Novels by Ray Michael

**Third person**It was almost as if Valerie disappeared just when Elliot blinked. After dismissing the woman who'd come to talk to him, he looked up but he didn't find his boss.Damnit! He'd clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, his hand instinctively resting on the gun holstered at his hip as he rushed outside. Eyes scanned everywhere around but there was no trace of her. "Miss Thorne?" he called out, his mind racing. “Ashley?” He called louder.“Valerie?”There was no response. Immediately, he dialed her number… once, twice, thrice… until it was unreachable.He'd rushed over to some passersby to ask if they'd seen her… There was nothing. Shit! Just then, his phone started ringing. Elliot pulled the device out and stared at the screen, his throat suddenly feeling dry as he registered the caller ID—Mr. Stone.He took a deep breath and then pressed the answer button.*****************************Valerie's eyes fluttered open, her gaze was blurry and unfocused. She tried to sit

**Third person**Valerie's blood ran cold as she stared at the picture attached to the message. It was a picture of a small boy, no more than two years old. The fact that he was a spitting image of Lucas Stone had goosebumps erupting all over her skin—same blue eyes, jet-black hair, nose, lips, jawline…Val's heart rate increased. Her son was truly alive?“We’re heading to the hospital; Mr. Stone said we're meeting him there?” Elliot asked, his hands already on the ignition.Valerie nodded absent mindedly and he started the car.She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she stuck her head outside the window. Breeze hit her face but it did nothing to calm her. She knew that she had to lose Elliot, and fast. As the car moved through the city, she spotted a convenience store up ahead and made a split-second decision. "I need to stop and get some water," she said suddenly.Elliot frowned and glanced at the bottle of water sitting in the middle of the car compartment.

**Third person**Valerie's smile broadened into a full-blown grin. "Oh, don't think it's unfair if justice isn't served for your lover's sister."Karen frowned, her eyes narrowing. "My lover? What do you mean?" What did this have to do with Victor, she hasn't even heard from him, Karen wondered.Valerie locked her eyes onto Karen's. "Victor, your bodyguard... the one you've been fucking.” She paused to study Karen's face—she didn't look so confident anymore. “But you killed his sister."Karen's face drained of blood, her eyes wide and her lips parting with shock. Valerie continued, "The young lady who took care of Nathaniel Scott."Dread coursed through Karen, her mind shifting back to the night Nathaniel was killed. He'd been with a woman, and when Adam killed Mr. Scott, the woman witnessed it. Karen had to silence her.A small smile found its way to Valerie's lips as she studied the horrified look on Karen's face. "So now, does it finally ring a bell?"Karen's eyes stung with tears

**Third person**Valerie woke up to a wet sensation on her clit. A shiver coursed through her spine, her nipples hardening.The sensation continued, and she was forced to open her eyes. She wiped her heavy eyes with the back of her palm and then looked down between her legs, where the source of the heat she was feeling came from. Lucas, with his head between her thighs, looked up, his tongue still whipping her sensitive clit. “Morning, babe,” he murmured. Valerie blinked a couple of times to clear her eyes. She arched her back and she cried out in pleasure when he slipped a finger inside her. “W-what are you doing?” She managed to ask between moans.He smiled and looked up at her again, with those dark, desire-filled eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed her pussy juice rubbed all over his mouth and its surroundings. “I've always dreamed of waking you up like this,” she murmured, his voice rough.Lucas slipped another finger in her and began pumping, his tongue returning to her c

**Third person**Karen's face went pale, and she was silent. The officer spoke up again. “What will it be, Mrs. Smith? Will you rat your parents out to save your skin?”Finally, Karen's eyes flashed with defiance, locked on the officer’s. "No."The officer's expression didn't change, but her voice took on a slightly harder edge. "Mrs. Smith, we have evidence. We know your parents were involved. It's better for you if you cooperate."Karen's jaw set, her eyes blazing with determination. "I said no," she hissed. The officer pressed her lips into a thin line stood up. “Very well then,” she sighed out in resignation. “I'll ask you again after you spend a week in this shithole. I'm sure you'll have a change of mind.” Then she shrugged and gave Karen a wicked smile. “That's if you survive it. Because this place is no place for a pretty girl like you.”“Go to hell if you think you can scare me!” Karen snapped, trying to seem confident even though her voice trembled slightly.”The woman smi

**Third person**Wait… Valerie just stood still for a few minutes, her mind blank, her head spinning.A gentle tap from Elliot had her snapping out of her daze. She looked up at her robot. “It's fine, he's a friend. Give us a moment, please,” she murmured absentmindedly. Elliot glanced at Victor briefly, a warning flashing in his eyes before he stepped back.As Valerie's eyes locked onto Victor's, she felt goosebumps erupt all over her skin. The initials "VA" flashed into her mind. He was the anonymous person who had been helping her all along. How??"How are you...?" Valerie's voice trailed off as the memories came flooding back. The first time he'd texted her, she was literally about to enter Adam's office with a knife. He had been standing just outside the door. So she didn't think too much about him. He was Karen's bodyguard. He had always been in plain sight, but she never recognized him. Even on the yacht... he was always there. He knows about all Karen's plans; that's how he