Her notes became more feverish, the lines on the page intersecting in a chaotic yet purposeful manner. Internal communications, dates of unexplained absences, financial anomalies—all forming a damning indictment of a man who once stood atop the FBI hierarchy. The stakes were high, and she knew that every step closer to the truth put her in deeper peril. Yet fear was a luxury she couldn’t afford—not when justice was on the line. Each revelation was a step out of the darkness that had shrouded her since her incarceration, each document a potential key to unlocking the mystery of Richard Cordell's true nature.

  Morgan’s relentless pursuit of the truth continued, her gaze fixed on the screen as she unraveled the complex web spun by a master of deception. There was no turning back now.

  Morgan's fingers hovered over the keyboard, her mind racing as she encountered one blocked file after another. Each pathway that seemed promising led to an abrupt end, a digital brick wall that screamed of tampering. The scent of stale coffee mingled with the sharp tang of frustration in the air. She could almost feel the hands of Richard Cordell reaching out from the shadows, obscuring trails and sanitizing records.

  "Come on," she muttered to herself, her brows knitting together. There was a pattern here—a sinister tapestry woven by a man so adept at manipulating the system that he'd turned the FBI into his personal game board. Morgan’s instincts, honed from years of navigating the murky waters of criminal psychology, knew that Cordell was the key; she just needed to prove it.

  She scrawled names, dates, and case numbers across her notepad, connecting them with lines that crisscrossed like scars. Every connection brought her closer to painting a portrait of Cordell, yet each stroke only served to deepen the enigma. He was a mastermind with tendrils stretching into every corner of the Bureau, his influence an invisible force that seemed to mock her from the darkened corners of the room.

  As she sifted through the tangled evidence, the piercing ring of her phone shattered the silence. She snatched up the receiver, her voice razor-sharp. "Cross."

  "Resign from the FBI immediately." The voice slithered through the line, distorted and mechanical, but dripping with authority.

  Morgan's hand tightened around the phone, her pulse throbbing in her ears. The words hung in the air like a guillotine blade, cold and final. It was a clear message from someone who didn't bother disguising their intent or their knowledge of her investigation.

  "Who are you to—" She started, but the commanding tone left no room for questions.

  "Resign, Agent Cross. This is your last warning." The line crackled with menace, the distortion failing to mask the underlying threat.

  Every instinct screamed danger, a primal alertness that surged through her veins. Someone was watching, someone with enough power to monitor her moves and tap her calls. Cordell had eyes everywhere, and now they were fixed on her.

  "Is that a threat?" Morgan's voice was ice, her gaze locked onto the shadows that danced across her cluttered desk.

  "Consider it advice," the voice replied.

  Her pulse thundered in her ears, but Morgan's exterior remained as solid as the desk before her. This was not just a warning; it was an intimate threat, delivered with the precision of someone who knew exactly how to strike at her core. They were aware of her every move—the late nights spent piecing together the mysteries of Cordell, the connections drawn between cases that should have stayed buried. And now, they had stepped out from the shadows.

  "Is my investigation hitting too close to home?" she countered, her tone edged with steel.

  The caller's laughter crackled, brief and mirthless. "You're playing a dangerous game, Agent Cross. A game you cannot win."

  A chill crept up her spine, the icy tendrils of realization wrapping around her thoughts. This wasn't just about the job anymore. Whoever was on the other end of that call might know about her father's secrets, her unjust imprisonment, or even about her complicated feelings for Derik. Her past was a weapon they could wield with lethal accuracy.

  "Your persistence will bring consequences," the voice continued, its distortion doing little to mask the gravity of its message. "We both know you've been down that road before. Do you really want to walk it again?"

  Morgan's grip tightened around the phone. The veiled reference to her time behind bars—a period when she was stripped of her badge and her dignity—was a calculated jab designed to unnerve her. But Morgan was made of sterner stuff. She had clawed her way back from the depths once and wouldn't be dragged back down by faceless threats.

  "Empty threats won't deter me," she spat out, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the room, half-expecting to catch a glimpse of the intruder in her private world.

  "Consider this a courtesy then," came the reply, each word a sharpened dagger aimed at her resolve. "Resign, or there will be repercussions. Severe ones."

  “Is that so—Cordell?”

  The line crackled with tension, the silence stretching out like a tightrope. Morgan held her breath, her gaze fixed on the darkened window, half expecting a sniper's bullet to pierce the glass. The name Richard Cordell was a litmus test—if this shadow had any connection to the ex-FBI puppet master, there would be a reaction.

  A beat passed, then another. A lifetime seemed to hang in that void. Then, without warning, the call ended with a click as abrupt and final as a coffin lid slamming shut.

  Morgan sat frozen, the dial tone a mocking obituary for her attempt at gaining leverage. The caller had hung up at the mere mention of Cordell. It was a small victory but a telling one. Whoever was on the other end knew about Cordell, knew enough to fear the repercussions of even acknowledging his existence.

  She leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. The veiled threats, the cryptic warnings—it all pointed to an intricate web with Cordell lurking at its center. This wasn't just about silencing her; it was about protecting someone, someone with enough power to manipulate the Bureau's strings like a seasoned puppeteer.

  Her eyes darted to the files scattered across her desk, each one a piece of the puzzle she was slowly assembling. Whoever had called thought they could intimidate her into submission. They were wrong. This call hadn't instilled fear; it had stoked the fires of her resolve. They wanted her to resign, to disappear into the shadows—but Morgan Cross was done being a ghost in her own life.

  Cordell had framed her once, stolen ten years from her grasp. He wouldn't get another second. With a newfound urgency, she reached for her notes, the words 'Richard Cordell' burning on the page like a brand. She would find him, unearth his secrets, and expose the rot within. No more running, no more hiding.

  It was time to hunt.

  NOW AVAILABLE!

  FORBIDDEN

  (A Morgan Cross FBI Suspense Thriller—Book Twelve)

  New victims are turning up at accident scenes, and FBI Agent Morgan Cross must outsmart a murderer who's turning personal tragedy into a twisted game—before it’s too late…

  “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery.”

  —Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

  FORBIDDEN is book #12 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 7,000 five star ratings and reviews.

  Superstar FBI Agent Morgan Cross was at the height of her career when she was framed, wrongly imprisoned, and sent to do 10 hard years in prison. Finally exonerated and set free, Morgan emerges from jail as a changed person—hardened, ruthless, closed off to the world, and unsure how to start again. When the FBI comes knocking, desperately needing Morgan to return and hunt down a killer who seems to be obsessed with drowning, Morgan is torn.

  Morgan is not the same person, no longer willing to play by the rules, and will stop at nothing this time. In a non-stop thriller, it will be a deadly cat and mouse chase between a diabolical killer and an ex-con FBI agent who has nothing left to lose—with a new victim’s fate riding on it all.

  A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the Morgan Cross series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

  Future books in the series will be available soon!

  “An edge of your seat thriller in a new series that keeps you turning pages! ...So many twists, turns and red herrings… I can't wait to see what happens next.”

  —Reader review (Her Last Wish)

  “A strong, complex story about two FBI agents trying to stop a serial killer. If you want an author to capture your attention and have you guessing, yet trying to put the pieces together, Pierce is your author!”

  —Reader review (Her Last Wish)

  “A typical Blake Pierce twisting, turning, roller coaster ride suspense thriller. Will have you turning the pages to the last sentence of the last chapter!!!”

  —Reader review (City of Prey)

  “Right from the start we have an unusual protagonist that I haven't seen done in this genre before. The action is nonstop… A very atmospheric novel that will keep you turning pages well into the wee hours.”

  —Reader review (City of Prey)

  “Everything that I look for in a book… a great plot, interesting characters, and grabs your interest right away. The book moves along at a breakneck pace and stays that way until the end. Now on go I to book two!”

  —Reader review (Girl, Alone)

  “Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!”

  —Reader review (Girl, Alone)

  FORBIDDEN

  (A Morgan Cross FBI Suspense Thriller—Book Twelve)

  Blake Pierce

  Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising thirty-eight books (and counting); of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising sixteen books, of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books; of the LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising eleven books; of the ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising twenty-five books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books, of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising six books; of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising fifteen books (and counting); of the VALERIE LAW mystery series, comprising nine books; of the PAIGE KING mystery series, comprising eight books; of the MAY MOORE mystery series, comprising eleven books; of the CORA SHIELDS mystery series, comprising eight books; of the NICKY LYONS mystery series, comprising eight books, of the CAMI LARK mystery series, comprising ten books; of the AMBER YOUNG mystery series, comprising eight books; of the DAISY FORTUNE mystery series, comprising five books; of the FIONA RED mystery series, comprising thirteen books (and counting); of the FAITH BOLD mystery series, comprising seventeen books (and counting); of the JULIETTE HART mystery series, comprising five books; of the MORGAN CROSS mystery series, comprising thirteen books (and counting); of the FINN WRIGHT mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the SHEILA STONE suspense thriller series, comprising eight books (and counting); of the RACHEL BLACKWOOD suspense thriller series, comprising eight books (and counting); and of the new THE GOVERNESS psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nine books (and counting).

  An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

  BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE

  THE GOVERNESS PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE

  ONE LAST LIE (Book #1)

  ONE LAST SMILE (Book #2)

  ONE LAST BREATH (Book #3)

  ONE LAST GOODBYE (Book #4)

  ONE LAST SECRET (Book #5)

  ONE LAST WHISPER (Book #6)

  ONE LAST REGRET (Book #7)

  ONE LAST NIGHT (Book #8)

  ONE LAST STEP (Book #9)

  RACHEL BLACKWOOD SUSPENSE THRILLER

  NOT THIS WAY (Book #1)

  NOT THIS TIME (Book #2)

  NOT THIS CLOSE (Book #3)

  NOT THIS ROAD (Book #4)

  NOT THIS LATE (Book #5)

  NOT THIS NIGHT (Book #6)

  NOT THIS PLACE (Book #7)

  NOT THIS SOON (Book #8)

  SHEILA STONE SUSPENSE THRILLER

  SILENT GIRL (Book #1)

  SILENT TRAIL (Book #2)

  SILENT NIGHT (Book #3)

  SILENT HOUSE (Book #4)

  SILENT SCREAM (Book #5)

  SILENT PREY (Book #6)

  SILENT RITUAL (Book #7)

  SILENT PRAYER (Book #8)

  FINN WRIGHT MYSTERY SERIES

  WHEN YOU’RE MINE (Book #1)

  WHEN YOU’RE SAFE (Book #2)

  WHEN YOU’RE CLOSE (Book #3)

  WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING (Book #4)

  WHEN YOU’RE SANE (Book #5)

  WHEN YOU’RE SILENT (Book #6)

  WHEN YOU’RE GONE (Book #7)

  MORGAN CROSS MYSTERY SERIES

  FOR YOU (Book #1)

  FOR RAGE (Book #2)

  FOR LUST (Book #3)

  FOR WRATH (Book #4)

  FOREVER (Book #5)

  FOR US (Book #6)

  FOR NOW (Book #7)

  FOR ONCE (Book #8)

  FOR ETERNITY (Book #9)

  FORLORN (Book #10)

  FOR SILENCE (Book #11)

  FORBIDDEN (Book #12)

  FOR FEAR (Book #13)

  FORSAKEN (Book #14)

  JULIETTE HART MYSTERY SERIES

  NOTHING TO FEAR (Book #1)

  NOTHING THERE (Book #2)

  NOTHING WATCHING (Book #3)

  NOTHING HIDING (Book #4)

  NOTHING LEFT (Book #5)

  FAITH BOLD MYSTERY SERIES

  SO LONG (Book #1)

  SO COLD (Book #2)

  SO SCARED (Book #3)

  SO NORMAL (Book #4)

  SO FAR GONE (Book #5)

  SO LOST (Book #6)

  SO ALONE (Book #7)

  SO FORGOTTEN (Book #8)

  SO INSANE (Book #9)

  SO SMITTEN (Book #10)

  SO SIMPLE (Book #11)

  SO BROKEN (Book #12)

  SO CRUEL (Book #13)

  SO HAUNTED (Book #14)

  SO SILENT (Book #15)

  SO BLEAK (Book #16)

  SO HOLLOW (Book #17)

  FIONA RED MYSTERY SERIES

  LET HER GO (Book #1)

  LET HER BE (Book #2)

  LET HER HOPE (Book #3)

  LET HER WISH (Book #4)

  LET HER LIVE (Book #5)

  LET HER RUN (Book #6)

  LET HER HIDE (Book #7)

  LET HER BELIEVE (Book #8)

  LET HER FORGET (Book #9)

  LET HER TRY (Book #10)

  LET HER PLAY (Book #11)

  LET HER VANISH (Book #12)

  LET HER FADE (Book #13)

  DAISY FORTUNE MYSTERY SERIES

  NEED YOU (Book #1)

  CLAIM YOU (Book #2)

  CRAVE YOU (Book #3)

  CHOOSE YOU (Book #4)

  CHASE YOU (Book #5)

  AMBER YOUNG MYSTERY SERIES

  ABSENT PITY (Book #1)

  ABSENT REMORSE (Book #2)

  ABSENT FEELING (Book #3)

  ABSENT MERCY (Book #4)

  ABSENT REASON (Book #5)

  ABSENT SANITY (Book #6)

  ABSENT LIFE (Book #7)

  ABSENT HUMANITY (Book #8)

  CAMI LARK MYSTERY SERIES

  JUST ME (Book #1)

  JUST OUTSIDE (Book #2)

  JUST RIGHT (Book #3)

  JUST FORGET (Book #4)

  JUST ONCE (Book #5)

  JUST HIDE (Book #6)

  JUST NOW (Book #7)

  JUST HOPE (Book #8)

  JUST LEAVE (Book #9)

  JUST TONIGHT (Book #10)

  NICKY LYONS MYSTERY SERIES

  ALL MINE (Book #1)

  ALL HIS (Book #2)

  ALL HE SEES (Book #3)

  ALL ALONE (Book #4)

  ALL FOR ONE (Book #5)

  ALL HE TAKES (Book #6)

  ALL FOR ME (Book #7)

  ALL IN (Book #8)

  CORA SHIELDS MYSTERY SERIES

  UNDONE (Book #1)

  UNWANTED (Book #2)

  UNHINGED (Book #3)

  UNSAID (Book #4)

  UNGLUED (Book #5)

  UNSTABLE (Book #6)

  UNKNOWN (Book #7)

  UNAWARE (Book #8)

  MAY MOORE SUSPENSE THRILLER

  NEVER RUN (Book #1)

  NEVER TELL (Book #2)

  NEVER LIVE (Book #3)

  NEVER HIDE (Book #4)

  NEVER FORGIVE (Book #5)

  NEVER AGAIN (Book #6)

  NEVER LOOK BACK (Book #7)

  NEVER FORGET (Book #8)

  NEVER LET GO (Book #9)

  NEVER PRETEND (Book #10)

  NEVER HESITATE (Book #11)

  PAIGE KING MYSTERY SERIES

  THE GIRL HE PINED (Book #1)

  THE GIRL HE CHOSE (Book #2)

  THE GIRL HE TOOK (Book #3)

  THE GIRL HE WISHED (Book #4)

  THE GIRL HE CROWNED (Book #5)

  THE GIRL HE WATCHED (Book #6)

  THE GIRL HE WANTED (Book #7)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19