Haunted by Her Past: Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery, #5

By Kim Cox

Lana's health and pregnancy are at stake if she doesn't stay in bed . . . . . . but she can't ignore her visions or someone in need. Can she find a way to stay safe and help save a young woman's life?

Abused and scared, Jena runs away from a toxic relationship. When her abuser finds her, he's killed. Was it murder or an accident? Now he's haunting her . . . continuing his cruelty.

Demi elicits Lana's help with a domestic abuse victim, but did she murder her ex-boyfriend?

Tony demands she Lana rests. Doctor's orders.

Knowing Tony will worry if she tries to help in her condition, she tries to assist from afar, but soon discovers it's vital for her to be on the scene—stuck in the middle of an impossible situation.

How can Lana convince a man who was abusive in life to move on? Will she be able to help Jena find the peace of mind she deserves . . . even if it means Jena will need to admit her own guilt?

If you love paranormal mysteries with strong, lovable characters, you will enjoy Haunted by Her Past.

Get it today!

The Lana Malloy Series (in order):
Book 0: Haunting Lana: The Beginning
Book 1: Haunted Hearts
Book 2: Get Out or Die
Book 3: The Wedding Crasher
Book 4: Christmas Cruise
Book 5: Haunted by Her Past

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kim Cox
• Release date: Dec 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781386819479

Book preview

HAUNTED BY

HER PAST

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL

MYSTERY SERIES - BOOK 5

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Kim Cox

OTHER BOOKS BY KIM COX

Lana Malloy Paranormal Mysteries Series (Novellas)

Haunting Lana: The Beginning (Book 0)

Haunted Hearts (Book 1)

Get Out or Die (Book 2)

Christmas Cruise (Book 4)

Haunted by Her Past (Book 5)

Grave Accusations (Book 6 – coming soon)

Romantic Suspense Novels

Suspicious Minds

For the Love of Money (coming soon)

Style & Profile Series

All This Time (Book 1)

Before We Wed (Book 2)

For the Defense (Book 3 – coming soon)

Mending Fences (Book 4 – TBA)

Short Stories - Sweet Romances

A Dream Come True

In His Arms

All For Love

Love Conquers All

Collections

Wandering Spirits I

Wandering Spirits II

Dream, Conquer, & Love

COPYRIGHT

Haunted by Her Past

Copyright © 2017 Kim Cox

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission of the author in writing.

Cover Art © 2017 – Haunted by Her Past

Kim Cox Designs

Table of Contents

Other Books by Kim Cox

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader,

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE & ROMANTIC MYSTERY NOVELS

NEWEST RELEASE EXCERPT

FREE EBOOK

REVIEW THIS BOOK ONLINE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chapter One

Having nothing else to do, Lana flipped the worn pages of a magazine, bored out of her mind. Pregnant, now in her eighth month, she retained fluid, which caused her feet and ankles to swell. When they became swollen, the doctor instructed her to stay off them.

While working from home as much as he could, Tony enforced the doctor's orders by imposing bedrest. A few minutes ago, she’d made some iced tea and carried it to him at his desk. He’d taken one look at her ankles and ordered her back to bed. Lana couldn’t believe she wobbled along like a penguin.

Tony trailed behind her. His plan, she suspected, was to make sure she followed through. After she laid down, he placed a pillow under her legs. Elevating them helped with the edema. He'd retrieved her glass of tea and set it on the bedside table.

After Tony left the room, Lana decided to take a nap. She hadn’t been asleep long when a vision came on her.

A dark-haired man towered over a young, thin woman that Lana guessed to be about twenty-one. With his hand balled into a fist, he struck her again and again. The woman's sandy-blonde hair hung over her face, a few strands covering her sad, brown eyes. The man's black eyes narrowed in anger. The woman fell into the corner, throwing her arms over her head to protect her face as best she could. But the man landed one punch after another until he tired of it and kicked her in her ribs. The woman rolled onto her other side. Unconsciousness appeared to be a welcome relief.

Lana awakened. What had the dream meant? The couple wasn't familiar to her. She knew all the people who lived on John’s Island and many of those who lived in Charleston. Just then, her cell phone buzzed. Tony must have put it on vibrate to keep callers from disturbing her while she slept.

She picked it up. The caller id indicated it was her best friend. Hey, Demi!

Hey, girl. How are you doing? Getting all round and radiant?

Of course. Lana chuckled. That was a new joke between them. She might be getting huge, but that made her glow more. To tell you the truth, Tony has ordered me to bed for the rest of the day.

Ankles swelling again?

Ankles, feet, legs . . . You name it. Lana finger-combed her hair and held it on top of her head.

Sorry to hear that. Do you feel like company?

Lana sat straight up and smoothed the wrinkles in the bedspread. Definitely. Afraid we’ll have to visit up here in my room. Tony’s playing warden again. I'll be lucky if he allows me to sit up.

Poor baby girl. I wish I had time to prop up my feet. Demi snickered.

How’s Derek? We haven't seen him in ages. Is he what’s keeping you so busy these days? Derek was Tony's brother. He and Demi had started seeing each other last year while Lana and Tony were on their cruise.

He’s okay. Demi cleared her throat. Look, I’ll see you in a few hours, say around six tonight.

Okay, see you then.

Demi said bye quicker than normal and closed the connection.

The action shocked Lana. Demi had cut her off at the mere mention of Derek's name. Lana shrugged it off, attributing the short call to Demi's demanding job. Demi was the new Chief of Detectives. Someone or something urgent probably needed her attention.

Her beautiful best friend and her gorgeous brother-in-law were dating. It was official. They’d kept it simple in the beginning, hanging out after work and drinking a couple of beers. Or they'd get together with Lana and Tony for movie night, a picnic, dinner, or a football game. They called it an Alpha test, which sounded a little geeky to Lana. It meant they’d hang out as friends while working out the bugs before they decided to date as a real couple. Even then, Lana suspected it was more than friendship.

She'd caught Derek leaving Demi’s house in the early morning hours more than once. Derek pretended he’d just stopped by to see her before work. Right!

You’d think they'd forgotten about her being a psychic when they tried to trick her, which was ridiculous. They'd observed her abilities first-hand. Of course, Lana didn’t know everything. She had good instincts and those told her they were dating and keeping it secret. She was glad it was all out in the open now. Lana pressed the button on the intercom. Tony?

Whatcha need, Hon?

Demi called—

Did she wake you? he asked, his voice stern.

Lana rolled her eyes. No. Listen. She’s coming over about six tonight to visit, so make sure there's extra for dinner.

Is Derek coming with her?

She didn’t say, and I didn't think to ask. I think it’s only her this time.

Okay, he said, disappointment evident in his voice. But I’ll let Mimi know to fix enough for two extras in case he comes, too.

Although Lana protested, Tony had hired a housekeeper to assist while she was pregnant. Mimi helped them with gardening, cooking, and housework. And Tony?

Yes? Now he sounded a bit irritated with her, but it was his own fault.

Since you’ve confined me to bed, can you bring up a table for Demi? She can sit in my favorite chair.

If you promise to stay in bed tonight.

She smirked. "Is it okay if I get up to pee, master?

Tony sighed. Of course, Lana. You’re hilarious.

Lana started reading a new romance novel, but she became drowsy, so she turned off her eReader and set it beside her. She closed her eyes and slept. Almost an hour had gone by when the intercom buzzed.

Lana, would you like something to drink?

Yes, hon. She yawned. Some water would be great.

Be right up.

Tony brought up a pitcher of water and two glasses. He kept her company for a little while. After she finished drinking, he lay on the bed beside her. I’m sorry, honey.

Why?

He rubbed her belly, then kissed it. You’re stuck up here all day. Maybe tomorrow you’ll be able to roam around, and we can go out to dinner if you like.

I’d love that. Are you done with work for the day?

No. He pushed himself onto one elbow. Mimi started dinner. It should be ready in an hour or so.

Lana rubbed her belly. Good I'm starved. Lana caressed his