David Baldacci Stand Alone Novels Novels & Stories

" How about a week in Bali? Will this reduce your bloodthirst?" There was a silence on the other end of the line. I bought myself some time. "All-inclusive, lavish holiday?" Lucy asked, and I knew I won. " I wouldn't offer anything less." " I am listening." " You remember my good old friend Sam? I need to know everything about his plans. Can you gather that information as fast as possible? I need to know what he hides up his sleeve." Lucy chuckled. " Let's make something clear first. Bali is still happening?"

"I always assumed he was simply eccentric. Reclusive money, the kind that doesn't need to be loud because it's patient." "You think he's behind this," Elena said. "Not Sterling." "I think Sterling's been a convenient, noisy distraction this entire time," Alexander said grimly, "and someone far more careful has been using our war with him as cover to build something inside my own company for years." He looked at Gavin. "I want everything you can find on Dominic Cross. Quietly. If he's been patient enough to plant an asset for six years without cashing it in, he will notice the second we come looking too loudly."

"I think Salvatore has spent years searching for me, and once he finally located me connected to your family, he began a long, patient campaign designed not simply to threaten you, but to isolate and destroy me specifically, through the people I love most." "David," Alexander said suddenly, understanding dawning across his face. "Vivian, is that why David's involvement with Salvatore's estate felt so significant? Because he's connected to this same history?" "I believe David worked for Salvatore during that same period," Vivian said. "Though I never knew that detail during our relationship. If that's true, it means even reaching out to him for help may have inadvertently given Salvatore anot

Alan was by her side in a second, those strong powerful hands supporting her with gentleness. Luckily, she didn't throw up, but she stood and dragged herself towards the pool, her ponytail flying around in different directions. He watched her for a minute before he broke the silence, his voice cold. "Does this change things for you? Be rest assured that I won't attempt to blackmail you if you decide you can't take it. You and our kid will be cared for and protected..." "Shut up." She cut him off. Alan Sterling, the man who had been trained to be a mafia boss since he was a kid and had been her Professor a week ago stopped talking instantly.

Instead, she slid her phone toward me, her voice low. “Have you seen this?” I took the phone from Vanessa’s hand, my stomach tightening even before I read the bold headline glaring at me. “FAMOUS MODEL AND HEIRESS TO THE ADONIS EMPIRE, CLARA ADONIS BREAKS OFF ENGAGEMENT TO DANTE BLACKWOOD.” My breath caught. I sat up straighter, tapping the screen with trembling fingers. The blog page opened, and Vanessa leaned in so close her hair brushed my shoulder. Line by line, the words burned. When we finished reading, our eyes met in stunned silence.

I want you…I bit my lip, the taste of sin and lust driving me insane. The isolation gnawed at me, so I slipped away to the balcony for fresh air. The night sky stretched above me, jeweled with stars but no moon. The breeze kissed my skin, and I closed my eyes, soaking in the peace until it shattered at the touch of a rough hand on my bare back. “What the hell!” I spun, panic flaring, only to see a pot-bellied man with a greasy smile. Recognition hit me like bile. Caleb. Beatrice’s nerdy brother from high school, now aged and foul.