His Secret Past by Katie Reus Read Free Book Online Page A

satisfaction.
    When he heard the front door close and a male voice, he left the kitchen and followed after her. In the foyer, the same man he’d seen with her earlier had his hands settled on her hips, holding her much too close for comfort. They spoke too low for him to hear so he hung back, watching their interaction. Hunter dug his fingers into his palms until he was more aware of the pain than the sight in front of him. He had to remind himself that he had no claim on this woman. Not anymore. And even if she was free, he’d have no business with her anyway.
    Unable to stand the sight any longer, he cleared his throat and Alexis instantly stepped out of the man’s embrace. The other man narrowed his eyes at Hunter and though he didn’t speak, he looked as if he was restraining himself from attacking him.
    Hunter didn’t have time to worry about him. They needed to get the hell out of town. “We need to leave, Alexis.”
    “Not until you answer some questions.” Michael protectively threw his arm around Alexis’s waist.
    The thought of anyone else touching her had haunted Hunter for the past six years. When he’d closed his eyes at night, the visions had been the worst. Actually seeing it was worse than his imagination. He should get a medal for not choking the smug bastard.
    “Why didn’t you call the police when you killed that man? And what about the man who was following you? From what Alexis told me, it was self-defense.” Michael spoke again.
    “If they’d run either of their prints through the system, it would have sent up an immediate red flag.”
    “What do you mean?” Alexis asked.
    “The man who sent them will be watching for any unusual activity. If he realizes they’re dead, then he knows you’re not and I got to you first. We need to get out of town before he realizes these guys failed their mission.”
    “What mission? Who are they?” She clasped her hands in front of her so tight her knuckles turned white.
    He ignored her question. “Did the man here say anything to you?”
    She shot Michael a nervous glance.
    “What is it?” Michael prodded.
    “He asked where Jonathan was. At first I thought it was because he wanted to make sure he wasn’t here so he could…” She pressed a hand to her stomach and Hunter wished he could kill the dead guy all over again. “It’s not like I had time to question him, but I got the feeling that he wanted Jonathan for something. Why did he care about my son?” Her eyes filled with silent accusation.
    Hunter had never wanted to put her on the spot like this. It appeared he had no choice. “He’s my son too, isn’t he?”
    Her face paled, but she nodded. She opened her mouth once, and let out a strangled “yes.”
    His gut clenched. Guilt assailed him at the obvious pain he was causing her, but at the same time, a surge of parental protectiveness rolled over him like a tidal wave. That surprised him. He had no place in the kid’s life, but he would protect him with everything he had. They needed to be gone ten minutes ago and all this talking was a waste of time. But she deserved answers.
    “That’s why they need him, to get to me. You were probably just a bonus.” Using Alexis to bargain was one thing, but using his son, a son he never knew he had, would guarantee Hunter would do anything they asked. The man who’d come after her would have killed her—and worse—then kidnapped his son. And those monsters were definitely dirty enough to use a kid.
    “Who exactly is after you?” Michael interjected.
    He played a few scenarios in his head, but decided on the truth. “Dirty CIA agents.” It was only a couple of bad agents, but he didn’t have time to explain everything to them. He’d explain everything to Alexis, but not in front of this guy. And not until they were somewhere safe.
    He doubted Davis had sent three assassins, but Hunter also hadn’t expected the second guy to show up. The only reason they were even standing there was