Atonement by L.K. Shaw
Series: Love Undercover #3
Publication date: May 12th, 2020
Synopsis (according to Goodreads):
I've worked hard to rebuild the life I nearly destroyed.
I don't think I could ever atone for all my sins, but Landon might be my salvation.
If we can survive a brewing drug war.
The private investigation firm I've started with my brother could be my shot at redemption. Our first case: find the supplier of Rapture, a new, lethal drug being sold on the streets. I'm determined to do some good and make up for the sins of my past.
One of those sins just walked through the door, and her name is Landon Roberts. Two years ago, a chance meeting in an empty bar led to the most intense connection of my life. The anguish in her eyes echoed the pain inside me, and for a single night we offered each other comfort. Until the morning when she disappeared without a trace.
Now, she's the D.E.A. agent tasked with finding and eliminating the source behind Rapture. Which means I plan on spending a lot of time with her, because I have no intention of letting her get away again.
But the powerful man behind the lethal drug won't let anyone stand in his way of his making money. Can Landon and I survive long enough to find love and atonement?
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Excerpt
I reached my car, and the voice that hadn't left my head for two years, the one I could pick out blindfolded, hit my ears. "Leaving so soon?"
It was far too close for comfort. I froze and quickly tried to make my escape, but the second I tugged on the handle, a strong hand slammed across the top of my car door, halting its movement.
"Move your hand," I bit out behind clenched teeth.
My gaze locked on the fingers in front of me. They looked exactly the same as they had before. Calloused. Strong. Gentle. A brief flash of them cupping my breast, thumbing my nipple, rushed through my mind. I pushed the images away, needing to get out of here.
Hating him for making me look at him, I raised my eyes to meet hazel ones. It almost hurt to see Preston's face again. His expression echoed the pain I forced down. He took a tiny step back. Not far enough away, because if I wanted, I could still reach out and touch him.
"Why'd you run?"
I closed my eyes, needing to break this connection. I also needed to block out my emotions. He'd seen too much of them already.
Hoping my mask was back in place, I met his stare again. "I didn't run. I left. We had a good time, and it was over."
Preston crossed his arms. "Liar."
I flinched. Even after two years, he still saw too much.
"You and I both know it was more than just a good time, Landon."
Hearing that name from his lips hardened my emotions. He met Sara that night. I needed to put a stop to this. Pushing back my shoulders, I straightened to my full height. "We fucked. That was it. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Does Brody know?"
I reared back. "God, no. I didn't even know he was your brother until that day outside the warehouse. He'd told me he had a recovering addict brother, but no fucking way could I have guessed it was you."
"I've never forgotten you," he said softly.
Pain shot through me. I'd never forgotten him, either, no matter how hard I tried. But he was no good for me. He made me feel things I didn't deserve to feel.
It was time to end this conversation. I glared hard at him, desperate to show how much I didn't care. "It was two years ago. You should get over it. I know I have."
It was far too close for comfort. I froze and quickly tried to make my escape, but the second I tugged on the handle, a strong hand slammed across the top of my car door, halting its movement.
"Move your hand," I bit out behind clenched teeth.
My gaze locked on the fingers in front of me. They looked exactly the same as they had before. Calloused. Strong. Gentle. A brief flash of them cupping my breast, thumbing my nipple, rushed through my mind. I pushed the images away, needing to get out of here.
Hating him for making me look at him, I raised my eyes to meet hazel ones. It almost hurt to see Preston's face again. His expression echoed the pain I forced down. He took a tiny step back. Not far enough away, because if I wanted, I could still reach out and touch him.
"Why'd you run?"
I closed my eyes, needing to break this connection. I also needed to block out my emotions. He'd seen too much of them already.
Hoping my mask was back in place, I met his stare again. "I didn't run. I left. We had a good time, and it was over."
Preston crossed his arms. "Liar."
I flinched. Even after two years, he still saw too much.
"You and I both know it was more than just a good time, Landon."
Hearing that name from his lips hardened my emotions. He met Sara that night. I needed to put a stop to this. Pushing back my shoulders, I straightened to my full height. "We fucked. That was it. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Does Brody know?"
I reared back. "God, no. I didn't even know he was your brother until that day outside the warehouse. He'd told me he had a recovering addict brother, but no fucking way could I have guessed it was you."
"I've never forgotten you," he said softly.
Pain shot through me. I'd never forgotten him, either, no matter how hard I tried. But he was no good for me. He made me feel things I didn't deserve to feel.
It was time to end this conversation. I glared hard at him, desperate to show how much I didn't care. "It was two years ago. You should get over it. I know I have."
About the Author:
L.K. Shaw resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with dark romance and romantic suspense being her favorite. L.K. enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love.
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