The thing is, sometimes love is pretty and sometimes, it’s gritty. Life isn’t a happily ever after, but we can pretend everything will work out while living between the pages.
Escape with me, start reading and sharing pretty, gritty, love stories today.
The following passage is the prologue from Chasing the Lead. No release date yet, but I’m ready announce the time frame. This book will be ready sometime in June and you’ll be able to purchase or win a signed paperback copy at RomanitConn 2021 in Connecticut in July! Buy your tickets now and I’ll see you there!
Prologue
Pain sliced through Police Chief Carl Shelling’s thigh before the sound of the shot registered in his ears. He gasped as he fought to free himself. His captor stood silently in the shadows like a coward.
“Come out and face me, you prick!” he hurled the insults knowing they would have little effect. But what was he to do? All his money and power meant nothing now. In this moment, this shadow showed him exactly how powerless he was.
A low rumble started in the man’s belly and rose out his throat. He cocked the gun again.
“Please,” Carl tried again. “I have money, I can give you anything you want.”
The man paused. “Anything?”
“Yes,” Carl said with a relieved laugh. “Yes, there isn’t anything in this world I can’t give you.”
The man stepped forward, the blue eyes behind the black ski-mask was familiar. That scared Carl more than the prospect of another gunshot wound.
“Tell me.”
Carl shook his head. “Tell you what?”
“The kinds of things you can give me.”
“Anything, money, wealth, power, women or men, if that’s what you fancy—boys. You like little boys–I can get those.”
The man’s expression changed behind the mask. Carl watched with baited breath. Had he said the right thing? Or the wrong one? He couldn’t tell.
The man stood back, both hands on his gun as he looked at the safety. After what felt like an eternity, he pulled a photo out of his back pocket and showed it to Carl.
His stomach fell at the family that stared back at him.
“I want them.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with that.” Carl said as tears fell from his eyes. “I swear, I didn’t even know it was going down. “
“That’s funny,” he said leaning forward. “The last guy I killed said the same thing. He swore up and down that it was you who ordered the hit.”
Carl sucked in air as panic took hold of his chest and made it difficult to breath. He needed to get out of this. He pulled on his bindings. “Let me go you piece of shit! You can’t do this to me!”
“How many people have you sold, raped, or otherwise tortured and killed who’ve said the same damn thing?” He gave a sadistic laugh. “Hell, I’ll take your best estimate.”
“Fine kill me, you’ll never stop us, you’ll never get justice for that family. That and worse will happen to more people. Because we’ll never stop. There’s too much money in it. There are more of us than you can imagine. Some people count, you’re not one of em.”
The man eyed him. Calculating. He leaned over Carl’s seat putting his face within centimeters of Carl’s. “You misunderstand, Carl. I’m not here to get justice. I’m here to murder and kill and torture every single one of you assholes.” He laughed as he removed the mask. “Killing me–going after my family? That was your biggest mistake.”
“Y-y-you’re dead. I saw you die!”
“How many times you think you’ll have to do it before it sticks? I’m ready to die. Can you say as much?”
Want more…
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As you'll hear in the video, I loved this story in both formats. I try not to spoil the ending but if you haven't read/watched this yet, get on it! It's old! lol Sorry I'm speaking so fast, I was trying really hard not to say "uhm"
I’m feeling mischievous over my coffee this morning. Be sure to be on the look out for clues! They could be anywhere online or in your inbox if you’ve joined the club! Fun and games are well on their way!
While You Were Gone
I woke with a start. My eyes wide, my heart thundered against my ribs, sucking air greedily into my burning lungs. Adrenaline tingeling thorugh my fingertips ready for action.
A sound woke me. What was it? Lightning flashed, filling the room with a blue glow. Everything was as it should be. My new glass top table and wrought iron chairs by the window. A bouquet of flowers from my husband sat on my dresser. I force myself to close my eyes and focus. The sounds of the house greeted me. The ice maker, the steady drip of the leaky faucet my husband was supposed to fix before he left for his current mission. The slight pitter-patter of rain on the window and a rumble of thunder in the distance. I almost breathe a sigh of relief thinking it was thunder when I realize one sound I did not hear. The steady breathing of the dog. She was old and tended to wheeze with every breath. My eyes shot open.
Silently I pull back the sheet and slip out of bed. The cool air greeting my bare legs as my feet ...
