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  NO PLACE TO DIE

  (MURDER IN THE KEYS: BOOK #1)

  JADEN SKYE

  About Jaden Skye

  Jaden Skye is author of the #1 Bestselling CARIBBEAN MURDER series, which includes 16 books (and counting). The first book in the series, DEATH BY HONEYMOON, a #1 Bestseller, is now available as a FREE download on Kobo!

  Jaden is also author of the romance series THE TOM RIVER’S SERIES, which begins with A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1), the new romantic suspense series MURDER IN THE KEYS, which begins with NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1), and of the romantic suspense series THE KILLING GAME, which begins with INVITATION TO DIE (Book #1).

  Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love.

  Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!

  Books by Jaden Skye

  THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES

  DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)

  DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)

  DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)

  DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)

  DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)

  DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)

  DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)

  DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)

  DEATH BY DEVOTION (Book #9)

  DEATH BY BETRAYAL (Book #10)

  DEATH BY REQUEST (Book #11)

  DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT (Book #12)

  DEATH BY SEDUCTION (Book #13)

  DEATH BY TEMPTATION (Book #14)

  DEATH BY INVITATION (Book #15)

  DEATH BY WEDDING (Book #16)

  THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA

  A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)

  MURDER IN THE KEYS

  NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1)

  NO PLACE TO VANISH (Book #2)

  THE KILLING GAME

  INVITATION TO DIE (Book #1)

  INVITATION TO MADNESS (Book #2)

  INVITATION TO AGONY (Book #3)

  Tap here to download Jaden Skye books now!

  Copyright © 2017 by Jaden Skye

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

  Jacket image Copyright Bebas Neue, used under license from Trump Gothic East.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  Olivia wrapped Todd’s hand in hers, looked out the small plane’s window, and smiled. This was more than she had dreamed of. The connecting plane flying them to Key West tilted gently beneath the billowing clouds. She leaned against Todd’s broad shoulder and he smiled in delight. Todd was a rock in every way and Olivia especially felt it now as her head dropped lightly onto his chest.

  Not only was Todd a rock, he was gorgeous, fun, and dashing, with a shock of dark hair that fell over his forehead. He had a wry sense of humor, was full of surprises, and had a tremendous sense of adventure. Beyond all that, there was something mysterious about him. Olivia loved that. She couldn’t pin it down exactly, but the sense of mystery had kept her spellbound from the start.

  Even though they’d only been dating for five months, Olivia knew that she was in love. She felt that Todd was, too. Their bond had been instantaneous, startling them both. The minute she’d seen him, she’d known that Todd was the man she’d been waiting for. When they’d actually said hello, the recognition between them was palpable.

  “Where have we met before?” Todd had asked, gazing into her eyes.

  From there things took off naturally, and soon, they became inseparable.

  You don’t really know much about him, her friends had warned, as she’d spent less time with them and more with him.

  Yet Olivia felt she knew all that she needed to. Todd was a top player in a major venture capital firm. He’d been based in the New Orleans office, where he was raised. A rising star there, he was recently transferred to the company’s branch in New York, where they’d met. Thank God he was sent there, Olivia thought, again and again. He’d stepped into her life at just the right moment.

  Earlier on the flight to Key West, Olivia had received a text from Allison. Her best friend from college, Allison continued to keep track of Olivia’s whereabouts, as if she were her self-appointed guardian. For some reason Allison had been particularly concerned about this trip.

  Do you think this is it? Allison texted. Is he going to propose?

  Olivia had not replied, but inwardly, she hoped so. As quick as it was, their bond was so strong that she felt it was actually possible. He’d even hinted at it.

  And yet, at the same time, Todd did have business down here. He had to stay for the following week, though Olivia was going back to the city on Sunday, after their weekend together. But that was fine. He’d come down on business before and hadn’t asked her to come along for a weekend.

  Olivia felt something unexpected coming, for sure.

  She brushed her long, silky blonde hair back from her exquisite face. Olivia’s looks had always been her strong suit. Todd stared at her.

  “No one holds a candle to you.” His voice deepened.

  Olivia gazed into Todd’s deep brown, inscrutable eyes. With his sculpted, suntanned face he was probably the handsomest man she’d ever seen. Olivia never quite understood why he was as attached to her as he was. He could easily have anyone he wanted. And yet suddenly, they were emailing and texting all day long.

  What are you doing? Thinking of you, Todd texted twice a day, sometimes more.

  Olivia loved hearing from him.

  “We’re almost there,” he said, peering out the window. “I’ve made us reservations at the best hotel, and I have some surprise plans for us.”

  Plans? Olivia shivered. What if Allison’s guess was right? What if Todd had invited her down to Key West to propose
?

  She pondered that, and felt a thrill of excitement. There was no way she could turn him down. She reflected on their whirlwind romance; it just kept getting better. Days and nights were turned upside down as she and Todd went dancing until the wee hours, or talked way past midnight over dinner and wine. Todd seemed to have a sixth sense for finding offbeat, gourmet restaurants to linger in, places where they could be themselves.

  She couldn’t risk losing him, even though her family hadn’t met him yet, and she hadn’t met his family, either. But neither of them wanted to include anyone. Most people couldn’t stand to see others so happy, she knew. People had strange ways of interfering and spoiling things. She and Todd would have plenty of time for others later.

  Olivia was aware that there were layers of each other’s lives that she and Todd hadn’t touched on yet. But she also knew how she felt when she was with him, and how badly she needed him. If they actually got engaged this weekend, people would say she was hasty. Some might even think that she was on the rebound after all the suffering she’d been through with Paul.

  Let them say what they want, thought Olivia; she’d never known happiness like this before.

  *

  The landing in Key West was quick and easy. Before Olivia knew it, they were out of the plane, had picked up their luggage, and were walking outside the small, busy airport between rows of tall palm trees. A line of taxis awaited passengers as the hot afternoon sun beat down.

  Todd wiped his forehead and Olivia tossed her face up to the sky to thoroughly enjoy the warmth of the sun’s rays. She felt thoroughly invigorated by the fresh, salty ocean air. It was wonderful being here in nature, out of the grinding pressure of city life. She’d been working too hard, and almost forgot how different it was being part of a landscape she loved.

  She looked at the sky. It was exquisitely blue, with traces of small birds high up.

  “Wait.” Todd grinned. “This is just the beginning.”

  Olivia’s heart fluttered. The beginning of what? she wanted to ask him. The beginning of a vacation? Of a life together?

  Todd waved to the next taxi in line, and it quickly pulled up beside them. “We’re going to drive along the coastline to the hotel,” he said as they slipped into the cab.

  Olivia smiled, thinking he suddenly sounded like a tour guide. He had so many different aspects to him, she never knew what was coming next.

  “Key West is full of old historical buildings and monuments,” Todd went on happily, as they began driving. “Not only that, it hangs right in the intersection of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean. Some of the best waters in the world flow through here.”

  Olivia looked out at the splashing ocean as the cab pulled onto a narrow highway that ran along a craggy shore. She was enjoying Todd’s running commentary as much as the trip itself. Todd had a way of elaborating, making things bigger than they were. It added spice to whatever was going on.

  “The first time people come, Key West can really turn their heads,” Todd said. “It’s fun watching you here. I’ve been curious for a long time about how you’d take to it.”

  “Really?” Olivia was surprised. “Curious about what?” Was he basically wanting to see if she might want to make a life down here? she wondered.

  “It’s an old story,” he continued. “Some people love it here so much they come for the weekend and stay their whole lives. They can’t leave, get high on the vibe. There’s something in the air and energy down here that’s definitely irresistible. It can make the rest of the world seem unnecessary.”

  Olivia couldn’t imagine that the rest of the world would ever be unnecessary for Todd. He was so engaged with everything. But then she did recall moments when he would suddenly become strangely silent and sad. Usually, those moments didn’t last very long, though.

  “People come for a weekend and stay their whole lives?” Olivia asked, chuckling. She doubted it, but it was a charming thought.

  “Absolutely,” Todd went on. “I know a bunch of those guys down here myself. I’ve hung out with them plenty of times.”

  Olivia suddenly wondered who these guys were. What kind of friends did Todd really surround himself with? She looked forward to meeting some of them soon.

  “Well, I’m certainly glad you’re not one of those guys who can’t leave,” Olivia quipped. “Otherwise, I never would have met you.”

  Todd took her hand and squeezed it. “One way or another we would have met,” he said.

  She was glad to hear him say it.

  The two of them fell silent for a few moments as Olivia looked outside at the scrubby brush and beautiful rock formations on either side of the road. Of course, she’d been on many vacations in her life, but none quite like this one. It had to be because Todd was here with her. At this point, Olivia couldn’t imagine life without him.

  The cab turned onto a narrow, rough road. Small cacti bursting with blooms were planted along it.

  “The hotel’s up ahead,” he said then.

  Olivia strained forward to look at the long, low, wooden building ahead that blended gracefully into the natural landscape. She instantly loved it, looked forward to an incredible weekend together. The weekend belonged to them.

  They got out of the cab and quickly went into the hotel lobby. Everything inside was elegant, simple, and natural, almost as if it weren’t man-made. There were large glass windows out of which you could see tall trees growing. Assorted seashells and conchs were placed on small wicker tables, and carved pieces of driftwood sat beside them.

  The minute they walked in Todd was greeted with smiles by several hotel workers. This place almost seemed like his second home; everyone clearly knew and liked him.

  After checking in, they were taken to their suite on the second floor. Todd tipped the bellman generously at the door; pleased, the bellman backed away.

  Todd opened the door to their suite and they walked inside. Olivia immediately felt as though she’d been transported to another world. The suite overlooked a lagoon and was surrounded by blossoming vines and flowers.

  “This is so beautiful,” she murmured. “I would never have imagined a place like this.”

  The room was beautifully appointed with a luxurious bed covered with a red satin quilt. Pink rose petals were tossed over the quilt and the floor, making a gentle trail to the open patio. Beside the bed sat two languid designer chairs, and on a long glass table, a huge basket filled with fruit, chocolate, and wine waited for them. On the wall hung an odd painting of a darkened sea at dusk.

  Todd pulled Olivia closer to him. “You’re smart, you’re beautiful, you’ve been everywhere. I knew that as soon as we met. And I also knew I was going to make it my job to show another part of the world to you.” Then Todd laughed, rubbing his face slowly up and down Olivia’s neck. “I knew you were ready to see it.”

  Olivia slowly took in what Todd was saying. She’d been right; more was coming in their relationship. This moment was just a beginning, a foreshadowing of what lay ahead.

  “This is all for you,” he whispered into her ear. “For you only, remember that.”

  Olivia shivered in his arms. It was an odd thing to say, but it made her heart soar. She never felt so valued and appreciated. Much more than she ever had with Paul. She felt momentarily bad thinking of her late fiancé. She had to stop it; she could not let memories of her past intrude on the joy that was here for her now.

  “Look around, Olivia.” Todd’s voice grew in intensity. “This is how our life is going to be.”

  Olivia’s eyes opened wide. What was he saying?

  But before she could dwell upon it, Todd drew her to him in a powerful, urgent, unrelenting kiss.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The afternoon passed like a long moment with the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms beneath the red satin bedspread.

  Showered by Todd’s unconditional love, Olivia felt a new part of herself emerging. It was a part filled with acceptance and ease. She couldn’t he
lp but realize that the two of them were incredibly similar. Just like Todd, Olivia drove herself relentlessly, both at work and in her personal life. Like him, she always had to measure up. Despite her beautiful face and figure, despite always having been popular, done well, and even gotten her dream job in publicity, a strange cloud always hung over her. It was a cloud she’d never been able to shake. Perhaps it was her odd relationship with her twin sister, Mauve? Or with her distant, beautiful mother who demanded that both Mauve and Olivia meet her grand expectations?

  Whatever it was, one thing was certain: Olivia felt different now with Todd. Finally, she didn’t have to struggle to earn the love she so deeply craved.

  As evening began to gently fall, Olivia watched the light fade with the setting sun.

  “We’re not going to the sunset ceremony on the pier tonight,” Todd whispered as Olivia gazed out at the golden pink sky. “We’ll go to it tomorrow. Tonight I have reservations at the Piers Grand, the restaurant in the hotel. It’s world famous, perched out on a deck over the water.”

  It didn’t really matter to Olivia where they went. She felt so content just being with him. But it was beautiful to see how he’d planned every detail, was so intent upon making her happy.

  Todd cared so much about the impression he made, and Olivia liked that, but it could be too much. Always put together impeccably, he often looked like a model stepping off the cover of a men’s magazine. A shock of dark hair hung down over Todd’s forehead too, and made him that much more striking. It was an odd wild streak breaking through, and it made Olivia smile.

  Todd’s appearance would please her mother, Olivia thought. Her mother was formal, well dressed, overly aware of how others viewed her as well.

  “Let’s get dressed,” Todd finally said. “Reservations are in half an hour.”

  Todd got up to shower and dress for the evening. Olivia had brought all kinds of outfits with her. She rolled out of bed, tossed her long, blonde hair back over her shoulders, and stretched.