Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Read Free

shut. Otherwise she knew he’d kill her daughter and then her.
    But in the last twenty-one years, things had changed. Especially in the last ten.
    Nate Glynes had joined the FBI task force that was looking into his business. Glynes had made it his personal crusade to take down the Yannell organization. He’d become totally obsessed with the idea, and he got closer every day. The people with the knowledge to help him had to be taken out.
    “Hi, Papa, why the long face?” Lily Yannell strode across the office and hugged her father.
    She was the sunshine in his life. Her name fit her perfectly. Her disposition as sweet and sunny as a flower. At twenty-two, she’d become an unusual beauty. She had her mother’s light blonde hair and his dark brown eyes.
    “You’re dressed up. Where are you going?”
    “Did you forget, Papa? I’m celebrating my graduation from college at lunch with friends. Then tomorrow I leave on my car trip around the country.”
    “I don’t like the idea of you traveling alone.”
    “I know, but I’ll keep in close contact with my cell phone. She gave him another hug. “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl now.”
    “I don’t understand how you finished college and got your masters in four years. You should still be in school, not heading out to see the world.”
    “Papa, we’ve gone over this before. I worked hard on an accelerated course in high school and college. I’m taking this summer off before getting a job. I’ve gone to school every summer for years.”
    “All right, but call me. And I mean every night when you stop.”
    “I will.”
    She whirled out of the room. Always she moved at breakneck speed as though something was just ahead and she had to catch it.
    His head hurt. He had a bad feeling and couldn’t shake it.
    He picked up his phone and made a call. Lily wouldn’t like it if she knew, but he wasn’t having her traveling around with no protection. He’d get a report each night from her, and the man he’d just directed to guard her.
     
    * * * *

    Angie pulled her hair up into a loose bun. Why hadn’t she ignored Brent Terrell and cut it? With a long hot summer ahead, she’d have to keep it up anyway. The change in her hair and eye color had her staring at herself. After years of dressing and pretending to be someone else, she felt more a stranger in her own persona. The disguise had become her.
    Time to go. The barbecue had started a half hour ago. She hadn’t wanted to be the first arrival. Hopefully with a crowd already there she’d blend in.
    She headed out of town to Drake’s ranch. He’d made tons of improvements and had made a success of the cattle ranch. Janice had become one of her best friends, although neither she nor Samantha, her other good friend, knew anything about Angie’s real life. Or had her life here in Saddle Creek become truer than the one she lived her first ten years? She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
    This was a fresh start. Forget the old. She swung her car into a vacant spot. A number of people milled around, talking and drinking. The barbecue cooked on several big grills. Angie got out of her car, lifted her chin, and stepped forward. This was her first outing since she’d thrown away her wig.
    Janice waved and headed in her direction. She stopped to grab a cup of something and strode quickly to Angie’s side.
    “Drake told me about the change. I’m not sure I’d even have recognized you otherwise. I love it. Here.” She handed her the cup. “It’s a mixture of fruit juices and a little vodka.” She grinned. “Drake also told me about Brent and you meeting again.” She laughed. “I’ve razzed him constantly since he got here. I can’t believe he charged into the beauty shop.”
    “He did, like a knight in shining armor to defend my hair.”
    “Well, he’s been like a bear with a sore tooth since then. I need to quit teasing him.”
    Angie started to ask if he’d skipped the barbecue, but before the words came