Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) Read Online Free Page A

got paid a hell of a lot more than ATF agents or Floyd was a clothes horse to the point of letting everything else go.
    “I have my methods,” Ethan replied.
    “Yeah, I’ve seen your file. You’re one of those rogue cops who thinks the law only applies to him when it’s convenient, which means rarely. You’ve not only blurred the line, but damn near erased it one too many times.”
    Ethan shrugged.
    “You sure screwed the pooch with this Cordova case, you’ll be lucky to get a pension after they force you out.”
    Ethan growled, clenching his fists.
    “Knock it off you two,” Shanahan snapped and parked the car. “We’ve got another problem.”
    “What’s up, Shanahan?” Floyd asked.
    The senior deputy inclined his head toward the motel. “The door to the room where we left Bethany is slightly ajar.”
    Floyd immediately reached for his side arm. “Stay here, Lancaster.”
    “No way in hell,” Ethan said flatly. “You’re not leaving me a sitting duck. I may be on medical leave , but I can still back you up.” He drew his Colt Defender from his shoulder harness.
    “I knew I should have confiscated your gun,” Shanahan muttered.
    “You’re welcome to try,” Ethan said dryly.
    Shanahan glared at him , but Ethan gave him a belligerent grin. “All right, Lancaster,” he muttered. “But for God’s sake stay behind us and don’t get shot.” They got out of the car and Ethan followed their lead. Despite Floyd’s sarcasm Ethan knew how to do his job and how to work as part of a team.
    Shots echoed from the room. Ethan crouched behind a parked car. Floyd and Shanahan also found cover.
    A feminine form, with a mane of auburn hair, exploded through the window, sending glass flying. The woman hit the ground with a muffled thud, glass crunching around her. Floyd moved from cover to sprint toward her. Two more shots sounded. A bright crimson stain blossomed on Floyd’s chest. He gazed down at himself in shock and then collapsed without firing a shot.
    ****
    A knock on the door jerked Bethany Kress from her nightmare. She sat up sharply and wiped the sweat from her forehead, her heart rattling in her chest. Since Aaron had died, the image of his blood soaked body haunted her nightmares – along with his ghost. Her nightmare was one of blood and pain and his spirit chasing her, translucent, icy hands ripping at her throat. It was her fault he was dead and his spirit demanded justice.
    “Relax, Bethany,” Simon, the US Deputy Marshall guarding her , said. He peered through the peephole on the door. “It’s just Richardson and Dobbs. He put his gun away. “They’re probably looking for Shanahan.”
    “Where is he?” s he asked, pulling on her shoes and her leather jacket. Why in the hell was it so damned cold in here?
    Simon unlocked the door and opened it. “He and Floyd went to pick up a second witness.”
    She rubbed her eyes, struggling to shake off the remnants of her nightmare still clinging to her and remember Shanahan’s words.
    “Is he the ATF agent who was undercover in New York?”
    “Yeah.”
    Richardson and Dobbs stepped inside. “Hey, Simon,” Richardson said, they closed the door , but it didn’t latch. “Is Shanahan back yet?”
    “Not yet, but he should be here any time.”
    Bethany rubbed her eyes again. Damn, the images of the nightmare wouldn’t leave her. She moved to the sink to scrub her face and try to get herself in some semblance of order.
    The motel room was cramped with two twin beds. The sink was in an alcove at the back of the room and the bathroom was so small she had to step out of it to change her mind. There was a tiny closet with iron and ironing board on her right.
    The cold in the room deepened to an unnatural, bone chilling temp. The hairs on Bethany’s arm stood upright and gooseflesh prickled her skin. She looked at herself in the mirror as she approached the sink.
    A translucent face appeared over her own image. Her eyes widened in terror as