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  Cherry Hill 15: A Love to Kill For

  Emerson was forced by her ex to leave Cherry Hill a year ago. She learned the hard way that he didn't love her, and really didn't have good intentions. This is her new start. She's a lot wiser, and a bit more cautious when it comes to men. That is until she meets two men separately and feels an attraction. She's resistant, of course, but as she rents a cottage from one of the men, and soon meets his brothers, she realized they are all related and represent everything she fears. They're hardcore, had commanding attitudes and are soldiers. Can she take a chance to trust them when they're similar to her ex?

  They break down her defenses. She confides in them about her ex and his betrayal, and they share their fears, as well. These are real men. Capable, seasoned, sexy, and experienced, and when she's with them, she is safe and well loved. So when one of her new lovers is involved in a case and her ex is being investigated, some friction starts. Add in a serial rapist out for the one he desires and there's a whole lot of danger brewing, and one individual ready to kill for love.

  Genres: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense

  Length: 44,787

  CHERRY HILL 15:

  A LOVE TO KILL FOR

  Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Cherry Hill 15: A Love to Kill For

  Copyright © 2019 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-869-7

  First Publication: June 2019

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2019 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHERRY HILL 15:

  A LOVE TO KILL FOR

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  CHERRY HILL 15:

  A LOVE TO KILL FOR

  DIXIE LYNN DWYER

  Copyright © 2019

  Prologue

  “Why are you here? What is it you want from her, Pete? What?” Emerson yelled. Her sister Felecia hovered in the corner, her hand against her cheek after Pete struck her in a fit of rage.

  “I want my fucking money. I want my bitch sister to do as I say and to keep her fucking mouth shut. She’s blabbing to that dick deputy. You know that fucking asshole just wants to screw you, right?” he yelled as he pointed and took another step toward Felecia. Felecia cried out and covered her head.

  “Don’t, Pete. Leave it alone. She hasn’t been talking to Deputy Forest,” Emerson said to him. Pete was such an asshole, and he wasn’t really their brother. Their mom married his father, an asshole military man who basically left Mom with Pete to raise while he went off and served his country. He came and went, barely giving a shit about Pete, their mom or anyone else. Pete’s real mom was a druggie and a prostitute. Pete was a manipulative asshole who always used that sibling thing to get to her mom, to Felecia and even to Emerson. Emerson wised up when she was in her teens.

  Pete turned around to face Emerson. “How do you know? Why are you even here? You left this family. You’re the one who doesn’t belong here. What? You figured out too late that Blake was involved, too? That he’s a boss in this? You’re so fucking dumb. You actually thought because he’s a soldier, that we’re in the military, that we’re saints?” He shook his head at her and the tears filled her eyes. She broke up with Blake four months ago when he came to the apartment high on drugs, drunk, and broke her ribs and kept her in bed for days. Emerson was never so scared in her life. She had loved him with all her heart. He was her first and only lover. Good looking, sexy, muscles galore and such a charismatic, take-charge attitude, as well. She fell for it all, and she suffered the consequences. She learned too late that all soldiers were manipulative scumbags looking for a piece of ass. For a woman to own and to control. Not her. Blake was a monster, and just thinking about him, and Pete bringing him up, made her stomach ache something terrible. She was afraid of Blake and of course his wrath. She had to be tough here though. She was separated somewhat from this mess. Her sister was the only reason why she was even still around here.

  “I don’t care about your illegal businesses, or your other bullshit. I care about my sister and what you’re dragging her into with your sick buddies. She doesn’t want anything to do with this.” Emerson raised her voice.

  Pete gripped Felecia’s arm and yanked her against his side. He was smirking. “You don’t think so?” He was smug. Too smug for her liking and obviously he knew something. Her gut clenched and a feeling of stupidity washed over her. What had Felecia done? What did Pete know? The anticipation brought tears to her eyes and she didn’t even know what he was going to say. It was a rush of emotions.

  “Pete, don’t,” Felecia said. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked away from Emerson.

  “Know where your sister, the one you care so much about, was the other night? Know where’s she’s been for the last month?” he stated to Emerson.

  “Don’t, Pete.”

  Felecia raised her voice at him and Pete chuckled before he yelled at Emerson, his spittle hitting her face, “Fucking Blake!”

  Emerson felt as if a knife was shoved into her heart. She even placed her hand over her chest and gasped. Felt ready to pass out. The shock hit her so hard she stepped back and her rear hit the kitchen counter. Felecia had tears rolling down her cheeks and Pete chuckled.

  “Emerson, I’m so—”

  “How could you?” Emerson asked, her voice cracking. This was it. She finally lost the battle. Lost the only family she had. She couldn’t be around these people anymore. They had no morals, no values or respect. They were all sick, twisted, screwed up individuals who didn’t deserve anything but what they got. She was done with them. She was trying so hard not to cry, to expose the pain, the betrayal she felt at this revelation. How could her sister do this to her? How could Blake?

  She looked at Pete. He always held such a sick, perverted expression, and watched them like some creep, yet referred to them as sisters. He was no blood relative. He was not family and never would be. She was finished with this. Finished with these people and sticking around these screwed up soldiers, these weak minded women who just fell for their charms, their power. Her own sister slept with Emerson’s ex-boyfriend. The man she gave her virginity to. The man she had loved and planned on marrying. The man who just tried to get Emerson into bed last week.

  “You know why he fucked her, rig
ht? Why he’s screwing your sister?” Pete asked. She hated him.

  “Unlike you, Felecia listens to Blake and obeys him like a good woman should. When Blake offered his team, the crew to enjoy Felecia too and gave the order, she complied.”

  Felecia turned away.

  “Don’t ever talk to me again. Don’t contact me, don’t come crying to me when you’re beaten and left for dead like used goods. Didn’t you learn anything from watching Mom’s life? Didn’t you?” Emerson cried as she grabbed her keys and headed toward the door. Pete snagged her arm, squeezed tight, hurting her and she cried out. That evil, disgusting look in his eyes gave her goosebumps, especially as those eyes roamed over her abundant breasts.

  “Just remember, Blake is in charge, and if he decides he wants you back in his bed, you won’t have a choice.”

  “Screw you!” she screamed and yanked her arm free. Pete chuckled. She didn’t even glance back at her sister. Things were over. The hurt, the betrayal was intense as she ran to her jeep, started it up and skidded out of the dirt driveway. She was done with her family. Done with this town. She needed to get the hell out of here for good.

  She couldn’t help the tears that continued to fall. Nor the sick, disgusted feeling in her gut knowing that Felecia, her own sister, the one she was always trying to protect, had sex with Blake. Had allowed Blake to let him and his friends have sex with her, too.

  “Oh God,” she cried, covering her mouth, now remembering that night months before she broke things off with Blake, and the way that Terrence, Matt, and Scott watched her, tried touching her, stealing a feel of her breast, or squeezing her ass when they said hello to her. Blake did nothing. In fact, he looked aroused by that. Those men were horrific. Each creepier, more dishonest, and hurtful than the next. All soldiers, all men who could slit her throat if they wanted to. That had been a huge fear when she broke things off with Blake. That he would kill her for leaving him. Thank God for Genesis and Faith. Maybe it was time to head back to Cherry Hill?

  Chapter 1

  “Are you out of your mind, Sheriff?,” Harley said to Sheriff Kane McCabe.

  Kane tried to hide his chuckle. “I have the position opened. Your brother, Cassius, thinks it’s a great idea.”

  Harley narrowed his eyes at Kane. “Are you fucking with me, Kane? Come on now, man, do I look like I’m interested in becoming a deputy in town? Hell no. I’m retired from the military, the only thing I know well. I have no problem covering the training at the academy for the local law enforcement. I don’t. I like the men and women involved but that doesn’t mean I want to be one of them,” Harley said and then rubbed his bearded jaw and shook his head.

  Kane had one hand leaning on his gun and the other on his hip. “Fine. I’m not going to force the issue, especially because that idea we discussed a few months back is looking to be more of a reality than a backup plan. Athena’s brothers and their buddies are heading this way in a few weeks. Maybe one of them might be interested in the position. If not, then I’m thinking of asking them to join you guys and help to organize this team in case we need it,” he said and Raven and Beretta laughed.

  “Good luck with that. Louis, Voight, Worin, and Hunt are mercenaries, like us, not peace officer material. We’re a different breed, Kane. You should fucking know this,” Raven said to him.

  “I know. I do, it’s just that the town is growing, and Central Valley is, as well, and more often than not we’re getting hit with more complicated crimes, too close for comfort. Everyone with connections usually tries to assist in any needed situation, but you know me. I like to be organized and prepared ahead of time. We need resourceful officers, capable of handling things. As I mentioned, we may need to organize some special unit to handle those extraordinary situations,” Kane told them.

  “We keep to ourselves, despite our brother Cassius taking on that position with the Texas Rangers. We are more than willing to help if a situation arises where you need our capabilities. Making a commitment? Leading? Just not sure we want to do that,” Harley said to him.

  “You helped a lot with that situation with Cherise. Which, by the way, how come you guys haven’t been to town, or to Harper’s?” Kane asked.

  “No need to. We got all we need right around here,” Raven said and Beretta mumbled.

  “People ask too many questions. We aren’t even settled in, really,” Raven added.

  “Yeah, and with the added cottage on the property and looking to rent that, we’ve been busy. Our own kind of busy,” Beretta said and waved his hand around them as they all stood by the driveway near the house, facing the cottage they were trying to rent.

  “You haven’t gotten any bites on it yet? It’s a very nice setup. You made it stand out too with the fire pit, cooking area and a good view of the land, too,” Kane told them, looking that way. From the driveway they had a clear view of the house. It was close.

  “It’s a distance from town and Main Street, I think that’s the issue,” Harley said.

  “Well, I’ll keep it in mind if I come across anyone looking to rent it.”

  “We appreciate that, Kane,” Harley said.

  “Okay then. I’m going to head out to do the rounds, but just so you know, as I compose a list of potential men for that special investigative unit, your names will be on it,” he said. They all shook their heads but Kane turned away and headed to the Sheriff’s patrol truck.

  Harley felt a little uneasy. It was hard for all of them to socialize, to even settle down and settle into civilian life. Basically they were working freelance, doing only the jobs, the investigating that caught their interest. Then of course there were things that Cassius was privy to on the down low. He was helping to run a specialized unit with the Rangers, and they assisted when needed. That was good enough for them.

  “How come you passed up the opportunity to become a deputy?” Beretta teased Harley.

  “Don’t mess with me, man. Look at me. I’m six feet four, filled with muscles and tats, and couldn’t get in and out of a police cruiser fast enough if my life depended upon it, they’re so fucking cramped in there.”

  “They have police SUV,” Raven added and smirked.

  “Quit it. None of us would fit in as law enforcement. One dick out of line, spewing shit and breaking the law and we would teach them a lesson about respect and authority. That badge would be taken away as quickly as we got it,” Harley said and his brothers chuckled.

  “Maybe we should go check out that place Harper’s one night when Cassius is around?” Raven said and Harley and Beretta looked at him with eyes squinted. “Or not,” Raven added and the subject was dropped.

  “I bet Athena is thrilled that her brothers and the team are coming back to Cherry Hill. I wonder if they’ll be staying put. Sounded like that by the way Kane said he planned on asking them to help run that team with us,” Beretta said.

  “I’m sure Athena is ecstatic. I’ll say one thing, if Kane’s brothers Culter, Chase, and Fox are on board with that special unit, I won’t mind being part of it one bit,” Harley said to them.

  “I second that,” Raven said and then Harley’s phone rang. He glanced at it and saw it was Cassius. “Hey, Cassius, what’s up?”

  “I’m not making it home for dinner. One of you guys will need to cook.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “A homicide.”

  “Shit. Why are you involved though?” Harley asked.

  “I can’t get into it now. I need to go. Talk to you later.”

  “Be safe,” Harley said. He ended the call and looked at the concerned expressions on Raven and Beretta’s faces.

  “He won’t be home. Something about a homicide,” Harley told them.

  “A homicide? Shit, it must have some sort of military ties or Cassius wouldn’t be involved,” Beretta stated.

  “Whatever it is, we’ll find out later or whenever he makes it home. I guess you should head inside to start cooking soon,” Harley said to Raven.

  “Me?
” Raven pointed to his own chest. It was a funny sight, considering that Raven was six feet four like the rest of them, filled with muscles, facial hair, tattoos and dark pissed off expressions all the time. Beretta chuckled.

  “Great, he’s going to fuck it all up.”

  “Then maybe you should cook?”

  “I just did, Harley. How about you? You need to make up for that pepper steak that went badly,” Beretta teased.

  “It wasn’t bad,” Harley said, eyebrows scrunched.

  “Bro, it sucked,” Raven said and then the teasing continued.

  * * * *

  Cassius stood by Texas Rangers Jeb Perkins and Alex Weathersen, both residents of Cherry Hill. He had known the men for several years but had lost contact with them until recently, and since retiring from Special Forces. His position was unique in the specialized unit, and dealt a lot with any type of military aspect to an investigation. He was a little anxious in this role, but his experience was way beyond anything any town or state would ever face in this country, and that was a good thing. Many of the investigators and detectives hadn’t seen and experienced the despicable acts of violence and murder like he and his team had. They each had some special talents and abilities. Instincts added to that aided in bringing justice to many victims’ families. Now he was using those instincts, techniques, and experiences to help law enforcement.

  “This is insane. The killer was violent, and the victim suffered terribly. You can see from the crime scene, and gathering the evidence around her, that she suffered, was restrained, beaten and sexually assaulted,” Jeb Perkins said to them.

  “There were also markings on her arm that appear to indicate the use of needles, perhaps drugs,” Alex Weathersen added.

  “Not necessarily leading to believe she was doing drugs. With the idea, and following the MO of that other murder a month ago, there are some major similarities. For example, the other victim was drugged. Needles were used, the toxicology reports indicated the type of drugs used. We’ll know if they match this victim’s toxicology report once that is complete. This victim was killed in the same manner. Blunt trauma to the head, lacerations across the chest, restraints, sexual assault. The only clothing somewhat on her has the logo of the bar where our other investigation keeps leading us,” Cassius said to them.