"You ready to head back to Chicago?"

Dana turned to Spence. She smiled. He had believed in her when no one else dared. She was immensely thankful her search for the truth had brought them together.

"Yes. I am so ready."

He hesitated. "I was thinking that maybe since you're not officially my client anymore...maybe we could go to dinner." He shrugged. "Maybe catch a movie."

Dana's smile broadened to a grin. "The answer is yes. I would like that very much."

He leaned down and placed a sweet, chaste kiss on her cheek. She tiptoed, captured his lips with her own before he could pull away. She was ready for far more. For a real kiss.

Finally, Dana Hall was ready for a real life.

Chapter Twenty-One.

Chicago, Illinois Victoria hugged her granddaughter closer to her side.

Jamie had fallen asleep before they were out of the parking lot. Dinner and a movie had been the perfect ending for this stressful week.

"Let's take the long way home this time, Neal."

"Yes, ma'am. The long way it is." The driver flashed her a smile in the rearview mirror. As per her instructions, he didn't take the usual roads.

Victoria didn't have to turn back and look to know her security detail would be close behind. That was another stressor for her granddaughter. Even as young as she was, the child had noticed the additional personnel at the house and the fact that a driver took them everywhere, including to school lately.

But Victoria was taking no chances with her granddaughter's safety.

Thankfully Lucas would be home next week. Two weeks after that, Jim and Tasha would be heading back as well. Victoria wouldn't relax until she had her whole family around her. She had complete confidence in every member of her staff, but she needed her husband and her son close until this was finished.

Nothing had turned up on the search for intelligence related to the threat to Victoria and her grandchild. But she was not foolish enough to believe the threat held no merit. No matter that the school officials had insisted that the occasional freak incident happened causing the alarm system to react, Victoria was not convinced.

She smoothed a hand through Jamie's silky blond hair. This child would never experience what her father had suffered. Victoria would see to that.

No matter the sacrifice or the cost.

Jamie Colby would be protected.

The streets of Chicago were quiet tonight.

Victoria turned her attention to the city she loved so much. Her life, with all its pain as well as its glory, had played out in this dynamic city.

The Colby Agency had made its home here and put down deep, deep roots. Desperate souls from across the nation came through the agency's doors and all received the help and relief they sought.

Like Dana Hall. She now had her life back. She could begin anew with the truth on her side.

Spence had done a fine job. Victoria was certainly pleased to have him on staff. Merrilee Walters would arrive tomorrow. Victoria looked forward to the challenge of helping her fit in.

A traffic light changed, and the car slowed to a stop. Jamie snuggled deeper into her grandmother's arms. Victoria smiled. The freedom of pure innocence. She prayed the future would hold the best life had to offer for the sweet child.

Some would say it was the hard times that made the good ones all the sweeter. Perhaps so. Victoria took the bad with the good and hoped for the best.

Always, always, however, she braced for the worst.

The squeal of tires drew her attention forward. As the traffic light turned green, a car traveling on the cross street skidded to a stop in their path.

"For the love of-"

Gla.s.s shattered, cutting short the driver's words. His head jerked back, and something wet splattered across Victoria's face.

The gaping hole in the back of his head didn't fully register until she swiped her face and saw the red on her hand.

Blood.

More gunshots pierced the night. Her security detail was returning fire outside her car.

Victoria lunged into action. She settled Jamie on the floor, used her body as a shield above her and whispered a.s.surances to the child. She reached beneath her jacket, her fingers seeking- The sound of something metal sc.r.a.ping gla.s.s alerted Victoria that someone was at her door, jimmying the lock. She could still hear the exchange of gunfire outside. Her heart rocketed into her throat.

As the door wrenched open, Victoria's hand came from under her jacket; she twisted her torso and leveled the barrel of the Ruger on the man's ski-mask-clad face. "Drop that weapon or I will blow your head off."

"Give me the kid and I'll let you live," he growled, the barrel of his Glock aimed at her forehead.

"Close the door and walk away," Victoria countered, "and I'll let you live."

The pop of gunshots outside had slowed like a bag of microwave popcorn nearing ready, but it wasn't done yet.

The man laughed. "Look, you old b.i.t.c.h, give me the kid now or you're dead."

"Wrong answer." Victoria sent a bullet straight through his brain.

The man crumpled onto the seat. Victoria s.n.a.t.c.hed the gun from his fingers. She wanted to check his ID, but she didn't dare move. Whatever was going on outside wasn't over. She had to stay down...had to protect Jamie.

Fully awake now, Jamie whimpered.

"It's okay, baby." Victoria rocked her as best she could in their awkward position. And she prayed...that G.o.d would see them safely through this.

"Victoria, are you all right?"

Her head came up and relief flooded her at the sight of Ian's face.

"You can come out now." He offered a hand to a.s.sist her. "We've neutralized the situation out here."

This time.

Victoria eased back up into the seat, pulling Jamie with her.

But what about next time?

If they didn't learn the source of this threat soon...

All the enemy needed was one moment, one tiny slip in security.

Victoria had to make sure they didn't get it.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-3605-3.

Books by Debra Webb.

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE.

934-THE HIDDEN HEIR*

951-A COLBY CHRISTMAS*

983-A SOLDIER'S OATHa 989-HOSTAGE SITUATIONa 995-COLBY VS. COLBYa 1023-COLBY REBUILT*

1042-GUARDIAN ANGEL*

1071-IDENt.i.tY UNKNOWN*

1092-MOTIVE: SECRET BABY.

1108-SECRETS IN FOUR CORNERS.

1145-SMALL-TOWN SECRETSaa.