Stop at Nothing Read Online Free Page A

reason she’d gone into law enforcement—to feel empowered, to make a difference and do her damnedest to ensure that what had happened to her family didn’t happen to anyone else’s. It was a pipe dream, sure, but she had to do something or else the bad guys won.
    A horn suddenly blared, jolting Abby from her stupor. Realizing the light had changed, she shook her head, then waved a hand in apology to the driver behind her before moving on. She was still rattled, her mind racing, when she pulled up in front of Tyler’s school a few minutes later.
    The boy stood at the edge of the sidewalk, away from the other groups of chatting, laughing children milling around nearby as they waited for their rides home. Smaller than most children his age, Tyler seemed even younger than he was. His heavy backpack was slung over one shoulder, his hands deep in his pockets. His shaggy blond hair fell across his forehead, hiding his eyes.
    As always, Abby’s heart broke a little at seeing how dejected her nephew was, how lost and alone he seemed. One of the wealthiest boys in the Midwest should have lots of friends, should be involved in sports, music lessons, academic teams…
    But not Tyler.
    He was painfully shy and had difficulty making friends with the other kids. Even though the other students in the exclusive prep school were certainly well-off, Tyler didn’t want to call attention to himself, didn’t want anyone to know that his father probably made more in one month than their parents made in an entire year. And that was saying something. He even refused to allow his father’s “personal security specialist” to pick him up from school, instead preferring Abby in her aging sedan, which could use some work after the most recent spring hailstorm.
    â€œHey, monkey,” Abby called through the open window. “Ready?”
    Tyler gave her an exasperated look, his eyes wide with embarrassment at the nickname. But after a quick glance around, he hopped into the backseat. “I told you not to call me that,” he mumbled. “I’m ten , Aunt Abby.”
    Grinning, Abby cast a glance over her shoulder. “Sorry, kiddo. Habit. I keep forgetting you’re growing up.”
    His mouth hitched up in a hint of a smile, his expression hopeful. “Well, since you admit I’m growing up, will you let me play Disaster Zone 4 tonight?”
    Abby laughed. “Fat chance, pal. Your mom would lose her mind if she found out I’d let you play that video game.”
    Tyler shook his head, his mood going dark again. “No she wouldn’t. All she cares about is her stupid spa. She could’ve stayed here and gone to a spa.”
    Yep, Abby should have a hazmat suit hanging in her closet, considering all the messes she’d been cleaning up.
    â€œWell, your mom will be home tonight,” Abby reminded him, leaving out the part about her having been only a couple of hours away in Chicago for the last week. “Why don’t you talk to her about it? Tell her how you feel?”
    Tyler grunted. “Won’t do any good.”
    â€œYour mom loves you,” Abby assured him, the words sounding hollow even to her ears. She glanced in the rearview mirror in time to catch the skeptical look Tyler sent her way, which pretty much confirmed he had his doubts.
    â€œYeah right,” he murmured, turning his wide blue gaze to the window, the conversation over.
    Abby sighed, wishing she could offer more encouragement. But apparently her sister, Emma, had learned her parenting skills from their own socialite mother. To both of them, children were merely trophies to be polished and put on display when company came to call.
    â€œHave you heard from my dad?” Tyler asked.
    Abby squirmed a little in her seat. She hadn’t heard from Curtis Maxwell directly since he’d left for a spur-of-the-moment business trip, leaving Tyler in her care. She knew he wasn’t