Finding Her Son Read online

  The only man a desperate mother can trust...

  Investigating a cold case is SWAT cop Mitch Bradford’s worst nightmare—especially when it involves a kidnapped infant. But thanks to an injury, he’ll have to settle for following Emily Wentworth instead of breaking down doors and cuffing criminals. The prime suspect in a mysterious disappearance, Emily has always claimed she was framed. And as he earns the trust of the incredibly desperate—and unbelievably beautiful—mother, every instinct tells Mitch to believe her. Then new evidence unfolds, revealing an elaborate conspiracy and forcing Emily into a deadly spotlight. Now, torn between loyalty to the badge and his promises to Emily, Mitch may have to make the ultimate sacrifice if he’s to bring her little boy home.

  “I heard a suspicious click right before the explosion. Someone wants you dead—with no evidence left behind.”

  “If you hadn’t been here—”

  She gripped his shirt and buried her head against him. He’d seen the reaction before. He held her tight.

  “We’ll find out who’s doing this. I promise.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He couldn’t say no to her trembling frame. Each shudder evoked every protective instinct throbbing in his veins. He cradled her against him and stroked her hair softly, brushing a few stray snowflakes out of her hair. “You’re okay. It’ll be okay.”

  He was lying. Again. This assassin wanted a kill. Mitch could stop him only so long—unless he discovered who was behind the attempts on her life.

  Robin Perini

  Finding Her Son

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Award-winning author Robin Perini’s love of heart-stopping suspense and poignant romance, coupled with her adoration of high-tech weaponry and covert ops, encouraged her secret inner commando to take on the challenge of writing romantic suspense novels. Her mission’s motto: “When danger and romance collide, no heart is safe.”

  Devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts, Robin won the prestigious Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Award in 2011. By day, she works for an advanced technology corporation, and in her spare time, you might find her giving one of her many nationally acclaimed writing workshops or training in competitive small-bore rifle silhouette shooting. Robin loves to interact with readers. You can catch her on her website, www.robinperini.com, several major social-networking sites or write to her at P.O. Box 50472, Albuquerque, NM 87181-0472.

  Books by Robin Perini

  HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

  1340—FINDING HER SON

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  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Emily Wentworth—Desperate to find her son, she can’t trust the Denver police. But can she trust the cop who saved her life?

  Mitch Bradford—The injured SWAT cop has been reassigned to prove Emily’s guilt in her husband’s death. Will he sacrifice everything to protect a murder suspect and help her find her son?

  Eric Wentworth—He had secrets worth killing him for, but he hadn’t meant to sacrifice his wife and son.

  Joshua Wentworth—Why was he stolen from his mother at just one month old?

  Kayla Foster—Can Emily find this missing, pregnant teen before it’s too late?

  Perry Young—Is Emily’s alcoholic investigator making mistakes, or is he involved?

  Victoria Wentworth—Eric’s mother never accepted Emily and believes her daughter-in-law is responsible for his death. Does she want revenge?

  Dane Tanner—Why is this Denver police detective so determined to prove Emily’s guilt?

  William Wentworth—Emily’s brother-in-law bankrolls her investigation to find her son. Will his parents force him to abandon her?

  Ghost—This mysterious criminal has an interest in desperate pregnant women. Did he take Emily’s son, as well?

  Thomas Wentworth—How far did Eric’s father go to get his son back into the family business?

  Noah Bradford—Mitch’s brother mysteriously shows up with secrets of his own.

  For my mom—the most ferocious mama bear I know. Your love and unbending faith in me have given me the strength to persevere. I am truly blessed. I love you, Mom. Always.

  Acknowledgments

  I’m living my dream. But no one gets to this wonderful place alone.

  To my amazing editor, Allison Lyons, who saw something in my writing and took a chance. You made my dreams come true.

  To the most vicious critique group ever—Tammy Baumann, Louise Bergin and Sherri Buerkle. I love you all. You, my dear friends, sacrificed for this one more than anyone will know. I am humbled and grateful. Let’s not do it again!

  To Angi Platt and Jenn Stark for their keen insight and willingness to help.

  Thanks are not enough, and I expect payback.

  To my best friend and the sister of my heart, Claire Cavanaugh, the wind beneath my wings.

  This book wouldn’t be here without you. You know why.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Prologue

  Icy wind howled through the SUV’s shattered windshield, spraying glass and freezing sleet across Eric Wentworth’s face. He struggled in and out of consciousness. Flashes of memory struck. Oncoming headlights on the wrong side of the road. Skidding tires on black ice. The baby’s cries. Emily’s screams.

  Oh, God.

  Why couldn’t he focus? Above the wind, he heard only silence, then an ominous gurgling sound from his lungs. He shifted his head slightly to check on his wife, and a knifelike pain seared his neck. He stopped, staring in horror at the shaft of metal guardrail penetrating his chest. Blood pulsed from the wound, but he couldn’t feel it. He couldn’t feel anything.

  Eric was dying. And it was no accident. He hadn’t taken the threats seriously, hadn’t told Emily what he’d done. Why they were all in danger.

  “E-Eric?” Her voice was weak, barely audible over the storm gusts.

  Thank the Lord she was still alive. In the darkness, he could just make out her small frame pinned by the dashboard. He had to warn her.

  Emily. Escape. Before he comes back.

  No sound came from his lips, and at the effort, his vision blurred.

  “Eric, are you all right?”

  Fear tinged her voice, but he could do nothing to comfort or reassure her.

  A soft cry came from the backseat. The baby. Only a month old.

  “Mommy’s here.” Emily pushed at the dash. “Eric, I’m stuck. I can’t get to Joshua.”

  Headlights swept across the crumpled interior. A vehicle pulled up behind them.

  “A car! Help!” Emily called out. “We’re trapped! There’s a baby in here!”

  No! Emily. Get out. Now. Please. Take Joshua. Run.

  A door slammed, but from the stealth of the approaching footsteps, Eric knew this was no rescue. Tears of impotent rage scalded his cheeks. They’re innocent. Don’t kill them. They’ve done nothing.

  The back door ripped open, revealing a dark, hooded figure. The baby whimpered. After a moment’s hesit
ation, the person unclicked the car seat and yanked it free.

  The baby’s cries filled the air.

  A sob escaped Emily’s throat. “Joshua? Is he all right?”

  Without responding, the man shined the flashlight through the broken passenger window, scanned Emily, then focused the blinding light directly in Eric’s face, illuminating his fatal wounds.

  Emily gasped. “Eric! No! Please. Please, help my husband.”

  Struggling to remain conscious, Eric stared toward the beam of light, willing the man not to carry out the contract, silently begging for mercy for his family.

  As if in answer, the man reached into the car, grabbed Emily and slammed her head on the door frame. With quick movements, he wrapped her hand around a jagged piece of windshield and forced it to slash across her neck.

  No. Not Emily! Eric’s silent scream echoed her agonized one. The man slammed her head again. She fell silent. Blood trickled down her throat.

  With one last mocking salute, the bastard lifted the baby’s car seat and turned away, smearing blood across the small, blue blanket. Utter grief overcame Eric as his son’s cries disappeared into the night.

  Spots danced in front of Eric’s eyes. He stared at Emily’s still body. His life flickered painfully within him.

  Please, let her live. Give her strength. She has to find him.

  Emily took a shallow breath as Eric Wentworth’s world faded to black for the final time. I’m sorry, my love. So sorry.

  Chapter One

  One Year Later

  Cursing under his breath, Mitch Bradford yanked his collar up against the bitter Colorado wind. Where was Emily Wentworth going? He stalked across Colfax, on a stretch of the street known as a candy store for illicit drugs and prostitution. He could’ve been home alone in front of the fireplace, his bum leg propped up, nursing a stiff drink and a double dose of ibuprofen. The irony didn’t amuse him. He’d been tapped for the Wentworth case because of his injury. One more reason to kill the guy who’d shot up his leg during his last SWAT operation.

  Mitch ducked his head and plunged forward into the night, ignoring the exchange of money on the corner. He would’ve busted the dealer any other time, but he refused to let his suspect out of sight. When she approached a group of gangbangers, he tensed and reached for his weapon.

  They circled her.

  Two murders last night in the neighborhood. No time to be subtle.

  He broke into a run, disregarding the twinge in his leg. He’d pay for it later, but they could shoot or stab her in seconds. Before he reached her, she tilted her head at the assailants like she was flirting and skirted through the wall of thugs. They let her go.

  Mitch pulled back. Crazy woman. He tucked his Glock into the shoulder holster. He’d had enough of these cat-and-mouse games. He sped up and followed her across an alley. The scent of vomit and urine, and God knew what else, soured the night.

  She stopped in front of a darkened building. After a furtive glance right, then left, she knocked. The door cracked open, then squeaked wider. Before he reached the entrance, she vanished behind the worn oak.

  “Figures.” Why would anything about this case be easy? Cold seeped through his jeans as he searched the front of the building for a sign. Nothing. No indication of what took place inside. That didn’t bode well. His guess: drugs, sex, who knew what else.

  A movement in the alley caught his attention. Carefully, he rounded the corner. A blond-haired kid tried to streak past. Mitch nabbed the boy’s hoodie and lifted him off his feet. A familiar face glared at him. “Ricky?” Mitch released the young teen.

  His on-again, off-again running back dusted his pants and groaned. “Coach. Man, why’d it have to be you? Gran’ll have a fit if she has to come get me at juvie for breaking curfew.”

  “Then you better start talking. Is this why you haven’t shown up for football practice the past two weeks? You hanging around the streets now?”

  Ricky widened his stance and stared at Mitch, defiant. “I’m looking for Kayla.”

  “In an abandoned building?”

  “Nah. Sister Kate runs a shelter out of here.” Ricky bowed his head. “Kayla got herself pregnant by a real loser. But she was turning it around,” he said in that earnest way that was half kid, half teenager. “At least that’s what she told Gran last week. Kayla was gonna live with us again, but she didn’t come back.”

  “You’re hoping she landed here?”

  Ricky nodded, and Mitch studied the street-smart kid. “You know how I can get in unnoticed?”

  The boy’s eyes grew large. “Something going down in there?” His gaze flickered to the front door. “Kayla might be in there.”

  Mitch rested his hand on Ricky’s shoulder. “I don’t—”

  A loud, high-pitched scream pierced the night from inside. “Leave me alone. I won’t go.”

  Ricky leaped toward the door, but Mitch held him back. He tossed the kid his cell phone. “A beat cop named Vance just rounded that corner not five minutes ago. Call 911, then get him.”

  “But Kayla…”

  “I’ll find your sister. Now go!”

  Ricky took off down the street. Mitch pulled his Glock, braced, then barreled through the locked door, the rotted frame giving way much too easily. “Police,” he shouted. “Nobody move.”

  A burly man spun around. “Do-gooders. You set me up. Well, I ain’t letting ’em take me.” He grabbed a pregnant girl, her face battered with yellow and green bruises, and held a knife against her throat.

  “Please, Ghost. Don’t do this.” Emily Wentworth’s husky voice shook as she stepped forward, her face pale. She clutched a bat in her hand.

  She was a brave little thing, determined and fierce.

  “I’m warning you,” Ghost threatened.

  With careful movements, she set the weapon aside. Her hand went to her throat. “Let Heather go. We’ll work it out. I promise.” She stepped closer.

  “I said, don’t move,” Mitch snapped and glared at Emily. “That means everybody.”

  She met his gaze, the flash of fury in her eyes unmistakable, but with a curt nod backed away. Mitch took a quick survey of the room. Not a good setup. He could make the kill shot from where he stood, but he’d risk hitting the group of girls in various stages of pregnancy huddled around a nun. If Ghost had an automatic weapon under his coat, the situation could turn into a bloodbath.

  Ghost pressed the knife closer, drawing blood at the girl’s neck. “Back off. I’m leaving. With the girl. And you ain’t stopping me.”

  After years on SWAT, Mitch recognized the wildness in the man’s dilated eyes. “Come on, buddy. Put the knife down.” Mitch lowered his weapon a bit. He could only hope the guy was high enough or stupid enough to relax his guard.

  “She’s coming with me. They won’t pay me if I don’t bring one of ’em back.”

  Mitch eased to his left for a better angle and met the frightened gaze of the girl. “You can’t just duck out of here…Ghost.” Mitch hunched his shoulders a bit and sagged, praying the terrified victim would understand his silent instruction.

  “I don’t want to go,” Heather said, nodding. “I told him. Mrs. Wentworth said she’d help me.” The girl went limp in the perp’s arms.

  Now.

  Mitch spun on his good leg. One quick jab against Ghost’s vulnerable back and the scumbag released his hold on the girl. Mitch shoved her toward Emily Wentworth and shifted his weight, but his injured leg spasmed and nearly buckled underneath him. He bit his cheek to block the pain as he covered the suspect with his Glock. No sirens and no telling if Ricky had found help. Mitch needed backup before anyone realized his leg had locked up.

  “On the ground. Face down. Arms spread. And you,” he snapped at Emily, “call 911.”

  EMILY TAPPED THE PHONE to end the call. A cop. She should’ve known when the jerk burst through the door like some misguided superhero. He’d ruined everything. She and Sister Kate had almost guilted Ghost into talking. Now he
was facedown on the floor, zip ties around his wrists, with no interest in spilling his guts to anyone. Great, just great. A month’s worth of work down the drain.

  Sister Kate knelt beside the man they’d hoped would be their informant. “You can tell us. It’s the right thing to do.”

  Ghost glared at the nun. “Leave me alone.”

  “Sister,” the cop said. “Step away from him. He’s in custody.”

  An angry fire lit Sister Kate’s eyes, one Emily had seen toast bigger brutes than this interfering officer. She waited for the blowtorch of words to fry him. In truth, she looked forward to it.

  Sister Kate gave the cop a thorough once-over, then nodded her head before standing and walking away from Ghost. “You’re one of the Bradford boys. Handsome as sin, the lot of you. The middle one, I’d wager. You’ve got the look of your daddy. I’ll give you a pass. For now.”

  Emily almost smiled at the man’s slack-jawed expression.

  “You know my father?”

  “Oh, my, yes. Sergeant Bradford visited my halfway house to recruit for his football team. I hear you’re following in his footsteps, Mitch.” At his slight nod, she patted his arm. “I was sorry about what happened to him.”

  The man’s jaw tightened, but Emily didn’t miss the flash of pain across his face. She recognized the emotion all too well, but she couldn’t let herself sympathize with him, even if Sister Kate was right, and his rugged good looks would make angels weep.

  Emily had only one mission. Finding her son. And this cop—Mitch Bradford—had ruined her most promising lead. With nothing to lose, she bolted to Ghost and grabbed his collar. “Tell me the name,” she said, her permanently husky voice still foreign to her ears, but an all-too-physical reminder of her entire purpose in life. “It’s the only way you might talk your way out of this.”

  “Go to hell. You and your nun.” Ghost flipped on his back and kicked out. A chair near his feet flew across the room. He lunged at Emily.

  “Get away from him.” Mitch grasped Emily’s arm and yanked her to safety before subduing Ghost and pinning him with a knee to his back.