Deadly Secrets Read online

  Deadly Secrets

  Synopsis

  Special Ops Agent Rafe Silva has always been a dedicated soldier, content in the military and jetting from one mission to the next. Her life is structured and clear of emotional entanglements until an old friend requests she provide protection for an industry whistle blower.

  Jana Elliott had found her ideal career and a second home within the corporate environment of Alumicor until a coworker dies and Jana suspects the company is covering up a deadly secret. When she starts investigating, her boss quickly shuts her down. Jana is determined to uncover the truth even if it means risking her life. Her friend’s suggestion of a bodyguard seems like overkill, but then Rafe Silva shows up and their irresistible attraction changes everything.

  What Reviewers Say About VK Powell’s Work

  Line of Duty

  “Ms. Powell is an expert at writing police procedurals, and with this book, she also shows us just how talented she is at combining that with a lovely romance.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “I love a sexy butch cop, and Finley Masters was everything I needed. Not only was she damn hot, but she was a tormented soul, and that, my dear friends, just made her even sexier.”—Les Rêveur

  “I find myself wanting to reread the book, because the path each character takes is unique. The series of moments where their beliefs are tested and transformed are both big and small. I loved the pacing and I enjoyed that nothing ever felt like filler. …I like to think of reading a story as entrusting yourself to the pilot of an airplane. You’re in highly capable and talented hands here. I am already looking up other VK Powell books to buy.”—Lesbian Review

  Second in Command

  “I love the family at the centre of the Fairview Station series, and their various careers in and around law enforcement and other public service professions. …I greatly enjoyed the scenes involving the whole Carlyle family and was cheered to see various of the more peripheral members find their own place in the scheme of things.”—The Good, the Bad and the Unread

  “I enjoyed the storyline and felt like the plot twisted more than once and made turning the page more exciting. The secondary characters in this book (and Captain’s Choice) were excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed every time the Carlyle family get around the dinner table.”—Les Rêveur

  Incognito

  “[F]ast paced, action packed and keeps you glued to the page.”—Lesbian Reading Room

  “Incognito by V.K. Powell is the kind of intrigue/thriller novel that I enjoy. …If you enjoy a good mystery with interesting characters and a bit of romance, then try this book.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “Well written main characters with plenty of chemistry. A good supporting cast as well that provide some good laughs and emotional feels. A fun read with enough action and romance to keep you interested.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller (QBD Books, Australia)

  “The strongest part of the book was the interplay between leads. …Both women learned to keep people at arms’ length, Frankie with her abilities to become almost anyone, and Evan with her almost obsessive need for rules and order. They clash, because Frankie’s often mischievous behavior is so out of what Evan thinks she needs. But they are attracted to each other, and it does blow up their world view a bit.”—Colleen Corgel, Librarian, Queens Borough Public Library

  “If you’re in the mood for a fast paced romantic intrigue novel with action, romance and humour, this might be one for you.”—C-Spot Reviews

  “[T]his book is exciting and fast-paced and the chemistry between the two main characters is great.”—Jude in the Stars

  Take Your Time

  “The last book in the Pine Cone Romance series was excellent, and I reckon VK Powell wrote the perfect book to round up the series. …If these are the sex scenes VK Powell can write, then I have been missing out and I will definitely be checking out more because WOW! All in all… Fantastic! 5 stars”—Les Rêveur

  Captain’s Choice

  “VK Powell is the mistress of police romances and this one is another classic ‘will she won’t she’ story of lost loves reunited by chance. Well written, lots of great sex and excellent sexual tension, great character building and use of the setting, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.”—Lesbian Reading Room

  Deception

  “In Deception VK Powell takes some difficult social issues and portrays them with intelligence and empathy. …Well-written, enjoyable storyline, excellent use of location to add colour to the background, and extremely well drawn characters. VK Powell has created a great sense of life on the streets in an excellent crime/mystery with a turbulent but charming romance.”—Lesbian Reading Room

  Side Effects

  “[A] touching contemporary tale of two wounded souls hoping to find lasting love and redemption together. …Powell ably plots a plausible and suspenseful story, leading readers to fall in love with the characters she’s created.”—Publishers Weekly

  About Face

  “Powell excels at depicting complex, emotionally vulnerable characters who connect in a believable fashion and enjoy some genuinely hot erotic moments.”—Publishers Weekly

  Exit Wounds

  “Powell’s prose is no-nonsense and all business. It gets in and gets the job done, a few well-placed phrases sparkling in your memory and some trenchant observations about life in general and a cop’s life in particular sticking to your psyche long after they’ve gone. After five books, Powell knows what her audience wants, and she delivers those goods with solid assurance. But be careful you don’t get hooked. You only get six hits, then the supply’s gone, and you’ll be jonesin’ for the next installment. It never pays to be at the mercy of a cop.”—Out in Print

  “Fascinating and complicated characters materialize, morph, and sometimes disappear testing the passionate yet nascent love of the book’s focal pair. I was so totally glued to and amazed by the intricate layers that continued to materialize like an active volcano…dangerous and deadly until the last mystery is revealed. This book goes into my super special category. Please don’t miss it.”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  Justifiable Risk

  “This story takes some unusual twists and at one point, I was convinced that I knew ‘who did it’ only to find out that I was wrong. VK Powell knows crime drama, she kept me guessing until the end, and I was not disappointed at the outcome. And that’s not to slight VK Powell’s knack for romance. …Readers who appreciate mysteries with a touch of drama and intense erotic moments will enjoy Justifiable Risk.”—Queer Magazine

  “Justifiable Risk is an exciting, seat of your pants read. It also has some very hot sex scenes. Powell really shines, however, in showing the inner growth of Greer and Eva as they each deal with their personal issues. This is a very strong, multifaceted book.—Just About Write

  Fever

  “VK Powell has given her fans an exciting read. The plot of Fever is filled with twists, turns, and ‘seat of your pants’ danger. …Fever gives readers both great characters and erotic scenes along with insight into life in the African bush.”—Just About Write

  Suspect Passions

  “From the first chapter of Suspect Passions Powell builds erotic scenes which sear the page. She definitely takes her readers for a walk on the wild side! Her characters, however, are also women we care about. They are bright, witty, and strong. The combination of great sex and great characters make Suspect Passions a must read.”—Just About Write

  To Protect and Serve

  “If you like cop novels, or even television cop shows with women as full partners with male officers…this is the book for you. It’s got drama, excitement, conflict, and even some fairly hot lesbian sex. The writer is a ret
ired cop, so she really writes from a place of authenticity. As a result, you have a realistic quality to the writing that puts me in mind of early Joseph Wambaugh.”—Teresa DeCrescenzo, Lesbian News

  “To Protect and Serve drew me in from the very first page with characters that captivated in their complexity. Powell writes with authority using the lingo and capturing the thoughts of the law enforcers who make the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against crime. What’s more impressive is the command this debut author has of portraying a full gamut of emotion, from angst to elation, through dialogue and narrative. The images are vivid, the action is believable, and the police procedurals are authentic. …VK Powell had me invested in the story of these women, heart, mind, body and soul. Along with danger and tension, Powell’s well-developed erotic scenes sizzle and sate.”—Story Circle Book Reviews

  “To Protect and Serve drew me in from the very first page with characters that captivated in their complexity. Powell writes with authority using the lingo and capturing the thoughts of the law enforcers who make the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against crime.”—Just About Write

  Deadly Secrets

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  By the Author

  To Protect and Serve

  Suspect Passions

  Fever

  Justifiable Risk

  Haunting Whispers

  Exit Wounds

  About Face

  Side Effects

  Deception

  Lone Ranger

  Take Your Time

  Incognito

  When in Doubt

  Deadly Secrets

  Fairview Station Series

  Captain’s Choice

  Second in Command

  Line of Duty

  Deadly Secrets

  © 2022 By VK Powell. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63679-088-6

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: February 2022

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design by Jeanine Henning

  eBook Design by Toni Whitaker

  Acknowledgments

  It would be impossible to engage in the “business” of storytelling without the support, encouragement, and expertise of the outstanding staff at Bold Strokes Books. During these COVID-ridden times, thank you for finding new ways to keep your authors and our stories accessible and available to our readers. Words can never express my gratitude.

  To my patient and entertaining editor, Cindy Cresap, you are the best! You make my screw-ups manageable. Thanks for everything.

  Always, my heartfelt appreciation to sister author D. Jackson Leigh and friend Jenny Harmon for beta reading my work and making it so much better.

  Thank you to every reader who has read my books, listened to them in audible form, tuned in to an online event, and kept in touch. You make writing books fun and more rewarding than I ever imagined.

  Chapter One

  The rappel master signaled, and Rafaella Silva dropped her deployment bag to the wooden dock jutting out into Badin Lake below. She pivoted 180 degrees on the skid of the stealth-modified Black Hawk helicopter, crouched in position, and looked back inside at her team. They’d belly-crawled through rainforest and desert, fought revolutionaries and terrorists, conducted recon, and executed medical evacuations and diplomatic extractions in locations worldwide. These men represented the closest thing she had to family but weren’t. Odds favored them never being together again until one of them died.

  “Team, present arms,” the rappel master said.

  The men snapped quick salutes, and Rafe reciprocated, her throat tight and eyes clouding with tears. “Thanks, guys.”

  “Ready, Major?”

  She nodded, positioned her brake hand in the small of her back, and reached up to grab the rope over her head with her guide hand. Her pulse quickened anticipating the rush of adrenaline that encouraged and cautioned her about jumping out of a perfectly good helicopter. Nothing rivaled the rush of anxiety and excitement. Replacing the feeling would be one of her greatest challenges in retirement.

  “Go.”

  Rafe flexed her knees and pushed away from the skid gear, allowing the rope to pass through her brake and guide hands. She descended at roughly eight feet per second and halfway to the ground began braking. Despite the double-layered leather rappeler’s gloves, the friction from the rope warmed her palms. The heat usually keyed her to the impending fight, but this time it signaled the end of her combat days.

  Glancing down at the dock that protruded from her small piece of property, she released tension on the rope and moved her brake hand out to a forty-five-degree angle to slow her descent. She landed solidly on the hardwood surface and cleared the rope through the rappel ring. The rappel master confirmed she was off the line, dropped it away from the helicopter, and she flashed another salute, a final farewell to the team.

  Rafe planned her operational exits and reentries at night to avoid questions from nosey neighbors. She scanned the area and sniffed the air—remnants of burned wood from fireplaces and campfires and the rotten egg smell specific to the water of Badin Lake. She peeled off the layers of her sweaty uniform along with deposits of Middle East dirt that stung like microscopic nettles. Plunging into the cold lake water, she held her breath and dove deep until her lungs forced her up for air. The water refreshed but never dissolved the details of her final mission or all the ones before. But now service to her country was over.

  Civilization awaited—sleeping on a mattress, not lumpy and hard from rocks, eating anything except MREs, drinking water without the chalky metallic aftertaste of a desert still, and living peacefully. Long ago, she sacrificed the hope of a normal life and love for a top-secret career with impossible missions and acts so clandestine she could never share them. She cringed at the danger she’d left behind and the empty unknown ahead.

  When her skin pruned from the lake water, Rafe hoisted herself onto the dock, grabbed her bag and discarded uniform, and sauntered to the travel trailer she called home. The silver Airstream resembled a mushroom from the air and a misshapen loaf of bread up close, but she loved its compact features and simplicity. She connected the exterior power, water, and sewer hookups in the dark by touch. She unlocked the door, and the staleness of a long absence and burned toast welcomed her, so she opened the windows and while the night air cleared the mustiness, she went back outside. She hadn’t walked naked and felt the air caress her skin for six months, and the urge to yowl like a feral animal and bay at the moon rippled through her.

  She pulled the outside shower free and hosed herself down to dislodge the final grains of sand and to luxuriate in a shower with plenty of water and no one sneaking around to catch a glimpse. Before going back inside, Rafe tugged the cover off her black Kawasaki Ninja and checked it was still chained to the camper. She traced her hand along the sleek lines and knuckled the cushioned seat. After hibernation, she’d take it for a spin around the curvy lake roads, blow out the cobwebs, and celebrate her freedom.

 
Dawn painted the sky in pinks and oranges before Rafe stowed her gear and went back inside. Her personal cell phone rested on the countertop where she’d left it and flashed with unanswered calls and messages, but she ignored it and collapsed on the bed. Major Silva replayed the mission until the adrenaline waned, and Rafe’s eyes flagged.

  When she woke would she feel any different as a civilian than she had as a soldier? For twenty-five years, she lived with clear goals that defined every aspiration from choosing a meal to getting her next promotion. The blank space of her future outside the army gave her a floaty feeling, not totally unpleasant, but not easy either. The future disappeared in a second in war zones, but now she needed a mission, a purpose. She yawned. Tomorrow, she’d work on filling in the blanks.

  * * *

  Jana Elliott glanced at the blanket wadded up with her sofa pillows, magazines on the floor, cereal bowl on the counter, and closed her condo door. Tidying could wait. She reached for the lobby button on the elevator, but her cell rang. “Hello.”

  “Hi, boss, any chance you could pick me up this morning?”

  Her assistant’s usually chipper voice croaked with stress, and Jana immediately alerted. “Camille, is everything okay? Angie? The baby?”

  “They’re both fine, but Angie’s car is in the shop and mine just died in the driveway. I hate to ask because I know you walk to work.”

  “I’ll be there in five minutes.” She hung up and pushed the UG button for the parking deck. A few minutes later, she unlocked the door of her Mercedes SUV for Camille in front of her Dunleath neighborhood home. The bubbly brunette filled so many roles Jana often wondered if the company paid her enough—scheduler, researcher, planner, mediator, secretary, caterer, deliverywoman, and always a friend. Today she looked tired and distracted. “Are you sure you’re okay? Is it more than the car? You can tell me. Anything you need, just ask.”