Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Laura Scott (speed reading book .txt) 📖

voice rang out from behind him, but he didn’t dare take his gaze off Wolfe.

The millionaire’s eyes widened comically. “What? She’s alive?”

For the first time in what seemed like forever, Duncan smiled. “Yes, she is. And you’re going away for a long time.”

“I don’t think so,” Wolfe sneered. “My lawyers will get me out of this mess.”

Duncan knew his threat wasn’t an idle one. Money talked and the rich often found a way to get out of tight spots. Witnesses were paid off and recanted their stories, for starters.

But not this time. He wasn’t going to recant his testimony and neither would Chelsey.

The US Marshals were witnesses, too.

Wolfe finally turned and put his hands up against the plane. Duncan didn’t have a set of handcuffs on him, so he glanced at Chelsey.

“See if you can find something to tie him up with,” he told her.

Her wide eyes locked on his before she nodded. Before she could head over to Colt and Slade, the pilot tossed out some rope.

“Use this,” he said in a resigned tone. “I should have known this job was too good to be true. The guy pays well, but he’s a massive jerk.”

“Thanks.” Duncan eyed the pilot carefully as he picked up the rope, just in case this was some sort of trick.

“Chelsey, hold the gun on him, will you? And if he moves, shoot.”

Chelsey took the gun, holding it with both hands that indicated to him that this wasn’t the first time.

The pilot jumped to the ground, and there was no sign of the gun. Duncan used the rope to tie Wolfe’s wrists together.

“That hurts,” Wolfe complained. “You shot me, remember?”

“Yeah, because you shot at me, first, remember?” Duncan shook his head in disgust. “Your pilot is a witness.”

The pilot lifted his hands. “Hey, I didn’t really see anything,” he protested. “I’m hired to fly the plane where Mr. Wolfe wants me to, nothing more.”

Great, just great. Wolfe’s lawyers would surely find a way to turn this around on him, but he couldn’t worry about that now.

“Duncan? Need help?” Colt jogged over. “We have the other two cuffed, and the guy in the back of the limo is still out cold.”

“We should notify the local police,” Duncan said.

“Already done. They’ll be here any moment. Can’t you hear the sirens?”

Duncan turned and saw that indeed two police cars were barreling toward them with lights flashing and sirens wailing. He knew Wolfe had an inside man, but it wasn’t likely both sets of officers were involved in this.

It was over. He took a step toward Chelsey and she threw her arms around his neck, hanging on as if her life depended on it.

“I was so scared,” she whispered.

“I know. Me, too.” He clutched her close, then drew back enough to look into her blue eyes. Then, realizing it might be the last time he’d have the chance, he lowered his mouth and kissed her.

She melted against him, but he couldn’t allow himself to read too much into her actions.

Gratitude and friendship weren’t love.

And he couldn’t allow his heart to be broken a second time.

SEVENTEEN

Chelsey reveled in Duncan’s sweet kiss, holding him tightly and unwilling to let him go. His kiss held a note of desperation that matched hers, and she knew they were both thinking along the same lines. That this was it.

The last time they’d see each other.

“Chelsey.” Her name was a mere whisper as he lifted his head, and she ached with longing. In the moment she’d watched Duncan hanging from the plane, she’d realized just how much she loved him.

With a depth that wasn’t a fraction of what she’d felt for Brett. But this wasn’t the time to relive her previous mistakes.

“Duncan, I’m so glad you’re safe.” She blinked tears from her eyes, gazing up at him and memorizing the moment. It was all she’d have to remember him by once she was gone.

“You shouldn’t have come out of hiding, Chelsey.” His tone was gentle, but she saw the worry in his dark gaze. “Now these guys know you’re still alive.”

“Yes, but we have them all in custody anyway, right? So does it really matter? They’ll all go to jail for this, won’t they?”

He hesitated in a way that sent a frisson of alarm skittering through her. “You have to know that Wolfe is going to hire heavy hitter lawyers. If there’s a way to get him off, they’ll find it.”

“But we have a lot of witnesses on our side.” Chelsey didn’t want to believe any of these men would get away with what they’d done. Killing Roland Perry, an undercover cop, then going on to murder Brett. Coming after her and Duncan, and finally shooting her outside the hotel.

Surely, they’d pay for their crimes.

God wouldn’t let any of them, even Wolfe, simply walk away, would He?

Police sirens grew louder, and she noticed Duncan looking over her shoulder. Reluctantly releasing him, she turned to watch two police cars driving up to the Wolfe Industries hangar.

Duncan shifted so that he was standing in front of her. She frowned, then remembered they weren’t entirely sure who to trust within the Jackson Police Department. Still, she didn’t think it was likely a dirty cop would try something here with all these people around.

Including two federal marshals.

“Let’s head back to the private hangar where the cargo plane is located,” Duncan murmured in a low voice.

“I’m sure we’re not going to be leaving anytime soon,” she pointed out.

“Maybe not, but humor me anyway. It doesn’t hurt to have a possible escape route in case things go sideways.” Duncan moved toward the hangar.

Go sideways? She didn’t like the sound of that. Still, she decided there was no reason to argue.

Four police officers had emerged from the two squad cars, coming over to talk to Colt and Slade. The three bound men had been shoved into the back of the limo. She frowned, wondering if the driver had remained behind the wheel.

As if hearing her thoughts, Colt opened the driver’s side