The Death He Faked

Her death certificate was issued before anyone killed her.

Tessa Marlowe has spent years uncovering the truth hidden inside the records of the dead. But when fresh fingerprints belonging to three officially deceased military men appear in active criminal investigations, she discovers a pattern no one wants examined.

Then a new document appears on her screen.

Her own death certificate.

Dated tomorrow.

Before Tessa can escape, the building goes dark—and the man sent to complete the death described on the certificate steps out of the shadows.

Dane Calloway is an assassin without a legal identity, a past officially buried, or any illusions about what he has become. His orders are simple: kill Tessa, stage the accident, and disappear.

But Dane recognizes her.

Eight years earlier, when he was bleeding, hunted, and using a false name, Tessa was the only person who stood between him and the men who wanted to take him. Now he has one chance to repay a debt she never knew existed.

By betraying the organization that owns his life.

Within hours, Tessa’s car is burning on a mountain road, another woman’s remains are being identified as hers, and the world believes Tessa Marlowe is dead. Her accounts are frozen. Her identity is erased. Her sister is left to grieve.

And the only man keeping Tessa alive is the killer who accepted the contract on her life.

Forced into hiding together, Tessa and Dane uncover a clandestine network built from soldiers, assassins, and operatives who were declared dead—but never buried. Every record they recover exposes another lie. Every answer places the people Tessa loves in greater danger.

Dane can protect her from bullets, trackers, and the dead men hunting them.

Protecting her from the truth about him may be impossible.

Because survival requires trust.

And falling for the man who was supposed to kill her could become the most dangerous mistake Tessa has ever made.