Desperate Acts


 
 
 
 
 Table of Contents
 
 MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN
 Also by
 Title Page
 
 Copyright Page
 Prologue
 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
 Chapter 23
 Chapter 24
 Chapter 25
 Chapter 26
 Chapter 27
 Chapter 28
 Chapter 29
 Epilogue
 
 
 
 
 Books by Alexandra Ivy 
 
 Guardians of Eternity WHEN DARKNESS COMES EMBRACE THE DARKNESS DARKNESS EVERLASTING DARKNESS REVEALED DARKNESS UNLEASHED BEYOND THE DARKNESS DEVOURED BY DARKNESS BOUND BY DARKNESS FEAR THE DARKNESS DARKNESS AVENGED HUNT THE DARKNESS WHEN DARKNESS ENDS DARKNESS RETURNS BEWARE THE DARKNESS CONQUER THE DARKNESS SHADES OF DARKNESS DARKNESS BETRAYED BEWITCH THE DARKNESS STALK THE DARKNESS SATE THE DARKNESS 
 
 The Immortal Rogues MY LORD VAMPIRE MY LORD ETERNITY MY LORD IMMORTALITY 
 
 The Sentinels BORN IN BLOOD BLOOD ASSASSIN BLOOD LUST 
 
 Ares Security KILL WITHOUT MERCY KILL WITHOUT SHAME 
 
 Romantic Suspense PRETEND YOU’RE SAFE WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? YOU WILL SUFFER THE INTENDED VICTIM DON’T LOOK FACELESS UNSTABLE DESPERATE ACTS 
 
 Historical Romance SOME LIKE IT WICKED SOME LIKE IT SINFUL SOME LIKE IT BRAZEN 
 
 And don’t miss these Guardians of Eternity novellas TAKEN BY DARKNESS in YOURS FOR ETERNITY 
 
 DARKNESS ETERNAL in SUPERNATURAL 
 
 WHERE DARKNESS LIVES in THE REAL WEREWIVES OF VAMPIRE COUNTY 
 
 LEVET (eBook only) A VERY LEVET CHRISTMAS (eBook only) 
 
 And don’t miss these Sentinel novellas 
 
 OUT OF CONTROL ON THE HUNT 
 
 Published by Kensington Publishing Corp. 
 
 
 Epilogue 
 Four weeks later 
 
 
 Lia stepped out of the courthouse and sucked in a deep breath of the crisp air. She’d been inside the building for hours. Not only to go over the official statement she’d given earlier about the events that occurred during Jolene and Sunny’s reign of terror, but to chat with Zac, who’d thankfully returned to resume his job as sheriff. It had been beyond comforting to know he was back in charge; plus, she’d wanted to hear about every detail of his honeymoon. 
 Well, not every detail . . . 
 Once her eyes adjusted to the bright afternoon sunlight that reflected with a blinding intensity against the newest layer of snow, Lia headed down the steps. She knew Kaden would be waiting for her. 
 Sure enough, the gleaming red Land Rover he’d bought in Vegas the week before to drive them back to Pike was parked next to the curb. He’d insisted he needed a dependable vehicle for when they were in Wisconsin. And it was true. His vast collection of motorcycles and sports cars would be dangerous to use during the winter. But he hadn’t been thinking about snowy roads when he at last decided on this SUV. He was a man obsessed with his favorite hobby. Collecting expensive vehicles. 
 Her lips twitched as she pulled open the passenger door and climbed into the high seat. Kaden was going to be an interesting addition to the town. 
 Waiting until she tugged the seat belt across her body, Kaden pulled away from the curve and did a U-turn to head north. 
 “How did it go?” he asked. 
 “Not bad.” Lia settled back in the soft leather seat, savoring the warm scent of his aftershave. Her heart skipped a beat, warmth flowing through her. She would never get used to sitting next to this glorious man. Not ever. “Thank God Zac is home.” 
 “Maybe Pike can return to normal now.” 
 “Don’t jinx us,” she protested. “We’ve had enough troubles.” 
 Kaden chuckled, turning onto a side street that headed out of town. “Did you give him the account numbers?” 
 “I did.” Lia had taken the stack of offshore accounts connected to Vanna that she’d managed to uncover, as well as the code on the back of the map Kaden had found in his brother’s files. “He’s going to turn them over to the EPA investigators.” 
 “That’s probably for the best.” 
 Lia grimaced, remembering Zac’s words of warning. “If word of Vanna’s blackmail scheme happens to get out, I doubt they’ll be able to keep her name out of the papers.” 
 Kaden snorted. “I can’t imagine the EPA or any other government agency would willingly admit they employed an agent who was taking bribes to turn a blind eye to illegal activities. And, more importantly, they won’t want to expose the businesses willing to pollute their communities for the sake of profit.” 
 “True.” Lia hadn’t told Zac that she’d found the bank account Vanna had been using under her mother’s name. Or the fact that Kaden had discovered her last will and testament in his brother’s office. Vanna had listed her foster mother, Sharon Bradly, as her beneficiary. No doubt Vanna and Darren intended to change their wills after they were married, but once Vanna was officially declared dead, her assets would go to Sharon. It seemed the only good thing that could come from so much bad. 
 “Did you go to the hospital?” she asked. 
 Kaden nodded. “Drew regained consciousness a couple weeks ago and the nurse said he’s able to walk on his own now. Hopefully, he’ll be released soon.” 
 “What about Sunny?” 
 Lia was certain the girl was dead after her mother had put a bullet through her chest. But, remarkably, she’d managed to hang on while an ambulance arrived and loaded her into the back. A hysterical Jolene had been cuffed and taken to jail by a grim-faced Anthony. 
 “She’s in stable condition. Or at least she’s physically stable. Mentally . . .” Kaden shook his head. “I assume she’ll be transferred to a secure facility