We landed, and the agonizing pain burned brighter as my shoulder hit the pavement and my biker man rolled fully on top of me with a pained grunt.
I blinked through the tears welling up in my eyes, trying to breathe, trying to live through the pain radiating like a nuclear blast site through my chest. All I saw was him. His arm covered my head, one hand over my ear as he pulled back just enough to look down into my face.
That was what I remember most, that third thing, Zeus Garro’s silver eyes as they stared down at me in a church parking lot filled with blood and smoke, screams and whimpers, but those eyes an oasis of calm that lulled my flagging heart into a steadier beat.
“I got you, little girl,” he said in a voice as rough and deep as any monster’s, while he held me as if he were a guardian angel. “I got you.”
I clutched a tiny fist into his blood-soaked shirt and stared into the eyes of my guardian monster until I lost consciousness.
Sometimes now, I wonder if I would have done anything differently even if I had known how that bullet would tear through my small body, breaking bones and tender young flesh, irrevocably changing the course of my life forever.
Always, the answer is no.
Because it brought me to him.
Or rather, him to me.
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I woke up one morning this fall with my heart pounding so hard, I thought I was having some kind of episode. The aftermath of my dream was still burning at the back of my brain, tugging my consciousness along the path I’d taken while I slept. When I’d captured as much of the memory as I could, I shot out of bed and went to my office.
The opening scenes of Dead Man Walking were inspired directly by that dream I had of being pulled from a fiery wreck by a man obscured in a black hoodie.
This book is darker than the others in The Fallen, but at its heart the story is still about finding acceptance, love, and family no matter how broken or how much of an outcast you are. I enjoy writing dark or forbidden themes because they make us question how far is too far when it comes to love. In my humble opinion, that line is very hard to cross.
I did a ton of research on psychopaths and serial killers so I could write about Priest, Seth, and Tabitha in a very real way. If you are interested in my research, I have a section on my website about it!
A note on religion, I am a big believer in freedom of religion and expression. Seth Linley and his practices are by no means how I view Christianity or those of Christian faith. He is an aberration and a horrific villain. When I think of good Christians, it is Bea’s Grandpa that comes to mind. He embodies all the wonderful traits of forgiveness, love, self-awareness, and faith that I so admire.
To my girl, Allaa. As always, I wouldn’t be able to do this job without your undying support and enthusiasm. Priest and Bea have been your babies since I first mentioned their story and your love for them made writing this book even more of a joy. Thank you for being my #twin and bestie.
To Annette, my very own sunshine girl, thank you for always being my ray of light and a constant support. My life has improved tenfold since we started working together. I am honestly grateful every single day for your role in my life. I love you forever and always.
Michelle, my dirty soul sister, the safest, least judgment haven I have for all my deviant and darkest thoughts. Thank you for harbouring my heart safely and protecting me always. I love you.
To Jenny at Editing 4 Indies, thank you for being the chilliest, kindest editor in all the world. As per usual, you helped make my words shine with your polish and put up with my craziness.
To Sarah Plocher, I am so glad we were able to work on this book together! Your kindness and professionalism are so admired. You are a rockstar!
To Najla, who slays all my covers and my graphic design. Thank you for getting my vision, for always working until it’s perfect, and for being with me since the very beginning with The Affair.
Ella, my love, thank you for punctuating my life with you sweet voice and dry wit. Talking to you nearly every day is always a highlight.
Becca, thank you for soothing my anxious, over-thinking self with your calmness and wit. I adore you.
Giana Darling’s Poppies! You guys are humble me with your excitement and support of my words. The images and edits you create inspired by my books are some of the most stunning things I’ll ever see. You have my undying love for being my ride or die tribe!
Giana’s Darlings, don’t worry, I’d never forget you! Thank you for being my safe corner of the internet where we can dish about alphas, books, and each other’s lives.
To my author friends, I am so blessed to call so many of my talented peers my genuine friends and there are too many of you to count. So I’ll just say, thank you for the cross promo, thank you for rising each other up because queens support queens. You guys mean the world to me.
To Sarah Green, who makes me laugh every day, thank you for making me smile even when I’m stressed as hell.
A massive shout out to the bloggers who signed up to promote and/or review Dead Man Walking! Without you, this book would never have been a success, so thank you! All my love must go first to @fansofgianadarling who made a special place on Instagram just for my readers. Emilie you are a true gemstone and I’m so grateful to know you and call you a friend. Special acknowledgment has to go out to Jessica from @peacelovebooksxo for always recommending The Fallen Men and Mary @makeupandmary for her hilarious and awesome videos about the series. Also, Weronica @littlesteamyreads for making me the most gorgeous flatlays and Pang @shereads.pang for my IG stories!
Fiona and Lauren, you guys have taught me about sisterhood since I was just a child. Thank you for always standing by my side in support and cheering me on so loudly whenever I do even the most minute thing. You humble and buoy me with your love.
Armie, my love sponge, every time I sit down to write I imagine you in the room listening to the clack of my fingers of the keys, teasing me about the strange twists and turns of my mind. You mean everything to me.
To my pets, Romeo and Persephone, thank you for cuddling me while I’m writing. It’s a very solitary pursuit made much more amazing by your companionship.
Finally, as always, to the Love of my Life. This year we moved in together and became parents our first fur baby, two massive steps that made the shit storm of 2020 somehow one of the best years of my life. Like Priest with Bea, you have the capacity to make me grateful for my life and your love even in the midst of chaos and sorrow. Thank you for being my dream man and helping me make all my other dreams come true.
Giana Darling is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Top 40 Best Selling Canadian romance writer who specializes in the taboo and angsty side of love and romance. She currently lives in beautiful British Columbia where she spends time riding on the back of her man’s bike, baking pies, and reading snuggled up with her cat, Persephone.
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The Evolution of Sin Trilogy
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Giselle Moore is running away from her past in France for a new life in America, but before she moves to New York City, she takes a holiday on the beaches of Mexico and meets a sinful, enigmatic French businessman, Sinclair, who awakens submissive desires and changes her life forever.
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The Affair
The Secret
The Consequence
The Evolution Of Sin Trilogy Boxset
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The Fallen Men Series
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The Fallen Men are a series of interconnected, standalone, erotic MC romances that each feature age gap love stories between dirty-talking, Alpha males and the strong, sassy women who win their hearts.
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&nb
sp; Lessons in Corruption
Welcome to the Dark Side
Good Gone Bad
After the Fall
Inked in Lies
Dead Man Walking
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A Fallen Men Companion Book of Poetry:
King of Iron Hearts
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The Enslaved Duet
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The Enslaved Duet is a dark romance duology about an eighteen-year old Italian fashion model, Cosima Lombardi, who is sold by her indebted father to a British Earl who’s nefarious plans for her include more than just sexual slavery… Their epic tale spans across Italy, England, Scotland, and the USA across a five-year period that sees them endure murder, separation, and a web of infinite lies.
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Enthralled (The Enslaved Duet #1)
Enamoured (The Enslaved Duet, #2)
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The Elite Seven Series
Sloth (The Elite Seven Series, #7)
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Coming Soon
Fallen King (A Fallen Men Short Story)
When Heroes Fall (Anti-Heroes in Love, #1)
When Villains Rise (Anti-Heroes in Love, #2)
Dead Man Walking (The Fallen Men, #6) Page 44
