The Huntress: full-length sexy romantic suspense by Dorothy McFalls Read Free Book Online Page B

pair of handcuffs along with the wad of cash she kept in her suitcase into the pocket of her torn and bloody leather jacket.
    A cab ride later, she found herself back at the Broken Cricket. It didn’t take much to find Tommy’s house. It was just down the road from the bar. She’d hunkered down for a good hour, watching with no success. She was just starting to curse herself for being the worst kind of fool to think Grayson might still be in the area when Tommy emerged from his house with a tray in his hands and bolt cutters poking out of his denim overalls.
    That looked suspicious enough.
    She picked her way through the swamp, keeping a safe distance behind Tommy while worrying about snakes, alligators, and any number of unimaginable ghastly creepy creatures as he led her to a wreck of a shack.
    The shack leaned sharply to one side, looking just about ready to collapse. Puffs of white smoke rose from a pipe jutting out of the roof, a stark contrast to the ebony sky. It felt like hours had passed before Tommy left the shack with an empty tray.
    The swamp looked like it regularly poured through that shack. She really didn’t want to step foot inside there.
    Why couldn’t he hole up in the middle of the city? Rats, I can handle any assortment of rats.
    A centipede crawled over her laced boot. She jumped and tossed herself against the wide trunk of an ancient cypress tree. A huge mistake. Her head swam and her arm hurt bad enough to make her stomach pitch. She had no business being out here.
    But Fiona wouldn’t waste time. Her sister would steal her notes, follow the same tracks, and soon find Grayson, too. She couldn’t let that happen. No matter how weak she felt she was determined to stop Grayson before he became a danger to her sister.
    What she lacked in strength, she made up in wits—and surprise.
    She crouched down, just in case Grayson glanced out a window—if he were in fact inside—and began a slow advance.
    She found a loose board on the front porch. It took very little effort to pry the soft plank free from the rusty nails and use it as a wedge to hold the front door shut.
    As expected in a shack this size, she found just one other door in the back, in a direct line from the front.
    That back door would be her entrance.
    She drew up alongside the door and slowed her breathing as she pictured her attack. With one arm in a tight sling, unreliable eyesight, and no weapon, she was at a slight disadvantage. Okay, a big disadvantage.
    No matter, she’d just have to make his strength work for her. Vega closed her eyes and began counting down.
    Eight.
    Forgive me Mom if I don’t survive.
    Seven.
    Fiona why in hell must you insist on following me in everything I do?
    Six.
    Perhaps Jack is right. Perhaps I should settle down.
    Five.
    If only I could find a man who excites me.
    Four.
    Grayson Walker excites me.
    Three.
    Okay, I should find a man who excites me who isn’t also a murderer.
    Two.
    There’s always a hitch.
    One.
    With one swift movement, she kicked in the back door.

Chapter Five
    Vega stood face to face with Grayson.
    “God, you look like death,” he said. Curiously, he looked pleased to see her. Her father’s Glock, the one he had stolen, was aimed at her head. Somehow, he’d been expecting her. Somehow, he’d bested her—again.
    “Bastard.” She kicked the gun from his grip. Grayson made a dash to the front door. Cursing when he found it blocked, he lunged for her, giving her injured shoulder a good jolt. Too bad for him, the pain just fed her anger and her strength.
    He lunged for her again. She gave the tender area just below his ribcage a good punch. It didn’t stop him. He didn’t even grimace.
    “I don’t have time to play these games with you,” he said, then socked her in the side of her head. She rode the impact as she dropped to the floor, hoping to give herself time to gulp a few short breaths.
    They weren’t to be had.
    Grayson leapt on her, punching her wounded shoulder.