Rising actress Kimberly Severance’s promising career nearly ends in tragedy when a deranged stalker attacks her in a violent confrontation.
Six years later, Kim has transformed herself into Hollywood’s premier action star, channeling her trauma into on-screen power and real-world martial arts mastery. But the past refuses to stay buried. When the stalker’s husband escapes from prison with revenge on his mind, Kim finds herself hunted once again.
What begins as a straightforward threat quickly spirals into something far more sinister—a web of vengeance that reaches deeper into her life than she ever imagined. Armed with years of training and a warrior’s mindset forged in blood, Kim must confront enemies who emerge from the shadows of her past.
In a series of deadly encounters that will test everything she’s learned about survival, Kim discovers that sometimes the most dangerous threats come from the most unexpected sources — and that salvation can emerge from the most unlikely places.
Prelude
“I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” The vivid green of Kim’s eyes glowed with the sheen of recently shed tears. The dark mascara could not hide the pain in those eyes. With a swish of her hair, she turned to the window and hugged herself tightly, as if there were no one else in the world who would.
Laura Brenner watched her client from across the small conference room, noting how different this woman was from the bright-eyed actress she’d first met two years ago. Back then, Kimberly Severance had bounced into auditions with infectious enthusiasm, her portfolio tucked under one arm and dreams practically radiating from her smile. She’d landed her first real role in an independent film that same month—a small part that had led to another, then another. The trajectory had been everything Kim had worked for since moving to Los Angeles from Ohio with nothing but determination and a battered Honda Civic.
“The arraignment is tomorrow. I know you’re hesitant, but I think it’ll do you good to be there.” Laura had been a licensed attorney for all of three years, but she’d researched self-defense cases extensively since taking Kim’s case. Nearly three months had passed since Kim’s arrest on manslaughter charges—standard procedure even in clear self-defense cases while the DA’s office conducted their investigation. Almost a year since the shooting itself.
The legal process had been more complex than Kim initially understood. First came the police investigation, then the DA’s review, then the decision to file charges to let a grand jury determine if the shooting was legally justified. The arraignment was just the beginning—if the grand jury didn’t dismiss the charges, they’d face a full trial.
Kim’s reflection in the window showed a face that had aged beyond its twenty-four years. She absently placed her hand on her heart, her blouse pulling tight when she breathed deeply, a constant reminder of how quickly life could pivot from dreams to nightmares. She’d been so naive then, so trusting. The memory of that October afternoon still played in vivid detail—the pleasant smile morphing into something twisted and dangerous, the weight of the gun in her trembling hands, the explosion of sound and pain.
“I know I’ll have to face him eventually.” Kimberly Severance turned from the window, her voice carrying a weight that hadn’t been there before the shooting. She’d been an aspiring actress with two films under her belt, both of which had been well-received, if not exactly hits. The third film, the one that was supposed to launch her career into the stratosphere, now sat in limbo. “You realize what this could do to the film?” she said aloud, not expecting an actual answer.
Kim’s rise in Hollywood had followed a more typical pattern than originally described. After moving from Ohio, she’d worked as a production assistant and extra for two years while taking acting classes and building her résumé. Her first speaking role came in an independent film that screened at regional festivals but never secured major distribution.
The breakthrough role in A Handle on Forever had come after three years of smaller parts in television episodes, web series, and low-budget features. The film’s budget was $3.2 million—respectable for an indie drama but far from the major studio productions she longed for.
The trial was not a factor in the setting of the release date; yet, the two had coincided with unfortunate synchronicity. Kimberly was not taking it well.
“In all honesty, Kim,” Laura replied, “it could generate considerable positive press. You know how Hollywood loves a scandal.” As soon as she said it, she regretted it. Kimberly turned to her with a look of pain.
“A scandal?” Her words were whispered in defense. “Is that how you see this? Is it how you see me?”
“Kim, that’s not what I…”
“Do you still not have any idea what I went through? What I’m still going through? I spent my whole life working for this moment, this film. I spent my every waking moment striving for the life I dreamed of since I was a kid. I was going to be a movie star… no matter what. Then, out of the blue, this threatened to take it all away from me. Not only the life I dreamed of, but also the life I had. Period.” Her tears were now streaming down her cheeks even as her voice steadied and increased in volume until she was speaking as if she were behind a podium. Brenner believed wholeheartedly that Kim’s eloquence and bearing were sure portents of what was to come for the talented, tortured young woman; if, that is, she could get past this ordeal with her soul intact.
“I understand, Kim,” Laura attempted, but Kimberly held up her hand.
“No. You don’t.” She began to unbutton her blouse, frilly in soft baby blue. She pulled it open to expose the skin and the top edge of her bra. “Look at this! This is what I get for being who I am. This is what I get for no reason other than some stranger thought I was property, not a person. This is my reward for making an impression on a maniac.” The scar was circular and discolored, lighter than the rest of her tanned skin. It lay just above her bra-line, to the right of her heart. The bullet had missed that most vital of organs by less than a quarter of an inch.
“Kim, I know that you were the victim. I know this. Herbert Trainor will know it too. Everyone will.” She watched as Kimberly re-buttoned her blouse.
“Laura,” Kim said, after several moments of silence. “It doesn’t matter. It’s a toss-up as to whether this will end well; a fifty-fifty chance that my career will be over. And it doesn’t matter one iota the pain I had to endure, the lengths that I went to in order to keep this quiet until now. When it’s all over, when all is said and done… More than one life has been ruined. Herbert Trainor is more than aware of that, even as we speak.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Kim. You have to know that. He knows it. I’m sure of it.”
“Really? You think he believes I’m innocent in all this? Do you honestly think that man gives a damn about me? You think his wife thought I was innocent? Tomorrow, there’ll be reporters all over the place. They’ll know what happened, and then what?”
“Kim, stalkers are not unknown in your business. True, such cases don’t normally go this far, but still…”
“But, still. Tomorrow, they’ll know. Herbert Trainor’s wife is dead. I killed her. And, it doesn’t matter that she was insane.”