Wedding Takedown

It’s Silver Valley’s biggest social event of the year—and the deadliest

Florist Kayla Paruso has been hired to decorate the mayor’s daughter’s wedding, but when she witnesses the murder of the mayor’s top aide, rumors of corruption—even a cult connection—swirl through the town. Could the mayor really be involved? Luckily the SVPD offers Kayla the very best protection: Detective Rio Ortego. Who just happens to be the last guy Kayla dated. With the wedding fast approaching, Kayla’s the perfect person to pry into the mayor’s dangerous secrets, but Rio won’t hear of it. And as their old attraction reignites, Rio’s cop instincts clash with his need to safeguard the woman he’s falling in love with all over again…

Sirens screamed through the night.

Uncontrollable shudders shook her, and her legs quaked. For this one moment, Kayla allowed the strength and certainty of Rio’s embrace to hold her up. She didn’t refuse the comfort his arms gave her. His breathing and heartbeat were strong and reassuring under her left ear, and she pressed her head against his chest, her arms tight around his waist.

Rio’s waist.

“You’re okay, babe.”

Babe.

The sanctity of their embrace evaporated as effectively as if Rio were a hypnotist and he’d snapped her out of a trance. A trance she couldn’t afford to wander into, not if she was going to keep her emotions regarding him in check. It’d taken this long to finally accept that there was no hope for them.

This was the same man who’d hidden his identity from her. It paid to remember that.

* * *

We hope you enjoy the Silver Valley P.D. miniseries. Be sure to look for more stories in 2016!

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Dear Reader,

Weddings are usually a time of joy in Silver Valley, just like they are anywhere else. But when the mayor, who’s suspected of criminal wrongdoing, ends up with a murdered assistant, it’s enough to cast a pall on any event. I had fun writing about wedding planning amid such a terrible crime, and I hope you enjoy reading Wedding Takedown, SVPD #2.

I loved writing heroine Kayla Paruso, since her life appears so well-ordered, but after witnessing a murder she has to dig deep to help justice prevail, even though that involves her former lover, SVPD detective Rio Ortego. As Rio came to life on the page I discovered that he, too, was a more complex hero than first impressions might convey. Kayla and Rio are perfect for each other, but have to survive murder attempts and go through undercover training before they can begin to deal with their own emotional conflicts. Their chemistry is intense—these characters wanted me to write yet another love scene when they had a murderer to catch!

It’s my wish that your time in Silver Valley is entertaining, and that you keep guessing who the killer is to the very end of the story.

Thank you so much for your continued support of my stories.

I’d love to connect with you. Please visit my website, www.gerikrotow.com, and sign up for my newsletter. Also find me at my author page on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Wherever you’re comfortable chatting, I’m there!

Peace,

Geri

Wedding

Takedown

Geri Krotow

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Former naval intelligence officer and US Naval Academy graduate GERI KROTOW draws inspiration from the global situations she’s experienced. Geri loves to hear from her readers. You can email her via her website and blog, gerikrotow.com.

To Andrew Grey and Heidi Hormel,

Plotbusters Extraordinaire!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

“My order was very specific. I said absolutely no mums in the bouquet, and you sent an arrangement with three!”

Kayla Paruso knew that customer service was paramount to the success of Kayla’s Blooms. That was the only thing that kept her smiling at Mrs. Vance, who came into the shop every week with a complaint. The elderly woman had been widowed only a year ago and Kayla figured if nitpicking about floral arrangements kept Mrs. Vance going, then so be it.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Vance. I’ll send out a new arrangement tomorrow morning. Tell you what, I’ll throw in a new vase for the inconvenience. Please pick one from that lower shelf and let me know what time you’d like the delivery.”

“You know, in Europe it’s considered bad luck to give mums. They’re funeral flowers!” Mrs. Vance’s dentures clicked as spittle flew from her mouth.

Poor thing.

“I didn’t know that. Thanks for letting me know. Please do feel free to pick out a vase.” How her voice stayed so upbeat was beyond her. Her older sister, Melody, had told her it was the way she’d spoken since childhood—always sounding as though she was excited and happy to see the person she was chatting with.