Ultimate Kill
Book 1 Ultimate CORE
by Kristine Mason
When the past collides with the
present, the only way to ensure the future lies in the ultimate kill…
Naomi McCall is a woman of many
secrets. Her family has been murdered and she’s been forced into hiding. No one
knows her past or her real name, not even the man she loves.
Jake Tyler, former Marine and
the newest recruit to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, has been
in love with a woman who never existed. When he learns about the lies Naomi has
weaved, he’s ready to leave her—until an obsessed madman begins sending her
explosive messages every hour on the hour.
Innocent people are dying. With
their deaths, Naomi’s secrets are revealed and the truth is thrust into the
open. All but one. Naomi’s not sure if Jake can handle a truth that will change
their lives. But she is certain of one thing—the only way to stop the killer
before he takes more lives is to make herself his next victim.
Heroine’s POV:
Naomi’s heart raced. Her mouth
went dry. An uncontrollable shiver ran through her body.
The past five years suddenly
disintegrated. As if she’d just woken from a disjointed nightmare, the months
of running, of searching for the perfect place to hide in plain sight, the
lonely days and even lonelier nights faded into a blur.
Jake.
Tears welled in her eyes. For
the lost years, the lost love, for the future they could never have. She
quickly blinked them away and opened the car door. Her legs weak, her stomach
somersaulting with embarrassment, excitement and regret, she placed a shaky
hand on the door for support. A small part of her wanted to climb back into the
car, drive off and pretend Jake had never come to Woodbine. But a large part of
her, the part that had never stopped loving him, that had never allowed the
memories of what they’d had together die, wanted to run to him. Throw her arms
around his neck and kiss him.
“Jake,” she whispered, then
cleared her throat. He looked so damned good. Tan, lean, muscular, his big
toned arms showing from beneath his short sleeve golf shirt, his dark hair no
longer in his trademark military crew cut.
Chin trembling, hand still clinging
to the opened car door, she took a small, tentative step forward. “Jake,” she
said louder, firmer.
He pushed off the SUV and
slowly approached, his gaze never wavering from hers. Lightheaded, she stayed
put, kept her hand on the door for fear she might crumble to the asphalt. She’d
dreamed of seeing him again, had imagined what she might say, the excuses she
could give him. But anything she’d ever come up with had sounded terrible,
selfish and ridiculous. Even if what she’d tell him was the truth.
Now that he was less than five
feet away from her, she had no idea what to say or do. A million questions
buzzed through her mind. Was he married? Did he have children? Fresh tears
filled her eyes. God, she really was a selfish bitch. She wanted him happy, had
always prayed he’d find someone to love, but deep down she’d hated the thought
of him loving someone else. Making love to another woman. Creating a child. A
future that hadn’t included her.
“You look beautiful,” he said,
his voice rough, raw. He blinked, looked to the ground and took a couple of
more steps until he stood within arm’s reach. When he met her gaze, she
expected anger and resentment, instead she found anguish, longing and heat in
his dark eyes.
She pressed her lips together
to stop her chin from trembling and swiped at an errant tear. She’d hurt him.
Because she’d loved him so much, she had no choice but to run from him.
Until the bastard who’d
murdered her family and forced her into this self-imposed exile was rotting in
Hell, she’d keep running. Otherwise, Jake would end up like everyone else she’d
loved.
Dead.
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I didn’t pick up my first
romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a
bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my
first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame
Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of
day, something good came from writing it. I realized my passion and found a
career I love.
When I’m not writing
contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m
chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.
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LINKS:
Website: www.kristinemason.net
Email:
authorkristinemason@gmail.com,
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KristineMason7
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Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be a great trilogy.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com