Runaway

Chapter 1

Seattle, Washington, early May 2018

Nikki nervously tapped her foot as she waited for one of the cabs to stop and finally get her out of the rain. A typical day for Seattle. The goddamn rain had been falling steadily now for more than a week, killing everyone's will to live. She hated the rain and this town, yet, the place where you've lived your whole life is not that easy to replace. Here lived the most important people in her life, including her mother, stepfather, stepbrother and all her friends with whom she was spending time on a daily basis.

Although her clothes were completely wet, Nikki was looking forward to one thing. In a week, her third book will finally see the light of day and bring new money to her bank account. She knew that her parents would be delighted. She could already see her mother's, Susan's, and her new husband's faces praising her. She could also imagine the blog posts discussing the newest adventure of Detectives Clark and Patty.

Riveting plot twists and steamy tension...

Absolutely thrilling...

An intricate chase that will leave you begging for more...

Critics often commented on Nikki's style of writing and praised her as one of the most promising young writers in America.

It would be a lie not to admit that Nikki was very proud of herself and her achievements in the literary world. But she was most interested in another opinion. The opinion of her fiancé, Darnell. Darnell Adams, with his 27 years, was an up and coming lawyer in Seattle. He had a lot of attention in the business world. She had met him at a reception and he had immediately wooed her with his charm. Considering the ease with which he led the conversation going, she didn't doubt a lot of women had gone through his bed before. But now, Darnell was only hers and he gave her a security she has been looking for so long. Even the fact that her mother wasn't exactly thrilled with her choice of person-to-spend-your-entire-life-with didn't turn her from Darnell.

One of the cabs finally stopped next to her, which snapped Nikki out of her haze and she quickly entered the car.

„Finally" she groaned, pulling a soaked brown coat from her body. „Drive to Broadview. The address is written on this paper."

The driver took a completely wet paper from her, trying to read smudged letters. They slowly moved forward and Nikki finally relaxed. She shifted her thick curly black hair over her shoulder and took her phone out of her bag. The screen showed a missed call. Nikki unlocked the device and then saw it was Addison, her manager and best friend.

She dialed the number again and waited a few moments until she heard a well-known happy voice from the other side of the line.

Addison: „Nikki, finally. New Libri Press just called me. I have great news."

Nikki smiled.

Nikki: „I'm just getting back from there. I know what you need to tell me."

Addison: (enthusiastically) „We're going out! FINALLY!"

Nikki: „Yeah...finally."

Addison: „This is great. Your fans will be thrilled. I already can see the posters. You'll make a bunch of money."

Nikki: „You know I'm not doing this for money, Addy. I love to write."

As the words left her mouth, Nikki could practically hear Addison rolling her eyes. Her best friend didn't believe a word of what she just said.

Addison: „Be realistic."

Nikki: „Fine, maybe just a little. To be honest, I need money. The wedding is here and every dollar comes in handy."