Cold Cruel Kiss: A heart-stopping and addictive romantic thriller

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Cold Cruel Kiss: A heart-stopping and addictive romantic thriller Page 37

by Toni Anderson


  “Martin?” she called quietly.

  Silence was the only answer. She knew he lived alone. Was he upstairs asleep? Or perhaps he’d already gone into the lab? She glanced at her watch. Almost eight. Ugh. She needed to head in soon but felt bad leaving without talking to him first. She didn’t want things to become awkward at work. The grad student community was small and tight knit. She was already the object of speculation and pity; she didn’t need another black mark against her.

  She grabbed the drink glasses off the table and took them into the kitchen, dumped them with the other dirty dishes into the sink.

  Clearly Martin was not a great housekeeper.

  She reached for the dishwasher liquid and noticed brown stains on her hands.

  She grimaced and scrubbed them under the tap then decided to fill the sink and wash up the stack of dishes. Cleaning helped her anxiety and she deliberately made enough noise to wake the dead.

  Her truck sat outside the back window. Martin’s old beater was a rusted hulk beside it.

  So she hadn’t been wasted when she left the party because she’d never have driven in that state.

  Had she come here and gotten pissed? But why couldn’t she remember anything? She dried her hands on the tea towel hanging off the stove and tried not to turn up her nose at the limp rag.

  Martin was either fast asleep or he’d already left. She’d go upstairs, knock on the door and thank him for use of the couch and leave. She forced herself to move, even though the thought of confronting him made her want to run.

  Nothing happened. He won’t hurt you.

  Easy to tell herself. Often more difficult to believe. Her sock covered feet whispered over the polished pine floorboards. She jogged loudly up the stairs, wanting to warn the guy she was coming.

  “Martin?” She hit the railing at the top of the stairs and headed in the direction of the first door. It was a guest bedroom. Man, she must have really been wasted to not even make it up the stairs. She knocked on the second door and it swung open.

  “Martin? Are you in there?” She peeked a little around the door and spotted the end of a bed. Rumpled covers and what looked like feet creating a bump beneath them. She took another reluctant step forward. “Hey, I wanted to thank you for letting me crash here last night. Sorry I passed out on you. I’m not used to alcohol.”

  She forced a laugh and took another step forward.

  Martin Carstairs lay on his back, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. He was naked except for the kitchen knife sticking out of his pale chest.

  Oh my god. Bile rose in her throat. Darby swallowed repeatedly and backed away.

  She whirled and ran down the stairs, nearly falling, grabbing her coat, stuffing her feet into her snow boots. No, no, no. She dashed hurriedly out of the back door, ignoring the frigid air that stung her naked cheeks. Down the steps, fumbling to unlock the truck with her key fob.

  She huddled inside and turned the ignition, beyond grateful when the engine started. She slammed it into Drive but put her foot on the brake.

  But where could she go?

  She couldn’t leave poor Martin like that. Tears blinded her eyes and she dug a hand into her pocket, grateful her phone was exactly where she’d left it.

  She dialed Quentin Savage. God, he was going to be devastated.

  Eban Winters answered. “Darby?”

  She froze, glanced down at the screen. Somehow she’d misdialed. Maybe it hadn’t been an accident. Maybe it was cowardice because the idea of disappointing Quentin or Haley sat like acid in her throat.

  The sound of Eban’s voice always made her yearn for his presence. He calmed her. Made her feel safe. Made her feel other things she wanted to explore. But couldn’t. He wasn’t interested. He’d made that abundantly clear.

  “Darby? Are you okay?” Eban asked. “Darby.” His voice became more insistent. “Is everything okay?”

  Because for the last seven months she’d been calling him when situations overcame her. When her anxiety was too high to talk to Quentin, or Haley, and the only lifeline she had left was this man with his beautiful voice and reluctant lips.

  “Darby?” his tone turned sharp. “Are you there?”

  “Eban.” Her voice trembled. Tears flooded her vision. “I think I killed someone.”

  Order your copy of Cold as Ice today!

  Copyright © 2021 Toni Anderson Inc. Subject to change.

  Want to read the first Crossfire book right now? FBI Romantic Suspense at its finest and winner of the Golden Quill award!

  FBI Crisis Negotiator Dominic Sheridan is adept at dealing with high-stake situations under treacherous conditions. But nothing prepared him for the headstrong rookie agent, Ava Kanas, who seems hell-bent on destroying her fledgling career while in pursuit of justice.

  When several agents die in quick succession it becomes obvious a killer is targeting the FBI, and Dominic in particular. Together, Dominic and Ava race to find the murderer, all the while fighting a forbidden attraction that will complicate everything, especially when a predator has them in their sights.

  Read Cold & Deadly Today!

  Sign up for Toni Anderson’s newsletter to receive new release alerts, bonus scenes, and a free copy of The Killing Game:

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  Cold Justice World Overview

  COLD JUSTICE SERIES

  A Cold Dark Place (Book #1) FREE DOWNLOAD

  Cold Pursuit (Book #2)

  Cold Light of Day (Book #3)

  Cold Fear (Book #4)

  Cold in The Shadows (Book #5)

  Cold Hearted (Book #6)

  Cold Secrets (Book #7)

  Cold Malice (Book #8)

  A Cold Dark Promise (Book #9~A Wedding Novella)

  Cold Blooded (Book #10)

  COLD JUSTICE – CROSSFIRE

  Cold & Deadly (Book #1)

  Colder Than Sin (Book #2)

  Cold Wicked Lies (Book #3)

  Cold Cruel Kiss (Book #4)

  Cold as Ice (Book #5)

  The Cold Justice Series books are also available as audiobooks narrated by Eric Dove, and in various box set compilations.

  Check out all Toni’s books on her website (www.toniandersonauthor.com/books-2)

  Other Books By Toni Anderson

  THE BARKLEY SOUND SERIES

  Dark Waters (Book #2)

  Dangerous Waters (Book #1)

  STAND-ALONE TITLES

  The Killing Game

  Edge of Survival

  Storm Warning

  Sea of Suspicion

  ‘HER’ ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SERIES

  Her Risk to Take (Novella ~ Book #3)

  Her Last Chance (Book #2)

  Her Sanctuary (Book #1)

  About the Author

  Toni Anderson is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, RITA® finalist, science nerd, professional tourist, dog lover, gardener, mom. Originally from a small town in England, Toni studied Marine Biology at University of Liverpool (B.Sc.) and University of St. Andrews (Ph.D.) with the intention she’d never be far from the ocean. Well, that plan backfired and she ended up in the Canadian prairies with her biology professor husband, two kids, two dogs, and one chilled leopard gecko. Her greatest achievements are mastering the Tokyo subway, climbing Ben Lomond, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and surviving fifteen Winnipeg winters. She loves to travel for research purposes and was lucky enough to visit the Strategic Information and Operations Center inside FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2016, and she also got to shove another car off the road during pursuit training at the Writer’s Police Academy in Wisconsin. Watch out world!

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  Useful Acronym Definitions For Toni’s Books

  AG: Attorney General

  ASAC: Assistant Special-Agent-in-Charge

  ATF: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

  BAU: Behavioral Analysis Unit

  BOLO: Be on the Lookout

  BUCAR: Bureau Car.

  CIRG: Critical Incident Response Group

  CMU: Crisis Management Unit

  CN: Crisis Negotiator

  CNU: Crisis Negotiation Unit

  CO: Commanding Officer

  CODIS: Combined DNA Index System

  CP: Command Post

  DEA: Drug Enforcement Administration

  DOB: Date of Birth

  DOD: Department of Defense

  DOJ: Department of Justice

  DS: Diplomatic Security

  DSS: US Diplomatic Security Service

  EMT: Emergency Medical Technician

  ERT: Evidence Response Team

  FOA: First-Office Assignment

  FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation

  FO: Field Office

  FWO: Federal Wildlife Officer

  IC: Incident Commander

  HRT: Hostage Rescue Team

  HT: Hostage-Taker

  JEH: J. Edgar Hoover Building (FBI Headquarters)

  K&R: Kidnap and Ransom

  LAPD: Los Angeles Police Department

  LEO: Law Enforcement Officer

  ME: Medical Examiner

  MO: Modus Operandi

  NAT: New Agent Trainee

  NCAVC: National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime

  NCIC: National Crime Information Center

  NYFO: New York Field Office

  OC: Organized Crime

  OCU: Organized Crime Unit

  OPR: Office of Professional Responsibility

  POTUS: President of the United States

  RA: Resident Agency

  RSO: Senior Regional Security Officer from the US Diplomatic Service

  SA: Special Agent

  SAC: Special Agent-in-Charge

  SAS: Special Air Squadron (British Special Forces unit)

  SD: Secure Digital

  SIOC: Strategic Information & Operations

  SSA: Supervisory Special Agent

  SWAT: Special Weapons and Tactics

  TC: Tactical Commander

  TDY: Temporary Duty Yonder

  TOD: Time of Death

  UNSUB: Unknown Subject

  ViCAP: Violent Criminal Apprehension Program

  WFO: Washington Field Office

  Acknowledgments

  Writing is always difficult but writing in the midst of a global pandemic is especially hard. My heart aches for the millions of people affected by COVID-19. Please continue to protect yourself from this virus and I hope 2021 brings an end to the devastating ravages of this virus.

  In regard to this book, my thanks go to Kathy Altman who really is a gem of a critique partner, and to Rachel Grant who always makes me work harder to get the details correct.

  Biggest appreciation this year goes to my assistant, Jill Glass. Without her help, I may never have written a single word! Thanks also to my amazing cover designer, Regina Wamba, for her gorgeous artwork, and to my formatter, Paul Salvette, for his dedication to doing a good job. Also, to Jessica at Inkslingers PR for her support. Credit to my editors, Deb Nemeth, Joan Turner at JRT Editing, and proofreader, Alicia Dean. I appreciate the role you all play in making my books shine.

  More than ever, thanks to my family. I couldn’t have done it without you!

  Cold Cruel Kiss

  Copyright © 2021 Toni Anderson Inc.

  Kindle Edition

  Cover design by Regina Wamba of ReginaWamba.com

  Print ISBN-13: 9781988812366

  Digital ISBN-13: 9781988812359

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact email: [email protected]

  For more information on Toni Anderson’s books, sign up for her Newsletter or check out her website (www.toniandersonauthor.com)

 

 

 


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