Jen_C’s Reviews > Deadly Hunt > Status Update

"I've tried to stay away, but I can't do it any longer. Ever since you've left, all I think about is you. Instead of time making it better, it's getting worse. You can still be a bodyguard. You can do whatever you want to do. I don't care. I just know I want you in my life. I love you, Tess."
"But we were only together a week."
"A very intense week. We skipped the casual dating part of a relationship."

She needed to end the warm touch of his palm against her cheek, but she felt paralyzed by the mesmerizing expression in those gray depths. For a few seconds while he bent his head toward hers, she forgot she was his bodyguard. He made her feel special, as though she were the only woman in his life. The anticipation of his lips brushing against hers spurred her heartbeat. She swayed toward him.

"I was attacked in my home when I was sixteen. I think that's what really made me want to protect others. I couldn't defend myself. It took months to recover. That's when Uncle Jack insisted I come live with him and Patricia in New York. Then he started teaching me to defend myself."
"Where was your father when all this happened?"
She stiffened and pulled away from him. "Drunk."

"Not every marriage ends like your parents' did." Suddenly Tess felt 12 again, watching the gurney being rolled out of her home. The sheet flapped in the wind, covering the body that used to be her mother. She tried to push the mental picture away, but the memory of her father's insults bombarded her. Her mother committed suicide, leaving her alone with a father who didn't want to be one.

What's an uncle for if not to teach his niece how to defend herself?"
"Not all uncles can do that. When I was beat up and left for dead, I decided I wasn't ever going to be defenseless again, and you gave me a way to protect myself— and now others. I make a pretty good living out of all you taught me. I know I've told you thanks before, but I'm telling you again. You gave me a second chance."

It was getting dark, but I could still see the blood on the rock where I must have hit my head and my leg felt on fire."
"You dragged yourself up from the ledge and somehow made it here?"
"Yes."
She whistled. "You're mighty determined."
"I have a teenage daughter at home. I'm a single dad. I had no choice." Determination glinted in his eyes, almost persuading her he was telling the truth.

Through a haze Shane Burkhart saw a beautiful vision bending over him with concern clouding her face. Had he died? No, he hurt too much to be dead. Every muscle in his body ached. A razor-sharp pain spread throughout him until it consumed his sanity. It emanated from his leg and vied with the pounding in his head.

The door crashed open before she touched the knob. She scrambled backwards and to the side at the same time steadying the weapon in her grasp. A large man tumbled into the cabin, collapsing face down at her feet. His head rolled to the side. His eyelids fluttered, then closed.