Distant Thunder Read online

  Reel faster. Get him mad. “Maybe you should turn on the news sometime. The short version is that she’d been performing badly at work, and she got in trouble. To get back at Payton, she announced to the world that she was sleeping with my son. On a stage in front of the entire town, your sweet young daughter claimed she spread her legs for a man old enough to be, well, you. Her father.” She waved her hand. “Lies, of course. But I blame Marcus. Joanne and Mallory are so focused on him that Dakota had to turn to alcohol and make-believe fantasies to get any attention. It’s just so sad.”

  The taco broke apart in Hector’s hand, meat and sauce falling into his lap. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing,” he growled, “but you’d better watch your rich-bitch, lying—”

  “I’d be very careful how you speak to me,” she warned him, casting a pointed glance at her two bodyguards hovering a few feet away. “Especially because right now, I’m the only friend you have.”

  “Yeah? You think we’re friends?” He took another drink of beer from his crushed can and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Horrible. His people were little more than animals. It was more important than ever to get Brittany away from the likes of the Alvarezes. “Why’s that?”

  “Let’s just say that we have something in common.” We both want Marcus out of the picture. “Can I ask...when you plan to return?”

  “I don’t,” he said, but she could see the wheels in his head turning. From what she’d heard, Dakota was his baby, and he’d want to know what was going on with her. But what she was counting on was his Neanderthal pride rising up to protest the arrival of a younger alpha male in the family—one he hated. Even now, she could see his chest puffing up, his jaw grinding, and his nostrils flaring. So typical of those who were less evolved.

  She made a mental note to stop watching National Geographic at night to put herself to sleep.

  “Well, Mr. Alvarez, I have a plane to catch. Would you like me to pass on any messages?”

  He sneered. “If I have something to say to anyone, I’ll do it myself.”

  She smiled as she walked to the car. He’d come home. Men like him couldn’t handle their women getting stronger and more independent, their daughters ruining the family name, or another male influencing his family. He’d be back, and it couldn’t happen soon enough.

  Chapter Twelve

  Hector Alvarez sat in his roach-infested hotel room on the outskirts of Del Rio, a warm beer in one hand, and a shattered remote control scattered around his feet. He stared at the blank TV screen and concentrated on inhaling the stale odor of decades’ worth of cigarette smoke permeating the walls, furniture, and stained shag carpet.

  It had been a week since that icy bitch had found him, and the more he thought about what she said, the madder he got. Then, tonight, he’d finally turned on the news and caught the end of a story about Senator Rush and the young woman who was caught on video telling the world about their affair.

  Hector’s baby girl had done that. She’d made a laughingstock of the Alvarez name if she was lying, and if she was telling the truth, she’d brought shame on them by screwing a married man. Either way, she’d made a fool out of all of them.

  She was just like her mother.

  Pain squeezed his chest. He loved Dakota so much. He’d held her for twenty-four hours straight once when she was a baby, sick with fever. He’d rushed her to the hospital half a dozen times in the middle of the night only to find out she was perfectly fine. He’d even cried when she’d gotten pneumonia as a four-year-old and the doctors weren’t sure she’d make it.

  And after all of that, this was how she repaid him?

  He stomped on one of the remote control parts, but the sound of breaking plastic wasn’t nearly as satisfying as the sound of a fist striking flesh.

  Marcus.

  This was all his fault. That damned kid couldn’t just stay where he’d run off to, tail tucked between his legs. No, he had to come slinking back into town and take over what Hector should be doing, and would be doing if not for the town sheriff.

  Fucking Dillon.

  Hector’s blood practically boiled in his veins. That holier-than-thou bastard had better not have gotten near Joanne. He’d been panting after her since high school. A blind man could see that.

  He clenched his fists at his sides. If Joanne had spread her legs for him, he’d kill them both.

  Joanne is absolutely radiant, as happy as I’ve ever seen her.

  Marylee’s voice rang through his ears, as clear as when she’d spoken them.

  Cursing, he reached behind him for the tequila bottle, but he clipped it with his wrist and it crashed to the floor, shattering like everything else in his life had.

  That was about to change. He’d need a little time to make some money, but soon, he’d go back to Storm.

  And God help anyone stupid enough to get in the way of what was his.

  Rising Storm

  Storm, Texas.

  Where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…

  Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.

  But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.

  Rising Storm is a series conceived by Julie Kenner and Dee Davis to read like an on-going drama. Set in a small Texas town, Rising Storm is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets. Lots of secrets.

  Season 2 coming September 27, 2016. Sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss a thing. http://risingstormbooks.com

  Against the Wind

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  Rising Storm Season 2, Episode 1

  Coming September 27, 2016

  Click here for more information.

  Secrets, Sex and Scandals…

  Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.

  As Tate Johnson works to find a balance between his ambitions for political office and the fallout of his brother’s betrayal, Zeke is confronted with his brother Chase’s return home. And while Bryce and Tara Daniels try to hold onto their marriage, Kristin continues to entice Travis into breaking his vows…

  * * * *

  Marcus strode into the room, wearing one of his better T-shirts and dark jeans. His unruly dark hair had been tamed a little to fall to his shoulders, and his steps were light. He paused. “You okay?”

  Joanne gaped at her son. “I, ah, just got fired.”

  Heat filled his dark eyes. “Dakota.”

  Joanne shook her head. “Mrs. Rush makes her own decisions, and frankly, I’m not sure it’s only because of Dakota’s actions. I, um, pretty much called her son a pervert and threatened to talk to the newspapers if she didn’t leave us alone.”

  Marcus gaped and then quickly recovered. A different light banished the anger in his eyes—a light she couldn’t quite decipher. “Good for you.”

  “You think so?” Her heart was still galloping. “I’m not sure.”

  Marcus hustled toward her and pressed a hand to her upper shoulder. “Mom, you did good. We can’t let bullies push us around.” Not anymore. He didn’t say the words, but they lingered in the air anyway.

  Pride. Holy moly, that was pride in her son’s eyes. That was the light. When was the last time one of her kids had been truly proud of her? Warmth slid through her, and her shoulders straightened. “You’re right.” Although, now she was out of a job.

  As if reading her thoughts, Marcus gave her a squeeze and then stepped back. “Don’t worry. I have a job and can help with the bills.”

  Joanne shook her head. “It’s my job to support you and not t
he other way around.”

  He grinned, his handsome face all man. When had he completely lost the boyhood look? “I’m an adult, mom. Plus, we’re family. If I have income, you have income.” He stepped back.

  Boy, he’d grown up in Montana. If Joanne ever met Ian Briggs, she’d give him a big hug. He’d done a tremendous job helping Marcus get rid of his anger and find focus. Find himself. She sniffed the air. “You smell nice.”

  His face tinged with red. “It’s a new cologne. I’m meeting Brittany for a quick lunch.”

  Brittany Rush. Joanne tried not to wince. A careful person, a cautious mom, would warn him about getting involved with the senator’s daughter. Joanne forced a smile. “I like her. She seems incredibly sweet.” Hopefully she was strong, because at some point, she’d need to be. “I’m pleased you’re finding happiness.”

  Marcus nodded, obviously catching the concern. “Don’t worry about us. Brit and I have something good, and even the evil Rushes aren’t going to break us up.”

  1001 Dark Nights

  Welcome to 1001 Dark Nights… a collection of novellas that are breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic. Some are paranormal, some are erotic. Each and every one is compelling and page turning.

  Inspired by the exotic tales of The Arabian Nights, 1001 Dark Nights features New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

  In the original, Scheherazade desperately attempts to entertain her husband, the King of Persia, with nightly stories so that he will postpone her execution.

  In our version, month after month, each of our fabulous authors puts a unique spin on the premise and creates a tale that a new Scheherazade tells long into the dark, dark night.

  For more information about 1001 Dark Nights, visit www.1001DarkNights.com.

  On behalf of Rising Storm,

  Liz Berry, M.J. Rose, Julie Kenner & Dee Davis would like to thank ~

  Steve Berry

  Doug Scofield

  Melissa Rheinlander

  Kim Guidroz

  Jillian Stein

  InkSlinger PR

  Asha Hossain

  Chris Graham

  Pamela Jamison

  Fedora Chen

  Jessica Johns

  Dylan Stockton

  Richard Blake

  The Dinner Party Show

  and Simon Lipskar

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve