Marie Ferrarella - Cavanaugh Standoff

The Cavanaughs are back to doing what they do best—fighting crime—in this electrifying new novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella!

For homicide detective Ronan Cavanaugh O’Bannon, this time it’s personal…and totally baffling! The body of a police friend is found executed in the same manner as rival gang members. There’s no progress in finding Aurora’s serial killer…until Sierra Carlyle joins the team.

The perky young newbie is as chatty and extroverted as Ronan is taciturn and closed off. Frankly, she irritates him, but she’s a brilliant, relentless investigator. Working together, facing danger, Sierra’s warmth begins to thaw Ronan’s iciness. But acting on their undeniable attraction proves unwise now. There’s a killer to find and stop…before he sets his sights on a Cavanaugh!

“I’m not heartless,” he informed her.

“I just don’t allow emotions to get in the way, and I don’t believe in using more words than are absolutely necessary,” he added pointedly since he knew that seemed to bother her.

“Well, lucky for you, I do,” she told him with what amounted to the beginning of a smile. “I guess that’s what’ll make us such good partners.”

He looked at her, stunned. He viewed them as being like oil and water—never being able to mix. “Is that your take on this?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes,” she answered cheerfully.

The fact that she appeared to have what one of his brothers would have labeled a killer smile notwithstanding, Ronan just shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

“Oh, you’ll get to believe it soon enough,” she told him.

Cavanaugh Standoff

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award-winning author MARIE FERRARELLAhas written more than two hundred and fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

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To

Adelynn Marie Melgar

Welcome to the World

Little One

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Cavanaughs are back to doing what they do best—fighting crime—in this electrifying new novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella! For homicide detective Ronan Cavanaugh O’Bannon, this time it’s personal…and totally baffling! The body of a police friend is found executed in the same manner as rival gang members. There’s no progress in finding Aurora’s serial killer…until Sierra Carlyle joins the team. The perky young newbie is as chatty and extroverted as Ronan is taciturn and closed off. Frankly, she irritates him, but she’s a brilliant, relentless investigator. Working together, facing danger, Sierra’s warmth begins to thaw Ronan’s iciness. But acting on their undeniable attraction proves unwise now. There’s a killer to find and stop…before he sets his sights on a Cavanaugh!

Introduction “I’m not heartless,” he informed her. “I just don’t allow emotions to get in the way, and I don’t believe in using more words than are absolutely necessary,” he added pointedly since he knew that seemed to bother her. “Well, lucky for you, I do,” she told him with what amounted to the beginning of a smile. “I guess that’s what’ll make us such good partners.” He looked at her, stunned. He viewed them as being like oil and water—never being able to mix. “Is that your take on this?” he asked incredulously. “Yes,” she answered cheerfully. The fact that she appeared to have what one of his brothers would have labeled a killer smile notwithstanding, Ronan just shook his head. “Unbelievable.” “Oh, you’ll get to believe it soon enough,” she told him.

Title Page Cavanaugh Standoff Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award-winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred and fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Adelynn Marie Melgar Welcome to the World Little One

Prologue Prologue The first kill had been easy. All it had taken was a sense of detachment—and that had been there, hovering like a dark specter, growing closer and closer for the last two years. Detachment had been the only way to survive ever since it had happened. “It.” The event that had turned the world completely upside down, draining everyday life of all happiness, of what made life worthwhile. The event that had left nothing but a pile of ashes in its wake. Placing the gun barrel up against that worthless scum’s head and then firing, had brought with it an unexpected, tremendous release of pent-up anger. And just as unexpectedly, it had caused a sense of purpose to return to the emptiness loosely termed as “life.” The first kill had originated from a chance encounter. After that, a plan had been born. A plan that had required a great deal of careful research, coordination and, above all, meticulous timing. But every risk, every dangerous moment, was ultimately so worth it. And now? Now, finally, the end of the road was within sight. Five bodies down, four to go. This would take more planning because they were on their guard now. But it didn’t matter. However long it took, they were going to die. Every single one of them! The target had already been chosen, his day-to-day movements committed to memory. Just like the others. If a conscience had been involved, it had long since been numbed into nonexistence. Four more to go. The words hummed like an enticing siren song. Four more people to kill and the score would finally be even. Four more and then maybe, just maybe, life could begin to get back to normal. And if not—and there was a big possibility that it wouldn’t—well, those evil, cold-blooded bastards all had it coming. Their deaths would be no loss to the world because they all dealt in death as if it was of no great consequence. With all of them wiped from the face of the earth, maybe someone else would go on living rather than have their life snuffed out as if they didn’t matter. Maybe the self-righteous defenders of the public safety would even see it as a public service. Because that was what it was. A public service. A public that would be a little safer once those people were all dead. And maybe, just maybe, sleep would finally return, bringing with it some measure of peace. Peace, after two years. Finally. At least, there was a sliver of hope that it would. Something that had been missing all these many long months.

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