Secret Stalker
A SWAT officer must protect the woman who broke his heart!Years ago, detective and part-time SWAT officer Max Remington proposed to the woman he loved. Her response? To flee town – and Max's life – under a cloud of suspicion. Folks said Bexley Kane killed the man "allegedly" stalking her and got away with murder. Now Bex is back in Destiny, Tennessee, but their tense reunion is cut short when bullets start flying, and this time, they're aimed at her. As Max fights to keep Bex safe, he's also fighting to protect his heart. Can they unravel the secrets of the past in time to save each other? Or will Bex's final secret destroy them both?
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A SWAT officer must protect the woman who broke his heart
Years ago, detective and part-time SWAT officer Max Remington proposed to the woman he loved. Her response? To flee townâand Maxâs lifeâunder a cloud of suspicion. Folks said Bexley Kane killed the man âallegedlyâ stalking her and got away with murder. Now Bex is back in Destiny, Tennessee, but their tense reunion is cut short when bullets start flying, and this time, theyâre aimed at her. As Max fights to keep Bex safe, heâs also fighting to protect his heart. Can they unravel the secrets of the past in time to save each other? Or will Bexâs final secret destroy them both?
âBex,â a harsh whisper sounded. âMove. Now.â
Bexâs eyes flew open. Impossibly, Max stood towering over her, ski-mask guy limply hanging over his shoulder, his arms dangling toward the ground. Max jerked his head, motioning for her to run straight ahead to the aisle directly in front of them.
Stunned that she was alive and could run, she ducked and darted from the alcove, then stopped just past the endcap and looked behind her.
He yanked out his pistol and shoved it toward her. âRemember how to use one of these?â he whispered.
She swallowed, then nodded. âI havenât fired one in years.â
Something dark passed in his eyes, and she knew he was remembering one of the many times heâd taken her to target practice so long ago.
And seeing him now, so calm and focused, she knew that if anyone could save her, it was Max.
But who would save her from him?
LENA DIAZ was born in Kentucky and has also lived in California, Louisiana and Florida, where she now resides with her husband and two children. Before becoming a romantic suspense author, she was a computer programmer. A former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award finalist, she has also won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in mystery and suspense. To get the latest news about Lena, please visit her website, www.lenadiaz.com.
Thank you to my editor, Allison Lyons,
and my agent, Nalini Akolekar.
This oneâs for George. Because he reads every book I write,
and pretends to love romance novels, all to make me happy. Best. Husband. Ever. I love you, babe.
Contents
The whispers started thirty seconds after Bexley Kane walked down aisle three in the Piggly Wiggly on Magnolia Street. Not that there was a Piggly Wiggly on any other street in the tiny town of Destiny, Tennessee. With a population the size of a large high school in other parts of the state, this town could only support one grocery store. And one movie theater. And one Waffle House. But, oddly enough, there were four Starbucks. Too bad not one of them was anywhere close to Magnolia Street. Bex sure could use a venti caramel macchiato right now.
Head high, shoulders back, she began filling her cart as quickly as possible while pretending not to notice the other shoppers talking behind their hands as she passed. But, come on, did they really believe that she didnât know they were gossiping about her? She could well imagine what they were saying.
Is that who I think it is? Whatâs it been, ten years? Why is she back in town?
You didnât hear? Her mama done passed away. I heard she died of a broken heart, on account of her daughter didnât visit even once after she got run out of town.
You think Chief Thornton will arrest her this time?
Is there a statute of limitations on murder?
âMiss Kane, nice to see you today.â Mr. Dawson gave Bex a genuine, welcoming smile from behind the deli counter. âI was hoping Iâd see your lovely face at least one more time before you left Destiny. You here for lunch? Weâve got a brand-new batch of pickled pigsâ feet.â He proudly thumped a large jar on top of the display case that looked like a science experiment gone horribly wrong.
Bex very nearly lost her breakfast. She averted her gaze from the nauseating sight and smiled at one of the few people in Destiny who hadnât treated her like a pariah in the week that sheâd been back.
âHello, Mr. Dawson. I called in an order for some lunch meats and grilled chicken. Could you see whether itâs ready, please?â
âGladys must have taken that order. Iâll check the cooler. Wonât take but a minute.â He opened the massive walk-in refrigerator behind him and headed inside.
Bex checked her grocery list. The only thing left to get was mustard, one of several things sheâd forgotten the first time sheâd been in the store. After todayâs shopping trip, she should have enough to tide her over for several more days, until she finished taking care of all of the details of her motherâs estate. Then she could hop into her car and leave Destiny in the dust. Again. And this time, sheâd never come back.
