Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Dana Mentink (novels to improve english txt) 📗

“Light.”

“Okay, what about the color of his hair?”

She knew how to translate his questions. Good. He never had been good around children. They made him nervous.

Gabe contorted his face. “It was spiky.”

Hannah stiffened and glanced at Layke.

What about that description had her on edge? He moved back to the chair and sat. He’d ask her about it later. He needed to request Corporal Bakker to get a forensic artist here to draw a sketch. The vague description would at least give them a start.

Gabe yawned.

“Layke, we need to get him—”

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Layke bolted out of his chair and unleashed his weapon. “Get down!”

Hannah pulled Gabe off the couch onto the floor and threw her body over his, shielding him.

Screams filled the corridor.

The detachment was under attack.

CHAPTER FOUR

Hannah wrapped her arms around Gabe’s shaking body. His whimpers tore her apart. This boy had wormed his way into her heart…already. She vowed to do anything to protect him from these unknown assailants even if it meant putting a target on her back. She didn’t care. He was worth the danger. Their pasts were too much alike for her to ignore this sweet boy. Memories of the group home she had lived in, foster care families and bullies slammed her back to her unstable childhood. A place she had locked into the recesses of her mind and thrown away the key. With Gabe’s news, it threatened to spill out, but she didn’t have time to deal with prior hurts. Besides, in the end her story had turned out okay even if she had to go through many valleys to reach her mountaintop family.

“Shh…it’s okay. We’ve got you.” Hannah uttered a silent prayer asking God to watch over them.

“They found me.” Gabe’s lip quivered.

Layke raised his gun and turned the doorknob. “I’m going to check it out. Stay here. Lock the door. Only open it for me. You hear?”

“Yes.”

He eased his way out the door.

Hannah jumped up and turned the lock. Lord, help the enemy not to find us here. She pressed her ear to the door to see if she could hear anything. A crash sounded in the distance. Were they getting closer? Was it the man with the spiked hair again? She pulled out her Beretta and held it at her side. She wouldn’t be caught unaware. Gabe had to be protected.

Footsteps thudded outside in the hall. The knob twisted but the lock held. Someone shook the handle.

Hannah gasped and jumped to the right of the door and put her finger to her lips, indicating for Gabe to be quiet. Her heart ricocheted. She willed it to be silent for fear of being heard.

“We know you’re here somewhere, Hannah Morgan,” the voice boomed. “You might as well come out and bring the boy. He’s ours.”

How did they know her name and where to find them?

Gabe whimpered beside the couch.

She rushed over to him and pulled him back into her arms. “Shh,” she whispered.

“You’ll pay a high price if you don’t give in to our demands,” the man shouted. “We know all about you. You can’t hide.”

What?

Gunfire erupted somewhere in the detachment.

A tremor slunk down Hannah’s neck and threatened to engulf her entire body. Was Layke okay?

Please, Lord. Bring him back to us safely.

Another crash was followed by rushing footsteps. Close. Closer. She held her breath and raised her weapon toward the door.

The wall’s clock ticked, reminding her of precious time.

Someone rapped on the door.

“Hannah, it’s me. Open up.”

Layke.

She jumped up, turned the lock and yanked open the door.

He rushed in and closed it. “We need to go.”

“How? I heard the gunfire. They’re too close. He could get hurt.”

“I created a diversion with the other constables and Elias. The culprits are headed in another direction. We’re going out the back. I found this oversize coat in a locker.” He wrapped the parka around Gabe and picked him up. “We’re gonna get you to safety, sport.”

Hannah grabbed her coat and threw it on, pushing away the fear. Her adrenaline kicked in and she gripped her weapon tighter. “Ready.”

“We need to stay really quiet, Gabe. Can you do that?”

The boy nodded and latched on to Layke’s neck.

“Hang on and don’t let go.” Layke turned to her. “Follow me and watch for anyone sneaking up behind us.”

“Got it.” She eased the door open and looked both ways. “Clear.”

Layke held Gabe with one arm and lifted his weapon with the other, stepping out into the hall. He headed left toward the rear of the detachment.

She followed, raised her gun and turned constantly to ensure they weren’t being chased.

Shots were fired in the opposite direction. Good, Layke’s diversion worked.

Within seconds, they had reached the back door.

Layke peered out. “I don’t see anyone, but they could be lurking in the shadows. We’re going to make a run for it.” He holstered his weapon and pulled out a key fob. “Got these from Mrs. Bakker. We’re taking Constable Antoine’s Suburban since it’s parked out back. I need you to cover me. Have you been trained in defensive tactics?”

She gritted her teeth. Did he not think her capable of giving protection?

“Of course.” Her curt tone surprised even herself, but she was tired of having to prove her abilities. Still, she’d never come across this type of lethal assailant in her five-year stint with the CBSA. She’d seen a lot on the job but hadn’t had to protect a boy from something this powerful. You can do this. Did she doubt herself?

“Sorry, didn’t mean to imply anything. Let’s go.” He pushed the door open and stepped outside. “Hurry.” He rushed toward the vehicle.

Hannah raised her weapon and followed him into the subzero temperatures. The wind bit her face and she winced but ignored it, keeping her focus on the task of protecting the two males suddenly thrust into her life. She ran after him as she pointed her 9 mm in different directions and looked for gunmen. Beams from the lone streetlight bounced on