Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Today's Special - - Into the Firestorm Excerpt



At Brodie Operations Security Service, Inc., following your instincts is company policy . . .
 
M. Cassidy—Luke Brodie had heard the name before, some novice bounty hunter working Seattle, catching tricky skips with more success than a newcomer should expect. But the dark curls, sparkly top, and impressive cleavage were not what Brodie had pictured.
 
Emma Cassidy is tough and smart and sexy as hell. She’s also popping up a step ahead of him every time he’s close to the capture he wants most . . . and there’s no room for learning on the trail of this monster.
 
Emma has idolized Luke Brodie, the bounty hunter who can bring anyone in. The big man in the soft shoes, with a face like a fallen angel and a reputation for breaking hearts. Watching him in action is intoxicating. But her fight with Rudy Vance is fiercely personal. If he gets too close, Brodie will find out just how ferocious she can be . . .




INTO THE FIRESTORM
EXCERPT #5


Once both of them had finished eating, Luke shoved his plate aside and leaned against the back of the booth.  His gaze came to rest on her face.
"It's quiet in here.  If we're going to catch Vance, I'm going to need all the information I can get.  You ready to tell me what happened the day the housekeeper was murdered and Vance attacked your niece for the second time?"    
Emma tossed her napkin onto the table and sat back, too.  "I knew you'd ask me sooner or later.  I'm surprised you waited this long."  
"I figured I'd give you a break.  A lot's been going on."
A lot.  Like another brutal murder.  Like Luke spending the night in her bed--and morning.  She sighed, resigned to telling the story one more painful time.
"My sister April met Rudolph Vance through one of her girlfriends.  She and her friend Carrie are both dental hygienists--apparently Rudy is meticulous about keeping his teeth clean.  One day April went by Carrie's office to pick her up for lunch and Rudy had just finished his cleaning.  He was attractive, only a few years older than April.  I guess they got to talking."
"I can see where a woman would find Vance appealing, at least on the surface." 
"My sister is very pretty.  Rudy must have thought so, too."
"She's your sister.  I'm not surprised."
Emma looked up at him.  "She's blond and blue-eyed like our mother was."
"Was?  Your mom's dead?"
"Small plane crash five years ago.  Both she and my father were killed."
"I'm sorry, Em, that's rough."
An understatement.  Those were the worst days of her life--until Rudolf Vance.  "At any rate, Rudy asked April to accompany him to a charity event, some kind of Heart Association dinner.  April said he was a big contributor."
"Rudy knows which palms to grease.  The mayor is on the board of directors.  He did a lot of favors for Rudy.  Knowing whose pocket to climb into was one of the ways Rudy was able to stay under the radar so long."
"He must be a pretty smooth operator.  April said she enjoyed herself, looked forward to seeing him again.  A couple of days later, he called, and she invited him over for supper.  That's where he met Ginny."
Emma bit her lip as unwanted memories crashed in. 
"Just take your time," Luke said gently.  "You don't have to hurry."
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  "From the day Ginny was born, there was something different about her, something sweet and endearing.  The moment Rudy saw her, he was enthralled.  Of course now we know Ginny looks exactly like his stepsister, Cissy."
Luke’s features darkened.  "I can't wait to get my hands around that sick fuck's neck."
"Luke..."
"Sorry, go ahead."
"April sensed something was wrong.  She said she didn't like the way Rudy was looking at her daughter.  When he called for another date, she turned him down."
"Smart woman." 
"She was done with Rudy, but two days later, while she was at work and Ginny was in her bedroom alone, Rudy broke into the house.  He forced Ginny down on the bed and raped her.  He used a condom.  There was no DNA, and since he'd been in the house before, his fingerprints wouldn't hold up as evidence.  It was Ginny's word against his, a teenager against a man who could afford the best criminal lawyer in Seattle."
"Elliott Markham," Luke said.  "Markham tried to make it look like his client was the victim.  He claimed April was using Ginny to extort Vance for money.  Rudy was released on a three million dollar bond."
"That's right.  He was out, free to do more of his evil.  Three days before his court date, he went back to the house and tried to rape Ginny again.  Eleanor managed to stop him, but in the process Vance killed her."  Emma’s eyes filled as the horror replayed in her head.  "Vance escaped.  The police believe he left the country.  You know the rest."
Luke reached across the table and caught her hand, gave it a gentle squeeze and didn't let go.  "I know how hard that was for you.  Thank you for telling me."
Emma just nodded.  She hoped it would help in some way.  She hadn't wanted to talk about it, but now that she had, she felt as if a little of her burden had been lifted.
"Let's go."  Luke stood up from the table and pulled Emma to her feet.  He paid the bill; they left the café, and took off in the Bronco.
"So what's our next move?" Emma asked as the battered old Ford rolled down the road toward the ferry terminal.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive a copy of INTO THE FURY from the author.  U.S. only.  Deadline for comments to be entered into the giveaway is 11:00 PM (EST), February 8, 2017. 


13 comments:

  1. This will be another good one. Love her books.

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  2. Her books can be addicting. Love the suspense and emotion.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  3. Thanks for this wonderful feature and giveaway. Love the novels.

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  4. Excellent excerpt and captivating book which I would enjoy.

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  5. I've enjoyed her stories - sounds like another great read.

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  6. Kat's books are always exciting! (Don't enter my name in the contest because I already have this book.)

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  7. I have read other books by Kat Martin and loved them. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  8. sounds fantastic! thanks for the great excerpt :)

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  9. I really enjoyed Kat's Against series - this looks like another good one.

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  10. I love Kat Martin books. She has been teasing us with excerpts for weeks.

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  11. Would love to win.
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

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  12. I would like to read Emma and Luke's story and how they work together to handle Rudy.

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