Single Mom's Bodyguard by Lisa Childs

Author:Lisa Childs [Childs, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Published: 2017-08-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

A hand was pressed over Emilia’s mouth to hold back another scream. It was her hand trembling against her lips as she tried to contain her horror. Seeing the masked man again had been terrifying enough.

But seeing what he’d done...

Brad sat on the ground, his back pressed up against the wall he must have slid down leaving a trail of crimson to stain the white beadboard. His head was slumped against his shoulder, his eyes open and blank as he stared up at her.

But it was the handle of the knife protruding from his chest that affected her the most. It was the teal-blue handle from the set in her kitchen. It was the knife that had cut her wrist, and now it was buried to the teal hilt in Brad’s chest. Blood gurgled from the wound and spread across his once white T-shirt.

Another scream threatened as the horror overwhelmed her. It burned in the back of her throat. And when strong hands closed over her shoulders, it escaped through her lips and her trembling fingers.

Had the man returned? Did he intend to kill her now like he’d killed Brad?

She lashed out, swinging her arms. But those strong hands gripped her firmly. And she recognized that touch.

“Dane...” She gasped his name with relief. The masked man hadn’t killed him.

He turned her in his arms, spinning her to face him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, as he cupped her tear-dampened cheek. “Are you okay?”

No. She wasn’t. She wasn’t sure she would ever be okay again.

“Did you stop him?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No, he got away.” He stared down into her face, his eyes dark with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked again. “Why did you scream?”

She stepped aside, so he could see the body slumped against the wall.

“Who is that?” he asked. “Do you know?”

“That’s Bradley,” she explained. “That’s Blue’s dad. Was...”

That was Blue’s dad. Bradley Zeinstra was dead.

Over a year ago, when he hadn’t returned her calls and texts and she’d realized he’d only been using her, she had wished him dead. Once. Guilt flashed through her now over how childishly she’d reacted. Sure, he’d been an ass. But she’d been too naive.

She wasn’t naive anymore.

And Bradley Zeinstra wasn’t anything anymore.

“If that’s Zeinstra...” Dane murmured. “Then who was I chasing?”

“I don’t know,” she murmured.

She’d been right. Bradley hadn’t been the one terrorizing her. But she wished now that it had been him—because then it would be over. Instead it felt like this nightmare would never end.

* * *

Dane had been right. The man in the mask had had a partner. But it looked like he’d eliminated his partner instead of Emilia. Her scream hung yet in the air.

And so did the distant wail of a siren. The police must have been called. He wasn’t surprised another hotel patron or staff member would have dialed 911. Someone couldn’t have helped but overhear Emilia’s screams.

And if the screams had caused them to look out their windows, they had probably seen him and Emilia.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.