For this lawman, itâs do or die in Riker County
Bound to protect and serve, sheriff Billy Reed has tried to let his career be enough. But he could never forget Mara Copeland, the woman who left without a goodbye and hurt him without warning. Now sheâs back with criminals on her trail and a child in her arms. His child.
Mara didnât trust the future she and Billy couldâve had. Heâs a lawman and she was born into a world of ruthless criminals. Still, heâs the man she can turn to. Heâll do anything to protect their daughter, but will love be reason enough to forgive Mara and bring their family back together?
The Protectors of Riker County
Mara froze, watching as the sheriff, completely clothed, stood in front of a very naked her.
Billy had seen her naked on several different occasions while they had been together. What was beneath her clothes wasnât a mystery to the man; however, she expected him to at least give her a once-over. Even if she was caught between utter confusion as to why he was standing in front of her in the first place.
Yet, Billyâs gaze never left her own.
He closed the space between them so fast that she didnât have time to question it. He grabbed her face in his hands and crashed his lips into hers without a second thought. Mara, too stunned to react, let alone speak, stood stock-still as he pulled back, breaking the kiss.
âIâm just glad youâre okay.â
TYLER ANNE SNELL genuinely loves all genres of the written word. However, sheâs realized that she loves books filled with sexual tension and mysteries a little more than the rest. Her stories have a good dose of both. Tyler lives in Alabama with her same-named husband and their mini âlions.â When she isnât reading or writing, sheâs playing video games and working on her blog, Almost There. To follow her shenanigans, visit www.tylerannesnell.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Sheriff Billy ReedâAfter a new drug wreaks havoc in the county Billy has spent his entire career trying to protect, he has to team up with a beautiful woman to stop the supplier and save his home. What he doesnât count on is falling in love with her. Or her leaving only to come back two years later with his child in her arms and a madman on her tail.
Mara CopelandâFighting to get out of the shadow of her criminal father, Mara has tried to win over the residents of Riker County with little success. Plans of staying away from Riker, as well as the sheriff, donât last long after her past comes knocking. Now sheâs back, this time with a secret daughter in tow.
AlexaâBorn a secret to her father, this toddler keeps everyone on their toes as a madman tries to use her against the sheriff.
Bryan CopelandâFather to Mara, this former drug supplier has the sheriffâs department and unknown criminal parties racing to find what heâs hidden, all while he sits behind prison bars.
Suzy SimmonsâBillyâs best friend since childhood and his right-hand woman in the field, this chief deputy sheriff will do anything to ensure Alexaâs safety.
Cassie GatesâSheriff department dispatcher who treats Mara with kindness.
BeckâWhile his motives are unknown at first, he makes it clear that heâll stop at nothing to get to the Copeland family secret.
This book is for Liz.
Thank you for reading every book, making every birthday cake
and understanding I just donât like lemons. Every book I write is because you never stopped supporting me and for that I love you more than youâll ever know. Thank you for being an anchor to a kid who could have been left drifting.
Prologue
Billy Reed looked down at the body and wished he could punch something. Hard.
âThis is ridiculous,â Suzy said at his side. âSheâs not even eighteen.â
His partner was right. Courtney Brooks had turned sixteen two weeks ago. The car she had been found in was a birthday present from her father. Billy knew this because heâd known of the girl since she was in middle school. She was a part of one of the many families in the small town of Carpenter, Alabama, who had lived there through at least two generations.
And now she was dead in the back seat of a beat-up Honda.
âAnyone tell her folks yet?â Billy asked. Heâd arrived on the scene five minutes after his partner, Suzanne Simmons, had. By the time heâd cut through lunchtime traffic and bumped down the dirt road in his Crown Vic to the spot where poor Courtney had met her end, a set of paramedics, the deputy who had first responded to the call and the boy who had found her were all gathered around, waiting for what was next.