And there, in the living room, stood the sniper, a silver Colt Defender revolver sweeping side to side in one hand as the head swiveled quickly. Riley knew the guy was assessing with every second, and listening, too. The shooter moved right for the camera on the corner table and Riley frowned, expecting what came next as the assassin reached behind it for the plug. The image went black.
“Oh, well,” he said. “Time for a Plan B.”
Thinking hard about how to handle this, he waited for the assassin to appear in another camera and suspected it would be the kitchen. Anyone with half a brain cleared a floor first before going to another. The seconds ticked by while the guy likely checked the hall bathroom and foyer. Then the killer entered the kitchen, where another camera stood overlooking Coby’s food and water bowls. He moved straight for it, head moving back and forth and finally settling on the open window as one hand reached for the camera’s cord. When the camera went black, Riley realized he had just seconds before the assassin stuck a head out that window and saw him at the corner.
He tucked the gun into his waistband and quietly hurried back to the window. A little hand-to-hand combat would spice up his morning and keep the target alive for questioning. He crouched beneath the sill and flattened against the wall. If he stood to either side, the assassin could see him more easily, but the only way to be certain Riley wasn’t under the window was to stick a head out.
Or so he thought.
While Riley looked upward, the assassin stuck his red cooking pot, which he’d left on the stove, out the window and dropped it even as he began to surge upward. It cracked him on the head but he still grabbed the gloved hand and wrist. Then he yanked the assassin so hard that the guy flew out the window and over him into a bush, causing Riley to lose his grip. The Colt fell beside them in the grass.
In the time it took Riley to grab his Nighthawk, the nimble assassin leapt up and punched his wrist just as he brought the gun around. Numb fingers dropped the weapon, so he swung with the other fist. His target ducked and then delivered a spinning kick to his ribs, but Riley partially blocked it by grabbing the leg with both hands.
“Got you now,” he said.
“Like hell you do,” replied a woman’s voice.
Riley’s momentary startled reaction was enough for the assassin to kick her other foot toward his crotch despite risking falling to the ground. Riley saw it coming and closed his legs in time to trap her foot between his muscled thighs. Showing impressive strength, she didn’t fall. Instead, she sat up and swung both hands at his ears. To prevent the ear-boxing, he had no choice but to let go so that she fell to the ground. No sooner had she struck earth than she rolled for the Colt, but Riley straddled her, sitting down on her lush ass to lean forward and wrap a powerful arm around her neck.
“Time for a nap, sweetie,” he said in her ear, which smelled of lilacs. Then he compressed her windpipe while leaning on her back to squeeze the air from her lungs. He felt her holding her breath, but in time it finally exploded from her and she began to resist less until she finally went limp, in stark contrast to his hard cock pressing against her soft rear. He made sure she was out before relaxing his grip and checking her pulse.
“Can’t have you die on me,” he said to her unconscious body. “You have information I need.” He rolled her over, then lifted the mask to reveal a face like fine porcelain, high cheekbones framing eyes that were now closed. Full, sensuous lips made him wonder who’d been kissing them. Another tug on her mask and it came off, a tumble of long, wavy, auburn hair cascading around her. The softness it added contrasted with the hardened killer he knew she was and he grinned, stroking her cheek with one hand.
“And maybe you have something else I need. I’m really going to enjoy your strip search. I’d say it’s just business, honey, but believe me, it’s gonna get personal for me in a hurry.”
Chuckling in anticipation, he tucked both of their guns in his pants, along with her mask, and hauled her upright before lifting her over one shoulder. Then he sauntered toward the back door, patting his conquest on the rump once. He sensed that although he might’ve captured her, she could still be the death of him.
End of Riley Chapter 1
To learn what happens next, purchase Riley.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1 – Welcome Home
Chapter 2 – Charm Offensive
Chapter 3 – Safe Harbor
Chapter 4 – Alarmed
Chapter 5 – Golden Boy
Chapter 6 – Ransacked
Chapter 7 – Spying
Chapter 8 – Respite
Chapter 9 – Voyeur
Chapter 10 – Sunrise Meadow
Chapter 11 – Bonding
Chapter 12 – Unexpected Guests
Chapter 13 – A Change of Hearts
Chapter 14 – Misgivings
Chapter 15 – Captive
Chapter 16 – A Daring Plan
Chapter 17 – Sugarloaf Mountain
Chapter 18 – Burned
Chapter 19 – Death is in the Air
Chapter 20 – Into the Light
Acknowledgments
About The Author
Other Randi Everheart Books
Riley (Vol. 3) Excerpt
Connor (The Kendall Family Series Book 2) Page 20