Elle James - Deadly Reckoning

What a day.

In all that had happened, one image rose above them all.

Gabe McGregor. Tall, broad-shouldered and with eyes that could light the sky. The strength of his arms around her went a long way toward restoring her faith in humanity.

Kayla relaxed against the porcelain tub.

A noise from the other room startled her. She reached for her radio, turning the music off. Silence filled the room, the only sound that of her breathing and the thunder of her pulse against her eardrums.

“I’m hearing things,” Kayla said out loud and sank back into the warmth of the bath water.

A scratchy, tapping sound brought her out of the tub. Her wet feet slipped on the smooth tile and she grabbed for the sink to steady herself. She glanced at the mirror, the steam from the bath having fogged her reflection. Bold letters glared at her, clinging to the glass where the mist dripped free.

SCARED?

Dear Reader,

I had fun writing a book with a teenage character in it. My last teenager has graduated from high school and is now in college. Living through her drama reminded me of my teenage years and how I only wanted to fit in and be appreciated and loved by my friends and family.

I was fortunate to have caring parents who didn’t quite understand the new generation, but never stopped loving me no matter how hard I made their lives.

This story is set on the west coast in Oregon where mists rise from the sea like a Devil’s Shroud, hiding sins of the evil from those who just want to live a peaceful existence.

Gabe McGregor is struggling to understand a teenage son he never knew until recently, while protecting the new girl in town, artist Kayla Davies, from a serial killer.

Watch as Kayla, Gabe and Gabe’s son learn from each other and open their hearts to a love that will bring them together as a family.

Happy reading!

Elle James

A Golden Heart winner for Best Paranormal Romance in 2004, ELLE JAMESstarted writing when her sister issued a Y2K challenge to write a romance novel. She managed a full-time job, raised three wonderful children and she and her husband even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas Hill Country. Ask her, and she’ll tell you what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three hundred and fifty pound bird! After leaving her successful career in information technology management, Elle is now pursuing her writing full-time. She loves building exciting stories about heroes, heroines, romance and passion. Elle loves to hear from fans. You can contact her at ellejames@earthlink.net or visit her website at www.ellejames.com.

Deadly Reckoning

Elle James

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This book is dedicated to my editors Elizabeth Mazer

and Patience Bloom who saw something worth printing

in my writing and who guided me in producing a

much better book.

“Good night, Kayla. Get some rest, you deserve it.” Brent Kitchens, the owner of the most prestigious art gallery in Seattle, escorted Kayla to the side exit of the gallery where she’d parked her car earlier that day. “Thanks for the great turnout.”

“The thanks goes to you, Brent.” She smiled at Brent, twisting the shiny gold locket at the end of a fine chain that hung around her neck. “I’m headed for my apartment and bed. These things exhaust me.” That and being three months pregnant, a secret she hadn’t shared with anyone. She wasn’t certain how the news would impact her exploding career as an artist, especially since she planned to raise the child on her own.

“Get some rest, sweetheart.” Brent patted her back. “Want me to have security walk you out?”

“No, I’ll be fine. Thanks again.” Kayla kissed the man on the cheek and left the building. The click of the door closing behind her made her jump and hurry toward her car. Having arrived during the day, she hadn’t realized how little lighting there was at the back of the gallery. The one light shining out over the cars barely reached hers, casting more shadows than light on her solid black SUV. Keys in hand, she hit the automatic door locks as she neared the rear of her vehicle. When she reached for the door handle, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye.

Before she could react, a hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her scream and cutting off her air.

Kayla kicked and fought, her desire to live and protect her baby giving her sufficient motivation, but she was overpowered by her attacker’s strength. She kicked out, her arms and legs flailing, her hands on her keys desperately fumbling for the little red panic button that she’d never before used.

The man slammed her into the side of the car.

Pain shot through her ribs, and she feared for the fetus growing inside her, but she couldn’t escape the hold. Then she was flipped around, pinned to the car with the weight of his body, one hand covering her mouth, the other hand holding an arm. She faced a man with no face, his entire head covered in a ski mask, his eyes the only feature visible in the limited lighting. Light brownish eyes, almost gold, like those of a lion, if the lights weren’t playing tricks on her fear-filled mind.

He laughed.

The low rumbling sound sent a ball of lead to the pit of Kayla’s stomach. The man hadn’t made a threat, hadn’t said a word, but Kayla knew without a doubt that he’d kill her. With her free hand, she desperately pressed the buttons on the key chain, struggling to find the right one. The door locks clicked on and off, the lights blinking.

Her attacker’s eyes narrowed and he grabbed for her hand and the keys she held.

Kayla finally found the panic button and she hit it just as a hand closed over the wad of keys.

The horn blared, over and over, the headlights and taillights blinking in unison, filled the parking lot with noise and light.

She couldn’t see it, but she heard the creaking hinges of the back door to the gallery opening. If she wanted to live, she had to get help. Now!

Kayla bit down hard on the hand over her mouth.

The man cursed, his hand moving just enough that Kayla could let out a short, loud scream.

“What the hell?” Brent’s voice called out. “What’s going on out there? Hey, someone call 911!” he shouted. “Kayla? Kayla, is that you?”

In a flash, the man moved his grip to her throat, squeezing so hard, Kayla couldn’t breathe.

She pried at his hands, her fingers tearing at his flesh, frantic to take a breath.

As his fingers tightened on her neck, he leaned close until his mask-covered mouth was close to her ear. “You win for now, but it isn’t over.” He yanked the chain from around her neck, then he let go so suddenly, Kayla slid down the side of the car. Unable to slow her fall, her head hit the pavement with a dull thud.