Blaine Kirsten unwittingly gets pulled into a prostitution ring when her best friend, Kami Matthews, introduces her to Josh Barnes. When Blaine refuses to become a part of his operation, she faces brutal consequences.
Detectives Jane Adams and Casey Jorgan are assigned to the case. Almost immediately, Casey finds herself unable to separate her personal emotions from this case, which jeopardizes her career.
Available in paperback and ebook
After three members of Carter Rogers' close-knit New England family end up dead within weeks of each other, the family begins to suspect that one of their own may be responsible. Carter soon realizes that most of his family, and even the investigators, suspect his wife and he is determined to prove her innocence.
Available in paperback and ebook
"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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He moved closer to Blaine. "Stand up," he said softly, extending a hand to help her to her feet.
She cocked a suspicious eye at him. "Why?"
"Because I asked you to," he answered in the same soft voice.
Blaine smirked, shooting a sideways glance at Kami as she noted Josh’s expensive suit and the ease with which he wore it. She assumed that his classic movie star looks and obvious wealth made him think he could demand whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. "Who do you think you are?" Her voice was icy. "No offense, Kami, but I am definitely not impressed. Someone should have taught your friend some proper manners."
Josh kept his eyes on her as his lips turned up into an amused, but at the same time, eerie smile.
"Just do as he asks," Kami said in a low voice.
Blaine’s eyes narrowed. "Why should I?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "I don’t know who you think you are, but you certainly don’t impress me." She folded her arms across her chest.
Josh laughed. "We’re going to get to know one another very well before this night is over."
"I don’t think so," she replied disgustedly. "Maybe you’re used to women throwing themselves at your feet, but I’m not one of them. I am definitely not interested in anything you have to offer."
He inched closer. "I don’t give a damn what you are or are not interested in." His eyes traveled over her body.
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"Then what the hell is it?" he demanded.
She shook her head. "I don’t know. There’s something strange about her. She’s so secretive about her past."
He lifted his eyebrows. "No, she’s not."
Payton frowned. He wouldn’t listen and she wasn’t in the mood to get into a debate. "I think we should end this line of conversation. But just remember, Carter, that I care about you. I always have and always will."
"If you care, then please treat my wife with the respect she deserves," he replied.
She decided to change the topic. "Who’s watching Becca this afternoon?"
"Morgan."
She frowned. "Do you think it’s wise to bring the baby to the funeral?"
"Morgan’s not going."
"What do you mean she’s not going?" Payton exclaimed. "Doesn’t that prove my point to you?" she smugly asked.
"And what point is that?" Morgan asked, entering the room with Becca tagging behind her.
"Nothing, honey," Carter, flushed, quickly said.
Morgan looked suspiciously at Payton.
Payton caught her eye, and then quickly looked away from the penetrating stare. She forced herself to keep her mouth closed.
Available In Paperback and Ebook
Blaine Kirsten unwittingly gets pulled into a prostitution ring when her best friend, Kami Matthews, introduces her to Josh Barnes. When Blaine refuses to become a part of his operation, she faces brutal consequences.
Detectives Jane Adams and Casey Jorgan are assigned to the case. Almost immediately, Casey finds herself unable to separate her personal emotions from this case, which jeopardizes her career.
Available in paperback and ebook
After three members of Carter Rogers' close-knit New England family end up dead within weeks of each other, the family begins to suspect that one of their own may be responsible. Carter soon realizes that most of his family, and even the investigators, suspect his wife and he is determined to prove her innocence.
Available in paperback and ebook
She chewed her bottom lip. "I couldn’t do it, Josh. It wasn’t the right time. You should’ve seen her. Some creep roughed her up and almost raped her last night. She’s in bad shape."
"You have twenty-four hours to talk to Blaine and convince her to work for me—no more, no less. Do I make myself clear?"
"Josh, there’s no way Blaine will go for it. She’s different—you know what I mean—too innocent. I can’t force her to do this. All the other girls came on board willingly. I’m sure there are a lot of girls who would love to join, but not Blaine. I think this is a bad business decision."
"How I run the business is no concern of yours."
"But Josh, what you’re asking me to do is illegal."
"Twenty-four hours!" he snarled. "Don’t cross me, Kami."
The line went dead. "Dammit! Now what do I do?" she muttered to herself as she leaned back in her chair and squeezed her eyes shut. Her head pounded near her temples. She prepared herself for another in a series of what were rapidly becoming daily headaches. How had she allowed herself to get into this mess? But more importantly, how could she keep Blaine out of it? She needed time, but time was the one thing that Josh Barnes would never give her.
Available In Paperback and Ebook
Carter emphatically shook his head. "What vendetta could anyone possibly have against my mother? It doesn’t make sense! Who would want her dead?" His eyes narrowed. "My mother didn’t have any enemies. You know that, Jake. Could it be a random act?"
"I don’t know, Carter."
Carter’s nostrils filled with the stench of the smoldering ruins. He coughed, and then spat at the ground. "Fill me in on what you do know, Jake."
"There’s not too much at this point," he answered, pulling on his chin.
"I’ve known you my entire life, Jake. You must have a theory."
Jake was thoughtful for a moment. "I do."
"And?" Carter persisted.
His eyes slanted. "My theory is that the perpetrator knew your mother would be out this evening. He then entered the house and rigged up a device in her bedroom lamp that would detonate the moment she turned the lamp on." He paused. "After the lamp was turned on, everything just blew."
Carter grabbed the sheriff’s arm. "A bomb? Why? What could my mother have ever done to cause someone to want to blow up her house with her in it? It still doesn’t make sense."
Formats: Paperback and Ebook
Blaine Kirsten unwittingly gets pulled into a prostitution ring when her best friend, Kami Matthews, introduces her to Josh Barnes. When Blaine refuses to become a part of his operation, she faces brutal consequences.
Detectives Jane Adams and Casey Jorgan are assigned to the case. Almost immediately, Casey finds herself unable to separate her personal emotions from this case, which jeopardizes her career.
Available in paperback and ebook
After three members of Carter Rogers' close-knit New England family end up dead within weeks of each other, the family begins to suspect that one of their own may be responsible. Carter soon realizes that most of his family, and even the investigators, suspect his wife and he is determined to prove her innocence.
Available in paperback and ebook
"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."
Available In Paperback and Ebook
"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."
Available In Paperback and Ebook
Blaine Kirsten unwittingly gets pulled into a prostitution ring when her best friend, Kami Matthews, introduces her to Josh Barnes. When Blaine refuses to become a part of his operation, she faces brutal consequences.
Detectives Jane Adams and Casey Jorgan are assigned to the case. Almost immediately, Casey finds herself unable to separate her personal emotions from this case, which jeopardizes her career.
Available in paperback and ebook
After three members of Carter Rogers' close-knit New England family end up dead within weeks of each other, the family begins to suspect that one of their own may be responsible. Carter soon realizes that most of his family, and even the investigators, suspect his wife and he is determined to prove her innocence.
Available in paperback and ebook
He moved closer to Blaine. "Stand up," he said softly, extending a hand to help her to her feet.
She cocked a suspicious eye at him. "Why?"
"Because I asked you to," he answered in the same soft voice.
Blaine smirked, shooting a sideways glance at Kami as she noted Josh’s expensive suit and the ease with which he wore it. She assumed that his classic movie star looks and obvious wealth made him think he could demand whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. "Who do you think you are?" Her voice was icy. "No offense, Kami, but I am definitely not impressed. Someone should have taught your friend some proper manners."
Josh kept his eyes on her as his lips turned up into an amused, but at the same time, eerie smile.
"Just do as he asks," Kami said in a low voice.
Blaine’s eyes narrowed. "Why should I?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "I don’t know who you think you are, but you certainly don’t impress me." She folded her arms across her chest.
Josh laughed. "We’re going to get to know one another very well before this night is over."
"I don’t think so," she replied disgustedly. "Maybe you’re used to women throwing themselves at your feet, but I’m not one of them. I am definitely not interested in anything you have to offer."
He inched closer. "I don’t give a damn what you are or are not interested in." His eyes traveled over her body.
Available In Paperback and Ebook
"Then what the hell is it?" he demanded.
She shook her head. "I don’t know. There’s something strange about her. She’s so secretive about her past."
He lifted his eyebrows. "No, she’s not."
Payton frowned. He wouldn’t listen and she wasn’t in the mood to get into a debate. "I think we should end this line of conversation. But just remember, Carter, that I care about you. I always have and always will."
"If you care, then please treat my wife with the respect she deserves," he replied.
She decided to change the topic. "Who’s watching Becca this afternoon?"
"Morgan."
She frowned. "Do you think it’s wise to bring the baby to the funeral?"
"Morgan’s not going."
"What do you mean she’s not going?" Payton exclaimed. "Doesn’t that prove my point to you?" she smugly asked.
"And what point is that?" Morgan asked, entering the room with Becca tagging behind her.
"Nothing, honey," Carter, flushed, quickly said.
Morgan looked suspiciously at Payton.
Payton caught her eye, and then quickly looked away from the penetrating stare. She forced herself to keep her mouth closed.
Available In Paperback and Ebook
Blaine Kirsten unwittingly gets pulled into a prostitution ring when her best friend, Kami Matthews, introduces her to Josh Barnes. When Blaine refuses to become a part of his operation, she faces brutal consequences.
Detectives Jane Adams and Casey Jorgan are assigned to the case. Almost immediately, Casey finds herself unable to separate her personal emotions from this case, which jeopardizes her career.
After three members of Carter Rogers' close-knit New England family end up dead within weeks of each other, the family begins to suspect that one of their own may be responsible. Carter soon realizes that most of his family, and even the investigators, suspect his wife and he is determined to prove her innocence.
Available in paperback and ebook.
She chewed her bottom lip. "I couldn’t do it, Josh. It wasn’t the right time. You should’ve seen her. Some creep roughed her up and almost raped her last night. She’s in bad shape."
"You have twenty-four hours to talk to Blaine and convince her to work for me—no more, no less. Do I make myself clear?"
"Josh, there’s no way Blaine will go for it. She’s different—you know what I mean—too innocent. I can’t force her to do this. All the other girls came on board willingly. I’m sure there are a lot of girls who would love to join, but not Blaine. I think this is a bad business decision."
"How I run the business is no concern of yours."
"But Josh, what you’re asking me to do is illegal."
"Twenty-four hours!" he snarled. "Don’t cross me, Kami."
The line went dead. "Dammit! Now what do I do?" she muttered to herself as she leaned back in her chair and squeezed her eyes shut. Her head pounded near her temples. She prepared herself for another in a series of what were rapidly becoming daily headaches. How had she allowed herself to get into this mess? But more importantly, how could she keep Blaine out of it? She needed time, but time was the one thing that Josh Barnes would never give her.
Available In Paperback and Ebook
