It happened in a flash. I felt a man's cold fingers curl around my arms, twisting them behind my back. I screamed in agony as he pulled me deeper into the woods. He cupped a tight hand around my mouth, muffling my screams. I had no idea what was happening, only that Emma was out of sight. I stumbled over a tree root and fell backward.
"Get up, girl." a harsh voice sounded to my left. And with that came a kick to my cheek. I panted hard. Well, that was going to leave a mark. He pulled me up and held me by my hair.
"Wow," he said, his hand tracing the outline of the bruise on my cheek. "You're beautiful." His fingers moved down my neck, and near my chest. I tried pulling away with all my might, only for him to throw me down again.
"Listen!" he yelled and kicked my ribs as I groaned. "You cooperate with me, I'll consider sparing your life." He shined the flashlight over his face. The wind was knocked out of me. It was...
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.