Shotgun Justice

The soft denim molded to a fantastic specimen of a man that she missed as soon as he was around the corner.

Time to get on with her day and just move forward. Last night, her thoughts had taken her into dreams that had been mixed with murder and lovemaking and decaying bodies and excellent bodies. She was exhausted from sleeping. That was a fact.

How was this supposed to work? Did she really think she could just calmly take care of business? As if being chased by a serial killer/assassin wasn’t enough, she had to be partnered with a man totally oblivious to her attraction.

“I’m in so much trouble.”

Shotgun Justice

Angi Morgan

ANGI MORGAN writes Mills & Boon Intrigue novels “where honor and danger collide with love.” She combines actual Texas settings with characters who are in realistic and dangerous situations. Angi and her husband live in north Texas, with only the four-legged “kids” left in the house to interrupt her writing. They recently began volunteering for a local Labrador retriever foster program. Visit her website, www.angimorgan.com, or hang out with her on Facebook.

There is never a book without my pals Jan and Robin. Thanks for the crazy cabin inspiration, Nicki, JoAnna and Lizbeth. Ruth … thanks for the idea for my “pal” Snake Eyes. And a special shout-out to Julie for helping me at the beginning and end of this book.

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Prologue

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

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Copyright

Prologue

“My twin brother is the one wanted for murder. You have no right to lock me up, Dan.” Avery Travis was experiencing insane fury. She’d been disappointed, been angry, had even been fighting mad, but this was worse. Her head just might explode.

Jesse Ryder had absolutely no right to suggest she be thrown in jail for her own safety. When she got out she might...she might just... Well, she knew how to hurt him.

“Dan, you know Garrison needs help to get him out of this mess and clear his name.” She could help him. Just as soon as she sweet-talked her way out of this holding cell.

“What I know is that you’re upset and have a reason to be.” The older sheriff of Dallam County locked the cell and gestured for her to back up to the bars—just like he did to every common prisoner.

“Okay, you win, Dan. I’ll give you my word as a deputy that I won’t take off to Austin.” She crossed her fingers. “You know you can’t spare me right now. Who’s going to answer to keep the reckless juveniles in line?”

“I’m not arguing about you being the best deputy I have. I’m only doing what that Texas Ranger friend of yours suggested.”

She walked to the cell doors for him to remove the handcuffs, her fingers definitely uncrossed. “You didn’t have to cuff me.”

“Now, darlin’, you know that’s not true.” Dan drew another circle in the air and Avery turned around. “If I hadn’t surprised you, then you wouldn’t be here.”

He removed the cuffs and she rubbed her wrists, glad to be free. Well, almost free. She looked at the three walls of the small county jail. “You can’t be serious about keeping me here. How long?”

“Until the Rangers have everything under control. It shouldn’t take long. They’re very capable men who know what they’re doing.”

Right. Men.

“He didn’t do it, you know.” She stated the fact without having spoken to her brother. He hadn’t called her or their mom during all the confusion, but she knew it was true. She knew that he’d been framed. And she knew that she could find out the person responsible—if she was allowed to help. But the Texas Rangers were on top of it and didn’t need her.

“I haven’t met him, but I’ve never thought he murdered those two women. He’s your brother.” Dan turned to leave. “But that makes no never mind. If he were here, I’d have to take him in. Since I don’t believe it and a criminal family is involved, I tend to agree with your friend—I mean Lieutenant Ryder. You need to stay safe and won’t be if you go traipsing off to Austin trying to help your brother from this predicament.”

“I promise to stay out of trouble,” she said with crossed fingers.

“I tend not to believe you, Avery. Don’t get me wrong. You’re a blasted good deputy and can take over this office in a New York minute. But staying out of trouble when your brother’s being hunted for murder?” Dan shook his head and pursed his lips, rubbing the graying whiskers on his chin. “No, missy, I just don’t believe you’ll stay in Dalhart voluntarily. So this is the best solution.”

“I can’t believe you are seriously going to keep me locked up.” She threw her hands in the air and walked over to the very visible toilet. “Are you really going to make me stay here while my fellow deputies watch me tinkle on a video screen?”