Unbreakable

By Melissa Seal

A dangerous, irresistible love threatens an investigation into an elusive serial killer in the first book in an explosive romantic thriller trilogy.
 
Alexandra “Lexie” Fleming is the hottest detective on the Norfolk Police Department. She is on the trail of the “Last Call Killer,” a brutal serial killer who preys on college girls. Lexie is driven to solve the case even though her life is falling apart. She must find a way to stay one step ahead of the killer despite her grief over the sudden death of her partner and the betrayal she feels as her marriage implodes.
 
When Lexie’s new partner, detective Danielle Watkins, enters her already chaotic world, the tension is undeniable. Danielle is good at her job, strong-willed and just as stubborn as Lexie, and at first they clash professionally. Danielle is also beautiful, and the electricity between the two detectives is impossible to ignore: the subtle touches, the lingering looks, the late-night conversations. Lexie is swept away by the forbidden feelings growing within her. As they track the killer, they come to trust and depend on each other, and their relationship deepens. The twists and turns of the case might destroy the newfound passion between Danielle and Lexi—or their love—could prove unbreakable . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781954779396

Book preview

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UNBREAKABLE

MELISSA SEAL

Copyright © 2019 Melissa Seal

Layout and Design Copyright © 2019 Emerald Design Co.

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1-69462-395-9

DEDICATION

To my Battle Buddy Sergeant J. Miller, who was there from the beginning, and to everyone who encouraged me to keep writing when I wanted to quit. To my family, who supports me, and to Olivia, who inspires me daily.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE 1

CHAPTER TWO 7

CHAPTER THREE 15

CHAPTER FOUR 19

CHAPTER FIVE 26

CHAPTER SIX 35

CHAPTER SEVEN 44

CHAPTER EIGHT 54

CHAPTER NINE 58

CHAPTER 10 64

CHAPTER 11 67

CHAPTER TWELVE 73

CHAPTER THIRTEEN 75

CHAPTER FOURTEEN 82

CHAPTER FIFTEEN 84

CHAPTER SIXTEEN 87

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN 90

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 92

CHAPTER NINETEEN 97

CHAPTER TWENTY 103

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE 107

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO 113

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE 119

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 142

CHAPTER ONE

Lexie’s cell phone rang as she lay in bed on a chilly October morning. She snuggled up in the covers and didn’t want to move. She assumed it was her husband, Chris, with another lame excuse as to why he had not come home last night. She let it ring until the voice mail picked up, but it rang again.

That time she answered and heard the panicked sound of a young paramedic on the other end, Detective Fleming?

Yes, this is Detective Fleming, how can I help you?

Jack Porter was found unresponsive in his front yard at five this morning. Since you are his emergency contact, I am calling to notify you that he was taken to Norfolk General Hospital, you should get there quickly, Detective.

Lexie knew he hadn’t been himself lately, they had been working overtime trying to catch the Last Call Killer. The killer was relentless and had already killed seven young women but not before forcing the victims to make one last call to their loved ones to say goodbye. The case was hard on Jack. He had worked a lot of late nights and early mornings. He pushed himself and his team to get the murderer off the street before more innocent people died.

The night before at the end of their shift, Lexie had pleaded, Jack please slow down and get some rest. You haven’t eaten all day and you look like hell. Either you get some dinner and sleep or I’m talking to the captain and you will be forced to do so.

He begged her not to, Lexie, this maniac is torturing and murdering young girls and they are counting on us to stop this vicious lunatic! I know I’m getting older and need to slow down, but I can’t, not until we close this case. I’m not thirty-years-old anymore, and if I start slowing down, they will replace me with a newer, younger, better version. I swear Lexie, if I can’t work in the field, I may as well be dead. Ron from HR informed me that he overheard a conversation between Captain Harris and the deputy police commissioner this morning about that young army vet that took the detectives exam a few months ago and nailed it. They discussed making room for her in the Violent Crimes Division. We don’t have any openings here for a detective, so you know what that means. Get rid of the old guy to make room for the young woman!

What the hell are you talking about Jack? The girl from Narcotics? She’s been a detective for like five minutes, there is no way they would transfer her to Violent Crimes. Now, stop talking crazy, go home, and eat a decent meal. I won’t tell the captain if you promise to get some rest and start taking better care of yourself. Take a vacation day or two, you have plenty of vacation days, use them!

Jack agreed, I will go straight home and do absolutely nothing, I promise Blondie, you don’t have to worry so much about me, I’m going to be fine.

Lexie couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough. she was on the phone calling her captain before she got to her apartment’s parking garage. She ran into Chris who was coming in from a long night of drinking and who knows what else. She locked eyes with him, I miss you so much and I need you to hold me and tell me everything is going to be alright. It was a short-lived thought.

Why do you smell like a brewery? The sun is barely up, and you are drunk! What the hell is your problem, Chris? I’m not going to ask where you were all night because I do not have time to listen to your lies!

Chris listened to his wife sounding defeated. I have really screwed up this time, I haven’t seen her this upset since the Ponzi scheme. He saw the tears threatening to fall from her beautiful blue eyes, and he wanted to comfort her. As he reached out to his wife, she pushed past him, jumped in the car, and drove away.

It seemed like an eternity before Lexie arrived at the hospital. Captain Harris, a few detectives, and the patrol cops that responded to the call were waiting for her. She was terrified for Jack and pissed at Chris. The nurse at the desk greeted her, and she responded by snapping at her. She wanted to see Jack and know that he was going to be okay.

Captain Harris pulled Lexie to the side, You need to calm down Detective, we are all worried about Jack. If I had known he wasn’t feeling well, I never would’ve asked him to follow that lead last night. He was supposed to call you, why weren’t you with him?

What lead? Jack never called me after I left the station. Where did you send him?

We received an anonymous tip that a suspicious looking male was harassing a group of young college girls outside the Happy Café Bar and Grill. Jack took the call and said he would have you meet him there. An hour later, he called the station to tell me it was just some annoying punk, and he scared the guy off and the ladies went home. Everything seemed fine then.

The doctor came to the waiting room and asked to speak to Lexie, Jack suffered a massive heart attack; we did everything we could, but he never regained consciousness. I am so sorry for your loss.

No one moved or said a word; complete silence enveloped the room as they all waited to hear what the doctor was telling Lexie. After a few minutes, she came back into the waiting room, no words were needed, the look on her face told them that Jack was gone. With tears streaming down her face, Lexie ran out of the emergency room. She drove around the city for hours with nowhere to go. She hadn’t made any real friends since leaving Manhattan except Jack. She wanted her husband. She called Chris, but he didn’t answer. She went home hoping to find him, but he was gone again. She called her best friend Debbie and told her what happened.

Debbie’s heart broke for her friend, I am so sorry Lex, I know how much Jack meant to you.

Thanks Deb, it’s been a long day, I need to go. I will call you later?

Lexie barely made it to Jack’s funeral. She arrived late with her long blonde hair unkempt and her soft blue eyes bloodshot from crying. She was so obsessed with finding the killer that she wasn’t eating or sleeping and ran only on caffeine. I should’ve seen what was happening, I should’ve made you slow down. I promise you Jack; I will not rest until this cold hearted asshole is dead or behind bars.

After the funeral she spent all her time at work. She had no desire to see her husband or anyone else. She avoided Chris’s calls and texts; she was still angry that she couldn’t find him the day Jack died. After three days of waiting, Chris came to the station looking for her. He had become a stranger to her. He was at the funeral and tried to comfort her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. Lexie completely shut the world out, and all her energy was focused on finding the person she blamed for Jack’s death.

Chris demanded, When are you coming home?

He hit a raw nerve and Lexie retorted, You want to explain to me now about the times you stayed out all night and came home drunk? While we are talking, let’s talk about when you are going to get a real job and start helping me out!

She went on to remind him that it had been five years since he had a steady job and helped her pay any of the bills. After his part in the Ponzi scheme back in NY, he had been banned from the finance world and was taking odd jobs in construction whenever he could find them. Lexie had been the bread winner in the home since they moved to Virginia, and she was done carrying his sorry ass.

The last thing she said to him before storming out was, I want you and your shit out of my house before I come home tonight!

Chris stood speechless for a few seconds then attempted to follow her, but she was already in her car and driving away.

After the blowout with Chris, Lexie had to get away to clear her head. She called Captain Harris, Sir, I have vacation time, can I take the rest of the week off? I need to be around family right now, and my family isn’t here.

Harris was relieved to hear that she wanted a break. He also knew her well and was afraid she might be following up on leads by herself. Yes Detective. Visiting family sounds like a good idea. Drive safe.

Lexie called Debbie, who still lived in Brooklyn, Hey Deb, I need to come home for a while, can I stay with you? I don’t want to see mom and dad right now.

My door is always open for you Lex and I would love to see you.

She drove straight to NY and was at her friend’s house nine hours after she and Chris had fought at the police station. When Lexie drove past her parent’s house on the way to Debbie’s, she saw her mom standing on the front porch. I miss her so much, I wish I could talk to them, but they already don’t like Chris and I can’t let them see me like this, it will only make them worry.

CHAPTER TWO

Dani barely finished her morning run when she got a phone call from her captain in Narcotics. Good morning Detective Watkins, your presence has been requested at the Violent Crimes Division. You have been chosen to partner with Detective Fleming due to her previous partner’s untimely death.

Dani was stunned, Wow, what an opportunity! I get to work with Lexie Fleming, she has the highest arrest rate in the state! I just wish it was under better circumstances. I can’t imagine how it feels to lose your partner and friend so suddenly.

Thanks, captain, I’ll make you proud.

I know you will, Detective. Good luck with your new partner. I hear she’s been a real mess since the funeral.

Hanging up with her former boss, Dani called her best friend, Ellie, I have the best news! I just got a huge promotion, and you are now speaking with the newest member of the Violent Crimes Division!!

Ellie squealed, That’s amazing, Dani, I am so proud of you!

I have to call Cheryl and tell her the great news, informed Dani.

"Your sister is

Reviews for Unbreakable

[Precious Eberechi · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It's as if you are rushing somewhere. And the characters sound like robots. Where's the passion, details. The plot is good but the body is a no

[K · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Decent story but the writing style was all over the place. No flow, no cohesion and everything was vague.