The Hunted (The Chronicles of the Hunter Book 1) Read Online Free

reaction in its wake. Entirely pleasant. And uncalled for. She didn’t even like big, muscled guys. Now, that she thought of it, she didn’t really know any. Kane looked wrestling-superstar fit. She’d never seen a guy as ripped. He had wide shoulders. Massive arms. The rest of him was probably a match. She didn’t know why she even pondered that. He’d jogged down so many flights of stairs, carrying her hundred and thirty pounds that her head had grown dizzy. He hadn’t even been breathing hard.
    One thing was certain. She wasn’t going to be able to fight him. Or outrun him. She’d have to rely on cunning.  
    Palm trees started showing up in her view. They’d left the highway? When had that happened? The vehicle geared down as he slowed. She heard him flip the turn signal lever.
    What?
    No.
    It couldn’t be. She’d actually slept? LeeAnn checked the dash clock. Blinked on the proof before her eyes. Sagged back into her seat with disgust. He made a couple of right turns. Sped up slightly.
    Crap .
    She was a complete failure at this covert stuff. She didn’t know where they were. All she knew was over two hours had elapsed, and that only because of the dash clock. The palm trees gave way to privacy fencing – mostly white stone. Or stucco. She wasn’t in the construction business so she didn’t know. She’d had construction company clients. She knew their debits and credits. She didn’t know a thing about their operations. They’d had a lot of them, actually. Her partner, Chad, was like a magnet when it came to businesses predominantly owned by guys. Wait. She needed to call him her ex-partner. It was probably his hand behind her assassination attempt. Really, LeeAnn...who else could it be? She didn’t even know that much about him...except he was handsome, single, and charming. The background check had been clean. She should have dug deeper. Taken self-defense classes. Joined a gym. Bought a gun and learned how to use it.
    All of which was not going to help a thing now.
    The fence was connected intermittently with stacks of cemented stones. Very artistic. They were mostly light shades. A few gray ones here and there. Some pinkish toned. The vehicle slowed. Kane signaled. Turned. And stopped before a two-story arched gate. She heard the window retract.
    “Leon,” he said.
    “Kane.”
    The man’s reply sent a flush of pleasure through her. She’d been right on his name! Knowing she’d tagged him correctly almost offset her failure at everything else.
    Almost.
    They passed beneath a portico. The vehicle darkened. Bright sun flooded in as they came out the other side. And then it grew really dark as the vehicle drove into a cavernous space that might be a garage. They passed vehicle after vehicle, answering that question, before pulling into a spot. Her hands turned into icicles against the sides of her thighs. Alarm bells hit both ears.
    He spent a lot of time putting the vehicle into park before turning it off. Unhooking his safety belt. Rearranging the rearview mirror. And then he turned swiftly toward her, surprising her. That wasn’t fair. He didn’t even take off his sunglasses.
    “We’re here,” he told her.
    Her eyes widened. Any words got caught in a ball at her throat.
    “You ready?”
    “For...what?”
    That little, hesitant voice couldn’t possibly be hers! Ugh. LeeAnn looked away. Checked out the roof of the classy-looking limo just outside her window. She used the time to collect herself mentally, but it was mostly a berating. She didn’t have to just be a victim? She had to sound like one, too?
    “I’m taking you inside now.”
    “Inside?” she asked the window glass.
    “And you’re not going to give me any trouble. We clear on that?”
    What a farce. Trouble?
    Her?
    “I know you faked sleeping. You probably think you know exactly where we are. You may already have a plan of escape. I’m not amused. Okay? I’m the good guy here.”
    She caught the instant smile before