Ruthless

by Marlie May

  Eli shifted. His arm edged underneath me and pulled me close.

  His chest rumbled when he spoke. “You didn’t leave me.”

  “You’re not getting rid of me that easy. I’ll never leave you. I love you.”

  “Ah, Mia.” I swore his eyes watered. His voice, though slurred and slow from the medications, deepened. “I love you, too.”

  My grin rising on my face, I kissed him.

  From now on, I wouldn’t just tell him he was mine and I was his, I’d show him.

  We’d pull through this.

  Together.

  32

  Mia

  One week later.

  I shifted my hips to the music streaming from my phone, belting out how I wanted to be part of his world. Eli’s playlist.

  While Eli said I was his favorite Disney princess, I kind of wanted to be a mermaid instead.

  I backed up, dropped the oven door, and pulled out a freshly-baked batch of white chocolate, macadamia nut cookies.

  Once Eli was stable, they’d transferred him to the hospital here in town so he’d be closer to home. I’d begged for a bit more leave before starting my new job to remain by his side.

  He was getting better. Cranky but that assured me he was healing. Man pain was the worst, but he had been horribly hurt. In fact, my colleagues at the hospital had told me they’d let him come home soon.

  Home. To me.

  I was more than ready. Frankly, I was getting tired of the nurses whispering in the halls that Eli was so hot.

  He was hot, but he was my hot.

  I slid the last cookie off the pan and onto the rack, then reloaded the tray and popped it into the oven.

  Two sharp knocks hit my door.

  I stilled, listening but hearing nothing further. Except…

  A deep voice singing about how he wasn’t shy, he was gonna kiss the girl.

  My heart flipped, and I scurried from the kitchen.

  How was this possible?

  After yanking off my apron and ditching the pot holders from my hands, I raced down the hall, headed for the front door. I paused to smooth my hair, my—white—sundress, and my heart rate, which was never going to slow as long as I had Eli in my life.

  I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. My happiness demanded it had to shine through.

  I unlocked and swung open the door.

  A gorgeous man stood in front of me, dressed in a soft tee and faded jeans, a Santa hat on his head with the pompom brushing his shoulder.

  My laughter snorted out. “I, um. Hmm. I’m afraid Mrs. Clause isn’t here. I believe she’s hanging out at Christmastown with the real St. Nick.”

  “What if I have this?” A grin on his face, he held up a sprig of mistletoe.

  “I think you’d better come inside, sir.”

  He limped through the doorway looking so hot that I needed to fan my face.

  “Where did you get that—”

  His arm swept around my waist. “Remember that legend I told you at Christmastown?”

  “I do.”

  He dangled the mistletoe over his head. “Everyone who stands underneath it is entitled to a kiss.”

  I wrapped my arms around his waist, being careful not to put pressure on his sore belly. “Then we better get to it, Eli, because I’ve been waiting a lifetime.”

  Look for Jax & Haylee’s story next, Reckless. I can’t wait to share more of the Viper Force world.

  ~Marlie

  If you’ve enjoyed Ruthless, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

  Would you please leave a review?

  Goodreads

  Amazon

  I know everyone at Viper Force would say thanks.

  Marlie write books with heart, humor, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. When she's not writing romance, you can find her in Maine, where she works as a nurse. She lives with her own personal hero, her retired Navy Chief husband. They have three children, too many cats, and a cute Yorkie pup.

  You can find me via my website,

  Twitter, and on Facebook.

  Other Books by Marlie May

  Crescent Cove Contemporary Romances

  SOME LIKE IT SCOT

  SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE

  Independent Titles

  TWIST OF FATE, May, 2019

  (A time travel romance set in ancient Pompeii)

  Crescent Cove Romantic Suspense

  FEARLESS

  RUTHLESS

  RECKLESS, coming soon

  Young Adult

  DEAD GIRLS DON’T LIE

  A young adult suspense

  If you enjoy my adult romantic suspense novels, you’ll also love my twisty young adult suspense that opens with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the shocking ending.

  Here’s the first chapter of Dead Girls Don’t Lie. You can find it on Amazon.

  Dead Girls Don’t Lie

  ~or do they?

  Seventeen-year-old Janie Davis was found wandering a Maine beach with second-degree burns and no memory of what happened. An accident on a yacht caused it to sink, taking her parents and best friend down with it. Recovering, Janie returns home under the watchful gaze of her new guardian—an aunt who had been ostracized by Janie’s family.

  Snooping uncovers the accident report. She’s horrified to learn the deaths could be murder and is determined to solve the crime. Selective breaking and entering leads her to two suspects: her father’s shady business partner who profited from Dad’s death and her aunt, a woman with a sketchy past she’s eager to hide. Unsure where to turn next, Janie enlists the help of Emanuel Sancini, a fellow high school senior who thinks doing community service in the library means he can call himself a librarian.

  Their investigation leads them to crash a party where they uncover more evidence in the homeowner’s office. Discovered in the act, they’re forced to conceal their crime by pretending—sort of—that they snuck into the room to make out. Then Janie’s brake lines are cut and only a quick plunge to the tile floor keeps an overhead lamp from impaling her in the school library. This, and the warning, You’re Next, proves Janie’s getting closer. With Janie targeted, she and Emanuel must race to expose the murderer. Or Janie could wind up dead.

  Chapter One

  Aunt Kristy insisted I was strong enough to go to school today, but my heart, a tiny bird trapped in my chest, disagreed. I climbed from her SUV and pushed the door shut, steeling my expression as pain shot up my arms.

  My aunt came around the hood and thrust out her hand. “Give me your backpack, Janine. I’ll take it inside for you.”

  “It’s Janie,” I said.

  “What?”

  “I told you before. Everyone calls me Janie.” I tightened my hand on the strap looped over my shoulder. “And I can carry my own bag, thanks.”

  “Well. Okay. If you’re sure. Janie.” She worried her necklace, releasing a sigh, then pivoted on her heel and hurried up the walkway. I imagined she was dying to get to the teacher’s lounge to put away her things. Gulp down a cup of coffee before she had to convince a bunch of teenagers that chemistry was fun. Or maybe she just wanted to get away from me.

  Two months ago, Aunt Kristy moved into my home and applied for a job at my high school. She’d done her best to be a parent since. Few people would take on raising a niece they barely knew. Considering she and Dad hadn’t been close since before I was born, that said something.

  “Hey, there you are,” someone said from behind me.

  Turning, I hugged Sean, my remaining best friend from before.

  “Whoa, aren’t you a rebel? I like it,” he said, taking in my dark green skirt and white tee. At Finley Cove High School, we were expected to wear white collared shirts and khakis, and ‘keep our appearances tidy’. Sean could be a poster child for the school dress code.

  “That’s me, living dangerously.” I’d tucked my shirt into a skirt that landed above rather than below the knee. While my outfit would challenge the school board rules, it still felt aw
esome wearing something other than ratty shorts and a tee. “I, well, you know, lost weight. Nothing else fits. Think I can get away with it until I hit the mall?”

  “I won’t tell.” His gaze fell away from mine. “You ready to hit the gauntlet?” At my tight nod, he shoved his backpack strap higher on his shoulder and held out his arm. A few months ago, he would’ve held out both arms. One for me and one for his girlfriend. Brianna.

  The doctors said I should be grateful because I’d only received second-degree burns. Third-degree would’ve been worse because the nerves would be shot and I’d never regain sensation. Those doctors didn’t know a damn thing. Pain could be swatted away like a pesky fly. Losing the people I loved had gutted me.

  We caught up with a bunch of girls who stalled and grew silent when they saw me. I’d known most of them since elementary school, hanging out together more times than I could count to talk about hot guys, TV shows, and make-up. Frivolous stuff, but I’d been frivolous back then.

  Marley’s lips twitched as she took in the red patches on my pale skin and the puckers from my grafts. Another girl pretended to gag, not realizing that while my arms and hands might’ve been burned, my eyes worked just fine, thank you very much. Back home, I’d convinced myself my scars were battle wounds proving I’d survived when everyone else hadn’t. Seen through the eyes of these girls, I was repulsive, a thing that should be hidden. I yanked my sleeves down around my wrists, wishing I could pull the material over my fingertips, as well.

  “So, Janie. You still have—” Marley made air quotes. “—amnesia?”

  “I don’t remember much about what happened that night if that’s what you’re asking.” The doctors said my memory might never return.

  “But, but…” Marley’s mouth dropped open. “What if you caused the accident?”

  The other girls released muted giggles, savoring the drama.

  “I didn’t.” My heartbeat pulsed in my throat.

  Like my personal Pitbull straining against his leash, Sean bared his teeth and snarled.

  “Kinda hard to say if you’re to blame or not, now isn’t it?” Marley smirked. “Considering you don’t actually remember.”

  Anger slammed through me like a semi hitting a paper-thin wall. “I wouldn’t hurt my parents or Brianna.”

  Sean elbowed himself between us. “Get lost, Marley, would you?”

  With a huff, she spun and continued toward school with the other girls clustering around her feverishly whispering.

  “Thank you,” I said, grateful all over again I still had Sean in my life.

  “Any time.” We continued toward school. “Umm, about swimming. I thought about it a lot over the past few weeks.” His footsteps paused before picking up speed. “Decided I’m going.”

  Sean, Brianna and I had been on the swim team together and had made a game out of competing for the best times. While Sean could literally swim laps around us due to his male body structure, Brianna also beat me at every meet. A foster kid, she’d worked twice as hard as me to get ahead. If only I’d appreciated that fact sooner.

  “Swimming?” A shiver went through me. “How could you—I just can’t.”

  “Going to the pool will be one of the hardest things I'll ever do but it’s what she would’ve wanted. Yeah, I mourn her.” His eyes squeezed shut. When he opened them, they glistened. “I’m going to miss her forever. But she would’ve wanted us to keep going.”

  My aunt had been after me to jump back into ‘activities you used to do before the accident,' but I didn’t see how I could. Going to classes without Brianna would be tough but it would ruin me to do anything else we used to share.

  “I’ll feel closer to her when I swim. Like she’s still with me,” he said.

  Whenever I thought about getting into the water, my brain flashed to memories of me struggling in the sea…my head going under…our boat lighting up the night as it was consumed by flames.

  “Hey.” Sean peered down at me. “You look pale. You still up for this? ‘Cause, we can bail, if you want.”

  Like that would do me any good? My grades were skating too close to the edge already. I pushed for a smile. “I’m okay. Let's go.”

  Crossing the lobby, we walked down the hall to the wing lined with lockers where I ditched my backpack and pulled out a notebook.

  Sean slouched against the wall. “Are you starting to remember what happened that night?” The hope in his voice tugged my insides sideways. If only I could give him one more memory of Brianna, a tiny speck he could hold on to.

  “Some.” I fiddled with a pen before stuffing it inside my pocket. “It’s sporadic. Which is frustrating.” Fear came through in my words. “Do you think I’m blocking it out because…”

  “Janie. You weren’t responsible. Forget what Marley said.”

  A worm of doubt kept wiggling through me, spreading its poison.

  “Fireworks caused the fire. That’s what the police said.” He pulled out his phone and glanced at it. “Damn. I’ve gotta get to AP Chem.” Not that Sean needed to worry about angering my aunt by being late to her class. With our school’s highest GPA, he was the top candidate for the Upstanding Citizen Award, which came with a full college scholarship. If I knew Sean, he’d finish with the best grade in the class.

  Unlike me. I’d be thrilled if I got a C in basic chem.

  I went in the other direction, toward calc. Inside, I took my usual seat—front right and next to the window so I could look outside if I got bored.

  The teacher clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone. Let’s get settled.”

  Since I couldn’t start school with everyone else in September, Sean had brought me my assignments, but I was barely squeaking by in some of my classes. It was time to get to work. I opened my notebook and clicked my pen.

  When I looked down, my heart stopped. I stared at the top corner of the white laminate desk surface where someone had drawn a tiny hummingbird in dark blue ink.

  My hand flew to my right hip, and I traced the identical pattern. Brianna and I had used fake IDs to get matching tattoos earlier this summer. The fact that this one looked exactly like mine was just a coincidence. It couldn’t mean anything.

  An intense longing for my friend rushed through me, and tears swam in my eyes all over again. Jeez, I was hopeless.

  The teacher’s sympathetic gaze sliding my way only made things worse. She nudged her head toward the hall and lifted her eyebrows.

  Running from the classroom, I went to my locker and dumped my stuff. I pressed my forehead against the cold metal until my ragged breathing eased.

  This…wasn’t going to work. Not today, anyway.

  Slamming my locker closed, I ran.

  I shouldn’t be afraid to go downstairs. This was my house now that my parents had died.

  The creak of my bedroom door sent a quiver down my spine. Old houses have rusty hinges, plumbing that sputters, and wooden floorboards that protest whenever you walk across them. History, my dad used to say. No, it felt creepy. Out on the landing, I peered down. My aunt had left a light on in the dining room, and a yellow beam bled across the carpet covering the entryway and glinted on the table where my parents had always dropped their car keys. Where Aunt Kristy dropped her car keys, now.

  Somewhere deeper in the house, a man spoke, but I couldn’t make out his words.

  Barefoot, I tiptoed down the staircase to the first floor. While I could poke my head into the study—where I’d determined the voices came from—and tell my aunt what I was doing, why bother? I could dart into the kitchen, drink fast, and scoot back to my room without her knowing I’d been near.

  “…haven’t told her?” the man said.

  Abandoning my thirst, I slipped through the living room and hovered against the wall beside the almost-closed study door.

  “… need to know…” my aunt said. “I…best if she never knows. Janie’s…fragile.”

  Great. She was talking about me with some man.

  Nothing good e
ver came from eavesdropping, especially when you were the subject of the conversation. Part of me wanted to run back upstairs and jump under my blankets. Hide.

  Curiosity only killed cats, not teenage girls.

  I leaned forward, tilting my head to place my ear closer to the opening.

  The hardwood floor groaned as the man shifted. “I think you—”

  “This is a closed subject,” Aunt Kristy said crisply. “Are we clear?”

  A long moment passed. “You are her guardian.” She’d applied for that honor a day after the police called her.

  “Legally,” the man added, “It’s up to you to tell her or withhold the information.”

  “Exactly,” Aunt Kristy grated out. “Is there anything else we need to discuss before you leave?” A chair screeched across the floor as if she’d shoved it back to stand.

  “No,” the man said. “Just doing my duty, delivering the report as requested, now that—”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your efforts on our behalf.”

  “Anytime, Ma’am.”

  “Let me walk you out.” Footsteps approached, and my heart leaped against my ribcage. Pivoting, I raced into the living room and stared around frantically before diving behind the sofa. I landed on the carpet, jarring my hip against the wall. Breathing fast, I lay still, listening. As my aunt and the man crossed the living room, my hands grew clammy with sweat.

  “Thank you for coming,” Aunt Kristy said. “I know you’re busy at the station.”

  Station? I crept forward to peer around the end of the sofa.

  Aunt Kristy unlocked and pulled open the front door.