Chance Encounter (47 page)

He watched as she visibly took a breath and then began. “Kacie Dane is not my real name. Almost four years ago, I legally changed it and created a new background and new life for myself.

“My real name is Kendra Carson. A little over five years ago…”

As Kacie continued with her revelation, she watched the sea of people around her. Most looked shocked. A few appeared on the verge of tears. She wasn’t doing this to gain sympathy and most certainly not more fame. This was all about the need to claim herself, be proud of who she was and what she had become, and show that healing was possible. She’d given her time and her money and put her famous name behind helping other abuse victims. However, she’d hidden herself. But now, thanks to the love and support of so many, she realized that had been a mistake. She had been a victim, and not because of anything she’d done wrong. Hiding had not been the solution.

Her gaze zeroed in on the man in the front row, the one who had not only made her see herself in a different light but had given her the courage to see this through. Before she met Brennan, she hadn’t realized she’d been living only half a life, hiding in the shadows, and never allowing the real person behind the famous façade to show. And because of him, because of his faith and love in her, she could reveal herself.

Brennan’s courage in giving his own interview to the press had gone well beyond anything she could ever have expected of him. But it hadn’t surprised her. From day one of their first meeting, Brennan had shown her what true courage looked like.
 

Now, every secret, every flaw would be revealed. Brennan’s confession had been met with a kindness and compassion that thrilled her. And no matter how today’s reveal went, she could never regret her decision. Her journey had been a long, often painful one, fraught with mountain peaks and the lowest of valleys. But she had survived. And whether she was Kendra Carson or Kacie Dane, she was happy and at peace with the person she had become.

She was too realistic to believe it would be all smooth sailing from here on out. Life wasn’t like that. But with Brennan Sinclair, her love and real-life hero, at her side, she knew without a doubt that together they could weather any storm.

Thank you for reading
Chance Encounter, An LCR Elite Novel
. I hope you enjoyed it.

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Other Books by Christy Reece

LCR Elite Series

Running On Empty
,
 
An LCR Elite Novel

Last Chance Rescue Series

Rescue Me
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Return To Me
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Run To Me
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

No Chance
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Second Chance
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Last Chance
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Sweet Justice
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Sweet Revenge
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Sweet Reward
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Chances Are
, A Last Chance Rescue Novel

Grey Justice Series

Nothing To Lose
, A Grey Justice Novel

Wildefire Series
 

Writing as Ella Grace

Midnight Secrets
, A Wildefire Novel

Midnight Lies
, A Wildefire Novel

Midnight Shadows
, A Wildefire Novel

Acknowledgements:

Special thanks to the following people for helping make this book possible:

My husband, for his love, support, numerous moments of comic relief, and respecting my chocolate stash.

My mom, who patiently listened as I ranted and raved about stubborn characters and plot points that unravel.
 

My Aunt Billie and Uncle Marlin for once again opening their home on the river to me.

Joyce Lamb, for her copyediting, fabulous advice, and not giving me an exact number of ellipsis she deleted for me. Thank…you!

Marie Force’s eBook Formatting Fairies, who always answers my endless questions with endless patience.

Tricia Schmitt (Pickyme) for her awesomely beautiful cover art.

Reece’s Readers, my incredibly supportive and fun loving street team. Thank you for all that you do!

Anne Woodall, my first reader, who always goes above and beyond, and then goes the extra mile, too. You’re awesome!

Kara, Hope, Crystal, Alison, Kris, and Jackie, my beta readers, for reading so quickly, all the catches you guys made, and your great advice.
 

Linda, my proofreader, who did an amazing job and in an unbelievably tight timeframe.
 

And a very special thank you to all my readers. Without you, this book and all the others, past and future, would not be possible. You make my dreams come true!

Christy Reece is the award winning and New York Times Bestselling author of dark and sexy romantic suspense. She lives in Alabama with her husband, three precocious canines, an incredibly curious cat, two very shy turtles, and a super cute flying squirrel named Elliott.
 

Christy also writes steamy, southern suspense under the pen name Ella Grace.

She loves hearing from readers. You can contact her at
[email protected]

Praise for Christy Reece novels:

“The type of book you will pick up and NEVER want to put down again.”
Coffee Time Romance and More

“Romantic suspense has a major new star!”
Romantic Times Magazine

“Sizzling romance and fraught suspense fill the pages as the novel races toward its intensely riveting conclusion.”
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Flat-out scary, and I loved every minute of it!”
The Romance Reader's Connection

“A brilliantly plotted book. Her main characters are vulnerable yet strong, and even the villains are written with skillful and delicate brush strokes haunting your mind long after the book is done.”
Fresh Fiction

“A passionate and vivacious thrill-ride! … I feel like I’ve been on an epic journey after finishing it.... Exquisite.”
Joyfully Reviewed