Slade's Secret Son by Elizabeth August Read Free Book Online

wrong place at the wrong time.”
    “That’s still a possibility.” Lisa tried to ease her mother’s mind. “This might just have been a drunken driver.”
    Slade knew she playing down the danger for her mother’s sake. Hoping that her family could dissuade her from pursuing an investigation, he said, “You’ve nearly been killed twice. That’s one too many coincidences for me.”
    Guessing his game, Lisa cast him a hostile glance.
    Ignoring her anger, Slade again shielded her with his body as he ushered her into the house.
    Ester met them just inside the door.
    “Slade seems to think that whoever shot Lisa meant to and that he or she tried to kill her again,” Helen informed her sister, then quickly turned her full attention to her daughter. “Did he hurt you?”
    “Slade got me out of the way. I’m fine. Just a little shaken,” Lisa assured her. “My car’s damaged, though.”
    “Cars can be fixed.”
    “Pack,” Slade ordered. “All of you. You’re going tomy mother’s ranch. You’ll be safe there. I’ll have my brother, Jess, set up a guarded perimeter.”
    “We can’t impose,” Helen protested.
    “It won’t be an imposition. You’re going to be family.” In the next instant he corrected himself. “You are family.”
    The thought of her mother, aunt or Andy getting injured in the crossfire, shook Lisa to the core. “Slade’s right. You need to be someplace safe until I can find out who’s trying to kill me.”
    Slade’s expression became stern. “You’re staying at the ranch, too. I’ll find out who’s trying to kill you.”
    Lisa straightened into a stance of rigid resolve. “Wherever I am, I’ll be a target and anyone in my vicinity could get hurt. Besides, this is my battle. The only reason I came to you was to make certain Andy would be taken care of.”
    Slade faced her with matching resolve. “And I can’t think of anything that would be more important for his sake than keeping his mother alive.”
    Worry etched itself into Helen Gray’s face. “I would feel better if you stayed with us and let Slade and the police handle this.”
    “I’m going to handle this on my own.” Lisa glared at Slade. “And I do mean ‘on my own.’ You’re my backup plan for Andy’s future.”
    Slade scowled. “You don’t honestly think I’m going to leave you here on your own?”
    “If you don’t let him stay with you, then I’m staying,” Ester interjected. “I may be old and not able to move as fast as I once did, but I’m spry for my age and my eyesight is good.”
    Slade read the seriousness on Ester’s face. His gaze leveled on Lisa. “It’s your choice. Me or your aunt.”
    Lisa knew it would be reckless to go out on her own. Still, she didn’t like the idea of putting Slade’s life in danger for her sake. But she knew her aunt. Ester meant what she said. That left Lisa with no choice. “Okay, you win.”
    Slade maintained a cool facade. Inside he grinned. He’d caught the glint of accomplishment in Ester’s eyes. Lisa’s aunt was a lot like his great-grandmother, Morning Hawk. She knew just how to manipulate people into getting what she wanted. His inward grin vanished as he suddenly pictured Ester and Morning Hawk banded together. None of the rest of the family would stand a chance.

Chapter Four
    L isa hugged Andy tightly. “You be a good boy,” she told him.
    He nodded. “Goo-od.” A plea spread over his face. “Co-ome?”
    “I have to stay here for a while.” She gave him another tight hug and nuzzled his neck.
    “I’ll look after your mother, little guy,” Slade vowed.
    Andy cocked his head in Slade’s direction and smiled. “Daa,” he said in a voice that left no doubt he considered Slade a friend.
    The word wove through Slade like a tender touch. He’d accepted Andy into his heart the moment he’d seen him. That the boy had accepted him filled him with joy. “How about a goodbye hug?” he coaxed, holding out his arms.
    Andy glanced toward