Dylan would be in the actual crowd when Grier walked out, in case they were wrong and the shooter would come from that direction. But Reid doubted it. This shot would be to send a message to anyone else who messed with the league.
Reid would make sure that message came through, loud and clear. The hit man was a gun for hire—money would be wired to his account and he’d never have to be in contact with the league again.
They could’ve killed him, but Dylan argued that muscling him out of the job while letting him keep the cash the league had given him to kill Grier would be easier. Kell had been tracking the guy through his bank account—thanks to Vivi—for the past few days. He and Reid made the exchange with the hitman hours before the jury came back and they remained in the same spot where he’d been setting up.
“It’s time,” Kell told him. Reid’s hand shook as he bent down to check the scope. “Let me do it.”
Reid wanted to—there was nothing he wanted more. But he’d said he’d take full responsibility for this one, and he’d meant it.
“She’s out,” Kell confirmed.
Shots rang out. Grier went down and chaos ensued. Jack drove the ambulance that whisked Grier away, with Teddy in the back.
Reid and Kell would follow. That is, when Reid could breathe again.
Reid turned after it was done.
“Breathe, Reid. Fucking breathe,” Kell told him. “I’ve got Jack here—she’s fine. Bruised, but fine.”
Reid stared at his friend. “We are never doing that again.”
“Don’t look at me—tell your girlfriend. She’s like Lazarus.” Kell clapped him on the back. “Can we get out of here before the police find us? I don’t feel like getting arrested today.
* * *
The reports in the paper showed that several of the men who owned the leagues claimed no responsibility for the deaths. There was a funeral service her parents attended, although they knew their daughter was very much alive. And on the day of her funeral, Grier arrived at Mace’s bar with Reid and the others.
It was a bustling place in the middle of town, but the town was small and secluded. As soon as she stepped out of the truck, she could understand why they all felt safe here. It was very much a compound.
“Hey, the girls are waiting for you upstairs,” Mace told her after Reid introduced them. He pointed and she gave a quick glance at Reid before going to find her.
Teddie was there, with Sky and Vivi and Riley, all of them pretty and capable and welcoming. They fussed over her, bringing her into a large room that doubled as some kind of giant closet/sitting/makeup room.
“No time like the present,” Sky said. In a couple of hours, Grier had the blond hair she’d gotten familiar with and everyone was suddenly in the room, giving their approval.
Reid fingered the bruise on her sternum—the top part showed in the V of the V-neck T-shirt she wore.
“It doesn’t hurt. Much.” She put her hand over his. “I’m sorry you had to see it.”
He cocked a brow. “I was the one who did it.”
“You shot me?”
Dylan laughed and Reid shrugged and Riley pointed to Dylan and said, “I win, because I shot him for real.” And then Grier was laughing with the rest of them until tears rolled down her cheeks, until Reid kissed her and she knew for certain she was in the absolute right place.
Epilogue
After Jack helped Grier get out of the bulletproof vest and shirt stained with the fake blood, he’d dropped her off with Reid. And then he’d kept going, switching cars after an hour, abandoning the ambulance and his old life behind. He destroyed the SIM card and activated the new phone under his new name.
The bank accounts had already been set up. He would check into a hotel late tonight, change his hair—probably grow it this time, he figured, and then he’d go shopping for new clothes.
He’d gotten good at leaving things behind. He never bought anything he loved so much that he couldn’t leave it. That had only happened once, and he’d learned his lesson.
Grier was safe. And although he’d enjoyed the job with the marshals, there were other things he could do.
He just had to figure out what they were.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Tyler is the New York Times extended bestselling author of two previous military romantic suspense series, as well as the Eternal Wolf Clan series and the upcoming Section 8 series. Stephanie lives in New York with her husband, kids, and a crazy Weimaraner named Gus.
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PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS
OF STEPHANIE TYLER
“Unforgettable.”—New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair
“Red-hot romance. White-knuckle suspense.”—New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian
“No one writes a bad-boy hero like Tyler.”—New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione
“A story that kept me on the edge of my seat.”—New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy
“Stephanie Tyler is a master.”—Romance Junkies
“Sexy and witty.”—Fresh Fiction
“A thrill ride with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.”—Night Owl Reviews
“Takes murder, suspense, psychic gifts, and passion; twists them all up; and then tosses them out in a way that will keep you wondering what will happen next.”—Joyfully Reviewed
“Heart-stoppingly exciting.”—Romantic Times
“A very satisfying romantic thriller.”—Publishers Weekly
Discover Other Stephanie Tyler Titles
The Eternal Wolf Clan Series
Dire Warning
(A Penguin Special)
Dire Needs
Dire Wants
For all the fans of the Shadow Force series, who kept asking me for Reid and Grier’s story. This one’s for you, guys!
Don’t miss the first novel in
Stephanie Tyler’s brand-new Section 8 series,
SURRENDER
On sale from Signet Eclipse in April 2013.
Please enjoy this preview.
Prologue
Twenty years earlier
Zaire
The explosion threw him forward hard, the heat searing his body, debris cutting into his back as he covered his face and stayed down. Darius didn’t need to look back to know what had happened—the bridge had exploded. Simon had purposely cut off their last means of escape. It would force their hands,
