Hard Target. Barb Han

are you?”

      “My Jeep’s been totaled. I was chased off the road. This is big, Gil. Fingers are reaching out from over the border.” Reed kept the name to himself to be on the safe side.

      Gil muttered a curse.

      “We need to be careful here,” Reed warned. “We might have another Cal situation on our hands.”

      Gil grunted. “I’ll have transportation waiting for you... Wait, let me think.”

      “How about the little place you like to visit on special Thursdays?” The Pelican restaurant in Galveston was Gil’s wife’s favorite seafood spot. He took her there every anniversary and occasionally on Thursday nights for their catfish special. Gil didn’t go out on Fridays. Said it was too crowded. Few people knew Gil’s habits the way Reed did. He’d learned a lot about his boss during the man’s visits to the hospital after Reed was shot.

      “Got it.”

      “Leave the keys so I can find them. The usual spot.”

      “Okay.”

      Keys would be under the sink in the bathroom. Reed glanced at Emily. The EMTs were still surrounding her. They’d want to take her to the hospital. With the amount of smoke she’d inhaled and the possible swelling, it was probably a good idea. “Can you get ahold of the local police chief? I’d like a fresh set of eyes on us at the hospital.”

      “I’ll make the call myself from Vickie’s personal cell.”

      His admin’s number should be safe. “Appreciate it.”

      “You need a place to stay in the meantime?”

      “I’ll figure it out. Besides, the less I involve the department, the better. Probably best if I branch out on my own for this one.” And he had no intention of leaving Emily for a second. These guys were relentless and she was scared. Not a good combination. If she made one mistake it’d be game over. The thought sent a lead fireball swirling down Reed’s chest. Didn’t need to get inside his head about why his reaction to the thought of anything happening to her was so strong. Reed passed it off as needing to keep his promises.

      Gil paused. “Be careful.”

      “You know it.” Reed ended the call. Now all he had to figure out was how to get to the bank and withdraw enough money to get by for a while. Then he’d need transportation from the hospital to The Pelican. No way could Emily walk in her current condition. She’d need time to rest and heal.

      They didn’t have the luxury of either.

      Whoever was after her meant business.

      The EMTs loaded her into the ambulance. Reed pushed through and took the step in an easy stride.

      He was instantly pulled back.

      “Sorry. It’s policy. No one rides in back except us,” one of the men said. He was older than the guy who’d worked on Reed.

      “No exceptions?”

      “Afraid not. How about you take a seat up front? We’ve already called a tow truck for your vehicle.”

      Reed nodded, not really liking the thought of being separated from Emily. Anything could happen to her in the back if those men were waiting, or worse yet, ambushed the ambulance.

      Climbing into the cab, he told himself he cared only for professional reasons. The chance to nab a jerk who would do this to a woman fueled his need to protect her. And that it had nothing at all to do with the fact those hazel eyes of hers would haunt him in his sleep if he walked away.

      Now that he knew her story had merit, he wanted to know more about her. It had everything to do with arming himself with knowledge that might just save both of their lives and nothing to do with the place in his heart she stirred, he lied.