State of bliss, p.33
State of Bliss,
p.33
Bryant’s jumped to his feet. “Wait a minute! You can’t prove anything!”
“Sit down, Damien,” Fallow said, “and stop talking. Now.”
“You might want to listen to him before you make it worse,” Gonzo said as he followed Malone to the door. “Oh, and, Mr. Bryant? Your son’s not dead.”
Epilogue
On Saturday morning, Sam received word from Cameron that Gigi had been returned to full duty by an IAB vote of two to one. Offenbach fought hard to have her busted down to Patrol and suspended without pay for ninety days, but Andrews said Gigi never deviated from her original story and declared the shooting self-defense. We’ve also decided to countersue the Patrick family in the hope that they’ll drop their suit against us.
All good news, Sam replied. I’m so relieved.
Us, too. Thanks for all the support.
Of course!
Did you hear that more than 2200 officers signed a letter in support of Farnsworth?
I knew about the letter because I signed it, but that’s an amazing show of support. More than half of the department.
Agreed. We hope it helps.
See you Monday.
See you then.
So far, their weekend with the family had been great. Friday night had been about lasagna, board games and laughter. Sam and Nick sat up late into the night with Scotty, Eli, Candace, Angela, Tracy, Mike, Brooke and her boyfriend, Nate, who was on Eli’s Secret Service detail, but was off duty for the weekend with his girlfriend’s family.
Right after Brooke and Nate first arrived, Nate said, “Thank you for having me, Mr. President, Mrs. Cappuano.”
Nick had shaken his hand and said, “We’re Nick and Sam here, Nate.”
Nate’s eyes went wide. “I can’t.”
Everyone else had laughed.
“You must,” Nick had said.
“I told you.” Brooke had linked her arm with Nate’s. “If you’re gonna hang with my family, you can’t be a Secret Service agent.”
“I’ll, um, I’ll try, sir,” Nate had said.
“Try hard,” Nick had replied with a grin.
Freddie, Gonzo and the rest of the squad were at work cleaning up the paperwork on the case they’d closed in the early hours of that morning, so they wouldn’t make it to the beach. Nick and Sam had ended up with a smaller group than they’d planned on, which was fine.
They spent all day Saturday at the beach, enjoying the first warm weather of the season, followed by a bonfire with s’mores on Saturday night.
Sam got up early Sunday to read the reports Gonzo and Freddie had written on the Fortier and Bryant cases and still couldn’t believe the wild chain of events that had led to the arrest of Congressman Bryant and several others in his inner circle.
She was so absorbed in reading the twisted trail that had led to the congressman’s arrest that she didn’t hear Nick come up behind her or even know he was there until he kissed her neck and startled her.
“Morning,” he said. “I was sad when I woke up alone.”
“Sorry. Freddie texted me overnight to be on the lookout for reports that would tell an unbelievable story. He was right about that.”
“What happened?”
Sam gave him the highlights.
“I know Bryant from when I was in the Senate. That’s unbelievable.”
“Sure is. You know what else is unbelievable?”
“What’s that?”
“They’ve recovered nine bodies from Stahl’s yard so far, and they’re not done yet.”
“God, that’s awful. I’m sorry, Sam.”
“He’s like a nightmare that refuses to end. Freddie said the warrant for the storage unit finally came through, so they’ll be taking that on as soon as they get some sleep.”
“I’m glad you’re not there to have to deal with that.”
“I doubt they’d let me even if I was there.”
Her phone rang, and she took the call from Freddie. “Hey, I figured you’d be asleep by now.”
“Sam…”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Tom Forrester has been murdered.”
Preorder State of Suspense to read in April 2024!
Don’t be mad at me for leaving you there! I’ve got a wild story in mind for the next book, State of Suspense, coming in 2024. When I started writing State of Bliss, I’d imagined a fun, quiet, light-hearted novella about Sam and Nick’s vacation. I wasn’t far into it when I realized that wouldn’t be realistic. When are their lives ever quiet? I added the murder at GW, and we were off to the races with a whole new plan. I enjoyed giving Gonzo more of a starring role in this one than he’s had before. As always, writing this couple and this series is a total thrill ride for me as I never know where it’s going until it happens. Like when Randy Bryant was “murdered.” I was like WTF is that now? Haha! That’s how my mind works, and I don’t ask any questions. I just follow the crazy muse wherever she decides to take me.
Reminder to join the Fatal/First Family Series group at www.facebook.com/groups/FatalSeries to keep up on all the latest news with the series. We’ve got some fun stuff coming in the new year, so make sure you’re in that group and/or on my newsletter mailing list at https://marieforce.com so you don’t miss anything. Join the State of Bliss Reader Group at www.facebook.com/groups/stateofbliss/ to dish about this book with spoilers permitted.
A huge thank you to my amazing team: Julie Cupp, Lisa Cafferty, Jean Mello, Nikki Haley, Ashley Lopez and Rachel Spencer for their help behind the scenes. To my editors, Joyce Lamb and Linda Ingmanson, first-line beta readers Anne Woodall and Kara Conrad, and continuity editor Gwen Neff, I appreciate you all so much!
Thank you to the Fatal/First Family Beta Readers: Jennifer, Karina, Irene, Kelly, Ellen, Elizabeth, Maricar, Mona, Amy, Gina, Jennifer, Sarah, Jennifer, Marti and Phuong.
As always, a HUGE thank you to Capt. Russel Hayes, Newport, RI Police Department (retired) for his wisdom and insight. Russ is always available to me at a moment’s notice, and I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) write this series without his input.
As we wind up another wild year, I’m incredibly thankful for all the readers who love this series and this couple as much as I do. Your enthusiasm for their story keeps me going, and I appreciate you all SO MUCH. Looking forward to 2024!
Happy holidays to you and your family, and all my best for the New Year.
Much love,
Marie
Follow me:
Newsletter list
BookBub
TikTok
Verve Romance
Website
Other Books By Marie Force
* * *
The First Family Series—a Fatal Series Spin-Off
Book 1: State of Affairs
Book 2: State of Grace
Book 3: State of the Union
Book 4: State of Shock
Book 5: State of Denial
Book 6: State of Bliss
Book 7: State of Suspense (Coming April 2024)
* * *
The Wild Widows Series—a Fatal Series Spin-Off
Book 1: Someone Like You
Book 2: Someone to Hold
Book 3: Someone to Love
* * *
The Fatal Series
One Night With You
A Fatal Series Prequel Novella
Book 1: Fatal Affair
Book 2: Fatal Justice
Book 3: Fatal Consequences
Book 3.5: Fatal Destiny
The Wedding Novella
Book 4: Fatal Flaw
Book 5: Fatal Deception
Book 6: Fatal Mistake
Book 7: Fatal Jeopardy
Book 8: Fatal Scandal
Book 9: Fatal Frenzy
Book 10: Fatal Identity
Book 11: Fatal Threat
Book 12: Fatal Chaos
Book 13: Fatal Invasion
Book 14: Fatal Reckoning
Book 15: Fatal Accusation
Book 16: Fatal Fraud
* * *
The Gansett Island Series
Book 1: Maid for Love
(Maddie & Mac)
Book 2: Fool for Love
(Joe & Janey)
Book 3: Ready for Love
(Luke & Sydney)
Book 4: Falling for Love
(Grant & Stephanie)
Book 5: Hoping for Love
(Evan & Grace)
Book 6: Season for Love
(Owen & Laura)
Book 7: Longing for Love
(Blaine & Tiffany)
Book 8: Waiting for Love
(Adam & Abby)
Book 9: Time for Love
(David & Daisy)
Book 10: Meant for Love
(Jenny & Alex)
Book 10.5: Chance for Love, A Gansett Island Novella (Jared & Lizzie)
Book 11: Gansett After Dark
(Owen & Laura)
Book 12: Kisses After Dark
(Shane & Katie)
Book 13: Love After Dark
(Paul & Hope)
Book 14: Celebration After Dark
(Big Mac & Linda)
Book 15: Desire After Dark
(Slim & Erin)
Book 16: Light After Dark
(Mallory & Quinn)
Book 17: Victoria & Shannon (Episode 1)
Book 18: Kevin & Chelsea (Episode 2)
A Gansett Island Christmas Novella
Book 19: Mine After Dark
(Riley & Nikki)
Book 20: Yours After Dark
(Finn & Chloe)
Book 21: Trouble After Dark
(Deacon & Julia)
Book 22: Rescue After Dark
(Mason & Jordan)
Book 23: Blackout After Dark
(Full Cast)
Book 24: Temptation After Dark
(Gigi & Cooper)
Book 25: Resilience After Dark
(Jace & Cindy)
Book 26: Hurricane After Dark
(Full Cast)
Book 27: Renewal After Dark (Coming 2024)
* * *
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-3
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 4-6
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 7-9
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 10-12
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 13-16
Gansett Island Series Boxed Set, Books 17-20
* * *
The Green Mountain Series
Book 1: All You Need Is Love
(Will & Cameron)
Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand
(Nolan & Hannah)
Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There
(Colton & Lucy)
Book 4: And I Love Her
(Hunter & Megan)
Novella: You'll Be Mine
(Will & Cam’s Wedding)
Book 5: It's Only Love
(Gavin & Ella)
Book 6: Ain’t She Sweet
(Tyler & Charlotte)
* * *
The Butler, Vermont Series
(Continuation of Green Mountain)
Book 1: Every Little Thing
(Grayson & Emma)
Book 2: Can’t Buy Me Love
(Mary & Patrick)
Book 3: Here Comes the Sun
(Wade & Mia)
Book 4: Till There Was You
(Lucas & Dani)
Book 5: All My Loving
(Landon & Amanda)
Book 6: Let It Be
(Lincoln & Molly)
Book 7: Come Together
(Noah & Brianna)
Book 8: Here, There and Everywhere
(Izzy & Cabot)
Book 9: The Long and Winding Road
(Max & Lexi)
* * *
Butler, Vermont Series Boxed Set: Books 1-4
Butler, Vermont Series Boxed Set: Books 5-7
* * *
The Miami Nights Series
Book 1: How Much I Feel
(Carmen & Jason)
Book 2: How Much I Care
(Maria & Austin)
Book 3: How Much I Love
(Dee & Wyatt)
Nochebuena, A Miami Nights Novella
Book 4: How Much I Want
(Nico & Sofia)
Book 5: How Much I Need
(Milo and Gianna)
* * *
Miami Nights Series Boxed Set, Books 1-3
* * *
The Quantum Series
Book 1: Virtuous
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 2: Valorous
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 3: Victorious
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 4: Rapturous
(Addie & Hayden)
Book 5: Ravenous
(Jasper & Ellie)
Book 6: Delirious
(Kristian & Aileen)
Book 7: Outrageous
(Emmett & Leah)
Book 8: Famous
(Marlowe & Sebastian)
* * *
Quantum Boxed Set: The Complete Series
* * *
The Treading Water Series
Book 1: Treading Water
Book 2: Marking Time
Book 3: Starting Over
Book 4: Coming Home
Book 5: Finding Forever
* * *
Treading Water Boxed Set: The Complete Series
* * *
Single Titles
Five Years Gone
One Year Home
Sex Machine
Sex God
Georgia on My Mind
True North
The Fall
The Wreck
Love at First Flight
Everyone Loves a Hero
Line of Scrimmage
* * *
Five Years Gone & One Year Home Boxed Set
* * *
Historical Romance Available from Marie Force
* * *
The Gilded Series
Book 1: Duchess by Deception
Book 2: Deceived by Desire
About the Author
Marie Force is the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than 100 contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance novels. Her series include Fatal, First Family, Gansett Island, Butler Vermont, Quantum, Treading Water, Miami Nights and Wild Widows.
Her books have sold more than 13 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today bestseller, as well as a Spiegel bestseller in Germany.
Her goals in life are simple—to spend as much time as she can with her “kids” who are now adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.
Marie Force, State of Bliss
