Safe in His Arms; Safe by His Side; Safe with Him

371 Pages·2013·1.98 MB·English

by  Herron Rita

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ABLE OF ONTENTS
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Copyright
SAFE IN HIS ARMS
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
Chapter Fifteen
SAFE BY HIS SIDE
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
Epilogue
SAFE WITH HIM
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
Chapter Fifteen
Other Books by Rita
Meet Rita

P
ROLOGUE
N
O ONE WILL EVER LOVE YOU LIKE I DO.
The first time Geoffrey Jones whispered those words to Mia Matthews
she’d thought it was romantic. That she’d never grow tired of his doting
affection.
Then it had become obsessive. Smothering.
Threatening.
Terrifying.
She had to get away from him. In fact, she’d been planning her escape for
months. Ever since the last time he’d vented his temper on her and sent her to
the ER.
He reached over in the bed and spooned her, sliding one hand over her
breast to squeeze it. She drew a deep breath as if she was asleep, hoping he
wouldn’t push for more this morning.
A second later, he whispered in her ear. “You know I love you, Mia. I wish
we had time for another round, but I have a breakfast meeting.”
Thank God. She was still sore from his lovemaking the night before.
Pretending to be the dutiful wife, she rolled over and gave him a kiss.
“Have a nice day.”
He framed her face in his hands, gentle, almost like the old Geoff, the
charming man she’d dated and fallen for.
Before the beast had been unleashed.
His coppery, snake eyes bore into hers, assessing, probing. “You’ll be here
when I get home tonight?”
She forced a smile, knowing any hint of defiance — or her plans — would
set him off. “Of course. I was going to make that prime rib you like for dinner.”
“With the little new potatoes and asparagus?”
“Yes. And your favorite cheesecake for dessert.”
Relief filled his face. “Good. I’ll pick up a bottle of wine.”
“That sounds lovely.”
He stared at her for another minute, an odd expression flickering in his
eyes, and she hoped she hadn’t gone overboard with the cheesecake.
Then he stroked her hair from her cheek. “You are such a wonderful
wife.”
Meaning she was being obedient.
Hopefully for the last time in her life. If she escaped him, she’d never
allow another man to order her around. Tell her what to wear. How to fix her
hair. How to talk and smile.
How to raise her unborn child.
She watched as he climbed naked from bed and strode into the bathroom to
shower. Sinewy muscles and impeccable abs, not an ounce of fat on his lean
body, because like everything else, Geoff carried working out to an obsession.
Twenty minutes later, the designer suit he chose indicated the breakfast
meeting was important. Probably with another multi-million dollar client from
the law firm.
He thought his wealth and lavish gifts would keep her satisfied.
But she could care less about the money.
She wanted out.
She refused to raise a baby with a father who ruled the house with his fists.
As soon as the door clicked shut and the sound of the alarm dinged that
he’d reset it, she rose and showered, forcing herself not to rush in case he forgot
his keys or wallet.
Thirty minutes later, adrenaline spiked and a voice whispered in her head,
urging her to hurry. She rushed to her hiding spot, retrieved the cash she’d saved
along with the phony ID and the debit card under that name, and raced outside to
her car. Once she got out of town, she’d ditch the Toyota and catch a bus out of
Austin. From there, she’d take different buses in a zigzag pattern to thwart
detection.
Maybe she’d settle in some small town out west. A ranch out in the country
where it was quiet and peaceful.
Some place Geoff would never find her.
She had just closed the trunk and walked back inside to grab the .22 she’d
purchased for protection when the kitchen door swung open and Geoff stepped
inside. Pistol in hand, she quickly tried to store it in the kitchen drawer, but his
disapproving gaze raked over her, and his lips thinned into a straight line.
“Going somewhere, Mia?”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Just to the market to pick up fresh
vegetables for dinner. I thought you had an early breakfast meeting.”
A muscle jumped in his cheek as the familiar look of fury darkened his
face. “I do. With you.”
He suddenly lunged for her, and she knew what was coming.
Panicking, she swung the pistol up. “No, Geoff. Not this time. You’re
going to let me leave.”
A cynical laugh rumbled from his throat. “I will never let you go, Mia.”
She pulled the trigger, but it made a clicking sound and no bullet fired.
Panic hit her as he dropped the bullets onto the counter.
His eyes narrowed. “You didn’t really think you could hide anything from
me, did you?” He reached up and twirled a strand of her hair around his fingers.
“I’m your husband. You promised to love me forever.”