are after Lily. As they struggle to evade capture, Reid begins to realize that Samantha is more to him than just a woman in trouble. But with the enemies closing in and their motives finally revealed, will Reid be able to make sure justice is served?

Introduction “Stop!” The strident voice echoed around the bare hallway. Lily let loose of Samantha’s hand to cover her ears. Samantha glanced back. It was him. The man who had broken into their room and then followed them into the store. “Run!” Reid commanded, and her feet obeyed. “Get out.” She and Lily dashed past Reid. In her peripheral vision, she saw him turn and follow. Lily grunted at Samantha’s side, a step ahead. At the door, she pushed it open and Lily ran through. As she jogged through, she turned to look back. The thug lumbered only two paces behind Reid. Samantha moved aside as Reid stepped through the door. He swiveled around and grabbed the edge of the door, shoving it back toward the thug as he tried to step through. The heavy metal door collided with the thug’s face with a resounding crack. He fell back and hit the floor. They watched for a moment, but the man didn’t move.

About the Author By sixth grade, MEGHAN CARVER knew she wanted to write. After a degree in English from Millikin University, she detoured to law school, completing a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University. She then worked in immigration law and taught college-level composition. Now, she homeschools her six children with her husband. When she isn’t writing, homeschooling or planning another travel adventure, she is active in her church, sews and reads.

Title Page Under Duress Meghan Carver www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. —Psalms 107:13

Dedication To Steve, my happily-ever-after. You’ve been telling me to write a book for two decades. Here you go. May there be many more. To my children; the Bigs for brainstorming and proofreading and nagging me to “go write,” and the Littles for their help and obedience to the Bigs so I could “go write.” To my editor, Emily Rodmell. Thank you for your encouragement, your wisdom and your availability in The Search for a Killer Voice. I’m honored that you saw potential in me. To Love Inspired Historical author Angel Moore. Thank you for believing I could write for Love Inspired Suspense. Your encouragement and helpfulness are invaluable. This story wouldn’t exist without you. To my writing friend and critique partner, Jenni Brummett. Thank you for sharing with me the absolutely lovely way you have with words. I appreciate the time and energy you’ve funneled into this story and my life.

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

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

A scream tore through the humidity of the summer evening. Spikes of adrenaline pulsed through her veins as Samantha Callahan pressed hard on the accelerator of her little Honda to round the corner of the church building. She was late to pick up Lily, but the day camp director had agreed to look after Lily for the extra half hour.

The pickup area at the back of the church was empty save for a monster-size black SUV. On the sidewalk, a large man with a baseball cap pulled low and an open button-up shirt had his hands on her Lily. The tires on Samantha’s car squealed in protest with the speed, and Lily looked up, her mouth open from her scream, relief washing across her features. The thug seemed to tighten his hold on the girl’s skinny arm, jerking her closer to him. Red splotches radiated from beneath his grip.