Before You

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www.marnismann.com

ALSO BY MARNI MANN

STAND-ALONE NOVELS

Even If It Hurts (Contemporary Romance)

Before You (Contemporary Romance)

The Assistant (Psychological Thriller)

When Ashes Fall (Contemporary Romance)

The Unblocked Collection (Erotic Romance)

Wild Aces (Erotic Romance)

Prisoned (Dark Erotic Thriller)

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THE AGENCY STAND-ALONE SERIES—Erotic Romance

Signed

Endorsed

Contracted

Negotiated

* * *

THE SHADOWS SERIES—Erotic Romance

Seductive Shadows—Book One

Seductive Secrecy—Book Two

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THE PRISONED SPIN-OFF DUET—Dark Erotic Thriller

Animal—Book One

Monster—Book Two

* * *

THE BAR HARBOR SERIES—New Adult

Pulled Beneath—Book One

Pulled Within—Book Two

* * *

THE MEMOIR SERIES—Dark Mainstream Fiction

Memoirs Aren’t Fairytales—Book One

Scars from a Memoir—Book Two

* * *

NOVELS COWRITTEN WITH GIA RILEY

Lover (Erotic Romance)

Drowning (Contemporary Romance)

EVEN IF IT HURTS

From USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann comes Even If It Hurts, an emotionally charged contemporary romance that’s releasing January 28, 2020. When you have a perfect marriage, only an impossible reconnection could make you risk it all.

PRE-ORDER HERE

SNEAK PEEK OF WHEN ASHES FALL

ALIX - PRESENT DAY

“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?” I said into the headset as I stared at the computer screen.

While I waited for a response, I sucked in a deep breath and rested my fingers on the keyboard, my thumb gently tapping the space bar but not hard enough to actually press it down. My body tensed. The tips of my toes ground into the bottom of my shoes.

It was a ritual.

One I repeated every time I answered a call.

“I’m at the Public Garden,” the woman said. “And a man just fell off one of the benches. He’s on the ground, screaming. You can probably hear him in the background. It looks like he hurt his arm or something.”

Once I processed her description, my chest loosened.

The air I’d been holding in slowly made its way through my lips.

The tapping stopped.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Why do you need that?”

“It’s for our records and also so I know what to call you.”

“I’m not comfortable with giving you my last name, but my first name is Rachel.”

“Rachel,” I repeated as I typed it into the system, “do you know the man’s name?”

“I don’t know him. I was just walking by with my boyfriend, and I saw it happen.”

“Are you able to get close to him and ask if he’s okay?”

“Look, I’m just calling out of courtesy. I don’t have time to go over and assess the man.”

Before I could respond, Rachel disconnected the call.

So, I finished typing up my notes and dispatched the emergency response team to the Public Garden. Before they even left the firehouse, they’d know the man could be suffering from a broken arm, shoulder, or even head trauma and that no other symptoms had been reported.

Once I finished all the coding, I logged off and removed the headset. Then, I took out my bag from the bottom drawer and reached inside for my cell. I found Rose’s last text and started typing.

Me: I’m not going to make it. I’m exhausted.

Rose: If you don’t show up, I’m going to walk to your townhouse and drag your ass out. It’s your choice.

Me: I’m leaving work right now. See you in 15.

Rose: I got us a table outside, right in front. You can’t miss me.

I put the phone back in my bag and stood from the desk, making my way through the call center. This was where most of the emergency and non-emergency calls were answered for each district of Boston. Where we worked eight-hour shifts and handled over a thousand calls a day.

I wondered if I’d have the same ritual tomorrow.

Or if I’d have a different one.

Or maybe I wouldn’t have one at all.

That thought was interrupted when I heard, “Alix,” as I walked by Marla’s office.