— Linwood Barclay, internationally bestselling author

“Damaged is a chilling and darkly compelling tale that will grip you from the very first page. Pam Callow delivers a complex and spine-tingling thriller. She is definitely an author to watch.”

— USA TODAY bestselling author Julianne MacLean

“A compelling page-turner… Pamela Callow is a rising star.”

— Bestselling author Rick Mofina on Damaged

Dedication

No man is an island.

This book is dedicated with my deepest love and gratitude

to my brother, Steve Callow, who gave this book lift off,

to my husband, Dan, and my daughters, Julia and Katrina, who keep me going,

and to Linda Brooks, an unparalleled friend.

Prologue

Prologue

1:58 a.m.

It was the dead of night.

Dead.

Night.

The two words circled in the mind of Leah Roberts.

Which would strike first: death—or darkness?

You are being paranoid. This has been all planned out. No one will be home.

But her gut screamed: Have you lost your mind?

Aiden gestured to her from where he crouched under a large window at the back of the Owen house. Come on.

Even across the length of the back yard, she sensed his urgency. It was now or never. If they succeeded in pulling this off, the truth would be known.

Hadn’t her father always told her that she should do what she believed was right? Do it, Leah.

Do it.

She bent as low as her six-foot frame would allow and sprinted across the unkempt backyard of the Owen house. A hosta screened the cracked concrete foundation. She crouched behind the splayed perennial, aware of how inadequately the leaves hid her. Her heart thudded so hard that she thought it might break through the bone and skin that protected it.

Aiden rose to peer into the window. No lights were on. That reassured her. As did the overly long grass. The Owens must be away.

This will work.

She heard the window slide open. “We’re in!” Aiden hissed.

That was easy.

Too easy.

If the Owens were away, would they have left their window unlocked?

Aiden nudged her with his boot. “Come on!”

Leah half-rose, half-froze as her brain tried to analyze the situation.

Aiden reached down and grabbed her arm. “Remember why we’re here. It’ll be over in a few minutes.”

“I’ve changed my mind—”

A car door slammed a few houses over. They both jumped, scanning the street. “You have to do this, Leah. It’s important,” Aiden whispered. “I’m here for you, remember?”

Aiden’s face was covered in a balaclava. Only his eyes were visible. Those eyes had shone with love, gleamed with promise, and given her strength when she needed it most. “You won’t be able to live with yourself if you don’t do this.”

He knew her so well.

He yanked her to her feet and hoisted her onto the windowsill, pushing her from behind, and then leapt over the windowsill into the house.