Texas Takedown Read Online Free

and then back.
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œDid anyone follow you?” The suspicion in her eyes hit him harder than a shot of tequila for breakfast, with a similar burn in his chest.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAre you sure?” More accusations fired in her tone.
    â€œYes.” This wasn’t the greeting he’d expected.
    â€œHow can I trust you?”
    â€œYou don’t have to, sweetheart.” He had no intention of hurting her. Her panicked expression ate at his insides. What was she so afraid of? Or maybe the better question was, what had she done?
    He took another step toward her so he could really examine her. With her pallor, she looked as if she’d seen a ghost. “But it’s me. And you know me.”
    â€œHow did you find this place?” She didn’t seem ready to concede anything.
    â€œThe internet. It wasn’t hard,” he said casually, trying to use his voice to calm her.
    â€œIf it was easy for you, then he can find me, too. I have to get out of here.” Her pulse hammered at the base of her throat.
    Finally, he was getting somewhere. Someone had her seriously spooked. Dylan shot her an apologetic look.
    â€œWho are you involved with? A boyfriend?”
    Her head was already shaking.
    â€œThen, tell me who’s looking for you and I can help.”
    She didn’t respond. He needed to take another tack. Get her in the car for four hours, gain her trust and he’d get closer to finding the truth.
    â€œI can see that you’re in some kind of trouble. What are you running from?”
    Her lips clamped shut.
    â€œEveryone’s worried. Come home with me and we’ll sort this out,” he offered, hoping he could appeal to her on a friendship level.
    â€œNo. It’s too risky. He’ll find me.” That same frightened-animal look was in her eyes.
    â€œWho will?”
    â€œThomas Kramer.” She shivered involuntarily as she said his name.
    â€œThe Mason Ridge Abductor?”
Stunned
didn’t begin to describe his reaction. No way. Dylan checked her pupils for signs of drugs, even though the Samantha he knew would never do such a thing. Something had her acting cagey. He saw pure, unadulterated fear in her gaze. “He’s dead, sweetheart. A pile of ash. Remember? He can’t hurt you from where he is.”
    She stood there, trembling, looking lost.
Damn.
    Dylan made a move to step forward, to comfort her.
    Her body stiffened, so he froze.
    â€œIt’s not safe here. He’ll find me.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Dylan held his hands up in surrender, slowly, because he half feared she would bolt otherwise. “I’m moving to the couch to sit down so we can talk about this.”
    He walked deliberately.
    She moved to the front window, peering outside through the slats in the blinds. “He might’ve followed you.”
    The look of panic on her face couldn’t be faked. Something had her completely rattled, but Thomas Kramer was dead.
    â€œSit down beside me and tell me what happened,” he said calmly.
    â€œI have to get out of here.” Her voice shook with fear and her eyes pleaded with him. She stalked back to the desk and reached inside a drawer.
    â€œStop right there.” The last thing he needed was for her to do something desperate. Dylan ate the real estate between them in two quick strides and covered her hand, stopping her from raising it toward him. He ignored the fizz of attraction sizzling between them.
    Her left fist was closed around an object. He turned her palm toward the ceiling, noticing her white-knuckle grip. “Open your hand slowly.”
    She did, exposing a fistful of cash.
    â€œWhat’s this for, Samantha?”
    â€œNothing. Take it and get out of here.”
    â€œYou’re trying to give me money to leave?”
    â€œWhatever you want, take it. Just go.”
    â€œRebecca sent me.” If she wouldn’t