Deadly Secrets

Deadly Secrets

jielamos · Ongoing · 34.6k Words

514
Hot
514
Views
0
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

When Grace Parker witnesses a brutal murder in Chicago, she thinks her biggest problem is staying alive long enough to testify. But when the witness protection program relocates her to the sleepy town of Cedar Falls, she discovers the killer's reach extends further than anyone imagined.
Sheriff Jake Morrison doesn't trust the beautiful city woman with too many secrets and a fake identity. But when bodies start dropping and Grace becomes the target, Jake realizes she's not the threat—she's the key to stopping a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of his town.
As Grace transforms from terrified witness to fierce fighter, she and Jake must navigate deadly games of cat and mouse while fighting an attraction that could get them both killed. Because in Cedar Falls, trust is a luxury they can't afford, and love might be the deadliest secret of all.

Chapter 1

I should have known my life was about to change forever when I walked into Marcus Webb's office and found him standing over a dead body with blood on his hands.

My name is Grace Parker, and six months ago, I was a successful forensic accountant in Chicago with a corner office, a luxury apartment, and a life that made perfect sense. Now I'm sitting in a diner in Cedar Falls, Montana, population 2,847, trying to remember to answer to the name Emma Davis while my hands shake around a coffee cup.

The coffee tastes like it was brewed sometime last week, but I keep drinking it because it gives me something to do with my trembling fingers. Outside the window, Main Street looks like something from a postcard: a hardware store with rocking chairs on the porch, and pickup trucks parked at angles that would get you towed in Chicago.

Everything here is the opposite of my real life, which I guess is the point.

"You okay, hon?" The waitress, whose name tag reads 'Betty,' refills my cup without being asked. She's maybe sixty, with kind eyes and graying hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. "You look a little peaked."

"Just tired from the drive," I lie, forcing a smile. "Long way from Denver."

That's my story. Emma Davis, a freelance bookkeeper from Denver, is looking for a quiet place to start over after a bad breakup. It's simple, believable, and completely fabricated by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The bell above the diner door chimes, and I automatically tense, my eyes darting toward the exit. A tall man in a sheriff's uniform walks in, and I feel my breath catch. He's maybe thirty-five, with dark hair and the kind of solid build that speaks of physical work rather than gym visits. When his eyes scan the diner and land on me, I see intelligence there, and suspicion.

This must be Sheriff Jake Morrison. Marshal Bradley had mentioned him during my briefing. "Local law enforcement," he'd said. "Straight arrow, been sheriff for eight years. Won't give you any trouble as long as you keep your head down."

Jake approaches my table with a casual stride that doesn't fool me for a second. Everything about him screams alert predator, from his observant eyes to the way his hand rests near his weapon.

"Afternoon," he says, stopping beside my booth. "I'm Sheriff Morrison. You must be the new resident I heard about."

"Emma Davis." I extend my hand, hoping he doesn't notice the slight tremor. "Nice to meet you."

His handshake is firm, calloused, and lasts exactly long enough to be polite. "Welcome to Cedar Falls. Is Betty taking good care of you?"

"The best," I say, glancing at the waitress, who beams at the compliment.

"Good. Mind if I sit for a minute?" Without waiting for my answer, he slides into the opposite side of the booth. "I like to meet new folks personally. Small town habit."

I nod, though every instinct is screaming at me to run. This is exactly what Marshal Bradley warned me about—drawing attention, making people curious.

"So, Denver," Jake says, settling back in his seat. "What brings you to our little corner of Montana?"

"Change of scenery. I do bookkeeping, mostly freelance work online. Figured I could do that anywhere, and the rent prices here are certainly better than the city."

"That they are. You found a place yet?"

"The apartment above Murphy's Hardware. Mr. Murphy seems nice."

"Old Tom's good people. Been in business here since before I was born." Jake's eyes never leave my face. "Bookkeeping, huh? Must be interesting work."

"Not really. Numbers are pretty predictable. They don't lie or surprise you."

The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize my mistake. I sound bitter, traumatized. Emma Davis from Denver wouldn't sound like that. Grace Parker, who watched her boss murder someone and barely escaped with her life, would.

Jake notices. His eyes sharpen slightly, though his casual posture doesn't change. "Sounds like you've had some experience with people who do lie and surprise you."

"Bad breakup," I say quickly. "You know how it is."

"Actually, I do." Something shifts in his expression, becoming more human and less cop. "Divorced myself, few years back. Sometimes a fresh start is exactly what you need."

I feel an unexpected flutter of connection, which is dangerous. I can't afford to feel anything for anyone, especially not the local sheriff who's suspicious of my story.

"Well," I say, reaching for my purse, "I should probably get going. Still have unpacking to do."

"Of course. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. Cedar Falls takes care of its own."

There's something in the way he says it that makes me think he means it. In Chicago, I was just another apartment number, another face in the crowd. Here, apparently, being a neighbor means something.

I pay my check and head for the door, acutely aware that Jake is watching my every move. Outside, the mountain air is crisp and clean, so different from the city smog I'm used to. For just a moment, I allow myself to imagine this could actually work. Maybe I could be Emma Davis. Maybe I could have a quiet life in a small town where the biggest excitement is the high school football games.

Then my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number:

We know where you are, Grace. You can't hide forever.

My blood race. I look around frantically, but Main Street is nearly empty except for an elderly man walking his dog and a woman loading groceries into a minivan. No sign of immediate threat, but that doesn't mean anything. Marcus Webb has resources, connections, and apparently, he's found me despite the marshals' promises.

I hurry toward my apartment, keys ready, checking every shadow and doorway. Behind me, I hear the diner door chime again, and I risk a glance back to see Jake Morrison standing on the sidewalk, his hand shading his eyes as he watches me practically run down the street.

He knows something's wrong. The question is whether that makes him a potential ally or just another threat I'll have to navigate.

Either way, my quiet life in Cedar Falls just got a lot more complicated.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Letting Go

Letting Go

363.8k Views · Completed · Becky j
Molly's life was perfect. She was married to her high school sweetheart, surrounded by her friends and family and she was looking forward to the future. But that all ends one tragic night when her whole world is turned upside down.
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
From Substitute To Queen

From Substitute To Queen

277.2k Views · Completed · Hannah Moore
For three years, Sable loved Alpha Darrell with everything she had, spending her salary to support their household while being called an orphan and gold-digger. But just as Darrell was about to mark her as his Luna, his ex-girlfriend returned, texting: "I'm not wearing underwear. My plane lands soon—pick me up and fuck me immediately."

Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.

Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.

In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?

From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
To protect what’s mine

To protect what’s mine

244.2k Views · Ongoing · Winter Rowe
Amalie is more special than she ever thought possible. Why would the twenty-two-year-old think any different after she has been told she’s nothing for her whole life by her family? Adoptive mother of a three-year-old, Ama has been locked up by her family for the past seven years. But everything changes when her old friends, the Alpha twins, Markus and Calyx, take over the Moonstone pack. Finding out that the twins are her mates, she is a white wolf, and has a connection to the Moon Goddess, is just icing on the cake of her life is a huge mess. Ama just wants a normal life with her mates and protecting her pup, but life rarely gives us what we want. She is thrust into world that she no longer remembers and has forgotten her. Amalie is charged with protecting those closest to her. But she has her own past to overcome as she heals and attempts to move forward. Will she come out alive or lose herself along the way? After all, someone has to be pulling the strings, why not pull her along for the ride?
The Badass Mafia Princess and Family

The Badass Mafia Princess and Family

184.9k Views · Ongoing · Tonje Unosen
Betty have been living a lie for as long as she can remember. She have been abused by her parents her whole life, even though she is a broken and abused girl in her own home. Outside of those four walls she is a force to be reckoned with! She is not afraid to do what she need to stay alive!
Surrendering to Destiny

Surrendering to Destiny

337.4k Views · Completed · Allison Franklin
Catherine is not only a rogue half-breed, she is also the result of mate-bond infidelity, was abandoned as a baby and, to top it off, she can only shift during the full moon. When Catherine left the only pack she'd ever known in order to escape the new alpha, the last thing she expected was to find her mate... let alone for him to be the mouth-watering, heavily tattooed, lead warrior of the most feared lycan pack on the continent.

Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.

From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.

Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

176.7k Views · Ongoing · Elizma Du Toit
Some bad decisions come back to bite you. Literally.

After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.

Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.

Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
Goddess Of The Underworld.

Goddess Of The Underworld.

176.7k Views · Ongoing · sheridan.hartin
Left at a pack border with a name and a stubborn heartbeat, Envy grows into the sharpest kind of survivor, an orphaned warrior who knows how to hold a line and keep moving. Love isn’t in the plan…until four alpha wolves with playboy reputations and inconveniently soft hands decide the girl who won’t bow is the only queen they’ll ever take. Their mate. The one they have waited for. Xavier, Haiden, Levi, and Noah are gorgeous, lethal, and anything but perfect and Envy isn’t either. She’s changing. First into hell hound, Layah at her heels and fire in her veins. Then into what the realm has been waiting for, a Goddess of the Underworld, dragging her mates down to hell with her. Then finally into lycan princess, stronger, faster, the moon finally answering back, giving her exactly what she needs to protect her family.

When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armor, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of a border pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to stay; of cake, iron, and daylight negotiations. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a why-choose, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.
Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan

122k Views · Completed · Mary D. Sant
"What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall.
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.


Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.

She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan

Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!

Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.

Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
I Am His Wolfless Luna

I Am His Wolfless Luna

331.9k Views · Completed · Heidi Judith
Ethan's fingers kept rubbing back and forth on my clitoris, while his penis kept jumping inside my body. Every joint on my body is sore and screaming for the next orgasm. All too quickly, I feel that electric tension winding tighter, a mounting pressure that threatens to shatter me. My hips lift involuntarily, urging him to continue his exploration, silently pleading for the release I’m so close to tasting.

Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.

"Please!! Ethan!!"


As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.

Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.

I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
Healing His Broken Luna....

Healing His Broken Luna....

102.2k Views · Completed · Jcsn 168
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha. Warning: This werewolf trilogy is not intended for anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who doesn't enjoy a good spanking. It will take you on adventures around the world, make you laugh, fall in love, crush your heart and possibly leave you drooling.
The mafia princess return

The mafia princess return

116.8k Views · Ongoing · Tonje Unosen
Talia have been living with her mother, stepsister and Stepfather for years. One day she finally get away from them. Suddenly she learn she have more family out there and she have many people that actually love her, something she have never felt before! At least not as she can remember. She have to learn to trust others, get her new brothers to accept her for who she is!