by Dana Mason
THE EMBRACE SERIES
Copyright © 2016 Dana Mason
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior permission of the publisher.
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Names, characters, places, and plots are a product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Design by Forward Authority
You can find the Dana Mason at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/danamasonromance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/danamason06
Website: www.danamasonromance.com/
Table of Contents
Praise for the Embrace Series
Dangerous Embrace
Precious Embrace
Broken Embrace
About the Author
Books by Dana Mason
Praise for the Embrace Series
“Dangerous Embrace is the perfect kind of romantic thriller. There was plenty of suspense, but the evolving relationship between Sarah and Mark is what really made me love this story.”
~New York Times Best Selling Author, A.L. Jackson on Dangerous Embrace
“Ms. Mason kept the suspense tightly controlled until the very end leaving you breathless and smiling. Dana Mason is an author to watch and I will certainly be back for the second book in her Embrace series. Kudo's Ms. Mason on a well written, captivating story written from the heart about the soul.”
~Katie Mettner, Author of The Sugar Series and The Northern Lights Series on Dangerous Embrace
“Dangerous Embrace held me in its grip from the very first page until the very end. It’s definitely worth far more than the 5 stars that I gave it. I can’t wait to read the next books in the Embrace series, Precious Embrace and Broken Embrace as soon as I can. Dana Mason has a new fan.”
~Karen Harper from A Thousand Lives Book Blog on Dangerous Embrace
“Once again, Dana Mason brings the heat. Precious Embrace positively sizzles. If it is even possible, Mason has brought us an even more delicious male protagonist than the one we fell for in her last novel. A smoking hot guy with washboard abs, a southern drawl and a gun who changes diapers? It doesn’t get better than that. This book was a wild emotional roller coaster ride. The perfect blend of hot romance and pulse-quickening suspense.”
~Lisa Regan, author of Finding Claire Fletcher and Aberration on Precious Embrace
“Precious Embrace is a romantic, edgy rollercoaster from beginning to end. I didn’t want to put the story down. Ali is naive but likable. Johnny . . . oh Johnny . . . who doesn’t love a country boy? (I married one!) Precious Embrace is a wonderful Romantic Suspense with plenty of swizzle that’s a must read!”
~Tobi Helton, Forget the Housework, I’m Reading . . . on Precious Embrace
“As I had hoped, it got even better!!! This is the second book by Dana Mason and already she has found a fan in me, with her ability to intertwine and perfectly balance an edge-of-your-seat thriller and a scorching and passionate romance. All this written with keen insight, sharp intelligence and a good sense of dramatic timing, to make for a truly excellent, highly recommended read!!!!!”
~Margreet Asselbergs, Ripe for Reader on Precious Embrace
“Seduced by Mason’s dynamic prose and emotional sensitivity, Broken Embrace effortlessly engages the reader into a vortex of pain and treachery, of enduring love and unfulfilled dreams, of hope and second chances, while dealing with every woman’s greatest fear and every man’s worst nightmare. And yet, the story, steeped in reality and authenticity, manages to deftly maneuver the reader into the land of happily-ever-after. This book will strike fear in your heart while it wrings out every emotion. Do not even think of missing it.”
~Nancy S. Thompson, Author of Stirred, The Mistaken and Leverage on Broken Embrace
“I found the gem Dangerous Embrace while on vacation last summer. This summer I saved a slot for Precious Embrace and Broken Embrace and they did not disappoint! I can see how the writing has progressed with each book - I enjoyed all of them, but I think this one is my favorite. There was everything I love (romance, suspense, angst, treachery, heartbreak) all packed into a engaging story with great pacing. I didn't want to put it down! I can't wait to see what's next from this exciting author.”
~MK Harkins, Author of Intentional, Breaking Braydon, and The Reader on Broken Embrace
“As a reader, I was able to connect with Melissa and Brian as they navigated through their trials. I was rooting for the couple even when they wouldn't root for themselves. The plot was so well written that each new twist was connected and flowed in such a way that had you riveted and anxious to turn the pages. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more from Dana Mason.”
~Kerliza Foon for Reader's Favorite on Broken Embrace
Praise for Dangerous Embrace
“Dangerous Embrace is the perfect kind of romantic thriller. There was plenty of suspense, but the evolving relationship between Sarah and Mark is what really made me love this story.”
~New York Times Best Selling Author, A.L. Jackson
"The author writes boldly about some very dark topics and the result is a bloodcurdling but gripping book!"
~Smitten Book Blog
"Dana Mason has written a fantastic psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat."
~Brook Cottage Books
"The plot of this novel is intense, demanding, horrifying, and full of hope."
~The Coffee Pot
Dedication
Jim, you are my home.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank my family, Jim, Lizzie, Kaitlin and Trevor—you have been so patient and understanding. Thank you for sharing this with me. I love you and the support you’ve given me. Please remember, dreams do come true—promise to never give up on what you really want.
Thank you to my extended family and friends who have sent countless tweets and shared countless posts on Facebook. I’ll never forget the support you’ve given me.
Michelle, you have had a stand-out role in all of the most important days of my life, including this one. I love you. Thank you for always being there for me.
Natasha Alexander, thank you for sticking around when I needed a friend who understands what this truly means to a writer.
Jenny, Kelley, Lani, Jason and Darlene, you’ve been fabulous cheerleaders. Thank you for all the enthusiasm and support.
Valerie Neumark, thank you for sharing your talent and time. Thank you for caring and for the support you have shown. Thank you for pushing me to want more.
To all of my parents, thank you for teaching me the values that get me through every day. You have each had a role in showing me the importance of loyalty, resilience, resourcefulness, and most important, the ability to laugh at myself.
Chapter One
The sky was on fire. At least, Sarah Jennings thought the orange glow resembled fire when she stepped out of the double, glass doors of Oakbrook Elementary School. Even with fire in the sky, the deserted school grounds were too dark for her taste.
She hated being the last teacher to leave. How stupid of her not to check the time, but she couldn’t refuse when parents showed up unannounced at her classroom door. Not even when it got her behind. It’d been a shock to see Noah’s mom and dad together. Especially knowing they were going through a terrible divorce. Noah looked more shell-shocked and withdrawn every day since school had started. Of course she
put everything on hold to give them her undivided attention. She’d hoped this was a sign they were going to make him a priority and stop the petty fighting.
Sarah’s eyes scanned the grounds again before turning toward the parking lot. She kept her pace normal. She wouldn’t let old fear push her to run to her car like a coward. She wasn’t in the city anymore. This neighborhood was safe and quiet, and she needed to just breathe through it and move ahead.
In college, the dark, foggy San Francisco nights left her in a constant state of fear. Always afraid she’d been found, running through parking garages, looking for stalkers hidden in shadowed corners. She wouldn’t live like that now. It’d been too long, and she given up too much already.
Sarah gripped the purse on her shoulder and turned toward the ramp leading to the parking lot.
The school sat on a hillside, and the walkway connected the school grounds with the teachers’ lot. A waist-high, metal handrail bordered the elevated ramp with a ten-foot drop down to a gravel hillside.
Sarah started across, but stopped when a tingling sensation attacked her scalp. She waited and listened, her pulse a little quicker than a few minutes before. That’s when she heard running footsteps.
She looked up and met his eyes, a sick smile spread across his face. Fear dripped down her spine like a drop of cold water, and she knew she was in trouble. He moved fast considering his bulk, and as he got closer, his piercing glare became more menacing.
Sarah froze.
Breath caught in her throat and her body wouldn’t react to the fear. She’d always been a deer in the headlights type of person, and now she’d been caught off guard.
His shoulder slammed her chest, sending her against the metal handrail. He gripped her knees and lifted, sending her toppling backwards. She reached out for the rail too late. Her world turned upside down and she couldn’t grasp anything to prevent the fall.
Sarah wasn’t sure what brought her out of the unconscious state. It could have been his weight pressing down on her, or his clammy hands touching her, or the sound of her skirt being ripped open.
No...she didn’t feel any of that. Panic left her paralyzed and numb. She didn’t feel his hot mouth when he licked and bit her breasts. She watched the scene play out like a film instead. Her mind too distant, too frightened to allow her to feel anything.
Sarah couldn’t say which hurt worse, watching or feeling.
One of her arms lay twisted unnaturally at her side, the other restrained above her head, but she didn’t fight.
She didn’t move.
Tears ran down her face and quiet whimpers escaped her lips. This was wrong—she was wrong for not fighting. She could not let another man break her.
“No!” Not again—she was stronger, more powerful now and would not lose herself again.
His nails scratched and clawed at her, ripping her panties off, the material cutting her skin when he yanked them away.
“No!” she screamed again as her senses came back to life. Now she felt every injury, from her twisted arm, to the burning cuts up her back. His whiskey and cigarette breath wafted into her nose, and she had to swallow back the bile that collected in her throat.
“Get off me!” She grunted and kicked out, arching to throw him off. Adrenalin pushed her body into overdrive, thrusting her heart to a manic pace. She lifted up again, kicking with her bare feet at anything within reach.
He shifted, sliding one leg between her knees and the other over her right leg, relieving some of the pressure on her body. She inhaled a gasping breath, but when he punched his fingers between her thighs, her panic spiked.
Oh God, no! She could feel him—his fingers, his hand—forcing her thighs apart. She kicked off hard, arching again to push him off.
When he teetered sideways, she rammed her knee into his groin. He cursed and withdrew his hands to grab himself.
With her right hand free, she hit and flailed at his face, scratching, pushing, and smacking him everywhere.
She jerked and tried to scoot away, fighting to get free. She managed to get one leg out from under him. She lifted it and came down on his hip with her heel over and over as hard as she could.
The attacker tried to scramble back over her, but she kept kicking and pushing with her free foot, landing several blows to his lower back and hip.
She continued to fight, screaming with each blow. “No—get off me!”
Her vision tainted red, her jaw clenched like a vice, and her pulse pounded like a base drum in her ears. Sarah kicked out again with all her power, while using her uninjured hand to push until he was off her.
With her legs free, Sarah lifted up and kicked out, putting her weight behind the kick. He cried out this time as he reached for his lower back. She jolted upright and jumped up, the gravel pinching her bare feet.
As she gained her balance, he grabbed her injured arm and tried to pull her back down. Pain almost forced her surrender, but Sarah fisted her right hand and plunged it into his face. She felt the crack. When she pulled her fist away, blood gushed from his nose.
She took off running into the darkness without looking back. Her feet pounded harder and harder, letting the distance grow between her and her attacker.
The air was knocked from her lungs when she plowed into him. He felt more like a brick wall than a person, until she knocked them both off their feet. His arms came around her as they skidded to the pavement together. They hit the ground, but she only felt his secure grip.
She fought hard again. Punching at his chest and pushing with her uninjured hand, but his words made her stop.
“Hey, hey, you okay?”
Despite the concern in his voice, her panic spiked again.
He loosened his grip when Sarah pushed away.
“It’s okay,” he said, and in the glow of the streetlight, she found a pair of intense, blue eyes staring back at her.
A scream bubbled in the back of her throat, and her entire body vibrated with fear. He said something again, but she couldn’t hear him over her own cries.
“Where is he?” Sarah finally heard him say when their eyes locked on each other’s again.
Her breath came out in gasps. She shook her head and began to sob.
The man holding her, shifted and placed her on the concrete next to him. Sarah felt hands on her shoulders and jumped, ready to fight again.
“It’s okay,” a woman’s voice said, soft and hesitant.
“Mom, help her.” The man got to his feet. “I’ll be right back. Here’s my phone, call 911.” He pulled off his jacket and laid it over Sarah’s shoulders.
The woman reached out for him. “No, Mark, don’t—“
“I’ll be right back,” he said, and rushed into the dark in the direction Sarah had come.
Sarah hugged herself and dropped her head, trying to breathe. When the jacket fell off her shoulder, she looked down at her ripped clothes just as her vision narrowed into a dark tunnel.
Chapter Two
Sarah pried open her heavy eyelids and turned, trying to focus on the clock.
“Ow, dammit!” She clenched her teeth and looked down at the sling tied to her arm. The smothering realization pressed on her chest. When the nausea hit, she flung the covers off and rushed to the bathroom, fighting to get to the toilet before her stomach heaved.
When the painful dry heaving stopped, she lay back on the cold tile floor, exhausted, and waited for the room to stop spinning. Her ragged breaths roared in her ears and seemed to echo in the quiet room. When her breathing slowed, the silence ebbed around her in waves, but when footsteps approached the bathroom door, she tensed again.
A bead of sweat dripped down her scalp, and at the same time someone tapped at the door. Her pulse spiked, and she fought like hell to remember who brought her home from the hospital.
She closed her eyes.
“Who’s there?” The waver in her voice pissed her off. Gawd—please don’t let me be pathetic in front of whoever this is.
; A hesitant and completely unfamiliar man’s voice said, “Are you all right? Do you need something?”
Sarah sucked in a hard breath. “Um...” She exhaled slowly. “Who are you?”
“Mark Summors.”
She stiffened and tried to sit up. “Do I know you?” she asked, her voice pitching.
“I can explain if you open the door.”
She steadied herself against the bathtub. The sling had slipped up her arm, exposing the trail of bruises. She swallowed another wave of nausea and tried to put the pieces together. Mark Summors?
She glanced around for something to use as a weapon just in case. Then she wanted to laugh—and cry. Who the hell was she kidding? She rolled her eyes. Good plan, Sarah, take on a strange guy with a toilet brush.
“Can I come in?” His voice was muffled as if he was resting his face against the door.
“Go ahead.” She clamped her mouth closed to suppress a shiver and mumbled, “It’s unlocked.”
The door eased open and a cup of water shot out at her.
“Oh, thank you,” she cried out, relieved to wash the disgusting film out of her mouth. She snatched the cup out of his hand and gulped it, letting her eyes lift above the rim to see his face.
“Ah.” Sarah choked and inhaled the water. She set the cup down, almost upending it as she dropped it.
“Oh my God!” She would never forget those intense, blue eyes, just like she would never forget the smell of her attacker’s breath. They were all thrown together in the same horrifying memory.
He waved in surrender, his eyebrows drawn together. “I’m sorry...I’ll explain, but you have to calm down.”