Chasing Vengeance

  Chasing Vengeance

  Redemption Harbor Series

  Katie Reus

  Chasing Vengeance

  Copyright © 2019 Katie Reus

  Cover art by Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs

  Editor: Julia Ganis

  Digital Formatting by Author E.M.S.

  * * *

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

  Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book. This purchase allows you one legal copy for your own personal reading enjoyment on your personal computer or device. You do not have the right to resell, distribute, print or transfer this book, in whole or in part, to anyone, in any format, via methods either currently known or yet to be invented, or upload this book to a file sharing program. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  About CHASING VENGEANCE

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Thank You for Reading!

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Complete Booklist

  Wanting her means putting a target on her back…

  Layla’s taste in men runs toward the epic side of awful. With one murderous ex-fiancé already behind her, she’s attempting to start over in Redemption Harbor with the help of her bestie, Nova. And wine. Lots of wine. The very thing that helps her make another epic mistake—trying to kiss Xavier, one of her newest friends. So what if he’s sexy, funny, and has completely taken over her fantasies? Relationships and Layla don’t mix. And Xavier is clearly not interested anyway.

  But it’s too late to walk away…

  Any good hitman has no business forging a personal life…no matter how great the temptation. And Xavier is an exceptionally good hitman, with a long list of enemies. Even if Layla could somehow look past his profession, he’d never put her in jeopardy. But everyone has their breaking point—and when Layla accepts a date with someone else, Xavier’s possessiveness is unleashed. The greater the risk, the sweeter the reward…until Xavier’s sweet Layla is used against him by someone from his past. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her from the enemy hunting her from the shadows.

  Dedication

  For Kaylea Cross. Thank you for our plotting trip to New Orleans and for always being there. You are the best!

  Chapter 1

  —My book club only reads wine labels.—

  Layla inhaled the crisp, cold air as she stepped out onto the sidewalk from the café she’d just been in with Skye and some of their friends. The others were staying a little bit longer but she and Skye were headed out.

  “So who texted you earlier that got you blushing?” Skye asked in that abrupt, no-nonsense way of hers.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Layla said, glancing across the street where her little car was parked. She really needed to get new tires this week. And probably get her oil changed.

  “Liar, liar, pants on fire. Come on, are you dating again?”

  “I kind of can’t believe you’re even asking me.” Normally the only things Skye wanted to talk about were self-defense classes and weapons and stuff Layla generally had no interest in or even understood. It was a miracle she’d convinced Skye to join this book club because she really did adore the woman. And Skye had been a good friend to her after everything that happened to Layla last year—including helping to save her life. Literally.

  “I can’t believe I’m asking either. Colt thinks I’m ‘growing.’ His words, not mine.” She snorted.

  Layla grinned. “Fine. No, I’m not dating, and I wasn’t blushing. You are most definitely mistaken.”

  Skye frowned slightly. “Do you smell that?”

  Layla glanced around. The scent of coffee filled the air, combined with normal street smells. Though the street was mostly deserted, probably because it was freezing outside. Everyone was inside, drinking hot cocoa or wine or whatever and bundled up where it was warm.

  “It’s your pants. They’re on fire.”

  Despite herself, Layla giggled at Skye’s deadpan expression. “Holy cats, you’re ridiculous. Fine, Xavier texted me to let me know he was back in town.” She’d met him a few months ago at a friend’s rehearsal dinner, and while she was attracted to him, it was very clear he was only interested in friendship.

  Which was just as well. She was getting her life back together after the insanity of last year when she discovered that her fiancé was a monster who ran drugs, weapons, and people. When she’d witnessed him murder an undercover DEA agent, she’d turned to her best friend Nova, who in turn had recruited all her friends who owned Redemption Harbor Consulting. Layla had even gone into witness protection for a couple weeks before it was clear that her now dead fiancé would no longer be a problem for her.

  Skye’s expression darkened ever so slightly. If Layla hadn’t been looking at her friend, she might have missed it. “What?” Layla asked.

  Skye lifted a shoulder and pulled out her key fob. “Nothing. But he’s dangerous.”

  “To me?” Layla stilled as she asked the question, her heart rate kicking up a notch. She trusted Skye’s opinion. More than her own at this point, considering her track record with men. The woman was a badass and trained in all sorts of martial arts, and though Layla wasn’t quite sure what she’d done for a living before founding a “consulting company,” she knew it was government related. Most likely CIA, just as Nova had been. Though she didn’t think Skye had been an analyst. She had too much of an edge about her to be suited to a desk job. And she’d once heard Nova say in an offhand way that Skye carried around explosives—and she didn’t think her best friend had been joking. Not to mention Skye’s little dog was literally named C-4.

  “Definitely not. He’d be dead if he was.” There was no humor in Skye’s voice, which made Layla blink.

  She shook off the statement though, because she was getting used to some of the random things her friend said. “Then what do you mean? He’s in finance and investing.” He certainly traveled enough for that to be true and she had no reason not to believe him. He was friends with Axel, after all, and Axel worked for Redemption Harbor Consulting. She wasn’t totally clear on what they all did, but they helped people for a living. They literally helped people in need get out of serious jams. She didn’t think they’d be friends with anyone who was like her ex. Scratch that, she knew they wouldn’t.

  Skye simply snorted and pressed the unlock button on the truck she was driving. Layla often saw her in different vehicles and she wasn’t sure what Skye actually owned. According to Skye, the ones she drove were all company-owned, so it could be anything.

  “What’s that suppose d to mean?”

  Skye lifted a shoulder. “Are you sleeping with him or are you planning to sleep with him?”

  “Skye!”

  Skye just raised her eyebrows. Her long auburn hair was pulled back into a tight braid tonight, which was more or less her signature style. Though Layla had a feeling it had more to do with efficiency than actual style.

  Layla stared right back but lost the staring contest. As usual. “No. We’re just friends. Seriously.” She wasn’t going to admit how attracted to Xavier she was because clearly her taste in the opposite sex was complete and utter garbage. She should learn her lesson after what she’d been through.

  “Good, then. Stay friends with him and nothing more.”

  “You want to expand any on that?”

  “Look, he’s not a danger to you at all. But…he’s not a safe and cuddly teacher either.”

  “Teachers are…cuddly?”

  She threw her hands up. “Whatever. You’re a teacher and you’re so sweet. I was just giving an example, but that’s probably the wrong word. I meant he’s nothing like you.” Skye pulled her into a hug. “I’ve got to get home. I have a sexy man waiting for me in bed. Plus I miss C-4. Are you okay to drive?”

  She nodded once, not bothering to pull on the Xavier thread any longer. Layla had learned that when Skye was done talking about something, she was done and nothing would change it. “Yeah, I only had that one glass of wine and that was over an hour ago.” Not that she actually planned to drive home anytime soon but she wasn’t going to tell Skye that.

  As they spoke, a familiar SUV pulled up across the street and parked behind her little car. Damn it. Layla had left out the little fact that Xavier would be meeting her after book club so they could head down the street and grab a bite to eat.

  Next to her Skye tensed but Layla put a gentle hand on her forearm. “It’s just Xavier. We’re going to grab drinks and food.”

  Skye shot her a sideways glance. “How is this not a date?”

  She nudged her friend once with her hip. “Hush.”

  Instead of leaving, Skye waited until Xavier got out and crossed the street.

  Xavier’s dark hair was cut short—and showed off those ridiculous cheekbones. He was broad-shouldered and, according to her best friend Nova, “scary looking,” but Layla didn’t see it. Yes, he was huge and muscular and had multiple scars, including a pale one on the right side of his face that had faded with age, but his dark green eyes were soft when they looked at her.

  She’d been engaged to a ridiculously handsome, charming man who’d been a monster underneath. He’d done and said all the right things, and looking back, she wondered if she hadn’t seen the red flags because he “looked safe.” Xavier…okay, he looked like a lethal predator, but she felt safe around him. With her ex, she’d felt like he was a safe choice, but not necessarily that she was safe around him. And after a while, she’d simply been terrified of him.

  Skye didn’t smile as Xavier approached, but Layla gave him a big hug. He was strong and solid against her. She was sorely tempted to bury her face against his neck and inhale his masculine scent. But since she wasn’t crazy, she resisted the urge. “I’m glad you came back early,” she said, meaning it. He traveled a lot, mostly overseas, and they kept in touch via FaceTime and texting. But she still liked seeing him in person.

  She decided to ignore the sensation of butterflies taking flight inside her as he hugged her back, squeezing tight.

  Once he let go of her, he nodded politely at Skye, who gave him a neutral smile. “Xavier,” she said mildly.

  “Skye, you’re looking well,” he said, his tone just as neutral.

  Skye paused before glancing between the two of them. “She better make it home safe tonight,” she said before giving Layla another quick hug, then left.

  Once her friend was gone, Layla shook her head slightly. “I think she views me as a little sister. She gets kind of protective.”

  Xavier shrugged as they started walking down the sidewalk. “I’m glad. It’s good to have people to look out for you.”

  “Who looks out for you?” she asked before she could think about censoring herself.

  He glanced down at her, surprise in his expression. “No one looks out for me. I’m the Big Bad Wolf.” His lips kicked up at the corners as if he was fighting a laugh.

  She snorted at that and laid her head on his shoulder. She really had missed him. When he started dating someone, she’d have to pull back from their friendship because it would hurt too much to see him with another woman, but she enjoyed spending time with him. He had a dry humor she appreciated, and more than that, kind eyes.

  Despite what Skye said about him being dangerous, something about him made her feel safe. Of course her judgment was all sorts of screwed up so maybe she was wrong about him too. But…she didn’t think so.

  Right now it felt like she was learning to do things again. Making new friends, trying to figure out if she still wanted to teach full-time, where the heck she wanted to live. Her life wasn’t a mess, exactly, but she felt very untethered to the world right now. Being with Xavier seemed to somehow anchor her and she appreciated that. “So I guess you finished up your investment stuff early, huh?” Well, duh, she internally chided herself. He wouldn’t be back unless he’d finished. But she rambled when she got nervous and asked obvious questions. Gah.

  “I finished up work early, yes.” He gave her a small grin as he continued. “And I couldn’t wait to get back to you.”

  “Ha, ha.” She nudged him once, wishing his words were true. Sometimes he low-level flirted with her, but he’d never made a move or insinuated he wanted anything more.

  And yes, she could make a move, but that wasn’t her style. She wasn’t bold enough, and even if she had been, after her ex, she was gun-shy when it came to, well, everything. If Xavier made a move, however, that might change things.

  * * *

  Xavier wanted to smack the little shit who was shamelessly flirting with Layla.

  Their waiter had been staring at her from the moment he’d walked up to their outdoor table and introduced himself. It wasn’t like Xavier could blame the guy—she was adorable, beautiful…perfect. Usually he couldn’t take his eyes off her either. This little shit was lucky that Xavier had self-control. For now.

  “So, red or white?” the man with the GQ looks asked, completely ignoring Xavier as he stared at Layla as if she hung the moon.

  “Well, I had red earlier so I’ll stick with it for tonight.” Layla’s voice was soft and sweet. She’d left her dark hair down tonight so that it cascaded around her shoulders and breasts, and he wanted nothing more than to run his fingers through it, to see how soft it was. He was surprised she’d wanted to sit outside, but there were heaters and so far the cold didn’t seem to be bothering her.

  “If you’re not sure what you want, I can give you a few free samples,” the waiter continued, lowering his voice as if telling her a secret.

  “That sounds great,” she said, smiling up at the guy.

  The insane part of Xavier wanted her smiles all to himself. When she looked at him, that full, wide-open smile still in place, he felt it like a punch to his chest.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  “Water is fine,” he said, staring at their server, his expression probably as dark as he felt now.

  The guy practically ran away from their table but Xavier didn’t care. He knew the way he felt about her was possessive. Even if he had no right to feel possessive over her.

  He’d never expected to meet someone like her. He’d never expected Layla, period. But she was in his life now even if they were destined to be friends only. He’d take what he could get. He knew a little bit about what she’d been through last year—that her ex-fiancé was dead, and she’d seen him murder someone—and though he wanted to push for more details, it had clearly upset her so he’d held off. He could look it up on his own, but somehow that had felt wrong, like he was checking up on her. I n the past, something like that never would have bothered him, but he hadn’t wanted to violate her trust.

  There was no way she was ready for a new relationship regardless. Not that it mattered. He didn’t do relationships anyway. Sex was all he was capable of.

  But Layla deserved more than that, and he was no good for her anyway. His hands were too bloodstained. She deserved someone a hell of a lot better than a man who killed for a living. Not only that, if they got involved romantically, it would paint a target on her back. They were just friends. Plain and simple.

  Though nothing about his feelings for her were plain or simple.

  “I think you scared off our waiter,” she said, laughing lightly. She wrapped her arms around herself even though they were sitting underneath the heater. She’d wanted to sit outside instead of inside and he hadn’t cared one way or the other. Whatever she wanted, she got.

  The fitted black jacket she wore over her sweater and tight jeans didn’t do much to hide those luscious curves. He wished he had the right to touch and caress her everywhere. To run his fingers through her hair, to hold the back of her head tight as he dominated her mouth, to look into her amber eyes as she rode him. Fuck. Nope. Had to shut that thought down right now.

  He cleared his throat. “I didn’t like the way he was flirting with you.” It wasn’t as if they were on a date, but that guy didn’t know that. “For all he knows, we’re together.”