EXCERPT for RETALIATORY JUSTICE: I jump out of the bed to go suggest it when I stub my toe on something hard. What the heck was that? I carefully toe his pants out of the way to see what it was and jump back slightly, treating the gun as if it were a snake ready to launch at me. What the hell does he have a gun for? Oh my God! I turn to the bathroom and immediately flash to how we met. He was sneaking towards the private dining room where Phillipe and the others were. What if he was trying to get close so he could kill them or something? My hand shoots to my mouth to stifle my gasp. What if he's some kind of criminal too? My hands start shaking as I stumble to get dressed as quickly as possible. As I get to the door, I hear the toilet flush. I run out of the room as fast as I can and see a cab across the street. I holler at the cabbie to stop, and just as I'm opening the back door, I see him. He's standing in the doorway, watching me leave. Sighing heavily, I slide into the cab. "Where to, ma'am?" I rattle off my address as I watch Valentino slowly walk back into the motel and shut the door. On the drive to my place, I feel the guilt rising up. What is it about me? First Phillipe tries to pursue me and I am pretty confident that he is up to no good and now this guy. What the hell have I gotten myself into that I am coming across all these criminals? Maybe I should call my dad, get his take on things, but I know he'll just tell me the same thing that Jackson keeps telling me to do. QUIT! Jackson doesn't trust any of them. But I can't just quit. Not now. We got word the other day that we will be interviewed for a feature that Bon Appetit magazine is doing on our restaurant and I want that. More than I probably should, but it's true. Being featured will help me find other work. I have to stick around for that. Retaliatory Justice will be out on March 20th. #Bookstagram #AmWriting #TalionicFiles #RetaliatoryJustice #DominiqueWalker #CrimeSuspense #CrimeDrama