Forever Alexa (Book Four In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series) Read Online Free Page A

get you out of here.”
    Anger still coursed through her as she faced him, but that would do nothing for Abby. He was willing to help her avoid the press. She would take what little help he offered and find another way to come up with the funds the kidnappers were demanding. How to do that was the big question. The dread of not finding an answer in time curdled her stomach and sent her pulse pounding. “Thank you.” She handed him her keys and concentrated on keeping her hand steady as her heart rate continued to soar. Picking up Livy, she hurried out the back door and rushed down the alley toward Old Main Street. She shoved her sunglasses in place and looked down, oblivious to the charm of the small town she’d always loved, avoiding eye contact with anyone she might know.
    Within moments, Mr. Macabee showed up in her car, slowed down, and pulled to the curb. “They’re full of questions, Alexa. They want this story. They might be able to help you,” he said as he rounded the front.
    Alexa opened the back door for Livy to crawl in to her booster. She leaned forward and buckled her daughter in. “I can’t talk to them. Thank you again, Mr. Macabee.” Alexa hurried to the driver’s side as she looked down the street, watching one of the reporters watch her. “I have to go.” She got in and drove off quickly.
    As she made her way to the local grocer, Alexa glanced in her rearview mirror and relaxed a fraction when she saw no one was following. She yearned to turn around and go to the press, to beg for any help they were willing to give, but after the phone call last night she didn’t dare. She couldn’t afford to be seen anywhere near a reporter.
    She and Livy would hurry through the store and get what they needed, then go home and lock out the world. She wanted to check in with Detective Canon and find a way to come up with the money.
    Alexa took a right into the shopping plaza and pulled into a parking spot as close to the entrance as possible. She glanced around before she opened her door. The coast was still clear. She opened the back door. “Come on, sweetie, let’s—”
    “Excuse me, Ms. Harris. I’m Michael Pearson with News Twelve. Can I ask you a few questions about your sister’s disappearance?” One of News Twelve’s top anchormen ran toward her from the van that had screeched to a stop next to her car.
    Alexa glanced into his hungry brown eyes as she pulled a blanket from the backseat and covered Livy’s head. Then she scooped her little girl into her arms and hurried toward the door.
    “Ms. Harris, can you think of any reason why someone would want to take your sister?”
    Alexa quickened her pace as she tucked her face closer to Livy’s head, hidden by the soft pink fleece.
    “Was Abigail seeing anyone recently?”
    “Ms. Harris isn’t answering questions at this time,” a man said as an arm wrapped around her shoulders.
    Startled, Alexa whipped her gaze up to the vaguely familiar voice. Doug Masterson, a blast from her past.
    Doug ushered her into the store, grabbed a cart, and stopped when they stood well away from the windows in the produce aisle. His dark brown hair had thinned a bit, but he was still in excellent shape.
    “Doug, thank you so much.”
    “You’re welcome. I saw you get out of the car and watched that guy swarm in on you like the vulture he is. I heard about your troubles, Alexa. I’m sorry for it.”
    She glanced down as so many memories came crashing back, colliding with the hell of her present. “Thanks. I’m hoping they’ll find my sister soon.”
    “We received the BOLO up in Pittsburg late yesterday afternoon. I was on duty. We’re all keeping our eye out.”
    “I appreciate it.” She wanted to tell him about the ransom demand and the phone she kept in her purse, to beg for his help, but she stayed silent as people she saw every day sent her curious glances from sympathetic eyes. No risking Abby. Afraid she might break her own rule, she blurted out