Deadly Setup

by Annslee Urban

  What? “I—I don’t understand.”

  Terror clutched at her throat as he hunkered down and got in her face. “Devoted to your own ruthless desires. Do you understand now?”

  Paige backed away, gluing her head to the back of the chair. Was he insinuating that she was selfish for wanting to help her brother? This man was deranged.

  But what about Madison? She didn’t dare ask.

  Without warning Eli sprang to his feet. He whirled around to the desk, and Paige’s stomach bottomed out when she saw him yank the bottom drawer open and pull something out.

  She needed to get out of there.

  Pulse pumping, Paige took a quick inventory of the room. Three high windows, no outside doors, leaving her with one choice—her only way out was the way she’d come in.

  When Eli turned, her pulse ratcheted higher at the sight of gloves and duct tape in his hands.

  Acting purely on instinct, Paige shoved her purse under her arm and lunged for the doorway.

  “Don’t even consider it,” Eli’s voice roared from behind her.

  But too late, Paige stumbled into the living room, her gaze darting to the large door in the foyer and then back to the French doors half the distance away.

  She dashed twenty feet to the double glass doors, her heart banging against her ribs at the sound of footfalls pounding behind her. Grinding to a stop, she yanked on the knob, frantically trying to get out.

  Nothing.

  The door had a keyed dead bolt.

  “No, you don’t!” Eli’s huge groping hands snatched at her.

  Struggling wildly, Paige twisted and whirled out of his grasp. Her purse flung from her shoulder and the contents inside spewed across the floor with projectile force. Propelling herself forward, she swung toward the front of the house, praying somehow that door wasn’t locked by the same type of dead bolt as the other.

  “Why are you making this so difficult?” Eli’s loud voice boomed through the house.

  Was he kidding? Paige grabbed a lamp off the foyer table, her breath coming in short spurts. Hefting it over her head, she it hurled it like a grenade. Glass splintered and shattered as it crashed on the floor.

  She saw fire blaze in Eli’s eyes as he skidded to a stop.

  Spinning on her heel, she ran to the front door and yanked on the knob. The door flew open, and she bolted outside. Fresh cool air hit her face, and as she scrambled for the porch steps, she felt strong, sweaty fingers latch on to her arm.

  A scream hurled up her throat, cut short by the slap of Eli’s gloved hand over her mouth.

  “This was not part of the plan, Paige.” He growled as he hauled her inside, her heels scraping across the wooden porch floor.

  As Paige twisted and thrashed harder, he tightened his grip, her lungs locking as he swung around and bolted the door.

  Her hopes crashed.

  He was out of breath, and she struggled for air. “Now it’s time you listen to me.” His voice hitched, but his tone was even more forceful.

  Then he gave a small, mirthless laugh. “You are like Madison. Stubborn. Selfish. A fighter to the end. She could have had everything if she had listened to me. Gentry was losing the business, we could have taken it from him, but no—” he grunted, his grip compressing her more “—she only wanted your brother.”

  Paige gasped as the room started to spin. Nausea rose, her extremities went numb.

  “But we don’t always get what we want, do we, Paige?”

  Fueled by a potent mix of disgust and willpower, Paige mustered every ounce of strength and managed to buck against him.

  “Stop it, now!” he screamed, his viselike grip loosening, enabled Paige to gulp air and thrash harder. “I said, stop!” He yanked her hard against him, one arm circling her neck to choke her as he pulled a gun.

  Panic exploded in her chest. The fight was over.

  * * *

  Seth took off like a bullet over the tracks, traveling down the roadway toward Carol Ann Cramer’s house. He’d called for backup, and as he tried Paige again, anger erupted in his gut when his call went to voice mail. If Paige was in any way hurt, whoever was involved better be ready to answer to him.

  Seth swallowed the bile that surged up his throat. Focus. He didn’t have time for distraction, something that would lead to disaster.

  Gritting his teeth, Seth blew through a flashing yellow light and continued up the road. Only a couple more miles.

  Thoughts and scenarios tangled in his head, and he nearly missed his turn. The truck fishtailed as Seth spun the wheel, careening haphazardly onto the road. Then, shifting gears, he punched the gas and sped down the bone-jarring, winding path.

  Finally Mrs. Cramer’s house came into view. Seth’s heart surged into his throat when he spotted Paige’s car parked out front. God, please let her be okay.

  Seth slammed on his brakes; the truck came to a lurching stop. He jumped out, a cloud of dust and burning rubber filling his lungs.

  Coughing to clear them, Seth flew up the walk to the front porch. Without hesitation, he gave three sharp raps on the door.

  No answer.

  Heart shattering inside his chest, he took a quick assessment of the door, knowing if he needed to he could take it down.

  * * *

  “Don’t move or say a word,” Eli whispered, jamming the gun into her spine.

  Paige stood stock-still, didn’t budge, didn’t breathe.

  Another hard rap on the door. And then, “Paige, are you in there?”

  Seth. Tears of joy bathed her eyes, until a niggling fear wiped them away with a glimpse of reality. If Seth came through the door, Eli was in a perfect position to blow him away.

  A loud crashing thud lit the air. Paige jumped, heart in her throat. A louder thud sounded, resembling thunder. Hinges whined, and the door rattled.

  “Remember, one wrong move and you’re dead.” Eli’s breath spewed hot on her neck as he shoved the handgun deeper into her back. What if she complied? Would he spare her life? Paige swallowed. No more than he planned to spare Seth’s. And she needed to do something to prevent that from happening.

  Another thundering thud scattered her thoughts. Then the sound of splintering wood echoed through the foyer as the door burst open.

  Moving lightning quick, Eli whipped out his weapon and pointed at Seth as his other arm tightened around Paige’s neck.

  Paige choked and wheezed, her head ready to explode as Seth appeared in the doorway and froze. Gun drawn, face grim, he looked from her to Eli. They were in a stalemate. Nowhere to go. No way to win.

  Battling to hold on to her composure, Paige struggled to breathe. She just wanted to beg Seth to turn around and run. He’d sacrificed enough for her, and this time Eli had the upper hand.

  * * *

  Seth sized up the situation in one quick sweep.

  Eli was the man. Crafty. Conniving. A murder. His gut twisted when he saw Eli with a death grip on Paige. And what bugged him most, he wasn’t in a position to do anything about it. At least not yet.

  Fear and rage screwed Eli’s features. His icy gray stare locked on Seth. “Drop the gun, Garrison.” His death grip visibly tightened around Paige’s neck.

  Paige started to gasp, turn blue. Fear colored her eyes, even as her mouth formed the words please leave now.

  Rage came on so strong Seth felt ready to burst. “Eli, let Paige go and we’ll talk.” He kept his voice calm, his gun solidly trained on the man. If he could just buy enough time for help to arrive, they’d have a chance. Maybe.

  “Garrison, I have nothing to say except drop the gun or Paige is dead.” Eli flexed his massive arm muscle against Paige’s neck; she gasped harder.

  Eli’s threat arrowed through Seth like lightning. From the crazed look in Eli’s eyes, Seth knew he wouldn’t hesitate to kill Paige. In fact he was probably looking forward to it. Seth flexed his fingers around his Glock, his mind racing, looking for a way out of this. Not an easy problem to solve.

  Eli
clearly wasn’t in the mood to negotiate, and Seth wasn’t about to try anything risky.

  “The gun, Garrison.” Eli’s face contorted, his squinted eyes smoldering.

  Jaw clenched, Seth eyed Paige again. Her face pale, the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she struggled to breathe. Fury fueled by fear for her life had him dropping his gun. Then he held up his hands, praying for Eli to let Paige go, let her breathe.

  “No, Seth!” Paige’s voice came out as a shriek. Eli jumped, his grip loosening, and Paige bolted away from him.

  This was Seth’s chance. Breaking into a run, he launched himself at Eli, who was frantically wielding his gun, trying to get a clear shot at Paige as she ducked into the next room.

  With a scream, Eli slammed into the wall, his gun flying, skittering across the foyer.

  “Don’t think you’re going to win, Garrison!” Eli sprang to his feet, coming at Seth like a charging lion. He threw his first punch, and pain exploded across Seth’s lip. He barked a short laugh. “Just wait until I’m through with you.”

  Seth couldn’t wait. In fact, he was planning to make this quick. Curling his fingers tight, Seth went straight for Eli’s gut. Eli doubled over and gasped, his eyes bulging. Clearly, the man was better at dishing it out than receiving.

  But a second later, he came back, launching his fist in a wild swing. Seth ducked and spun, throwing three punches that connected with Eli’s broad jaw. Eli staggered back, rage written on his face. “You’ve gotten nothing on me, Garrison. I’m just warming up.”

  Then with a sneer, Eli sent a nail-driving punch into Seth’s ribs. Pain rippled across Seth’s torso, breath leaving his lungs. He felt droplets of sweat roll down his face as he assumed a fighting stance, teeth clenched.

  “Seth! Are you all right?” That was Paige, ready to lunge. Her panicked voice echoed in his ears.

  “Stay put,” he huffed out as he countered with a fist to Eli’s gut, then another solid hit in the jaw, sending Eli staggering back several steps before he straightened again. Then the big brute rushed back at Seth, knocking him to the ground. “Time to get serious, little wimp.” He grabbed onto Seth’s neck, trying to choke him.

  With adrenaline spiking, Seth broke out of Eli’s grip and sent an elbow into his rib cage. Struggling to his feet, Seth caught his breath and watched as Eli, several feet away, sluggishly pulled himself up. “I’m not finished with you yet,” Eli grunted, punching and kicking mostly at wind.

  Too bad, because Seth was finished with him. As Eli lunged for him, Seth threw a front kick, catching Eli in the chest and sending him crashing into the wall. Moaning, Eli tried to come back, regain his footing, but he was hyperventilating. His rapid gasps mingled with the sound of approaching sirens.

  Finally. Seth straightened, his face pulsing with pain, muscles burning as police and sheriff’s deputies burst into the house.

  Paige rushed toward him, her eyes wide. “Seth, are you okay?”

  He nodded, his breathing finally under control.

  “Thank you for coming here.” She took his hand. “And please tell me it’s over—really over.” The hope in her voice snagged his heart. For once he had a definitive answer for her.

  He nodded, squeezing her hand. “Yes, it is. At least for Eli, but I hope a new beginning for us.”

  Her lips curled into a tentative smile. “For us?” She lifted her hand, running it along his bruised and swollen lip. “Do you mean me and you...together?”

  “Yes. Me and you. That is, if you’ll have me.”

  “But what about our past?” Color leached from her face. “I know I’ve hurt you. I realize now I should have been more understanding—”

  “Paige.”

  She stopped, blinked.

  “Let’s keep the past in the past. We both made mistakes. I love you and want you with me forever.”

  “I do... I mean, I will,” she whispered, her smile returning. And her smile was like sunshine, the warmth shooting straight to his soul.

  Until Paige came back into his life, he’d been stuck in a rut with no plans, no dreams of the future. And now together they had plans, a life together. And this time he promised to never let this blessing God gave him get away.

  “I’m so thankful.” He smiled, drawing her into his arms. “Because I love you, Paige, and promise to never leave your side again.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, too,” she whispered as she gazed up at him.

  He kissed her then, slowly, earnestly, fingers cupping her chin while his thumb trailed her jaw. A kiss so sweet, a symbol of hope and love for their new life together.

  He couldn’t be happier.

  “So is this something we need to know about?” Ted stood a short distance away, earning a look from both Seth and Paige. “You guys a couple again?”

  Seth exchanged a knowing glance with the woman he loved before he grinned back at Ted. “Yeah. You can say that.”

  Smiling, his best friend clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Congratulations, you two. So glad you guys finally figured out what the rest of us knew. You were made for each other.”

  Seth agreed, giving Paige an affectionate squeeze.

  EPILOGUE

  Six months later

  Paige tightened her fingers around her brother’s arm. Tears of joy were in her eyes as she stood in the wings, waiting for her big moment to begin.

  “Is it okay to cry before the wedding?” Trey chuckled as he rubbed his shoulder up against hers.

  Paige took a deep breath. “Happy tears are okay.”

  “Good. As long as they’re happy. I was starting to worry.” She smiled at Trey’s kidding tone. He was back to his old self. With all charges dropped, he was moving forward and not looking back. She couldn’t be happier for him.

  The heartwarming instrumental music filling the air started to fade, and a new song began. And with a skip of her heart, she recognized the melody announcing the bride’s entrance.

  “This is it, little sis.” Trey nudged her gently.

  She drew a deep breath, so filled with happiness she could barely stand it.

  “Ready?”

  Buoyed with anticipation, the butterflies inside her flitted freely. She nodded, and they started their walk from the side of the cabin toward the sprawling front lawn set up with rows of white wood folding chairs filled with family and friends.

  Her fairy-tale wedding. Her wedding to Seth.

  “I’m so happy for you and for Seth. You have a good man.” Trey brushed a kiss on her cheek. That meant a lot, coming from him.

  “I know,” she whispered, nestling close to his side.

  The music picked up, and with slow steps they moved toward her groom—who she had to admit looked breathtakingly handsome in his dark tux—standing beside Ted on the top step of the sprawling, now-finished front porch.

  Seth smiled as he stepped forward and took her hand. The gleam in his eyes told her all she needed to know. He loved her and she would love him. Forever and ever.

  * * * * *

  If you liked this story from Annslee Urban,

  check out her other Love Inspired Suspense titles:

  SMOKY MOUNTAIN INVESTIGATION

  BROKEN SILENCE

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from IDENTITY UNKNOWN by Terri Reed

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading Deadly Setup, my third Love Inspired Suspense book! I hope you enjoyed getting to know Seth and Paige as they worked through issues in their lives to restore the broken trust and love they once shared.

  I love writing about strong men and women who can move past the hurt and rejection in their lives, learning to trust and love again while looking to God to gu
ide them. One thing I’ve learned in my life is the need to forgive freely, forget the past and love unconditionally. I hope my characters serve to encourage others to do the same. Not that it’s an easy task. As for me, I’m still a work in progress.

  I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at maryannsleeurban@gmail.com or find me on Facebook as Annslee Urban or www.facebook.com/mary.a.urban.9.

  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV.

  Blessings and beyond!

  Annslee Urban

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Do you want to earn Free Books and More?

  Join Harlequin My Rewards points program and earn points every time you shop.

  You can redeem your points to get more of what you love:

  Free books

  Exclusive gifts and contests

  Book recommendations tailored to your reading preferences

  Earn 2000 points instantly when you join—getting you closer to redeeming your first free book.

  Don’t miss out. Reward the book lover in you!

  Click here to sign up

  Or visit us online to sign up at

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010001

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  Identity Unknown

  by Terri Reed

  ONE

  “Two guards at the south entrance.” Canada Border Services Agency officer Nathanial Longhorn spoke into the microphone attached to his flak vest.