Page 139 of Savage Promises

“I think so,” Rhys sounds concerned. “He wasn’t the same. He took off shortly after she did.”

“Is he... Is he with her now?”

“No idea,” Rhys says tightly.

“Did you get a photo of her?” I ask, already knowing it has to be that woman from the trailer months back, the night before the warehouse fire.

“Sending now.” Rhys is one step ahead of me. “According to the department, her name is Raina.”

My phone dings and I open the message.

Fuck.

“That’s her,” I grit out, putting my shoes back on my feet.

“Then we’ve got a problem,” Rhys says.

“No,” I growl. “We’ve got a ticking bomb.”

Thank you for reading Savage Promises! A Bonus Epilogue is included. Connor and Raina’s story is Lovely Venom, Quinlan Empire Book 3. Keep scrolling for a Sample.

LOVELY VENOM SAMPLE

Raina

The strapless dress I bought, after trying on way too many, clings to my curvy hips and flares out past my butt with yards of midnight-blue satin spilling down my legs. It has a tight bodice, a drop waist, and sharp reverse pleats. Not a single bead or rhinestone in sight, and yet somehow, I look expensive. And out of place. Sequins and leather are more my style, if I had a choice.

The scandalously high slit up my thigh says danger which suits me, but the rest is all sleek sophistication I never thought I could pull off. This isn’t me. And yet, here I am, dressed like a woman who belongs in Connor’s world.

It feels too elegant. Too luxurious. I’m an awkward ex-federal agent who still wears her high-school jeans.

“Enjoy the view,” I grumble to Valdrin. “It’ll be the last time you see me dressed like a doll.”

“Dolls are what men like Connor Quinlan want,” he says with a bite.

I hide a scoff.Not the Connor Quinlan who fucked me.

“But you need to tame those wild waves.” Valdrin presents me with two black tortoise hair combs wrapped in delicate lavender tissue paper.

I don’t bother to argue and push long unruly blonde strands off my shoulder. “My hair hasn’t seen a blow dryer in a year.”

“You don’t say.” Valdrin swoops up my hair on each side and securely fastens the combs to my head. “That’s better,” he says, his voice sounding clipped like he was about to call me something other than Raina.

When I catch him studying my face, he turns away.

“Any words of advice?” I ask to break the tension. “I’m more used to hiding in the shadows collecting evidence.”

“Flirt. Make him like you.” Valdrin pulls up to the red carpet, and someone opens the door for me.

“Flirt,” I mutter, stepping out of the Benz.

“Good luck,” he tells me and drives off.

I plaster a snooty pout on my face to look like I belong at this thing. I catch myself in the tall window panels near the entrance and can’t believe it’s me.

I don’t look like me. But I look good.Really good.Connor may not even recognize me.

Stepping into the grand ballroom feels like I’m on a movie set. This doesn’t seem real. Like I’m in another world.

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