And where do you think youllbe when those bullets startflying?
At last she turned. Her face was close to his, her eyes studying his mouth as if analysing the words that just came out.
He tucked a golden strand behind her ear. I have a hard time with you Ben, too being a detail that gets overlooked. Bens already growing up without a dad. I couldnt handle it if he had to grow up without a mother, too.
She reached up and touched his face with her wet hand, stroking his jaw. Its for Benjamins sake that Im trying to be this strong. You saw how upset he got this morning at the diner. He needs to know that I can take care of us.
My mum and dad were always stronger together.
Her tremulous smile cut straight to his heart. She brushed her fingertips across his lips. I dont know what thats like, Sawyer.
Let me show you. Lets be that team.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Sawyer Kincaid This gentle giant discovers a darker side to his personality when his father is murdered. When the woman who once rejected his love is targeted by a killer, will it bring out this Kansas City cops protective instincts, or send him over the edge?
Melissa Teague As a young woman, she married a man who turned out to be her worst nightmare. When her ex escapes from prison, she learns that putting her faith in another man may be the only way to survive.
Richard Ace Longbow Melissas abusive ex. Hes escaped from prison to save his own neck from an inside hit, but whats his plan for life on the outside?
Benjamin Teague A bright, happy four-year-old who knows nothing about the father who never claimed him. Melissa wants to keep it that way.
Fritzi Teague Melissas mother.
Hank Brennerman Aces cellmate. He likes to talk.
Tyrell Mayweather An enemy of Aces from inside the pen. But escaping from prison makes strange allies.
Riley Holt The FBI agent in charge of recapturing the fugitives.
William Caldwell Longtime family friends of the Kincaids.
John Kincaid Deputy commissioner of the KCPD, Sawyers father. Unforgivably, unmistakably dead. But why, and whos responsible?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Miller attributes her passion for writing romance to all those fairy tales she read growing up, and shyness. Encouragement from her family to write down all those feelings she couldnt express became a love for the written word. She gets continued support from her fellow members of the Prairieland Romance Writers, where she serves as the resident grammar goddess. This award-winning author and teacher has published several paranormal romances. Inspired by the likes of Agatha Christie and Encyclopedia Brown, Ms Miller believes the only thing better than a good mystery is a good romance.
Born and raised in Missouri, she now lives in Nebraska with her husband, son and smiling guard dog, Maxie. Write to Julie at PO Box 5162, Grand Island, NE 68802-5162, USA.
Protective Instincts
JULIE MILLER
www.millsandboon.co.uk
MILLS & BOON
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For my reading and writing students.
Thanks for keeping me on my toes and being
such cool kids to work with. Remember,
each of you has a talent.
Learn something new every day it keeps your
brain healthy and makes life more interesting.
Make a difference every day in big ways or
small, others will appreciate it, and youll feel
good about yourself.
Keep working hard.
And thanks for the chocolate!
Prologue
John Kincaid touched his tongue to the coppery tang of his swollen split lip. His words were slurred, his confusion evident. Who are you? What do you want from me?
Youre a cop. Does it make any difference? Dark eyes reflected delight in their power over him.
Shut up! Were not supposed to talk. The one with the colorless eyes shoved the taller man.
Back off!
Not good. His enemies were fighting between themselves now. With his wrists handcuffed behind the rusting steel office chair, John sat helplessly in their path, waiting to bear the brunt of their discord.
Quit playin us! You think were stupid, old man?
Three of the fingers on his right hand were already broken when the kick came and crushed another joint. John gritted his teeth, his agonizing scream growling inside his throat.
Hed been tortured like this before, having the crap repeatedly beat out of him, as though pulverizing the muscles and bones would loosen the tongue. But hed been a young man then. Age and too many years on a desk job had weakened his body if not his will. It was harder to stay awake this time, harder to detach his brain from the violence so that he wouldnt reveal something he shouldnt.
Only, thats what made no sense. These two bastardsthe hotheaded one with the prison tattoos and the older, more calculating one with the meaty fistshadnt asked him one sensible question beyond verifying his name and position as deputy commissioner of KCPD.
Nothing about an open case.
Nothing about revenge for someone hed killed or put away over the span of his thirty-year career as a cop.
Nothing about using him as a get-out-of-jail-free card, exchanging one of their buddies for his release.
Nothing but pain and punishment.
John hadnt recognized either man when theyd abducted him from his Sunday-morning run through the park earlier in the day and brought him to this run-down brick-and-steel warehouse. He didnt recognize the place, either, though it was near the Missouri Riverjudging by the wash of water outside the walls, which his ringing ears had detected when hed first regained consciousness in the bare-bulbed circle of light just outside the warehouses office.
He still couldnt put a name to a face or case beyond Jaw-Smasher, as hed silently dubbed the big black man, and Bone-Crusher, as hed nicknamed the wiry smart-ass with the white, nearly shaved, hair.