Prodigal Daughter: Inheriting Evil, #4

By Paris Hansen

In the thrilling conclusion to the Inheriting Evil series, Sloane Matthews must face down the worst kind of evil. 

 

After facing off with the Roman Numeral Killer, Sloane Matthews is teetering precariously close to the edge. She doesn't want to give in to the darkness she's fought so hard to control, but it might be the only way she can stop what's coming. Sloane is bound and determined to slay her demons once and for all. Even if it costs her everything. 

 

Finding Sloane near death after facing off with the serial killer he was supposed to catch changed everything for Special Agent James Cade. He could never have predicted the path his investigation would take or that he'd fall for his number one suspect. Instead of taking time to recover, Sloane is running head first into another fight to the death, only this time, Cade's not sure if any of them will make it out alive. 

 

Darkness can't hide in the shadows forever. 

 

To face her future, Sloane must confront her past. Can Cade keep her from going past the point of no return, or will everything he hoped to build with her go up in flames?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paris Hansen
• Release date: Dec 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215725214

Paris Hansen

Paris Hansen currently writes both crime fiction and contemporary romance novels filled with strong heroines and sexy heroes. She has a moderately unhealthy obsession with Chris Evans, so if you happen to see him around be sure to send him her way. When she's not writing, Paris loves to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine or watch sports with her nephew.  

Book preview

Chapter One

6/17/1976

Dear Diary,

Today is my 17th birthday.

I wish I was dead.

Chapter Two

You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't have come back, Sloane said as she followed Emily into the kitchen.

Finding out Emily, Tally, and Cooper had returned from their trip had pissed her off. She was angry at Emily for being so careless. Angry at her mother and her brother, though that word still made her shudder, for putting her true family in danger. And she was angry with the FBI for letting it get this far. They hadn't taken the threat seriously enough, and now people were dead, and her family was in peril.

The only way she could protect Emily was to go after Rosalie, but she had no idea where to start. She had a feeling the minute she left to chase after her, the devil would come crawling out from her hole to enact her revenge. She wouldn't let another person she cared about become a pawn in the fucked up DiSanto family game.

Sloane watched Emily move around the kitchen like her life wasn't in jeopardy. She seemed almost carefree, though a little sad, while Sloane ached with the tension that had taken hold of nearly every muscle in her body. It was almost more painful than the wounds she'd suffered over the last few months.

I'm not going to spend my life on the run. That's not how I want Tally to grow up, and it's not how I want to start my life with Cooper.

She could hear the stubbornness in her friend's voice, and it both angered her and made her proud. Emily wanted to stand her ground. She wanted to fight for her family and the future they were planning. Sloane understood the sentiment more than anyone, but the enemy they were facing wasn't your typical bad guy.

Rosalie was so much more.

I get that, Em, but Rosalie is no joke. She's got her sights set on taking away everything I love. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. She will come after you and Tally. Being here will only make her job easier.

I…

It's not forever. We will catch her. I will catch her, no matter what it takes, Sloane said, hoping Emily didn't catch the hint of fear in her voice. I promise everything will go back to normal eventually. You and Cooper will get married and have a dozen kids.

Emily scoffed at the number but didn't say anything.

Tally will make a great big sister. All of the things I've ever dreamed of for you will happen. I just need you to stay away for a little bit longer. I hear Europe's nice. Or maybe a cruise. It would be pretty difficult for her to get to you out on the ocean.

Shaking her head, Emily laughed. Are you sure? She's kind of like a cockroach. Never dies. Shows up in unlikely places. Not to mention she likes to get other people to do her dirty work. Who's to say she won't send someone else after us.

Sloane's heart sank. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about the possibility but was banking on Rosalie wanting to stick it to her daughter herself. But what if she was wrong? What if her mother decided to use someone else to dispatch with the people she loved most?

No. That's not the way Rosalie would let things go down. The woman might be mostly unpredictable, but Sloane was almost positive this was one of the things she could predict the outcome of.

It wouldn't be as impactful if she sent one of her lackeys to take out the two most important people in my life. You and Tally… she'll want to kill you herself, and she'll want me to watch. She'll want me to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she was the one who severed my heart.

Jeezus, Sloane.

Tears pricked at Sloane's eyes, but she blinked them away. She couldn't afford to let them fall. Not now. Not in front of Emily. The decision to go back on the run had to be one of self-preservation, not because her best friend started weeping in front of her. Emily had to know how important staying hidden was. She had to realize Sloane's request wasn't based on emotions. It was based on cold, hard facts.

If she stayed, they would die.

Look, will you at least think about it? I'll send you wherever you want to go, no matter how much it costs. Knowing you're safe from her will allow me to focus on taking her out. Otherwise, I'm going to be too distracted to focus. And so will your brother.

Assuming Reid still wanted to be a part of taking Rosalie down after everything that happened. Sloane hadn't spoken to her ex since the night his girlfriend was murdered, and she didn't think the silence between them would change any time soon.

When Emily didn't say anything for a long while, Sloane left her in the kitchen, heading back to the room she'd stayed in before everything hit the fan. She could hear the opening and closing of cupboards, and the occasional squeak of Emily's shoes on the hardwood floor, which meant her friend hadn't shut down but was instead processing everything she'd heard. Given the severity of the situation they were all in, the least Sloane could do was give her time to focus.

Pushing open the door to the guest bedroom, she wasn't surprised to find everything exactly how it was when she left a little over a week ago. She hadn't planned on making a hasty retreat when she'd walked out of Emily's house that night. All she'd wanted to do was talk to Cade about everything that happened. He was the only one she felt like she could talk to about her near-death experience at the hands of Kyle Atwood. For some reason, from the moment they met, she felt a connection to the agent that she hadn't felt with anyone else for a really long time.

Still, she could never have predicted what would happen between them or the horrors she'd learn about that night.

Everything changed in the blink of an eye. She went from being an only child to having an older brother who was every bit as monstrous as her parents. He'd become obsessed with ending her so he could have their mother all to himself. Which was another blindside to everything Sloane thought she knew. Her mother was alive and well and mentoring a son no one knew about.

In a matter of days, her entire world had turned into a tangled web of lies and discoveries.

The entire chaotic situation had culminated in Rosalie killing yet another man she loved to save her daughter. Sloane didn't know why she kept saving her, especially after all this time. Nothing would change. They would never have the relationship Rosalie wanted, and she would never become the killer her mother hoped she would be.

Even though she wasn't an agent anymore, Sloane would always remain on the side of good. She would always hunt the killers instead of becoming one.

Okay, I'll think about it.

Sloane yelped, dropping the shirt she'd been folding. Holy fuck. You can't just sneak up on people like that.

I didn't sneak up on you. I said your name a couple of times, then bounced off the doorframe and said ‘ow.’ I was as quiet as Tally, but you were somewhere else. That's why you didn't hear me.

Sloane sighed. Sorry, I was…

Thinking about a member of your murderous family tree? Figured as much. They're a little hard not to think about.

I hate that you're part of this, but I promise, soon, they'll barely be a blip in your world.

Emily smiled. I know you'll do everything you can to keep that promise. And I know Reid and Cade will be with you every step of the way.

Sloane wasn't so sure Reid was going to be joining her anytime soon. He was in pain, mourning the woman he'd planned on proposing to. He was angry, with her, with the world. She knew he blamed her for putting Sara on Connor's radar. And he should. It was her fault Sara was dead. She was the reason Reid wouldn't get to marry the woman he loved.

Neither her ex nor Sara deserved what happened to them. The doctor was one of the nicest, most genuine people she'd ever met. And Reid, while he wasn't always the best to Sloane, he was an amazing son, brother, and uncle. He deserved to be happy. Now he never would be.

Did you come in here to tell me you’re going to listen to reason and go back into hiding? Sloane asked, hoping her friend was going to give her good news.

I came to tell you I'd think about it. But…

Sloane shook her head. I knew there was a ‘but’.

Very funny, Emily smiled at her. I will think about going back on the run, but I want something in exchange.

Sloane sighed. Of course, she did.

You want something in exchange for doing what's best for you and your family? Seriously, Em. Is the fact that I just spent a couple of days in the hospital not enough to scare you? These people don't fuck around. The only reason I'm still alive is because Rosalie wants me to suffer.

I get it, I do. Just do this one thing for me, and I promise Cooper and I will talk about leaving again, Emily said as she picked up the shirt Sloane dropped, then folded it quickly.

While she waited for Sloane to agree to whatever stupid thing she was going to ask for, Emily placed the item into the suitcase in front of her, then moved to do the same thing to another piece of clothing piled up on the bed. She watched her for a minute, even though she knew she'd do anything if it meant getting her friend out of harm's way. A part of her hoped the silence would deter Emily, but she knew better.

Fine. What is it you want me to do? I'm willing to do anything to get you to see reason.

Emily turned to her and smiled. I was hoping you'd say that. I want you to come to Sara's funeral tomorrow.

Shocked by her friend's request didn't even come close to what Sloane was feeling. Of all the things Emily could ask for, attending the funeral of her ex-husband's girlfriend hadn't even been on the list. As curious as she was about the reasons, she wasn't going to ask. If it was the only thing that would get Emily to leave town again, Sloane would do it.

All that mattered was making sure her family was out of harm's way. If that meant she had to show her face at the funeral of the woman she got killed, then that's what she'd do. Even if it was the last place she should ever be.

Chapter Three

9/27/1976

Dear Diary,

It seems childish to start these entries with Dear Diary. After everything that’s happened I’m not a child anymore, but part of me doesn’t want to give up that simple little thing. If I do, then they win, and I’m trying really, really hard not to let them win. But some days I just want to give up. I want to stop fighting.

Sometimes I think about ending it. Especially afterwards, while I’m lying in bed curled in on myself. The pain is unbearable, but it’s not just the physical pain he inflicts that’s slowly killing me. It’s knowing I can’t call on my mom for help. She’s just as bad as he is, even if she never lays a hand on me.

I don’t know how much longer I can take this. But I have to stay strong. In nine months I can leave here and never come back. Having a countdown to the end helps.

But that’s also nine more months of trying to hide bruises that he no longer bothers to make sure are easily hidden by clothes. Nine more months of pretending like everything’s fine, and that I’m not being ripped apart every other night. I try to pretend I’m a ghost so he doesn’t realize I’m there. I don’t want to draw his attention any more than normal. Especially when he’s drinking.

The number of bottles in the garbage can is getting bigger every day. And that’s just what he drinks at home. I know everyone in town knows what’s happening here, but they’ll never say anything. They’re all as afraid of him as I am. Not that he’d ever do anything to any of them.

Never them.

He always saves the worst for me.

Chapter Four

We need a medic in here, now!

Somebody tell me the medics are on their way.

Cade. Cade. Come on, man. I need to know, is she still…

Chaos swirled around him, his heart thundering in his ears, making it hard to make out what Reid was yelling. For a moment, Cade froze, unable to do anything other than stare at Sloane. When he shook himself free of the fear, he dropped to his knees in front of her. He didn't know if she was alive or dead. It was too dark to see the rise and fall of her chest, not that he was able to notice anything other than the blood coating her skin and clothes. And it was too loud to hear her breathing over the agents clearing the scene.

He needed to get close to her and feel for a pulse. But he was scared. If he touched her now and there wasn't anything there…

Fuck, Cade, is she alive?

The terror in Reid's voice pushed him into action. He wasn't the only one worried about Sloane. Reid needed reassurances too. As he leaned forward, his breath caught in his throat, and stayed there until he felt the faint pulse fluttering in her neck.

There's a pulse, but…

Doesn't matter. A pulse of any kind is good. Hold her up while I undo the ropes. The paramedics will need her free, so they can check her out.

Cade did as he was told and wrapped his arms around Sloane to keep her from falling once the ropes were loose. He didn't know how Reid was holding it together, especially not after the scene they'd left. His girlfriend had been viciously murdered, and now his ex-wife was hanging on by a thread. How the hell was he so calm?

Okay, that should be it. Just in time, I see the medics coming.

Careful not to make her injuries worse, he slowly lowered Sloane to the ground, then tried to move to the side, so he wasn't in the way. Before he could get far, a hand grabbed onto his wrist squeezing until the bones ground together. He stumbled back, falling onto his ass as he tried to scramble away from Sloane. She stared at him with vacant eyes, blood pouring from a wound in her neck that wasn't there a second ago.

You can't save me, Cade. No one can.

Jesus Christ, he roared as he bolted out of bed.

The fucking dream again.

He'd had the dream every night since he'd rushed into the woods to find an unconscious Sloane tied to a tree. It didn't matter that the night was in the past, and he knew she was safe and more importantly, she was alive. There was something in his brain that wouldn't let that night go. He was slowly being tortured by the worst thing his subconscious could conjure up.

Losing Sloane in the most devastating way possible.

He should've been there that night in the woods before Connor could grab her, before Rosalie could save her. It should've been him keeping her safe from her killer relatives. It was his job to protect her and watch her back, yet since they'd met, she'd been consistently in danger, and he'd been nowhere to be found.

It was far too easy for him to blame himself for each of the injuries she'd sustained over the last few months, even though he knew better. The only people who deserved the blame were the sick fucks Sloane faced off with.

But if he'd been there…

If he'd kept her from running off…

Cade knew there was nothing he could do to stop Sloane when she had her mind set on something. He'd been there the day she decided to walk into Kyle Atwood's house. He'd been there when she'd walked out of the hotel and into the arms of her serial killer brother. If Reid hadn't shown up when he did, Cade had no doubt they never would've seen Sloane alive again.

In the woods, they got lucky. If Rosalie hadn't been there, Cade's nightmare would've quickly become his reality.

Now he had to figure out a way to keep Sloane safe when all she wanted to do was rush headfirst into danger so she could finish things. They all wanted the madness to end, but she wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice herself to keep the people she loved out of harm's way.

Cade understood the feeling better than he ever thought he would, and it was all because of her. If he could trade places with her and be the one to finish things, he would. If he could be the one to face off with Rosalie DiSanto and make sure she paid for everything she'd done, he would. Unfortunately, he didn't think it would work out like that. All he could hope for was being taken along for the ride. He had to get Sloane to trust him, to want him by her side while she dealt with one of the hardest things she'd ever have to deal with…facing off against the woman who brought her into this world.

He never referred to Rosalie as Sloane's mother, at least not around her. To him, all she'd ever be was the sick murdering bitch who only had a daughter to create a mini-me. Maybe bits and pieces of what Rosalie had done had shaped Sloane into the person she was today, but the credit for the strong, amazing woman he saw every time he looked at her, belonged to Sloane alone.

If only he could get her to see what he saw. So much of her believed she deserved to go down with her parents. It pained Cade to know she held onto so much guilt that had nothing to do with her.

Looking over at the clock on the bedside table, Cade sighed when he realized it was only six in the morning. Knowing that his subconscious would just conjure up the stupid dream again, he decided there was no point in trying to fall back to sleep. Maybe he could head to the office to get a workout before figuring out what to do with himself for the day. Case wise, they were in a weird limbo that Cade hated but could do nothing about.

Eventually, they'd figure out what to do next. He planned on staying in San Francisco for the foreseeable future unless the hunt for Rosalie took them elsewhere. He didn’t plan on leaving Sloane's side anytime soon, no matter what the bureau said. He just hoped he wouldn't have to disobey orders because they didn't believe the threat was real.

But if it came down to it, he would ignore the FBI and his bosses in a heartbeat.

With a heavy sigh, Cade started to move toward the bathroom when his cell phone rang. A phone call that early in the morning was never a good sign, so he rushed to answer it, nearly tripping over the rug next to the bed in his haste.

Cade, he said as soon as his thumb swiped across the screen. He hadn't even bothered to look at the caller ID.

Hey, Cade, it's um, it's Sloane. Sorry if I woke you, I just…

No, it's okay. I was awake. What's going on, Sloane? Did you hear from Rosalie? Are you okay?

He asked his questions far too quickly for her to answer, so he paused to give her a chance to speak. She didn't sound upset or scared, which was a good sign, yet it didn't help him figure out why she was calling him so early in the morning. Or why she was calling him at all. She hadn't reached out much since the shit show with Connor had started. Sure, they'd spent time with each other, but that was more forced proximity than anything else.

Cade was pretty sure he still wasn't her favorite person, and he knew he deserved it. He should have told her the truth from the beginning. There was no guarantee it would have changed anything, but it was the right thing to do. He'd fucked up, and now he had to figure out how to fix the rift he'd created with his lie of omission.

Sorry, everything's okay. I didn't mean to worry you. I just…well, I talked to Emily yesterday, and she said she'd consider leaving again, but I had to do something for her first, and I really don't want to do it on my own, she said in one long breath.

Listening to her, Cade realized she wasn't scared or upset; she was nervous. But he couldn't think of anything she'd have to be nervous about—especially not when it came to him.

Sounds like Emily. So what does she want you to do?

Sloane laughed. She wants me to go to Sara's funeral. It's the last place I should go, but if it helps Emily make the right decision, I can't really say no. So I was…

Hoping I'd talk you out of going? he guessed.

She laughed again. That was my first thought, but actually, I was calling to see if you'd go with me. I need someone to be there for me and to keep me from running away. I know this isn't about me, but it's going to suck being there, and I worry my presence will cause drama. I know it's a lot to ask, and if you already had plans today, I totally get it. Please don't worry about saying no.

Cade considered the situation for a moment, though there was no chance in hell he would say no to her request. There wasn't a situation he wouldn't face for her. If she needed him to have her back, he'd be there, no questions asked. Cade was beginning to realize he'd walk through fire for Sloane Matthews. All she had to do was ask.

What time should I pick you up?

Chapter Five

She stretched again, her back arching up from the top of the bed. She sort of felt like a cat after a satisfying nap. Only she hadn't been napping; she'd been playing.

First with the blonde still tied to the bed, then with her delicious husband, who was currently pulling a pair of boxers up his thick thighs. He was quite the specimen. Even as they got older, Rosalie never tired of looking at him. He excited her as much now as he had in the beginning, maybe even more so if she was honest with herself. However, she wasn't sure if that feeling was all Michael or if some of