âI know itâs hard, Serena, but try to stay positive. We will find Petey.â
Coltâs caring concern brought tears to her eyes, and she leaned against him, desperately needing his comforting voice and arms.
She slid her hands up his torso and rubbed slow circles across his chest. His breath hitched slightly, and he wrapped his arms around her and cradled her against him.
âI just want my son back,â she whispered.
âI know, and we will get him back.â He pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead and the tears began to slip down her cheeks. But he didnât push for more. Instead, he held her and let her vent her emotions until she finally sighed and wiped at her face.
Then she tilted her head back and looked into his eyes. Heâd driven all night and looked tired, but compassion and concern and other emotions she didnât understand registered on his face, as if fatigue never slowed him down. With one thumb, he swept her hair away from her forehead. His lips parted, the whisper of his breath brushed her face.
âSerena?â
âPlease kiss me, Colt. Make the pain go away for a while.â
To Billie Jo Case: friend, reviewer, fanâ¦
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 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 at www.ritaherron.com.
Serena Stover âShe thought losing her husband was bad, but now someone has framed her for murder and kidnapped her son. The only person who believes her is the handsome detective Colt Mason; but she canât lose her heart againâ¦.
Detective Colt Mason âHe is determined to save Serenaâs son, and will do anything to track down the culprit, even if it means exposing her dead husbandâs dirty little secrets.
Parker Stover âSerenaâs husband was an undercover agent working on a drug bust. Was he dirty, or had he stumbled on a bigger case that got him killed?
Petey Stover âAll Petey wants is to go home and have his family back. But his kidnapper is not out for ransom moneyâso what does he want with Petey?
Lyle Rice âSerena finally accepted a date with the man, but now she is accused of his murder. Is he really dead or is his murder an elaborate ruse to disguise his real motives?
James Ladden âThe ex-con was one of Riceâs cellmates; did he abduct Petey?
Detective Geoff Harbison âParkerâs former partner left the force shortly after Parkerâs murder. Was it coincidence or does Harbison have secrets of his own?
Dasha Miller âSerena believes this street girl had an affair with her husband. Does Dasha know the real truth behind her husbandâs murder and who kidnapped her son?
Hogan Rouse âThe hit man who killed Parker claims he murdered the man for money, and may hold the key to Peteyâs abduction. But the tough, cold prisoner is not talkingâ¦.
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
âMister, will you get my mommy out of jail?â
Colt Mason glanced up from his desk at Guardian Angel Investigations and stared at the dark-haired little boy, surprised at his request.
He was probably what, five or six years old?
âI donât gots a lot of money,â the boy said, then hoisted the piggy bank he held in his arms onto Coltâs desk. The change inside clanged and rattled as he shoved it toward Colt. âBut you can have it all if youâll help me.â
Colt grimaced. The last thing he wanted was the boyâs savings.
Besides, the kidâs eyes were red and swollen from crying, and he was breathing hard as if heâd been running.
Where had he been running from?
âWhy donât you sit down, son, and let me get you some water. Then you can tell me who you are and whatâs going on.â
The boy slid into a chair, his shoulders hunched. Colt stepped from his office into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, brought it back and handed it to him.
The kidâs big brown eyes studied Colt warily, but he took the water, unscrewed the lid then took a long drink. Finally he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and sighed. âMy name is Petey Stover. My mommy said people here help kids. And sheâs in trouble so I come here.â Petey pointed to the nameplate on Coltâs desk. âYou gots the name of a gun.â
âYeah, I do.â Colt fought a small smile. âNow, tell me what happened, Petey. How did your mother end up in jail?â
Worry tightened Peteyâs bowlike mouth. âLast night my mommy had a date with this man named Mr. Lyle. But he pushed Mommy against the fireplace, and then he grabbed her neck.â Petey gulped and Colt noticed his hands shake. âI didnât like him hurting her.â