Was she ready to die?
Tommy stepped out, gun raised. Amber took a deep breath, knowing it might be her last.
He walked forward, stopping at the edge of the house. “It was my mother. How could you think I was with another woman? Me and you, we had something special. I would never ever cheat on you.” His gun wavered and then lifted again. “You were so much more precious to me than the others. Perfect. And all mine.”
Amber crossed her arms, praying he didn’t see how badly she shook. “Others? So you did cheat on me?”
Tommy stepped out of the shadow of the house. “No! The ones before you. I treated them like angels, but always the same. Always, they disappointed me. And always, they had to be punished.” The fanatical gleam evident now, Amber hesitated. Punished? As in he’d done this to all his ex-girlfriend’s?
Or worse?
As if sensing her wavering resolve, Tommy advance another step, the gun centered on her chest. “Just like I’m going to punish you.” He took another step forward, this one more aggressive.
The crack of gunfire exploded in the neighborhood. Amber cried out and dropped to her knees. But there was no sudden pain in her chest, and she looked down, confused, sure there must be blood flowing down her body. There was none.
Tommy slumped to the ground, a bullet hole in his forehead.
“Amber!” Raylan ran across the street and lifted her into his arms. “Don’t you ever do anything that stupid again.” He tempered his harsh words when he buried his face in her neck and shuddered.
Amber wrapped her arms around him, the blood rushing back to her head. “I couldn’t let him kill you.”
Raylan grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm’s length. “Stupid girl. What kind of life would I have without you?”
Raylan punctuated his words with a passionate kiss, stealing what little breath she’d managed to regain.
When he stopped, and when she could breathe again, she said, “And what kind of life could I have had without you?”
“Is she okay?” Hoyt Crow, one of Hunter’s teammates approached, a black cap pulled down low on his face, completely obscuring his golden blond hair. Hair she’d drooled over the last time he’d come to her shop for a trim. A black, long-sleeved shirt and tactical pants hugged his thin frame, a long jagged scar ran down the length of his cheek.
Amber flinched, unable to contain her shock. Or her fear. She’d heard that he’d been captured on his last mission and tortured, but she’d never imagined the playboy could look like that. Like—like death walking.
“She’s fine, thanks to you.” Raylan extended his hand.
Amber ducked her face against his chest, unable to hide her reaction to Hoyt. He’d lost weight; his high cheek bones were gaunt. But it wasn’t his stark appearance that scared her.
It was his cold lifeless blue eyes.
Raylan dropped his hand when Hoyt pointedly ignored it. Jared Crow trotted up to them. Hoyt’s brother spared a glance for her, nodded, and then grabbed his brother’s arm. “Thanks bro, couldn’t have done it without you.”
Hoyt flinched away and adjusted the rifle strapped over his shoulder. “No problem.”
And then, the once cheerful and handsome Hoyt Crow walked off without a backward glance. His brother’s worried expression following him.
Raylan held out his hand, “Thank you. I owe you my life.”
Jared took it. “Sorry, he’s still adjusting.”
Amber’s chest expanded with understanding, and then shame right on the heels of that for the way she’d cringed. She reached out and placed a hand on Jared’s arm. “Please tell him how much I thank him. You, too. We both owe you our lives.”
Jared grinned, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s what we do.”
Amber nibbled her bottom lip and watched the Crow brothers walk away. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”
“You were staring down a rifle barrel a few seconds ago. No one can blame you for anything.” Raylan pulled her close again.
She snuggled against his chest, drawing on his strength. “I hope he’s okay.”
“I’m not worried about anyone but you.” Raylan tilted her chin up. “And you remember that spanking I’ve been talking about? You’re getting one every day for the rest of your life for that stunt.”
Fourteen
Amber trembled like a leaf in a hurricane, pupils dilated until the green of her eyes was barely visible around the black. “I couldn’t let him hurt someone else. Not because of me.”
“How on earth was this because of you?”
“If I hadn’t broke up with him, none of this would’ve happened.”
Raylan let his eyes slide shut as he gathered his patience. And his admiration. What she’d done had been beyond stupid—and brave. Hell, if Amber wasn’t shaking so bad, she would see his own tremors of aftershock. He’d nearly lost her. “If you’d stayed with him, he would’ve killed you. You breaking up with him didn’t cause this to happen. And it sounds like this isn’t the first time.”
“Yes, but—”
“No butts. I don’t want to hear you blame yourself one more time, you got it?” Raylan ripped her against him, needing to feel her warm body to reassure himself she was okay.
“Do you think there were other women?”
There were other women all right. He wouldn’t be surprised if this didn’t tie up some cold cases. Sheriff Lawson would have his hands full. “I don’t know, cher. But Sheriff Lawson is opening a full investigation. He’ll find out.”
“Raylan? I want to go home.” Her barely audible words registered, and his gut tensed.
“You got it.” Raylan bent to scoop her into his arms. His phone buzzed, and he stopped mid move. He was so tempted to ignore it, but knowing it could be his mother, Raylan yanked it out with a frustrated growl.
“Raylan?” His mother’s normally rich and full voice wavered.
Adrenaline shot straight through him. He’d forgotten about Kristin. Shit. Riley. “What happened?”
“Riley’s okay. I’m okay. Everyone is fine.” Her voice cracked on the word fine. Relief nearly knocked him to his knees. His son and mother were okay. But she wasn’t telling him the full truth. The way her voice quivered, Raylan knew something bad had happened. “Mom, is Rusty okay?”
“Oh, honey, Rusty is fine. Apparently, Kristen got out of rehab a day early and didn’t tell anyone.” She paused and his nerves pulled tight.
“The cops found her this afternoon. She must’ve gone straight to her dealer last night.” His mother’s voice broke.
Raylan stopped breathing. His body went cold, and he straddled the fence of fury and dread. “Is she alive?”
Was this the call he’d always feared?
“I’m sorry, baby.”
Raylan dropped his head to Amber’s, inhaling her sweet scent for strength. His ex-wife was dead. “Did you tell Riley?”
“Not yet, I think you should be here.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Be careful, baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll see you soon.” Raylan hung up the phone, unsure what exactly he was supposed to feel. Surely it wasn’t this odd mixture of relief and sadness. “Kristen overdosed. She’s dead.”
“What about Riley? Is he okay?”
“He doesn’t know. I’ve got to get down there.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Are you okay?” Raylan framed her face, not bothering to try and camouflage the fact his hands were shaking.
“I’m fine. You go. Your family is the most important thing.”
“You’re family, too, cher, and I’m not leaving you. Not ever again.” Raylan took her hand and said, “I want you to come with me. Meet Riley.”
THE END
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Want to find out about the Men of Mercy? Start with Hunter and Evie’s story here: Redemption River: Men of Mercy
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From the author: If you enjoyed reading David, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too.
Review it: Please tell other readers why you liked this book by reviewing it at Amazon or Goodreads. If you do write a review, please send me an email at [email protected] so I can personally thank you.
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–Lindsay Cross
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Redemption River: Men of Mercy Book 1
Hunter James didn’t want or need redemption.
Until one mission turns his world upside down.
He left Mercy to fight for his country and escape a broken heart. Years later, he is hard. Cold. A man without mercy. Part of an elite Task Force, he tracks a brutal terrorist to his home town. And runs into the woman who betrayed him…
Evangeline Videl was destroyed when Hunter left. Determined to move on, she finds another man, but discovers too late the monster hidden beneath his smooth smile. Struggling to find the conviction to live, Evie finds her life spinning out of control.
Then Hunter returns…
Forced to band together to find the terrorist before its too late, Hunter and Evie must learn to forgive or risk losing the promise of redemption and their lives…
Want to find out about the Men of Mercy? Start with Hunter and Evie’s story here: Redemption River: Men of Mercy
Also by Lindsay Cross
Redemption River: Men of Mercy Book 1
Resurrection River: Men of Mercy Book 2
Reckless River: Men of Mercy, Book 3
Raylan: Men of Mercy, Book 5
Ravaged River: Men of Mercy Book 6
Raylan Page 13