I Will Find You

by Cole Baxter

Genres: Domestic Thrillers

Synopsis

Maria loves her husband. She really, really doesn’t want to kill him.

Maria just wants to put her troubled past behind her. Newly married to wealthy architect Cooper, she’s finally enjoying the perfect life.

Things weren’t always easy for Maria. Years ago, desperate to escape an abusive marriage, she did some very bad things. And then had to flee the man who helped her, Jackson Drake, when she realized he was even more dangerous than her husband.

Fast forward to the present, and Jackson has finally tracked her down.

Now he is using Maria’s darkest secrets to blackmail her into doing exactly what he says. And what he says is that her new husband Cooper must die.

Maria knows Jackson is utterly ruthless and that he has the power to destroy her world and everything she holds dear. If she is to save herself and her husband, she will have to find the strength to do things she never imagined in her wildest dreams.
But how far will she go to save her perfect life? And who will pay the ultimate price?

I Will Find You - a stunning psychological thriller that will grip you to the very last page.

 

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Release date: July 30, 2023

Publisher: Inkubator Books

Print pages: 354

Sample

I wanted to get up and run.

I tried to look away, but I couldn’t.

I was a deer caught in headlights. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything but stare as I felt my heart race. I felt sick to my stomach. My cheeks felt like they were on fire, and it felt like at any moment I was going to pass out. Part of me thought that might be a good idea. Just black out and stay out until this man was gone.

But I wasn’t that lucky.

“Well, Maria, I have to say, you’ve done really well this time,” Jackson said in lieu of a greeting. “Imagine that. You found a highly successful and wealthy architect for our next adventure.”

“If you don’t go away right now, I’m going to call security,” I hissed, but inside I was terrified that someone might overhear him.

“Now, now … we are all friends here … for the moment.” His gaze was sharp, and his lip curled. “He does seem to dote on you, but honestly, he’s not all that bright, is he? Book smart, I suppose, capable, if this hotel is any indication, but still rather … naïve and stupid if you ask me.”

I felt my hackles rise. How dare he? “Shut your effing mouth, Jack. Cooper is a brilliant, kind, loving man, and I won’t have you disparage him like that,” I muttered, keeping my voice low so we wouldn’t draw attention, even though what I really wanted to do was pitch a huge fit and have him tossed out on his ass. I was still considering that option, to be honest.

“Awww, have you gone and fallen for the mark? That’s really too bad. I thought I taught you better than that.” Jackson shook his head. “I suppose I’ll just have to make an example of him …”

“If you don’t get out of here right now, I’m going to call the cops and have you arrested.” I started to rise from my seat.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” he snarled. “I have your dear, sweet husband’s cell phone number, and I will use it to have a nice long chat with him if you don’t cooperate.”

I dropped back into my chair, my heart shattering into a million pieces. He was going to ruin my life. I could see it all falling away right before my eyes. Everything I had worked for, the man I loved so damn much would either leave me or end up dead … and I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let Jackson win. I had to be smart about this. I had to be strong. I wouldn’t let him win this time. I wouldn’t.

“What do you want?” I hissed, sinking as much venom into my tone as I could.

“Now, now, little cat, pull your claws in. This isn’t the time or place to go into what I want.” He looked around the room. “It’s a delicate situation, isn’t it? It will take some planning to pull it off. And you’ll be a good little girl and cooperate, or bad things could happen. You understand that, don’t you, my dear sweet Maria. I mean, it’s a life-and-death situation … not just for you, but for all those you love …” He let his words trail off as he stared coldly at me.

I knew his threat wasn’t an idle one. He meant every word. He’d not only kill me; he’d kill Coop, Amy, my mother … and anyone else who got in his way. Jackson didn’t make threats he wasn’t prepared to deliver on. I swallowed hard and nodded, but even as I indicated that I would cooperate, I vowed that I would find a way to thwart him.

“Now, hand me your phone.” He held his hand out for it impatiently.

I only hesitated for a moment before I pulled it from my evening bag, used my fingerprint to open it, and handed it to him. He went into my contacts and entered his number, sent off a text, I assumed to his own phone, and then handed it back to me.

“Fine, you have my number now.” I glared at him. “You can go.”

He placed his hands on the arms of my chair, caging me in as he got in my face. “Don’t even think of blocking me. I’ll be in touch,” he sneered. Then he rose, straightened his jacket and strolled away nonchalantly.

I sat for a moment, literally shaking in my chair as my eyes followed him out of the ballroom. I was terrified that he would do something to hurt Cooper before I could do anything to save him. The man was a complete menace, and it was I who had brought him into our lives. I had no one to blame but myself.

I couldn’t enjoy the gala anymore. All I wanted was to go home, pack our bags and get Cooper and me as far away from San Francisco as I could. Forever. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen. I’d have to find another way to keep Cooper safe—and in the dark about my past so I wouldn’t lose him.

I knew I could end it all by coming clean. Telling him everything. But then I’d lose him. He’d leave me. And if that happened, I didn’t think I’d survive it.