A Wicked Kind of Love

A Wicked Kind of Love

A Wicked Sister Anthology

Revenge, Shiralyn J. Lee

An Unsuspected Stranger, Ronni Meyrick

Changing Hearts, Barbara Dennis

My Precious Sweetness, Ocean

What the reviewers say about the authors work

Ronni Meyrick

Hero

Ronni Meyrick has written a beautiful love story with detail and sensitivity for her lead character, a military vet. She tackled PTSD, partner abuse and family dynamics that any one of us could identify with the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.

—Dogls Goods

This is such a beautifully written story. Ronni's attention to details and her respect in the way she handled the injuries and the wartime flashbacks of Jack to the emotional and physical turmoil that Carrie endures shows what a talented writer she truly is.

—Cheryl Jones

I love this book so much I can't even put into words how much. As a veteran, it alone makes me proud to read any military story, but as the former spouse of veteran who suffers from PTSD and TBI it hit home a little more.

—Amazon Customer

Shirlayn J.Lee

Piece by Piece

From love to guilt. From hope to disaster. From grief to anger. A once safe world is suddenly shaken to it's very core. What was the cause? Whose fault, was it? At one point the story took a turn I wasn't expecting. It set me back for a few moments to think about it. I loved the revenge. A little morbid but well deserved. The struggles, the challenges, the settings and the characters are vividly described. It was a short enjoyable story, an emotional rollercoaster. I wish there was more after Ashia's life back in Canada. But yes, a good book is always too short.

—Loek Krancher

The Process

Great story line and was detailed very well. It had enough going on along the way to keep me interested. It is hard for me to finish a book if I lose interest or get bored with it. Not the case with this one. Would recommend to any who like detective type stories. Can't wait to read the next one to see what happens next.

—Angela Bennet

Silent Killing: A World War Two Spy Drama

This story was a real eye opener! There is so little known, and even less recognition, of what women did to help the allied win WWII. Shiralyn J. Lee gives us a good sampling of what kind of training women went through in order to help the war effort and how that training would have been utilized.

—Norma

Barbara Dennis

Cricket

As I read and reflected on Cricket’s story what came to mind was a quote by the well-known anthropologist Joseph Campbell that says, The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.

—Tania Corbo

This charming, engaging and well written tale drew me in very quickly. I was unable to put the book down. I loved it, all of it. I adored the cast of characters, their interplay, the humor and serious moments are all amazing.

—Ameliah Faith

I couldn't put it doesn't down not even for family visiting me from the Bahamas. I love jade and her journey. Love that Cricket was the right woman for her. What an amazing story and I look forward to another book from the author.

—Advanced Reviewer.

Ocean

Shattering Rainbows

Wow! Shattering Rainbows had my attention from cover to cover. What a great read! It has the hint of a Harlequin Romance with mystery and a twist. Looking forward to reading more from Ocean.

—Amazon Reviewer

Shattering Rainbows is a wonderful read...I just couldn't put it down. If you enjoy interesting characters and unique plots, this book is for you.

—G Hudson

I wasn't sure where I would end up, loved the ride.

—Amazon Reviewer

2017 First Edition. A Wicked Kind of love. Copyright © 2017 Wicked Publishing.

Published through Wicked Publishing LLC 2017

www.wickedpublishing.net

wickedpublishingllc@gmail.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance of actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission

Credits

Editor: Adrian J. Smith

Cover Design by Shiralyn Lee

Revenge

By Shiralyn J. Lee

Lacey held the pen between her finger and thumb, the nib hovering just a fraction from the top of the page in her diary. Tuesday the 17th could make it all real, or she could just pretend it had never happened and close the book and try to live her life as a normal person would…

8 hours earlier…

Lacey stood in the doorway of one of the most elaborate bedrooms she’d seen. Money dripped from every materialistic item. It was a bachelor’s paradise, where mahogany seemed to be the preferred choice in furniture. Red and black curtains, matched a red and black bed covering, which gave the ambience of nothing that would want to make a woman feel as though she could be the next Mrs. Connelly.

There he slept like a baby. Just the light from the green LED numbers on the bedside clock illuminated his face. While putting on her leather gloves, Lacey quietly walked over to the side of his bed and slipped her hand into her coat pocket then slowly drew out a Glock 17 and released the safety. She pointed it at him, holding it with two hands. Her body rigid, she trembled inside, while her mind argued with itself over what she should do. Do it, Lacey. Take the bastard out once and for all. No, Lacey. Don’t do it. Think of the consequences.

To her left, a chair with a pillow gave her the ideal solution. While maintaining her focus on Jacob Connelly, she quietly side stepped and reached out for the pillow. Her fingers didn’t quite grip it, and she dropped it on the black rug beneath her feet. It was a moment where her subconscious showed signs of winning the argument, and she almost turned around to leave. But then he stirred in his sleep. Turning over with a smile on his face, as if he were dreaming about some triumphant gain, drew Lacey back to what she had gone there for…Revenge!

The sickness she’d felt when her sister had called her, saying she was at the police station had driven her to want to kill him. It had happened a few days ago, his drunken advances toward an innocent girl who just wanted to do her job. He’d made her stay late, after everyone had left. She was too naïve to realize what his game was. That poor young fragile girl didn’t stand a chance against her powerful rich boss. It wasn’t as though she dressed provocatively, which still isn’t an excuse, but Tara was a timid girl, mouse-like in her appearance. Maybe that was it, the attraction of innocence had made him want something he’d not had yet…a virgin.

Lacey was nothing like her sister. She had strong ambitions, a strong will power, and knew where she was going in life. She crouched and carefully picked up the pillow, then took a couple of steps toward the bed, her boots crushing the plush pile in the rug where she stood at the edge of the bed and looked down at his ugly face. You’re nothing but a disgusting filthy pig, just a pathetic specimen who thinks he can take whatever he wants. Well, that’s never going to happen again.

She held the pillow in the air and then lowered it over his face with the tip of the barrel pressed firmly into the padding. The hairs on the nape of her neck and the length her arms lifted, and stress sweat soaked her armpits, but she knew her only choice was to carry out her revenge attack. Her eyes widened, she licked her lips, and quickly pushed the cushion down on his face as she pulled the trigger back. A round passed out of the magazine, down the barrel, and through the stuffed cushion. He didn’t even have the chance to struggle. Lacey held the cushion by using her upper strength until she was sure he was dead. She gradually removed the pillow from his face and admired her clean work. A single 9mm had made a clean hole in his forehead, but the pillow beneath him was covered in his seeping blood.

The casing had ejected on the top of the bed, so she carefully picked it up. That’s what rapists deserve—

Behind her in the hallway a door had opened, a quick flash of light alerted her to fact she wasn’t alone. The door closed, and the light disappeared, then footsteps headed toward the room. Lacey had to think fast. She put the safety on and placed the Glock back in her pocket, then dropped to her knees and checked under the bed. There was enough room for her slide under the frame. She hid and waited for whoever it was to enter the room. Her visual of nicely manicured female feet, and pink painted toenails was then blocked by a towel dropped to the floor in front of her. The female climbed into bed, yawned, then settled.

It was over an hour before Lacey moved from her hiding place. She slid quietly over the floorboards, then out from the bottom of the bed, avoiding what must have been by this point a mass of blood where Jacob’s cold body laid.

A decision had to be made. Should she leave quietly and let this woman live, maybe take the blame for the death of the man she slept with? Or should she see to it that she gained the same fate as she could be a possible witness? Lacey stood over her and looked down at the brunette. She was appealing to the eyes. Intrigued by who she was, Lacey looked around for her clothing. A neatly folded dress and a shiny black purse had been placed on the floor. Must be a one-night stand if she has to put her clothes on the floor. Stupid bitch, does she think she’s in with a chance? She deserves to take the blame for his death just for being so ill-advised.

She picked up her purse and opened it. Inside, a lipstick, small wallet with credit cards in the name of Katie Healy, and a couple of business cards…Katie Healy, director of Gena Biederman Dating Site. Now, that’s interesting.

She closed the purse and placed it back in the position she’d found it, then took a few steps backward until she reached the doorway. What if she’s just a stupid girl at the wrong place at the wrong time? I can’t leave her to take the blame for what I’ve done. Lacey cautiously stepped to the edge of the bed and placed her glove-covered hand over Katie’s mouth.

The girl’s eyes opened wide, and her nostrils flared.

Shush, Lacey said, with her finger to her mouth. You need to listen to me very carefully. Nod if you understand.

Katie wrapped her fingers around Lacey’s wrist and attempted to move her hand from her mouth, but it was a useless attempt.

I told you to nod if you understand, Lacey whispered. Now, I’ll give you one more chance or you can join your lover in the same fate.

Katie slowly moved her eyes to look over at Jacob, then let out a muffled scream under the pressure of Lacey’s hand. Her understanding of the situation was quickly recognized, and she gave a huge nod.

Good. Because I know you don’t want to be caught up in this mess, do you Katie Healy? See, I know who you are and where you work, so it wouldn’t be in your best interest to piss me off, would it?

With tears filling her eyes, Katie shook her head.

Now, I’m going to move my hand, and then you’re going to climb out of this bed and get dressed. You’re not going to speak, just do as I say. She lifted her hand from Katie’s mouth and then, trusting the girl not to scream the house down, she took a calculated risk and stepped back.

Katie pushed the bedcovers aside and slipped out of the bed. Her naked body trembled and tears rolled down her face, but she did as she was told.

While she dressed, Lacey opened a top drawer in the dresser and pulled out a pair of folded boxer shorts. I need to know where you’ve been in this house. Your fingerprints will be evidence against you.

Katie stood bolt upright and glared at her murdering intruder. Her eyes darted in every direction, looking at possible places she could have touched. She pointed to the dresser, then the lamp by the bed, then the door handle. Lacey used the boxer shorts to remove any fingerprints. She maintained a cool objectivity to the situation, but this was because killing Jacob Connelly wasn’t her first assassination. She was a hired killer by trade, and he’d picked the wrong girl to attack.

After Katie slipped on her skimpy dress, she followed Lacey’s instructions to leave the bedroom. Walking ahead, she pointed to the bathroom door handle, and Lacey wiped it over, then opened the door. She cleaned the gold sink taps and the mirrored cabinet above. Then opened a bottle of mouthwash, doused some on the boxer shorts and cleaned the sink basin, toilet handle, and toilet seat. She left nothing to chance.

Did you take a shower?

No, Katie whimpered.

Don’t speak. She nudged her to leave the bathroom, and as they made their way down the stairs, she wiped the highly-polished wooden banister, and then the front door latch. Did he drive you here?

Katie gave a single nod.

I need some information, so I need you to speak. Did he pick you up from somewhere, and if so, do you have a car there, are there any witnesses?

He picked me up from the corner of the street where I live.

Okay, so how do you two know each other?

We met yesterday for the first time in person, b…but it wasn’t arranged. He just happened to be there and stopped and asked me if I wanted a lift.

And you just got into a complete stranger’s car?

No…no, h…he wasn’t a stranger.

It’s going to be daybreak soon. I’ll give you a ride. My car is just parked a few streets away.

They walked silently along the sidewalk, with Katie ahead of Lacey, so she could keep her distance—it was safer for her if she needed to divert and hide suddenly.

That’s my car, the silver Honda. The door should be unlocked.

Katie opened the door and climbed in, then fastened her seatbelt. When Lacey climbed into the driver’s side, she unzipped her black bomber jacket, and placed it into a plastic garbage bag she’d hidden under her seat. She plucked the toque from her head, and shook her long blonde hair until it fell over her shoulders, and then removed the leather gloves from her hands, and placed it all inside the bag. She tucked it behind her seat. Okay, I’m going to drive you home. Your address? she asked, as she started the car.

•••

It had been a silent drive with Katie only giving the directions to her home.

Do you live alone? And don’t lie to me, because I’m coming in with you.

Yes, I live alone.

Okay.

The skyline had lightened where the morning sunrise had peaked over the horizon, and a murder of crows flew over the buildings, signifying a new day was about to start.

Lacey opened the car door and followed Katie inside her home. It was decorated in girly pinks and filled with nice expensive items. Why did you fuck him? He’s no good.

I have my reasons. Please, now that you’ve seen for yourself I’m alone here, would you leave?

When I’m ready. I asked you why you fucked him. I’m not ready to let you off just yet.

Katie turned her back to Lacey and planted her hands on the mantel over the fireplace. Her shoulders tensed, and her posture stiffened. He’s been blackmailing me. My company, a dating site—