Mona Lisa Eyes has nearly 2000 ratings on Goodreads.

“I am really hooked on M D Grayson’s Danny Logan novels. Just completed #4 and started #5 all one after the other. I love the characters the scenarios and dialogue. I am an avid reader with a wide group of preferences so it is unusual that I would stick to on series like I have.
Everything in the books are of interest, Life in Seattle, Romance of the characters without jumping into their bedrooms, diverse backgrounds of all the players. I can’t say enough about these page turners. I have trouble putting them down. I recommend starting at #1 Angel Dance but each book stands alone. 5 stars for M D Grayson.”
-ROBERT LEVENGOOD

“I have a new favorite author. Fairly simple to justify, this author knows how to weave a good tale.”
-LARRY WATTERS

“Sometimes you really feel like you’ve read a book-not just passed some time. This is one of those books that gets you involved with the characters and immersed in the detail of what they see and do. However, everything described is essential to the plot or character development. There is no boring “word filler” that is such a yawn. I found it fascinating and realistic without any of those outrageous plot devices that annoy me to no end..”
-GEORGE SIGLER

 “Another great read in this series. Well written with believable characters and intriguing plots make you feel like you know the main characters. Fast paced from the start and so believable. Can`t wait to read more of this series. Would recommend this for anyone who loves a great book.”
-DOROTHY STONE

Prologue

9:45 p.m.

 

THERE WERE PEOPLE AROUND. CROWDS OF people. There were always people around. “Sophie—over here!”

“Sophie—smile!”

“Sophie—wave!” People always wanted her, to be seen with her, to have their picture taken with her. Seattle wasn’t as bad as London, but still, there was little peace. Sometimes she was okay with it—even found it flattering. Most times, though, it was a little much, and she wished she could be seen but not bothered—just left alone. Still other times, she wished she was invisible altogether—the proverbial fly on the wall. Those times she mostly just stayed home.

It was worse when Nicki was around and talked her into going. Sophie Thoms watched her older sister enter the Genesis Club like royalty, arm in arm with friends Judie and Josh, the instant center of attention in a place where everyone competed fiercely for the spotlight. She smiled as she watched the trio make their way across the floor toward her booth. Nicki, dressed in a short, clingy black dress, was in her element—smiling brightly while pretending to ignore the admiring glances, the jealous looks, the calls.

The popular Goth club was packed shoulder to shoulder with Seattle’s leather and lace devotees. Siouxsie and the Banshees belted out “Cities in Dust” over the PA at sound levels loud enough to cause ripples in Sophie’s Perrier to the beat of the music. Dim red overhead lighting made it impossible to tell whether the person in front of you wore heavy eye makeup (safe bet here), or whether it was just the shadows playing tricks.

“Love your dress!”

Sophie turned, startled to see the waitress bringing a new round of drinks to the table. She relaxed upon seeing the familiar face. “Yeah?” She lifted an arm to show the tight black sleeve adorned with layers of black lace. “You like?”

The waitress nodded. “That’s sick! I love it. You guys have the best dresses—you always look beautiful whenever you come in!”

Sophie smiled. Even if she didn’t share Nicki’s unconditional love for the crowds, she had to admit that she’d always shared Nicki’s love for the dramatic—the long, flowing black dresses, the studs, the bold makeup. It was a way of enjoying a little fantasy in the midst of her day-to-day reality.

In London, the Goth scene had been an important way for Sophie to declare her independence from her demanding father in an unequivocal, in-your-face manner. Now, several years later and half a world away, it had become a simple way of setting aside the duties and accountabilities of a demanding job. Today, even if just for a few hours, the clubs were Sophie’s way of shedding her buttoned-up daytime persona and becoming someone else—someone who could still be dark . . . mysterious . . . naughty, even. She smiled at the waitress. “Dressing up’s half the fun, right?”

“Sure.” The waitress giggled as she picked up an empty glass. “And getting undressed is the other half.”

Sophie flushed. “I suppose it depends on who you’re with.”

The waitress stopped and thought for a second, then shrugged. “Nah,” she said, shaking her head. She laughed and moved on.

“Sophie!” Nicki cried as she fairly bounced into the seat beside her. “Oh my God! You should have gone outside with us. It was bloody marvelous.”

“Yeah, right,” Sophie said, looking closely at her sister. Nicki and Josh liked to pop outside every twenty minutes or so for “refreshments,” but Sophie never went. The head-rush, the giddies, the dilated eyes, the flushed cheeks, the rapid-fire speech—all that was Nicki’s thing, not hers. “Here, wait a second,” she said as she reached over and flicked away a small white crystal from Nicki’s upper lip.

Nicki smiled. “I’ll have you know I was saving that for later.”

“Sorry.”

Nicki gave her a fake frown. “Ah, poor Sophie. You’re always looking out for me, aren’t you?”

Sophie gave her a little scowl.

“No?” Nicki said, dramatically surprised. She sniffed hard, then leaned forward. “Okay. What’s the matter? You’re not having fun?”

Sophie gave her a wry smile. “Sure. Bucket loads.”

“Yeah, right.” Nicki, despite her buzz, still sensed an underlying tension in Sophie’s voice. She stared hard into her younger sister’s eyes, serious now. “Well, not that you asked, but if you had, I’d say you’re working too fucking hard, little sis.”

“Me?” Sophie smiled. “Not really, I’m—”

“Ricky!” Nicki squealed, “Oh my God!” Nicki’s attention spun away from Sophie as a tall, handsome man approached. She hopped back out of the booth and threw herself at the man, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

Sophie just smiled and shook her head.

“Who’s that?” Josh asked. He and Judie had slipped into the booth on Sophie’s other side.

Sophie shook her head. “Don’t know. Probably some bloke she just—” Sophie was interrupted by her cell phone buzzing against her hip. She’d been expecting a call and had been practically sitting on the phone to make sure she didn’t miss the vibrating buzzer.

She looked at the number and then answered quickly. “Did you get it?” she asked. She listened intently for a few moments, then nodded. “Brilliant. Okay, right. I’ll be there.” She rung off and put the phone away.

“Well folks, I’m afraid that’s gonna do it for me,” she said, sliding toward the edge of the booth. “I have an early meeting in the morning.”

“What?” Nicki demanded, as Sophie stood up. She let go of the tall man. “You’re leaving? Already? You can’t leave yet, Soph! We just got here!”

Sophie tapped her watch. “Wrong. We’ve been here for over an hour, and I told you earlier I couldn’t stay late. Eight o’clock in the morning I have a meeting.”

Nicki gave her a confused look, mouth slightly open. “Jesus, Soph. Eight o’clock? You were serious about that?”

Sophie reached back and grabbed her purse. “Yep. Gotta go.”

Nicki looked at her carefully. “You sure you’re alright?”

Sophie smiled. “Nicki, I’m fine. I haven’t had anything to drink at all.” She gave Nicki a little smirk. “Or any other type of refreshments, for that matter.”

“Yeah, right,” Nicki said. “But really? You’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Really. And if you’re thinking about trying to talk me into staying—don’t even start.”

Nicki stared into her eyes for a moment and said, “Well . . . if you must.”

Sophie nodded her head. “I must.”

Nicki leaned over to Sophie, and the two hugged. “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

Sophie nodded. “Perfect. Love you.”

“I love you too.”

Sophie looked at her. “You be careful, Nick. I mean it.”

Nicki stuck her tongue out, then said, “Go home, party pooper. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Nicki watched Sophie turn and make her way through the crowd to the front door. It was the last time she would ever see her sister.