Excerpt for Wicked Desire

Maggie ran to the door, her heart in her throat, her fingers fumbling with the security lock. The memory of his last attack flashed through her mind. Something warned her she was going to
end up with more than a black eye and cut lip.

She let out a bloodcurdling scream when David caught up to her, before she had the chance to undo the chain. He grabbed her by the hair, and jerked her viciously away from the door and into his arms.

“Where’s your gun, baby?” he grated roughly against her ear, his teeth giving her lobe a painful nip. Maggie cried out in pain, which seemed to fuel his desire to hurt her. “The one you threatened
me with, huh?” He wrapped both arms around her body, pinning her arms to her sides so she couldn’t fight him, and began dragging her backwards with him toward the bedroom. “Feel my gun?” he taunted crudely.

Maggie felt sick inside, the bile rising in her throat threatened to choke her. She prayed that it did. At least unconsciousness she wouldn’t have to endure what he had in store for her.

“David, please! I’m begging you not to do this!” She strained against him with all her might, bringing her heel down on his foot, but he only laughed at her efforts. “You’ll go back to prison!” she warned.

He released a sound of indifference. “I’m going to screw you, Maggie. It’s all I thought about while I was in that hellhole. I was a good boy just so I could get out early.”

Maggie’s arms were useless as David kept a firm grip around her. When he lifted her struggling body until her feet were dangling off the ground she threw her head back with enough force to
break his nose. Her actions had the desired results she was hoping for.

He released her, his scream deafening in her ear. She spun around in time to see him grab for his nose. Shock held Maggie motionless. In all their years together she was the one who came away from their battles with bruises and bloody lips. Not once had she ever been able to hurt him.

Now there he stood, glaring at her with hatred, while blood poured through his fingers. “You bitch! I’ll kill you!” His eyes were wild when he pulled
his hand back to look at the blood covering it. He drew his lips back in a grimace.

She stared at the crimson tide streaming down his face, too dazed to do anything else. Until his words finally sank in and the meaning behind them.

Maggie had no doubt David would do exactly
what he threatened. She turned to run, not having anywhere to run to.

She didn’t get far...