Harlequin Intrigue: October 2022 Box Set 1 of 2 by Elle James

Author:Elle James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

HE’D NEARLY LOST HER.

Cree closed the hospital room door behind him as Alma finished getting dressed and nearly collided with two men waiting on the other side. “Chief.” He nodded appreciation. “Easton.”

“How’s she doing?” Easton Ford angled toward the door as though prepared to check on his colleague himself but held himself back.

“She’s shaken, and hell, I can’t blame her. It’s not every day you’re abducted and wake up to find an active bomb sewn into your skin. Even in law enforcement.” Cree read the concern etched into both men’s expressions and tried to push as much assurance into his voice as he could. As much as he wanted to step in to be the one Alma relied on out of some sick sense of guilt, she had a lot of people who cared about her, and he wouldn’t come between her and that support. “But she’s strong. She’s already dictating her statement into her phone so we can get back to the investigation. Anything from fire and rescue?”

“They found the device that started the blaze. Fire marshal says it’s C4.” Chief Ford unpocketed his phone and handed it off to Cree with a swipe of his thumb. “Looks to be the same type of device Alma saw in that gulch.”

Cree scanned through the photos, detailing the shattered pieces of green motherboard and a chunk of red coiling wire. “Same components as I saw in Galaxy Electronics before it exploded, too.” He handed back the phone. “At least our bomber is consistent. Alma’s going to want to know how Mr. Thorp is doing since he lost the store.”

“He walked away with a mild concussion. His wife’s helping him through some headaches and scrapes, but he’s clearheaded and asking about Alma. He wants to make sure she’s doesn’t feel guilty for what happened.” Easton folded his arms across a broad chest honed over years of consistent discipline and training. “He isn’t the only one.”

Cree nodded and returned the chief’s phone. The rock settling in his gut grew heavier as the events of the past three days shattered the detachment he’d kept close once he hit town. Battle Mountain was supposed to be a way station—temporary—while he summoned the courage to go back to his life. But the thought of walking away from all this, on Alma, didn’t sit right. Three days. That was all it’d taken for her to pull him apart, show him what really mattered and shove all those broken pieces back together. He wasn’t the same man who’d crossed the town borders eight months ago. He was stronger, more sure of himself, less isolated. He felt...almost human again. Because of her, and that wasn’t something he was sure he could turn his back on once this investigation concluded. “You two know her better than I do.”

“We also know she trusts you. More than she might trust either of us.” Chief Ford pocketed his phone back, but the drop in the man’s voice triggered Cree’s defenses. “You

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