Knock Knock… E-Book

Mayer Dale

• Herausgeber: Valley Publishing Ltd.
• Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

This is the 5th Psychic Visions Novel from USA Today Bestselling author Dale Mayer.

Revenge has no best-by date. On the contrary, it's ideally served cold…

Wealthy and beautiful Shay Lassiter runs a prestigious foundation that she built with her considerable connections and resources. Both amounted to less than nothing the day her fiancé tried to murder her. Who to trust? Shay guards her heart…while using her knack for reading people's intentions, whether they're good or evil, to guide her through the dark, unfathomable maze that's become her normal life. Inexplicably, foundation clients start dying. Shay turns to the new man she's been seeing – computer specialist and ex-cop Roman Chandler – needing his protection.

Roman has been giving her mixed signals in order to keep a secret that involves Shay and could easily ruin the fragile relationship he wants to build with her. Damningly, he can’t tell her the truth, so he somehow has to convince her to trust him instead.

Whoever's behind the troubles plaguing Shay's world is about to turn his need for revenge on the source of his rage. When vengeance comes knocking, the results are sure to be deadly…

The Psychic Vision Series

1.Tuesday’s Child
2.Hide’n Go Seek
3.Maddy’s Floor
4.Garden of Sorrow
5.Knock, Knock…
6.Rare Find
7.Eyes to the Soul
8.Now You See Her…
9.Shattered
10.Into the Abyss…
11.Seeds of Malice
12.Eye of the Falcon
13.Itsy Bitsy Spider
14.Unmasked
15.Deep Beneath
16.From the Ashes

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

About This Book

Complimentary Download

Dedication

Acknowledgments

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

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

About Rare Find

Sneak Peek from Rare Find

About Simon Says…

Author’s Note

Complimentary Download

About the Author

Copyright Page

About This Book

Revenge has no best-by date. On the contrary, it’s ideally served cold…

Wealthy and beautiful Shay Lassiter runs a prestigious foundation that she built with her considerable connections and resources. Both amounted to less than nothing the day her fiancé tried to murder her. Who to trust? Shay guards her heart…while using her knack for reading people’s intentions, whether they’re good or evil, to guide her through the dark, unfathomable maze that’s become her normal life. Inexplicably, foundation clients start dying. Shay turns to the new man she’s been seeing – computer specialist and ex-cop Roman Chandler – needing his protection.

Roman has been giving her mixed signals in order to keep a secret that involves Shay and could easily ruin the fragile relationship he wants to build with her. Damningly, he can’t tell her the truth, so he somehow has to convince her to trust him instead.

Whoever’s behind the troubles plaguing Shay’s world is about to turn his need for revenge on the source of his rage. When vengeance comes knocking, the results are sure to be deadly…

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KILL OR BE KILLED

Part of an elite SEAL team, Mason takes on the dangerous jobs no one else wants to do – or can do. When he’s on a mission, he’s focused and dedicated. When he’s not, he plays as hard as he fights.

Until he meets a woman he can’t have but can’t forget. Software developer, Tesla lost her brother in combat and has no intention of getting close to someone else in the military. Determined to save other US soldiers from a similar fate, she’s created a program that could save lives. But other countries know about the program, and they won’t stop until they get it – and get her.

Time is running out … For her … For him … For them …

DOWNLOADfree military romance? Just tell me where to send it!

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my four children who always believed in me and my storytelling abilities.

Thank you!

Acknowledgments

Knock Knock… wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my friends and family. Many hands helped with proofreading, editing, and beta reading to make this book come together. Special thanks to my editor Pat Thomas.

I thank you all.

Chapter 1

There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.

…Josh Billings

Ice hit her first. Inside and out.

Shay Lassiter woke to find goosebumps marching across her cold skin in the early morning. She tugged up the chocolate brown duvet she’d thrown off sometime in the night but even that didn’t account for the cold filtering slowly through her waking consciousness. The rest of her brain screamed at her to wake up all the way. Something was off.

Morris, the ever-present ghost of her beloved childhood pet, snuggled up close. She didn’t understand the miracle of his existence, but she rejoiced in it every day. The deep purr rumbled at her shoulder making her smile. She was thankful his gentle blue ball of energy sat on her bed most days. She rarely saw him in physical form, but he was always there in spirit – offering immeasurable comfort. Most times, the sound of his engine powered through the small room. That oversized orange tabby had been the size of a small car, but had a diesel truck motor for an engine.

The purr shut off.

Shit.

Her internal alarm finally kicked in as the bedding pressed down on her, confining, where moments before it had been comforting. She threw the duvet back, springing from bed, her heart pounding. A clammy film coated her skin. What the hell was wrong?

She spun around, searching her darkened bedroom for the cause of the unease settling deep in her soul.

There was no one there with her.

Last night, she’d gone to sleep without a problem. That was surprising because she’d had an argument with her fiancé, Darren, before going to sleep. And it had been a bad one, making her doubt their relationship…again. But still, she knew that discord hadn’t created this type of response. Her psyche often chose the wee hours of the morning to wake her up and chew away at her, but she’d never woken up quite like this. Shivering, she looked down at her cami and boy shorts to see the hairs rising on her smooth skin. Her teeth chattered as she ran to check the thermostat in her room. It was normal.

Of course it was. It should be warm; it was summertime.

She ran back to bed and huddled against her headboard with her duvet high up on her chest.

Shay?

Stefan Kronos spoke, his familiar voice swept through her mind, calming her. He must have heard her silent distress in the night. Stefan? Something’s wrong. Only I can’t see what it is.

I’ll check it out.

The emptiness in her mind told her Stefan had left. God, she didn’t know what she’d do without him. He didn’t always respond this quickly, but her psychic friend always knew when something was wrong.

Then she heard it…

The click of her front door opening…then closing. Something moved across her living room floor.

She had an intruder.

Alarm swept through her. Oh no. The door had been locked. She’d double-checked it before going to bed. There’s no way anyone could get in.

Unless they had a key.

Shay? Get out of the apartment. Stefan’s sharp voice sliced through her frozen state. There’s a rogue energy heading toward you.

Too late, she whispered in her mind. It’s too late. He’s inside already. Call for help, Stefan. Hurry!

Hide. I’m getting help.

“Shay? Oh, hi, honey. I hadn’t expected you to be awake.” Her fiancé stood at her bedroom doorway, a crooked smile on his face. Darren held up a key in his hand. It gleamed in the slice of moonlight creeping through her drapes. Dressed all in black, he cut an elegant figure. His handsome good looks and confidence had been part of what attracted her to him in the first place.

Relief swamped her. “Oh thank God,” she murmured and closed her eyes. Her rigid spine relaxed. There was nothing to worry about after all. Feeling much better and slightly foolish, she opened her eyes and smiled warmly at him. So happy to see him after their fight and her initial panic.

It’s just Darren, Stefan.

Silence in her mind.

Darren? he asked in a flat voice. Your fiancé?

Yes. She gave a small deprecating laugh.

Shay? Then…why the fear?

Her eyes widened. Good question. “Darren, why are you here at this hour?” She glanced at the clock. “It’s two in the morning.” She stared at him, confused, as something else registered – finally. “And where did you get the key?”

He shifted away from the door, his smile widening. But there was something off about that twist to his lips. A little too tight, and an odd glow added to the toothy shine. “When you wouldn’t give me a key, I decided to have one made up on my own.”

She blinked. That didn’t make any sense. Did it? No. It was wrong. She tossed back her long brown hair, trying to clear her head. And wished her roiling stomach would calm. She couldn’t seem to think straight.

“Why? I don’t understand.”

His lips quirked. He tossed the key on the bed. “I know. But I figured that I had to do something. After all, we’re fighting more lately. Not making up the same. It’s as if we’re on the verge of a break up.”

“Oh, I don’t think–”

“Stop.” He held up his hands. “You know you don’t look at our relationship quite the same anymore. Neither do I.” His hands dropped and he shook his head. “You also know you’ve been spending more time on that damn Children’s Hospital project than ever. Even when I said I didn’t like it.”

Oh shit. He was breaking up with her. But then why get a key made? And of course she spent a lot of time on that project. It was special. The kids were special. He knew that.

Didn’t he?

Why was nothing making any sense right now?

Stefan whispered through her mind. Shay, something’s wrong. What’s happening?

She stared at Darren. I don’t know.

To her fiancé, she said, “I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t. That’s okay. I can explain.” He walked over and sat down at the edge of her bed. “It’s too bad, though. You’re a beautiful lady. Inside and out.”

“Thank you, I think?” Shay might be confused, but some truths were making their way inside. He’d had a key to her home made without her permission and he had let himself into her apartment in the middle of the night. Like Stefan had said, something was wrong.

And now she was starting to feel more than a little nauseous. And, she felt…slower. Her mind sluggish. As if she were in shock. Or hurt… But she wasn’t. She gazed down at her arms and the rest of her body. She felt weak, faint even, but not like she was injured in any way.

“You don’t get it, do you, Shay?”

She stared up at him, puzzled. “No. And I’d appreciate it if you’d explain. This isn’t very funny.”

“No, it isn’t. You ruined all my plans.”

She tilted her head and tried to focus. “Plans?”

“Yes, plans.” Looking relaxed and at ease, he crossed one leg over the other and then clasped his hands over his knees. “See. I need money. Lots of money.”

Feeling foolish and spaced out, she asked, “Why?”

He smiled, a knowing smile. “For lots of things.” He tilted his head and looked at her steadily. “Are you feeling okay?”

She tried to swallow, her tongue thick, unwieldy. “I don’t know. I feel a bit…weird, actually.”

“That’s all quite normal. I’m making it easy on you.”

Normal. What was normal about any of this? “I…I don’t understand.”

He gave an exaggerated sigh. “No, I don’t suppose you do. So let me make this simple.” He stood and walked over to the window. “I need money. You have money. And, if we were together, that wouldn’t be a problem. On top of your personal fortune, you control an amount that’s unbelievably large. See, that’s really attractive. Plus, taking you to bed isn’t exactly a hardship.” He leered at her. “In fact, that part has been sheer fun. I figured I was in clover. We were engaged—”

“Still are, I thought.”

His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So you say. See, I understand the female mind. I know that you aren’t as happy as you were. And once that thread of discontent starts, it only gets worse. Our fight tonight was about moving up the wedding day. But you didn’t want that. You’re hesitating. And that means you have doubts. And doubts are dangerous because they could mean the end of my plans – and make me very unhappy.” He moved the blinds slightly. “I can’t have that.”

He sighed. “I thought I could save you… I have to admit that even now I’m having doubts…” He cocked his head and stared at her. She could barely see a softening in his features. A pondering. A weighing of options.

Then he straightened, stuck out his chin and shook his head. “No. It has to be this way.” The moonlight shone in through the crack between the blinds. “Too bad though; you showed such promise.”

Shay closed her eyes as his words and tones filtered through the growing fog in her brain.

Stefan, Dear God, I need help.

It’s coming. Stay with me.

I don’t know if I can. I don’t know what’s happening.

Nothing good! Damn it, I told you there was someone better out there for you.

She’d have laughed if she could. Instead a strange lassitude had filled her veins, mixed into her bloodstream. I can’t think.

The buzz of Stefan’s thoughts disturbed the clouds fogging her mind.

Shay, read his energy. Shay? Shay! Damn it, stay with me. You need to read his energy.

She didn’t want to. It was difficult. She could barely understand Stefan’s instructions. Something about Darren’s energy. Her head lolled to the side. “What did you do to me?”

“Well, I’m punishing you, of course. Actually it’s not that much of a punishment. If I thought I could control you, I’d keep you around, but I can’t. The decision has been made.” He paused and tilted his head. “You’re strong, you know. Not as strong as me, of course, but still strong.”

He hesitated; his gaze turned inward as if listening to an inner voice. Then sighed and shook his head. “No. I can’t change my plans. If you ever found out what you could do with all that strength… If you could be trained to use it properly… But no. You aren’t trainable. I’ve seen that already.” He walked around the bed, studying her. “It’s almost over. See? This is a nice way to go. Just fall asleep and you’ll be gone. But of course, everyone resists it. Too bad. So sad. Everyone keeps clinging to their pathetic little lives even when that point is long gone.”

Then she got it. Oh God.

“You’re going to kill me?” The fog deepened. She struggled to push it back. To find clarity. To find answers. To find a way out of this hell.

Stefan had said, ‘Read his energy.’ Not an easy task. The fog thinned slightly, a small victory, and she tried to shift her vision to see Darren’s energy.

As she’d done when things became serious between them. It was almost instinctive self-preservation to do so. She’d discovered he had a few anger issues, a few regrets, some energy heading into his past. A few walls saying he had a few secrets, but nothing to make her feel like she should delve deeper into the core of the man.

And now she realized her mistake. When it was too late to do anything about it.

She’d believed what she’d seen. The façade he’d presented. And had missed seeing him for who he really was. On the inside.

He was talking again, preening. “You live out your days worrying about what to do with all that lovely money. Oh poor you. You were so focused you never even saw who came knocking on your door. Didn’t really see me. Not as I am inside. Only as I wanted you to see me.”

She closed her eyes and opened her senses. With her fading strength, it was easier to function entirely on a soul energy level. The physical form was so much harder to sustain and control as it failed around her.

Clouds of dark black, sickly green energy surrounded him. Like a hard shell, it protected him on the inside, while he… While he what?

She couldn’t see clearly enough. Fog rolled in. She blinked several times, trying hard to understand. There was a long cord from his root chakra to…the bed. And then to her. He’d connected a cord to her.

That connection, in itself wasn’t the issue. Most people had hooks or cords into others, but not like this one.

Stefan’s voice murmured deep in her psyche. Stay with me, Shay. The cops will be there within minutes.

Too late, she whispered. His energy… It’s sick. Deep, dark, diseased. Dying. Stefan, see it for yourself. I can see him. The real him. He’s been hiding all this time. Somehow masking who he really was.

And that betrayal hurt. So much. She’d loved Darren. Had planned to marry him and bear his children. She had planned to link her life with this man, who now stood so separate from her, watching her die by his own intent. Dear God. How had this happened? How had she not seen the man for who he was?

Because he could hide himself. And his personality is what’s sick. He’s not dying. You are!

Her thoughts drifted, scattered. How is he doing this? I feel so weak. It’s as if he’s draining my very soul. She couldn’t hold a focus. She understood in theory what Stefan had said…but reality felt distant. Like this was happening to someone else.

He’s opened your heart chakra. Draining your energy in a torrential wash. He’s going to syphon you dry.

She pondered that bit of information. She should be upset about it. Should probably care. But it was hard to connect the information to its logical outcome – to use it.

You have to do something, urged Stefan. Don’t fight it. Embrace him with love. Start from that power position. Remember, energy is everywhere. You cannot be drained if you remember that universal energy flows through you at all times.

She blinked at the tidbits of understanding as they filtered in.

Know that I am here. Part of you. As he drains you, I’m refilling you with love.

She couldn’t move, she couldn’t do anything but exist, caught in a war between life and death.

How?

Open your crown chakra to the universal energy. Create a spinning loop between your chakras to build power. But protect yourself; don’t let him see you turn the tide of the energy flow. I will start it for you, but you have to help yourself.

His words penetrated slower than the energy. By the time she understood what Stefan meant, she was working on her crown chakra, opening it. She already felt the effects and, bolstered by the rise in her own energy, she immediately picked up the pace, refilling her body, enlivening her soul.

Don’t feed the anger. Feed the love. Feel the power in the loving energy. Feel it strengthen you on all levels. You don’t have to be his victim.

I can make him my victim. She had to admit, a part of her loved that idea.

Don’t. It will change you. It will be something you will never forget. We need to find another way.

There isn’t one. We can’t hold him off forever, she whispered. And how else can anyone stop him? Or others like him?

Stefan’s silence gave her the answer. She could stay in this unlimited loop, or she could do something about it. Something lethal. What choice was there? She had to do something before Darren realized what was happening. Shay focused on funneling more and more universal energy though her body, creating a swirling vortex within her. Gaining strength. Gaining purpose. Gaining determination for what was to come.

“How many have you killed?” she whispered, letting her eyes close weakly. He needed to believe she was dying. That he’d won. And she needed to know the extent of the damage he’d inflicted on those around him. To know she was doing the right thing in destroying him.

Darren stepped closer to hear her question. “How many? Is that what you asked?”

“Yes.” She kept her eyes closed, focused on the energy pouring through her, gathering, waiting for the right time.

He laughed. “So many. It’s really easy once you understand how. The biggest trick is hiding what I’m doing until I’m ready for people to know. Like you. You’re very intuitive. Very astute. I had to be especially alert, in your case. It was good for a while. Kept me on my toes. But tonight I deposited a nice fat check you were kind enough to write out for me.” He laughed. “Oh, you don’t remember writing me a check, do you? That’s okay. I’m great at forging signatures, too. I stole the checks awhile ago… It’s not like you’ll need them after today.”

“How many?” Her voice gained a desperate strength. She needed to know. Even one death was too many. If he’d killed other people, she’d have no problem doing what needed to be done. She’d have to. He had to be stopped before he went on to kill again.

In the far distance, she heard sirens.

“Isn’t that nice? You’re curious. You can’t stop the process now, you know. I chose Friday on purpose. No one will find you until Monday. When you don’t show up for work, they will come looking.” He glanced around the bedroom. “It’s really too bad. I’d so hoped that this would be my forever home.” He chuckled. “Odd to think I’m still using that childhood phrase. So few would understand it.”

“How many?” she insisted, her voice stronger as anger stirred dangerously close to the surface. She had to keep herself in check. Had to keep her anger reined in. She had to take him out the right way. Or her actions would be impossible to live with.

He laughed. “Dozens, over the years.”

Dozens. And with that, she knew there was no one else, no other way to stop him. He had ways of killing people that no one would ever know. That no one would ever understand. That no one would be able to prove. He had to be stopped. And there were so few people capable to do that.

She was one of them. Stefan was another.

Stefan. I need all you can channel my way.

I’m open and pouring. Do it. We can’t hang on like this for much longer.

She opened her eyes and stared at the man she’d once loved. Now, her heart was filled with loathing for what he’d done – she hated him with a passion that fed her actions like she’d never felt before. But she had to find a way past that to the core of love from one human being to another. She had to come from a soul level.

She could do that.

“Darren.”

He looked up at her, a sarcastic smile on his face. “What’s the matter, Shay? Aren’t you going to plead for your life?” he said mockingly.

She made it look agonizingly difficult to raise her arm and motion him closer. And to make that arm drop down weakly to the bed. He thought he’d almost drained her dry and had no idea what she could do. Good. She just needed him a little closer.

He sat down on the bed with his hip pushing up again her thigh. Now, if she could only reach… Her arm trembled with effort as she stretched it out and placed her hand on his chest. Right over his heart.

Barely holding the building energy force back, she asked, Stefan,Are you ready?

“What did you want to say, dearest Shay?” Darren’s mocking voice floated through the room, surrounding her. Filling her. Firing her actions.

She opened up her swirling vortex. In her mind, she said to Stefan, Now.

She looked Darren in the eyes and whispered, “Go to hell.”

She channeled the vortex to jettison the stream of loving soul energy forward to his heart – the actual organ – with all the energy that she could manage. With all the caring she could find.

He gasped once, his eyes going wide.

Shock and disbelief flashed livid on his face. Understanding lit the deep depths of his gaze. But it was too late for him to act. His opportunity was gone before he ever saw it.

Or, maybe, it wasn’t.

Even as his eyes darkened, a firestorm of energy ricocheted through his heart chakra and back into her, burning though her palm as some type of fireball lit the room.

Something else – someone else – had joined the fray. And combined, they were stronger, more powerful and…desperate…to survive.

Shay poured energy, opening herself up to the universe and channeling everything she could access into the fight.

Stefan. What’s happening?

I don’t know. Another element has been added. Possibly another person…

Then we can’t win, she cried out in pain and frustration. That’s two against two. And they have the advantage. How do we save this?

Look out!

A small blue fireball leapt from her bed and flew into the energy torrenting through her hand.

No! Shay cried out.

It was too late. Morris, her ghostly feline, had joined the fight – and turned the tide as his loving, protective energy joined hers. There was a momentary pause, as if both sides were re-evaluating the balance of power, and then a deep purr sounded from the center of the maelstrom.

The space beneath her hand exploded.

Shay was thrown back against the headboard.

Darren was flung to the floor.

Regaining her wits, Shay scrambled to her feet to look over the edge of the bed.

Darren’s features had frozen, his mouth open in a horrible rictus of terror, and like a tidal wave after it has lashed a beach and receded back out to the ocean, the color had slipped from his skin – leaving a gray wasteland behind.

But he was still alive.

Her heart squeezed tighter. Pain and shock rippled through her.

His eyes dimmed.

And that’s when she saw it. A second light inside. A second awareness? A second person? A different part of Darren? How? Was he manipulated? Possessed? Or was this the other ‘something’ that had joined the fray?

She cried out, Stefan, look!

But it was too late to stop the process.

A deep sigh whispered from Darren’s chest one last time, and his eyelids dropped closed.

He was dead.

Chapter 2

Almost one year later…on a Saturday evening…

Shay walked into the packed ballroom, a fixed smile on her face. Her heart beating nervously in her chest. This was their big day.

She’d been waiting a long time to meet Roman Chandler. They had become acquaintances via email years ago, initially connecting over their grandfathers’ mutual friendship, and then they became friends…close friends. And now…? She didn’t know what they were. But, despite her last bad experience, she hoped.

If she had doubts about whether she was ready for a relationship again, she shoved them down and out of sight. She wanted to be ready. She could be ready. She had to be ready. Roman wasn’t likely to wait. Her stomach somersaulted at the thought.

I haven’t gone there since Darren…

She dismissed that thought. She’d take it slowly this time. Make sure she knew exactly what she was getting into before diving in too deep.

Still, no matter the confused and wounded state in her heart, she was totally excited to meet Roman in person. She already knew his twin brother Ronin, a detective with the Portland Police Department, but on a more professional basis. Of course, their grandfathers were best friends so it only made sense that their families would rub up well against each other.

Only Roman hadn’t lived in Portland for years. He’d just recently moved back.

She didn’t think he knew she was coming to the reception tonight. Then she couldn’t put it past Bernice to have told him in confidence – she’d been trying to match the two of them for a long time. This charity event was Bernice’s baby.

The ballroom was stuffed with people – mostly couples.

Who said being tall was a disadvantage? At almost 5’ 9” without heels, Shay appreciated the view all the time, but in her toe-crushing stilettos, she was really enjoying being able to see over the heads of the others gathered here. With subdued classical music in the background, the many crystal chandeliers and ornate draperies and exquisite paintings provided a perfect backdrop to tonight’s event.

Bernice Folgrent, of Folgrent’s Foundation, never did anything small.

The noise and ambiance had the urgent tempo of schmoozing, smooching and the what-the-hell, the-booze-is-free atmosphere. A typical high-powered business reception for a big name charity foundation with hush-hush conversations, secretive smiles, handshakes and private deals. Millions of dollars would cross hands tonight and she, for one, was glad of it. There were so many in need.

Still, this function was so not her choice. But as the trustee for her family’s foundation, she had to attend all sorts of these events, and she was as comfortable here as in the animal shelter where she helped out. One just had to remember the animals here were more dangerous. Plus, she could be proud of herself – she was neither a boardroom broad nor a high roller’s arm candy. Thank God for that.

But no matter her personal preferences, tonight was a necessity and a delight. She’d come at Bernice’s request. At eighty plus – and the number in that plus was a well-guarded secret – Bernice was a force to be reckoned with. When she wanted two people to meet, you had to either follow along or leave the continent. And even that might not save you.

Besides it was Roman who Bernice wanted Shay to meet… She didn’t know that the two of them had been corresponding for a long time already…

“Shay!”

Shay pivoted smoothly to see a beautifully dressed older woman bearing down on her. Shay grinned. Bernice, dressed in gold brocade and evening gloves, only needed a cigarette holder to complete the old-time elegant picture. Still, despite her glamorous packaging, she was not to be misunderstood or underestimated, particularly when, like Shay, she also controlled millions of dollars.

For most people, it was a case of be nice to Bernice or face the dragon. Thankfully, Shay had known Bernice since she was a little girl and Shay had no need of Bernice’s money because she controlled millions of her own. Besides, Shay loved the grande dame but that didn’t make her blind to the old woman’s machinations.

Bernice wrapped her in a smothering hug, her thickly made-up face passing discretely close to Shay’s cheek as she kissed the air. “Darling, you look simply fabulous.”

Shay smiled. “Thanks, Bernice. You’re looking pretty stylish yourself.”

“Of course, my dear,” Bernice said comfortably. “The only difference between us is that I need hours to look like this – you do it naturally.” She smirked. “And of course, I know what to do with my looks.” She winked outrageously.

Shay laughed. Bernice wasn’t going to change at this stage of her life. One either accepted her or avoided her. And Shay always had a soft spot for her.

“Come along now. There is this stunning man you have to meet.”

“Oh, but–”

“No buts. You have to get out on the scene again. No more hiding away. Roman is the perfect person to catch your interest. You need to balance business with pleasure…and you need to spend more time with the right animals.” Bernice nudged Shay, nodding her head in the direction of two men conversing off to the side.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“And you’re too reclusive. Come on. Life is for living. Men are for loving.” She motioned toward the two men. “I’d take those two any day.” Bernice gave her a smug smile. “In fact, I took on a pair like them not all that long ago.”

“Whoa.” Shay held up her hand. “I so don’t need to know. No more extolling your escapades, please. I still haven’t recovered from your last titillating story.”

“Now if only they’d do you some good. You have to forget about that dweeb fiancé of yours that died so tragically. He was never the man for you. You changed, and not for the better, when you were with him. Such a terrible thing to watch.”

Shay turned to Bernice in shock. Inside, she was still struggling with Bernice calling Darren a dweeb. Bernice prided herself on keeping up with the younger set, but it still sounded so wrong to hear that word come out of the older woman’s mouth. Or maybe it just sounded wrong when used in connection with her ex-fiancé? The man had been a lot of things, but he was not inept and geeky. Too much the opposite in fact. But he had died tragically.

Thankfully.

“What do you mean, I changed?”

“Oh my Lord, you became this dishrag, ready to wipe his nose and fetch his coffee. Don’t you realize how much better you are than that?”

“I did not act like that.” She couldn’t stop the outrage that whipped through her. “Bernice, that’s not fair. I loved him.”

“Of course you did, my dear. That’s the only reason anyone tolerated him in the first place.” She barreled through the crowd. A crowd that parted magically as people understood it was Bernice that wanted to get past. Several times Shay murmured a polite ‘thank you’ as people stepped out of the way. Bernice had no such inclination.

She walked a path, accepting the magical bowing out of the way as her due.

“The man was a user,” Bernice tossed back. “You need someone to light your fires, not squash them before they get a chance to catch. You’re such a firecracker in every area but your damn love life. And we’re going to fix that.”

Shay put on the brakes. “No way. Bernice. Stop.”

Not only did Bernice not listen, she doubled back to Shay, snagged her arm and tugged her forward – nicely of course. Everything Bernice did was nice, but there was also enough steel behind her actions to make her a formidable opponent.

Damn.

Shay plastered a laughing smile on her face while catching up to Bernice. “Stop pulling me,” she whispered to Bernice.

“Then stop dragging your heels!” Bernice sent her an admonishing look. “I know you’re here for other reasons, but you’ll have to make time for this. I won’t be around forever, you know. Soon, I’ll be cha-chaing my way downstairs.”

“Ha, even the devil doesn’t want you down there with him. You’d order him around for all eternity.”

Bernice spun on her heels, her eyes suddenly desperate, frail. She lowered her voice. “Don’t joke about the devil. And don’t ever, ever make a deal with him. You never know who he has working for him. Some people are just evil.”

Whoa! What had gotten into Bernice?

Casting Shay a warning glance, Bernice glanced around furtively. Then she whispered, “I’m serious. You, more than anyone, should understand what I mean.” Bernice turned and dragged Shay forward again.

Shay groaned. What was Bernice talking about? Had she gotten another nasty email? She’d been plagued by several lately. Typical Bernice had tossed them off as unimportant. As just expressions of discontent by those who wanted money and weren’t going to be getting any. But that brushing off, itself, was unusual for Bernice. She had a tendency to bring in lawyers and scare off potential lawsuits.

Running foundations was big business, and drumming up new money was a constant challenge. These receptions were cornerstones of that process.

Shay was part of the same world. Dealt with the same driven – and sometimes desperate – people. She had her own methodology for finding the shysters and removing them from the honest applicants for her own foundation. And because they shared similar challenges and experiences, Bernice and Shay often compared notes and worked closely on joint projects. Their assistants also stepped in to help resolve problems on each other’s projects. It helped to have that type of close working relationship. They watched each other’s backs.

“Roman, darling. Here is the young woman I adore as if she were my own.” Bernice reached out, latching onto the arm of a tall, suited gentlemen. She tugged him around and pointed to Shay. “Isn’t she gorgeous? Just like I promised.”

Oh lord. Shay groaned inside. Bernice really hadn’t needed to make a public spectacle of this meeting. But why was she surprised? This was typical Bernice.

“Shay, this is Roman Chandler, the grandson of my dearest friend, Gerard Chandler.”

Heads had turned at Bernice’s loud introduction and color stroked up Shay’s neck as she fought back her embarrassment. She should be used to it. But wasn’t.

Still, she faced Roman, kept her plastered-on smile in place and lifted her gaze to his.

And sucked in her breath.

The look in his eyes. It was so…intimate. So knowing…as if he knew her…all of her, inside and out. And as if he liked what he knew.

They’d emailed. Chatted. Though they’d corresponded for a few years, over the last year they had built a friendly almost… intimate… relationship over the Internet and phone. And they had talked – like really talked. Theirs was a relationship she hoped would grow. But she’d never met him before. Hadn’t shared everything with him. She didn’t know him – not in the way he seemed to know her.

The heated look in his eyes unnerved her…and yes…intrigued her.

And she had to admit…sparked an answering awareness.

Shay had no illusions about her looks, regardless of Bernice’s constant matchmaking attempts. She was too tall for many men, was slim, with milk chocolate brown shoulder-length hair and a largish mouth, and instead of symmetry, her nose was slightly crooked and one eyebrow was slightly off line. All minor in the scheme of things but those same flaws had given her terrible, angst-ridden moments through her teenage years. Now she could brush off the negative thoughts as they came and even though she could get her nose fixed, it no longer mattered to her.

According to the look in Roman’s eyes, her flaws didn’t matter to him now either. Of course he’d seen pictures of her. But that wasn’t the same thing as this. She secretly had high hopes about Roman, but she’d never expected this level of appreciation from him right off.

When he spoke, his voice held both promise and familiarity. “Hello, Shay. I’m delighted to finally meet you.” He glanced at Bernice, standing beside them both with a smug, knowing look on her face.

“Hello, Roman.” Did he look at all women as if they shared special memories? She so badly wanted to ask. Instead, she said, “How nice to meet you.” She paused then added, “Finally.”

His gaze deepened to midnight blue, and he smiled. That wide movement of his lips released her from the intensity of his gaze. She could breathe easy again.

“This is so much better than email,” he murmured, “and you are so much better looking in person than in photos.”

Under Roman’s midnight blue gaze, Shay’s stomach churned with unanswered questions and delight. She wanted to take a more in-depth look at his energy, but thought she’d better save her strength for when a deeper reading might be needed.

A strange sound had her turning to face Bernice, her hostess and mentor.

Bernice opened her mouth to speak when she suddenly stopped, an odd look on her face. Her breath sucked in so loudly, Shay leaned closer in concern. “Bernice? Are you all right? What’s the matter?”

Silence.

Shay studied her old friend, but Bernice’s face had turned ashen, her eyes locked on something behind Shay’s back. Shay twisted around to look, but the only thing behind her was a wall. A blank wall.

Turning back around, and seeing no change in her friend, she said, “Bernice, talk to me. You’re scaring me.”

Bernice’s breathing turned ragged, stuttered then almost appeared to stop. Her features locked in place yet her chest rose and fell in a natural movement.

The hairs on the back of Shay’s neck rose.

Jesus, she must be having an attack of some kind. “We’ll get you some help. Can you talk to me? Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

Roman bent to study Bernice’s face. “I’ll get a doctor.” He took off.

Bernice’s mouth worked. Still, no sound came out.

Silently, Shay willed Roman to hurry. But from the looks of it, he wasn’t going to be fast enough. She raised her hand to call for help when her arm was grabbed. She stared, surprised to see Bernice’s bronzed nails cutting into her soft skin.

“Bernice?” Shay rubbed the papery skin on the back of Bernice’s fingers with gentle soothing strokes. “Hang on. Help is coming.”

From a distance, she could hear rapidly approaching footsteps. Thank God. Please let her friend be all right.

Worried, Shay stared into Bernice’s eyes, and Bernice stared back. Her gaze dark. Bottomless. Blind. Shay’s heart squeezed in fear. “Bernice. Damn it, stay with me. Please talk to me if you can.”

Shay willed Bernice’s eyes to return to normal. Willed them to blink. To move. To do something.

Then something else happened. Inside, deep inside, Bernice blinked. A clear movement that Shay could see and understand.

Except for one thing.

On the surface, Bernice’s eyelids never moved.

*

Roman Chandler stood off to one side of the ballroom entrance as the paramedics moved the stretcher out through the foyer and into the ambulance. It was certainly a different world out here than the expensive event going on behind him.

Damn. He’d found Bernice was a good friend and benefactress to the people. ‘My people,’ as she’d say. To see the old fighter brought low by age and sudden change in health was a blow most people here would struggle with – one that would make them look at their own health and wellbeing. She was formidable. Creating stress and tension and love and affection with a few words, a flick of her hand and the flash of her smile.

He hoped whatever was wrong would turn out to be minor but given Bernice’s age – well…she hadn’t looked good. He’d already called his grandfather and given him the news. His grandfather would no doubt make it to the hospital before the ambulance did. He’d been there for Bernice for over thirty years. That wasn’t going to change now.

His thoughts drifted back to the woman who stood beside him, the woman Bernice had just introduced him to…the woman who had intrigued him since their first email. Now he knew his gut reaction was right about Shay.

Shay was…dynamite. Everything he’d hoped for. Hell, he couldn’t have hoped for this… He hadn’t even known this kind of connection could exist, let alone was something to hope for. She’d entered the ballroom with an attitude that caught every man’s attention. He knew because he’d watched them all turn to mark her progress.

She had to be almost as tall as him, in heels. And every inch was smoothly muscled and as delectable as any woman he’d seen. And he’d seen plenty. And learned that the inside rarely matched the package.

That he’d recognized the delicate line of her neck, the smooth curve of her shoulder, the delicate bones of her wrist, had shocked him. The level of familiarity and desire he felt for her, terrified him. And delighted him. The recognition could not be explained away by the plethora of email conversations and a few pictures.

He’d been painting her for years. A delight that had him open to making that initial contact. Since then…well, she’d worked her way into his life, his psyche…even his dreams. Some days she was all he could think about. He’d been looking forward to this meeting for months.

Still his reaction to finally meeting her shook him to the core. From the moment he laid eyes on her this evening he’d wanted her. He’d known that already on an intellectual level. She was so damn interesting. But to have the physical person match his fantasies…well, that’s when he’d been deluged by an overwhelming sense of recognition. Not just a superficial knowing, but an understanding of her at a deep, visceral level. It was as if he knew her for who she was, really was. Without the trappings of society, the painful past, the solitary existence he knew she lived. He just knew Shay.

And she wouldn’t be happy that he knew as much as he did about her life. She liked her privacy. She would likely blame Bernice and their grandparents… And it’s true, they’d started his interest in Shay – at least initially. After that. Well, he was no fool…

He’d almost frozen with shock when she spoke to him. Her voice had been a surprise. Light, cool. Whatever else she was, life, vibrant life, swirled inside. She presented as calm and poised, but that calm exterior in no way hid the richness of the woman on the inside. When she spoke, the artist in him wished he knew how to capture that rich throaty fullness and knew his medium would be lacking if he tried. The sensual promise of her voice sent shivers down his spine and straight to his loins.

And that’s the woman he wanted to get to know better. Needed to get to know more.

His paintings didn’t do her justice.

The artist in him tried to memorize her details. Like a video camera snapping off stills, he tried to capture the special essence that made up this remarkable woman. He could only hope that later, much later, he’d remember some of what he’d seen and recorded in his mind.

His grandfather had warned him about Bernice’s matchmaking surprise tonight. And Roman was grateful. Bernice didn’t have a good history as a matchmaker, but she was hell on wheels when she had an agenda.

She’d thrown Callie at him years ago, hadn’t she? Look how well that had turned out. Not. Still he’d been young and infatuated with his young wife. He couldn’t blame Bernice for his own lack of judgment. Callie had been too free-spirited to stick faithfully to one man – even her husband. The divorce had been painful with the list of her flings including names of several of his friends.

Callie was part of his history. A part he didn’t want to revisit. A mistake he didn’t want to repeat. Along with the bullet that had ended his police work. Now he specialized in Internet security. Even had his own company.

This time he knew better.

And he knew Shay had her own history to get over.

Besides, without that painful breakup and change of career, he’d never have returned to the passion of his youth – painting. And he couldn’t imagine how empty his life would be now without that constant creative need and drive washing through him.

Moreover, his emotional breakup with Callie had endowed his work with a new edge. But those post-breakup pieces were nothing compared to the work he churned out now. Somewhere along the line, he’d become fixated on his current series and hadn’t managed to paint it out of his system. Though he’d tried.

Maybe now, he understood why.

“Excuse me.” A man walked around him, making Roman aware that he stood in the middle of the elaborate front entrance, holding back the crowd as he stared down the curved driveway.

He hoped Bernice was all right, if only for his grandfather’s sake. He’d be devastated to lose her. His grandfather was getting on in years and wasn’t as resilient as he once was.

Another reason for his return to his hometown. To be closer to his family.

It had been time.

*

In the too-silent silence, Shay and the rest of the hushed crowd watched the paramedics efficiently load Bernice into the ambulance and drive away with siren blaring and lights flashing.

Bernice had been a larger-than-life presence for so long; Shay couldn’t imagine the void she’d have in her life if Bernice died. She shouldn’t think so negatively, but it was hard not to. Shay knew what lively, life-giving energy looked like. Their last conversation had been so strange. And Shay knew what at-the-edge-of-death energy looked like. Bernice’s energy now indicated that she’d lived well past the best-by date.

And it hurt to think that Bernice might not bounce out of bed and give Shay royal hell for sleeping alone – again. Shay looked for the man Bernice had all but pushed in her direction.

Roman had stood off to one side, casual, concerned and competently keeping the crowd back. Many of those who had gathered had disappeared inside by now.

Shay appreciated that.

Still, whatever she’d seen deep in Bernice’s eyes during the episode made her suspicious. She needed to find out just what that double set of eyes had meant…if anything.

She had to do what she could to find out. She stepped back into the ballroom. Despite the thinning masses there were still too many people around for her to do much by way of finding answers. Regardless, she opened her senses and studied the sea of colors swirling through the crowd. Emotions rippled outward as everyone absorbed details and dealt with the crisis in their midst.

She couldn’t avoid hearing the words whispering outward as each person’s thoughts swirled around them, carried on their energy. Even though she normally saw more images than words, right now, in this crisis, these thoughts damn near screamed in the ether.

Is that Bernice?

The old dame is finally coming to the end of the road.

Oh dear, I hope she’ll be okay.

The world won’t be the same without her.

About time that old bat bit it.

The last thought had Shay spinning around and pinning a look on a young, rakish-looking man standing off to one side. She studied him, half recognizing him. Still there wasn’t any real negativity rolling off him. His energy was more like that of a disgruntled nephew who was hoping he’d be getting something from the will…but wouldn’t be, and he so knew it.

Shay dismissed him as unimportant, and let her gaze continue to roam, still hearing the whispered thoughts like dull noise in the background. Studying those standing around her, she let her gaze zip past Roman and came to a sudden stop. She slowly retraced the short distance to Roman’s aura and studied it.

Her heart slammed into her chest, and she gasped.

He was a man of power. Psychic power.

Like Darren.

But she didn’t know what kind of power. It could be anything. And she didn’t know if he knew. Many didn’t.

Roman turned to look at her, as if just becoming aware of her interest, and raised an eyebrow in concern. He took a half step toward her. She gave a tiny panicked shake of her head and averted her gaze. It was only her strength of will that stopped her from backing away from him. She desperately tried to control her breathing. When she could, she stole another glance at Roman’s energy.

And her heart stalled.

Part of him was shielded. Behind a protective wall. She couldn’t read him. He could be anyone in there. He could be a good guy…or another bad one.

And for all she knew he could be just like Darren, her dead fiancé who’d tried to kill her.

*

Knock, knock…?

Hi Shay. There you are. Too bad you can’t hear me. Standing in the middle of the chaos as usual. Did you enjoy the show? I made sure you got a front row seat.

And you have no idea I even exist. Just the way I like it.

See, or don’t see me…it doesn’t matter. I’m still special. I can get inside people’s auras and sneak into the part of their consciousness they don’t like to see. That they hide or bury. The parts that exist but that can’t be acknowledged – even from themselves. I can make my hosts do things. Not too much yet. And not for very long, but I’m getting better. Stronger.

You might ask, what’s the difference between me and a serial killer? The serial killer gets his hands dirty.

I don’t.

And the difference between me and the guy I’m stepping into is…nothing. Because under our skin we all want the same thing. Even you, Shay.