Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense July 2018--Box Set 1 of 2 by Maggie K. Black

Author:Maggie K. Black
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

His mom was already brewing coffee, and Annabell was in her bouncy seat, gumming a fist. Larraby roamed outside, taking pictures, while they waited in the kitchen.

Barrett paced, and Jack waited patiently for whatever was coming. He knew his brother, a big bear of a man who thought long and talked short, had something to say.

“Horses are okay. Spooked, mostly, but they’ll recover,” Keegan said, also eyeing his eldest brother as he helped himself to two oatmeal raisin cookies from the jar.

Barrett completed another circle around the linoleum, stopped and faced the table. “I’m sorry. I feel bad saying it, but this can’t continue.”

“What do you mean?” Evie said. Tom edged behind her, his fingers caressing his wife’s neck.

Barrett scrubbed a hand over his beard. “The baby, Shannon, here at the ranch.”

Jack’s jaw went tight. “You’re not saying we should kick them out.”

“I don’t want that, of course. I want them safe, but not here.”

Jack stood now, meeting his brother’s hard stare. “They’re in danger everywhere else.”

“They’re in danger here,” Barrett snapped, “and I can’t allow that to bleed over and expose our family, too.” His gaze traveled to Shelby. “My wife, our baby. I can’t risk their safety. I’m sorry.”

Jack felt fiery heat rise to his face. Barrett’s wife, Barrett’s baby. Well, maybe Jack’s own marriage was a farce, but he burned to defend and protect it. Toss Shannon and Annabell out? No way. No how. He faced his brother, and it was like looking at a bigger, broader version of himself. “To keep your wife safe, you’d toss mine out?”

“Don’t make it like that, Jack.”

“I’m not. You are.” Adrenaline pumped hot through his veins. It would have been a relief if Barrett threw a punch, if their anger and fear tumbled out in a wrestling match or a fight, anything to release that unbearable tension.

Barrett’s hands hung loose at his sides. “Jack,” he said.

One syllable from his brother, and the agony it contained was a reminder to Jack. Barrett had lost a wife, a woman they’d all loved and adored. His big brother had been stripped of his soul mate in one horrific moment that almost ended Barrett’s will to live, too. Those had been dark times, terrible years that they’d only survived thanks to the grace of God. Jack stemmed the hard words that were about to spill from his mouth. Heaving out a breath, he took a step back. “I get it, Barrett, but I’m going to protect them,” he said simply. “I’ll figure out another way.”

A shimmer of relief shone in his brother’s gaze. “They need to go into police custody. The cops can keep them safe until Dina shows or doesn’t.” His shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to say this, but I can’t look myself in the mirror knowing my family is a target. I…”

Shannon rose and put a hand on Barrett’s. “You’re right, Barrett. No need to apologize for having the courage to say it.”

Jack’s throat thickened as he heard the understanding embedded in her tone.

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