Free Texas Hunt by Barb Han Page B

a ringing noise in his ears.
    Pain shot through him and he couldn’t move. He was paralyzed.
    The charge stopped after a few seconds and his muscles relaxed, but it felt as if they were vibrating and he still couldn’t coordinate movement.
    His attacker wriggled free, elbowing Ryan in the process, catching him in the neck. Ryan still couldn’t budge.
    The guy took off down the hallway.
    There were the sounds of a struggle that lasted only a few seconds. Then a door slammed. A dirt bike engine roared to life.
    Ryan still couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. He could only lie on the floor, frustrated and helpless.
    Light filled part of the room. Lisa must’ve flipped on the hallway light. She was next to him a few seconds later.
    â€œWhat did he do to you?” Concern laced her raspy tone.
    At least another full minute passed before Ryan could respond.
    â€œTaser gun.” Those two words took more effort than he imagined. Normal feeling was beginning to return to his extremities. He flexed and released his fingers, wiggled his toes.
    Once the recovery process started, it moved quickly. He had full possession of his faculties within minutes.
    Ryan pushed himself up to a sitting position. His nightstand had been cleared in the struggle and his alarm clock and lamp tossed onto the floor.
    How had the guy gotten past Ryan to get inside in the first place?
    His legs were shaky, but he moved to the window in the bedroom, realized it was open and stuck his head outside. He couldn’t see anything moving and figured the guy was long gone.
    â€œThe deputy should be here any minute,” he said to Lisa.
    She pursed her lips.
    Wait a second. She didn’t call?
    â€œWe don’t need to get them involved, do we?” she asked. The fear had returned.
    â€œAs a matter of fact, we do. I still have no idea who we’re dealing with and this is the third incident. I don’t know what kind of jerk you got yourself involved with, but I’m bringing in the law this time.” Ryan didn’t wait for her to respond. He located his cell and called dispatch.
    He checked the front rooms, locked the door and returned to the bedroom when the house was clear.
    She just sat on the floor, facing the wall.
    He moved to her side and helped her onto the edge of the bed.
    â€œIt’s not safe anymore,” she said in a monotone, sounding as if she was in a trance.
    â€œWhoever is doing this to you belongs behind bars. We talk to the deputy, bring in the law and they’ll lock him up. It’s that simple.” He stared at her. The hallway light lit up one side of her face. The other was cast in a shadow. “He’s bound to have left some evidence behind. They’ll figure out who this is.”
    â€œYou’re right,” she said.
    Finally, he was getting through to her.
    â€œI’ll meet you in the living room in a second. I want to get dressed before the deputy gets here,” she said.
    â€œOkay.” He moved into the kitchen and then brewed a fresh pot of coffee. She was starting to see logic. He was making progress. Now he might actually be able to help Lisa. All he’d done so far was provide a refuge.
    But how did anyone know she was staying at his place?
    His mind snapped back to the incident at the funeral parlor. Someone had been watching. Waiting to see if she showed so they could follow her and find out where she was staying.
    Crazed boyfriends, if that was the story here, were known to go to all kinds of lengths to get revenge on their so-called loved ones. He’d read stories about abused women and the fear stamped on Lisa’s face certainly fit the description. Her actions did, too.
    The thought of anyone hurting her on purpose boiled his blood. A real man didn’t raise a fist to a woman. Give Ryan a few minutes alone in a fair fight with the bastard and see what would happen.
    What didn’t add up was that Lisa didn’t seem like the