From romantic suspense author Tara Thomas comes the explosive first novella, Shattered Fear, in the brand-new romantic suspense Sons of Broad series.
Welcome to the sultry streets of Charleston, where simmering desire and dark danger rule...
Forbidden love never felt so good...
She’s got a killer to catch. He just might be it. Undercover detective Janie Roberts needs to find out for sure if Brent Taylor is a murderer. Handsome, wealthy, and sexy-as-sin Brent Taylor. She’s got to get close enough to learn his secrets.
But getting this close is dangerous in more ways than one…
Release date:
February 6, 2018
Publisher:
St. Martin's Publishing Group
Print pages:
80
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He strolled along the cobblestone path, his casual step a stark contrast to the energy pulsing through his body. He didn’t look at anyone, but rather kept his attention focused on the path before him.
Numerous questions ran through his head. Why had The Gentleman called him so soon after the last delivery? Was there a problem withthe package? Surely he didn’t require another one so soon. But damn, what if he did? The last one was a struggle to deliver and he’d been hopeful it would havelasted longer than three weeks.
“Hey, watch it.”
He stepped back just in time to narrowly miss being mowed down by a student on a bicycle. The near miss made his heart beat even faster and he shook himself, knowing he needed all of his mental capacities for where he was going. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his brow, cursing thehumidity of July in Charleston.
Paying closer attention to his surroundings, he turned down a side street and walked up to the house with the horrible monkey door knocker. Fortunately, he didn’t have to touch the monstrosity because, as always, the door opened before he had a chance to knock.
The man who opened the door was also familiar, but he’dnever been given the butler’s name. In fact, the man had never spoken a word inall the times he’d visited. He would simply stand there, his ebony skin in sharpcontrast to his spotless white uniform, looking him up and down, as if the catdropped a half-eaten bird on the porch. Then he’d nod and turn to walk down the hall, never once looking back to ensure he was being followed.
They came to a stop before a set of wooden doors. After a quick knock, and the “Enter” given in reply, he was shown inside the mainmeeting room. He knew his guide wouldn’t follow him, but would wait outside to escort him back to civilization when the meeting was finished.
The Gentleman stood with his back to him. Once, he’d asked The Gentleman why he never turned around. His answer had been a deep chuckle and a softly spoken, “Do you really want to know the answer to that?”
“You asked me to come this afternoon, sir,” he stated, which was stupid, but then again, so was talking to someone’s back.
“The last delivery was unacceptable,” The Gentleman said,confirming his fear.
“I was sure this last one was sturdy,” he said, his voiceonly cracking at the end. It was neither an apology nor an outright challenge. He wasn’t stupid. He coughed. “Surprising it didn’t last three weeks.”
Silence was his only answer, but then again he hadn’t asked a question.
He shifted from foot to foot. Shit. He didn’t want to make The Gentleman angry, but damn. Still, he knew as long as he talked to the guy’s back, he was fine. It was if the man ever turned around that he’d be in serioustrouble. Or that was the rumor, anyway.
“The last delivery was unacceptable,” The Gentlemenrepeated.
His fingers itched to take his handkerchief and wipe his brow again, but he refrained. The Gentleman might have his back to him, but heknew he was being watched. He could not show fear.
He took a deep breath. “I’ll see what I can do about getting a replacement. Maybe by the end of the month . . .”
“Try again.”
He figured as much, but he thought he may as well try. “Sir.”
“Next week.”
Next week? That was going to be nearly impossible, but hecould tell The Gentleman wasn’t going to take kindly to hearing that. Heswallowed his sigh and said, “Yes, sir. Next week.”
“Very good. And, a word of warning: the Charleston PD has a plant at a certain popular club.”
He not only knew that, he knew who it was. “Not a problem, sir,” he said. “I’ve got it under control.” But it was a lie because he didn’thave it under control, and he had no idea what he was going to do about it.
“Very good. That’s what I like to hear.”
A small sense of relief started to weave its way throughhim. Maybe, he would be able to leave soon. The whole house gave him the creeps. He would much rather take his chances at the club, even with the police plant, than stay in this house for a minute longer than necessary.
He waited for the door behind him to open and for the other man to lead him outside. But there was nothing. He looked over his shoulder to make sure he hadn’t missed it. Why wasn’t the door opening? When he turned backaround, it was almost as if he could sense The Gentleman smiling.
“Before you leave,” he said. “There’s the matter of the unacceptable package to deal with.”
He grit his teeth, knowing it would do no good to argue. He hated this part of his job. Whom was he kidding? He hated all parts of his job. He was just buried too deep inside to get out now. Damn gambling addiction. And damn himself for thinking he’d ever be free. Truthfully, he only had himself to blame. No one forced him to get half a million in debt.
Though he felt the weight of what he was getting ready to doand what he had already done, he forced himself to put on a neutral face.“Where is it?”
The Gentleman laughed. “You think I have it here? The body is being delivered to your house as we speak. Deal with it.”
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