Destiny's Door: The Forbidden Destiny Sexy Suspense Series, #4

By Kristyn Kohl

How much courage does it take to walk through destiny's door?

Baffling clues and mystical revelations set the course for Eva Mateo as she tries to untangle her family's mysterious past. But is there something more? Something -- or someone -- whose fear of exposing those secrets knows no limits? 

More importantly, will it stop this sexy heroine from uncovering the truth?

Eva refuses to let fear determine her destiny. Fate -- not fear -- must take Eva to destiny's door. In the end, only the mysterious golden key can release those fears. And once they're gone, she'll know the truth behind the secrets that were hidden so many years before.

What will happen when she unlocks destiny's door? 

Destiny's Door is the fourth thrilling romance book in the Forbidden Destiny Sexy Suspense Series. For your complete enjoyment, you should read these books in order, beginning with Flashback Lita, Secrets, and Dangerous Web.

Get your copy of Destiny's Door and experience all of the steamy suspense today!

This book contains explicit love scenes and adult situations, so it's best-suited for readers who are 18+.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Premier Content Source, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536551693

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Eva used her shirt to wipe the blood from his face.  Trent.  Trent, stay with me, she pleaded.  But there was no response.

She bent towards his face.  If she could find a breath...

Ma'am let us in.

Oh! Yes!  She would gladly give way to the paramedics.  Eva watched helplessly as they lifted him onto the stretcher and placed him in the back of the ambulance.

We're taking him to City General.

Oh, thank God, she stuttered.  His face was pale, almost yellow, but he had to be breathing.  He had to be alive.  Why else would they take him to the hospital?  So he'll be all right?

His vitals are weak.  He's unconscious.  You'll need to speak to the doctors.

Yes!  Yes, I'll follow in the car.  Eva watched as the ambulance took off, sirens blazing.  Her initial instinct was to race behind the ambulance. 

And then reality came rushing back. 

She'd seen the car.  A dark sedan.  It had fled right after the explosion.  The gunshot.  Gunshot, she whispered.  Eva turned and stared at the trees behind her.  What about evidence?  She needed to get to it before the police.  Trent and Devin would know what to do.

Eva looked around.  No doubt the police would arrive any minute.  For now, the coast was clear.  She studied her surroundings and followed what she suspected would be the logical path.  If we were here, and the gunman was over there... Eva stared at the trees.  Then a bullet would be about... Before she could finish, she saw the slit in the tree.  Here! 

Eva took her keys from her purse and dug into the split.  It's here!  She pried the bullet from the wood and examined it.  By her guess it was a .45.

You need to clear out of there, ma'am.

Eva turned around to face the voice.  The police had arrived.  Yes, Officer, of course, she said as she as she slipped the bullet into her purse.  'I'm sorry. I'm just a bit shell shocked." 

You were with the victim?

Yes, actually I was just heading for the hospital.

Then I'll meet you there.

Eva headed for her car.  Someone had to have seen the sedan.  And then she remembered the guard at the gate to the Port.  For sure he had seen something.  Eva dropped down into the driver's seat and took a deep breath.  Just a few more things.  Time was of the essence.  Especially if Trent didn't... No, Eva, she said to herself, don't even think it.

Instead, she pulled up to the gate where the guard was working.

You must have seen the dark sedan that fled after the shooting, she said, pressing him for any details he had.

The guard turned to her.  I did.  Funny the police didn’t ask me about it, though.

I'm sure they will.  Did you get the license plate number?

Wrote it down.  He handed her a scrap of paper.  Right here.

Eva pulled a notepad from her purse and scribbled down the number.  Which way did he go?

Only way he could.  The guard pointed to the north.  That way.

Chapter 2

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Just as she reached the hospital, Trent's phone buzzed.  Still disoriented, Eva gazed at the screen.  Oh, no.  It's Devin.  She could hardly ignore it.

Devin.

Eva, where's Trent?

She paused, not wanting to say it out loud.  He's been shot.

What!  Where?!

At the port, Devin.  And I have a bullet and the tag number.

The subject's tag?

Yes, I think so.

Eva.  I know you don’t want to talk, but is he OK?

I don't.  I mean, I just got here.  I don’t know...

Eva, it's OK.  Be calm.  Can you find someone to ask?

Yes, she whispered barely able to contain her tears.

Then you can call me back, Eva.  Just go to him.  I'll come down if you need me.

Devin, let's see what they say.  I'll call you back. 

Good.  We can discuss all of this later.  For now, you just tend to Trent.

Eva walked up to the reception desk.  I'm here for Trent Markham.  He was shot.

Yes, of course, the nurse replied.  I'll notify the doctor.

Do you know if he's going to be OK?

I can’t say for sure, Miss...?

Mateo.  Eva Mateo.

I'm going to buzz inside, Miss Mateo.  We'll have someone out to talk to you as soon as possible.

Somehow she found the strength to make it to a chair.  Eva collapsed in it and closed her eyes.  Her mind wandered back to her mother.  She'd never had a chance.  The bullet had killed her instantly.  But Trent.  Trent had to be alive.  Why else would he be here?  She leaned her head back as if somehow that would stem her tears.  So much death.  First her great-grandparents.  Then her mother.  And now Trent.

No!  She jerked her head forward as she spoke.  Her mind was playing games with her.  He would survive this.  He had to.  They were meant to be together.  Nothing could stop that.

Miss Mateo?

Eva jumped to attention.  Yes, I'm Eva Mateo.

I'm Doctor Franklin.  The doctor extended his hand.  Well I have good news for you.  He's going to be fine.  A sore head for a week or so.  And perhaps a scar.  But otherwise, Mr. Markham will be fine.

Eva burst into tears.  I can't believe it!

He's very lucky to be alive.  Another few millimeters, and it would have been fatal.  As it turns out, the bullet grazed him on the temple.  Of course the impact knocked him out and gave him a concussion.  But after some bed rest, he should be fine.

Yes!  Oh, thank God, she whispered.

I've decided to keep him overnight.  For observation.  But barring any complications, I'll release him in the morning.  He's en route to a private room as we speak.

Doctor, thank you so much.

He's a tough guy, Miss Mateo.  Still, if you want to stay with him, the couch pulls out to a bed.

Yes, thank you.  I have no intention of leaving his side.

The doctor smiled.  Give us about ten minutes, and then I'll have the nurse direct you to his room.

Eva collapsed back into the chair.  She had never been more thankful than she was at this very moment.  She loved this man more than anything else in the world.  There was no way in hell would she live her life without him.

Devin, she said when he answered the phone.  He's going to be all right.  The bullet only grazed his temple.  Gave him a concussion, but he should be fine.  They're going to keep him overnight for observation.  I won’t leave his side.

Good.  Somebody has to reign in his stubbornness, Devin chuckled.  Are the police on this?

Oh, I almost forgot.  They should be here.  Eva looked around.  They're not here yet.  Before they do, let me tell you what I found at the scene.  A bullet in a tree, which I have.  Looks like a .45.  And the tag number from the sedan I saw fleeing just after the shot.  Eva paused.  Should I turn the bullet over to the police?

Devin paused.  I don't want to tell you to withhold evidence, but this is far more complicated than a routine shooting if you know what I'm saying.

Yes, I know, Devin.  And I thought the bullet was better off with you.

It is, Eva.  We'll need it to hopefully tie all of this together.

So then I know what to do.  And the tag?

"They'll find that.