Haunted General ePub

by Shirleen Davies

  “Two tangos. Weapons trained on us.” Raider took another shot, missing the driver. “Shit.”

  Ghost leaned outside, barely avoiding the impact of bullets flying past him. Taking aim, he squeezed the trigger in rapid succession, seeing his target drop to the ground.

  “Passenger down,” he announced, hearing Raider’s gun discharge several more times. Releasing the empty magazine, his teammate slid in another.

  “Didn’t stop him. They’re running.” Raider moved to get out, stopping when Ghost grabbed his arm.

  “Stay here. I’ll go.”

  “Bullshit. I’m heading out.”

  Swearing under his breath, Ghost glanced to the back seat, relieved to see the women huddled on the floor, Dani holding a cloth to Ali’s forehead.

  “No matter what you hear, stay in the truck.”

  “Ghost—”

  “Stay here, Dani.” Sliding to the ground, he shifted, looking over his shoulder. “I love you, babe.” Before she could reply, Ghost took off at a run, catching up to a limping Raider. “Stay with the truck. Alert Wrath to what’s happening.”

  “Like hell. You need backup. I’ll call Wrath, but I’m not staying behind.”

  They stopped by the bullet-riddled dually, Ghost looking inside while Raider made the call.

  “He’s alerting Ethan and sending a team to help search. Wrath wants us to stay here, protect the women.”

  “Where’d they go?” Fargo called as he joined them, swiping at the blood streaming down his jaw.

  “Where’s Gunner?” Ghost asked, sending up a prayer he hadn’t been injured.

  “Guarding the two men in the truck. They’re in far worse shape than us.” Fargo nodded ahead. “Which way?”

  “Straight into the trees, then I lost them.” Ghost straightened at the sound of sirens, followed by the distinctive rumble of motorcycles.

  “That didn’t take long,” Raider mumbled, seeing two SUVs with the sheriff’s department logo braking behind them. Seconds later, Wrangler, Rock, and Moses joined them. When Wrangler dismounted, lifting his gun from a holster, Ethan grabbed his arm.

  “Put that away. You’re not helping with the search.”

  “Not going to happen, Ethan.” Wrangler shook himself loose. “There’s only you and Donny LaVeau. The two of you aren’t enough to track Rex and his buddy.”

  Ethan took a step closer. “Call Wrath. Have him send an SUV or van for everyone. I’ve got paramedics and wreckers coming to haul off the trucks. My men are already posted on the roads leading out of here. The Eternal Brethren do not need to be here when the press shows up.”

  Ghost came up to stand beside them. “I’m going with you.”

  Clasping a hand on Ghost’s shoulder, Ethan shook his head. “Sorry, man. You and the Brethren are grounded on this search. The press will be all over the story, as will Chief Abernathy.”

  Ghost shook his head. “This didn’t happen in his jurisdiction.”

  “Abernathy doesn’t give a shit. He’ll make it a public relations nightmare for my department. You guys need to be kept out of it.”

  “The disadvantages of having an older brother who’s the sheriff,” Wrangler muttered.

  Ignoring him, Ethan responded to a call through his comm unit. “Roger. I’m on my way.” He turned toward the others. “Barnes and his companion ran straight into my men. Rex surrendered. The other wasn’t as smart. He lifted his gun toward my deputies. He’s dead.”

  Ghost scrubbed a hand down his face. “Sonofabitch.”

  Wrangler moved next to him. “I know you wanted him, but it’s better this way, Ghost.”

  Blowing out a harsh breath, he nodded. “I need to check on Dani and Ali.”

  Flanking him, the rest of his teammates followed Ghost to the totaled truck. Opening the back door, he gently lifted Dani out, setting her on the ground before wrapping his arms around her.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  Nodding against his chest, she wrapped her arms around him. “Did you get him?”

  “Ethan’s men captured Rex and killed his companion. It’s over, Dani.”

  “Where’s Ali?”

  Looking through the truck, he snickered. “Raider’s got her. Ethan sent for paramedics. When they’re done checking everyone, we’ll be heading home.”

  Lifting her face, a slow smile appeared. “Home. I like the sound of that.”

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later…

  Robbie’s Bar

  Leaning on a pool stick, Ghost watched Dani at the girls’ table across the room, unable to hide the joy he felt each time his gaze landed on her.

  In a couple more weeks, they’d be married. Cara, Tessa, Valerie, and Cara’s assistant, Becca, were working with Dani on the event at the McCord’s ranch, Freedom Meadow. The only one missing was Ali, whose father swooped into Liberty Lake a day after the attack by Rex to take her home to Pine Glen.

  “Wipe the goofy grin off your face before you give the Eternal Brethren a bad rep.” Wrath leaned on his own stick, his gaze focused on Cara.

  “I don’t know,” Rock said. “The goofy grin sort of suits him.”

  Wrangler took a sip of beer, setting down the bottle. “Agreed. It’s a hell of a lot better than the scowl we usually get.”

  Wrangler turned his gaze away from the table, unable to keep from staring at Becca. It hurt like hell to see her, knowing how much he’d lost. If only he’d written after reaching training camp, stayed in touch, kept their love alive. Being young and a fool seemed a miserable excuse for his actions. Ten years later, he still felt lousy over what he’d done. Lousy, guilt-ridden, and still in love with the same, gorgeous woman he’d left behind.

  “Ethan said Rex sang like a bird once he made a deal with the Feds.” Wrath lined up his shot, sending a ball into a corner pocket. “Says he worked with Abdul-Bari Zahir to create enough havoc at WETC to have Sully send Dani away.”

  “Damn if the plan didn’t work.” Ghost watched as Wrath removed another ball from the table. “You’re killing me tonight.”

  Lifting a brow, Wrath nodded. “Your mind isn’t on the game, my friend. It’s on a petite brunette across the room. The one with the engagement ring on her finger.”

  Chest swelling, Ghost didn’t hide a grin.

  “Ethan also said the longer they questioned him, the more erratic his answers became. The Feds are concerned his attorney is going to try to pull some insanity plea.” Wrath bit the last out.

  “As long as he’s off the streets for the rest of his life…” Ghost’s voice trailed off when a young woman he’d seen with Wrangler more than once approached the table. “Trouble coming.”

  The four men turned, Wrangler groaning when he recognized her. Stopping next to him, she reached out, a long, red-painted nail trailing down the front of his shirt.

  “It’s good to see you.” Her soft words came out as a slurred purr. She’d obviously had a few drinks before garnering the nerve to seek him out.

  “Yeah. Good to see you, too.” Wrangler’s hand gently gripped her wrist, lowering it to her side. “Who are you here with?”

  Shaking her head, obviously not getting the message, she settled a hand on his shoulder. “No one. I was waiting for you, sugar.” Her breath almost knocked him over.

  Grimacing, he shot a look at the others. “I’ll be back in a bit. Come on, darlin’. I’ll walk you to your car.” Wrangler set his hand on the small of her back, guiding her away from the pool table.

  “How about you follow me home, Wrangler. It’s been a long time.”

  Yeah, too long, yet not long enough. He no longer felt the surge of lust for the young woman. For any woman, other than the one talking with Cara across the room.

  “Another time. Do you need me to call a ride?” Ignoring her bottom lip jutting out in what he used to consider a sexy pout, he slipped an arm around her, heading to the door.

  “I can drive. You’re sure about not coming over?”

 
; He shot a look at Wrath, silently asking his brother to call for a taxi.

  “Yeah, babe. Maybe another time.” But Wrangler already knew that day would never come. He wanted one woman. Too bad Becca hated him with every fiber of her being. Taking another glance at the girls’ table, seeing Cara talking, he stopped at the bar to confirm she’d settled her tab before turning toward the door.

  “Well, we’ve completed a ton of work in a tiny amount of time.” Cara closed her notepad, slipping it into her purse. “Becca, we couldn’t have accomplished all this without your help.”

  Becca nodded, her heart sinking at the sight of Quinn guiding a beautiful, young woman to the door. “I actually am having a lot of fun doing it. It’s a change from all the dry legal stuff I always do.”

  Barely hearing the laughter, she shifted a little in her seat, hoping Quinn didn’t notice her watching him. Becca never imagined feeling any worse about what they’d lost until she watched Quinn, his arm firmly around a curvy redhead, walk out of Robbie’s.

  Thank you for taking the time to read Haunted. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.

  Watch for book four in the Eternal Brethren series, Untamed.

  If you want in on all the backstage action of the Eternal Brethren, join the Readers Posse.

  To be notified of Pre-Orders and New Releases, join my newsletter at:

  https://www.shirleendavies.com/contact-me.html

  I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at

  shirleen@shirleendavies.com

  About the Author

  Shirleen Davies writes romance. She is the best-selling author of books in the romantic suspense, military romance, historical western romance, and contemporary western romance genres. Shirleen grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. Her passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

  I love to hear from my readers!

  Send me an Email

  Visit my Website

  Sign up to be notified of New Releases

  Check out all my Books

  Comment on my Blog

  Other ways to connect with me:

  Facebook Fan Page

  Twitter

  Pinterest

  Instagram

  BookBub

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Romantic Suspense

  Eternal Brethren, Military Romantic Suspense

  Steadfast, Book One

  Shattered, Book Two

  Haunted, Book Three

  Untamed, Book Four, Coming Next in the Series!

  Peregrine Bay, Romantic Suspense

  Reclaiming Love, Book One

  Our Kind of Love, Book Two

  Edge of Love, Book Three, Coming Next in the Series!

  Contemporary Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Second Summer, Book One

  Hard Landing, Book Two

  One More Day, Book Three

  All Your Nights, Book Four

  Always Love You, Book Five

  Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six

  No Getting Over You, Book Seven

  ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight

  Foolish Heart, Book Nine

  Macklin’s of Burnt River

  Thorn’s Journey

  Del’s Choice

  Boone’s Surrender

  Historical Western Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Tougher than the Rest, Book One

  Faster than the Rest, Book Two

  Harder than the Rest, Book Three

  Stronger than the Rest, Book Four

  Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five

  Wilder than the Rest, Book Six

  Redemption Mountain

  Redemption’s Edge, Book One

  Wildfire Creek, Book Two

  Sunrise Ridge, Book Three

  Dixie Moon, Book Four

  Survivor Pass, Book Five

  Promise Trail, Book Six

  Deep River, Book Seven

  Courage Canyon, Book Eight

  Forsaken Falls, Book Nine

  Solitude Gorge, Book Ten

  Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven

  Angel Peak, Book Twelve

  Restless Wind, Book Thirteen

  Storm Summit, Book Fourteen, Coming Next in the Series!

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Colin’s Quest, Book One,

  Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two

  Quinn’s Honor, Book Three

  Sam’s Legacy, Book Four

  Heather’s Choice, Book Five

  Nate’s Destiny, Book Six

  Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven

  Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight

  Bay’s Desire, Book Nine

  Cam’s Hope, Book Ten, Coming Next in the Series!

  The best way to stay in touch is to subscribe to my newsletter. Go to

  www.shirleendavies.com and subscribe in the box at the top of the right column that asks for your email. You’ll be notified of new books before they are released, have chances to win great prizes, and receive other subscriber-only specials.

  Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

  Haunted is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.

  Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

  Haunted is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.