Silent Treatment: Rescue & Redemption, #3

By Morgan James

Don't miss this small-town, enemies-to-lovers romantic suspense from USA Today bestselling author Morgan James.


Harper is as cold as she is beautiful, and I despise her as much as I desire her. I thought I'd seen the last of my ex-stepsister when she and her mother fled Cedar Springs, leaving my father destitute. Now she's back—and it's time for her to make amends.

But I'm not the only one who holds a grudge against her. After Harper foils a break-in at the bookstore where she works, she finds herself the target of a twisted madman who wants to silence her—forever.

As much as she deserves the silent treatment, the desire simmering between us is too potent to ignore. And I'll stop at nothing to save the woman I love.



Silent Treatment is a small-town, enemies-to-lovers romantic suspense full of thrills, humor, and plenty of steam. Don't miss the rest of the books in the Rescue & Redemption Series!
#1 Friendly Fire - Grayson and Claire
#2 Cruel Vendetta - Drew and Emery
#3 Silent Treatment - Finn and Harper
#4 Reckless Pursuit - Aiden and Izzy
#5 Dangerous Desires - Vaughn and Sienna

#6 Cold Justice - Nick and Eden

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morgan James
• Release date: Jan 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215980286

Morgan James

Morgan James is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and romantic suspense novels. She spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book, and she loves all things romantic, dark, and dirty.

Book preview

ONE

HARPER

Nighttime was my favorite. I loved when it was dark. Silent. Still. Here I could lose myself in another world—thousands of worlds.

A smile tugged at my lips as I drifted down the row, trailing my fingers along the spines of the books as I passed. Books never let me down the way people did. I loved the adventure of a good story. The highs. The lows. The dependability of a favorite writer to give me exactly what I needed.

Though the shop had technically closed more than half an hour ago, I’d chosen to stay late. Unless one counted the fake Ficus that graced my kitchen window sill, it wasn’t like I had anything or anyone to get home to. As soon as my shift ended, I’d clocked out and turned the lights down low so no last-minute patrons would disturb me.

I made my way down the aisle, perusing the shelves and replacing a few books that had been moved out of place over the course of the day. I adored working here. My boss, Beverly, had opened it a little over six months ago, once her divorce was finalized. It was more of a passion project than anything, but we both loved books and she’d decided to do something that would make her happy. We’d immediately clicked during my interview, and she’d hired me on the spot.

I had a degree in Library Science, but the demand for such in Cedar Springs was next to nonexistent. So when Bev opened the shop, I’d jumped at the chance to work here. I loved being surrounded by books, both old and new, bestsellers and obscure titles no one had ever heard of. It was a literal treasure trove of stories just waiting to be discovered.

A strange sound met my ears, and I paused halfway down the aisle. The soft jiggle of metal came again from the direction of the front door, and a tiny sigh escaped my lips as I took a step in that direction. Couldn’t the person tell we were closed? And why⁠—

I froze as the shattering of glass filled the air. There was a metallic click as the person flicked the lock, then swung the door open. Slapping one hand over my mouth, I dropped to my haunches. Oh, God. Someone was breaking in.

My heart raced in my chest, and every sound around me seemed amplified. A thousand thoughts flickered through my mind. I needed to call for help—but my cell phone was in my purse beneath the checkout desk. And the desk was on the other side of the store. Damn it.

Footsteps scuffed along the floor, the old boards creaking as the person ventured deeper into the shop—and right toward me. Holding my breath, I clambered to my feet. Keeping low, concealed by the shelves, I crept toward the back of the store.

The person came closer and closer, and I could tell they were almost to the aisle I was in. I quickly threw myself behind the end cap just as the person reached the aisle. The individual halted, and I could imagine them staring at the place I’d vacated just seconds ago. I clenched my eyes closed, holding my breath as I waited for him to move on. Ten seconds passed. Then thirty. Still they didn’t move. And neither did I.

Had they seen me? I kept absolutely still, not daring to move a muscle. Finally, after what felt like forever, the person resumed their circuit of the store. I risked a peek around the end cap just as the intruder moved away. The person was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed head to toe in dark clothing. I only got a glimpse of his back, but I could tell by the way he carried himself that it was a man.

While he ventured toward the room where we rebound books, I scuttled in the opposite direction. Tiptoeing along, I kept my footsteps light as I aimed for the desk along the opposite wall of the store near the front door. I tossed a quick look over my shoulder to make sure he was still heading away from me. I spied him through the stacks of books, standing now in front of the door for employees only. He reached for the handle just as I rounded the last aisle.

Unfortunately, I was more focused on the man than where I was going, and I clipped the shelf with my shoulder. A book that had been left out teetered precariously, and I didn’t have a chance to catch it as it slipped free of its spot and hit the floor with a thud. Every cell of my body went absolutely still, the sound like a clap of thunder in the silent room.

The squeak of shoes arose as the man lurched toward me, and I changed direction. No longer caring about being quiet, my only thought was to escape as I sprinted toward the back of the shop. My boss’s tiny office was back there and, next to it, a door we used for deliveries that opened into a narrow alley. My pulse thundered in my ears as I weaved in and out of the aisles. On the wall to my left, a flash of red caught my attention. The fire alarm.

I launched myself forward and grasped the handle, then slammed it upward. The blare of the siren pierced the air, and I used the distraction to sprint toward the back of the store. I grappled with the lock on the steel delivery door before it finally gave way, then shoved it open and practically toppled into the alley that ran behind the building.

I threw one last look into the dark shop, but the man was nowhere in sight. I hoped he’d gone out the front door the way he’d come, but I crouched next to the dumpster, concealing myself from view just in case.

One minute passed, then two. I kept a steady eye on my surroundings, but I heard no footsteps, saw nothing out of the ordinary. On shaky legs, I climbed to my feet. I peered around the doorjamb, listening intently. Nothing.

I jumped as the wail of sirens filled the air and pressed one hand over my heart. A tiny sigh of relief filtered from my lips. Help was on the way.

TWO

FINN

A firetruck and two police cruisers were parked outside the small plaza, and I pulled to a stop behind them, then climbed from the car.

The fire alarm at the bookstore had been activated nearly fifteen minutes ago, and both Mac and Vaughn were already inside interviewing the employee. Though I’d been at home when the call came in, I decided to join in the fun. Because, hell—why not?

I cut across the sidewalk and made my way toward the bookshop. The door stood wide open, a gaping hole in the corner of the window nearest the handle. Glass littered the floor just inside the doorway, and I studied it for a second before skirting it and stepping inside. My gaze flitted around the group of people gathered in the small reading nook to the left of the entrance, then homed in on the small brunette who stood with her back to me.

Harper Olson gestured with one hand as she spoke to Vaughn, the patrolman who’d