Cynthia Eden - After The Dark

In this gripping new series by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden, a disgraced FBI profiler must save her reputation by stopping a sadistic killer she knows all too well

Former FBI agent Samantha Dark was one of the most respected profilers in the bureau, an expert on the twisted minds and dark hearts of the most depraved criminals. But when her own former lover turned out to be the serial killer she was hunting, Samantha’s career was destroyed. Blamed for the FBI’s failure on the complex case, Samantha left Washington, DC, for the quiet anonymity of Alabama.

Now an all-too-familiar killer is hunting once again. She can catch the cunning assassin, but that means putting her trust in her former partner, Blake Gamble. Ex-military, Blake is tough, protective, precise. With her entire life on the brink, she knows he wants her back in the FBI...and possibly more.

But someone else wants her, too. A threat is waiting in the dark, a killer who has set his sights on the ultimate trophy victim—Samantha.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden

“Cynthia Eden writes smart, sexy and gripping suspense. Hang on tight while she takes you on a wild ride.’’

—New York Times bestselling author Cindy Gerard

“Cynthia Eden’s Broken is what romantic suspense is supposed to be—fast, furious, and very sexy! In the LOST Agency, Eden has created a complex cast of characters that readers will love—leaving them eagerly anticipating the next team member’s story.’’

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose

“Sexy, mysterious, and full of heart-pounding suspense!”

—New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye

“Fast-paced, smart, sexy and emotionally wrenching—everything I love about a Cynthia Eden book!”

—Award-winning author HelenKay Dimon

Also available from Cynthia Eden

and HQN Books

Killer Instinct

The Gathering Dusk(prequel to Abduction) After the Dark

For a complete list of books by Cynthia Eden, please visit www.CynthiaEden.com.

After the Dark

The Gathering Dusk

Cynthia Eden

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Table of Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text In this gripping new series by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden, a disgraced FBI profiler must save her reputation by stopping a sadistic killer she knows all too well Former FBI agent Samantha Dark was one of the most respected profilers in the bureau, an expert on the twisted minds and dark hearts of the most depraved criminals. But when her own former lover turned out to be the serial killer she was hunting, Samantha’s career was destroyed. Blamed for the FBI’s failure on the complex case, Samantha left Washington, DC, for the quiet anonymity of Alabama. Now an all-too-familiar killer is hunting once again. She can catch the cunning assassin, but that means putting her trust in her former partner, Blake Gamble. Ex-military, Blake is tough, protective, precise. With her entire life on the brink, she knows he wants her back in the FBI...and possibly more. But someone else wants her, too. A threat is waiting in the dark, a killer who has set his sights on the ultimate trophy victim—Samantha.

Praise Praise for New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden “Cynthia Eden writes smart, sexy and gripping suspense. Hang on tight while she takes you on a wild ride.’’ —New York Times bestselling author Cindy Gerard “Cynthia Eden’s Broken is what romantic suspense is supposed to be—fast, furious, and very sexy! In the LOST Agency, Eden has created a complex cast of characters that readers will love—leaving them eagerly anticipating the next team member’s story.’’ —#1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose “Sexy, mysterious, and full of heart-pounding suspense!” —New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye “Fast-paced, smart, sexy and emotionally wrenching—everything I love about a Cynthia Eden book!” —Award-winning author HelenKay Dimon

Booklist Also available from Cynthia Eden and HQN Books Killer Instinct The Gathering Dusk (prequel to Abduction) After the Dark For a complete list of books by Cynthia Eden, please visit www.CynthiaEden.com .

Title Page After the Dark The Gathering Dusk Cynthia Eden www.millsandboon.co.uk

After the Dark After the Dark Cynthia Eden

Dedication Over the years, I’ve met so many wonderful romance readers—at conferences, at signings and, of course, online. I want to thank all of these readers for their support. Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for the kind words. Thank you for telling me that you were able to get lost in my stories—because I think a reader being able to get “lost” in a book is the best compliment that any writer can receive.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

Epilogue

The Gathering Dusk

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

Extract

Copyright

After the Dark

Cynthia Eden

Over the years, I’ve met so many wonderful romance readers—at conferences, at signings and, of course, online. I want to thank all of these readers for their support. Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for the kind words. Thank you for telling me that you were able to get lost in my stories—because I think a reader being able to get “lost” in a book is the best compliment that any writer can receive.

CHAPTER ONE

THE SCENE WAS all wrong.

The killer—the balding man in his late thirties—the man who stood there with sweat dripping down his face, a gun held in his trembling hand and a dead girl at his feet...he was wrong.

FBI Special Agent Samantha Dark raised her weapon even as she shook her head. She’d profiled this killer, studied every detail of his crime spree. And...

This is wrong.

“Drop the gun!” That bellow came from her partner, Blake Gamble. He was at her side, his weapon drawn, too, and she knew all of his focus was locked on the killer.

They’d come to this house just to ask Allan March some follow-up questions. He’d been one of the custodians at Georgetown University, a university that had recently become the hunting grounds for a killer.

At Blake’s shout, Allan jerked. And when he jerked, his finger squeezed the trigger of the gun he held. The shot went wide, missing both Samantha and Blake. She didn’t return fire. Allan doesn’t fit the profile. This is all wrong—