Under The Radar

Dear Reader, Thank you for selecting Under The Radar to read. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for up to date information on new releases, exclusive content and sales. You can find the form here: https://bit.ly/MMorelandNewsletter Before you sign up, add [email protected] to your contacts to make sure the email comes right to your inbox! Always fun - never spam! My books are available in paperback and audiobook! You can see all my books available and upcoming preorders at my website. The Perfect Recipe For LOVE xoxo, Melanie CONTENTS 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 Epilogue Acknowledgments Also Available from Moreland Books About the Author UNDER THE RADAR by Melanie Moreland Copyright © 2023 Moreland Books Inc. Copyright #1202010 ISBN Ebook 978-1-990803-54-3 All rights reserved Edited by Lisa Hollett of Silently Correcting Your Grammar Proofreading by Sisters Get Lit.erary Cover design by Karen Hulseman, Feed Your Dreams Design Cover Photography by Eric D Battershell Cover Model Drew Truckle Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model. All rights reserved. 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 copyright owner. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author's imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are only used for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Readers with concerns about content or subjects depicted can check out the content advisory on my website: https://melaniemoreland.com/extras/fan-suggestions/content-advisory/ CHAPTER ONE Chase I sat down heavily on the sofa and ran a hand through my hair in frustration. What a clusterfuck. When I’d advertised for a roommate, I thought it would be easy to find someone. Some of the people I interviewed today were downright scary. Two of them, I was certain, were only here to case the joint. I made a big point of talking about the state-of-the-art security system and the guns I kept in the house. I had neither, but I hoped that would deter them. One woman who showed up asked me for reduced rent. She’d “make it up in other ways,” she informed me with a lewd wink. She even offered a sample. I got rid of her as quickly as I could. Another woman was searching for someone to look after her. When I explained the shared duties, she pulled on her hair and asked me if I could just “do all that stuff” and she’d stay out of the way. I could barely manage on my own, so I wasn’t what she needed. The obviously high dude who asked about using the basement to grow his necessary “medicine” was a no-go as well. I was ready to give up. There had only been one decent possibility, and he had called an hour after he was here to say he’d found another place. I sighed, looking around. It was a great house. Easily shared, but if I didn’t find a roommate, I would have to beg Charly to let me go back to the apartment since I couldn’t afford to live here on my own. I knew if I told her, she would laugh and remind me I had millions in the bank, but I refused to touch that money. It was used to help others because it had never done me any good when I’d needed it. I didn’t want to use it now. She’d give me a lecture about letting the past go and that purchasing the house was a positive move. Financially responsible. The doorbell sounded, and I frowned in confusion. I wasn’t expecting anyone else. I opened the door a little faster than I should, startling the person on the other side. Amber eyes, golden-red hair, and thousands of dots of cinnamon on a heart-shaped face that haunted my dreams met my astonished stare. It was a face I saw often when I shut my eyes. I met Officer Gallagher on a day when I was dealing with some painful memories. Determined to rid myself of them, I sat alone at Zeke’s, drinking far too many shots of tequila and chasing them with beer. When the agony of the memories became a dull roar, I hazily recalled stumbling outside to my truck, knowing I needed to sleep it off. The back bench had been used more than once for a quick nap, and I fumbled with the locks, which refused to work. Like an angel, Hannah had appeared. Instead of busting my ass about how drunk I was, she talked to me, and I attempted to explain my problem. She was sweet and understanding, more concerned about my pain than the fact that I was drunk. I knew I said some inappropriate things to her, but she only smiled and kept me talking. I was in and out, drifting at times, and the next thing I knew, Brett and Kelly were there. I explained to Brett in what I thought was a quiet voice my instant fascination with the pretty police officer