Title: Threads of Destiny
Type: Book
Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc.
Binding: Paperback
Amazon / StarCrossed Productions

Synopsis:
Threads of Destiny embraces the coastal paradise of Santa Barbara, California, and the beautiful, romantic scenery of its virgin wine country. It’s the story of the powerful Cara Vittore Cipriano and Jacquelyn Lee Biscayne. Cara is a lawyer and Padrone of the prestigious Cipriano Vineyards and Jake, an FBI forensic pathologist, is undercover with the Monsoon Rain Task Force, which is closing in on the Mexican/Colombian cocaine pipeline.

Twisted threads had torn their lives asunder, leaving each to follow their own path toward an undeniable, inevitable fate. Destined to cross paths again, their lives will entwine amidst a world of intrigue, cocaine, murder and the relentless search for a ruthless killer.

P R O L O G U E

The mind is its own place, and in itself

Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heaven

Satan, in John Milton's Paradise Lost

The baleful shadows lengthened, chasing the light of day into the cold darkness of Sonora, Mexico. For el andar muerto, the walking dead, it mattered not. For these forgotten ill-fated souls, the dying ember of day heralded another endless night in hell. Unaware of the razor-sharp rocks that cut into the soles of their bare feet, or the gnawing hunger in their bellies, they were prodded like cattle into the camouflaged huts. Their cries of suffering and agony long silenced by the la cocaína de diablos — the white powder that ravaged their bodies and consume their wretched souls.

 The lash of the whip wrapped around the neck of an emaciated man with lifeless eyes. His hand absently reached to touch the smooth leather as it tightened and collapsed his windpipe. His rapidly beating heart, eager to leave its hellish existence, stopped. As he sank to his knees, his hollow eyes stared into the nothingness his life had become.

Beads of sweat trickled down the face of a wary guard. He twitched nervously as he watched El Serpiente out of the corner of his eye, terrified that any movement his wrath would fall upon him. The forewarning crack of the split tongue of the whip left him trembling, swallowing the taste of his own fear. El Serpiente's cold voice sliced through the air. “This one was weak. Get him out of here and find a replacement quickly, or you'll take his place.”

With stiff, jerking movements, the guards forced his limbs to move. “Sí, Jefe."

Dark eyes scrutinized the uncut bags of pure, white powder yet to be processed, before turning his cold eyes on the guard standing closest to him, “Production is behind. I don't want excuses. Put more workers on the tables, and send two of your men out tonight. Have them isolate the stragglers trying to cross the border, and tell them to wear their uniforms. If anyone is missed, the attention will be on the Mexican policía.” He emphasized each order by pounding the handle of the whip into the palm of his hand.

“I'm through with the girl. Get rid of her and find me another.” A picture of Cara Vittore flashed through his mind. His lips curled into a sinister smile as he thought how he planned to get even with her. Unfurling the whip, he snaked it menacingly across the ground and shouted, “What are you waiting for?"

The guard flinched, the blood in his veins running cold as he prayed to a God that had forsaken them all.