“Alex.”
Really? Alex should be in D.C. What was she doing here?
Knowing her, she probably came all this way to give her a lecture about getting shot.
She let her friend in and secured the door before leading the way into the living room. “Shouldn’t you be in Washington?”
“Funny story.” Alex settled on the edge of the sofa cushion. “I quit.”
“You what?”
“Actually, transferred is more accurate. You know Barker’s had an opening for about a month now, right?”
Of course she knew, but she never would’ve seen this one coming. “Really? You’re moving back to Jacksonville?”
“After what happened with Peters and Beckman, I couldn’t do it anymore. Besides, it was good working together again. And we both know you weren’t planning to switch positions.” Alex slid back on the sofa and scrutinized her face. “You look a little pale.”
“Getting shot will do that to you. But the doctor says I’m recovering well.”
“You better be. What the heck were you thinking, getting shot like that?”
“It’s not like I planned it. Young showed up and tried to shoot Nate. I had to do something.”
“And that was the best you could come up with? I thought you were more creative than that.” Alex’s scowl slid. “Nate again, huh? How’d he get tied up in this mess with Young?”
“Long story.” She summarized as best she could, but was even more exhausted by the time she finished.
“Wait. So you’re telling me Nate is best friends with Stevens?”
“Crazy, huh? It’s the reason Stevens didn’t kill me and Reilly that day.”
“I don’t know.” Alex’s eyes betrayed her skepticism. “Sounds pretty unlikely that Stevens would back off a hit for a friend.”
“I know, but they’ve got this special bond. Some kind of brotherhood thing. I think you have to go through the abuse they suffered as kids to really understand.”
“You didn’t let him get away, did you?”
“No way. I was going to have him arrested. I even contacted the police and told them where he said he was staying, but no one was registered under his name.” Lana leaned back into the cushions. “He came to see me in the hospital, but I was too tired to do anything to stop him from leaving. That was the last I saw of him.”
Probably the last she’d ever see of him.
He had to know that she’d take him in if he ever showed his face again.
“I didn’t really think you’d let him off that easy, but I had to ask.” A trace of apology laced Alex’s words.
“It wouldn’t have been easy. He’d become a good friend.”
A sly grin stole across Alex’s face. “Just think what would happen if you let your guard down more often. Maybe you could reform dozens of cold-blooded killers.”
She shook her head slowly, well aware that Alex didn’t mean it.
On the other hand, if she’d played by her own rules, both she and Reilly would be dead right now. Who would’ve thought such a simple investment of time could have such an impact?
She prayed that her investment had also planted seeds of faith, seeds that God would water through others who might invest in Nate. Because only God could give Nate the love and acceptance he’d always been denied.
Too bad she’d never know.
Nate was long gone. Gone, but not forgotten. Never forgotten.
Dedication & Acknowledgements
Dedicated to Jesus Christ,
Savior of the world and the only one worthy of praise
Thank you doesn’t begin to cover the appreciation that is due to the many people who have supported this dream over the years. A very special thanks to my family, especially my Mom, who has read every word I’ve written – at least once, and to my special friends Janet and Del, who have helped mold this book into what you see here. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of people.
The greatest thanks, however, must go to the ultimate Author and Lord of all. Thank you, God, for sparking within each of us a desire to create something of value. Anything we create shows the touch of the Creator. If you haven’t read His book lately, I’d encourage you to do so. It’s my favorite book and worth reading every single day!
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A Note from the Author
Thank you so much for joining me on Lana’s journey! I hope you enjoyed getting to know her and her friends as much as I enjoyed creating them. Her story isn’t over, though; join her on her next adventure in Deadly Devotion, book two in the Deadly Alliances series. A sneak peek of that novel begins on the next page.
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Have you ever asked yourself why God uses people to change the world? It’s not like He actually needs us. He’s God – He can do anything and, quite frankly, can do a better job than we can even dream of doing. Yet He chooses to use us, in spite of how messy and messed up we are. It’s truly amazing.
As I wrote this book, I was struck by the impact one person can have on another. Yes, Lana is a fictional character and realistically, the chances of any of us changing a hardened criminal are pretty unlikely. But who knows? What may seem like a small thing to us – smiling at the barista at the coffee shop, saying “hi” to the single parent at church, conversing with the person ringing up your groceries – can impact people in ways we might never know.
So as you go about life as usual, I’d challenge you to join me in reaching out. It doesn’t have to be major or earth-shattering. Just look beyond yourself and see someone else.
Who knows? Maybe God will use you to be Christ to them.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this story, I hope you’ll tell the other readers in your life about it.
May God bless you. Seek Him and let Him guide your paths.
Excerpt from Deadly Devotion
Book two in the Deadly Alliances trilogy
Prologue
Night crept in with a predator’s stealth. He welcomed the cold embrace of darkness, which felt far warmer than that of the woman who held his heart.
Light leaked from the windows of the house across the street.
He tried not to think about what was going on inside, but found himself consumed with little else.
How long had they been in there? Minutes? Hours? It felt like it had been days since she’d started a movie and closed the drapes.
The front door opened and a man stepped out, the circle of the porch light illuminating him. Tall, broad, dark hair. Beyond the man, he caught a glimpse of her. A smile engulfed her beautiful face and she stepped into the man’s arms.
The little slut!
He longed to look away. Yet he couldn’t even blink.
She was practically making out with that jerk.
And on her doorstep no less! It was bad enough that she rubbed his nose in her unfaithfulness, but now she was flaunting it for the whole world to se
e.
How could she do this to him?
His fingers curled around the smooth ivory handle of the antique hunting knife resting on the seat beside him.
He’d teach her a lesson, one she’d never forget.
After one final kiss, she flitted her fingers in a small wave – meant as yet another cruel taunt solely for his benefit, no doubt – and closed the door.
The dark haired man walked down the porch steps, an idiotic grin on his face and a bounce in his stride.
What a chump. He better enjoy it while it lasted because with her, it wouldn’t last long.
It never did.
Part of him wanted to jump out of the car and plunge the blade into the man’s chest, but none of this mess was that guy’s fault. He likely didn’t even know she was using him as her pawn. Just another victim of her heartless games.
The loser climbed in his car and backed out of her driveway.
As soon as the taillights disappeared around the corner, the man threw open his door and stepped into the balmy evening air.
He glanced up the street. The night was as still as death.
Weed-filled cracks littered the path leading to her front door. Further evidence that she wasn’t the woman he’d thought she was. The lack of care for her property reflected the carelessness in her heart.
Tremors vibrated down his fingers as he pushed the doorbell. Chimes echoed inside.
He stepped into the shadows to the left of the door.
A chain rattled. The lock clicked. The door opened.
“Back so soo–”
He slapped a hand over her mouth and thrust her inside, kicking the door closed behind him.
A scream slid past his fingers as she stumbled. He caught her arm and jerked her to her feet, pressing the flat part of the knife against her neck.
The scream died in her throat.
Her eyes flicked down, futilely trying to see the blade she could feel against her skin, before resting on his face. Tears glittered like broken glass.
Shaking in his fist, she looked so small, so weak and helpless.
How could he feel sorry for her after all she’d done? He’d given her his heart and she’d thrown it to the dogs.
“Please don’t hurt me.” The breathy words spilled from her perfect lips.
Was that repentance he heard?
Maybe. But it’d take a heck of a lot more than a simple “I’m sorry” to smooth this over. She needed to know, to truly appreciate, exactly how much she’d hurt him.
Let her be scared for now. She deserved it.
“Please. Don’t hurt–”
“Shut up!”
She clamped her lips together.
“Down. On your stomach.” Growling the command, he lowered the knife and pushed her back a few steps.
“Wh–what do you want?”
“I said shut up. On the ground. Now!”
She dropped to the floor. Her body quaked. A sob hiccupped, the sound echoing off the polished hardwood beneath her.
“Hands behind your back.”
The sob morphed into a soft wail.
“Shut up!”
Kneeling beside her, he set the knife aside, pulled a roll of fishing line from his pocket, and lashed her hands together. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet.
“Here’s how this is gonna play out. You’re coming with me. You make one sound and I’ll slit your throat, got it?”
Light danced up the edge of the blade as he held it up. Her wide eyes rested on the weapon before focusing back on him.
She nodded.
Pressing the knife against her back, he shoved her out the door.
The street appeared deserted, but that didn’t mean someone wouldn’t turn the corner at any second. Not to mention the threat of being seen by one of the neighbors.
They needed to hurry.
Opening the driver’s door, he pushed her toward his car. “All the way across.”
She crawled in, falling over the center console, and landed sideways on the passenger seat. Not waiting for her to right herself, he slid into the driver’s seat and cranked the engine.
Ragged, shallow breaths shuddered from her, the noise drowning out the hum of the tires on the asphalt.
Five minutes passed before she broke the silence. “Whe–where are you t–taking m–me?”
Frankly, as much as she liked to talk, he was surprised she’d waited so long to say something. “Someplace where we can talk without being disturbed.”
“Ta–talk about what?”
Was she serious?
He whipped around to look at her. “You and me. Him. The future.”
Fresh tears scrolled down her cheeks. “Why me? What did I ever do to you?”
“What did you…?” He fought to keep his attention on the road, but couldn’t stop his eyes from straying to her. “How can you ask me that? After that scene back at your house?”
“Scene?”
She couldn’t be serious. “Oh come on! You know what I’m talking about. Your infidelity. You didn’t even try to hide it!”
“Infidelity?”
“Yes, infidelity.” Was she acting dumb just to irritate him? If so, it was working. “I saw him leaving your house. Did you seriously think I wouldn’t find out?”
“I don’t even know you!”
Don’t. Even. Know. You.
The words ricocheted inside his mind as he stared at her. “Why would you say that?”
“I’ve never seen you before.”
Aiming for the curb, he jerked the wheel to the right and slammed on the brakes. She flew forward, her body slamming into the glove compartment before crumpling to the floor. A yelp escaped.
Good. Served her right.
The pain she felt was a fraction of what she’d inflicted upon his heart.
She struggled to get back on the seat, but lacked the leverage to do so. With her back against the door, she drew her knees to her chest and stared at him.
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but it’s over. A connection like ours–”
“There is no connection!”
The words knocked the air from his lungs. No connection? It was like he didn’t even know her.
Maybe he didn’t.
Maybe she’d been putting on a show this whole time. Maybe the woman he loved didn’t really exist behind the false front she’d shown him.
The dome light blinked on and she tumbled out of the car.
No! Somehow the little tramp had managed to get the door open.
He grabbed the knife as she stumbled to her feet.
“Help! Help me!”
The screams bounced off the empty buildings lining either side of the street. Too bad for her the businesses had long since closed and no one ventured into this area after dark. The only witnesses to what was about to happen included a delivery van, tractor trailer, and graffiti-covered dumpster.
It was a good place to die.
One
The scream severed the silence.
Paul Van Horn jerked his head up. Another scream followed the first, slamming him like a fist to the gut.
The raw fear in the woman’s voice evidenced greater terror than most people experienced in a lifetime. Certainly more than he’d ever known. And he’d been through a lot.
The noise choked off as abruptly as it had started.
He paused. The echo faded, but it sounded like it might be one or two blocks to his left.
He ran.
Not away, although that might’ve been the smartest thing to do, but toward the source of the sound. He’d never claimed to be a genius anyway.
A boarded-up business flew by on one side. A graffiti tagged warehouse on another. A pawn shop with bars on the windows, a paper manufacturing plant, a mom-and-pop deli. All closed.
In fact, there was no sign of any living person. Except the unknown source of the scream.
The woman needed help; unfortunately for her, it looked like she
was stuck with him.
He rounded a corner.
Two blocks up, headlights illuminated a figure kneeling over something on the sidewalk.
As he neared, he saw that it wasn’t something. It was someone. His gut told him it was the woman who screamed.
That same gut told him that the figure leaning over her wasn’t trying to help.
The creep touched her.
“Get away from her!” The words rumbled through his chest before he’d thought them through.
The man jerked his head up. Hesitated. Then bolted toward the car.
This guy wouldn’t get away. Not if he could help it. Paul charged down the block.
The car door slammed.
Even as Paul’s brain told him that the guy was going to escape, his feet kept carrying him closer.
He had to at least try to stop him.
The engine roared. The headlights swept him as the car whipped a U-turn and sped down the block.
Dang it!
He faltered, watching the taillights recede until they were pinpricks in the darkness.
If only he hadn’t yelled. Maybe he could’ve gotten the drop on the guy. The guy had been so focused on the victim… the victim!
Paul snapped his attention to the still form on the ground. Was she alive?
She was perfectly still. Too still.
And there was so much blood. Pooled beneath her. Coating the exposed skin on her arms and neck. Staining her pink shirt.
Even the bare feet poking from under her long skirt were etched with red scratches.
It was hard to believe all this blood had come from such a small woman.
In spite of the Florida humidity, a shiver rocked his body.
Images flashed through his mind, a slideshow of one of the worst days of his life, the only other time he’d seen so much blood firsthand. The day he’d almost watched a friend die.
Deadly Alliances Page 31