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DEATHTOLL
The Broslin Creek Series Book 8
BY DANA MARTON

Blurb

The Broslin Creek Series, a reader favorite, began with the story of Kate and Murph (an eye-witness running from a deadly assassin and the soldier who steps between her and a violent death). DEATHTOLL, the last book, features the same couple. Kate and Murph are back in Broslin Creek, thinking they’re safe, their worst enemy dead. But soon people around Kate begin to die under suspicious circumstances, and she and Murph must face the terrible realization that Asael followed them home, and not only are their lives in danger, but also the lives of the townspeople who took Kate in years ago.

Don’t miss the stunning conclusion to this immensely satisfying suspense series. Click above to preorder now.

DEATHTOLL
The Broslin Creek Series Book 8
BY DANA MARTON

Excerpt

Don’t dance like nobody is watching.

Because somebody will be watching. And they’ll be smirking. And then you’ll have to choose between dying of embarrassment or murdering them. And what kind of choices are those? Damn bad.

Kate Bridges was browsing the  Broslin Farm Market, scrutinizing cookie labels and wiggling to the 90s Hits soundtrack from the loudspeakers, when she looked up and saw Murph Dolan coming toward her.

Because life likes to ambush the shit out of you, just when you least expect it. She wasn’t supposed to run into him for another hour yet, at Hope Hill, at work.

“Nice moves.” His raspy voice went straight to her heart.

Every freaking time.

So did his eyes—the color of the finest dark chocolate—as they filled with feral hunger for a second before he shuttered his gaze. Then there were his muscles, flexing as he pushed his cart. Muscles she’d licked…

Kate’s visceral reaction to him was a primal, cave-woman response to the man who’d kept her safe and made her body melt in bed. And in any number of other places: on the kitchen table, against the wall, backseat of the car, shower, bathtub, etc., etc.

Don’t think about Murph naked!

Easier said than done when he was standing this close with that former soldier, ex-cop, still-in-excellent-shape body. He probably worked out just to torture her.

He’d been the last man she’d seen naked. And it’d been months ago, and—

“Here is a universal truth of life,” she said, slamming the lid on thoughts regarding how much she missed…things she wasn’t going to admit missing.

She aimed for an unfailingly neutral tone. “The second you find a product you love, stores will let you have it maybe twice before it’s discontinued. They’ll dangle it in front of your nose just enough so you fall in love and can really mourn the loss.”

Should not have said “fall in love.”

She winced.

Please respond with something light, then move along. Don’t bring up anything that’ll make my heart bleed in aisle three, dammit.

She held her breath as she watched disappointment flash in his eyes, as if he was thinking Is grocery store stock really what you want to talk about? But then he played along. “So, you know you’re gluten sensitive for sure?”

The acute sense of relief settled over Kate like her weighted blanket, which she had to use since she’d left Murph, so she could get at least some sleep without him.

To give her eyes something to do other than mournfully stare at him, she checked the list of ingredients on another box of cookies as she spoke. “I don’t know what else to try. I’ve already given up dairy.”

“You could see a doctor.”

“It’s not that bad. My stomach is just off.” She slid the box back on the shelf and picked another one, all-natural, organic, almond flour cookies that cost a fortune. Everything in the special diet aisle did.

“I wouldn’t recommend dietary restrictions for anyone.” She used the box to gesture at the $7.99 price tag on the shelf. “Unless they win the lottery first.”

Instead of agreeing with her on that, Murph slid his gaze to her torso. Lingered. “You lost a lot of weight.”

“I’m starting to gain it back.” She dropped the cookies into her cart, then pulled her phone from her pocket to check the time. “I need to go. I don’t want to be late for work.”

“You never used to grocery shop in the morning.”

“Picking up a birthday treat for a patient.”

“You have your car back from the shop?”

“Tomorrow. Emma is driving me. She flew up from LA.”

His eyebrows twitched as his eyes met hers again. “When?”

“Day before yesterday.”

His mouth—that had done unspeakable things to the most sensitive parts of her body—tightened. “Were you going to tell me?”

Murph had always treated her family as his own. He’d gone to LA with Kate every time she visited. He and Emma had hit it off from their first meeting. Of course, he would want to see Emma. But just then, inviting Murph over was beyond Kate. She was still working up to it.

Silent reproach thickened the air between them for a moment before he said, “Tell your sister I said hi.”

Then, his expression closed, he moved past Kate, and she fought the urge to follow him as the tide followed the moon. Habit. They used to shop together, going down the aisles side by side. They used to do everything together.

Kate rocked on the balls of her feet. “See you at the office!”

He looked back. She should have just kept her mouth shut and let him go. She clenched her jaw, too late.

Don’t say anything. Please.

Because he knew her, he heard her silent plea. He simply nodded at her before he walked away.

And then she could finally breathe. Sweet chocolate-covered cherries.

About Author Dana Marton…