Page 1

WICKED AND RUTHLESS

She ran from him once…but he won’t let her go again.

Haisley Rowe doesn’t believe in happily ever after, but after a scorching, year-long fling with rugged operative Nash Scott, she committed the ultimate sin: falling for a man who’d sworn off love. Carrying her devastating secret, she fled town. Two years later, she's back, and one explosive encounter proves that the man who broke her heart still owns it. But this time, running isn’t an option.

Nash disavowed marriage, family, and forever…...until Haisley blazed into his life, igniting his insatiable desire and becoming his darkest obsession. Now that she's returned, he'll use every weapon in his arsenal to reclaim her. But when a twisted abduction case they’re working together takes a deadly turn, they find themselves thrust into a dangerous world of power, lies, and betrayal.

With lethal enemies closing in, exhuming their past secrets and trusting each other may be the only thing that keeps them alive. But rebuilding what’s broken comes at a price—and their second chance could be their last.

PROLOGUE

Christmas Eve

Lafayette, Louisiana

Festive carols filled the crowded mall as Kaylee Wright hurried beside her mom, dodging last-minute shoppers loaded down with bags and boxes, and headed to the food court. The scent of cinnamon, sugar, and waffle cones wafted through the air, giving a definite holiday vibe to the hurried bustle around her. Despite the frantic energy, she couldn’t fight her swell of excitement.

It was Christmas Eve, and the mall was decked out in all its holiday splendor—towering trees dripping with lights and ornaments, lush evergreen garlands wrapped around the railings. Even the potted poinsettias seemed to glow a little brighter. Kaylee scanned the packed food court, finding a table that a pair of senior citizens with their grand-toddler in tow were vacating.

“Look.” She pointed to the table, then tugged on her mom’s hand.

“I’ll grab it if you’ll stand in line for hot chocolate.”

“Deal. But I really need to go to the bathroom first.”

“Go. I’ll hold the table and rest my sore feet,” her mom said. “Here’s some money so you can grab the cocoa when you come back.”

As Kaylee pocketed the bills, she grinned. “I’m glad we came today. It’s crowded, but it’s festive.”

“And I’ve loved being here with you, sweetie.” Her mom set their packages on the table and sank into her chair with a groan of relief.

They’d been on their feet for hours now, but they still had a few last-minute gifts to grab, especially one for her boyfriend. She’d finally earned enough money to buy him the Blu-ray movie box set he really wanted.

And on Christmas night, they’d arranged to spend a few hours alone. She planned to give him her virginity. She was nervous, but she was ready.

“Me, too.” She smiled at her mom. “This has been super fun. I’m sure this will be the best Christmas ever. Be right back.”

“I’ll be here, trying to convince my feet that we can still shop more.”

Laughing, Kaylee clutched her purse tightly as she picked her way between the tightly packed tables, flashing shoppers apologetic smiles as she squeezed past. Inside, the bathroom was crowded, and she had to wait. The janitor came in just behind her and put a closed sign across the door before rolling his mop near the door and patiently waiting for the place to clear out.

After she emptied her bladder and washed her hands, she reapplied her lip gloss, full of giddy thoughts about tomorrow. She exited, flashing the janitor a polite smile as he entered behind her, rolling his mop in the sudsy water, and closed the door.

In the little hallway that led from the restrooms to the bustling food court, the lights suddenly flickered, then died, leaving her in shadow. She frowned when she realized she was alone. Where was everyone? There had been at least a dozen people here five minutes ago.

A cold chill zipped down her spine as she dashed for the opening. She could see her mother sitting at the table, staring at her phone. Thank god she was almost out of here. This creepy hallway was giving her the willies.

Before she made it to the light, a thick arm like an iron bar clamped around her from behind.

Kaylee tried to shriek, but a rough hand clapped over her mouth, muffling her cries. Her purse tumbled from her grasp and fell open, sending her phone clattering across the floor. Violently, she was hauled back into the shadows. She thrashed wildly, terror clawing at her insides as the unmistakable barrel of a gun dug into her ribs.

Oh, god. Was this really happening?

“Don't make a sound, pretty girl,” a gruff voice hissed in her ear, hot breath washing over her face. “I’d hate to have to blow your brains out on Christmas Eve. Not that you won’t wish you were dead soon enough.”

When she tried to scream again, the iron grip across her chest constricted, cutting off her airflow. She fought against the paralyzing panic, but black spots swam in her vision as something smashed against the back of her skull, a searing wave of pain and nausea cresting over her.

Kaylee’s world tilted violently, shrinking until all she could make out were the muffled sounds of jingling bells and bright laughter from the food court—so achingly close yet utterly out of reach as her reality contracted into darkness.