The Slayer (Untamed Hearts #2)
Kele Moon
Dedication
To Wanda Prezeau, for all the time you spent living in Chuito and Alaine’s world with me. It made the journey so much more fun. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, not just for the very organized spreadsheets and answering my messages at 1:00 a.m. when I had a Spanish question, but for being my friend! I love you, and I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
Acknowledgment
An extra special thanks to:
My husband, you first, always. Your unwavering support is the foundation of every book, but this one more than most. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for being my mate. Thank you for being such an amazing father to the kids. And thank you for believing in me. I love you. Always.
My children, for inspiring me. For putting up with me on those days when mom has just one more page to write. You’re each the rainbows in my life, unique and special in your own ways. I love you guys so much!
Laurann Dohner, the bestest crit partner in the entire world. Thank you for loving me even when I throw my phone across the room. I appreciate you SOOOO much, and I will never stop being thankful that this writer journey brought you into my life. It’s infinitely better because of it! I love you like whoa!
Lori Toland, I owe you so much for all your help with this book, not the least of which was giving me a place to stay to finish it in peace and quiet. For going to lunch with me all those times and listening to me rattle on. Just thank you! I love you!
Karen M, my real life Jules, for being my go to lady for just about everything. Who knew your passion for firearms, cars, and police service would come in so handy! Every author needs a real life Jules!
Paige Weaver and Tiffany Snow, my girls! I love you both! Thank you for being my sanity in this cold, cruel world!
Eden Butler, one of my original author besties! I love ya, girlie! So excited you’re doing so well! It’s been a long, wild ride, and it’s not over yet!
Maryam, for being the most amazing editor an author could ever hope for. Your passion for these characters keeps me going. You make each book the best it can be. Thank you so much!
Ing from As the Page Turns, you have been a godsend to me! You make each release a thousand times easier, and I am so thankful for everything you do! Thank you for all your help! Thank you for everything! You’re such an amazing, kind, and generous person, and I’m so happy to know you!
Marivett Villafane, thank you again for everything! Your input has made all the difference in this series. You’ve helped the characters be who they are. I will be grateful to you forever for helping me find them!
Jessica Canoto, to my Miami expert. Thank you again for all your help! And for believing in Chuito as much I did! So glad we met at Book Bash!
Ira Rozzini, thank you soooo much for all your help with the Italian. It’s a good thing you enjoy the books because I’m afraid my pestering you is gonna get worse before it gets better.
Amy, from Fiction Vixen, you have read and reviewed every book I’ve ever written since my first. Thank you for always being there with an honest review when release day shows up. And thank you to Tori too! You two are the first ones I think of when the ARCs are ready to go out! The original, old-school bloggers! You rock!
Vik, from Kris and Vik Book Therapy Café, for being one of the cutest bloggers I’ve ever met in my life. My resident New Yorker! Who just happens to speak Russian. I’ll just apologize in advance for all the pestering I’m going to be doing.
Lana, from Dirty Girl Romance, for all your enthusiasm and support! Thank you! I’ll also apologize to you for future pestering and double thank you for double-checking my Russian in this one. I’ll send you Nova with a bow to make up for it!
And Loose Id, for being such a great pub to work with and always letting me be me!
Chapter One
Garnet County
October 2014
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay at my house tonight?”
Alaine looked at Edward in the driver’s seat, trying to summon up the desire to maybe give him what he wanted. It wasn’t in her. It was never in her. They’d tried it a few times, and it had been a profound and massive failure.
“No, thank you.” She looked back at the law office, staring at the second story and wishing for a hot shower and bed. Living above where she worked did have its advantages. “But I appreciate dinner. It was nice. A real Italian place right over in Mercy. Who’d have thought? I wonder if Romeo and Tino have tried it.”
Edward’s light eyes were narrowed. His shoulders were stiff, and he ran a hand through his blond hair and looked ahead for a long moment before he responded. “Have you thought any more about my suggestion?”
Alaine decided to play it stupid. “What suggestion?”
“Your father gave his blessing,” Edward reminded her for the hundredth time. “He wants you to get married, Alaine.”
Alaine fought not to roll her eyes. “If I did what my father told me, I’d have been married a long time ago.”
“You’re almost twenty-five and—”
“That’s not too old,” she snapped at him. “I just got my law degree and—”
“Why do you need a law degree?” Edward laughed as if it were ridiculous. “What the heck are you going to do with it once you start having children?”