“Be right there,” she called.
After verifying it was them, she opened the door. Brent looked as good as ever. Today he was dressed casually in jeans and a tee. He gave her a quick kiss before turning to the stunning woman at his side. “Janie, this is my little sister, Beatrice.”
His sister rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to kill you for calling me that since this is the first time I’m meeting your girlfriend and I’m not sure how good she is at getting blood off of things.” She held out her hand. “I’m Bea.”
Bea didn’t share her brother’s golden looks. While he reminded her of sunshine and summer, Bea was a fiery fall, with long red hair, pale skin, and deep brown eyes.
“Janie.” She shook her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Likewise.”
“Looks like you got some flowers.” Bea punched Brent on the arm.
“The deliveryman brought them about fifteen minutes ago. You didn’t have to send me flowers, but it was awful sweet of you,” she said with a smile. “And you didn’t have to have them delivered. I’m sure the guy who brought them by thinks I’m crazy.”
Brent picked the box up. “They aren’t from me, and there’s no florist listed on the box.”
She forced herself to remain upright instead of crumpling to the floor like she wanted to. “Oh, god. It’s not over, is it?”
“We should open it.” Brent ran a finger along the edge.
“Inside,” Janie said. “If it’s him, he’s watching.”
Brent didn’t say anything, but nodded in agreement and carried the box inside. He sat the box on her coffee table. Janie let herself collapse onto the couch.
“Want me to open it?” Brent asked.
Yes! she wanted to scream, but shook her head. “No. I’ll do it.”
She wasn’t sure what she expected to be the box, but she was actually a little relieved as she took a deep breath and lifted the top off, revealing a dozen perfect red roses.
“Wow,” Bea said. “Those are gorgeous. Is there a card?”
Brent reached into the box and pulled out a plain white card. He sat down on the couch beside her so she could read along with him.
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
These flowers will die.
Just like you.
Read on for an excerpt from the next novel in the Sons of Broad series
DEADLY SECRET
Coming soon from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
For a fleeting moment, she thought about asking him to come inside. He was already in her driveway, what were a few feet more? If she invited him in, she knew he’d sit as close to her as possible. He’d probably put his arm around her. It’d feel so good to be wrapped in his warmth.
But no, she couldn’t risk it.
She started the water, poured in her favorite shower gel, and waited as the room filled with mist and the smell of lavender. Her fluffy bathrobe was in place for when she stepped out and her slippers waited beside. She hummed and swirled a finger in the water to test the temperature.
Perfect.
She pulled her hair up into a ponytail on top of her head, grabbed her eye mask, and stepped into the tub. With a sigh, she allowed herself to sink shoulder deep and enjoy the warmth of the water.
She wasn’t sure what first tipped her off that something wasn’t right. One second she was enjoying her bath and the next, she had that prickly feeling she always got when someone was watching her. She told herself it was stupid, there was no one in the bathroom and no one could’ve got past Knox and made it into her house.
Unless they killed Knox.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Why hadn’t she thought of that possibility?
She made it out of the tub with an ungraceful splash and threw her robe on. She didn’t hear it until she stepped into the hallway.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Her body shook with fear, her fingers so badly, she didn’t think she could dial the police if she tried. Someone was inside her house.
ALSO BY TARA THOMAS
E-NOVELLAS
SHATTERED FEAR
HIDDEN FATE
TWISTED END
AVAILABLE FROM ST. MARTIN’S PRESS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical. After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first love and hasn’t looked back since.
She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue Me. The novels in her Submissive series appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. You can sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
For email updates on the author, click here.
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Author’s Note
First Kiss
Excerpt: Shattered Fear
Excerpt: Deadly Secret
Also by Tara Thomas
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
DARKEST NIGHT
Copyright © 2018 by Tara Thomas.
Novella from Shattered Fear Copyright © 2018 by Tara Thomas.
Excerpt from Deadly Secret Copyright © 2018 by Tara Thomas.
Author Photo by Glen McCurtayne Coleman-Rayner
Jacket photographs: woman © Stephen Mulcahey/Arcangel: road © Piriya Photography/Getty Images
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 978-1-250-13801-9
Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at
MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / March 2018
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.