Gray Ghost Collection: prequel + books 1-6 bundle (paperbacks)

Chapter One

Secrets had the power to destroy, and Liv’s could very well detonate her marriage. Still, she had to tell someone. Keeping the news from Alex wasn’t her goal, and she would share it with him, just not yet. The elevator dinged, and Liv stepped inside, on her way to meet her best friend, Rachel, for lunch.

Her spirits lifted as she threaded her way through the crowded Manhattan sidewalk and drew nearer to the café. Weaving in and out to avoid a group of people to her left, she picked up her pace, ignoring the light bumps and jostles from the too-close pedestrians. A hard clip to her shoulder half spun her, and she stumble-stepped back.

The same man who’d bumped her shot his arm out to steady her. She blinked rapidly and dropped her gaze from his cold, tan features to where his hand tightly held her arm. A butterfly tattoo? Before she could study the mark further, he released her and strode away, the crowd swallowing him from her view.

With a shrug, Liv let the random incident slide from her thoughts. The restaurant was only a few feet away. The click of her heels echoed along the pavement. She spotted Rachel and gave a breezy wave then flashed a smile at the host as she bypassed him.

Rachel leapt up and pulled Liv in for a hug before they took their seats. The pungent smell of Stargazer lilies, which sat on the center of their table, churned her temperamental stomach. Intermittent stirrings of nausea had plagued her the past week. She motioned to the waiter and had him take the flowers away before they placed their order for salads and drinks.

Across from her, Rachel grinned. “Did you survive ‘the event of the season’?”

Last night, Liv and Alex had skipped a huge annual gala at the Radcliffs’, a well-connected family her mother had continuously thrust on her. “Nope. I needed a break from socializing and the press.”

“I don’t blame you. But really, what do you expect? Your family’s fortune—well, yours now…” Rachel reached for Liv’s hand and squeezed it for a heartbeat longer than necessary. “Hun, let’s face it. Even the Rockefellers would be jealous of you.”

“Money doesn’t buy happiness.” She would trade it all if it would bring her parents back.

“Damn close, though, I bet.” Rachel cocked her head.

Toying with the cup of coffee the waiter had delivered, Liv fished for information. “How’s work?”

“It’s going well.” Rachel tucked a piece of honey-blond hair behind her ear. “Are you asking if I got the promotion?”

“Obviously.” She grinned back. “I expect to be one of the first you tell. Alex has been very close-lipped regarding when or if you’ll get it.”

Rachel tapped Liv’s hand. “I already heard. That’s why I wanted to meet with you. You’re looking at the youngest and newest forensic DNA analyst on the New York City Police Department.”

Liv jumped to her feet, rushed around the table, and squeezed Rachel in a hug. “I’m so happy for you! But please don’t use this as an opportunity to share your experiences on the job.” She shuddered. “Some of the work you were doing kept me awake at night.”

“Sure it did.” Rachel’s small body shook with laughter. “With that handsome, hot-blooded, Venezuelan husband of yours filling up your nights?”

Heat suffused Liv’s cheeks. Rachel shook her head and stifled her amusement by taking a sip of coffee.

Liv picked at the corner of her napkin, her thoughts darkening. Rarely did they discuss Alex and the police force. As a detective who specialized in drug trafficking, Rachel refused to divulge information that would cause Liv worry. “Is…is there something going on at the office?”

“Always. What do you mean specifically?”

Taking a sip of her drink, Liv debated on how much to say. “It’s just that Alex’s attitude has been different the past couple of nights. There’s this tension rolling off him. Then the other day…”

“What happened?”

“I overheard him on the phone late one night, just a small part of his conversation, really. It was the tone and hour that got to me.” Growing up and watching her mother turn a blind eye to her husband’s indiscretions hadn’t left Liv unscathed. Alex isn’t like that. Still, that little bit of doubt lodged its way into her mind. She hoped that confiding to Rachel would help dispel her mistrust. “There’s something else. He used a different cell phone, because his was on the bedside table.”

“Did he say who he was talking to?”

She shook her head, hoping that since Rachel worked with him, she would have some insight. “No. It was the middle of the night. I fell asleep again by the time he came back to bed.” A few words had made her think he was referring to their relationship. That had cast doubt over the call being about work.

For the first time since hearing about Alex, Rachel eased back in her chair. “I’m sure it was an informant, especially if he used a different phone and took the call that late. He wouldn’t want anyone calling on a cell he’d answer unguarded. It’s easier to compartmentalize that way. Hey, don’t read into everything he does. He’s not your father. I promise I’ll tell you if there’s anything weird going on that you should hear about. Benefits of working together.”

Liv had to let go of her paranoia. “Okay, and I know you would. Thanks.”

“The job has been really stressful, and Alex has single-handedly ousted an entire cartel and is on the way to dismantling another one. That’s huge. They’ve halted their control in three states. It’s crazy, the intuition he has. If we didn’t know any better, I’d swear he had inside experience and firsthand knowledge about the inner workings of drug trafficking and cartels.” She shook her head, her eyes taking on a faraway gleam. “So yeah, stress? He probably has it in spades.”

“Okay, that’s a relief. Well, you get what I mean.”

Rachel laughed. “I do.”

With that worry cleared up, Liv pressed her lips together, trying to contain the smile playing around the edges. “I have a surprise of my own.” Rachel perked up, and Liv blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”

“Oh my God, Liv! Have you told Alex?” Rachel rolled her eyes. “Well, of course you have.”

Dread pooled in her stomach. “Actually, I haven’t.” I need someone to be excited for me. “He doesn’t want kids, Rach.”

Rachel’s brows furrowed. “Never? Or just so soon after your first year of marriage and your parents…”

Grief stirred in her gut at the mention of her parents who had died five months ago in a freak accident. “We’ve never made it past discussing the ‘I don’t want kids’ stage. I’m hoping he’ll be happy, that his opinion will change once he gets used to the idea.”

“Shit, Liv.” Rachel shook her head. “He’ll come around. Don’t worry.”

He’d been so adamant. Liv clasped her hands tight in her lap and plastered on a smile she didn’t quite feel. “I’m sure you’re right.” The twisting in her stomach had nothing to do with morning sickness.