Against the Mark

The perfect murder is a work of art

In one catastrophic instant, Haley Warren’s estranged father was taken from her. She never got the chance to reconnect with him, so now she’s doing it the only way she’s got left: by proving the explosion that killed him was no accident.

When Tyler Brodie, the provocative and handsome P.I. hired by Haley, discovers that her father was investigating a suspected art theft, he knows his death is no coincidence. After all, tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen art could motivate a thief to go to any lengths—including getting rid of anyone poking around where they don’t belong.

As Haley and Ty get closer to the truth, the truth gets ugly: Did Haley’s dad know too much…or was he in on the take? And although Ty’s a consummate professional, he’s having trouble focusing on the facts of the case, and not the figure of his gorgeous client. The two are determined to get to the bottom of the case, even if it means they die trying.

Praise for The Raines of Wind Canyon

Against the Wind

“This is a ‘don’t miss’ read.… Kat Martin is a very gifted writer

who takes you from the beginning to the end in total suspense.” —Fresh Fiction

Against the Fire

“I simply loved this book. I didn’t want to put it down.”

—Suspense Romance Writers

Against the Law

“…by far the most powerfully intense

romantic suspense with its charismatic characters, [and] a story line that defies gravity.” —Romantic Crush Junkies

Against the Storm

“Fans of Martin’s Raines of Wind Canyon trilogy are going to

love meeting more of this testosterone-and-honor-laden family.” —RT Book Reviews

Against the Night

“Against the Night is not like anything else I’ve read.… I love a

good suspense story, and this one packs one heck of a wallop.” —Long and Short Reviews

Against the Sun

“[Martin] dishes up romantic suspense, sizzling sex

and international intrigue in healthy doses, and fans are going to be the winners. Readers better set aside a block of time to finish this unputdownable tale of adventure and romance.” —RT Book Reviews, Top Pick!

Against the Odds

“Pure romantic suspense gold.”

—Reader to Reader

Against the Edge

“[This] suspenseful, emotion-packed page-turner doesn’t let up

until the end… [A] nonstop, high-stakes adventure.” —Library Journal, starred review

Against the Mark

Kat Martin

To the men and women in our armed forces for their dedicated service to our country and our freedom. God bless you all.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Epilogue

Author’s Note

One

“You dirty, no-good, low-down son of a bitch.”

Ty Brodie’s eyes widened at the sight of the little man standing, fists clenched and red-faced, in the doorway of Riggs and Brodie Private Investigations. “What the hell?”

Pug Calloway was no more than five foot five, barrel-chested and brawny, and he was fire-spittin’ mad.

“Mess with my wife, will you?” Pug swung hard, but Ty, being six-two, dodged the first punch simply by stepping out of the way. “Hold on, Mr. Calloway—you’ve got this all wrong.”

“Bullshit! I saw you with my Nettie down at the Cockadoodle Inn.” Another punch sailed out, straight from the shoulder. Determined not to hurt the older man, somewhere in his sixties, Ty danced backward out of arm’s reach.

“We were talking business, Mr. Calloway. I’m a private investigator. Your wife hired me to look into some personal matters for her.”

“Liar!” Pug’s left arm shot out, two sharp jabs that sailed harmlessly into the air, followed by a right cross that would have been painful if it had connected.

After five years in the Marines, Ty was more afraid of hurting the old guy than Pug doing any real damage.

“Listen to me, Mr. Calloway—”

Pug swung a punch that whizzed past his jaw. “She’s mine, you understand? You stay away from her!”

“Dammit! I wasn’t trying to steal your wife!” He clamped a hand over Calloway’s head, holding him back as the little man swung several more harmless blows. “All right, Pug—that’s enough.”

Ty shoved the shorter man backward hard enough to make him stumble. He heard a noise behind him and glanced over his shoulder to see his next-door neighbor, Ellie Stiles, standing beside a long-legged, good-looking blonde in tight jeans and a crop-top that showed tanned skin and a sexy silver belly-button ring.

He flashed a grin the instant before Pug Calloway’s fist connected with his nose. Ty flew backward, tripped, went ass-over-teakettle and landed hard, the impact sending him sliding across the tile floor to wind up at the women’s feet.