Cynthia Eden - The Gathering Dusk

Don’t miss the heart-pounding prequel novella to bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s new Killer Instinct series

When untried FBI profiler Samantha Dark is face-to-face with a killer, there’s no room for fear. Her best weapon is her instincts. Those same dark impulses that allow her to get inside the mind of a murderer, to locate victims—or to pull the trigger before she’s next. She can’t afford to have those instincts clouded by anything...especially her far-too-sexy new partner.

Former SEAL Blake Gamble plays everything by the book. Except, of course, when it comes to the increasingly simmering attraction between them. But when a vengeful serial killer targets them both, Samantha once again reaches into the sinister, shadowed part of herself. Even as she begins to fear that the only way to catch this killer is to become one...

Look for After the Dark , the first in the Killer Instinct series, from HQN Books!

The Gathering Dusk

Cynthia Eden

www.millsandboon.co.uk

AUTHOR NOTE Contents Cover Back Cover Text Title Page AUTHOR NOTE Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN About the Author Copyright

Do you have a killer instinct? Can you look at a person and figure out that individual’s strengths and weaknesses? And could you use those weaknesses against your prey?

Samantha Dark, the heroine of The Gathering Dusk , has spent years trying to understand the behavior of serial killers. She’s worked hard to earn the respect of her fellow FBI agents, and her profiles are always dead-on. In The Gathering Dusk , Samantha sets in motion a series of events that will forever change her life...and the lives of those closest to her. Because while Samantha thinks that she knows killers so very well, she’s about to discover that sometimes the most dangerous enemy can be the one that is closest to you.

The Gathering Dusk is a prequel story. It will introduce you to Samantha and her FBI partner, Blake Gamble. To read more about the partners, be sure to look for After the Dark , available to readers in March 2017.

Cynthia Eden

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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.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Don’t miss the heart-pounding prequel novella to bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s new Killer Instinct series When untried FBI profiler Samantha Dark is face-to-face with a killer, there’s no room for fear. Her best weapon is her instincts. Those same dark impulses that allow her to get inside the mind of a murderer, to locate victims—or to pull the trigger before she’s next. She can’t afford to have those instincts clouded by anything...especially her far-too-sexy new partner. Former SEAL Blake Gamble plays everything by the book. Except, of course, when it comes to the increasingly simmering attraction between them. But when a vengeful serial killer targets them both, Samantha once again reaches into the sinister, shadowed part of herself. Even as she begins to fear that the only way to catch this killer is to become one... Look for After the Dark , the first in the Killer Instinct series, from HQN Books!

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

AUTHOR NOTE AUTHOR NOTE Contents Cover Back Cover Text Title Page AUTHOR NOTE Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN About the Author Copyright Do you have a killer instinct? Can you look at a person and figure out that individual’s strengths and weaknesses? And could you use those weaknesses against your prey? Samantha Dark, the heroine of The Gathering Dusk , has spent years trying to understand the behavior of serial killers. She’s worked hard to earn the respect of her fellow FBI agents, and her profiles are always dead-on. In The Gathering Dusk , Samantha sets in motion a series of events that will forever change her life...and the lives of those closest to her. Because while Samantha thinks that she knows killers so very well, she’s about to discover that sometimes the most dangerous enemy can be the one that is closest to you. The Gathering Dusk is a prequel story. It will introduce you to Samantha and her FBI partner, Blake Gamble. To read more about the partners, be sure to look for After the Dark , available to readers in March 2017. 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

About the Author

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

SAMANTHA DARK DIDN’T let her fear show. In her job, there wasn’t supposed to be any room for fear. FBI agents were tough and strong and they got the job done—no matter the circumstances. They didn’t let nausea twist in their stomachs. They didn’t let doubt bloom in their minds.

An FBI agent didn’t hold a weapon with too tight a grip with a pounding heart.

But I am.

Samantha tried to steady herself. She forced herself to take a deep breath. Her eyes never left the house nestled so perfectly on the little cul-de-sac. The house with the tall, swaying pine trees in the front yard. The house that had all the blinds pulled down to cover every single window.

It’s just a house. Just a house on a street.

“You ready, Samantha?’

At the deep, rumbling voice, Samantha gave a nod. Her new partner, Blake Gamble, was right at her side. He didn’t seem scared, didn’t seem to be filled with reservation and apprehension—but then, from what she could tell, Blake didn’t have room for those kinds of emotions.

She tore her gaze from the house just long enough to send an assessing glance his way. Blake was tall, about six foot two—maybe three inches—and muscled. His wide shoulders told her that he might have played football back in the day, and his hard strength assured Samantha that her new partner worked out far more than the FBI required.

He was handsome, in a rough, rugged way. Square jaw, high cheeks, sensually curved lips...and the greenest eyes that she’d ever seen. Those green eyes were a sharp contrast to his dark, almost perfectly arranged black hair.