The Heart of a Killer

The Heart of a Killer
Jaci Burton

Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault Anna only survived thanks to him. More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante.But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?

No one said coming home would be easy. But for Dante Renaldi, it’s murder.

Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he’s embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he’s seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.

The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he’s part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault that Anna only survived thanks to him.

More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?

Praise for the novels of Jaci Burton

“Sexy, smart, edge-of-the-seat romance… Jaci Burton always delivers a great read.”

—New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian

“In the hands of the talented Burton, the characters leap off the page and the romance sparkles as the sex sizzles.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Perfect Play, Top pick!

“Hot, sexy, romantic suspense at its best!”

—New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh on Riding on Instinct

“Burton continues to display a deft hand as she combines emotional drama with plenty of sizzling sex and dangerous action.”

—RT Book Reviews on Taken by Sin

“Burton brings the heat, jazzing her otherworldly suspense plot with numerous passionate interludes, without letting the explosive good vs. evil saga flag. Hot sex, fierce battles and an impending sequel make this title worth hunting down.”

—Publishers Weekly on Hunting the Demon

The Heart of a Killer

Jaci Burton

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

For Charlie, a man whose support is limitless, whose patience is endless and whose love keeps me going every day.

Thank you for helping me live this dream.

Contents

Prologue (#u01e874d8-0d49-543a-9045-bbcbf613988e)

Chapter One (#ubfc8c100-31b8-5b61-ad0b-320419f2d8e4)

Chapter Two (#u0e450f20-928b-5edb-81c4-09b921ef9cff)

Chapter Three (#u70e65e21-19d1-5f2d-ad5e-a0743172f377)

Chapter Four (#u30ac57c2-948e-566e-b231-b0781476b46c)

Chapter Five (#uc2b0f8d6-71aa-58fe-92f6-aade8c7d19ef)

Chapter Six (#uc5e122fc-d212-5da8-94dd-7bd1c77bfef1)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)

Acknowledgments (#litres_trial_promo)

Prologue

St. Louis, Missouri