CODE OF VENGEANCE by Melanie Atkins

CODE OF VENGEANCE by Melanie Atkins

Keller County Cops Book Seven

Sheriff Rick Blaylock relies on an anti-crime platform to win re-election, but with crime on the rise, his critics are relentless. Desperate to prove himself, he must either solve the county's latest murder, or face defeat.

Angry her sister's killer dodged a grand jury indictment, court artist Keegan Riley comes with a plan to avenge her dead sibling, but is thwarted when someone else stabs her intended victim. Still thirsty for revenge, she takes aim at another man who got off scot free, and is again thwarted. What's a girl to do?

Before Keegan can line up victim number three, Rick unearths evidence that puts her at the scene of the latest murder. Should she tell him the truth, or lie? Love is the last thing on her mind, but when he kisses her, she can't help but wonder if falling for him will get her off scot free.

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Excerpt

Keegan tugged her new black turtleneck over her head, pausing only when the soft cotton caught on one of her new garnet earrings. She freed it, settled the shirt over her body, and tugged her hair out of the collar. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the long dark strands back in a tight ponytail. Her pulse raced as she dropped to her haunches to tie her heavy black combat boots. Her charcoal-colored yoga pants fit her like a second skin. Once she donned her matching knit cap and slipped inside that dark alley, she'd disappear.

Vengeance wrapped in shadows.

She strapped a serrated hunting knife to her waist, attached a smaller one to her ankle, and settled the paddle holster containing her brand new Sig Sauer P220 in the small of her back. As an extra precaution, she pocketed a container of pepper spray and picked up the black leather sap she'd ordered off the Internet. The weapon was illegal in Mississippi, but then... nothing about her plan was legal. So what did it matter?

I'm sick and tired of following the damned rules. Rules are why Jenny died. Hell, even after Dirk murdered her, the cops bought his flimsy alibi. Attending an AA meeting, my ass.

Well, that was then, and this is now. Dirk won't win this round. I'm going to see to it. Haley lost her mommy that night, and even though she has her grandma and grandpa now to keep her safe, she'll always have a gaping hole in her life. I'm going to make sure Dirk never has a say in anything, even though he's her father. He doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Keegan grabbed her bike helmet and melted outside into the night. The summer heat enveloped her, and she wished like hell she could shuck the turtleneck, but she didn't dare. Blending into the shadows was more important than not breaking a sweat.

She wiped her brow and hurried over to the detached garage. One flick of her wrist, and the hidden panel at the back of the building swung open to reveal the used Kawasaki motocross bike she'd bought from a kid over in New Orleans for a song. The teen had even agreed to paint it black for her after she'd offered to pay him extra, because he was desperate for cash to buy a car. A week later, she'd picked up the bike. Took her another three weeks of spills and scrapes before she conquered it, but conquer it she did... and now she rode like a pro.

A wide grin split her face as she donned her helmet, rolled the bike from its hiding place, and closed the hidden door. Every time she climbed onto the bike, a thrill shot through her. She'd always been adventurous, but readying herself to take care of Dirk had taken the term adventure to a whole new level. She'd doubled her number of martial arts classes, bought the Sig and learned to shoot, and studied with a local cop who specialized in self-protection for women.

Then, after a two-day computer search, she'd finally located the cruel rat bastard who'd murdered her sister. The skunk had left Hunter's Bayou for a couple of months and returned after he decided the coast was clear. Too bad he hadn't remembered Jenny had a sister. Or if he did, he didn't view her as a threat. The first time he'd put Jenny in the hospital and Keegan had vowed revenge, she hadn't been much of a menace to him. Now, however, she was.

Now, she was ready.

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COME AND GET ME by Kortny Alexander

COME AND GET ME by Kortny Alexander

Whispering Mountains Book 3

May knew life would get complicated when a patient's violent past, a romance she is reluctant to acknowledge, and a life-changing surprise collided with one another.

Her reluctance to answer Remy and Kane's phone calls makes it impossible for the twins to convince her they could make her happy. She is the object of their affections, and neither man is going to give up on her.

When May is forced into protective custody, she has no choice but to confront the one issue she's not prepared to handle - Remy and Kane Durden. As danger closes in, will May give in to what her heart truly craves? Is she willing to live with the heartache she would certainly cause if she pushes away the two men who could fill her life and heart with love and happiness?

Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among the men.

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~Excerpt~

No matter where she wandered off to or who she mingled with, Kane kept May in his line of sight. She was a city girl through and through, and yet she blended in with everyone from Whispering Mountains.

He watched as she carried on conversations with the ranch hands, a few teachers, the local veterinarian, and even a few cowboys who hadn’t had a chance to change out of their well-worn jeans and scuffed boots before attending the wedding.

In one long gulp, Kane downed the last of the strong liquor he had been swirling around in his glass. He tried to remain stoic as he watched May dance with her sisters and mingle with just about everyone but him and his brother. She thought she was getting away with dodging them, but she had no idea how wrong she truly was.

“Cousin, you’re going to break that glass in your hand if you don’t ease up.” Jacob grinned as he pried the helpless glass from Kane’s fingers.

When Jacob turned to Remy, who was damn near scowling, Kane looked around to see what had his brother so pissed. A neighboring rancher was asking May to dance.

Jacob leaned closer to Remy. “If you want her, why don’t you just go and get her.” He turned back to Kane again. “Put your claim on her so the single men will quit sniffing around her and so me and the rest of the cousins will stop making fun of the both of you.”

Kane narrowed his eyes at his cousin. “Advice from the man who secretly pines for May’s baby sister?”

Jacob laughed. “We are discussing your personal life, not mine.” Jacob pointed a finger toward the open bar, and both brothers turned in that direction. All of their male cousins and even their own brothers were grinning at them.

Remy turned back to Jacob. “Dear God, we must look like a couple of sad idiots.”

“Yep, you do. So stop standing over here in the corner watching men hitting on your woman,” Jacob added before finally walking off.

Apparently that was the kick in the pants both Remy and Kane needed to get them stalking toward May and the man who was eager to get her on the dance floor. Kane reached her just as Remy came to stand beside him.

“Back off,” Kane warned.

The man looked from Kane to Remy, nodded, and walked away without a word.

“What is wrong with the two of you?” May said in a hushed tone, fuming as she stormed off the dance floor. She slipped outside the tent, away from prying eyes. When she finally stopped, she turned with her hands on her hips. “Was it necessary to make a scene in there? You can’t tell me who to dance with. Neither of you!”

“You were only going to turn him down, like you’d done with all the others. We were just saving you some time,” Remy said, clearly ignoring her glaring eyes as he slowly walked around until he was behind her, pressing his body to hers.

Kane watched as May closed her eyes, as if Remy’s hands halted her ability to think about anything else. Her hands trembled as she placed them on top of Remy’s, which were on her waist.

“Look at me,” Kane said as he closed the distance between them. Cupping her delicate face in both hands, he captured her lips with his. It was soft and simple, yet his dick was pounding against the zipper of his slacks, yearning to be set free. “No more running. I want you, sweetness.”

The soft moans that fluttered out were music to his ears. She sounded so wanton.

“I want you, too, princess,” Remy added as he kissed along her neck and shoulder, pulling more moans from the delicate woman standing between them. “Don’t you want us, May?”

Kane watched her closely. When May opened her eyes, he saw the hunger arise, and the desire shone clearly in her eyes. He kissed her again, whispering against her moist lips, “Answer the question, princess.”

A shaky sigh skated against his lips just before May spoke. “I–I want you.” She held Kane’s gaze, wrapping one arm around his waist, pulling him flush against her quivering body as she hooked her other arm around Remy’s neck. “I want you both.”

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