The Rise of Declan, Signed
The Rise of Declan, Signed
A USA Today Bestseller!
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Synopsis
Synopsis
The only thing that could taint money, privilege, and endless access to the finer things in life may have been murder…but now it’s revenge. Lives are on the line once again in the gripping second part to this epic 5-star fan favorite.
Lydia exchanged her luxurious lifestyle for the security of modest, small town living where she could raise her son. But her reprieve is short, because she’s no longer safe. Not by a long shot.
Taking down the head of a cartel left Declan with more enemies than he could count. He put his career and life on the line in order to save the woman who changed everything for him - then he left her. But now he’s back, because there’s a new threat on the horizon and Lydia is in the crosshairs.
Fate offers another maniacal twist that reaches beyond the grave when the mastermind behind it all isn’t who they think, and the line between good and evil is blurred.
Criminal empires may fall and legacies die hard, but Declan fights harder as he returns to neutralize the final threat preventing a future with Lydia.
Can Declan prevail, or has he been a step too many behind all along.
One thing is for sure, nothing is ever as it seems when it comes to Brother’s Keeper.
SERIES: Brother's Keeper Security, Book 2
TROPES: Second Chance, Forbidden Love, Protector/Bodyguard, Small Town, Opposites Attract, Redemption, On the Run, Secret/Hidden Identity, Scars of the Past, Single Mom, Band of Brothers, Organized Crime/Cartel, Mysterious Past, In Love with the Client/Target, Rescued from Danger
RETURN POLICY: NO RETURNS/REFUNDS. Not responsible for packages damaged in shipping or lost/missing packages.
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What Readers Are Saying...
What Readers Are Saying...
“Ms. St. Klaire has gone above and beyond with this one! “
“A sensational story!!”
“This story is intense! It has you right there feeling the fear and urgency of their escape into the night as well as the anguish.”
“I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next one!”
“Fantastic! Full of heat, suspense, and twists I didn't see coming!”
“Stephanie St. Klaire, THANK YOU!!!! This is your best book yet. I give it 10 stars or more.”
“The plot moves fairly quickly & just when you think you know everything, it takes twists & turns you aren't expecting! I can't wait for the next book in the series!”
“It's intense with danger around every turn, and just when we think we've got it all figured out, the author blows our minds with a twist we didn't see coming.”
“Declan and Lydia's story had me on the edge of my seat. What an amazing ending!!”
“I do love how the author has the ability to shock and awe.”
“There is always a great plot twist in the author’s books that keeps me addicted to the story because I just have to know.
“There is a lot of action and edge-of-your-seat suspense.”
“Stephanie St. Klaire consistently delivers well-written books with developed storylines and characters.”
“A very suspenseful read that keeps you guessing. Twist and turns with an impressive ending you won’t see coming.”
“This book has it all: betrayal, mystery, and desire.”
“It is a gripping beautiful suspense filled story of love that had me turning the pages nonstop.”
“There is an element of danger that is woven into the story that kept me on the edge of my seat.”
“I definitely recommend this book and this series to everyone. A definite 5-star must-read and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.”
“Lydia and Declan's story is pure fire!”
“The attraction is explosive, the suspense is nail-biting, and this book has more twists than an amusement park ride.”
“As expected, SSK doesn't disappoint and delivers and action packed, but wrenching, panty melting, funny story.”
“this book has it all: laughs, tears, nail biting, but wrenching, swooning, etc.”
“OMG! Ms. St. Klaire hits this one out of the park with a grand slam.”
“I was on the edge of my seat reading this story, never ever suspecting how it would end.”
“Wow, there is just so much in this suspenseful read; there is lots of tension plus angst and a bit of romance along the way.”
“I loved all the twists and turns, never quite guessing who the baddies were.”
“Outstanding read!”
“I loved the realism of the story, and the suspense was refreshing.”
“This is a really suspenseful, well-written novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.”
“Stephanie’s stories are told in a way that they make a movie in your head as you read. Very well written!!! She is in the top 5 of my favorite authors!”
“This book was a roller coaster of suspense and emotions like no other.”
“Yet again, Stephanie St. Klaire knocks it out of the park!”
“Wow! What a Story.”
“This book keeps you turning the pages to see what is happening next. Keeps you in suspense; you laugh, cry, and gasp all the time.”
“Swoon!!! I loved this book, and the characters are just so real. It makes me feel like I am in the story, watching it unfold.”
“Stephanie has a way of making the reader feel like they are a part of the book.”
“This book is worth so much more than five stars.”
“This book keeps you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end.”
“An absolutely amazing read.”
“I am not usually into reading suspense books, but this one surprised me, and you most definitely won't be disappointed. I loved it!”
“You think you know the story, but you have no clue. Twist and turns at every corner—intensity at every level. Don't miss this one. A must-read.”
“Love, loyalty, honor, and family. I love the adventure this story has taken me on.”
“Stephanie has a way of bringing you in as if you are there.”
“This fast-paced romantic suspense is well written with twists that you won't see coming.”
“I have a book hangover!! I loved this book so much that I could not put it down. Stephanie St. Klaire has outdone herself…”
“Stephanie's books are a must-read! They never let you down!”
“Stephanie St. Klaire knows how to weave mystery in her words and keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what the hell is going to happen next. Just when you think you may have it figured out, the story twists again and leaves you scratching your head.”
“A high-octane thrill ride…”
“A romantic suspense masterpiece of contemporary fiction. Five stars!”
“I had to stop reading Declan's story for the night with 10% left. I actually thought I was going to die because I know her writing well enough to know that nothing I thought at that point was going to be right after that final 10%.”
“St. Klaire definitely keeps readers on their toes.”
“The twists that Ms. St. Klaire adds to
her books keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you're thinking
you KNOW what's going to happen; she turns you on your head with more
literary contortions!”
“READ. THIS. BOOK.”
“Stephanie St. Klaire has a way with writing that puts many authors to shame.”
“Wow! What a ride! SSK does a fabulous job of keeping you guessing right to the end.”
“A fantastic romantic suspense with a ton of action.”
“RUN immediately and get this book!”
“If you haven't read Stephanie St. Klaire, you need to fix that immediately—like now—and run and purchase her books!”
“St. Klaire has become my go-to author for romantic suspense.”
“Ms. St. Klaire really knows how to grab your attention. This book has everything: love, mystery, and suspense.”
Look Inside: Chapter 1
Look Inside: Chapter 1
Chapter 1:
The happily ever afters were falling into place in McKenzie Ridge for all but one. Lydia. She had a good life in McKenzie. After two years there, it felt like home. Lydia had built a family of friends who she adored and even opened a business. She had only one regret, and it was loving a man who couldn’t love her enough to fight for her. It seemed to be a pattern with her, so she wrote off men altogether and focused on building her business and raising her son, Jax.
Lydia had put Jax to bed for the night after celebrating engagements, weddings, and good health with her friends. It had been an amazing day full of love and joy, albeit exhausting, and as tired as she was, Lydia couldn’t go to sleep herself. She was really good at putting on a happy face during the day when she was around other people. Nighttime was a different story – she felt safe in McKenzie – most of the time.
After the ordeal she went through with her now deceased husband, living on the run and in fear for her life and the life of her son…Lydia struggled with feeling safe at night when she was alone. When it was dark and quiet, she was left with her haunting thoughts. Every sound, every shadow, it all spooked her. Her routine now was to stay up late until she couldn’t fight sleep, and Lydia would finally succumb to dreams over nightmares out of sheer exhaustion, albeit with the lights and TV still on.
She was nearing that time of night, ready to head to her room, when there was a knock on her door. It was well after midnight, and Lydia wasn’t expecting anyone. None of her friends would ever think to come by so late, knowing she had a little one in the house. It just wasn’t like them in general.
Paranoia rolled in, and adrenaline had taken over. Going to the hall closet, Lydia reached for the gun she had hidden on the highest shelf out of Jax’s reach. Turning off the safety, she slowly went to the door, jumping when another knock came harder and louder.
She stood there a good minute, recalling what she had been taught about handling and firing a weapon. Lydia was taught how to shoot by the very man who protected her on the run and then ran from her when their journey came to an end. Declan O’Reilly was easy on the eyes, delicious in bed, but bad for the heart.
With her hand on the doorknob, Lydia waited for a third knock before throwing the door open, startling the person on the other side of the door, banking on the element of surprise.
A sharp gasp escaped her when Lydia saw who was standing at the other end of a potential bullet. Declan O’Reilly. He was back and standing on her front step with his hands up in surrender.
“We have a problem…”
Lydia knew he was in town, had been for weeks, meddling in his sister’s relationship, along with his brothers. It wasn’t entirely a family reunion. Declan and his brothers were instrumental in a local rescue when her dear friend, Everly Shaw, had gone missing and was held by a psychopath. For that, she was grateful, but seeing him standing on her doorstep in the middle of the night just plain pissed her off.
“We do have a problem. You…knocking on my door in the middle of the night.” Lydia started to close the door, but he put a hand up and stopped her.
“Lydee, I’m serious. I’ve been in town for weeks. We need to talk.”
“Oh, got bored with the family and decided, hmmm, I think I’ll drop in on Lydia and see what she’s been up to the past few years? Yeah, no thanks. Goodbye, Declan.”
“Dammit, Lydia. I was only here with them as a cover. I’ve been staking out the place and following leads. Leads that brought me to your doorstep in the middle of the night,” he said.
“Right, middle of the night,” Lydia waved her hands around and spoke in a quiet spooky voice, “all stealth-like to hide from bad guys.”
With her hand on her hip and a death glare locked on him, she said, “News flash, big guy…Esteban is dead. The bad guys are gone. You saw to that. Remember? We were safe here because you were off fighting them.”
“No, Everly’s case was just an unforeseen distraction. I’m glad we were here to help, but it isn’t why any of us were here,” Declan confided.
“Convenient. So…what’s the big threat then? It’s late, and I’m tired. Speak,” Lydia said with as much sass as she could muster.
Declan knew it would be anything but easy to talk to her again and that she would be angry, to say the least, but this was a side of Lydia he’d never encountered. He broke her heart and dragged his ass getting back to town, but it was all for them. It was apparent that convincing her of that would be anything but easy.
“It’s complicated. Can you put that gun away and let me inside?” Declan said, looking around with a concerned scowl. “Jesus, Lydee. Just let me in.”
That had her attention. He didn’t scare easily, and something had Declan stressed. Knowing he was probably the only real threat – as he still held pieces of her heart – Lydia reluctantly let him in. The truth be told, seeing him made her heart skip. It was one thing seeing Declan from afar, but up close and personal was trying her willpower.
“Fine.” Lydia held the door open wide and let him pass through before closing it behind him. She engaged the safety on the gun and followed him into the living area. “So what’s the big threat? If it’s Everly’s stalker, I’m already fully informed. That guy’s dead too and wasn’t into me to begin with. Sounds like you can go home now. It’s late. I’m going to bed,” she said. “This will have to wait until tomorrow.”
“You’re going to bed with a gun? Why do you have that anyway? Has something happened? Has he been here?” Declan became more concerned.
Giving him a side-eye, trying to decide what he was really asking, Lydia fired back, “He? Oh, so that’s what this is about! You think someone – a guy – is staying here? Well, there is – my son – now leave.”
“I’m not leaving you alone. It isn’t safe,” Declan declared before nodding at the gun she was still holding. “Especially with that thing around. You couldn’t shoot anyone. It’s not your thing.”
“Well, Captain Asshat, a lot has changed since you left. I could and would shoot this thing.” Lydia aimed the gun at his knees, safety engaged. She wasn’t that stupid. “Would you like me to demonstrate?”
“Dammit, Lydee, I get you’re pissed at me, but we really do have a problem. You and Jax are not safe – not alone anyway, not until we figure this all out.”
“Keep it down! Jax is sleeping. Go stay with your sister. We’ll talk tomorrow,” she grumped.
“Can’t. She’s a newlywed.” Declan shrugged with a smug grin. Two could play this game.
She rolled her eyes at his excuse. It was going to be one of those nights, apparently. “Okay, go stay with Blake.”
Shaking his head, he crossed his arms. “Blake likes his privacy…”
“Oh, gee, imagine that.” Lydia’s surprised look turned to an irritated frown. “So do I. Surely there’s somewhere else. We can talk about your new bad guy tomorrow.”
“There is somewhere – right here, in this house. It’s safer this way, and you are just going to have to wrap your pretty little head around that.” Declan didn’t tend to be condescending, but she was starting to push his buttons, so he pushed hers right back. “I’m not messing around here, and I’m not leaving.”
She tossed her hands in the air in defeat and frustration. “Fine! You aren’t sleeping in my bed, and I don’t want to confuse my son. Couch. Lock the door behind you. Apparently, there are bad guys in town.”
As frustrated as she was, Lydia was glad he was there. Nights were the worst, and lately, she had that odd inkling that made the hair on her arms tingle. Lydia was being watched.
She stormed off to her room, leaving Declan standing in the middle of the living room. No blanket, no pillow, just stormed off. He’d slept in far worse conditions with a pillow and blanket, so he wasn’t going to complain.
Dec laid on the couch, trying to shift his pants in such a way as to relieve the hard ache she left him with. Lydia was just as feisty as he remembered – tough, strong, and confident. Gorgeous with curves that gave guys hard-ons for days.
He fell asleep at some point, his thoughts of Lydee leading to memories that played like erotic teenage wet dreams. Declan was dreaming about their last time together, and the perfect O Lydia’s mouth made just before she fell over into pure ecstasy, which shook him awake just in time before he finished that teenage boy-like accident. His timing was spot-on since Declan woke to the quickest cold shower ever in the form of a four-year-old little boy standing over him. Staring. Jax.
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