Abducted
Table of Contents
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
Epilogue
Teaser Chapter
About the Author
Abducted
A Dangerous Distractions Novel
Samantha Keith
LYRICAL PRESS
Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Copyright © 2018 by Samantha Keith
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Lyrical Press and Lyrical Press logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
First Electronic Edition: August 2018
eISBN-13: 978-15161-0673-8
eISBN-10: 1-5161-0673-3
First Print Edition: August 2018
ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0670-7
ISBN-10: 1-5161-0670-9
Printed in the United States of America
Acknowledgments
I have so many amazing people to dedicate this book to and to thank for its success. My husband, Jesse, you have been beside me through every hurdle. You’re the most driven, positive, and motivated person I know. Seeing those qualities in you have made me persevere. You’ve also been my inspiration for these strong, yet sensitive heroes. Thank you for always supporting me and sharing in every up and down.
Skylar, this book is for you, and for every moment of attention it has taken from you. There will never be a moment of failure in my life because I have you. If there’s anything I want you to learn from this, it’s to never give up on your dreams. I love you so much. You are my greatest teacher, and you hold my entire heart.
For my dad, who was never able to achieve his dreams. I’m eternally grateful that your creativity lives through me and that you passed on this gift, in a different form of art. For my mom and David, who have always supported me. Mom, you’ve always believed in me and have never doubted my passions. I’ve withheld my manuscripts from you for a reason. I want you to read my writing for the first time as a published work, so that I can truly earn the pride you so easily lavish on me. Now, you have good reason!
I’d like to say a big thank you to my agent, Liz. I appreciate your time and effort throughout this journey. Caralee, thank you for all you’ve taught me. You’ve been a solid resource of information and experience, and have been my number one cheerleader since day one. I wouldn’t be where I am had we not crossed paths. You’re a saint. And to my wonderful critique partner and soul sister, Danielle. I love working alongside you every day and our daily mom-struggle exchanges. This journey has been more fun than I could have imagined having you a part of my life.
I’d also like to say a very special thank you to my fantastic editor, Selena. I’m so grateful you and Rebecca saw something in my work and were willing to give me this opportunity and help make Abducted what it is now.
Lastly, thank you so very much to my readers! This has been a long journey, and it means the world to me to finally have Abducted published. This novel holds my blood, sweat, and many tears. I fell in love with this story the moment the idea came to me, and I’ve never given up on it. I only hope that you, my reader, will love it half as much as I do.
Chapter 1
A bead of sweat broke out on his brow, and he wiped it away with his sleeve. Despite the cool air, he was roasting in his black camouflage gear. She should be home and in bed by now. Last Saturday night she’d been home by midnight, and even earlier on other nights of the week that he’d conducted surveillance. His pulse beat steadily against his eardrums with impatience. It didn’t matter. He’d be waiting for her when she decided to come home. There was no chance in hell he was backing out of this job now.
Headlights cut through the night as a car pulled up to the front gate. Determination tensed his muscles, and his lips curved.
It’s about damn time.
The passenger door opened. He sunk lower in the shadows, pressing his back against the outside of the garage. He was out of sight, but still had a direct view of his target. Satisfaction brought his breath to a steady pace. Once she got inside, he’d give her some time to fall asleep, and then he’d make his move. Her delicious bare leg stepped out of the car, revealing a barely-there miniscule dress. She laughed hysterically and pitched forward, nearly doing a face-plant on the pavement. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Just great. She was wasted.
Chapter 2
“Shit.” The spike of her five-inch pump caught on the foot well as she stepped out of the car. She grabbed the car door for support and righted herself.
“Go to bed. You’re drunk,” teased Carly from the driver’s seat. Lana tugged the hem of her tight minidress and leaned back into the car.
“Am not.” She stuck out her tongue, then grinned and shut the car door. She’d only had a glass or two of champagne the entire time they’d been at the nightclub, and was completely sober now. Well, mostly anyway.
The cool midnight air caressed her exposed skin. She waved good-bye as she approached the property gate, punched in the code, and waited as the wrought-iron hinges swung open. The stamped concrete drive split into two like the long tongue of a snake.