Karen Rose was introduced to suspense and horror at the tender age of eight when she accidentally read Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum and was afraid to go to sleep for years. She now enjoys writing books that make other people afraid to go to sleep.
Karen lives in Florida with her family, their cat, Bella, and two dogs, Loki and Freya. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, and her new hobby – knitting.
To find out more about Karen Rose, check out her website www.karenrosebooks.com, follow her on Facebook @KarenRoseBooks, and on Twitter @KarenRoseBooks
Praise for Karen Rose
‘Intense, complex and unforgettable’ James Patterson
‘Karen Rose delivers the kind of high-wire suspense that keeps you riveted’ Lisa Gardner
‘Rose . . . effortlessly balances romance and crime . . . An excellent example of how far-reaching and varied romance can be’ New York Times
‘Fast and furious’ Sun
‘Takes off like a house afire. There’s action and chills galore in this nonstop thriller’ Tess Gerritsen
‘A pulse pounding tale that has it all’ Cosmopolitan
‘A blend of hard-edged police procedural and romance – engaging’ Irish Independent
‘Rose juggles a large cast, a huge body count and a complex plot with terrifying ease’ Publishers Weekly
‘A high-octane thrill ride that kept me on the edge of my seat and up far too late at night!’ Lisa Jackson
‘Rose is an expert at combining chilling suspense and passionate romance set within a well-constructed plot filled with twists’ RT Book Reviews
‘Another top-notch thriller! . . . You won’t be able to put it down’ Brenda Novak
‘A chilling, enthralling read that succeeds on every level’ Kirkus Reviews
By Karen Rose
The Raleigh Series
Have You Seen Her?
The Chicago Series
Don’t Tell
I’m Watching You
Nothing to Fear
You Can’t Hide
Count to Ten
The Philadelphia/Atlanta Series
Die For Me
Scream For Me
Kill For Me
The Minneapolis Series
I Can See You
Silent Scream
The Baltimore Series
You Belong to Me
No One Left to Tell
Did You Miss Me?
Watch Your Back
Monster in the Closet
Death is Not Enough
The Cincinnati Series
Closer Than You Think
Alone in the Dark
Every Dark Corner
Edge of Darkness
Into the Dark
The Sacramento Series
Say You’re Sorry
Novellas available in ebook only
Broken Silence
Dirty Secrets
About the Book
If they ever catch you, say nothing. Admit nothing. Never tell.
Mercy Callahan never thought she’d be able to talk about her past. When she arrives in Sacramento to make peace with her brother Gideon, and to help find the brutal cult that took away her childhood, she is finally ready to talk. But when Ephraim Burton – the man who made her life a living hell – follows her there, she realises she might never be safe.
Rafe Sokolov would do anything to have Mercy back in his life and would go to any length to protect her. But when it becomes apparent that Ephraim is more determined than ever to get Mercy back, even Rafe might not be able to stop the trail of destruction he leaves in his wake. As Ephraim draws near, it’s clear it’s not just Mercy who is in danger; those closest to her are firmly in his sights.
Will Mercy sacrifice herself to help bring Ephraim down? Or will he finally get what he’s always wanted . . .
To Farrah. Your books warm my heart and your characters make me wish for a place at their kitchen table. Your generosity inspires and your smile lights up the room. I hope you find Mercy’s Farrah to be as brave, intelligent, compassionate, and kick-ass as you are IRL.
To Deb. I won’t say your bravery humbles me (even though it does), because I know you’re getting through each day the best way you know how. I will say that I’m so glad to know you and that I can’t wait for us to have that tea together.
And to Martin, as always, I love you.
Acknowledgements
Sarah Hafer and Beth Miller for all the editing. Thank you for keeping track of all the cars, weapons, injuries, etc. You allow me to create accurate mayhem.
The Starfish for the plotting. Thank you!
Claire Zion, Jen Doyle, and Robin Rue for all your support, every step of the way. Thank you for loving my books and believing in me.
Martin Hafer for making sure I remember to eat and sleep while my brain is busily churning out the words, and for always reminding me that I ‘freak out every time, yet still manage to finish the book,’ so I should ‘stop freaking out now.’
All mistakes are my own.
Prologue
Redding, California
Thirteen years ago
Tuesday, 22 May, 4.30 A.M.
She was going to die. Rhoda knew it was true. There was no way Brother DJ would take her back to Eden,