Shadowed
Authors: Kariss Lynch
Shadowed
is feast of intrigue, romance, and plot twists served up on a platter of
fresh descriptions! I devoured this book, curled up by the fire, poker in handâjust
in case. It feels that real.
âC
INDY
S
IGLER
D
AGNAN
A
UTHOR OF
H
OT
C
HOCOLATE FOR
C
OUPLES
AND
W
HO
G
OT
P
EANUT
B
UTTER ON
M
Y
D
AILY
P
LANNER
Shadowed
is Kariss's best novel yet. When the smoke clears, two people discover the
heartbeat of love is birthed in betrayal, tragedy, and faith.
âD
I
A
NN
M
ILLS
A
UTHOR OF
F
IREWALL AND
D
OUBLE
C
ROSS
Lynch brings us a follow-up tale that is bolder and bigger than the first as she
takes us deeper into the lives of her characters and adds an immensely satisfying
tickle of suspense. Another well-rounded story that has something for every reader,
and a darn fine job in telling it too.
âH
EATHER
J
AMES
A
UTHOR OF
U
NHOLY HUNGER
AND
H
ANDS OF
D
ARKNESS
Once again Kariss provides readers with a thrilling book showcasing a love-struck
couple with God at the center of the lives and struggles. This one is packed with
action and seemingly devastating events that test and build faith. Exposing a warrior's
heart for God, his country, and his woman,
Shadowed
brings readers into the storm
of service, sacrifice, passion, and love.
âN
AVY
S
EAL
An action-packed salute to Navy SEALs and their families. Danger, secrets, and bold
acts of courage are balanced by playful humor and sweet romance. Kariss Lynch offers
it all.
âC
ANDACE
C
ALVERT
B
EST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE
G
RACE
M
EDICAL SERIES
AND
B
Y
Y
OUR
S
IDE
Shadowed
is a thrill ride of intrigue and romance from beginning to end. Kariss Lynch
manages to balance tenderness and courage with the perfect amount of suspense. I
fell in love with Nick and Kaylan because they're real and imperfect, not to mention
the fact that Nick had me swooning through to the last sentence.
Shadowed
is sure
to satisfy romance and suspense lovers everywhere!
âA
MY
K. S
ORRELLS
A
WARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF
H
OW
S
WEET THE
S
OUND
AND
T
HEN
S
INGS
M
Y
S
OUL
Most C
HARISMA
H
OUSE
B
OOK
G
ROUP
products are available at special quantity discounts
for bulk purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs.
For details, write Charisma House Book Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida
32746, or telephone (407) 333-0600.
S
HADOWED
by Kariss Lynch
Published by Realms
Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form by any meansâelectronic, mechanical, photocopy,
recording, or otherwiseâwithout prior written permission of the publisher, except
as provided by United States of America copyright law.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Copyright © 2015 by Kariss Lynch
All rights reserved
Cover design by Lisa Rae McClure
Design Director: Justin Evans
Visit the author's website at
www.karisslynch.com
.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Lynch, Kariss.
Shadowed / Kariss Lynch. -- First edition.
pages cm. -- (Heart of a warrior ; book 2)
ISBN 978-1-62998-006-5 (paperback) -- ISBN 978-1-62998-007-2 (e-book)
I. Title.
PS3612.Y37S526 2015
813'.6--dc23
2014034344
To the Lynch Mob and Brandon Bunch, for teaching me the importance of family
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
âR
UDYARD
K
IPLING
,
“T
HE
L
AW OF THE
J
UNGLE
”
CONTENTS
T
HE SMELL OF
lilacs and sea spray hovered in the room. Janus's eyes traveled around
the bright space, taking in the dance pictures and shots of Kaylan and a blonde girl.
Kaylan was pretty; she'd give her that. Her auburn hair hung in loose waves, a smattering
of light freckles dotted her nose, and her eyes glowed as green as a forest.
No wonder she'd captivated Nick.
The room appeared organized in its disorganization. The cream comforter lay thrown
over the bed haphazardly dotted with purple throw pillows. Each drawer in the desk
seemed scattered, yet categorizedânotes in one, office supplies in anotherâthe mark
of someone attempting neatness but failing in the rush of life. Janus grimaced. How
would Kaylan ever keep up with a home?
Nick could do better.
Then she found it. A picture of Nick and Kaylan on the beach, laughing and covered
in sand. Janus's mouth pulled in a tight line. Too bad she had to ruin his happiness.
From what she could tell, Nick Carmichael pursued a task with tenacity and demonstrated
a drive for justice unlike anything she'd ever seen. She flipped the frame over and
deftly lifted the photo
from the glass, leaving behind the generic piece of paper
with smiling faces. Nick would soon know she'd been here.
He needed to know his world could cave in around him at any moment. The only way
he could save it was to stop pursuing her. Or else she would be forced to hurt the
one thing precious to him.
A sigh escaped her lips, and she quickly sucked in. It was his neck or Janus's. Too
much hung in the balance. She couldn't afford a mistake. With a glance at her watch,
she slipped from the house the same way she'd entered. A plane awaited and money
stood to be made.
Climbing in her car parked two blocks away, she glanced at the picture again, ignoring
the flutter of her heart as her eyes brushed over Nick's face. She hadn't experienced
control over a person like this since her Cold War days, and she wouldn't abdicate
that power now for any emotion, even if the part of herself she had buried long ago
stirred with his nearness. The engine roared to life, and she gripped the wheel,
her knuckles whitening.
No. Never again.
T
HE SKY EXPLODED
in an array of fiery colors and Kaylan jumped, remembering the
distant crash of buildings and buckling earth in the Haiti earthquake only nine months
before.
“It's okay, babe. It's just fireworks.” Nick pulled her close on the beach, his arms
reminding her of her new life in California, away from the humid, tropical landscape
of Haiti, and away from her family in Alabama.
Vibrant reds, blues, and oranges danced in the sky, leaving smoky silhouettes in
their wake. Nick's team of Navy SEALs and their loved ones surrounded herâher new
community. Logan and Colt lit fireworks on the beach and then darted away before
they ignited, children squealing in delight as they burst. A campfire crackled in
front of them on firewood piled in the sand, and the clear night sky grew hazy under
the continual pops and smoke from children's sparklers. Kaylan couldn't imagine a
better way to begin Labor Day weekend. She wished she could freeze the memory and
frame it. Laughter mixed with the lap of waves and boom of fireworks. Children played
tag, darting in and out of the waves licking the beach. Titus, Jay, and Micah stood
near the fire with other guys from SEAL Team 5 and Support Activity 1,
roasting hot
dogs and marshmallows. The women chatted or chased down kids.
Kaylan smiled to herself. It was picture perfect. The scene seemed so normal, hiding
the fact that these men were conditioned for war. She squeezed Nick's arm a little
tighter, knowing the time would come. He would have to leave.
His strong fingers ruffled her hair, gently sweeping strands from her forehead. Despite
the warm evening, goose bumps danced down her arms, and she closed her eyes.
“What's going on in that head of yours, gorgeous?”
She turned her head to meet Nick's gaze, loving the fire found in the smoky blue.
“Just making a memory.”
His lips brushed her forehead. In one quick move he stood from their sandy blanket,
pulling her with him. “Let's take a walk.” He settled his arm around her shoulders,
and once again she treasured the contact, knowing these moments would carry her through
the long days to come.
A football whizzed through the air and smacked Nick on his back. “Yo, Hawk, get a
room, man,” Jay called, whistling at Kaylan.
Before Nick could react, Kaylan's brother Micah tackled Jay around the waist, and
they both hit the sand. “I think you forgot you are talking about my sister.” With
one quick move Micah wrapped his arms around Jay in a headlock, his legs pinning
the rest of Jay's body. Jay fought and kicked but Micah held firm, his arm still
allowing Jay to breathe. Barely.
The rest of the team gathered around, dollar bills exchanging hands as quickly as
their cheers and chanting filled the air. Kids joined in the frenzy, excitement glowing
in their young eyes.
“Micah totally has this.”
“No way. Jay wrestled in high school. Micah is toast.”
Jay squirmed. His face turned red, whether from embarrassment or lack of air, Kaylan
couldn't tell.