“Stop!” he shouted.

She froze but didn’t turn around to face him.

“What in hell’s name is going on, Lisa?” Ryan caught up to her, put his hand on her arm to support her, and blew out a frustrated breath when she recoiled.

“I’m sorry. I need to go.”

“Not so fast. The only place you’re going is inside.” He urged her to turn around and he was surprised she did.

The look on her face, the resignation, should have made him feel bad. He didn’t want to go down this road with her. The one where he was basically forcing her to talk. But she was in danger and he couldn’t put up with this any longer.

“He’ll come back.” There came the fear in her eyes again.

“Not tonight, he won’t.”

Texas Hunt

Barb Han

www.millsandboon.co.uk

BARB HAN lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com.

My deepest thanks go to Allison Lyons for the amazing talent she brings to make each story the absolute best it can be—I am beyond grateful. I’m incredibly blessed to work with Jill Marsal and I’m looking forward to many more years together.

There are three people who cheer me on through late nights and weekends, who are always quick to build me up if my spirits dip, and who inspire me to reach deeper every day so that I can be half the person I see reflected in their eyes. Brandon, Jacob and Tori—my three beautiful gifts!—my world is so much brighter because of you!

And to you, Babe, because the life we’ve built together is so much better than I ever thought possible—and you are at the center of it all. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

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

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Copyright

Chapter One

Lisa Moore woke with a start. She tried to push up to a sitting position. Motion made a thousand nails drive through her skin and her head split four ways. Bright fluorescent lights blurred her vision. Her arms gave out and she landed hard on the firm mattress.

“Whoa, slow down there.” Before she could shift her position enough to try sitting up again, Ryan Hunt was kneeling at her side. She didn’t want to acknowledge just how much his presence calmed her rising pulse.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Looking around, realizing she was in the hospital, she added, “What am I doing here?”

“I came as soon as I got the call,” Ryan said, his low, deep timbre wrapping around her. An emotion flickered behind his eyes that she couldn’t immediately pinpoint. At six foot two with the muscled body of an athlete, Ryan could take care of himself and anyone else around. She told herself that was the reason him being there comforted her...but comforted her from what?

Reality dawned on her as a full-body shiver rocked her. She’d been attacked by Beckett Alcorn, son of the most prominent man in town. His father had recently been named a person of interest in the fifteen-year-old kidnapping case that had rocked the small tight-knit community of Mason Ridge, Texas. News broke yesterday that Charles Alcorn had escaped before questioning and a manhunt was under way to find him.

Fear seized her, cramping her stomach. What if Beckett came back? No one would suspect him, the grieving and confused son. Too bad she couldn’t tell Ryan what had actually happened, what she really knew. She’d done her part. She hadn’t told a soul what Beckett Alcorn had done to her. So why was he trying to deliver on a fifteen-year-old threat now?

“Who else has been here?” She glanced at the door.

“Our friends. Your sister.” The questioning look he gave her reminded her that she couldn’t afford to give away her true emotions. No one could know about Beckett.

“What really happened to you?” The sight of Ryan—his gray-blue eyes and hawk-like nose set on a face of hard angles softened by rich, thick, curly dark brown hair—settled her fried nerves enough to let her think clearly.

Beckett had misjudged her this time. She’d distracted him long enough to escape. He’d be better prepared next time. Lisa and her family were in grave danger and she needed a plan.

“A guy came out of nowhere and jumped me. I’m guessing they didn’t catch him.” Playing dumb with Ryan was her only choice. Otherwise, Beckett would hurt her sister or nephew as he’d promised.

“Must not’ve.” Ryan’s cell buzzed, his gaze followed hers to the door. “People have been dropping by or calling every half hour to check on you.”

“Where’s my sister?” Panic beat rapid-fire against her ribs.

“At work. Said she’ll stop by when she gets off at three.” His dark eyebrow arched.

Lori would be safe as long as she was in a public place. Beckett would strike in the dark when she was alone. Lisa had to make sure that didn’t happen. She tried to sit up, but her arms gave and her head pounded.

“Hold on there. Where do you think you’re going?” Ryan asked. His suspicion at her reaction evidenced in his tone.

“Nowhere like this.” She tried to adjust to a more comfortable position.

“Do you know who did this to you?”

“No. Of course not,” she said a little too quickly. It was true that she didn’t remember much after escaping. Her mind was as fuzzy as her vision. One thing was crystal clear. Ryan asking questions was a bad idea. She needed to redirect the conversation. “How’d I end up in the hospital?”

“You crawled into the street as Abigail Whitefield drove past on Highway 7. She stopped and called 911 on the spot.”

“I’ll have to stop by and thank her on my way home,” Lisa said, wincing. Speaking shot stabbing pains through her chest.

“The deputy wants a statement. He’s been waiting for you to wake up.” Ryan’s cell phone buzzed. He checked the screen and then responded with a text.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“It’s work. It’ll hold,” he said without looking at her.

She’d heard that his construction business had been booming. “How long have I been out?”

“Just a day.” He chewed on a toothpick.

“What?” She tried to sit up again with similar results, pain forcing her to still.

“Whoa, take it easy there. You shouldn’t try to move until the doctor checks you,” Ryan said, locating and then pressing the nurse’s call button before tossing the toothpick in the trash. There was compassion in his eyes and sympathy in his tone, and for some reason she didn’t like either. She didn’t want to be the one he pitied. She wanted to be something else to him, something more meaningful than a friend. The thought appeared as out of the blue as a spring thunderstorm in north Texas. Both could be dangerous. They’d known each other since they were kids. Besides, relationships were too risky and Lisa didn’t go there with anyone.

But it was Ryan, a little voice inside her head protested—a voice she quickly silenced.

Waking in the hospital was messing with her head. Her nerves were fried and she was reaching for comfort. And those thoughts about Ryan were as productive as harvesting burned corn.

“I just need a minute to clear my head. I’ll be okay.” The last thing she remembered was seeing Beckett’s face as she ripped off his ski mask while he was trying to strangle her. He’d panicked for a split second, which had given her the window of opportunity she needed to push him away, kick him in the groin and run. Lisa was lucky to be alive.

“We’ll find the person who did this to you. He won’t get away with it. You have my word.” Ryan’s voice was barely a whisper, but there was no mistaking the underlying threat in his tone. “In the meantime, the doctor or nurse should make sure you’re okay.”

“So, what’s the verdict so far? Have you spoken to anyone?” She scanned her arms for bruising, remembering the viselike grip that had been clamped around them. Black and blue marks were painted up and down both. “I’m guessing I have cracked ribs based on how painful it is to breathe.”

“Let me go find that nurse.” He made a move to stand, but Lisa grabbed his arm, ignoring the piercing pain.

“Please stay.” The words came out more desperate-sounding than she’d planned. “It’s just nice to see a friendly face.” She added the last part to cover, praying he believed her. In truth, she was scared to be alone in her current condition.

Ryan followed her gaze to the door again.

“I’m not going anywhere.” When his gray-blue eyes intensified, they looked like steel.

She didn’t want to acknowledge the relief flooding her or how much his presence sent tingles of awareness deep in her stomach. Whatever spark he might’ve felt had to be long gone by now, replaced with sincere friendship. He showed no signs of experiencing the same electricity humming through her when she touched his arm. Maybe if she’d handled things differently between them years ago...

A young dark-haired nurse wearing glasses and aqua scrubs entered the room, shuffling to Lisa’s side.

“I’m Shelly. How are you feeling today?”

“Good, considering I’ve been dead to the world for the past twenty-four hours.”

“You’ve been drifting in and out. There’ve been times when you responded to questions. The answers didn’t always make sense.” Shelly smiled and the look made her plain round face more attractive.

Had Lisa muttered something in her sleep she shouldn’t have? Panic rolled through her. If she had, Ryan would be asking very different questions.

Shelly asked a few questions that were easy to answer, ensuring Lisa knew who she was and where she was from.

“Are you sure you don’t want something for the pain?” Shelly asked.

“I can manage.”

Ryan stood and took a step back to give the nurse room to work.

“How long before I can get out of here?” Lisa checked the door again, half-afraid Beckett would show.

Ryan’s eyebrow lifted for the second time.

“The doctor will be in to see you shortly and talk to you about your injuries. Your numbers are strong, but I’m sure the doctor will want to keep you awhile longer for observation. You took a couple of big blows to the head.” There was sympathy in her voice, too.

It shouldn’t annoy Lisa. Maybe the bumps on her head affected her mood. She should be grateful that everyone seemed genuinely concerned about her.

Except that she knew this was far from over. Beckett must believe she’d told someone or was planning to start talking. With his father in trouble, Beckett might do anything to keep his family’s name out of the papers. Either way, she wasn’t out of danger.

“I’m sure you’ll be up and around soon,” Shelly reassured her.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard so far. Think there’s any chance I’ll be discharged later today?” Being at home in her own bed sounded amazing about now.

A thought struck her. Beckett knew where she lived. No. She couldn’t go there. She’d have to find a safe place to stay until she recovered from her injuries and could do something about Beckett. A flea could take her down in her present condition, and leaving herself vulnerable would be foolish.

“The doctor can explain everything to you when she comes in, but I’d put money on you staying here another night.” Shelly had stopped playing around with gadgets and stood sentinel next to the bed. She’d be all of five feet two inches in heels, or in this case thickly padded tennis shoes. “Do you have family in the area other than your husband?”

My husband?

“Why?” Lisa glanced at Ryan, who shot her a look before intently studying his cell phone screen.

“We like to have additional contacts on file in case your husband has to leave,” Shelly said casually.

Hold on. Did that mean what Lisa thought? Her dad hadn’t been up to see her? She might understand her sister, Lori, being preoccupied with her infant son or work, but wouldn’t Dad come by to make sure she was okay? Ryan had said people had been stopping by. She made a mental note to ask him about it as soon as the nurse left the room. “I can give more names. There are others here in town.”

“Great. I’ll send someone up from Records to take more information.”

“Perfect,” Lisa said, trying to sound casual.

“The doctor should be in soon.” The nurse paused at the door.

“Terrific.” Lisa shot a look at Ryan. “I’m sure my husband will bring me up to date in the meantime.”

His lips were thin and his arms folded. He fired off a warning look. She understood. He didn’t want to be caught in a lie. He must’ve felt that he had no choice. Ryan was one of the most honest people she knew. He wouldn’t take giving false information lightly.

“What else can I get for you while I’m here? Another blanket?” Shelly asked.

“No, thank you. I have everything I need.” Lisa glanced from the nurse to Ryan. If he’d been a cartoon character, steam would’ve been coming out of his ears from embarrassment.

“Press the button if you change your mind,” Shelly said before closing the door to give them privacy.

“Was it a big wedding?” Maybe it was the pressure mounting inside her that needed release, but Lisa couldn’t stop herself from poking at him.

“Cut it out,” Ryan groaned.

Even when they were twelve he didn’t like hopping a fence to retrieve a ball in a neighbor’s yard without asking first. More than that, he detested outright lying. His older brother hadn’t had the same conviction before he’d cleaned up his act. Lisa figured most of the reason Ryan despised untruths had derived from living through the dark periods in Justin’s life.

“Sorry. I couldn’t resist. I know why you did it and I appreciate you for it. I’m sure they needed consent to treat,” she said.

“Yes. You’re welcome.” The corners of his lips upturned in a not-quite smile. Something else was bothering him. She could tell based on his tight-lipped expression. Whatever it was, he seemed intent on keeping it to himself.

“Has anyone contacted my dad?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“What a minute. How did you even know I was here?”

“Mrs. Whitefield called. She said you asked for me right before you passed out on her. She needed help getting you in the car.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “She said it seemed like there was something you wanted to tell me.”

“You could’ve called my father,” Lisa redirected.

“Guess I didn’t think of it at the time.” Something dark shifted behind his eyes and he looked uncomfortable.

A light tap at the door sounded and then Lori rushed in.

“I came as soon as I heard you were awake. Thank God you’re all right.” Her hands were tightly clasped and her gaze bounced tentatively from Lisa to Ryan.

“I thought you were at work.” Had Ryan really sent a work text earlier or was he covering for connecting with Lori? Why would he do that?

Oh no. Something had to have happened. Lisa’s heart raced thinking about her nephew. “Is Grayson okay?”

“Yes. He’s fine. Great actually.” Lori’s face muscles were pulled taut. “It’s Dad.”

No. No. No. “What happened?”

“He had an accident.” Lori shifted her weight to her right foot and bowed her head.

“Where is he?”

“He’s gone.” Huge tears rolled down her pink cheeks.

Wait. What? No. This couldn’t be happening. She stared at her sister waiting for the punch line. If this was some kind of joke, it was beyond twisted. Tears already streaked her cheeks. Deep down, she knew her sister wouldn’t say something like that if it wasn’t true.

“What happened?” Lisa forced back the flood of emotions threatening to bust through her iron wall and engulf her.

“He was on the tractor, drinking again,” Lori said, raw emotion causing the words to come out strained. “He must’ve had too much because he flipped it and was pinned. The coroner said he died instantly.”

Ryan had moved to her side, his hand was on her shoulder, comforting her. She needed to know the details, to know if Beckett had anything to do with it. Dozens of thoughts crashed down on her at once. She also had to think of an excuse to get her sister and nephew out of town and far away from any threat.

Of course everyone would assume he’d been hitting the bottle again. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d relapsed. No one would believe her if she denied it. And yet Lisa knew he’d been clean. There was always a pattern. He was on an upswing. Lisa forced back the flood of tears threatening to overwhelm her. A few streamed down her face anyway.

“Do they know for sure Dad was drinking? Did they perform an autopsy?” she pressed. She’d seen on TV that the coroner could screen for alcohol level.

“Why would they do that? Isn’t that for, like, people who are murdered or something?” Lori’s voice rose with her panic levels. Her grip on Lisa’s hand had tightened to the point of pain.

Lisa gently urged their fingers apart.

“Oh, sorry. This is just happening so fast. First, what happened to you yesterday morning. Then Daddy later that afternoon.” Lori broke down in a sob. “I’m scared, sis. He’s gone and I didn’t know if you’d—”

“I’m here,” Lisa reassured, fighting back her own emotions. She’d always tried to be brave for her little sister. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know. It’s just all...surreal or something. Everyone keeps saying that bad news comes in threes and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s crazy. I mean, who would want to hurt you? You’re like the nicest person. Everyone loves you. You’re a kindergarten teacher for heaven’s sake. Who would do this to you?”

“Random mugging, remember? I have just as much chance as everyone else. It’s like lightning striking,” Lisa said even though her heart wasn’t in the words. When it came to lying, she fell on the same side of the scale as Ryan. Her father’s drinking binges had always been preceded by lies. In bad times, she and her sister would be hauled off to stay with a relative. In the worst cases, they’d end up in the foster care system for a few months until their dad straightened out.

Even though she hated lying, she had no choice. She had to protect what was left of her family. “Where’s Grayson?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bring the baby here. I know he’s still little, but I thought he might be afraid if he saw you like this,” Lori said. The words gushed out. She always spoke too fast when she was a nervous wreck.

“You did the right thing, sis,” Lisa said in her most calming voice.

“He’s with Dylan and Samantha. Maribel’s keeping an eye on him. She calls him her little brother. It’s cute.” Lori broke into another sob. Dylan and Samantha were longtime friends. Maribel was Dylan’s three-year-old daughter. The three of them made a beautiful family. Grayson would be safe in their care. “I know he wasn’t always there for us, but he was our dad. And now he’s gone.”

“I loved him, too.” It was surreal to speak about him in the past tense. “It’s okay to cry.”

“No, it’s not. I should be more like you.”

“Calloused?” Lisa said quickly before she shattered into a tiny thousand pieces. The only thing worse than holding on to her horrible secret was seeing her baby sister in pain.

“I was going to say brave.” Lori leaned into Lisa and sobbed.

With Beckett’s father being hunted, this might be the right time to expose the family for the monsters they truly were. And yet she hadn’t reported the crime fifteen years ago. Could she come forward now and accuse Beckett? Would anyone believe her?

Maybe Ryan knew about Beckett’s family. Hadn’t the Alcorns tried to take his father’s land? Then again, if she asked him too many questions he might just figure out she was hiding something and force her hand. He was more persistent than a pit bull searching for a bone when it came to finding the truth. She’d also seen how dedicated he’d been to his brother when Justin had been in trouble. Would he do the same for her?

If anyone could understand or help, Ryan could.

He’d been devastated when his own mother walked out on the family. He’d acted tough on the outside, but Lisa saw past the front he’d put up. She’d seen the pain buried deep down because it was just like hers.

Lisa knew pain.

On second thought, exposing Beckett now was a bad idea. First of all, he’d take away everything she loved. Then he’d kill her. Or worse, he wouldn’t.

She needed to figure out a way to keep her family safe without alarming them. The Alcorns’ number was almost up and she’d be on the front row of the court trial when it happened, cheering when the sentence was delivered.

Until then, she had to figure out a way to keep her family safe.

Every fiber in her being urged her to warn her sister about what might come next, that she and Grayson could be in grave danger. But what if no one believed her?

She lay in a hospital bed with possible head trauma. She had no evidence for an accusation against Beckett. Most people believed him to be a good person and felt sorry for him after news broke about his father.

Lisa had to weigh her options carefully. If she told Lori and Ryan the truth and they questioned her, the risk would only increase. Beckett’s attack on her family wouldn’t be straightforward, either. He’d watch Lori. Hide. Strike when she least expected it. Considering she had a baby on her hip most of the time, she’d be an easy target.

Doing nothing was a pretty lousy option.

There had to be something she could do to keep her family safe. Lori and Grayson were all Lisa had left and she’d trade her life for either one.

* * *

LISA’S EMOTIONAL PAIN hit Ryan far deeper than her physical bruises did. He didn’t like those, either, but experience had taught him the stuff on the outside healed. The marks on her heart wouldn’t go away in a few weeks. He fisted his hands and then shoved them in his pockets so he wouldn’t punch a hole in the wall.

The promise he’d made to Lori to keep quiet about their father had been sitting sourly in his stomach since Lisa’s eyes opened. Ryan had wanted to be the one to tell her what had happened, but it wasn’t his place. The news about her family needed to come from her sister, not from him. All he could do was be there to help pick up the pieces.

Seeing her lying there, helpless, had stirred more than a primal need to protect a friend.

Instead of acting on it, he’d watched her sleep as he’d held back from stroking her rosy skin as it shone even under the harsh fluorescent light. Her long brunet hair with light streaks that caught the sun seemed brighter.

Listening to the pain in her voice as she spoke to her sister was the second time he’d nearly been done in. He shouldn’t allow his past feelings for Lisa to cloud his judgment. Because if they had their way he’d be in that hospital bed with her, holding her until she stopped shaking, comforting her until she felt safe again. It was obvious that the attack had left a serious mark. The way she kept looking at the door as if expecting her assailant to walk through even had Ryan jumpy.

As far as anything else between them went, Lisa was a puzzle in which he’d never quite fit the pieces together. There was no way he could risk his heart twice trying.

Get a hobby, Hunt.

Besides, he had other, more pressing things to focus on, like why she kept checking the door with that frightened look on her face. She had to know a person from a random mugging wouldn’t follow her to the hospital. Ryan bet there was more going on than she let on.

“I better go. Grayson needs to nurse soon,” Lori said.

“I’ve been lying here thinking about getting away for a few days. You should, too. Especially now. It’s not good for the baby to be around all this and stress can affect your breast milk,” Lisa said, looking as though she was grasping at straws. Her sister was almost militant about breast-feeding. Since Grayson’s dad wasn’t coming back, Ryan figured her sister compensated by throwing all her energy into being Grayson’s mother. It was beyond Ryan how a father could walk out on his family. Then again, it didn’t seem to have bothered his mother all that much.

Lisa made a good point but when did she have time to think about a getaway option? She’d only woken up a few minutes ago.

“I don’t know. I’d rather be here for you. Plus, we need to make arrangements for Dad.” Lori’s voice hitched on the last couple of words.

“All we need is an internet connection to do that. It’ll take a few days to settle everything anyway before the service. I can meet you somewhere. The nurse said I might be out of here later today.”

Ryan had no idea why Lisa was skirting the truth, but after all she’d been through he figured he’d toss her a lifeline. “A buddy of mine has a fishing cabin a couple hours from here in Arkansas. It’s right on the lake. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you took it over.”

“Are you sure that’s such a good idea?” Lori glanced from Ryan to Lisa. “I have Grayson to think about.”

“It’s nice and big. The place sleeps eight. He bought it so his wife would want to bring the kids,” Ryan said. He intended to have a heart-to-heart with Lisa as soon as her sister left. Then again, her attack was followed by devastating news about her father. Maybe she needed to get her bearings and figured this was the best way. Plus, the Mason Ridge Abductor was still out there and even though Grayson was a baby, not a seven-year-old, which was the usual mode of operation for the kidnapper, she had to be thinking about his safety. With Lori on her own with a baby and Lisa the overprotective older sister, maybe Ryan shouldn’t be surprised at how out of sync her reactions seemed to be.

He needed to reassure her that he intended to make certain she was okay.

“It might be nice to take the weekend,” Lori said. “There’s been so much going on that I don’t even want to go to the grocery anymore for fear of running into people. They’re well intentioned and all, but my phone’s been ringing like crazy. I answered it a few times and it’s a game of twenty questions. I can’t talk about either one of you without bawling. Plus, work gave me time off to make...arrangements.” She wiped away another tear.

“Then it’s settled. Ryan will call his friend.” Lisa turned her attention toward him. “I’ll owe you big-time. You’re certain this will be all right?”

“More than sure. He gave me a spare so I could check on the place for him this month while he’s out of town for work.” Ryan fished in his pocket and then produced a key. “I’ll text the address. You should probably take off now. There’s a small corner store at the turnoff to get to his place. They’re used to weekenders, so they’ll have everything you need to get by for a few days with a baby.”

“Okay.” Lori stopped chewing on her lip and took the offering.

Ryan zipped off a text with the address, waiting for her smartphone to ding.

When it did, she said to Lisa, “Good. Will I see you tonight?”

“I hope so. I’m out of here as soon as I get clearance,” Lisa replied.

“Then I’ll feed the baby, pack a bag and head out,” Lori conceded. The idea seemed to be growing on her when she smiled at her sister.

“Be safe driving. Let me know when you get there, okay?”

They hugged and both had tears in their eyes when Lori left.

“Thank you,” Lisa said as Ryan settled into the chair next to her bed.

“You’re welcome.” Whatever was on her mind, she had no intention to share just yet. He could tell by the set of her jaw and the look in her eye. Lucky for her, he was a patient man. “The deputy should be here shortly to take your statement. You hungry for anything? I could run out and pick up whatever sounds good.”

“I doubt I could eat anything,” she said. Those bluish-green eyes pushed past his walls—walls he’d worked damn hard to construct.

Lisa was attractive. Only an idiot would argue that point and Ryan didn’t put himself in that particular category. He’d be lying if he didn’t admit to a certain pull he felt toward her every time she was around.

But that was where it ended. Where it had to end.

Sure, a few of his friends had found true partnerships with other people recently. Even though Ryan had been against Brody and Rebecca’s relationship early on because of their history, the two were the happiest he’d ever seen them. Dylan and Samantha seemed perfect for each other. Love seemed to suit his friends. Denying the nose on his face wouldn’t change anything. Besides, Ryan was truly happy for his best buds.

But only a man with a need for punishment did the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Lisa had shot him down before when he thought he’d picked up on a mutual attraction. Even though he felt that same sizzle between them now, only a fool would act on it. And not only because she was in a hospital bed, hurt. That just made it inappropriate.

Ryan had other reasons not to get involved with anyone. For one, he didn’t need anyone to take care of him. He was perfectly fine living the bachelor’s life.

Brody and Dylan might have found their other halves and taken up relationships, and Ryan didn’t begrudge them. No two people deserved that kind of bliss more than his friends. He had to admit that they seemed happier than they’d ever been. And that was all pink lemonade and roses for them.

Ryan didn’t need anyone else to “complete” him. He’d come into the world a whole human being and planned to leave the same way. Living on his own suited him. He liked waking up with the sun and going where he pleased. Was he selfish? Maybe. He was so used to taking care of family members for most of his life that he didn’t have much left to give anyone else.

Had his life seemed a little lacking lately? Sure. It would cycle around again.

And if it didn’t, he’d get a dog. People were so damn disappointing.

Chapter Two

A hospital was no place to sleep. Even with the lights turned off Lisa couldn’t relax, especially since Ryan had gone home. To make matters worse, a nurse or technician padded in every hour on the dot to wrap gauges around her arm or take more blood. After what felt like the fiftieth time but was more like the fifth, Lisa was beginning to lose patience.

Lack of sleep and constant ache did nothing to improve her mood. Plus, the news of her father...she couldn’t even go there. Grief would engulf her if she allowed herself time to think about it. Emotions were a luxury she couldn’t afford. Beckett was still out there. The rest of her family was in danger. As difficult as it was, Lisa had to maintain focus.

At least she’d convinced her sister to leave town. Lori and Grayson were in a swank fishing cabin on a lake in Arkansas. That was the only bit of good news in what had been one of the worst days of Lisa’s life.

Dad.

Thinking about him, about what had happened brought a whole new wave of sadness crashing down around her.

She tried to ease to a sitting position, searching her memory for any sign he’d been relapsing. Pain pierced her chest, her arms and her back with movement. No use. She’d refused pain medication, needing a clear head. She was still reeling from the news of losing her father while trying to sort out why any of this was happening now. She’d kept Beckett’s secret, dammit. Shouldn’t that have bought her a pass?

One of the lab techs padded in. Great.

Trying to sort out the day’s events while Prickzilla jabbed another needle contributed to a dull ache in the spot right between her eyes.

Take a deep breath. Count to ten.

It wasn’t a magical cure but she felt better.

“Try to get some sleep,” Dracula-in-an-aquamarine-jumpsuit whispered before she closed the door behind her and disappeared.

If only it were that easy.

Lisa tossed and turned for another half hour at least. As frustration got the best of her she resorted to counting sheep.

Still didn’t work.

Just like when she was a kid, the darn things shape-shifted into snakes, their slimy bodies slithering after her. The closet had offered a perfect hiding spot when she was six. Another half dozen years later, Beckett Alcorn had been the beast that kept her awake nights. There wasn’t a closet big enough now for the monster she faced.

In the category of “not making it better,” she was wide-awake at—she checked the clock—three fifteen in the morning. Great. Even the chickens were conked out at this hour. Lisa had been drifting in and out, but every time she got close the door would creak open and a nurse or technician would pad inside. It was probably just as well. Anytime Lisa got anywhere near real sleep, she’d jolt awake from one of several nightmares ready to cue at a moment’s notice.

In one scenario, hands were closing around her throat. She woke screaming, giving the nurse who was attending to her quite a scare.

In another dream, fists were coming at her from every direction and she felt blood spilling out of her cracked skull with each jab.

After the last round of fifty ways to beat up Lisa, she gave up checking the clock. There was no use realizing just how late it was and how little REM she was getting.

The worst-case nightmare involved being held under water, drowning, only to bob to the surface and find that it was Ryan holding her down. There was no doubt in her mind that he would never try to hurt her in her waking world. Absolutely no way could she even consider him doing her harm on purpose. The dream must represent something she feared. Didn’t need a psychology degree to know she’d been afraid of the opposite sex ever since that summer, ever since Beckett.

What did it say about her that even a male friend scared her to death?

She thought about that as she drifted off to her first real sleep.

A hand clamped around Lisa’s throat so hard she feared her windpipe would crack. She struggled against the crushing grip. It was like trying to peel off custom-fitted steel.

Her fight, flee or freeze response triggered as she railed against the force pushing her deeper into the mattress. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. In her other dreams she’d always been able to shout.

Coughing, she had the frightening realization that this wasn’t a dream.

She was wide-awake.

A soft object, maybe a pillow, was being pressed against her face, suffocating her.

More coughing came as her lungs desperately clawed for air.

Could she somehow signal one of the nurses? Where were they? How had someone walked right past them in the middle of the night and gotten into her room? She felt around for the call button, but came up empty.

Oh. God. No.

Desperate and afraid, she reached for her attacker. Her hand stopped on denim material. Must’ve been his leg, meaning he was most likely straddled over her. Beckett?

At twelve, Lisa had blamed herself for what he’d done to her. She’d been too embarrassed and too scared to tell anyone. Beckett had threatened to kill everyone she loved if she so much as breathed a word of his actions, and he had the power to follow through with his warning. He’d threatened to do worse to Lisa’s little sister. And if Lisa told, he’d said it would be her word against his, and who would believe her, anyway? He’d made a good point. She’d been a shy girl, in and out of the system, who’d mostly kept to herself. Worse yet, she was daughter of Henry Moore, the town’s constantly rehabilitating alcoholic.

Lisa wasn’t a little girl anymore. No way did he get to destroy her. She followed the inseam straight up to his groin, grabbed and squeezed with every ounce of strength she had.

He muttered a curse as he shifted position long enough for her to take in a swallow of precious oxygen. She clasped harder and he groaned, cursing her.

The weight on top of her lifted for a second as he wriggled his groin out of her grasp. His hold loosened on the pillow pressed against her face so she fought the pain burning through her as she drew her knees to her chest and then thrust them toward his face. They connected with his chin.

His head snapped back.

Lisa screamed for the nurse. She tried to launch another attack, pushing through the agony that came with every movement. Her arms felt like spaghetti and even a boost of adrenaline didn’t give her enough strength to keep fighting.

The mattress dipped and then rose as he pushed to his feet.

“I’ll be back. You’ll regret this, bitch.” The voice wasn’t Beckett’s. It was too dark to get a good look at the details of his face.

A fresh wave of panic seized her as she searched for something, anything on the side table. Her fingers reached the landline phone, so she hurled it toward the stranger’s back. “You won’t be able to hurt me from jail.”

What was taking the nurse so long?

The dark silhouette slipped out of her room and disappeared moments before the door reopened and the night nurse rushed in.

“Someone was here. He’s out there. In the hall,” Lisa said through coughing fits.

Light filled the room as the concerned nurse’s face came into view.

“I was just out there and didn’t see anyone. My name’s Alicia. I’ll be your nurse this evening.” She spoke slowly, calmly, as if she were talking to a three-year-old in the heat of a temper tantrum.

“I’m not making this up. I swear.” Lisa sat upright, heaving.

The way the nurse stared at Lisa, the questioning look, she knew Alicia was ready to call for a psych consult.

“I promise. A man was just in here. He had a pillow over my face. Can’t you see what he did to me?” Her breath came in bursts.

Alicia’s forehead crease and raised eyebrow gave away the fact that she was skeptical. With a quick look communicating that Lisa should be grateful Alicia was about to indulge the fantasy, she retreated toward the door. “I’ll check again, but I was just out there and I didn’t see anyone.”

All Lisa could think about based on Alicia’s reaction was that she most likely attributed this outburst to a very realistic nightmare or head trauma.

The expression on her face when she returned convinced Lisa of the latter.

“I know how this must seem to you but someone was in here,” Lisa said defensively. She glanced around on the floor. “Look. The pillow he used is there.”

“It’s okay,” Alicia soothed. The words came out slowly, again.

Great. The woman thought Lisa was crazy. Lisa wasn’t about to let the nurse get away with it.

“Look at me. I must have red marks or bruising. He shoved that pillow in my face and held me down.” She held her hands out to check herself over. A pillow on the floor wasn’t exactly a smoking gun. Even Lisa rationalized she could’ve knocked it off the bed during a nightmare.

The only real evidence was a black-and-blue display up and down both arms.

“You’ve been through a lot recently. Let’s see if we can get you to lie down again,” Alicia said as she began her exam, evaluating Lisa’s injuries.

She moved to the computer. “We’ll send someone down to speak to you.”

Either Alicia believed Lisa or the nurse was following hospital protocol. Neither mattered; the only person Lisa wanted to see right now was Ryan. He’d said to call if she needed him, day or night. As much as she didn’t want to push the boundaries of their friendship or drive him away she needed to be with someone she trusted.

Would he even pick up at this ridiculous hour?

What choice did she have? Her father was dead. Her sister was more than four hours away, not that calling her in the middle of the night was an appealing thought anyway. Lori would have too many questions and that could be deadly.

Once again, Lisa was frightened into silence. Could she call the sheriff? Tell him everything even after she’d lied to Deputy Adams earlier and said she didn’t know her attacker?

The deputy had simply shaken his head while taking down the details for his report, cursing the luck of her family to have both of these things happen within twenty-four hours of each other. He’d warned her to watch out because bad things usually came in threes. And with her father’s alcohol history, maybe the deputy had really wondered why something like this hadn’t happened sooner.

Adams had confirmed that her father’s death had been considered an accident. No one had argued differently. Her heart knew better.

Lisa knew for certain that her attack yesterday hadn’t been random. She’d seen Beckett with her own eyes after ripping off his ski mask. But whoever had slipped into the hospital wasn’t him. Maybe her brain was damaged and she’d imagined another person’s voice. Who else would do something like this?

Beckett could’ve hired someone to do his dirty work for him. Attacking her in a hospital setting was high risk. There’d be cameras. Maybe he feared getting caught this time. It might not have been him carrying out the actual crime, but her instincts said he had to be responsible.

What good did it do her to know? If she told anyone he’d be back to kill all the family she had left—her sister and nephew.

Panic gripped her. She couldn’t even think about anything happening to them.

They were safe. For now.

Lori and her infant son were everything to Lisa. And if she gave up the name of the man who did this to her, both of them would be dead in a heartbeat.

There had to be another way.

Calling Ryan was a risk she had to take. He’d be even more suspicious and he might think she was a little crazy. What was the alternative?

Stay there, unprotected, and she’d be dead by morning.

Try to leave by herself and she wouldn’t make it out the door.

As soon as Alicia stepped into the hallway, Lisa grabbed her cell from the side table.

Calling Ryan was the only reasonable option. He’d volunteered his assistance. She’d take him up on his offer.

If he pressed her for more information, she’d have to cut him loose or risk putting him in danger. She hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Chapter Three

The sound of fear in Lisa’s voice when she called had shocked Ryan out of a deep sleep.

All she’d said was “I need you.”

Those three words had kicked Ryan into action faster than buckshot. Her voice had blasted a different kind of heat through his chest, sent it spiraling through him. He’d dismissed it quickly as an inappropriate reaction and focused on the terror coming through the line. He’d hopped out of bed, ignoring the aftershocks of sexual awareness, thrown on clothes and raced toward the hospital. He’d made the drive in record time, parked and still hadn’t come up with a plan to get past security.

Something had happened to Lisa. He intended to find out what was going on. She’d convinced him she’d been too tired to talk earlier that day and he hadn’t wanted to put undue pressure on her, given all that she’d been through. This was different. No way could he go back to sleep without answers. And no one could stop him from getting them, not even her.

“Sir, visiting hours are over,” the nurse warned as he stalked toward Lisa’s wing.

“I received a call from a patient of yours. She’s expecting me.” Like hell he wasn’t going into her room.

“I can’t allow it. Hospital policy.” The nurse sprang from her seat and moved around the desk too late to block him from entering Lisa’s hallway.

“Call your supervisor if you have to, but I’m not leaving until I know my wife is okay.” Ryan used the earlier lie he’d given in order for her to receive treatment. He’d had to think quickly then. Surely they wouldn’t refuse a husband access to his spouse now. He figured he had at least a few minutes before hospital security could catch up in order to toss him out of the building.

“Sir.” Her voice trailed off, which meant she wasn’t following him. She’d most likely doubled back so she could call the security desk.

Ryan pushed Lisa’s door open and rushed to her side. Desperation was a net, casting a wild animal look over her normally soft, feminine features.

“I don’t have long. The nurse will have me evicted in a few minutes. Tell me what happened,” he said.

“Someone was here, Ryan.” The urgency in her words nearly knocked him back a step.

“Who?”

“I’m not sure.” An emotion he couldn’t quite put his finger on flickered behind her eyes. It was more than fear.

“Was it the guy who attacked you?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” Her bluish-green eyes were wide and scared.

“I need you to tell me what’s really going on.” When he sat on the edge of the bed, he realized she was shaking. It took every bit of strength not to pull her into his chest and comfort her.

“I would if I could.” She looked away.

What the hell did that mean? He’d been exposed, firsthand, to people in trouble. Make no mistake about it, Lisa was drowning. He couldn’t do anything to help her unless she gave him something to hang on to.

If he’d learned one thing from trying to save his brother, it was that people helped themselves. Sure, sometimes they needed an extra pair of hands. Ryan never hesitated to be there for a relative or friend in need to offer support. But drowning people were notorious for pulling others down with them. Ryan had learned to keep a healthy distance until they took those first few strokes on their own.

“Why can’t you?” Seeing her looking so small in that damn oversize gown overrode rational thought. He fisted his hands to keep them at his sides.

Didn’t work. He brushed the hair from her face, ignoring the urge building inside him to hold her until she stopped shaking.

“Believe me, Ryan, you’re the only one I would tell if I could, but this is...complicated and innocent people will be hurt if I don’t play this right.” Her words broke at the end and sobs racked her shoulders.

Ryan didn’t debate his next action. He just hauled her into his arms, where she buried her face. “I’m here. It’s okay.”

He half expected her to push him away and tell him she was fine. She didn’t. Instead, she pressed deeper against his cotton T-shirt while he whispered reassurances in her ear he couldn’t guarantee.

There was no worse feeling than watching someone he cared about in pain and not being able to help.

Against his better judgment, he told Lisa he would do whatever she needed.

She broke away and stared him directly in the eyes. “If you really want everything to be all right, take me home with you.”

Hold on a minute. She couldn’t leave the hospital. The determination in her bluish-green eyes said otherwise. Maybe he could talk her off the ledge.

“Is that wise?” He glanced at the bruises on her arms.

“I’d walk out of here on my own if I could,” she said, and he had no doubt she meant it.

Could he convince her otherwise?

“The doctor wants to keep an eye on your head injury.” Was it safe for her to leave the hospital against medical advice?

“I can’t stay here. He’ll come back, or send someone. I’m in danger here. You’re the only one I trust.”

“Did you tell the nurse?”

“Yes, I did. She didn’t believe me. She’s most likely calling in a psychiatrist. I won’t make it that long. He’ll slip right back in and...” She bit her bottom lip as if to stop if from forming the next words.

“Tell me exactly what happened.” They were running out of time. Security would burst through that door any second now. Ryan believed something had happened and he needed to know more. Whatever it was had scared the bejesus out of her. But how could it be the same guy who’d attacked her earlier? That was supposed to be a random occurrence. Ryan had been sitting in this very room when she’d given the deputy her statement.

“Maybe he works here.” Her shoulders sagged and she looked to be in considerable pain every time she moved. “That’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“Security will be here any second. What if we explain what happened to them? Maybe we can get them involved.”

“It’s no good. The nurse will tell them not to believe me.” She held her arms up as though she wanted him to inspect them. “She thinks I’m crazy and she’s sending me for a psych evaluation. End of story. It’s the middle of the night and my doctor isn’t here, but what would she do, anyway?”

She gestured toward her arms again.

Ryan didn’t want to say the bruises could’ve been from the earlier attack. She needed to hear that someone believed her. Otherwise she’d jump out of her own skin if someone sneezed. “I see what happened and I believe you. I won’t let him get to you again. I promise.”

He didn’t say that might not be an option if he was booted out. He’d figure something out. Lisa had been afraid before, but there was a grasping-at-her-last-straw quality to her voice now that didn’t sit well with him.

Touching her was a bad idea because his emotions started taking over his logical thought. Nothing good could come of that.

There was more than her reaction that bugged the hell out of him. The persistence of this guy was unsettling. It took guts to attack at a well-staffed hospital even in the middle of the night. Then again, dress in scrubs or a maintenance uniform and he might blend right in. Ryan needed to get into contact with their friend Dylan, who owned a personal security company. He might have enough contacts to get hold of the footage at the hospital.

The questions of the day were...who was doing this and why was he being so persistent?

Lisa had never been a liar, but one look at her said she was at the very least holding back something that could get her hurt or killed. Plus, she’d practically forced her sister out of town for a few days. A storm was brewing and Ryan needed to know just how big this squall was going to get.

“Take me out of here. Please.” The way Lisa emphasized the last word shredded Ryan’s resolve. This was a bad idea. Being there was sketchy enough. Walking her out the front door in her condition was borderline insanity.

Leaving her there, alone, was out of the question.

Voices down the hall neared. Security would walk through the door at any second. Ryan had about two seconds to make a decision. All of his experiences, instincts railed against doing what he was contemplating. He’d be stepping in a boot full of sludge trying to justify this.

Not to mention the fact that his feelings for her clouded his judgment. Logic told him to bolt, to let authorities handle this. And yet she hadn’t trusted them enough to tell them everything.

Only a fool or someone in serious trouble would do that.

“What if I stay here with you? I’ll stay awake and keep watch.” He’d be irresponsible if he didn’t put that out there as an option. The fear widening her eyes said she wouldn’t take the offer.

“So he can come back and kill us both?” She sank deeper into the bed like a deflated airbag. “I didn’t consider this before, but I’m putting you in danger. You can’t be here. I didn’t think this through all the way. I’m sorry. Forget I ever called you.”

Wait a minute.

Was she kicking him out?

“Fine. Where’s your stuff? I’ll grab a bag.” He stood as she stilled, staring blankly at him in disbelief. “We need to get moving. Several people are going to come through that door and none of them are going to be happy to see me in here.”

“I can’t let you do this. It was a mistake to get you involved.” She stared toward the window, blankly.

“You’ve already told me the risks. Consider me informed. I’m going to take you home with me, but we gotta go now.”

The door opened so hard it smacked against the wall.

A guy close to Ryan’s height wearing a blue security uniform with a squawking radio filled the frame.

“Sir, I need to ask you to leave,” he said. His polite words were delivered with a clipped tone. “You can come back to visit between the hours of eight a.m. and seven p.m.”

“My wife is ready to go now,” Ryan said, folding his arms across his chest as he assumed a defensive stance. The name on the security officer’s badge read Steven. If Steven wanted to go a few rounds, Ryan had every confidence in his own fighting abilities. That said, he preferred to save his energy for more important things. It would be up to the big guy which path they took. “I’m not walking through that door without her, Steven.”

* * *

“I’M LEAVING.” With great effort, Lisa pushed off the bed and stood. Ryan was by her side, urging her to lean on him for support before she lost her balance again. All kinds of heat fizzled through her where they made contact, but she pushed it out of her thoughts.

“You heard her. She’s ready to leave.”

Steven glanced at Alicia.

“That’s not a good idea,” Alicia said. “Let’s all settle down and think this through.”

“You’re assuming I haven’t already.” Lisa winced as she took a step forward. Ryan was there to catch her as her knee gave out, his steadying arm around her the only thing keeping her from falling flat on the floor. “You aren’t keeping me safe here.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to go. Doctor’s orders.” Alicia’s resolve was steady.

Panic overwhelmed Lisa. Ryan couldn’t help her and deal with the big security guard at the same time. The air in the room was thinning. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest in part from stress and the very real feeling of contact with Ryan. What was it about him that could calm her and send her body into such a pinball machine of awareness all at the same time?

Trying to take another step toward the door, she faltered.

Ryan hauled her against his chest and made a move to kiss her.

He was giving them a show. She understood that on some level, but his hand guiding her lips toward his sent heat rocketing through her.

Ryan’s moment of hesitation—a brief pause to catch and hold her gaze for a split second—sent her heart soaring and caused a hundred somersaults to flip through her stomach.

His lips, tentative, barely touched hers. Her breath caught and she could’ve sworn she’d heard him groan right before deepening the kiss.

She tilted her head back to give him better access as she parted her lips for him. For one dizzying moment when his tongue slid into her mouth her pain disintegrated and all she could feel was his lips moving against hers and how right it felt to be in Ryan Hunt’s arms.

The thought was startling. She didn’t belong there.

Breaking away first, she forced her mind to the present because for a moment she got lost—lost in the moment, in the feeling of awareness, in the feeling of life being right for just a second.

Turning toward the folks intent on keeping her in that room, Lisa put one hand on Ryan’s shoulder and the other on her hip. No way could they push past Alicia and the big guy. Ryan was not small, nor was he incapable of handling himself. She was the weak link. She was the liability. Anger surged through her for being the one to hold them back. “Do you have a court order keeping me here, Alicia?”

The nurse’s lips thinned as she shook her head.

“Then I suggest you step aside.” The look of approval on Ryan’s face, the way he smiled out of the side of his mouth shouldn’t make her this happy. It did. She told herself it was because he was putting himself on the line for her. She owed him this at least.

He squeezed her waist and more of that fiery electricity shot through her, warming her in places she didn’t want to think about with him standing this close. Or maybe it was just that she didn’t want to go there with other people in the room.

Her thoughts couldn’t be more inappropriate under the circumstances. Because that kiss made her wonder if Ryan was feeling more for her than he’d let on.

And what exactly was she supposed to do with that? Her life was a mess and he deserved so much more than she could give him.

In times like these, Lisa had to remind herself to take it one moment at a time.

“Well?” she asked point blank. Her confidence had returned.

“We can’t keep you here against your will. However, I would like to ask you to stay, anyway,” Alicia said flatly.

They couldn’t keep her safe. They didn’t believe her. They gave her no other choice.

“I’m fine.” She looked up at Ryan. “Let’s go. They can throw away the rest of my things for all I care. There’s nothing in here that can’t be replaced.”

He gently leaned her against the bed and she missed his warmth as soon as he took a step away from her.

“Hospital regulation requires her to leave in a wheelchair,” the nurse said. “Will you at least sign the paperwork and let me take you out?”

Lisa nodded. “As long as it’s quick.”

The nurse disappeared, taking the security guard with her.

“My clothes are over there.” She motioned toward the tall cabinet next to the wall-mounted TV. “That’s all I have with me other than my cell, which is nearly out of battery.”

Ryan retrieved her folded-up outfit of shorts and a halter top along with her underclothes.

She hoped he didn’t see her cheeks warm with embarrassment at the idea of him handing her underwear to her.

Once they got outside, she’d breathe much lighter. As it was, tension threatened to crack her already bruised and hurting shoulders.

“I can step into the hallway for a minute to give you privacy while you dress if you’d like.” Ryan placed the clothes on the bed next to where she stood.

“Here’s the thing. I’m going to need your help.” She smiled weakly.

His gray-blue eyes darkened to steel. An almost-pleading look crossed his features for a nanosecond. Then he half smirked. “I guess it would be weird for a husband to leave the room while his wife dressed.”

“Hadn’t even thought of that. It shouldn’t take too long and I probably only need help getting things over my big size eights.” Did she just complain about her shoe size? Was she rambling? The thought of Ryan in the room with her while she was completely naked was almost too much.

“I happen to like your feet.” He helped her ease onto the bed and then he pulled the blanket over her, covering her midsection. With athletic grace he moved around to the other side of the bed, behind her, and then untied each bow on her hospital-issued gown.

Gently, he rolled the material down her arms. His breath was so close it warmed the sensitive skin along the back of her neck.

The white cloth hit the floor in front of her. She secured her sheet as Ryan moved in front of her. She was so aware of just how naked she was beneath her cover and how thin the material was that kept her cloaked. She white-knuckle gripped the seam with one hand while she reached for her clothes with the other. Thankfully, her ribs weren’t broken, just a hairline fracture on one, the doctor had said, but the pain was still excruciating.

Without saying a word, he bent down and then cradled her ankle in his hand. He slipped her black lace panties over one foot, then two and she could’ve sworn she heard him groan.

Her body went rigid trying to fight the attraction overwhelming her senses.

His hands moved up the sides of her legs, his eyes trailed and when his skin touched hers it blazed a hot trail.

She lifted her bottom long enough for him to slide the panties around her hips. He didn’t immediately move. His hands rested on either side of her.

Lisa couldn’t remember the last time she felt this intimate with a man. Maybe never.

A few seconds later and with similar ease, Ryan slipped her shorts on.

At least for her bra he stood behind her and she couldn’t see his intense expression—intense because they both had to know deep down that anything more than friendship between the two of them would be a bad idea.

After her bra and then halter had been secured, he moved to her side, eyes down. Was he thinking about the kiss they’d shared, too?

He lifted his head and made a move to speak.

The door opened, interrupting the moment. And that was probably for the best. The last thing Lisa needed to hear was just how much he regretted their lips touching. Or worse, an apology.

The nurse pushed a wheelchair in front of her. She helped Lisa into the seat and then handed her a stack of papers on a clipboard. The words Against Medical Advice had been scribbled in huge letters across the first page.

Lisa initialed all the places the nurse had highlighted as Ryan positioned himself behind the chair.

When she’d signed for what felt like the hundredth time, he wheeled her out of the room, off the floor and into the night.

The air was still hot. It was the time of year in Texas when she went to bed and it was hot, she woke and it was hot. Midday, the rubber soles on her shoes could practically melt against the sweltering pavement.

“I’m parked in the front row,” he said, his voice still husky.

“That was lucky.”

“Turns out there aren’t that many visitors in the middle of the night,” he said, and she could tell he was smiling without looking at him. She could hear it in his voice.

“Thank you for breaking me out. If Nurse Ratchet had her way, I’d be zonked out with an IV drip that would have me slobbering down my chin as she spoon-fed me mashed potatoes.”

“Not a problem.” He chuckled. “I’m not that big on sleep, anyway.”

“Either way, I owe you a big favor for everything you’ve done today.”

“It’s nothi—

“Hold on a second. What the hell’s going on?” He abruptly stopped. Based on the shift in tone, this wasn’t going to be good news.

“What is it?”

“Someone slashed my tires.”

“You haven’t been here for long. Whoever did this must be close.” Lisa glanced around and gasped. “He must still be here.”

“I’ll arrange another ride. We need to get you inside.” He spun her chair around and wheeled her toward the hospital as she kept watch for any signs of movement in her peripheral.

Ryan parked her near the elevator, away from the automatic sliding glass doors. His cell phone was already at his ear by the time Lisa could see him again.

“Who are you calling this late?” she asked, panic written all over her features.

“Dawson lives close,” Ryan said, the line already ringing.

“Please don’t say anything,” she begged. That damn desperation still in her tone.

Their friend picked up on the third.

“I’m at the hospital with Lisa and we need a ride.” He paused, not eager to lie to his friend. “Must’ve picked up a nail on my way over. Left tire’s flat.”

Ryan said a few uh-huhs into the phone before he ended the call. “He’s on his way.”

She couldn’t quite feel relief yet; maybe it was hope. Her danger radar was on full alert after everything she’d been through. Every noise made her jumpy.

“Is there any way you’d consider not sharing any of this with Dawson yet?” she pleaded.

“I don’t even know what’s really going on.” Ryan kept his fisted hands at his sides as he kept watch.

A few quiet minutes later, Dawson pulled up in his SUV.

Ryan looked Lisa dead in the eye before he made a move to help her. “I won’t force you to say anything in front of Dawson. We’re going to my house. And when we get there, you’re going to start talking.”

Chapter Four

“I’m sorry about your father,” Dawson said once they were safely inside the truck. Based on the look in his eyes, she knew he meant it. He had questions. Ditto for Ryan.

“Thank you,” she said, unable to suppress a yawn. Exhaustion had worn her body to the bone and for the first time since this ordeal began she felt that it was safe to go to sleep. The burst of adrenaline she’d felt during the struggle in the hospital was long gone.

Dawson seemed content to leave things at that for now. She leaned against Ryan, put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. By the time she opened them again, they were parked in front of Ryan’s house.

“No need to go out of your way for me. I’ll be good on the couch,” Lisa said to Ryan as he helped her up the few steps to his house.

He turned and waved at Dawson, who’d been waiting for a signal that it was okay to leave.

Lisa was grateful that Ryan hadn’t forced her say anything in front of their friend. More than that, she was thrilled that she’d been able to let down her guard enough to fall sleep.

“Okay.” Ryan unlocked the door and led her inside. It was the first time she’d seen his house, a bungalow on an out-of-the-way street five miles from town. He’d already told her that the place sat on three acres and that he especially liked being on the outskirts of Mason Ridge. He was close enough to get anything he needed and just far enough to feel that he was away from it all when he went home.

He flipped on a light, walked her right past the leather sofa and moved toward the hallway instead.

“Ryan. What are you doing?” She tried to stop, but he nudged her forward.

“Giving you a place to sleep, remember?” He had the upper hand. He knew full well she couldn’t walk into the other room without support.

“You said I could sleep on the couch.”

“Did I?” His grin shouldn’t make her want to laugh. Maybe she just needed to think about something light for a change.

She should throw more of a fit about sleeping on the couch, too, but she didn’t have any fight left inside her after all she’d been through. Fatigue weighted her limbs, making it difficult to hold on to Ryan, and the new bruises she’d acquired were already tender.

“Can we close those blinds?” she asked, biting back a yawn as Ryan helped her ease under the covers.

“If that would make you feel better.” He paused. “No one can hurt you out here.”

He was already moving toward the window.

“I feel rotten for kicking you out of your own room. Are you sure you don’t want to put me on the couch? I’d be fine.”

“You’re in my house. That means we play by my rules. You get the bed.” He winked at her, but she could see the storm brewing. “I’ll leave the door open in case you need anything. Just give me a shout.”

“Where will you be?” She must look pitiful for him to hold off his questions until morning. Maybe she’d figure out what to tell him by then.

“On the couch.” He walked toward the hallway. “It’s not the first time.”

Even so, it didn’t feel right.

“No, Ry—”

His hand came up before she could finish her protest. “My rules, remember?”

She was biting back another yawn as she conceded. For tonight, she wouldn’t argue. However, she hoped to stay a few days, at least, and she had no plans to force him out of his bed for that long.

“I’ll be in the next room,” he said, turning off the light. “Unless you need me to stay until you fall asleep.”

“I’m good. Thank you, though.” Lisa knew that Ryan wanted answers and normally she’d trust him with her life, but more lives than hers were on the line. She had Lori and Grayson to consider. Maybe she could get word to Beckett that she had no plans to reveal his secret. Leave her family alone and she would never bring the truth to light. Would it work?

No. Wasn’t that the deal they’d had all these years?

There had to be a reason for the change. A family like his would be savvy. Maybe he figured she would come forward. No way could he allow this accusation to come to light given the depth of trouble his father was already in. The Alcorn name was worth a lot of money. Their reputation was big business. Between that and ruining their family name, their history in the town, maybe Beckett figured he needed to ensure only positive press for him and his father in the coming months. It was the only thing that made any sense.

If a plea wouldn’t work, then she’d threaten him if she had to. If he didn’t leave her family alone she would go to the law and then to the media and tell them everything.

His voice echoed in the back of her mind. What were the chances the sheriff would believe her? And especially after all these years? Would the media? It wasn’t as if she could produce any tangible evidence, not now. She’d believed Beckett’s threats as a little girl because she wasn’t aware of rape kits and forensics.

A good attorney could turn her testimony upside down. And then she, Lori and Grayson would have to watch their backs for the rest of their lives. Wealthy men had long reach and she doubted she’d be safe no matter how far away she moved, which was precisely why that plan wouldn’t work.

Either way, she couldn’t see an out. Plus, there was this new guy to worry about. The man who’d attacked her in the hospital was not Beckett.

Trying to think made her brain cramp. Frustration ate at her. Exhaustion threatened to pull her under. She was toast. No way could she think clearly.

For now, Lori and Grayson were safe.

She let that thought carry her into a deep sleep.

* * *

LISA WOKE THREE times throughout the night, screaming from nightmares. When she opened her eyes for the fourth time, the sun was bright in the sky. She glanced over and saw Ryan, shirtless, still sleeping in a chair. He’d stayed after the first round, saying he wanted to be close if she needed him.

His presence comforted her.

Her lips tingled with the feel of the kiss they’d shared. She didn’t want to be thinking about that first thing when she opened her eyes. And yet there it was all the same.

His chest was a wall of muscle and she had to force her eyes away from his sculpted abs. That body was built from hard work and she admired him for it. There were other marks on his body, too, and she didn’t want to think about the scars left behind at his father’s hand. She’d witnessed one of the beatings as she was skipping home from school one day. Thinking about it even now caused her heart to squeeze and anger to flair through her.

She didn’t ask, didn’t know what had triggered Ryan’s father that day. Everyone knew how bad the man’s temper had been. Ryan was quick to step in to cover for his brother, Justin, and she wondered if Ryan had done it on that day, too.

It had been two weeks until summer break, and the Texas heat had arrived early that year. Lisa couldn’t have been more than ten or eleven at the time. She’d stayed after school to finish a science project and passed by Ryan’s house on her way home.

His father had him around the side of the house, his hand clamped around Ryan’s arm as the man beat his son with a belt, buckle still attached.

There were no screams from her classmate, no begging for mercy, and that was a fact that would haunt her for years.

Ryan’s pain was endured in silence, like hers. He never spoke about that or any other beating afterward, either. She could see in his eyes when they’d been exceptionally brutal. His father was always careful to hit Ryan in places where the bruises wouldn’t show in plain sight. Every time Ryan had worn long pants in ninety-eight-degree temperatures to school, she’d noticed. Every time he had eased onto a chair, she’d noticed. Every time he’d worn long sleeves in the summer, she’d noticed.

And she’d known why.

Fire burned through her veins, boiling her blood at the memories. Only a coward hurt a child. Ryan’s father had been one. And so was Beckett.

“How’d you sleep?” Ryan’s voice surprised her.

“Good,” she said quickly, trying to slow her racing pulse. She’d slept better than good actually, even with the nightmares. She didn’t want to tell him how comfortable she felt in his bed. The sheets were soft against her skin. The mattress was like sleeping on a soft cushion. And his clean, masculine scent was all over the pillow.

The pain was messing with her mind. This bed was no nicer than the one at the hospital, she tried to tell herself.

He stood and fastened his jeans, and she forced her gaze away from the small patch of hair on his chest leading down toward the band of his jeans.

Walking toward her, he yawned and stretched, and she noticed just how powerful his arms were. There was enough muscle there to hold off a bear, let alone a man who liked to hurt women. She told herself that was the only reason she noticed—to see if he could protect her—and not because of the awareness she felt every time he was in the room.

The mattress dipped under his weight as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“I think I can eat.”

“What sounds good?”

“Don’t put yourself out. Anything is fine. A piece of fruit or yogurt would do.” She hated feeling so helpless.

“I can make an omelet,” he offered.

“No. That’s too much work, seriously.”

“Would you stop worrying about being a pain already? I don’t mind. I can scramble some eggs and heat sausage. But first, how does a cup of coffee sound?”

“Like heaven on earth.” She waited for him to leave the room before she tried to sit up. Pain shot through her with every movement. She fought through it. No way was she asking him to help her to the bathroom.

Carefully, she inched her legs toward the side of the bed until her feet hung off.

How long did the nurse say it would take before Lisa felt better?

At this rate, it was going to take a long time to make it to the bathroom let alone go for a run again. She shook it off and forced her legs over the side of the bed.

Pushing up on her arms, she winced. A good look at the bruises there only made things worse. At least she could use her anger to fuel her determination to get up. She focused all her energy on standing.

The first few steps were like walking on stilts for the first time. A few more and she started getting the hang of how to lean in order to reduce the pain that came with movement. By the time she returned to the bed, she was energized. Being able to do something for herself so soon was a huge win.

“Hold on there. Let me help you.” Ryan stood in the doorway two-fisting cups of coffee.

“No problem. I got this,” she said, in too much pain to outwardly express her excitement.

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