Deception

Deception

by Selena Montgomery, Stacey Abrams

Narrated by Simone Daye

Unabridged — 13 hours, 20 minutes

Deception

Deception

by Selena Montgomery, Stacey Abrams

Narrated by Simone Daye

Unabridged — 13 hours, 20 minutes

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Overview

Always on the run . . .

Playing the odds has always been Fin Borders' forte. She knows when to get out to keep from losing everything. But an innocent woman has been accused of murder, and to help, Fin will have to go back to the small southern town of her birth. It's a place she's been running from her entire life, a place of violence, where she got by with nothing more than her wits. Returning to Hallden, Georgia, means facing the ghosts of a brutal crime that Fin will never forget-and risking her own life.

But Fin isn't the only one in Hallden hunting for a killer. FBI Special Agent Caleb Matthews is deep undercover, hiding his true identity and his own desperate history. Working alone is far too dangerous, so he and Fin must learn to trust each other. But as they grow closer, they are unprepared for the passion that takes hold . . . and the shocking deception that could destroy everything they hold dear.


Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2019 - AudioFile

Simone Daye returns to narrate another romantic suspense audiobook written by Selena Montgomery, the pen name of Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. Professional gambler Fin Borders returns to her small Georgia town after many years away for the sole purpose of clearing her loving foster mother of murder charges. However, while she’s there, she may lose the highest bid of her gambling career—her heart—to FBI Special Agent Caleb Matthews. Daye’s gorgeous Southern drawl provides the listener with a solid sense of place. She gives all the characters unique voices fitting to their personalities, further drawing the listener in. Hearing her deliberate pace, except during high-action scenes, the listener may feel a false sense of quiet complicity with the audiobook’s characters, which places the subsequent drama in high relief. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

Wow! Selena Montgomery just went to the top of my must-read list!” — Beverly Jenkins

“[In] her latest sexy thriller...the sparks—both romantic and ballistic—don’t disappoint. Montgomery has a winning pair in morally flexible Sebastian and principled Kat, and the tropical gauntlet she runs them through is twisty and satisfying.”  — Publishers Weekly on Secrets and Lies  

“[Never Tell] will keep you reading late into the night. This compelling story is an amazing combination of emotion, suspense and drama.”
Romantic Times

“A taut, spine tingling story, Never Tell will please Ms. Montgomery’s fans and gain her many more.” — Romance in Color

Romance in Color

A taut, spine tingling story, Never Tell will please Ms. Montgomery’s fans and gain her many more.

Beverly Jenkins

Wow! Selena Montgomery just went to the top of my must-read list!

Romantic Times

[Never Tell] will keep you reading late into the night. This compelling story is an amazing combination of emotion, suspense and drama.”

MARCH 2019 - AudioFile

Simone Daye returns to narrate another romantic suspense audiobook written by Selena Montgomery, the pen name of Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. Professional gambler Fin Borders returns to her small Georgia town after many years away for the sole purpose of clearing her loving foster mother of murder charges. However, while she’s there, she may lose the highest bid of her gambling career—her heart—to FBI Special Agent Caleb Matthews. Daye’s gorgeous Southern drawl provides the listener with a solid sense of place. She gives all the characters unique voices fitting to their personalities, further drawing the listener in. Hearing her deliberate pace, except during high-action scenes, the listener may feel a false sense of quiet complicity with the audiobook’s characters, which places the subsequent drama in high relief. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID: 2940169942057
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 07/31/2018
Edition description: Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Deception

Chapter One

"One-fifty." Fin slid a stack of chips across black felt, the silver discs totaling $150,000. Shiny ebony coils, tamed at her nape by an elastic band, threatened to escape their confines. In the frigid air of the hotel suite, tendrils curved against a slash of cheekbone, the slope of a high, intelligent forehead. Absently, she brushed at the nuisance, her attention on the play of the hand.

Between her and the last two men at the table lay a queen of spades, a two of diamonds, and a nine of diamonds. And table stakes of fifteen million dollars. She'd already winnowed down the competition and collected most of the other players' money. Just two more to go. With a sleek smile, she nudged, "Bet's to you, Massimo."

"Grazie." The gorgeous Italian pushed in his chips, and the chandelier's light caught the platinum band on his wrist. A custom-made watch worth a small island. "I call."

"Calling, Massimo?" Don Harkleroad, an American oil magnate, chuckled. "Since you don't seem to have the stones for it, why don't I sweeten the pot for supper? Here's your one-fifty and another one-fifty to keep it interesting."

"Where exactly do you plan to eat?" Fin teased as she gave over more of the glittery silver. At her elbow, mounds of silver, bronze, and gold chips had been growing for several hours, but she cared only for those left to be earned. "Call."

With a broad wink, Don leered amiably. "Depends on where you let me take you after I clean the lint out of your purse, sugar."

"She already has dinner plans," Massimo corrected, his slick baritone a contrast to Don's Southern twang. "When I win this game, Fin has agreed tojoin me for a midnight supper aboard the Tesoro." He met the required bet and inclined his head toward the dealer. "Call."

"We'll have to see about that," Don challenged as he called and signaled for the turn card.

The dealer snapped the fourth card onto the table. "Seven of diamonds."

Fin glanced at the dealer's addition but kept her attention focused on her opponents. Massimo Duarte was absurdly rich, outrageously handsome, and undeniably sexy. It was at his invitation that she'd been allowed to sit at the Regents table in Cannes, to play in a game that had a waiting list of the world's wealthiest men. Women were rarely granted an audience, and then typically as dulcet cheerleaders draped artfully around the room as scenery.

She'd wheedled an invitation by flirting shamefully with Massimo, wearing him down across two continents. He'd finally given in and handed her a seat, which had provided her with one new fact about Massimo.

He was a lousy poker player.

His winnings had nearly evaporated, and he remained in the game based more on luck than skill. When the seven fell next to the flop, his winged ebony brows arched over dark eyes that danced with glee. Despite his drawn mouth and the somber expression he'd pasted on at the turn, the expressive eyes signaled satisfaction.

Fin figured Massimo was four cards into a possible diamond flush.

For his part, Don Harkleroad, a Mississippi mogul whose wealth came from a family diamond mine and a shrewd eye for mineral rights, played a more aggressive game. He had no obvious tells, no apparent weaknesses. And, if she wasn't mistaken, he held a pair he was trying to turn into trips.

Both studied her, doing as she had, trying to read the unreadable in the twitch of a mouth or the clench of a jaw. But they'd learn nothing from her she didn't intend to teach.

To string them out, Fin made a modest bet to follow. "Twenty-five." With reluctance, she pushed her chips into the pot.

"Cute." Snickering, Massimo shifted a hefty portion of his remaining chips to join her bet. "I raise two hundred."

"I've gotten bigger bites from a mosquito," derided Don. "Lady wants to play with the big boys, she'll have to risk some of those pretty coins she's been collecting. I'm raising y'all. Five hundred thousand."

A subtle flinch from Fin met his announcement. She pretended to hem, then gamely added her chips. "I call."

Not to be outdone, Massimo gritted his teeth. His allowance from his father would not be available for another few days. Already, he'd overspent. But he checked the dip of cleavage framed by black silk and thought of the woman known only as Fin sailing with him for a weekend on his yacht. Without silk or anything else. "Five dollars, five hundred thousand. It is only money." He shoved the chips into the center, the stack spilling. "All-in. Seven hundred and twenty-five thousand." Turning to Don, he goaded, "Is this big enough?"

Don shrugged as he met the challenge. "Work with what you've got, brother."

Taking a secret breath, Fin added her chips. "Let's see the river."

The river card landed beside the others. "Ten of hearts."

An Italian oath rose from the table, presaging the disgusted turn of Massimo's hole cards. Indeed, an ace of diamonds stared up impotently beside a queen of clubs. He held a pair, ace high, a poor showing and certain defeat.

Don, on the other hand, eagerly tossed in his pair of nines. "Three German Virgins, Massimo." He chortled, his hands reaching. "Reminds me that it's time to visit Berlin."

"Tut, tut." Fin swatted his hand lightly where it hovered over the pot. "I believe it's my turn." With a practiced flick of her wrist, she revealed an eight of diamonds and a jack of clubs. "Inside straight, Don."

"Well, I'll be double damned." He stared at the woman who'd just won the lion's share of fifteen million. His short stack had maybe another hand to play, but not nearly the chips he'd need to catch her. "You are a cool one, Fin. I'd heard stories, but hell if they weren't all true. Hard as nails, they say. And she'll drive one of 'em through your wallet and another through your heart."

Deception. Copyright © by Selena Montgomery. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

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