Non-Stop Action & Adventure

The action in Revenge Interrupted starts from the get-go, pulling the reader into Renault Jamison’s bewilderment and horror as he’s arrested while in Greece on a jaunt with friends before his wedding.

His situation goes downhill at the speed of light when he’s sent to prison for a year after being framed for a cyberattack. 

You know that saying about keeping your friends close but your enemies closer? That’s the worst part of his harrowing experience because Renault doesn’t know who is friend or foe. 

Rashaan does a good job of keeping the reader guessing as to who is on the level and who isn’t, and it was good to see the bad guys get theirs.

I read the bulk of the novel in two days and then raced through to the end when I had the chance to sit with it again. The ending was satisfactory in terms of those who got their comeuppance, but I see the setup for another story because there are still some folks Renault has to deal with who didn’t get theirs in this novel.

If non-stop action and suspense are your thing, plus romance, treat yourself to a copy of Revenge Interrupted.

Many thanks to Black Odyssey Media for an ARC.

Knight of Paradise Island Coming Soon ...

My next release, a romantic suspense novel is coming on October 6. Believe me when I say you'll need to buckle in and hang on for the long haul. 😀

Dorian “Ryan” Bostwick is a protector and he’s one of the best in the business. When a King of the Castle assigns him to find his former lover, Aziza, he stumbles upon a deadly underworld operating close to the Durabian border.

Aziza Hampton had just rekindled her love affair with Ryan when a night out with friends ends in her kidnapping. Alone and scared, she must find a way to escape her captor and reunite with her lover.

In a race against time, Ryan and the Kings of the Castle follow ominous clues into the underbelly of a system designed to take advantage of the vulnerable. Failure isn’t an option and Ryan will rain down hell on earth to save the woman of his heart.

Purchase Links:

Amazon - bit.ly/KOPIAz

Apple Books - https://bit.ly/KnightofParadiseIsland

Barnes & Noble - bit.ly/KOPIslandBN

Kobo - bit.ly/KOPIslandKOBO

Cover Reveal - The Pain of Things

Check it out! 😍😍😍 Today's the cover reveal for the third book in the In Medias Res series. I love it. What about you?

Author: J.L. Campbell
Title: The Pain of Things (In Medias Res #3)
Release: April 10, 2020
Buy links: coming soon


BLURB:
Roger Blythe has a reputation for being here today and gone tomorrow. That's fine with Corinne Walker, until he decides to take their relationship to the next level.

Corinne's cycle of dating men who have no chance of touching her heart has kept her sane over the years. Roger's turnaround unsettles her, because just when she considers changing the way she lives, his secret life threatens to destroy everything they're building together.

When her past and future collide, Corinne has two choices. Run away from what could be a repeat of the devastation that has gone before, or stay and fight for what her heart says is right for her.

King of Evanston

December 3 marked the start of another literary journey for me. The King of Evanston went live. The reviews have been positive so far and the book was also selected for a feature by Apple books! So about the King of Evanston ...

'

Blurb

Shaz Bostwick’s personal views and business ethics collide when Camilla Gibson walks into his office, seeking his help. The treatment her daughter needs is available in Chicago, but Camilla is almost out of time and has several issues working against her. 

Raised as an immigrant, Shaz knows the heartache of family separation firsthand. In a race against the clock and the authorities, he calls in favors but receives a disturbing offer. Let baby Ayanna slip through the cracks in exchange for a handsome reward. Fed up with politicians and businessmen with too much money and too little scruples, Shaz and his fellow Kings of the Castle band together to stem the flow of illegal adoptions, while they solve the mystery of who wants their mentor dead.

Camilla Gibson has traveled the world in her capacity as an adventurer, sometime model, and blogging celebrity. In her eyes, the charming, but tough lawyer is her last resort before deportation. Shaz is smart and tenacious, with renowned negotiating skills and a reputation for making a way when there seems to be none. If she can get past the biggest crisis in her life, then maybe the spark of attraction that sizzles between them will develop into something magical.

bit.ly/KingofEvanstonAMZ
bit.ly/KingofEvanstonAppleBooks
bit.ly/KingofEvanstonBN
bit.ly/KingofEvanstonKobo

ABOUT THE KINGS OF THE CASTLE SERIES
Each King book is a standalone, NO cliffhangers

USA Today, New York Times, and National Bestselling Authors work together to provide you with a world you'll never want to leave. The Castle.

Fate made them brothers, but protecting the Castle, each other, and the women they love, will make them Kings. Their combined efforts to find the current Castle members responsible for the attempt on their mentor’s life, is the beginning of dangerous challenges that will alter the path of their lives forever.

These powerful men, unexpectedly brought together by their pasts and current circumstances, will become a force to be reckoned with.

Book 1–Kings of the Castle (the introduction to the series)
Book 2–King of Chatham
Book 3–King of Evanston
Book 4–King of Devon
Book 5–King of Morgan Park
Book 6–King of South Shore
Book 7–King of Lincoln Park
Book 8-King of Hyde Park
Book 9– King of Lawndale

Kings of the Castle is Live!

What people are saying ...

This book had me ready to read all the other books in one night!! This foundation was laid so well that I read it in one day and I will read it again before the next book comes out. These guys have all kinds of things going on in their personal life but still find time to help others and fall in love! This is definitely a must read!

Blurb

After an assassination attempt on their mentor, nine powerful men, are snatched from their successful lives and unexpectedly brought together by their pasts and current circumstances. Each one accepts the challenge to take on human trafficking, dirty politicians, the Russian mafia, American crime lords, and businessmen with their own sordid agendas as they bring The Castle back to its original humanitarian purpose.

Shaz, Dro, Grant, Jai, Daron, Kaleb, Vikkas, Reno, and Dwayne find that fate made them brothers, but protecting the Castle, each other, and the women they love will make them Kings.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors work together to provide you with a world of romance, suspense, and contemporary fiction, where you'll never want to leave.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, BUY IT FOR ONLY .99 CENTS ON:

Amazon
http://bit.ly/Kingsofthecastleamazon

Apple Books
http://bit.ly/KingsofthecastleAppleBooks

Nook/B&N
http://bit.ly/KingsoftheCastleBN

Kobo
http://bit.ly/Kingsofthecastlekobo

30Days30Books - June 1

I have a birthday coming up this month and what better way to celebrate than with books. I'll be doing a little 'surprise something' during this month, so stay tuned for that.

Anyway, Contraband is the book that got the ball rolling for me. Here's an excerpt.  :) I'm sharing the tamest part of the book, but get it while I still have it at a rock-bottom price. Here goes...

Paul grunted when he sat on the bed.

Janine piled the pillows against the headboard and removed his boots. After she helped him lie back, she sat on the bed, facing him.

His time was up.

“We have to talk,” she said.

Unable to move without hurting, Paul felt like a sacrificial animal. “Okay.”

Janine stared him in the eyes and started talking. “I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to be involved with you after what Jonas told me.”

She looked away from him for a few seconds. Inhaling deeply, she met his gaze again. “If you’re selling drugs, I can’t condone that…no matter how I feel about you. I’m here now 
because you were shot in my home, and I feel responsible. But as soon as you’re well, we can go back to our normal lives—before each other.”

Paul reached for her hand. She avoided his touch by getting up and walking to the window, where she turned and faced him.

“I could love you, Paul,” she admitted. “But I just can’t do this.”

He cursed his stubbornness while he stared at the blank television, unable to form the words she needed to hear. When the stillness became unbearable, he spoke. “There are things I need to do before I—” He stopped when Janine shook her head.

“You’ll always have an excuse,” she said.

“It’s not an excuse.”

“Yes, it is. Why do you need to do that?” she asked. “Not that you’ve actually admitted to doing anything. I cannot under—”

“I’ve been thinking about giving it up.”

“Really?” She came back and sat on the edge of the bed.

He rubbed the back of her hand, smiling at her awe-struck expression. “Yes, really.”

She cocked her head. “Can I ask why?”

He took a long time before answering. “For a number of reasons.”

“Which you don’t care to disclose,” she said, sighing.

“That’s right.”

“Okay, I won’t push you, but things are going to be just as I said, unless you quit selling drugs.”
Paul examined her mussed hair and flawless skin. She’d removed her jacket and her undershirt hung outside the waistband of her skirt.

If she was curious about his close study of her body, she didn’t say. Their eyes met and held for an eternity. When she looked away, Paul felt he’d made life-changing promises to her, without uttering one syllable.

She kissed him next to the Band-Aid on his forehead, and left without saying goodbye.

His eyes closed and he drew a shallow breath. He had a heck of a lot of unfinished business to sort out before too much time passed.

Sunday Sample - Grudge

The mind of a writer is a terrible place! 😛 Read on...if you dare! #romanticsuspense #sundaysample This week I'm sharing an excerpt from Grudge.

Trying to keep an eye on the road, and the other on Corra, Philip dialed Anita's number.

She answered immediately, her dread almost palpable. "Phillip? What happened?"

"What is Corra allergic to?"

"Why?"

"I don't have time to answer questions." He shot a sideways glance at Corra, shaking her with one hand. "Come on, open your eyes."

A second later he barked in the phone. "Anita, stop wasting my time."

"Cashew … she's allergic to Cashew. Where are you taking her?"

"The same hospital she took me to. Can you call Dr. Bernard?"

"Yes, and I'll meet you there."

"Anita."

"Yeah?"

"Don't tell Mrs. Bingham just yet. I don't want to scare her."

"Okay, but—"

He dropped the phone in his shirt pocket and braked in the 
closest parking spot to the entrance. Racing to the passenger side, he checked Corra's pulse and breathing. Both were fast and faint.

He lifted her out of the car and kicked the door shut, ignoring the way his stomach sank at the heat on her skin and how limp she felt in his arms. Walking just short of breaking into a run, he entered the hospital.

A nurse came around the counter to meet him, motioning to an orderly.

"Food allergy. Cashew."

Phillip laid Corra on the gurney, while the nurse did a rapid assessment and then nodded at the orderly. He raced toward the elevator, with the nurse running alongside the stretcher. Phillip hurried behind them and tried getting into the elevator. The nurse shook her head and pointed to the side. "Next one. Third floor."

Phillip stabbed the button, begging the lift to work faster. When it arrived he shot inside, poking the button for the third floor.

"Phillip!"

He held the door for Anita, who ran inside buttoning her blouse.
"Where is she?"

He pointed upward.

"How could you let her eat something that can kill her?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, he waited for the doors to open. "I didn't know."

"How can you not know?" she asked, almost running to keep up 
with him as he strode down the corridor.

He shrugged. "If she wanted me to know, she'd have told me. Instead, I almost took her life after trying to save it."

The nurse was in the process of yanking a curtain around a bed with Corra in it. Anita rushed toward Corra, calling her name. Her eyelids fluttered and she opened her eyes.

"Are you family?" the nurse asked.

Anita nodded, wiping away tears.

"You can stay. Sit in that corner. Here comes the doctor."

Phillip backed away, relieved that Corra wasn't dead because of him. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through the call list until he got to the restaurant's number. When he got someone on the line, he rubbed his forehead while pacing the floor.
"May I speak with the manager? I left there a few minutes ago with someone who took ill."

"Sure. Hold one moment."

"Good evening, can I help?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, I left in a hurry with my date who got sick. Can you tell me if there's anything in the Crispy Chilli Beef, the Hoisin Pork or Spicy Shrimp that would cause an allergic reaction? Specifically Cashew."

"Yes, the Spicy Shrimp and the Spicy Cashew Shrimp. It is possible that traces of Cashew could get into the Spicy Shrimp through our utensils."

"Thanks. I'll come and pay for the food at some point."

"Thank you. How is the person?"

"I think she's going to be okay."

"That's good. I guess we'll see you, Mr. … "

"Denham."

"And we can get you at this number?"

"Yes."

Phillip ended the call and stood staring through the glass-and-aluminum window. He'd let today serve as a wake-up call for him. Someone who truly trusted him wouldn't have left him in the dark the way Corra had.

She'd spoken openly about her trust issues, but keeping secrets that left her at risk of dying accidentally was something at a different level.

Phillip didn't want to assess how that made him feel.

If you want to find out more about Corra and Phillip, check them out at lrd.to/grudge

A Sampling Of Contraband

Today is the last day to download Contraband free. Click through to Amazon to download your copy.

Excerpt

They stopped at the foot of the second to last bed in the airy ward, which smelled of rubbing alcohol and disinfectant. The woman propped up in bed had a thick bandage above her right eye. She studied them with open curiosity. The female in the next bed didn’t look away from them once.

Paul smiled at her briefly, and then focused on the person he came to see. “Miss Phipps?” he said.

Her eyebrow cocked in a questioning arch. “Who wants to know?”

“Paul Weekes. This is Mark Weekes.”

She folded both arms across her stomach. “And?”

Paul nodded toward Mark. “My cousin hit your Jeep last night.”

“And left me in a ditch. Unconscious.” She glared at Mark.

Mark slid his hands into his pockets, and examined his shoes.

“Were it not for the kindness of a stranger...”

Mark shuffled, but kept his eyes on the terrazzo tiles. The woman in the bed continued to cast killing looks at him.

“You made him come, didn’t you?” she asked Paul, drilling him with a sharp stare. Paul’s brows pulled together and before he could voice any thought, she smirked. “I thought so.”

He cleared his throat. “The repairs to your Jeep—”

“Yes?”

“I’ll pay for those.”

“Of course.”

Behind his blank expression, Paul’s thoughts churned. Did she know how fortunate she was? Mark wouldn’t have been easy to find if he hadn’t decided to make him face what he’d done. And she could have died. Considering everything, she could be a little less abrupt and a bit more gracious.

Clad in a powder blue duster, with her hair scooped on top of her head, and a pout on her lips, Miss Phipps reminded him of a petulant little girl. She surveyed him out of almond-shaped eyes surrounded by spiky lashes. While he examined her, her teeth worried her lower lip.

Their gaze held for untold seconds. Heat flared in his chest and spread downward. He chided himself over his uneasiness. Her annoyance didn’t bother him, but her ingratitude did.

Though he found the situation corny, something connected him to her. She appealed to him—exotic and feisty best described her.

He figured the color of his eyes mesmerized her. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d gotten that reaction. Pity he wasn’t in any position to explore the interest he saw in her eyes.

When she forced herself to look away, he hid a smile. If they weren’t careful, the attraction humming between them would set the sheets on fire. He put aside his discovery while they exchanged contact and insurance information.

He was relieved to find her doing so well, and though not seriously injured, she was staying in the hospital for another day. Thankfully, Mark would only face a fine for driving without a license, and be charged for leaving the scene of an accident.

Paul sometimes worried that a day might come when he couldn’t get Mark out of trouble. He hoped the future didn’t provide such a test. As things stood, he was obligated to cover the bill for Miss Phipps’ car repairs and hospital stay. Plus, he needed to find a way to make Mark pay for this episode.

At the nurse’s station, Paul glimpsed a familiar figure. He was not accustomed to seeing the man out of uniform, so it took him a few seconds to recognize the police sergeant. His annoyance grew, and he decided not to acknowledge him, but Sarge turned away from the desk and held out his hand. “Mr. Weekes.”

Paul ignored the gesture, but acknowledged him. “Sarge.”

Sergeant Singh’s skin darkened, his eyes narrowed, and his outstretched hand dropped and curled into a fist. Paul didn’t miss the cop’s reaction to the deliberate slight, but did nothing to make amends. Greed would be the death of Sarge. Let him work that one out, Paul thought.

“I’ll call you,” Sarge said in the taut silence.

Paul continued toward the exit, with Mark trotting alongside to keep up.

“Wait up, man.” Mark struggled to breathe evenly. “You have a fire to put out, or something?”

Paul slowed his steps, marshalling his thoughts. He was in for some trouble. Sarge’s increasing demands for money over the past month had become an annoyance. Paul planned to cut him from his payroll. The trouble was, the policeman would fight to milk the last drop out of the cash cow he thought he had in his grip.

Download Contraband free!

Sampling Hardware on a Sunday

Hardware was first published in 2009. Rights have reverted and the book will make its way into the world again on November 20. Look out for it! http://amzn.to/1NB8eYJ

EXCERPT

Quinn watched her, with his chin propped on his fingers. A hint of a smile crossed his lips. 

“You didn’t see or hear anything, did you?”

No response came to mind.

“S’all right,” he said, “whatever’s bothering you must be big.”

Yeah, you can say that again.

Pulling together her scattered wits, she came up with something to save face. “Um, I’m sorry. This is really unfair to you.”

“It’s okay. Care to share the problem?” His eyebrows arched to enquiring peaks. “It’s gotta be something significant for you to sit through a play an hour and fifteen minutes long and not absorb anything.”

She looked at him with new eyes. He had more smarts than he let on. So much for thinking he wasn’t all that aware of her squirming next to him.

They stood, and he took her elbow. Her skin prickled, reinforcing the fact that every minute spent with him proved she shouldn’t be in his company.

In the car, she let her limbs loosen while he moved to the driver’s side. She'd go home and think about how she made a total idiot of herself. Her mind fast-forwarded to Monday and she prayed Mr. Wright would send the contract back early in the day, duly signed, which would mean the end of any interaction with the disturbing man by her side.

He put the car in gear and drove off. “I’m starving,” he said, “I hope you don’t mind if we stop for something to eat.”

Camille yawned. “Sorry, I’m tired. Maybe next time.”

He pressed his lips together and flicked her with his eyes. “Fine, I’ll take you home.”

She hadn’t fooled him. Guilt made her turn to study the shadows whipping past the window and she sighed inside, counting down the minutes until they said goodbye.

In the apartment parking lot, he switched off the engine, eased the door open, and faced her under the light. “You know, life is a lot more fun if you relax.”

“Why d’you think I’m not relaxed?” She stared at him, maintaining a comfortable pose. “If I’m tense, you might be at fault. That’s why we shouldn’t go out again.”

“That’s just sexual tension. You’re not prepared to go where this is leading. You want to control everything and sometimes, that’s just not possible.”

“Are you calling me a controlling tight-ass?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But that’s what you meant.” She squared her shoulders and met his gaze. “Remember I told you I liked safe?”

He nodded.

"Well, you’re not it. You scream upheaval and sex.”

His eyebrows rose, but his gaze was impassive.

She sank back and folded her arms. “And I’m not having any of that.”

“Upheaval or sex?”

Camille ensured her expression said everything. “I don’t do fast and loose either.”

Quinn laughed, a sound that tickled her insides.

“You know, for someone who’s smooth and controlled on the outside, you have a rich and vivid imagination.”

Camille was nonplussed, but maintained an air of calm.

“A man like you expects certain things from a woman.”

The amusement in his eyes faded. “You don’t know me. Stop judging me.”

Heat crept up her neck and she felt firmly put in her place.

He opened the dashboard, and removed a business card holder. At the dull gleam of a handgun, Camille peered at him. Then, she pointed to it. “What d’you need that for?”

“I run a business. I need it for protection.”

“It won’t be much help in there. Besides, it’s careless to leave it lying around like that.”

“What would you have thought if I’d taken you out toting a gun?”

She bit her lip. “You have a point. But still, you should be more careful with it.”

“Agreed, ma’am.”

He maintained a straight face, but Camille suspected he was indulging her.

“I think we should start over.” He handed her a business card, but kept hold of her fingers. 

“Here are my numbers. I’ll try not to think of you as a controlling tight-ass, if you agree to withhold judgment on my character until you know me better.”

Pre-order Hardeware on Amazon

Playing it Safe ...

ONLY $0.99 UNTIL RELEASE!

In the car, Camille relaxed while Quinn moved to the driver’s side. She'd go home and think about how she made a total idiot of herself. Her mind fast-forwarded to Monday and she prayed Mr. Wright would send the contract back early in the day, duly signed, which would mean the end of any interaction with the disturbing man by her side.

He put the car in gear and drove off. “I’m starving,” he said, “I hope you don’t mind if we stop for something to eat.”

Camille yawned. “Sorry, I’m tired. Maybe next time.”

He pressed his lips together and flicked her with his eyes. “Fine, I’ll take you home.”

She hadn’t fooled him. Guilt made her turn to study the shadows whipping past the window and she sighed inside, counting down the minutes until they said goodbye.

In the apartment parking lot, he switched off the engine, eased the door open, and faced her under the light. “You know, life is a lot more fun if you relax.”

“Why d’you think I’m not relaxed?” She stared at him, maintaining a comfortable pose. “If I’m tense, you might be at fault. That’s why we shouldn’t go out again.”

“That’s just sexual tension. You’re not prepared to go where this is leading. You want to control everything and sometimes, that’s just not possible.”

“Are you calling me a controlling tight-ass?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But that’s what you meant.” She squared her shoulders. “Remember I told you I liked safe?”

He nodded.

“Well, you’re not it.” She smoothed her dress. “You scream upheaval and sex.”

His eyebrows rose, but his gaze was impassive.

She sank back and folded her arms. “And I’m not having any of that.”

“Upheaval or sex?”

Camille ensured her expression said everything. “I don’t do fast and loose either.”

Quinn laughed, a sound that tickled her insides.

“You know, for someone who’s smooth and controlled on the outside, you have a rich and vivid imagination.”

Camille was nonplussed, but maintained an air of calm.

“A man like you expects certain things from a woman.”

The amusement in his eyes disappeared. “You don’t know me. Stop judging me.”

Heat crept up her neck and she felt firmly put in her place.

He opened the dashboard, and removed a business card holder. At the dull gleam of a handgun, Camille peered at him. Then, she pointed to it. “What d’you need that for?”

“I run a business. I need it for protection.”

“It won’t be much help in there. Besides, it’s careless to leave it lying around like that.”

“What would you have thought if I’d taken you out toting a gun?”

She bit her lip. “You have a point. But still, you should be more careful with it.”

“Agreed, ma’am.”

He maintained a straight face, but Camille suspected he was indulging her.

“I think we should start over.” He handed her a business card, but kept hold of her fingers. 

“Here are my numbers. I’ll try not to think of you as a controlling tight-ass, if you agree to withhold judgment on my character until you know me better.”

“But I don’t want to know you better,” Camille mumbled, palming the card.

“Says Camille, the uptight, or Camille who’s going to be fair until she actually knows a thing or two about Quinn?”

She sighed and reclaimed her hand. “Oh all right, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.”

He came around to her door let her out of the car, keeping a hand on her elbow. She wanted to pull away from him, but reminded herself the evening was at an end. At most, she had five minutes' worth of torture left to endure. At her door, she edged inside.

“How about dinner tomorrow?” he leaned against the doorway.

Camille stared at his lips. “I never go out on weekdays.”

“I’ll be sure to get you home early. You owe me.”

She folded her arms and frowned. “How d’you figure that?”

“You cut our date short. You were tired, remember?” His laughing eyes said he’d caught her out.

She scanned the corridor, disengaging herself from him.

He advanced on her and spoke close to her ear. “So, what time do I pick you up?”

His breath agitated her tummy, shooting warmth to places that had no business responding in that way.

“Uh, six o’clock.”

He kissed her ear and whispered, “Tomorrow, then.”

She closed the door, leaned against it, and listened. He walked away seconds later. Her eyelids floated down and she hugged herself and lowered her head.

When did her self-control say goodbye? Now she had another date with a man she didn’t have a clue how to handle. Her breathing stuttered and she put a hand to her throat. Maybe he was right. What she felt wasn’t fear, but sexual awareness. Still, she’d find a way to cut him off at the knees tomorrow. The man was definitely making her blood race. She needed that as much as a .357 Magnum. Still, for some reason, after kicking off her shoes, she remained in the same position thinking about him.

Pre-Order your copy on Amazon at $0.99. 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Word count: 95,000

Absolution on Sunday

I'm having a weekend sale and Absolution is one of the books on special. This women's fiction novel has been nominated for a readers award in the Building Relationships Around Books club. Get your copy for $0.99 on Amazon.

When Annette pulled into the premises, it was one o' clock. She was doing this on an off-chance, but something told her she'd be lucky. It was around dismissal time, since classes let out much earlier during summer school.

The boy wasn't sitting on the low fence where he'd been last time, and she didn't spot him in the cluster of children waiting in the small gazebo that separated the entrance and exit. They were a colorful bunch, dressed in casual clothes in honor of the summer.

She eased the Lexus up the driveway and made a U turn in front of a rambling building. Hoping she hadn't made a wasted trip, she coasted toward the gate. Although she wouldn't admit it to anybody but herself, Xavier's son was intelligent. The limited contact she'd had with him was proof that he could take a message to his mother. He'd been trusting when she'd taken him from Justine's yard, because he knew she was Kelleigh's mother, having seen her a few times at Xavier's shop. Now, he wouldn't be as guileless.

Halfway down the driveway, she spotted him walking by himself, knapsack on his back and swinging his lunch bag in one hand. Gripping the steering wheel hard, she wondered what, besides good sense, would prevent her from running him over. Less than a second after the thought crossed her mind, she shook her head. No matter how hurt she was, she wouldn't go there. Bad enough that she'd taken him from his mother's front yard, but Xavier had left her no choice. He'd taken Kelleigh and wouldn't let her come home. It was only fair that he felt the same loss she'd been going through.

She waited until a little girl went past the boy and he was alone again.  Everything about him reminded her of Xavier—even the way he walked as if he had all the time in the world. She pulled up next to him and rolled down the window. "Hi, Emile."

At the sound of her voice, he looked sideways. The whites of his eyes took over his face and the moment he formed the thought, Annette knew what he was going to do. When he ran, she swung the car sideways and blocked his path. It took her only a few seconds to unlock the seatbelt and dart around the back of the car to block his exit.

"I told my daddy I saw you here before," he said. Although his voice was uneven, he stood with his feet spread wide as if ready to fight. "He said to tell him if you came back."

She grabbed him by both arms and spoke into his face. "Don't you dare tell Xavier you saw me."

"Or what?"

For an instant, she thought her ears were fooling her and she shook Emile. "Don't you dare back-answer me, you little bastard."

"Take your hands off him, Annette."

Drawing a sharp breath, she loosed Emile and spun to face his father. "Xavier!"

He brushed her aside and grabbed hold of Emile, who looked as if he was about to cry. "Go sit in the truck," Xavier said.

"But Daddy—"

Xavier pinned Annette in place with a glare while he spoke to the boy. "Just do what I say, Emile."

"What if she cuts you again?"

"She won't," Xavier said, giving Emile a gentle push. "Go."

Walking backward, Emile left them and stood by the door of Xavier's truck watching them.

Annette looked up at Xavier and quailed where she stood. It seemed that every interaction between them in the last two years had been hostile, but this was something on another level. She sucked in a breath to speak and changed her mind. Nothing she said could explain why she was here with Emile when she had no business on the school grounds.

The stickiness in her armpits and the heat on the back of her neck reminded her that she was standing on hot asphalt in the middle of a summer afternoon.

Xavier had to be baking in the navy polo shirt he wore, not that he'd notice right now. The raging heat surrounding them was reflected in his eyes.

Although she expected him to speak, when he did, she stumbled backward.

"Everything I say to you goes in one ear and out the other, doesn't it?"

She held her silence because nothing she said would absolve her of the things she'd done.

Xavier smiled, but didn't say anything else. She could almost believe he was being pleasant, but for the fact that his gaze went cold. "I won't waste any more breath on you."

When he showed his teeth again, in a way that made her think of a lion coming in for the kill, Annette ignored the chill that chased down her back. She didn't have a clue what he was thinking, but the food she'd eaten sat like a cannonball  in her stomach, telling her that she'd pushed Xavier way past his limit.

He walked away, leaving her rooted to the asphalt. As if he'd forgotten something, Xavier returned to stand less than a foot away. "You won't stop until you destroy yourself," he said. "Face facts. Our marriage was over long before the divorce. You've lost your daughter and all sense of decency. For heaven's sake, a social worker stalking a child? Where's your brain and your self-respect? I'm ashamed to say I was married to you and that you're the mother of my child."

Shaking his head, he continued, "I'm beginning to think you're beyond help. You're a train wreck and until you check yourself, I'll do what I have to do to keep Kelleigh, Emile and Justine safe from you."

Her mouth hung open while Xavier got into his vehicle, said something to the boy and rubbed a thumb across his cheek, the way he used to do with Kelleigh when she needed comfort. With wide eyes, the child studied her through the windscreen as if she were some alien creature.

When the truck rolled past her, Annette went to sit inside the Lexus. Hissing air through her teeth, she put the car in gear and drove out of the school premises.

Her thoughts ricocheted in her head, making her madder and madder. Then her eyes smarted and the tears gathered and escaped. Soon she had to swipe the back of her hand across her eyes. Sobs hitched in her throat and the tears came harder. Before she lost control and had an accident, she swung the car into a side road, folded both hands on the steering wheel and howled.

To check out my other books on sales this weekend including a New Adult novel and some romantic suspense reads, please visit Amazon.