Sharon Sala - Life Of Lies

Fame, fortune...and a fatal obsession

Sahara Travis is used to being worshipped by adoring fans, but now someone is fixated on her in a dangerous way. After multiple attempts on her life, she reluctantly agrees to hire a security specialist for her protection, though the last thing she wants is some burly bodyguard invading her personal space.

Former army ranger Brendan McQueen’s job is to keep the starlet safe and track down her would-be assassin. But when Sahara receives news that her estranged mother has been murdered and her father, the top suspect, is missing, Brendan quickly realizes this is much more serious than your average celebrity stalker.

With Brendan and her devoted assistant, Lucy, in tow, Sahara returns to her family estate in New Orleans to uncover the identity of her attempted killer before he can close in on his final target.

Praise for the novels of

New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala

“[T]he Youngblood family is a force to be reckoned with.... [W]atching this family gather around and protect its own is an uplifting tribute to familial love.”

—RT Book Reviews on Family Sins

“[A] soul-wrenching story of love, heartache, and murder that is practically impossible to put down.... If you love emotional tales of love, family, and justice, then look no further... Sharon Sala has yet another winner on her hands.”

—FreshFiction.com on Family Sins

“So many twists and turns, and the ending will shock readers. Another stellar book to add to Sala’s collection!”

—RT Book Reviews on Dark Hearts

“Sala is a master at telling a story that is both romantic and suspenseful.... With this amazing story, Sala proves why she is one of the best writers in the genre.”

—RT Book Reviews on Wild Hearts

“Skillfully balancing suspense and romance, Sala gives readers a nonstop breath-holding adventure.”

—Publishers Weekly on Going Once

“Vivid, gripping... This thriller keeps the pages turning.”

—Library Journal on Torn Apart

“Sala’s characters are vivid and engaging.”

—Publishers Weekly on Cut Throat

Life of Lies

Sharon Sala

People lie. Sometimes it’s just a little white lie, meant to save someone’s feelings from being hurt. Sometimes it’s a big lie, told out of fear or anger, wanting to hurt someone by passing on an untruth.

But what if your whole life was a lie?

What if you had to participate in that lie for someone you loved?

This happens. Oftentimes to children, who grow up without a foundation to stand on, without a way to know good from bad, or lies from truth.

God bless the children who are denied the truth of how they came to be.

How can they find their futures when they do not know their pasts?

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Fame, fortune...and a fatal obsession Sahara Travis is used to being worshipped by adoring fans, but now someone is fixated on her in a dangerous way. After multiple attempts on her life, she reluctantly agrees to hire a security specialist for her protection, though the last thing she wants is some burly bodyguard invading her personal space. Former army ranger Brendan McQueen’s job is to keep the starlet safe and track down her would-be assassin. But when Sahara receives news that her estranged mother has been murdered and her father, the top suspect, is missing, Brendan quickly realizes this is much more serious than your average celebrity stalker. With Brendan and her devoted assistant, Lucy, in tow, Sahara returns to her family estate in New Orleans to uncover the identity of her attempted killer before he can close in on his final target.

Praise Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala “[T]he Youngblood family is a force to be reckoned with.... [W]atching this family gather around and protect its own is an uplifting tribute to familial love.” —RT Book Reviews on Family Sins “[A] soul-wrenching story of love, heartache, and murder that is practically impossible to put down.... If you love emotional tales of love, family, and justice, then look no further... Sharon Sala has yet another winner on her hands.” —FreshFiction.com on Family Sins “So many twists and turns, and the ending will shock readers. Another stellar book to add to Sala’s collection!” —RT Book Reviews on Dark Hearts “Sala is a master at telling a story that is both romantic and suspenseful.... With this amazing story, Sala proves why she is one of the best writers in the genre.” —RT Book Reviews on Wild Hearts “Skillfully balancing suspense and romance, Sala gives readers a nonstop breath-holding adventure.” —Publishers Weekly on Going Once “Vivid, gripping... This thriller keeps the pages turning.” —Library Journal on Torn Apart “Sala’s characters are vivid and engaging.” —Publishers Weekly on Cut Throat

Title Page Life of Lies Sharon Sala

Dedication People lie. Sometimes it’s just a little white lie, meant to save someone’s feelings from being hurt. Sometimes it’s a big lie, told out of fear or anger, wanting to hurt someone by passing on an untruth. But what if your whole life was a lie? What if you had to participate in that lie for someone you loved? This happens. Oftentimes to children, who grow up without a foundation to stand on, without a way to know good from bad, or lies from truth. God bless the children who are denied the truth of how they came to be. How can they find their futures when they do not know their pasts?

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Epilogue

Copyright

One

Dust motes stirred within the sunlight streaming into the hayloft of the abandoned barn. The hay bales that had been left behind were busted and moldy, fit only for the rats that wintered there, and partially hiding the couple making love on the mattress nestled along the back wall.

The heat of the day and the lack of moving air coated their bodies with beads of sweat, but it was the heat building inside them that was out of control.

Alicia groaned, and Jerry slid his fingers through her long dark hair and kept on moving, shifting his body just enough so that the camera in the shadows on the other side of the loft caught the bounce of her breast and the long length of her legs beneath him.

In the midst of their passion, Alicia heard voices approaching the barn. Her eyes widened. They were about to be found out! She grabbed Jerry’s arms.

“Someone’s coming!”

Jerry froze, then put his hand over her mouth and motioned toward their clothing in a pile at the foot of the bed. With the mood broken and their affair on the verge of being discovered, they scrambled to get dressed. But their bodies were slick with sweat and their hands were shaking. All they got on was underwear before the men entered the barn below.

Half naked and shaking in terror, they huddled together on the mattress, listening in disbelief to what sounded like a drug deal going down. Jerry turned toward the camera, his eyes widening in horror, then looked back at Alicia just as a gun went off below them.

Alicia clasped her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming as more gunshots sounded, and as hay sprayed around them, she realized some shots were flying into the loft. She buried her face against her knees, trying to make herself as small a target as possible.