Fighting Fate (Fighting #7)(111)

Acknowledgments





Writing a book is always a group effort, and I couldn’t be more excited and overwhelmed by the amazing people who helped me bring Axelle and Killian’s story to the page.

Amanda Simpson at Pixel Mischief Design… I don’t even know where to start. What began as a business relationship quickly grew into friendship, and now you’re even dipping your toes into beta reading. Is there anything you can’t do? I think not. Your insight on this project was invaluable, and the fact that romance “isn’t your thing” yet you help me anyway is a kindness I could never adequately repay. When we get to our private island, you can have the master house. I’ll take the servants quarters. And those first few rum drinks are on me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

I owe a huge thank you to Toshia Slade who has been through this series with a fine-toothed comb: editing audiobooks, proofing e-books, beta reading. I’ve managed to rob the girl of the enjoyment of The Fighting Series, and yet she’s always anxiously awaiting more. Thank you, Tosh, for all that you’ve done both for me and for The Fighting Girls. From day one, you were there, and you’ve been a steady force ever since. I’m forever grateful.

To my favorite stalker, Kelly Fletcher, I’m forever grateful for your help on this book. It is because of you that none of my fighters sounds like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. I adore you, and I look forward to one day getting to give you a big ole hug to say thank you.

Thank you to my dear friend Claudia Connor, who took the time to blast through this book for me at the last minute and always ensures I’m putting my best work forward. I love you, Dia.

As always, a huge thank you to Elizabeth Reyes for encouraging me to write when I was terrified to try. I will always owe everything to you. Thank you for taking the time to invest in me. I will never forget you and remain more grateful than words could explain.

Huge thank you to my incredible agent MacKenzie Fraser-Bub, who’s always fighting in my corner and believes in the writer I am and the writer I can become.

Thank you to Theresa Wegand for editing the entire Fighting Series. You’ve lived through all these books, and I’m forever grateful for your guidance.

I’m beyond grateful to my family, who’ve been my #1 fans. You’ve helped make this incredible ride so sweet. I love you all to death.

Ginormous thank you to all The Fighting Girls who’ve cheered me on, pushed me when I felt like giving up, and who constantly remind me that romance readers are the most beautiful, compassionate, and passionate women on earth. You’ve blown me away with your support and your love for each other. Every book I write I write for you.

Free to Fly…





SPLIT





A standalone novel

by JB Salsbury





Releases November 15, 2016





New York Times bestselling author J. B. Salsbury delivers a contemporary romance with a suspenseful twist.





After her career goes sour, Shyann finds herself jobless, penniless, and packing for her hometown—where unwanted memories await.





Lucas needs the quiet life. And that’s exactly what he’s found in Payson, Arizona. For the first time in his life, he finally feels like his mind is in check. Lucas has suffered from blackouts since he was a child. He knows he’s not like other guys.





But when Lucas meets his boss’s daughter, her probing eyes and personal questions pick away at his barriers. Shyann is everything he should never have…everything he wants. And soon the blackouts return. The last thing he wants is to expose how dangerous he can be—but he’s helpless, and it could cost him Shyann.





Prologue





Ten years ago…





It’s dark. Like when I hide under my bed and can’t see my hand in front of my face. But I’m not under my bed now.

Where am I? Cold seeps into my body. My head rings, static blares in my ears.

I blacked out again, but this is different. Everything about this feels different.

There’s shuffling…some kind of panic in the air. My heart pounds and with the rapid blood flow brings a sharp stabbing pain that explodes in my neck. I try to open my eyes, push at the dark and reach for light, but a sticky coating covers my face. I suck in a breath, cough against the thick sludge that clogs my nose and throat. The metallic tang of blood turns my gut. I wretch, hacking up something thick, and agony slices through my jaw.

“Oh f*ck!” The deep masculine voice rips through my panic. “This one’s alive!”

I try again to open my eyes.

“We need an EMT!”

Why are there men here?

Mom hates men.

I need to get up, find somewhere to hide. Mom always gets angry after one of my blackouts and with the pain, oh God the pain… I can’t take one of her punishments.

My arms ache but I force them to my eyes to clear the dark haze that clouds my vision. Weight presses against my shoulder, keeping me down. No, I have to get out of here.

“Don’t move.” The voice, I try to place it. A neighbor? I don’t know who else—“ETA on the ambulance! This kids gonna bleed out!”