by KL Donn
See you in fucking Alaska…
Next in the Empire
Atticus: Secret Lies
Coming May 22, 2018
Undedited/subject to change
Chapter One
Catalina
I feel his eyes on me. The stranger from town. The one who thinks no one see’s him, but everyone’s watching him. Waiting for whatever it is he’s here for.
I’m a quiet person. I like to keep to myself. I have very few friends in this world and even less family. The townsfolk may not see me often, but they know me, respect me even because of what my mother did for them. She brought in warehousing and storage for the local shops to make the winters easier, and with that brining jobs as well. She brought business to a town on the brink of death. Our town may be tiny, but it’s slowly coming back on the map again.
When mom passed away two years ago, leaving me, a seventeen-year-old girl with nothing and no one, everyone rallied around me. I’ve grown quieter over the years, but I was theirs.
When a new man had come to town, with no ties to the community and looked as dangerous as Al Pacino, people talked. When he was caught eyeing me one too many times, I was made aware.
I started watching for him. Waiting for those small moments when he would let his presence be known. I anticipated them. I had no idea why until just six days ago.
Our gazes clashed. Like a shipwreck, I was brought to heal. I felt this mysterious man to my core. He was in my blood, humming through my veins and I can’t let go.
His icy stare was cold, impenetrable. Murderous. Except…it wasn’t. For me. When he looked at me it was full of heat, possession. Things I know nothing about.
I don’t know who this mystery man is, but my body and heart seem to. They scream he’s elemental to my life. He’s the missing piece to put me back together again.
There’s a storm coming in from the north and I know it’s going to be a bad one. The temperatures have been dropping all day. My dogs, East & West, have been going nuts with the high winds. Gazing outside I know there’s only about two hours of sunlight left before this storm takes over for a predicted three days. Slipping into my heavy coat and boots, I pull on my toque and gloves and make my way outside.
I go around checking the generator and propane to make sure I’ll be okay while it lasts. After bringing in the dogs and the two kittens they found in the barn, I know I have to chop wood. I should have done it first. It’s the one and only task I dread doing. I hate wielding the powerful axe.
I’m not the most graceful person and the fear of missing the wood completely paralyzes me every time. I’m terrified of injuring myself and being stuck up here. I only have a radio for contact, but the winter storms always take out the tower and I get nothing but static half the time. It would mean certain death.
Lifting the heavy weapon above my head, the thud of hitting the chopping block as I miss the split log completely is overwhelmingly loud in the quiet air.
“Fuck a duck.” Blowing out a breath I try again. This time get the axe stuck in the piece. This is going to be a long damn night.
“You’re going to fucking kill yourself.” Is muttered behind me as a large shadow overcasts the entire area I’m standing in.
Spinning, I’m lost in the coldest glare I’ve ever seen. “Wh–who are you?” I stutter out.
“The man who’s not going to let you slaughter yourself.” His voice is gravely, like it’s been through a wood chopper.
“I’m perfectly fine to do this on my own.” My stubborn pride won’t let me give this stranger my weapon. With the dogs inside, I have nothing to protect myself with.
The sneer he shoots me as I back away isn’t helping his cause. “If I wanted you dead, little lamb, I could have done so a dozen times over by now.”
“Comforting.” I mutter gauging the distance between us and the house.
“You won’t make it.” He smirks in a sexy way that I shouldn’t be noticing.
“I could.” I smart back needing him to know I’m not some doormat. Even if I’m pretty sure I am.
His hand reaches out to me with lightning speed, and I gasp as with one firm shake he has me dropping the axe and pulling me closer to his oversized hulk frame with the other. His grip on the back of my neck is punishing as his mouth lowers to mine. Freezing for just a split second so I can pull away.
I don’t.
I’m the idiot who leans closer so my captor can kiss me.
What are you doing Catalina?
Who the hell knows.
As our mouths collide, a rush of emotion flows through me. It’s more than my own. It’s more than I’ve ever known.
It’s him.
He has this control I can’t quite put my finger on.
About the Author
Krystal is a proud Canadian girl, hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta. She has a strong dislike for the winter, and a love for spring. Married to her husband Steve, for 13 years, they have 4 beautiful red headed spawns ranging in ages 5-12. She has a strong love of coffee, sarcasm, and wine. (Not necessarily in that order either.)
Krystal loves to write about instalove between couples looking for love. She has a passion for contemporary romance and springs into menage as often as she can.
For in the moment updates you can join her reader group – KL’S FIGHTERS.
Also by KL Donn
The Protectors Series
Keeley’s Fight
Emily’s Protectors
Kennedy’s Redemption
The Possessed Series
OWNED by Dominic
One Dance for Case
Lost & Found
Love Letters Series
Dear Killian
Dear Gage
Dear Maverick
Dear Desmond
Love Letters boxed set (Coming May 8, 2018)
Dear Steele (Coming Soon)
Hogan Brother’s
One Chance
One Choice
Unchained
What Happens When Series
Anonymous Bride (Kindle World Novella)
Tainted Love (Coming Soon)
Adair Empire
King
Luther
Castiel
Atticus (Coming May 22, 2018)
Carver (Coming June 20, 2018)
Untitled (Coming July 24, 2018)
Daniels Family
Until Arsen
With Kol (Coming September 2018)
Before Noah (Coming December 2018)
Brantley’s Way
Task Force 779
Missing in Action (Coming soon)
