Zack (Armed and Dangerous Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

Maybe not.
    Rider held out his hand and Zack shook it. The man had a strong grip. A little too strong, like he was warning Zack. They gave each other one-word greetings. “Rider,” Zack said with a nod, and the man returned it with a nod of his own as he came back with, “Hunter.”
    “Well.” Sky glanced toward the house when they’d released hands. “I’ve got to check on Blue,” she said before she returned her gaze to Zack.
    Zack glanced in the direction of the house, then back to Sky. “What’s wrong with him?”
    With a confused frown, Sky shook her head. “Last night he got sick eating raw meat, but I’m not sure where he got it.”
    “Vet thinks it could have been tainted beef that Blue got into,” Rider said as his mare stomped one hoof, “but I’m not so sure about that.”
    Narrowing his eyes, Zack said, “You think it was intentional?”
    “We think it might have been the rustlers trying to get Skylar’s dog out of the way.” Luke’s gaze was still assessing. “Find it a bit strange, though, that they didn’t give enough to kill him.”
    “Bastards.” Sky had a pained expression. “I did lose a lot of cattle last night, but from our eastern range. Why would they need to poison Blue?”
    “Hell if I know,” Rider said, “but we’re damned sure going to find out.” He held on to his mare’s halter. “What’s ICE’s involvement?”
    “We received intel that beef has been crossing into Mexico,” Zack said. “That makes it an international customs matter.”
    Rider frowned for a moment. “Got any theories?”
    “Working on it.” Zack turned his attention to Sky and took a step closer to her. So did Rider, as if he was protecting her. Zack barely bit back a snarl. Instead he ignored Rider and said to Sky, “You live alone?”
    She nodded. “Have been for the past few years, since Trinity’s been in Europe.”
    “I don’t like any of this a damn bit.” Zack focused on Sky. “You need to watch out for yourself.”
    Rider gripped his mare’s bridle as the horse nudged his arm with her nose. “Been telling Skylar the same thing.”
    “I’ve been doing just fine. Me and Smith.” She looked from Rider to Zack as she reached up to pat the S&W in its holster on one side of her jeans. “I’d better see how Blue’s doing.”
    “You be careful.” Zack tipped the brim of his Stetson, then grabbed the door handle of his SUV. “Later, Sky.”
    “Skylar.” She smiled too brightly. “See you around, Special Agent Hunter.” And with that, she strode toward the house without looking back once.
    As she jogged up the steps and crossed the porch, Zack watched her fluid movements. He had a side view, and couldn’t help enjoying it. The way her breasts bounced and her tight backside swayed. She opened the front door and then closed it behind her.
    When she disappeared behind the closed door, Zack turned his attention back to Sky’s foreman.
    Rider took the mare’s reins and swung up into his saddle so that he was looking down at Zack. “The men and I keep a pretty good eye on Skylar,” Rider said in a tone obviously meant to warn Zack.
    For a moment he just looked at Rider. “If any man hurts Sky,” Zack said in a low, controlled voice, “in any way, I’ll tear the sonofabitch to pieces.”
    Without waiting for a reply from Rider, Zack jerked his door open, tossed his Stetson onto his passenger seat, and climbed into his Ford Explorer.
    He didn’t like how Rider stayed on his horse and watched him drive off, as if protecting Sky from Zack.
    Once again, Zack found himself clenching his hands around the steering wheel before he forced himself to relax. He tamped down his anger, something he’d learned to control over the last ten years.
    Maybe Rider was just watching out for Sky.
    That damn sure better be all.
    Zack’s thoughts turned back to the kiss in the barn and heat rushed through his body straight to his groin.
    No matter what Sky might think, Zack intended to