THE ONLY WITNESS WAS HIS SONâAND NOW HEâS THE KILLERâS NEXT TARGET
Miles McGregor had dedicated his life to justice, and with his latest arrest behind bars, the detective finally had more time to spend with his son, Timmy. Then the unthinkable happenedâTimmyâs mother was murdered before his eyes. Milesâs only choice was to bring his little boy to the Bucking Bronc Lodge, a ranch where young boys healâ¦.
Jordan Keys is an expert at rehabilitating children. But when it comes to Miles, she is lost. The sexy detective is harder to reachâ¦and a whole lot less willing to try. Before long, though, a killer comes calling and Jordan witnesses the true power of Miles McGregor. And just how far heâll go to rescue them from this living nightmare.
She cleared her throat. âMr. McGregor?â
The subtle lift of his shoulders indicated heâd heard her, then he hissed something low and indiscernible between his teeth and slowly turned to face her. Dark brown hair like his sonâs, except shaggy and unkempt, framed a face chiseled in stone. His jawbones were high, his face square, his eyes the color of a sunset, brown and orange and gold, rich with color butâ¦dead.
That was the only word to describe the emptiness she saw there.
He removed his Stetson, then walked toward her and held out a work-roughened hand that looked strong enough to break rocks. Everything about the man, from his muscular build, his towering height, his broad shoulders and those muscular thighs, screamed of masculinity.
And a raw sexuality that made her heart begin to flutter.
But anger also simmered beneath the surface of his calm, anger and something lethal, like a bloodthirsty need for revenge.
Jordan tried to ignore the fear that rippled through her. Miles McGregor was a dangerous man.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Rita Herron wrote her first book when she was twelve, but didnât think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesnât have to get a real job. A former kindergarten teacher and workshop leader, she traded her storytelling to kids for writing romance, and now she writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. She lives in Georgia with her own romance hero and three kids. She loves to hear from readers, so please write her at P.O. Box 921225, Norcross, GA 30092-1225, or visit her website, www.ritaherron.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Detective Miles McGregorâMiles will do anything to protect his son and make sure the man responsible for the boyâs motherâs death pays.
Jordan KeysâGuilt-stricken over her younger brotherâs death, sheâs determined to help Timmy. But she canât fall for the boyâs father, a handsome Texas cowboy, because heâll leave her like dust in the wind when the case is solved.
Timmy McGregorâThe only witness to his motherâs murder, but he has no memory of that nightâ¦.
Marie YoungerâTimmyâs mother died at the hands of the Slasher. But was she as innocent as she seemed?
Robert DuganâThis smooth-talking businessman was convicted of being the Slasher, but he swears he was set up. Does he want revenge because he was wrongly accused or because Miles pointed out what a monster he is?
Renee BalwingerâShe gave Robert Dugan an alibi for the murder of Timmyâs motherâbut is she lying to protect the man, who also happens to be her lover?
Janet BridgesâDugan was in love with her, but now sheâs missing. Is she helping him, or running from him herself?
CeeCee DuganâDuganâs mother: is she really alive?
Paul BelsaâHe was Marieâs lover. Could he have killed her instead of Dugan?
Pruitt AblesâWhat does he have to do with Dugan and the Slasher crimes?
Prologue
The verdict was in.
Perspiration beaded on Detective Miles McGregorâs neck. He hoped to hell it was guilty. Robert Dugan deserved to die.
He had killed four women so far, brutal stabbings that had left his victims raw and exposed to the elements, suffering as they bled out, alone and frightened.
The coldhearted bastard.
Marieâs face flashed in his mind, a reminder that his sonâs mother could have been a victim just like these other women.
Remorse hit him for the way their relationship had soured over time. Theyâd had a brief affair when he was in between cases a few years ago, and sheâd gotten pregnant. Heâd offered to marry her, but she hadnât wanted it. She said he was married to the job.
That was true. But during this case heâd worried about her. Not because he was in love with her, but he did care, dammit. And his son needed them to be on the same page. To get along.
Heâd make it up to her for not being around the past few months. Heâd be the man she wanted. The one she deserved.