Crime and Passion

L. B. Knight Crime and Passion Novak Chronicles: Book One First published by Knight Publishing 2023 Copyright © 2023 by L. B. Knight All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. L. B. Knight asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. L. B. Knight has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. First edition This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy Find out more at reedsy.com Mom: Please don’t read this one. And definitely don’t tell dad. This is still for everyone that has a story to tell- get out there and tell it. Preface This is a story- I’m showing my age because I immediately wanted to start singing the opening song to Fresh Prince of Bell-Air. This story is not for the faint of heart. Finley may be a strong, independent, and somewhat stubborn woman. But she is tested time and time again throughout this series. Crime and Passion is filled with moments that you might question her choices. And that’s okay. It’s part of Finley’s personality. You may be unable to piece it together until later in the series. Please know the series will be filled with possible triggers. Crime and Passion will be the book with the least amount of triggers. That being said, please be aware of possible triggers. I will include a list below. If you have any questions, please contact me via social media or email. Possible triggers: Strong language Strong (explicit) sexual content General violence Description of blood/gore Guns Alcohol Drug use Mention of underage drinking Crime and Passion Playlist I Almost Told You That I Loved You- Papa Roach Dirty Little Thing- Adelitas Way Forever- Papa Roach The Sex Is Good- Saving Abel Never Too Late- Three Days Grace Not Meant To Be- Theory of a Deadman Wait For Me- Theory of a Deadman Get Out Alive- Three Days Grace S & M- Rihanna Don’t Cha- The Pussycat Dolls Demons- Bryce Savage MONSTER- Chandler Leighton You should be sad- Halsey I Miss the Misery- Halestorm Love the Way You Hate Me- Like a Storm Chapter 1 Walking to the high-end restaurant, my heels clicked against the hot sidewalk. The summer breeze was enough to cut through the heat of August. Even with the wind, I was thankful that my copper hair was pinned from my neck. The black pencil skirt hugged my figure, much to the dismay of Maddox, my brother. My white blouse was flowy, tucked into the skirt. The neckline offered enough skin to draw attention but remained professional. I was headed to my interview early, still trying to readjust to my hometown. Dumont. Town was putting it loosely. Dumont was a bustling hub of corporations. Skyscrapers lined the streets with towering buildings full of penthouses and apartments. The suburbs sat on the city’s outskirts, allowing those wanting away from the city a refuge. The cars that drove down these streets cost more than some of the houses on the city’s edge. After moving back, a little over a month ago, I was already tired of the arrogance surrounding most of the population. Money seemed to breed assholes around this town. As I approached my destination, my amber eyes caught sight of a handsome man. He was leaning against the wall outside the restaurant. He casually shoved one hand in his pocket, the other clutching his phone. He wore black slacks and a pale blue button-down, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His dark, black hair looked silky but messy. He took his hand from his pocket and plucked the cigarette from his mouth. He then flicked it casually into the street. I followed the cigarette through the air before another person caught my eye. One I didn’t expect to see. The fucking odds were not in my favor, it seemed. My heart rattled in my chest, and I scanned the street for options. The raven-haired man turned to go into the restaurant and spotted me. He eyed me curiously as I began to fidget nervously. His dark eyes looked around. He noticed the man approaching us quickly and looked back at me. Walking up to me casually, he gently touched my elbow. “Hey baby, sorry I’m late for our lunch date.” His tone was at ease, timber slightly more profound than I expected. The air seemed to be knocked out of me before I registered what he was doing. Or at least I hoped I figured out what he was doing. I smiled up at him, “It’s okay, sweetie. My interview took longer than expected.” I was hoping he’d understand what I was saying now. I pushed my sunglasses up, letting my almond-colored eyes lock onto his coffee-brown ones. “Finley, what are you doing?” The brunette man stopped beside us, “And who is this?” The raven-haired man sized up the brunette quickly. The man beside me was a few