Novels by Steph Avery

Marcus burst through the restaurant's main entrance at full speed just as the first gunshot echoed through the building. The sound of breaking glass and screaming patrons filled the air as people scrambled for cover in every direction.He moved with the precision of someone who had spent years in combat zones, his body operating on pure instinct and training. His weapon was already in his hand though he did not remember drawing it. Every muscle in his body was focused on one single objective, getting to the private dining room on the third floor where his son was trapped.The Hayes family security team had made their move faster than Marcus expected. Through the chaos, he could see at least six armed men in dark suits pushing their way through the panicked crowd toward the stairs. They were professionals moving with military discipline and coordination.But they were not expecting Marcus Chen.The first man never saw him coming. Marcus struck from behind with brutal efficiency, a sing

The next morning Marcus woke before sunrise as his body was trained to do from years of military discipline. He stood by the hotel window drinking black coffee and watching the city slowly come to life below him while his mind worked through the challenges ahead.His phone buzzed with updates from the surveillance teams watching Elena and Leo throughout the night. The reports were routine and showed nothing unusual. Elena had woken up early, prepared breakfast for Leo, and was now getting him ready for school, just like any normal morning. Everything appeared calm on the surface.But Marcus knew nothing was normal anymore beneath that peaceful exterior. The Rodriguez family was planning something dangerous. The Hayes and Sterling families were regrouping after yesterday's public humiliation at the wedding. And somewhere in the shadows unknown enemies were watching and waiting for their opportunity to strike."Sir the meeting with Victor Montgomery is confirmed for tonight at eight o'c

Marcus stood on the sidewalk watching Elena and Leo disappear around the corner of the busy street until they were completely out of his sight. His chest felt unbearably tight with an emotion he had not experienced in many long years and could not quite name even now.The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pavement and the sounds of the city continued around him as if nothing important had just happened. Cars honked in traffic. People walked past talking on phones. Street vendors called out their wares. Life went on completely normal for everyone except Marcus who felt like his entire world had just shifted on its axis.David approached carefully from behind. "Sir, that was difficult to watch. The woman clearly hates you with everything she has.""She has every right to hate me," Marcus replied quietly, still staring at the empty corner. "I destroyed her life even if I did not intend to. The result is the same.""What do you want to do now?"Marcus finally turned to face his a

Elena Rodriguez ran through the streets like a woman possessed by fear and desperation. Her hair was wild and tangled around her face while sweat mixed with tears ran down her cheeks in streams that would not stop.The school had called earlier to tell her that Leo had disappeared, and she immediately rushed to the police station, hoping for help. But the officers there treated her concerns like they were nothing important at all. They said her son had to be missing for a full twenty-four hours before they could start looking for him. One officer even suggested in a bored voice that the boy probably just wandered off somewhere to play with other children.Elena knew better than to expect any real help from the authorities in this city. The Rodriguez family no longer had any power or connections that mattered. She was completely alone in this nightmare and would have to find her son by herself.So she had been searching everywhere her mind could think of for hours now. She asked every

Marcus walked with long, quick strides toward the black Audi that was parked outside the hotel, waiting for him.His mind had already shifted away from the wedding and the Hayes family. There were more important matters that needed his immediate attention right now."What happened?" Marcus asked David as soon as they were both inside the car and the doors closed behind them."Sir, we have finally located the woman from that night five years ago," David began speaking carefully, like he was afraid of how Marcus might react. "Her name is Elena Rodriguez. She comes from a third-tier family here in Grandview."Elena. Marcus turned the name over slowly in his mind trying to connect it to any memories. He barely remembered anything about that terrible night because of the drugs they gave him. His mind had been clouded and confused. He never even learned her name before everything in his life fell apart completely."After the incident happened," David continued with his report, "the Rodrigue

The Grand Celestial Hotel stood tall above all the other buildings in downtown Grandview City. Its glass walls reflected the orange and red colors of the sunset like the building was on fire.Tonight the entire hotel had been reserved for just one event. The marriage of Victoria Hayes and Jonathan Sterling was the biggest social occasion of the whole season and everyone who mattered had been invited.Expensive cars lined up outside the entrance one after another. Helicopters flew overhead pulling long banners behind them that read congratulations to the happy couple and wished them a lifetime of love together.Inside the main ballroom, everything sparkled with crystal chandeliers and gold decorations that must have cost a fortune. Five hundred of the city's most important and influential people stood around holding champagne glasses and talking in groups. Everyone wanted to be seen supporting the union of two such powerful families."With this marriage, the Hayes and Sterling families