Excerpt Wednesday – Revenge

 Donna’s features hardened. "That bitch and her tight ass mother did that to you. If it weren’t for them, two, you would have never had to go away from home. Christine Westmiller always had it in for you trying to cause trouble and break your marriage up. Zoey believed her mother instead of obeying you. Someday they’ll get theirs." She gripped the steering wheel tightly. "You can count on it." She reached over and gave Jackson’s hand a quick squeeze. "Do you think you can forget about that place, Jackson?"

"Probably not. At least not for a while." He grunted as he drew a deep breath. "It does feel good to be free, Ma. No one looking over my shoulder, watching my every move, and telling me what to do and when to do it. The nights were the worse. All the screaming and crying." He gritted his teeth.

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Excerpt Wednesday – The Stalker

 He began to relax. Finally, he had friends, and he owed it all to Rebecca. She wanted everyone to get to know him. 

Don’t drink that poison, Jeremy. They’re trying to weaken you, the demons warned. 

Luke threw an arm around Cassi. Jeremy watched as his fingers softly massaged her bare shoulder. He stole a look at Rebecca wishing he were rubbing her shoulder as her head rested on his chest. 

Nicholas sat down next to Rebecca and carefully put an arm across her shoulder, drawing her close to him. She rested her head on his chest, then ran her fingertips up and down his arm. 

No! he silently screamed. No, I’m supposed to be the one holding her and touching her. The demons ridiculed him. We warned you, she doesn’t want you, they laughed. He gulped down the rest of his beer, forgetting about the bitter taste. He had to quell the rumbling erupting inside of him.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Over The Edge

 Maggie’s patience was rapidly disappearing. "Look, if you have something to say, just say it. I don’t have time for drama queen theatrics." She put the sponge under the counter then stood with hands on hips to face her antagonist. 

"Is there somewhere we can go to speak privately? I don’t want to talk here, Maggie." She glanced around at the few customers. 

She shook her head. "We can talk here. Can I get you some coffee or anything?" 

"No, thank you." She twisted the handle of her handbag. "I don’t know how to break the news to you." 

"Janna, just come out with it," Maggie snapped. "I told you I don’t have the time or the patience for your silly games today." 

The younger woman sighed again. "I suppose since there really is no easy way to say this, I should just come right on out and tell you." 

"Please do." 

She hesitated for a moment. "Chris moved in with Chelsea last night." Her eyes met Maggie’s. "You know Chelsea Howard?" 

Maggie felt like she’d just been kicked in the stomach. Her face flushed as a tremor slowly wound its way through her body. She inhaled sharply as Janna’s words slowly repeated themselves over and over in her mind. "I don’t believe you," she spat out tightly, gripping the counter as blood rushed to her head making her temples pound loudly against her skull. Her legs weakened. She’d pass out at any moment as Janna’s stinging words continued to echo repeatedly in her head, slowly fading in and out. She sucked in her breath.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Silent Dreams

 "Josh owns you now, Blaine. You’re his girl—his exclusive property—until he decides if and when to share you," she cried. "Don’t you see? I had no choice and I never wanted you to become involved in this. But once Josh Barnes sets his mind on something, there’s no stopping him." 

"What are you talking about, Kami? Nobody owns me." Her eyes narrowed as she looked into Kami’s haunted eyes. "What’s really going on?" 

Tears rolled down Kami’s face. "How did you possibly think that I could afford all of this?" she asked, throwing her arms up. "Are you that naive? A private secretary doesn’t make enough to afford this kind of luxury or to live in an apartment in this neighborhood. Josh owns this building and everyone in it." She took a deep breath. "I sell my body for money. You deserve to know the truth. Surely you must have wondered about all the nights I told you I was busy and especially the obvious fact that I never had a steady man in my life. I couldn’t." 

Blaine stared in disbelief. "I don’t want to hear any more," she moaned, placing her hands over her ears. "Get away from me! You make me sick." 

Kami grabbed her hands and held them tightly. "You have to listen to me!" she pleaded. "I belong to Josh and so do the other girls and there is nothing we can do about it! Don’t you think we’ve tried? If there was a way to get out, I would have done it a long time ago."

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Excerpt Wednesday – The Black Heart

"It’s very simple, Sheriff. Whoever killed Rachel Rogers probably won’t stop with her death." 

"It seems like he has. You see how quiet it’s been." 

"He’s waiting to make his next move." Barlow was thoughtful for a minute. "He’s sending a message." 

Jake almost laughed out loud at the notion, but controlled the urge. "And just what is that message?" he asked with a touch of sarcasm in his tone. 

"That this is only the beginning." 

"Of what?" 

"I think something happened—could be years ago or recent—that involves one of the Rogers’."

 "That’s ridiculous," Jake said dismissing him. "I’ve known that family for years. I watched those kids grow up. Not one of them has so much as gotten a speeding ticket." 

"Could be an act of revenge," Barlow continued. 

"Revenge?" Jake scoffed. "Rachel Rogers didn’t have any enemies to speak of." 

"Maybe you don’t know the family as well as you think you do. All families have secrets." 

"Not this family," Jake answered confidently. "You seem to forget Weldon is not Boston." 

"I’m well aware of that." 

"Any other theories?" the sheriff asked, seemingly amused with the investigator. "You’re ruling out a random act of violence?" 

"If it was a random act, why would he hit just one house? Why not somewhere he could take out a group of people like a restaurant or the community center? No, I think Rachel Rogers was targeted and it’s up to us to find out why."

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Excerpt Wednesday – Twisted Lives

 "I didn’t do anything!" Andy cried in fear. "I didn’t steal your money, but I’ll pay you back every cent you think I took!" he choked. One move and the knife would be plunged into his throat. He had to think fast, but his mind was frozen in fear. 

The man shook his head. "You know what doesn’t make sense? Why would you be willing to pay back money you insist you didn’t take?" His forehead furrowed. "Sounds like that’s an admission." 

"I...I don’t know, but you’ve got to believe me when I tell you that I didn’t touch the money. The envelope was sealed...you saw it! They’re always sealed." 

Mr. D laughed. "If you would have counted it like you were instructed, it wouldn’t have been sealed, now would it?" 

"I didn’t touch it because you told us to never open an envelope if it’s sealed. Every envelope I’ve delivered and picked up has been sealed. You never said anything before," Andy protested. 

"Are you calling me a liar?" 

"No." 

"Now where would you get the money to pay me back?" 

"I don’t know." His eyes pleaded with Mr. D’s for mercy. "Maybe you could deduct it from my pay." 

The man frowned. "Maybe I could," he said slowly, "but I’m not going to." He grinned as he playfully poked the knife between Andy’s ribs. "Maybe there’s another way."

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Excerpt Wednesday – Maggie Quinn

 Patrick Quinn, a thin, handsome, dark haired boy of fourteen, squared his shoulders as he looked over the soggy field. He was dressed in a tattered shirt and soiled trousers; his well-worn shoes wouldn't last much longer, but he didn't worry about himself. His family depended on him. His nostrils, filled with the nauseating stench of rotting potatoes, made his stomach lurch. This year he'd hoped for a crop. Anything to sustain them. Now it was gone. He felt the weight of the world come crashing down on him.

He stooped down, surveying the field, and then picked up a rotted potato. He studied it carefully for a few seconds, and then stood and holding it tightly in his hand, thrust his arm toward the sky.

"Why!" he cried as he dropped to his knees in the putrid field. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

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