Possession

 
Published by

WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

 
Whiskey Creek Press

PO Box 51052

Casper, WY 82605-1052

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

 
Copyright Ó 2011 by
Linda Mooney

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS

“This was a very well written novel and it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. The love scenes were sensual, erotic and just graphic enough for me to be able to imagine what it would be like to have Croat make love to me. I really enjoyed
From Out of the Shadows
and would not hesitate to read another story by the author of such an enchanting story.”

Happily Ever After Reviews

RUNNER’S MOON BOOK 4: CHALLA

“Wow!
Runner’s Moon: Challa Book 4
has to be one of the best science fiction romances I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year!”

Coffee Time Romance

“
Challa
is one of those books you just can’t put down, but of course it is; it’s a Linda Mooney book! Like everything she writes, this story is captivating from beginning to end, but then, frankly I think Ms. Mooney could draw you into a scene about taking out the garbage. She’s just that kind of writer. Her plots are riveting, and she makes you feel her characters, right down to their toenails.”

Two Lips Reviews

THUNDER SERIES

“In this reviewer’s humble opinion, no one writes more touching, heartfelt romances (like
Wings of Thunder
) than Linda Mooney. She can haul you right into the story and make you feel her characters’ desires, happiness, passion and sadness better than any author I’ve ever read.”

Two Lips Reviews

Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read

“The powerful and sensual sex scenes between Annie and Rion (in
Passion of Thunder
) add a deep, abounding passion to their devoted relationship. Rion's commitment to Annie drew me to him more than any fictional hero ever has.”

Fallen Angel Reviews

“I will never look at a thunderstorm quite the same again.
Lord of Thunder
isn’t just a play on words; it describes the main character of this fascinating new novel by Linda Mooney. A story of strength, determination, and love told with characters as rich as the Montana setting. Raw, intense and satisfying, are words that both describe the story and the romance. Reading Linda’s work is an escape like no other. Reading romance, always a guilty pleasure has now become a real joy!”

Renee’s Book Talk, Blog Talk Radio

Two Lips Reviews Recommended Read

“I devoured this book, alternately smiling and shedding tears along the way. I guarantee that readers will want to read this book over and over again.”

Two Lips Reviews

MY STRENGTH, MY POWER, MY LOVE

“The premise of this Science Fiction / Romance novel caught me off guard. I was blown away and completely enamored with the idea. Linda Mooney takes you on a beautiful journey to the stars and beyond. She has a wonderful ability for writing stunningly beautiful scenes and the expertise for making an emotional connection through her characters. She is a talented and powerful writer and I highly recommend
My Strength, My Power, My Love
. It is a necessary read for all lovers of science fiction or romance.”

Renee’s Book Talk, Blog Talk Radio

HEARTCRYSTAL

“Linda Mooney has done a top notch job of world building.  You get a story that will make you laugh a little but mostly it will twist your heartstrings to pieces. You may want to keep a box of Kleenex nearby while reading (
HeartCrystal
).”

The Romance Studio

HEARTFAST

PNR Reviewer Top Pick

“(
HeartFast
is) Well worth the time to read - which won’t be too long, as you won’t be able to put it down!” 

ParaNormalRomance Reviews

SANDEFLAY

Outstanding Read

“(
Sandeflay
is a) Great book, a definite keeper.”

Simply Romance Reviews

“
Sandeflay
is an absolutely stunning read by Ms. Mooney.”

Romance Junkies

RUNNER’S MOON SERIES

Joyfully Recommended

“Fantastic Sci-Fi story is the first thing that comes to mind when I tell people about
(Runner’s Moon book 3
)
Simolif
.”

Joyfully Reviewed

“Go, Ms. Mooney, Go. I am thoroughly intrigued by the species she has invented and am hooked on reading how they adapt to the human race and lifestyles (in
Runner’s Moon: Tiron
book 2).”

Joyfully Reviewed

“Be warned, though. If you have not read the first book yet, odds are you will want to after reading (
Runner’s Moon: Tiron
book 2).”

Coffee Time Romance

Top Pick Recommended Read

“
Runner’s Moon: Jebaral
(book 1)...is an exciting and passionate romance that leaves you anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.”

Romance Reader at Heart

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Runner’s Moon Book 1: Jebaral

Runner’s Moon Book 2: Tiron

Runner’s Moon Book 3: Simolif

Runner’s Moon Book 4: Challa

Sandeflay

HeartFast

HeartCrystal

My Strength, My Power, My Love

Lord of Thunder

Passion of Thunder

Wings of Thunder

From Out of the Shadows

Rhea 41070

A Different Yesterday

For Nancy

One month ago

The attack was swift and relentlessly brutal.

“
Cop! The guy’s a cop!
”

The words rang like doom overhead as he heard the screams reverberate louder than the warning inside the big building. And then he dimly realized the screams were his.

He tried to get up on his knees. Tried to raise his hands to ward off any more pounding blows from the length of iron rod that rained down upon him. Beating his flesh into jellied pulp, and shredding his skin and muscle from the bone with every downward slash. But rain was pouring into his eyes, mixed with his blood and…

More blood. He was on his knees, on a concrete slab, and his life’s sustenance was running like a river overflowing its banks.

Pain was in every movement. There was more screaming, and this time he knew it wasn’t his. The killer or killers had gone on to other game.

Falling forward, he was vaguely aware of his face hitting the cement. There was practically no feeling left in his body. Every nerve had been beaten into submission. Into numb, weightless submission. He couldn’t even feel his hands or fingers anymore to reach for the small snub nose he’d tucked into his boot.

The attack had come from nowhere. Where was he? Who was attacking them?

For the only time in his life he felt sorry for the bastards who had dragged him in here, thinking they were going to be his judge, jury, and executioner. It had to be their wet, gurgling screams he heard above the steady whipping noises.

He couldn’t open his eyes. Even if he could, the place was black as a tomb. Somehow he knew he was in a warehouse. An abandoned, dilapidated one, if he could feel the rain splatter over him from overhead.

The mushy sounds of the beatings continued, but the screams had stopped. Quietly he remained where he lay like a broken doll. He was growing cold, but there was no way he could find a warmer place. A safer place.

After what seemed like hours the bludgeoning ceased. There was no sound, not even the raspy breathing of whoever had done this carnage. The guy had to be pumped full of adrenaline. After beating three guys into dog food, the man had to be gasping for air. But there was nothing. The place was so quiet, he could hear a soft rumble of thunder in the distance.

And then the guy was there, standing next to him, over him. His boots crackled on the gritty cement floor.

“You were not to be. You are not one of them,” a dark growl said. The timbre was smooth and unhurried. Tearing into three grown, heavily armed men, and reducing them to little more than roadkill, and the guy was as calm and unaffected as if he’d just gotten up from a nap.

The killer poked at him with the rod. There was no pain.

“You were a mistake,” the growl told him. “You were not to be.”

Well, it’s a bit late to discover that, don’t you think?
he wanted to answer. But he couldn’t. His skull
must have been caved in. There had to be bits of his brain matter speckling the floor around him.

“Gotta fix you.”

Oh, yeah? How?

The killer walked away, heavy tread echoing in the empty building, until—

Suddenly the steps were gone. Disappeared. Which was impossible. There hadn’t been the sound of a car door, or a maintenance door, or even the crunch of feet upon dirt and gravel to let him know which way the man had gone.

The rain started up once more, sending cool droplets down on him.

He was dying. Death was a quiet blanket hovering over him, ready to descend, ready to envelope him, ready to claim him. It would be a welcome respite from the unrelenting agony.

One unfocused eye managed to open, his final glance upon the world.

Far, far away there was a tiny incandescence, like a single candle flame.
Oh, great. Now the guy’s going to torch the place
. It would be his last coherent thought.

A breath later, Detective Kiel Stark was dead.