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Blurb:
Detective Diana Pellino wonders what is more emotionally draining: being a homicide detective on the city streets of New York, or dealing with her overprotective family and its practically indestructible bond. When that bond is challenged, things turn ugly, as relationships are questioned along with alliances.
Diana and her partner are investigating a new serial murder case. There’s no pattern or motive behind each killing. As if things couldn’t get worse, her commander’s estranged son, Luke Fontella, Fire Marshall, keeps getting in her way. He is overbearing and manipulative, yet so irresistibly handsome.
When the serial killer decides to step things up a notch, by burning his victims to death, Detective Diana Pellino and Fire Marshall Luke Fontella must work together to crack the case.
The strength of family bonds are tested, and the heat turns up during the investigation, as an inferno of desire ignites between Diana and Luke.
Excerpt:
She took a deep breath, knowing she needed to calm down before she did something rash, but she just couldn’t locate any means of rationale. This jerk messed with her, messed with her family, while he stood on his soapbox all high and mighty. Screw you, Luke Fontella, Fire Marshal. Diana clenched her teeth and sighed angrily.
There appeared to be one light on inside the house. Otherwise, it was dark. Obviously, no one was home.
Then she saw a light on by the side entranceway. She headed that way first. Peeking through the window, she noticed it was the side entrance to the garage and a workshop. The door was slightly ajar, so she pushed it open.
“Fontella, you in here?” she called out, holding the zip up sweatshirt she threw on tighter against her chest. She glanced down at the many brown boxes that lay on the floor. Cans of turpentine, firefighting equipment, and other emergency gear were in plain view. The smell of turpentine and paint filled her nostrils.
“Breaking and entering is a serious crime.”
Diana abruptly turned toward the voice behind her. Luke was inches away, entering from the door she just came in. How the hell did I miss him outside? “I called your name. You didn’t answer,” she responded abruptly, unable to hide the fact Luke snuck up on her undetected.
He brushed by her, walking into the garage, closing the door behind him. “So you enter my home, anyway? It’s against the law, you know?”
Diana suddenly felt the confinement of the space. “You have some explaining to do.”
Luke laughed. “I have some explaining to do? You’re making it a habit of entering my home uninvited. Then you call me, rambling on, about how I’m not doing my job. You’re not doing your job. Maybe you shouldn’t be assigned to this case. Your brother is somehow connected. There’s a conflict of interest.”
Was he blaming her brother? Was he questioning her professionalism? She didn’t need this shit.
“If you seriously think my brother is involved with this, you can go to hell, Fontella.” She turned toward the door. Luke grabbed her arm.
She turned to him.
“You think you have all the answers, don’t you, Pellino? Well, you don’t know shit. Coming from a family of firefighters or not, you’re clueless.”
She tried to pull her arm away from Luke’s grasp. “You’re wrong. You had no right to accuse your friends, your comrades, of such extreme mistakes.” She pointed her finger at his chest.
His grip tightened on her arm. He stepped closer. She took two steps back, knocking into the door.
He lowered his voice. “I’m an arson investigator. It’s my job to ensure and validate that each firefighter did their job accurately. Their lack of procedure has jeopardized solving this case quickly.”
“You don’t know that. Investigating a fire fatality is difficult. The ME was able to find other evidence that may prove crucial to identifying at least the profile for our killer.”
“I’m not after a profile. I want to catch the guy responsible.”
“I don’t?” Diana raised her voice, her tone indicating the insult his comment evoked.
“Maybe you are and maybe you’re not.”
She huffed, then attempted to leave. She remained pinned against the door as Luke grabbed her by the waist.
“Where do you think you’re running off to?”
He pulled her a bit too quickly, and she bumped right into his chest.
He pressed his body against hers. The door wedged up against her backside.
“I don’t need to stay here and be insulted. I’m doing my job, and you blaming others, reaching, is not going to catch our suspect.”
“You’re too close to this case. It’s your brother’s department. There’s too much at stake to not be investigating this with a clear head.”
“I have a clear head. Yours, on the other hand, is questionable.” She raised her chin with confidence.
Luke clenched his teeth, squinted, and held her gaze.
All she could do was wait for his next move.
“Your confident attitude pisses me off.”
“Your inability to work as a team is irritating.”
Just as she got the last syllable out, Luke covered her lips with his. He kissed her deeply. Simultaneously, their bodies pushed up against the metal door. Her hip hit the cool side of it.
With one hand, he held her head in place as he controlled the depth of their kiss. His other hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her hips against his.
Diana wrapped her arms around his neck. Their kissing intensified. She didn’t think. She just reacted, and found herself being ravished by a man who made her very angry, and made her pulse rate increase. The heat and solidity of his hands made his intentions known, as his lips, moist with lust, traveled over her mouth, to her chin then neck. Their breathing was hot against their skin.
All the anger, rage, and insult she felt diminished with each touch, each caress, and kiss from Luke Fontella.
His hands pushed aside the sweatshirt she wore and tangled in the thin straps of her tank top. He bent down, gently biting her collarbone then her shoulder.
“You get on my nerves, Detective.” He nibbled harder.
“What are we doing?” she whispered, out of breath.
“Don’t talk. I don’t want to fight.” He continued to explore her skin with his mouth.
His hand was flat against her ribcage, on her left side, while his right hand pulled the tank top down the rest of the way, revealing her breast.
Diana inhaled a sharp breath at the realization she wasn’t wearing any bra. In the heat of anger, she abruptly exited her apartment without giving it a thought.
“Damn, Pellino.” Luke growled before he took the mound of flesh into his mouth.
She gripped his shoulders tighter. He bent down onto his knees, lifting the shirt and sweatshirt over her head, exposing her bare chest for better access. She let out a moan of pleasure. Her knees felt weak as she laid her head against his shoulder. She kissed the skin, absorbed the excitement her body experienced at his every touch. She wanted him. She didn’t care about the consequences.
About the Author:
Laura Marie Henion is an imaginative, dynamic author of suspense and romance fiction. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and EPIC Authors, and has obtained many of her ideas and accurate information from family members, friends, and law enforcement personnel. She has always had an interest in the law enforcement field and enjoys creative writing.
As a young adult, she created short stories and poetry to share with her family and friends. Laura integrated her creative writing skills in her professional career as both a sales center manager and a social worker. Laura is also the office manager for her husband’s business and a mom of three. She loves working with people and believes this stems from both her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work as well as her strong law enforcement family background.
These factors add to the authenticity of her stories and the true to life qualities of her characters. She continues to work on multiple manuscripts including the new series Cop’s Daughter. Laura Marie presently resides in Historic Hudson Valley, New York with her husband and three small children.
