Hard Target. Barb Han

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      Reed fished his wallet out of his pocket and produced his identification. “Name’s Reed Campbell. I’m a Border Patrol agent. I have two brothers and two sisters. It’s Monday at...” He checked his watch. “Four o’clock.”

      “Good. I think it’s safe to say you didn’t suffer a concussion. Will you let me patch up your forehead before you go, and let me take a look at what’s causing all that blood on your shirt?” the young guy asked, resigned.

      “Can’t hurt.” He sat still long enough for his gashes to be cleaned and bandaged.

      “I still think it’s a good idea for you to go to the hospital.”

      “I plan to.” His gaze fixed on the team working on Emily.

      “As a patient.”

      “I promise to get checked out if I take a turn for the worse.”

      “No changing your mind?”

      “I appreciate all you’re doing for me, but I’m more worried about her.”

      Reluctantly, the EMT produced papers. “Then I need your autograph on these. They say you received basic treatment at the scene and refused to be taken in for further medical evaluation.”

      Reed took them and signed off, uneasy that Emily was still surrounded by a busy team of workers. If someone on the inside of his agency was helping Dueño, Reed couldn’t chance his phone being hacked. His best bet was to play it cool with the EMT and pretend his had taken a hit. “Any chance I can borrow your phone? Mine’s a casualty of the wreck, and I need to check in with my boss.”

      The worker nodded, handing over his cell.

      They needed transportation, and Reed trusted a handful of people right now—most of whom shared his last name. His brothers were in North Texas, too far to catch a ride. His boss was his best bet. After being shot in the line of duty, Reed knew he could trust Gil. And with any luck, no one would be listening in on his boss’s phone, either. Reed would play it cool just in case.

      Gil picked up on the second ring.

      “It’s Reed. I had to borrow a phone. I don’t have time to explain, but I need a car.” There’d be a mountain of paperwork to deal with when this was settled.

      “Where are you?”

      “My Jeep’s been totaled. I was chased off the road. This is big, Gil. Fingers are reaching out from over the border.” Reed kept the name to himself to be on the safe side.

      Gil muttered a curse.

      “We need to be careful here,” Reed warned. “We might have another Cal situation on our hands.”

      Gil grunted. “I’ll have transportation waiting for you... Wait, let me think.”

      “How about the little place you like to visit on special Thursdays?” The Pelican restaurant in Galveston was Gil’s wife’s favorite seafood spot. He took her there every anniversary and occasionally on Thursday nights for their catfish special. Gil didn’t go out on Fridays. Said it was too crowded. Few people knew Gil’s habits the way Reed did. He’d learned a lot about his boss during the man’s visits to the hospital after Reed was shot.

      “Got it.”

      “Leave the keys so I can find them. The usual spot.”

      “Okay.”

      Keys would be under the sink in the bathroom. Reed glanced at Emily. The EMTs were still surrounding her. They’d want to take her to the hospital. With the amount of smoke she’d inhaled and the possible swelling, it was probably a good idea. “Can you get ahold of the local police chief? I’d like a fresh set of eyes on us at the hospital.”

      “I’ll make the call myself from Vickie’s personal cell.”

      His admin’s number should be safe. “Appreciate it.”

      “You need a place to stay in the meantime?”

      “I’ll figure it out. Besides, the less I involve the department, the better. Probably best if I branch out on my own for this one.” And he had no intention of leaving Emily for a second. These guys were relentless and she was scared. Not a good combination. If she made one mistake it’d be game over. The thought sent a lead fireball swirling down Reed’s chest. Didn’t need to get inside his head about why his reaction to the thought of anything happening to her was so strong. Reed passed it off as needing to keep his promises.

      Gil paused. “Be careful.”

      “You know it.” Reed ended the call. Now all he had to figure out was how to get to the bank and withdraw enough money to get by for a while. Then he’d need transportation from the hospital to The Pelican. No way could Emily walk in her current condition. She’d need time to rest and heal.

      They didn’t have the luxury of either.

      Whoever was after her meant business.

      The EMTs loaded her into the ambulance. Reed pushed through and took the step in an easy stride.

      He was instantly pulled back.

      “Sorry. It’s policy. No one rides in back except us,” one of the men said. He was older than the guy who’d worked on Reed.

      “No exceptions?”

      “Afraid not. How about you take a seat up front? We’ve already called a tow truck for your vehicle.”

      Reed nodded, not really liking the thought of being separated from Emily. Anything could happen to her in the back if those men were waiting, or worse yet, ambushed the ambulance.

      Climbing into the cab, he told himself he cared only for professional reasons. The chance to nab a jerk who would do this to a woman fueled his need to protect her. And that it had nothing at all to do with the fact those hazel eyes of hers would haunt him in his sleep if he walked away.

      Now that he knew her story had merit, he wanted to know more about her. It had everything to do with arming himself with knowledge that might just save both of their lives and nothing to do with the place in his heart she stirred, he lied.

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