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

rearview mirror and noted the black SUV once again approached them at a crazy speed for the icy conditions. She prepared for impact but kept her eyes on the slippery highway. “Brace! They’re coming back.” She held the steering wheel in a tight grip and uttered a desperate prayer.

Layke spoke into his radio, requesting assistance and gave them their location.

But would someone make it in time to save them from the perpetrators? She pressed on the accelerator. They needed to outrun them, which, on these dangerous roads, would probably be impossible.

Her console lit up, announcing a call coming in through her Bluetooth. Unknown caller. She glanced at Layke.

“It may be about Gabe.”

Right. She hit the Answer icon. “Morgan here.”

“Give up the boy and we might let you live.” The husky voice personified malicious plans.

“We have no intentions of doing that,” Layke said. “We will find you.”

“I wish you the best in making that happen. You’ve been warned. Now you and your families will pay.” Click.

“How did they get your number?”

Sirens and flashing lights appeared in the distance. The cavalry was here. Thank You, Lord.

“No idea.” She checked her rearview mirror. The SUV decreased its speed and did a U-turn. “They’re retreating.”

“They know they’re surrounded. Did you notice the license plate?”

“No! I was too busy trying to keep the Jeep on the road.” Ouch. Her tone came out a bit too harsh, but her heightened anxiety had bubbled to the surface with this recent attack. How did this gang know where they were constantly? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take my frustration out on you. My nerves are on edge.”

He touched her arm. “It’s okay. I understand. I didn’t get the plate either. Pull over and let’s talk to the constable.”

She guided the Jeep to the edge of the highway and put her four-way hazards on. The cruiser pulled in behind them and the officer approached their vehicle. She turned off the ignition and hit the button to roll down her window.

The constable tipped his hat. It was a different officer than the ones they’d met earlier. He leaned on the window frame and glanced into the vehicle at eye level. “Good day. Are you both okay?”

Layke pulled out his badge and flashed it toward him. “I’m Constable Layke Jackson and this is border patrol officer Hannah Morgan. We’re working together on a joint task force to apprehend a child-smuggling ring. We obviously are getting too close and they came after us. We didn’t get the license plate number, but it was a black SUV.”

The officer introduced himself. “Nice to meet you both. I heard about the task force, and our detachment is helping in whatever way we can.”

Hannah smiled. “We appreciate that. This gang needs to be found before more kids are abducted.”

“How can I help today?”

Layke pointed in the direction the SUV escaped. “They did a U-turn and went that way. Perhaps you can find them. We need to get back to one of the abducted boys we have in protective custody.”

“I heard about Gabe. Where are you hiding him?”

Hannah glanced at Layke and bit her lip, hoping he’d catch her concern.

Layke gave a slight nod and returned his attention to the officer. “We’re under strict guidelines to keep the location a secret. You understand. It’s for the boy’s protection.”

And theirs.

The constable’s expression contorted. “But we could help protect both you and the boy.”

Clearly they had offended the willowy officer.

Hannah gripped the armrest. “We appreciate your good intentions, Constable. However, the boy is in danger and we can’t risk that.” Would he back down?

“Of course,” the officer said, straightening and revealing his height. “I’ll let you go and see if I can locate the SUV. I’ll radio you if I find them. Stay safe.” He patted the door frame.

“Will do.” Layke pocketed his credentials.

She rolled the window back up and pulled away. “Thanks for catching my reaction to his question. My gut tells me we need to keep our location under the radar. Someone must be leaking information because who else knows where we are?”

“Agreed.” His cell phone dinged and he glanced at the text. “Elias said the forensic artist is about forty-five minutes away from Murray’s. That should put us both there around the same time.”

“Perfect.” She concentrated on the road conditions. The freezing rain had let up slightly, but the darkened clouds threatened more of the dangerous ice pellets.

Once Hannah reached Murray’s ranch, the tension in her shoulders relaxed and her breathing returned to normal, although her chest was still heavy from the slam to the pavement she’d suffered after the blast. She pulled the Jeep into the driveway as a cruiser parked beside her. “Well, that was good timing.”

Layke’s eyes twinkled. “Great driving today.”

Her breath hitched. She could get used to seeing those baby blues and that smile. It made her heart flutter uncontrollably. Stop, Hannah. Remember what you have to offer. Nothing. The word stuck in her throat like a fly to a sticky trap. It wouldn’t let go. She forced a smile and opened her door. She had to somehow distance herself from this man and her growing feelings for him.

He climbed out of the Jeep and made his way over to the female constable. They shook hands and the woman glanced in Hannah’s direction. The pretty raven-haired officer put her attention back on Layke and giggled at something he said, grabbing his arm. It was clear Layke’s charm had wormed its way into the woman.

A pang stabbed Hannah’s heart. How could she be jealous of someone she hadn’t even met yet?

A text pinged and she pulled out her cell phone. Doyle. Leads on local fisheries came up empty. No trucks had been dispatched recently. She sighed. Another dead end. Really? How was that possible? Gabe was so sure of the fishy smell. Odd.

The front door opened and Gabe came running. He threw his arms around her legs and squeezed. “I missed you, Miss Hannah.”

Tears welled and she swallowed to keep the lump