Epilogue
What a difference a year makes.
Savvy sat in the dressing room, inspecting herself in the mirror.
I’m a whole new woman.
Savvy took a deep breath. She could hardly believe she was about to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. It was a dream come true.
Outside the crowd was restless, cheering, chanting her name and the sound was delicious. Savvy closed her eyes and basked in it for a moment.
This concert would be straight from the heart.
Since firing Adam, Savvy had taken her career in a completely different direction. Her contract with the record label was history, and she’d put out an album of songs she’d written, performed, and produced. And now she sang about things that really mattered, love and respect, growing up in a small town with parents who cherished her. It was both critically acclaimed and a commercial success, so she’d earned the respect of her peers.
Now, Savvy spent her evenings performing and her nights in King’s arms.
He was her other half, and Savvy didn’t know what she’d do without him. Saving her had healed him, too. And he’d slowly come to terms with his wife’s death. King had finally forgiven himself, and he was moving forward, instead of dwelling on the past.
Savvy had planned out a tour for this coming summer, a smaller, more intimate series of concerts, playing county fairs and rodeos. King would be going on the road with her.
And while she wasn’t selling out arenas, she’d have no trouble filling the seats. Her audience wasn’t filled with teeny boppers either. There were people in their late twenties and up.
“Hey, what do ya think of the monkey suit?” King walked into the dressing room and opened the tuxedo jacket. With a sultry expression, he turned to the right and then left, like a male model at a photo shoot.
Savvy watched his reflection in the mirror, awestruck for a moment. Savvy had special ordered the tux for him, and it fit like a glove. He looked damned good. She could eat him up with a spoon.
“Damn. You’re hotter than a honeymoon hotel.”
“Yeah?” And then his arms were around her, hugging her from behind. “Right back at ya,” he purred in her ear.
Savvy’s eyes slid shut as the electricity crackled through her body. She could jump him right here, but there wasn’t time.
“After the concert, you’d better watch yourself.” King wore a knowing smirk.
“Promise?” she asked.
“You’ll be lucky to make it back to the dressin’ room.”
“Come on, then.” She stood and threaded her fingers through his. “Let’s go on stage.”
“Woah.” He planted his feet. “What do you mean?”
“I’m gonna introduce you to everyone.”
King frowned. “I thought I was watchin’ you sing from the wings.”
“You will, but I want my fans to meet you.” A few pictures of them had ended up in gossip rags, but she hadn’t spoken publicly about their relationship.
“Savvy, I don’t know…”
“I do. I want them to know you’re the reason I’m still alive. No, more than that, you’re the reason I’m happy.” Savvy was only tall enough to kiss his chin.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’ve never been so sure of anythin’.”
He swooped down and kissed her mouth, leaving her aching for more.
“Come on, queen, it’s showtime.”
*
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Black Star Security is a rapid release series.
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Coming May 21st.
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Blurb
A Hero’s Scars
Former Navy SEAL, Quentin Zane, was battle-scarred long before he joined the military. As a child, his father put him through hell. One terrible night, he lost everything. Since then, the only bright spot in his life has been Ellie King. And he’ll stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means unleashing the blackness within.
Broken but determined
After many false starts, Ellie finally left her abusive boyfriend and fled to her brother’s place. But her ex is hatching a plan to kill innocent people, and she has to stop him.
With Zane’s help, she’ll put him behind bars. Ellie’s known her big brother’s best friend for years, but she’s never truly seen Zane before. Will they stop a madman from killing? And will they heal each other’s wounds?
In the Black
“What the hell do you think you’re doin’?”
“What’s it look like?”
Elinor King tossed a shirt into her duffel bag. She didn’t mean to be rude, but Ellie didn’t want to answer Quentin Zane’s questions. These Navy SEAL guys could suss out trouble from twenty paces. If she started talking, Zane would figure out she was up to something, and then she’d be screwed.
Zane stood in the doorway, a fierce expression on his face and she turned away, ignoring him. This had been an opportune time to escape since her brother was laid up in the hospital for a day or two, and the rest of the team was working another case.
Unfortunately, Ellie hadn’t counted on Zane. He always seemed to be around, watching her.
“Are you goin’ back to him?”
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” She walked into the bathroom, tossed her toiletries into another bag, eager to hit the road, before Zane tattled on her.
It wasn’t easy to move fast.
Ellie was stiff and sore from her injuries. When she glanced in the mirror, a battered woman stared back at her. She had a black eye and a busted lip. Her cheeks were swollen, and red. Dave had been ruthless, holding her down, taking his anger out on her.
Zane gently grasped her hand, squeezing it.
Ellie startled, shrinking away, and Zane released her.
“Easy, I didn’t mean to scare you. “Please stop what you’re doin’ and talk to me.”
“I have to go.”
“If you do, Dave will kill you this time.”
Ellie didn’t doubt it, but she didn’t have the luxury of walking away from Dave. Not after what she’d found out.
“It’s not me I’m worried about.”
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Ellie swallowed. Should I say something? What if I end up gettin’ them all killed?
“Please tell me. I can’t help until you level with me.”
Ellie considered the enormity of the situation and how many lives were at risk. If something happened to them, she’d never forgive herself. She couldn’t keep this secret anymore. Ellie was in over her head, and out of other options.
“Can I trust you?”
“Absolutely.”
“You can’t tell King. He’s already hurt, and he’ll try to get involved anyway.”
“I promise, now spill it.”
“I think Dave’s gonna hurt some people.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“He’s buildin’ a bomb, Zane, and he’s gonna use it.”
will be available May 21st