Apprehension tightened her chest. She had an unnatural weakness for a man in a black Stetson—one man, in particular. It can’t be his.
Almost reluctantly, her gaze moved from the hat to the long tan fingers clasped together beside it. Her attention continued in an upward trajectory, past a broad chest and wide shoulders clad in a black T-shirt. Those shoulders had often held the weight of the world. A coil tightened in her abdomen as memories flooded her.
Crap. She knew that grin—a sinner’s smile that didn’t belong on a supposed saint. His dark eyes twinkled as her gaze met his.
Adam Wilde. Trouble. That explained her gooseflesh, and the sense of impending danger. It had been eight years since she’d last seen him in physical form, but he’d taken over her dreams since she was eighteen.
Sleight of Hand
(Redemption Club, Book 2)
Some skills never fade…
Raised by con artists, Emily Moore has done her share of manipulating others to make ends meet. She’s working hard to go legit and make up for her past, but she still knows how to spot an easy mark. And when to walk away from a bad situation. Emily learned life’s lessons the hard way, and now a tough exterior hides her one weakness—her love for the man who left her.
Some hurts never heal…
After a high profile murder, Detective Adam Wilde’s brother disappears, becoming both the Las Vegas Police Department’s primary suspect and the real killer’s target. Tanner has hardly been an upstanding citizen, but Adam believes he’s innocent. He suspects an underground group called the Redemption Club, which trades in dark deeds, is behind the murder, and it’s essential he finds his brother before the Club does. If anyone can think like his brother, Tanner’s childhood friend Emily can. But first, Adam will have to repair their friendship and make up for hurting her—even if his rejection was intended to protect them both.
Some gambles are worth the risk…
Their hearts are telling them to let go of the past, but trust has never been easy for either Emily or Adam. It’ll take a common purpose, and an undeniable passion, to reunite them. To find Tanner and defeat the head of Redemption Club, they’ll need each other—and they’ll need to come up with the con of their lives.
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Dedication
For my readers.
And for Kim and June—thanks for helping me chase down and round up those plot bunnies!
Acknowledgments
A wealth of gratitude to my fabulous editors Deborah Nemeth and Emme Adams for their expertise in shaping this story.
To beta readers Andrea Edwards, Kim Law, and June Love, thank you for your encouraging comments and assistance with filling those pesky plot holes. Also, my appreciation to my local RWA chapter mates who loved the Redemption Club concept years ago. Their curiosity and support pushed me to keep working on this series, and this story, in particular.
Thank you to Brian Edwards for the torturous hours of mixing and serving cocktails so I could come up with the “Redemption” cocktail. And Daniel Warniment, I’m thankful for your assistance with translating Latin phrases.
As always, my love and gratitude to my husband Tim and our three children, for understanding why I need to get lost in my head sometimes. I’ll always come back to you.
About the Author
Anne Marie has always been fascinated by people—inside and out—which led to degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Counseling. Her passion for understanding the human race is now satisfied by her roles as mother, wife, daughter, sister, and award-winning author of romantic suspense.
She writes to reclaim her sanity.
Find ways to connect with Anne Marie at www.AnneMarieBecker.com. There, sign up for her newsletter to receive the latest information regarding books, appearances, and giveaways.
Other Books by Anne Marie Becker
MINDHUNTERS SERIES:
Only Fear
Avenging Angel
Deadly Bonds
Dark Deeds
Acceptable Risk
End Game
Thank you for reading, and please consider leaving a review. If you’d like to learn more about my books and receive the latest news on upcoming releases and sales, please sign up for my newsletter or visit me on Facebook at “Anne Marie Becker, Author.”
Only Fear
(The Mindhunters, Book 1)
After a violent incident with a patient leaves scars on both her mind and body, psychiatrist Dr. Maggie Levine craves isolation. A radio talk show host seems to be the perfect profession, a job where she can help people from a distance while staying safe. When a strange caller begins stalking her on the air and murdering people to get her attention, Maggie realizes she can no longer close herself off from the outside world.
A personal security expert, former Secret Service Agent Ethan Townsend is no stranger to tracking down the most violent monsters of society and bringing them to justice. Still, it will take all of Ethan's skills to protect his new assignment, the irresistible Maggie, from a man intent on teaching her the ultimate lesson in fear….
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Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
STACKING THE DECK by Anne Marie Becker
COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Anne Marie Becker
ISBN-13: 978-0990314547
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the author (Anne Marie Becker) except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Cover Design by The Killion Group http://thekilliongroupinc.com
www.AnneMarieBecker.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Sleight of Hand (Book 2 Excerpt)
Sleight of Hand
Dedication
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Only Fear
Copyright
Table of Contents
Stacking the Deck (Redemption Club Book 1) Page 30