Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:16:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 The Specialist (Men of Hidden Justice #5) Read Online Melanie Moreland http://www.books2020.com/the-specialist-men-of-hidden-justice-5-read-online-melanie-moreland Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:15:22 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-specialist-men-of-hidden-justice-5-read-online-melanie-moreland Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense Authors: Melanie Moreland Series: Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
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Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)

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Final installment of the Men of Hidden Justice

Egan Vulpe

Trained explosives expert. Gun for hire. Loner.
Until the day he falls in love.
He leaves the dangerous world he knows behind. He paints, owns a gym, and co-runs Elite Security.
In the past, he has worked with his friends at Hidden Justice, always staying behind the scenes.
But not far enough behind.
When the woman he loves is taken, his only recourse is to step back into a world of crime—this time on the wrong side of the law.
He knows he has only one choice.
Save her.
Or die trying.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER ONE

Egan

The hallway was dim, the walls crumbling. Dusty from years of unuse. The mold and decay were all around me. I traced the miles of cable, checking and rechecking every inch. Ensuring the charges were in the correct place, the amount of dynamite exactly as needed to bring down the building in a perfect synchronization of an inward sequence.

As always, I felt the thrill of anticipation. The high knowing all the work, the planning, and the intricate details would soon pay off. Soon, where a tall building once stood, only a pile of rubble would remain.

Hours passed as I did the final inspection. Everything was perfect. I had overseen every detail, calculated and recalculated the explosives.

The building would fall faultlessly.

Outside, I headed to the control area. I was alone, which seemed odd, but I continued. I did one final sweep of the building, finding zero heat sources. I hoped no small animals wandered in at the last moment seeking shelter, but I knew it happened at times. The haven they sought became their final resting place, but better them than a homeless person or a curious onlooker. That had never happened, thank God.

I checked all the cameras, pleased to see them working. The implosion would be captured as the building went down, both inside and outside. I would use it to study, seeing if I could have changed something, if something needed fixing next time, or God forbid, it didn’t explode the way it should have today. But I was confident. Ready.

I looked around as dawn broke. The building would collapse as the sun rose. One life ending as another day began. I felt as if there were some sort of poetic justice.

I flicked open all the controls. Checked the area. Began the countdown over the loudspeakers, that was followed by the warnings. Had the thumbs-up and okays from all the people connected to the project. We were all clear. Far from the building on the edge of the site, some people gathered to watch it come down. They were distant enough to be safe but had a great view as the building collapsed. For some, it was a hobby, watching structures being demolished—their fascination endless. Security kept them from getting too close. I frowned as I looked around, wondering why no one else was on-site with me. Usually, a few people watched from behind the controls, but today, it seemed I was alone. Once I had the final all clear, I pressed the button, the one-minute timer beginning to count down to one.

Something niggled at me, growing in my mind. I felt a sudden swell of anxiety, then one of pure fear, blossom in my chest. I stumbled back from the controls, gasping for air, unsure what was happening. A small light came on, indicating a heat source in the building. Ignoring the crippling agony in my chest, I checked the cameras, shocked to see a person in the building. I zoomed in, terror dripping from my throat as I focused on the face of the woman sitting in a chair in the middle of an empty building.

Sofia.

My Sofia.

How had she gotten there? What was going on?

I pressed the kill switch, horrified when nothing happened. “Get out!” I shouted, pressing it again. “Sofia, my love, get out!”

She stared at the camera, shaking her head. I saw she was tied to the chair, helpless.

She was trapped high in the building, and I couldn’t get to her.

I began to scream her name, desperately hitting the control keys, trying sequence after sequence to stop the explosives from detonating. She looked at me, her lips moving.

“I love you,” she said.

Another voice whispered somewhere around me. “Stop this, Egan. You have to stop this. Only you can prevent this from happening.”

I knew that voice. Quavery and soft, I knew it. But it was impossible.

Then the explosions started, and the screen went black. I fell backward, the pain of the moment overwhelming and intense. It felt as if I had been blown apart in that building with her.

I woke up screaming, drenched in sweat, panic-stricken, and on the floor.

My gasping breaths were ragged and filled with fear. I looked around the room, trying to get myself under control.

I was in my apartment. The light in the corner was dim but offered me the security I needed at the moment. I was safe. I was home.

I bolted to my feet.

Sofia.

I grabbed my cell phone, pressing her name, the rings far too long. But she picked up, her voice filled with curiosity. I never called her at work.

“Egan?”

“Sofia,” I gasped out, clutching my hair and pulling on it. “My love, are you all right?”

She sounded impatient. “Of course, I’m all right. I’m at work. What is it? Why are you calling?”

When I didn’t respond, she dropped her voice. “Egan? What’s wrong?”

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Advertisement The Watcher (Men of Hidden Justice #4) Read Online Melanie Moreland http://www.books2020.com/the-watcher-men-of-hidden-justice-4-read-online-melanie-moreland Sat, 01 Oct 2022 08:39:00 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-watcher-men-of-hidden-justice-4-read-online-melanie-moreland Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Insta-Love, Romance, Suspense Authors: Melanie Moreland Series: Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
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Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >81

To the world, I’m Damien DeSalvo, businessman.
I own a security company, ensuring the safety of my clients.
But behind the scenes, I’m known as the Watcher.
I stay hidden, overseeing the secrecy of Hidden Justice—
those who rid the world of its scum, one bad guy at a time.

Until the day she stumbles into my path and one kiss changes everything.
Stalked and terrified, Raven Bailey needs my protection.

I need her.

Can I find the man threatening the woman I love before he finds her?
We’re playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
And I’m determined to win.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER ONE

Damien

I sipped my whiskey, letting the rich flavor roll down my throat. Outside, the sky was dreary and overcast, matching my mood. The bar was mostly empty, the weather keeping people inside. I ran a hand through my hair, catching my reflection in the mirror behind the bar. My mouth was turned down in a frown, the creases in my forehead deep. I blew out a long breath and rolled my shoulders, relaxing my tight muscles. I was feeling off. Tense yet bored. Restless yet tired. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I wasn’t myself. I had escaped my too-quiet condo to be around people. Yet I had no desire to mingle with anyone here.

It was a conundrum.

I tapped the bar, and Taylor, the bartender, topped up my glass.

“Dinner?”

“Shepherd’s pie on tonight?” I asked hopefully.

“You know it. I’ll put in the order. You want to move to a table?”

I glanced behind me and nodded. There was a comfortable booth available, and I could relax and eat dinner.

“Yeah.”

“Mum’s got sticky toffee pudding up tonight for later.”

“With custard?”

He nodded with a grin.

“Make sure to save me one.”

I liked this bar. Family-run, home cooking, it was like an English pub in style and décor. I had been coming here for years. The food was delicious, the whiskey selection top-notch, and the staff friendly but not intrusive. The front half was a long bar, the heavy wood dark with age. There were a few scattered tables, a pool table, and a space for darts. The back half was tables and booths. Often on a Friday or Saturday, the place was full, people eating and drinking everywhere, music playing, and someone always looking for a fellow dart player or to start a game of cards. Today, it was quiet, with only a dozen patrons scattered around the place.

I stood, reaching over for my glass, when the door to the bar burst open. A woman stumbled in, breathing hard, her eyes wild. Our gazes locked, the fear in her eyes driving me forward. I was at her side in a moment, gripping her elbow. Her hair was long, the rain causing the color to darken. It hung down her back in a damp wave of espresso. Her eyes were an unusual gray-green color, rimmed in a dark green. Long lashes framed them. They were stunning. And terrified.

Before I could speak or ask what was wrong, she flung her arms around me.

“I’m so sorry I’m late!” she exclaimed loudly.

I blinked at her words.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against my neck. “Please play along.”

Then she crashed her mouth to mine.

It took me about three seconds to catch up, all the ennui and lethargy leaving my body, everything in me strumming with alertness and need. Of their own volition, my arms wrapped around her, hauling her close to my chest. She was soft and curvy, fitting against me perfectly. One hand crept up, fisting her hair, holding her close. Desire filled me as I held her, and I flicked my tongue against her mouth, slipping inside and groaning as her taste exploded on my tongue. Cinnamon and spice, sweet and tangy—all things good and rich filled my senses.

Until she pulled back, our gazes locking.

I felt my mouth curve into a wide smile. “You’re forgiven.”

I stepped back and closed the door, one arm still wrapped around her. I felt the shiver race through her body at the chill from outside, but it was the constant tremble of her limbs that told me how frightened she was. The fear in her gaze did something to me.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured.

I glanced over to Taylor, who was watching us with curious eyes.

“Make it dinner for two,” I called over. “My girlfriend is late but will join me. Add a glass of red to the order.”

Then I headed away from the door toward the back and stopped at a booth, indicating she should sit.

For a moment, she hesitated, then slid in. I glanced behind her, noticing a solitary figure outside. Obviously male, his dark gray hood was pulled low over his head, obscuring his face. He was tall and his frame lean. I tilted my head, noting the fisted hands and tense set of his shoulders. I could feel his hate and anger from the other side of the glass. I stepped toward him, and he turned and hurried away.

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Advertisement The Commander (Men of Hidden Justice #3) Read Online Melanie Moreland http://www.books2020.com/the-commander-men-of-hidden-justice-3-read-online-melanie-moreland Thu, 03 Feb 2022 17:36:45 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-commander-men-of-hidden-justice-3-read-online-melanie-moreland Genre: Alpha Male, Mafia, Romance, Suspense Authors: Melanie Moreland Series: Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
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Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >71

Read Online Books/Novels:	The Commander (Men of Hidden Justice #3)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Melanie Moreland
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	9781988610818
Book Information:
Men of Hidden Justice Because love can bleed into the darkest heart My instincts had always served me well. Listening to my gut, the warning voice in my head that told me when to walk away. I never failed to heed the signs. Until the day she walked into my office. I knew she would be trouble, but I ignored the alarm bells. And then it was too late, and I fell. Hard. A lie tore us apart, and I thought I’d lost her forever. But now she’s back—with a secret she’s been keeping. This time, I’m not letting her go.
Books in Series:	Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
Books by Author:	Melanie Moreland

PRESENT DAY

Julian

I reached for a file, trying not to curse under my breath. Then I recalled I had a private office so I could curse all I wanted.

“Fucking paperwork,” I snarled. “It never ends.”

I picked up my coffee, cursing yet again when I realized the cup was empty. I punched the intercom, waiting until my secretary responded.

“Yes, sir?”

I managed to keep my voice civil. “Coffee, Anne. Now.”

“Right away. A sandwich, perhaps?”

“Is it lunchtime?”

“It’s two o’clock.”

I shook my head in disbelief. The days passed in a rush of moments, it seemed.

It was a shame the nights dragged so badly.

“I would appreciate that.”

I hung up before she could respond. She was an older woman, happy to have a job, not caring about the dull work she processed daily. She had no idea what really happened in the office behind her, and it was best kept that way. I had learned my lesson once.

Anne came in at ten, left at four, and when she wasn’t typing or filing, getting me lunch or coffee, she kept herself busy. I didn’t care. She was a cover, and it worked well for both of us.

An hour later, I finished signing all the papers, and I shoved them out of the way, running a hand over my eyes. I looked over at the sandwich sitting on the edge of my desk, the edges curling and drying, and I tapped the plate, knocking it into the garbage can.

My phone rang, and I answered it tersely.

“Julian Grayson.”

“Yeah, Commander, it’s Conrad Baines.”

Conrad was one of my security men. An excellent ex-agent and happily working in another capacity for me—but he was on leave. “Conrad, what’s up?”

“I’m here at the London airport, waiting to leave for our vacation.”

I blinked, unsure what that had to do with me. “Okay.”

“We like to fly out of here. Smaller than Toronto, you know? No crowds, no lineups.”

“Yes, I understand,” I said impatiently. I didn’t really have time for idle chitchat about airports in Canada. But his next words hit me like a freight train.

“I saw her, Commander.”

“Saw who?”

“Your wife.”

My body locked down.

My wife. I hadn’t heard those words in months.

“My ex, you mean,” I said numbly, feeling the shock of his words. We weren’t even technically divorced, but I let people think that way. It was easier.

I hadn’t been able to find her since the day she’d walked out. It was as if she had disappeared. And for him to have spotted her?

What were the chances?

I realized he was still talking.

“The reason I noticed her, aside from the red hair, that is, was the fact that she had someone with her.”

My stomach tightened.

She was with someone? Was that why she really left me?

“Oh?” I managed to get out.

“Yeah. She was carrying a baby. Like, a four-month-old baby. And the baby—she looked just like you. I’d recognize those eyes anywhere.”

His words exploded in my head. They echoed and ricocheted around my brain, growing and expanding every second.

Wife.

Baby.

Four months.

She.

Eyes.

Looked like you.

I was on my feet in a second, standing so fast my chair hit the wall.

“Do you know what flight she’s waiting for?”

“Same as ours. She’s headed to the Maritimes.” He rattled off a number.

“Keep her in your sight,” I snarled. “Don’t let her see you.”

“Good thing the plane is late—”

“It’s going to be a lot later. Sorry.”

I slammed down the phone, not waiting for him to respond. I pressed another button, already speaking before the person answering finished his greeting.

“I need Flight WJ873, departing London, Ontario, grounded until I get there. Mechanical issue—whatever you need to say for it to stay on the ground. Keep the passengers calm and in the terminal.”

I hung up again and made another call.

“I need a helicopter. Now.”

CHAPTER ONE

Julian

I rubbed my face, staring at the hidden cameras in the outer office. Five women were waiting to meet with me. All typical of the type of woman who applied for the job I’d posted. Late fifties, looking for something to fill in a few hours three days a week. Nothing difficult, strenuous, or exciting. Boring, actually. I purposely geared the job description that way to attract that age demographic. Labeled the description secretary, not assistant.

Joyce, my current secretary, was leaving after two years. She’d lasted longer than most but decided Florida and the sunshine held more promise than another dreary winter in Toronto. I couldn’t really blame her, although I would miss her. She was quietly efficient, lacked any sort of motivation to “do more,” and was just as happy sitting at her desk knitting yet another afghan for someone than to ask for additional tasks. Of which I had zero. So, she kept knitting, collecting her paycheck, and keeping the legitimate business of security I offered running smoothly. The phone was answered, invoices sent out, monies collected, and events scheduled. She did it well, so I had zero problem with the knitting.

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Advertisement Second-in-Command (Men of Hidden Justice #2) Read Online Melanie Moreland http://www.books2020.com/second-in-command-men-of-hidden-justice-2-read-online-melanie-moreland Thu, 18 Nov 2021 05:07:54 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/second-in-command-men-of-hidden-justice-2-read-online-melanie-moreland Genre: Alpha Male, Drama, Mafia, Romance, Suspense Authors: Melanie Moreland Series: Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
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Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >55

Read Online Books/Novels:	Second-in-Command (Men of Hidden Justice #2)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Melanie Moreland
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	B099P51HMY
Book Information:
Men of Hidden Justice Because love can bleed into the darkest heart I found her when I least expected. I should have let her go, but I couldn't. My world is too dangerous for her. But without her life has no meaning. For the first time in my life, I am taking what I want- consequences be damned.
Books in Series:	Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
Books by Author:	Melanie Moreland

Chapter One

Marcus

“On my mark,” I murmured, my voice so low it was barely a whisper. “We go on three.”

No one responded. There was no need. My men were ready. We knew the drill—we’d done this far too many times for there to be any mistakes.

I counted it down, signaling go time. “One.”

Where once it was silent, in places you thought were empty, came a burst of movement and noise. Doors were kicked in, gunshots fired, the thundering sounds of booted feet and shouting filled the air.

Show time.

Every mission was a race against the clock. Planning, strategizing down to the final detail. Plan A having a backup; Plan B having one as well. Contingencies for every eventuality.

The goal the same every time—saving innocent people.

My feet pounded on the hard floor, the heavy thumps drowned out by the shouting and screaming around me. The building was so cold I could see my breath. Gunshots rang out, more high-pitched shrieks and panicked voices filling my head. I didn’t veer off course, heading directly for the head of the snake.

The cowards that ran these operations always hid themselves in the back, hoping if their place was attacked, they would have time to grab what they wanted and slip out, not caring if everyone around them died.

Except we were far too well advanced for them. Every exit was covered, every escape route known. No one would be leaving this building alive except for the victims. They were our number one priority. Always.

I burst through the door, my gun drawn. As I suspected, the leader was busy stuffing money into a bag.

He looked up, hatred on his face. “You’ll never stop it,” he sneered.

“No, we won’t,” I agreed. “But we can stop you.”

“I have something to offer.”

“I’m not interested.”

“You might be in this.”

“Nope.”

He was dead before he hit the floor.

Damien walked in, and I indicated the room. “Find all the cash. Blow the safe. Bring all the records.”

He nodded, getting right to work. He had come a long way in a few years. When he had started with Matteo’s team, he had been brash, hotheaded, and outspoken. Constantly getting himself in trouble with our bosses.

Now he was one of my most trusted men.

“Everyone out all right?” I asked.

He didn’t stop in his work, adding money and laptops to the bag and getting out his tools to crack the safe.

“Loading them now. They all have blankets and water. Protein bars. They’ll be gone in fifteen. We just want to make sure we have them all.” He frowned. “The intel said twenty-one, but we only found twenty people.”

That wasn’t unusual. On occasion, a victim died or was traded or sold before we got here. Still, it bothered me. “Have the men make another sweep.”

“Will do.”

“The others?”

He barked out a dry laugh. “Dead, Marcus. All of them. You got the last one.”

I headed to the stairs. I started at the top, checking the building myself. I always did. I was disgusted, but not surprised, to see how the ringleaders lived. Comfortable. Decadent. Far warmer than the other two floors. Big beds, lots of food, all the toys and trappings. The rest of the structure was exactly what you would expect in a warehouse and got worse the lower you descended into the building. The main floor was set up as a business so as not to draw attention to the real purpose of the warehouse. The trucks that came and went were a great cover and made transporting the victims easy. The basement where they were kept was barren, cold, and totally unescapable. Unless they took you out of it in a body bag.

I stopped in the room belonging to the head guy. It wasn’t big, but it was opulent. I walked around, something bothering me. What, I had no idea. I had thought I heard an odd noise, then shook my head. Everything seemed normal. I investigated the other rooms, but nothing stuck out. My men were there, checking for safes, guns, or the one unaccounted-for missing person, but the rooms came up clean.

The main floor of the warehouse had a couple of trucks, some empty storage containers—all covers for a legitimate business. The basement was empty, and I shuddered at the space these people had been forced to live in. The squalor and cold. The gray cement walls and unforgiving floor. It was a place meant to drain you of life and hope.

I headed back to the main floor. “Everything check out?” I asked, unable to shake the feeling that something was off.

Egan nodded. “The explosives are set. I called all clear. I am setting the timer for twenty minutes.” He called over to Leo, one of our newer additions.

“I need more wire.”

“On it,” Leo replied and dug into a bag.

I glanced at the screen. “No one left?”

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Advertisement The Boss (Men of Hidden Justice #1) Read Online Melanie Moreland http://www.books2020.com/the-boss-men-of-hidden-justice-1-read-online-melanie-moreland Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:11:50 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-boss-men-of-hidden-justice-1-read-online-melanie-moreland Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Dark, Romance, Suspense Authors: Melanie Moreland Series: Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
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Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >70

Read Online Books/Novels:	(Men of Hidden Justice #1) The Boss
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Melanie Moreland
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	1988610672 (ISBN13: 9781988610672)
Book Information:
Men of Hidden Justice Because love can bleed into the darkest heart Terrified and on the run, I was lost. He found me. I witnessed his crime and he gave me a choice. Marriage or death. I never expected to love him. But the choices were never really mine.Could this avenging angel of death ever love me back? His touch consumed me. Did my heart stand a chance? Previously published on Book+Main and in Take Me To Bed Collection. New added content for a complete romantic suspense experience.
Books in Series:	Men of Hidden Justice Series by Melanie Moreland
Books by Author:	Melanie Moreland

Chapter One

Evelyn

I raced along the street, tears streaming down my cheeks. The salt stung the abrasions, but I didn’t stop to wipe them away. I had to get away—as far away as possible. My head ached from the blow I had taken earlier, and my legs were tired from running, but I kept going.

I stuck to the shadows, pulling my jacket around me, burying my face into my scarf. My pocket contained the only thing I had grabbed before I fled. My small wallet and the five hundred dollars I had snuck from his jacket. I had nothing else with me.

A busy intersection was coming up ahead of me. I didn’t want to take the chance of being seen under the bright lights. Having no other choice, I cut down a dark alley. The exact kind of alley a girl was warned to avoid all her life. But, at that point, it didn’t matter anymore. If someone grabbed me, they couldn’t do any worse than he had. If I stayed, I was dead, and I had decided I would rather die running than stay and let him finish me off.

I heard shouts, and my chest tightened. I started to run faster, not caring where I was headed. I ran until I was breathless, from alley to alley, until there were no sounds except my muffled heartbeats.

Leaning against a crumbling brick wall, I tried to catch my breath and let my heart slow down. My vision was clouded, and I had to blink several times to clear it. I tucked my trembling hands under my arms, unsure if I was shaking from the cold or fear. I looked around, no clue where I had ended up. I peeked around the corner at the deserted streets. The neighborhood was industrial, the buildings a mixture of run-down businesses and closed, boarded-up warehouses.

I inhaled a shaky breath, pushing my hair off my face. I winced when my fingers met my forehead, and drawing them back, I saw they were wet with blood. More tears ran down my face. Unsure what to do, I began to walk, trying to gather my thoughts. I couldn’t go to a hotel since a credit card would be required. He would trace it. I needed a cheap motel that would take cash and ask no questions. I glanced around—it was the sort of area I might find one, but it had to be soon. My legs began to shake, and the pain in my head increased. I didn’t want to risk being out in the open any longer than I had to be.

A car drove by slowly, and my panic returned. It wasn’t him, but the sight of it unnerved me, the speed making me wary. I slowed my footsteps, and when the car stopped a few blocks ahead and sat with the engine running, my heart stuttered. There was a narrow break between the buildings, and taking advantage of the sudden escape route, I slipped between them. It was dark, and I used my hand to trace along the wall. I encountered a door handle, and when it turned, I was shocked that it worked. The door creaked in the small passage. I could hear the car that had frightened me coming back, and quickly, I slipped through the door, shutting it behind me.

The air was damp and musty, with mildew and dust tickling my nose. I was shrouded in darkness and eerie silence. I could hear voices outside. Fumbling, I found the lock on the door and pressed it. I held my breath, my panic ramping higher as the voices came closer. The handle jiggled, the lock preventing it from opening. I prayed it would hold, my gaze locked on the dull metal.

“Are you sure she came down here?”

“I thought so. Fuck, who cares, man. We can find another piece of tail.”

The voices drifted away, and the car drove off, the sound of the engine fading away. I shuddered, holding my throbbing head. They weren’t looking for me, specifically, but I was still grateful for the door I had found. Relief made me even weaker, and for a moment, I had to lean on the damp wall, trying to summon my waning strength.

A few moments passed, and I knew I had to decide what to do now. Leave the way I came in and keep walking aimlessly, or explore what might be a place I could sit and rest for a while and figure out my next move—as limited as my choices were.

Cautiously, I walked forward, coming to another closed door. The shaking in my legs was getting worse, and I hoped to find a place to sit aside from the floor. I wasn’t sure I would be able to get up if that was where I ended up. I pushed the door open, peeking around the edge, then entered a large room. From what I could see from the partially boarded-up windows, I was in a deserted warehouse. The dim light helped, and I investigated until I found a glassed-in office that contained some old furniture. Some of the panes were still intact, and they were thick with grime. The rest of the panels lay in shards on the floor. I carefully skirted the glass and sat down behind a timeworn desk. The chair was hard, cold, and damp, but it was big enough for me to curl up in. I drew up my shaking legs, wrapped my arms around my knees, and rested my head on them. I drew in a quivering breath, the feeling of gratefulness for a deserted building and a rickety old chair overwhelming me. The damp, musty smell invaded my senses, the lingering decay reminding me of the basement closet Blaine liked to lock me in on occasion.

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Read Online Books/Novels:

The Commander (Men of Hidden Justice #3)

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

English

9781988610818

Read Online Books/Novels:

Second-in-Command (Men of Hidden Justice #2)

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

English

B099P51HMY

Read Online Books/Novels:

(Men of Hidden Justice #1) The Boss

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

English

1988610672 (ISBN13: 9781988610672)