Page 58 of Mistletoe and Malice
“How can you know?”
“Because I looked straight into those eyes that day, and I’ll never forget them. Besides, that’s a fairly new injury. Not scratches almost two weeks old. He’s not the guy.”
Colton put his hands on his hips. “She’s right. Back to posts. We keep looking.”
Looking for the hunter before the hunter found her.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“That was intense.” Colton climbed into the SUV and snapped his seatbelt, relieved to be getting Riley back to the safety of the Hudson estate. Then it was off to his parents’ for Thanksgiving leftovers and football.
Paul pulled onto the freeway. “Sure kept us on our toes. I was watching hands like crazy.”
“It’ll be nice to let down a little. Hope the folks saved me a huge plate, because I’m starving.” He looked at Riley. “You promise you won’t be leaving again today?”
A grin crossed her face. “Oh, absolutely. I want you guys to enjoy some time with your families, so don’t worry about me.”
As if he could help it. Still, he couldn’t wait to spend some downtime with the family. And as long as Riley was safely tucked away at the estate, she would be fine.
“Okay, but I’ll be back later tonight.”
“I’m not worried.”
She pulled out her phone and typed out a text. A week ago, herI’ve-got-a-secretgrin would’ve put him on alert. But nowshe was much too aware of the danger that lurked outside the Hudson gate.
As the SUV continued down the interstate, Paul taking one exit, driving along the feeder road, then taking the next freeway entrance to determine if they were being followed, Colton put his head back and closed his eyes. The tension of the day slowly ebbed from his shoulders as he relaxed into the leather interior.
“Wow!” Trevor’s exclamation jolted him upright as they pulled through the gate and made their way toward the house. “I don’t think I’ve seen so many limos in one place since the Oscars.”
“You got to cover the Oscars?” Paul asked.
“Last year. Blankenship and I were hired for an actor who lives here in Houston. He wasn’t a nominee, but we got to walk the red carpet. That was kind of cool.”
Colton threw Riley a glance. “I didn’t know you were expecting guests today.”
“Trust me.” There was that grin again. Like a little girl with something she was dying to tell. “I’m perfectly safe with these guests. But I’m sure you’ll all want to come inside to check it out.”
“Absolutely.” And he’d probably have to let his family know he wouldn’t be there, after all. With this many people at the estate, how could they know for sure their man of many disguises hadn’t found a way in?
Paul pulled up to the steps leading to the front door to drop them off before he took the SUV to the garage. Colton came around to open her door, taking her hand to help her out as he’d always done. But when she smiled up at him, his irritation at not being alerted to today’s festivities dissipated into the brisk November air.
If he had to miss Thanksgiving with his family, he couldn’t think of another he’d rather be with for the holiday. Maybe he’dlet himself get drawn in a little more than he usually did, but it was impossible to spend the amount of time they’d spent with Riley and not be her friend. It was as if she wouldn’t stand for it. If she was going to be anywhere near you for any length of time, she was going to get inside.
And she had. More than anybody before her, besides the woman he’d married.
In the house, the din of dozens of voices talking all at once and music emanating from speakers in the family room mingled with the enticing aroma of whatever five-star-quality dishes Hilda had prepared. After taking Riley’s coat and hanging it with his in the closet, they walked through an arched entryway to the family room.
Colton stopped short. “What on earth?”
Riley turned and smiled up at them. “Happy Thanksgiving, you guys. Trevor, Gemma and the rest of your family should be here somewhere. Colton, yours?—”
“Colton, my boy!” The booming voice from the middle of the room could belong to only one person.
“—are here too.” She finished with a chuckle.
Sure enough, his still distinguished, gray-haired father appeared from the milling guests and walked toward them with Colton’s striking ash blonde mother.
“What are you doing here?” he asked his parents.
