Riley's Rules (Book 2 - The Bounty Hunter Series)

By Laurie LeClair

”Bravo, Laurie LeClair! Another great job!” 5 star review

He needs answers...

She wants her family found...

A night of passion stands in their way...

Jackson Riley demands to uncover who was behind his father’s murder—to find answers and clear the FBI agent’s good name. But, the man who knows the truth has vanished. Now, Storm Weatherly, the woman he had an incredible passion-filled night with years ago, needs Riley’s bounty hunting services to help in finding her kidnapped family—one of them is the man who holds the key to the murder.

Does Storm dare allow Riley that close to her family, and especially into her life again? The scars of her past run deep and wide...

Riley still burns at her disappearing act the morning after. He wonders, when she gets what she wants, will she so easily dismiss him again? Can his heart withstand another blow? This one may be lethal...

While fighting their burning attraction and putting aside their differences, Riley and Storm join forces to track down her family. However, taking down the bad guys they encounter along the way and exposing the underbelly of betrayal may cost them dearly. Will they pay the ultimate price when the ugly truth unfolds? Can what they feel for each other survive the aftermath when the dust clears?

Don’t miss out on the nail biting sequel to the romantic suspense Murphy’s Law. Read Riley’s Rules—a sexy alpha hero and spunky heroine romantic suspense—to unlock the whereabouts of Murphy and Echo and discover Riley and Storm’s action-packed confrontation with the killers!

Note: this novella contains adult language and ties up the loose ends in the Bounty Hunter series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurie LeClair
• Release date: Mar 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311657213

Laurie LeClair

Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes about love, laughter, and happily ever after in her contemporary western romances, romantic comedies, sweet romances, contemporary romances, and contemporary women’s fiction books. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim, who thankfully appreciates her sense of fun and love of travel. (Not so much the endless picture taking while hanging out the passenger window!) She loves to hear from readers!You can connect with me online:www.laurieleclair.comhttps://twitter.com/LeClairbookshttps://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75Books by Laurie LeClair:Once Upon A Romance Series (Romantic Comedy; Fairy tale retelling)If The Shoe Fits – Book 1Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2Taming McGruff – Book 3The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5Tangled At First Sight – Book 6Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7Making A Splash – Book 8Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9Baking From The Hart – Book 10Melting Her Heart - Book 11Princess In Hiding - Book 12Her Frog Prince - Book 13Forget Me Not - Book 14Three Wishes - Book 15Her Brave Heart - Book 16His Tiny Dancer - Book 17***A Very Charming Wedding Series (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)The Bachelor And The Bride – Book 1The Boss And The Bride – Book 2The Bodyguard And The Bride – Book 3***Once Upon A Royal Wedding Series boxed set (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)His Beloved Princess - Book 1Her Forever Prince - Book 2***The Cormac Family: Billionaire Sweet Romance (clean and wholesome, sweet romance)CEO Billionaire - Book 1Boss Billionaire - Book 2Best Friend Billionaire - Book 3Bride Billionaire - Book 4Bachelor Billionaire - Book 5***The McCall Brothers Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Cowboy’s Rebellious Bride - Book 1The Cowboy’s Renegade Bride - Book 2The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride - Book 3The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride - Book 4***Cupid’s Corner Series (romantic comedy, clean and wholesome, sweet romance)Dear Cupid - Book 1Picture Perfect Bride - Book 2Falling For Her - Book 3***Wanted: Fairy Godmother (Romantic Comedy)***The Sweet Spot Series (Romantic Comedy)The Dating Dilemma – Book 1***Tempted By A Texan Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Callahans – PrequelTravis – Book 1Cassie – Book 2***The Heart Series (Contemporary Romance)Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2Lies Of The Heart – Book 3***The Bounty Hunter Series (Romantic Suspense)Murphy’s Law – Book 1Riley’s Rules – Book 2***The Long Journey Home (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Runaway Wife (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Sweet Summertime (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***An Angel Mountain Novel (Holiday Romance; Contemporary Romance)The Heart RemembersThe Gift Of HopeIf you enjoy my books, please leave a review.

Book preview

Prologue

Flames licked high into the inky black night sky.

Storm Weatherly crouched down, cradling the crying child close. His heart thumped against her chest. His sobs ripped her in two.

Shhh! It’s all right, Timmy. I’m here. We’re safe. For now.

Heat fanned out from the fire consuming the house they’d just escaped. The crackling of burning wood snapped and popped. The smoke-filled air stung her nose. Her eyes watered.

Taking one last look, Storm vowed she’d find her family. The kidnapper had taken them and left her and Timmy to die, locked in a closet.

With her feet still throbbing from kicking out the door, she turned and fled.

The sling Timmy was in shifted as he squirmed.

Grasping him tighter, she said, Playtime. Treasure hunt.

His hands, greedy for her, opened and closed. His little nails scratched her neck. Pla…play?

The light from the fire spread, guiding her way. She picked out the familiar landmarks. The route Murphy had her memorize nearly two years ago rushed back to her now.

He’d planned for this day.

She just never thought it would happen.

First the weapons, she whispered in a soothing voice. The crank flashlight sits with them. Yards to go. To the left. To the right.

It worked. The little one calmed down.

The farther she jogged, the dark closed in, swallowing them up. And the chilly air seeped into her thin blouse.

Blocking out the brutal rugged course of dirt, rocks, hills and valleys, Storm pressed on. If she was lucky, she might cover the four grueling miles by sunrise.

Then where would she go?

Next the buried canteens. Then the MREs. You and me. Some money for my honey. That’s you. Gas and a motorcycle for us to go, go, go. She made it into a little song.

Timmy giggled. It struck a chord; he sounded so much like her twin, Echo, when they were babies.

I’m going to find her and Murph. Oh, yes I am, she cooed.

And then I’m going to kill the son-of-a-bitch who took my family.

She knew exactly who could help her search for them, too.

But would he even talk to her after what she’d done to him?

Chapter 1

She was hot as hell and tough as nails.

Jackson Riley froze. What the eff was she doing here?

Storm, he said between gritted teeth, knowing the outline of the woman as if he’d moved his hands over her body, tracing her curves. Again.

She walked to him from out of the shelter of the stand of trees nearby. Stopping less than ten feet away, she met his stare.

How could he not know her? She haunted him.

Riley.

God, the way she said his name, dark and smoky, sent shivers through him. He bit back on a groan. Didn’t think I’d ever see you again. Much less in a cemetery.

She nodded to the gravestone he faced. Murph said you’d be here. Seven every morning.

He should know, shouldn’t he? He got my father killed.

An awkward silence descended. A soft whimper caught his attention. It came from the wrap she wore around her.

A baby? You? Shock raced down his spine. Who the hell had she been with?

Clutching the bundle closer to her, she straightened, standing a little taller. That invisible wall had gone up, swift and solid.

He didn’t have a right to cross the barriers she erected years ago and apparently he didn’t have any more today.

In the early morning light, slowly whisking away the morning shadows, he looked closer.

Dark, long black hair, those blue eyes that could look right through him—piercing him every time, even now—and the stance, as if she were bracing herself for something to come: he noted each detail.

Storm didn’t answer his direct question. He’s hungry.

That’s when he let his gaze linger.

Her clothes were dusty. Her boots had dried mud on them. There was a scrape on her chin that she now lifted a tad higher. And the dark smudges under her eyes told him she hadn’t slept in days.

Something slammed into his gut.

Who are you running from? He could barely breathe.

Did it have anything to do with the baby?

Storm Weatherly could kick ass maybe even better than he could. So why would she run? From anything or anyone?

Didn’t say I was.

Cut the crap, Storm. Be straight with me.

Absently, she soothed the child she held, stroking the baby’s back, drawing his eyes to the length.

This wasn’t a newborn or an infant. How old? More than one. Two? Almost as long as she’d been away…

He raised his eyebrow. Did Murphy send you? Can’t fight his own battles? What was it going to take for her to react? For him to get some answers?

She jerked slightly, but just enough for him to know he’d gotten under her skin. A sliver of satisfaction whipped through him and then disappeared.

Her silence pissed him off.

You came to see me. He pointed out. You’re wasting my time. Again.

Riley looked down at the engraving on the headstone. His heart clutched. Jackson Riley Sr. was etched in the charcoal gray stone.

He refused to look at the dates under it; it rankled him at how he’d gotten robbed of his father at such a young age.

All because of Murphy.

The guy he used to call his best friend.

He wanted answers. No, he needed them.

Apparently, Riley wasn’t going to get any from her today. Or any other day. Why should he? It had only been two long years since his father was murdered. None had come then or since. But he’d be damned if he didn’t keep trying.

Shooting her one last look, he turned on his heel and marched to his truck.

You can’t leave. Her footsteps followed him.

You see my back, don’t you?

Timmy needs food. And water.

That was his name. Timmy. Shock raced through him. He stopped in his tracks, still not turning around. That was Murphy’s grandfather’s name.

I know.

He’s Murph’s kid?

And Echo’s. Her whispered words reached him.

He could breathe again. Your twin sister. Relief throbbed in his voice. Confusion rushed through him. She was pregnant?

We hid it.

Before and after the heist. He was wrong; he was getting some