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

his mother as if still feeling a need for her guidance, then abruptly deciding he needed none, he held his arms out to Slade.
    “I’ll protect you and your mother with my life,” he vowed gruffly, lifting the boy into his arms.
    Andy gave him a lopsided grin then wrapped his arms around Slade’s neck and hugged him tightly.
    A sharp jab of pain pierced Lisa. She was happy for Andy that he’d found his way into Slade’s heart, but at the same time she was hurt that she had never been allowed in. Warts she cursed silently. She’d promised herself that she would not feel any more pain where this man was concerned. And I won’t . Determinedly she shoved the unwanted emotion from her mind.
    Ester opened the front door. “The taxi driver is going to get impatient.”
    Helen gave Lisa a hug. “You take care of yourself.” In a fretful voice, she added, “I wish you were coming with us.”
    Ester had passed through the door and was on the porch. Looking back, she nodded in agreement. “Maybe you should come along and let the police handle this.”
    “They have no clues and I can’t even point them in the right direction,” Lisa replied. “Trust me. This is the only way.”
    Both women looked uncomfortable taking her at her word, but they gave up their protests.
    “Stay inside,” Slade ordered Lisa, picking up Andy’s suitcase and carrying it and the boy outside.
    “If I am being watched, I want whoever is after me to know that I’m not going with my family,” she said, refusing to obey and stepping out onto the porch to wave goodbye.
    Slade picked up his pace, calling out to the driver to come get the rest of the luggage. Reaching the vehicle, he handed Andy over to Helen, then hurried back to Lisa. “Okay. Anyone watching has had a good look. No sensein giving them any more of a shot.” Slipping an arm around her waist, he nearly lifted her off her feet as he guided her back inside.
    Having him so near caused her to feel incredibly secure. Anger that he had that effect on her swept through her. Under normal circumstances he would never have come back into her life. The moment they were inside, she freed herself from his hold and hurried to a window to wave a last goodbye to her family.
    Slade caught her by the wrist and pulled her out of view. “You’ve got to stop making yourself an easy target.”
    Again freeing herself from his hold, a sudden thought occurred to her. “I’ve been an easy target many times since the first shooting. And Detective Overson was right about today’s attempt being amateurish.” She shook her head in frustration. “None of this makes any sense.”
    “Well, I’m not buying the ‘being in the wrong place at the wrong time’ theory,” Slade said. “At least, not until we’ve checked out every possibility.”
    “That brings me to the next thing on my agenda.” Lisa faced him with firm authority. “You’re off this case. I only agreed to let you stay because of my aunt. She can be stubborn. But now that she’s gone, I want you to go, as well.”
    “Sorry, but you’re stuck with me.”
    Looking at him standing like an immovable mountain in front of her, Lisa could only think of how large a target he would be. “If someone is after me, you could get hurt in the crossfire. That wouldn’t serve the purpose for which I brought you into this in the first place.”
    “If I leave and you get yourself killed, I’d never be able to look our son in the eye again.” His voice took on an even harsher note. “I’d never be able to look myselfin the eye again.” Turning on his heels, he headed up the stairs. “Pack a bag. When we leave here, we’re not coming back. We’ll stay on the move. Whoever is after you might think it’s time to step up their attempts on your life. No sense in making you easy prey.” The set of his jaw told her that arguing would be useless.
    She was throwing things into a suitcase when he came into her room. Her eyes rounded in surprise. He