A New Life: Lost in Confusion, #3

By Lauren Marie

Fran Meadows ran from a troubled life in Michigan and on her way west found a job ad for a tattoo artist in Reno, Nevada. She needed the job. With only a few dollars in her pocket she's been sleeping in her car. She also wanted to start over and forget her old life. Her ex-husband tried to kill her and would soon be released from prison. She worries he'll come after her and finish what he'd started. 

 

Mackey 'Mac' Fitzgibbons is a Reno detective. When he first sees Fran he's attracted and wants to help her get on her feet, but finds her walls hard to break down. Mac isn't about to give up. It's been four years since his divorce and he feels ready to take a step forward.

 

After they spend time together for a few days, Fran finds Mac to be a supportive friend and begins to trust him. Then her car's broken into and other small things happen that makes her think that Reno might not be the right place for her to stay. Mac isn't about to let her run.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books To Go Now
• Release date: Apr 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223829218

Book preview

Excerpt from A New Life

K it, who’s that in the back?

Kit smiled at him. That’s our new artist, Fran. She just started this morning. Are you thinking about getting some ink, Mac?

No. Would you introduce me?

She laughed. Oh dear. Turning around she waved at Fran to come up front.

Mac swallowed and realized he hadn’t felt this nervous in forever. 

Fran, this is my fiancé Marcus and his partner Mac.

She smiled at them, but didn’t say anything. 

Are you from Reno? Marcus asked.

No. I just moved here from Michigan, she spoke softly.

Mac thought he looked at an angle.

.

Dedication:

For Toni Kief – thank you for your friendship and introducing me to the co-op.

Thank you to Jennifer Conner and Books to Go, Now for the continued support. Also, thanks to the editors and cover artists for your hard work.

Thank you to my family and extended family. Love you all.

Copyright

A New Life

Copyright © Lauren Marie

Books to Go Now

http://www.bookstogonow.com

Cover Design by Romance Novel Covers Now

http://www.romancenovelcoversnow.com/

For information on the cover illustration and design, contact [e-mail]

First Edition April 2022

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

If you are interested in purchasing more works of this nature, please stop by

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Other Books by Lauren Marie

Streaming Stalker

Lost in Confusion

Golden Ribbon

Lie in Our Grave

Going to Another Place - revised edition released 2018

One Touch at Cobb’s Bar and Grill - Montana Ranch series, short story

Loves Touch - Then and Now

Love’s Embers - Canon City series book 1

Love on Ice - Canon City series book 2

I’m Not What You Think - short story

Golden Ribbons - The Miss Demeanor Detective Agency series - short story

Big Mike, Little Mike - short story

The Haller Lake series - A Demon Scheme

The Haller Lake series 2 - Magick’s Pathway

The Haller Lake series 3 - Portal Hop

Secrets Beyond Dreams

BOOKS AVAILABLE IN EBOOK, PAPERBACK, AUDIOBOOK, and FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS

Chapter One

Fran parked her SUV in the lot next to the Mousetrap Tattoo Parlor. She’d interviewed with the owner, Jax Volkov, at Shimmy Trick, his other location. Now she needed to pass muster with his sister, Kit Volkov, manager of this shop. She hoped to get the job. She’d driven across the country from Michigan to Nevada and found the job ad online. She was tired of sleeping in her car and finding places to clean up, but she needed a reliable income to afford a place to live. Having fifty dollars in her pocket, she knew that wouldn’t get her far.

Getting out of her beat up Hyundai Santa Fe, Fran grabbed her bag and portfolio and went to the glass front door. Taking in a deep breath, she pushed the door open and walked in. A woman with long black hair and blue eyes sat behind the counter talking on the phone. Fran figured she must be the sister. The woman looked a lot like Jax. She held up one finger and Fran took a step back, not wanting to intrude.

Fran looked around the shop. Volkov had said it opened a month ago and they were still trying to find artists to take over the last two stations. She could see four station set-ups and liked the extra space between each. There were cupboards on the wall giving ample storage for equipment, bottles of ink, and other things she’d need to do her tattoo jobs.

The woman hung up the phone and smiled.

Hi. You must be Fran.

She nodded and moved to the counter. Your brother, Mr. Volkov, said I should be here by nine o’clock to interview with the manager. Are you Kit Volkov?

Yes, I am and we don’t need to interview. Jax showed me pictures from your portfolio last night and I said yes. He tried to call you to let you know the station was yours, but couldn’t reach you.

Fran looked down at her hands. Yeah, I’ve misplaced my charger. She didn’t want to tell the woman she didn’t have enough money to pay her cell phone provider and it had been cut off.

Kit stood and waved at Fran. Come on through.

She tucked her portfolio under her arm and went through the swinging doors. The room with the stations looked new and clean. The tile floor was a checkerboard of black and white.

These two stations on the left are taken. The one in front is Alana Eastman. She can be a bitch sometimes and likes to be front and center. The one in back is Kenny Duff and I swear he came from another planet. He can be an odd bird. They’ve only been here a month, but they’re both good artists and the clientele seem pretty happy with the jobs they do. Kit stopped in the middle of the floor and turned to Fran. "You can choose this back corner or sit behind me, close