Spark
Page 22
WEB OF SIN is completely available: SECRETS, LIES, and PROMISES.
A peek at Twisted, book #1 of the Tangled Web Trilogy
Kader
The conference hall shimmered with the light from the oversized chandeliers. The atmosphere was set, the enticement dangling like a baited hook, and the gullible fish swimming about, ready to open wide while the sharks lurked in the depths.
I didn’t belong here, that sentiment as obvious to me as to the others in my presence.
I wasn’t an eager fish, willing to follow the school wherever the masses led.
Extending the analogy, I also wasn’t a fisherman.
I was a hunter, standing motionless in knee-deep water, spear in hand, ready for the kill. Bring on the sharks. I was ready for them to show me their rows of teeth.
Dressing in a custom suit, shaving my face, and taming my hair didn’t hide the truth beneath. All around me, the prey sensed the danger. A formal announcement of my presence or boast of my wealth, power, and abilities wasn’t necessary. As one who truly possessed all three, the declaration preceded me, coming in silent waves radiating through the air and transmitted wordlessly.
One by one, fellow attendees moved about me, glasses of champagne in hand and their eyes averted, unable or unwilling to meet my gaze. Their only outward acknowledgments that they’d had an encounter with me were their whispers and mumbles as they uttered meaningless apologies under their breath.
“Excuse me.”
“Sorry.”
I didn’t respond. There was no need to leave memories of my attendance other than a passing shadow.
The suit I’d worn was meant to allow me to fade into the crowd. In reality it showcased the gaping difference. My custom designer original was crème brûlée amongst a tray of Twinkies—lobster amid fast food.
Many of the people in this banquet hall were here to add their names to research, research few of them came close to understanding. Their riches were primarily on paper, their names listed in Forbes magazine for the world to lay prostrate at their feet. The truly wealthy didn’t require a magazine to substantiate their worth. With our riches spread throughout the world, we did our best to keep its presence beneath the radar.
Scanning the faces of the invited guests, their attempts of deception and pretense were as clear as a neon sign. This room was filled with impostors consumed by the need to fulfill their lackluster lives—lives devoid of true accomplishment—with the praises of those their money can buy.
Money—in most cases it wasn’t an asset but the expandable depth of their credit.
Acknowledgments.
Recognition.
Their names on a plaque.
I had no more desire to fit in with these imitations of wealth than to dine on the cheap catering being offered or consume the basement-bottom bourbon in my hand.
Fitting in wasn’t my thing or my goal.
I was here for one reason.
An assignment.
A job I agreed to fulfill.
Offers came and went.
I only took the assignments I wanted.
The decision was always mine.
I worked for no man but myself, on my schedule, as I saw fit.
My work had made me a wealthy man, taking me into the shadows and leaving me in the dark. Rarely did I accept an offer that brought me into the light.
However, even I could make an exception.
There was something about this assignment, this target...something that superseded my usual rules. I didn’t need the money. I could spend the rest of my life hidden away on my ranch or sailing the seven seas. I vastly preferred my own company to those currently in my presence.
The door near the back of the room opened as more guests arrived.
I stood taller, taking her in.
She had arrived.
My exception.
She was the reason I was here.
At the sight of her, the small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. It was as if she was electricity and I was the rod. My reaction was visceral, much as it had been the first time I’d seen her.
The first time wasn’t in person. It was her likeness that appeared on my computer screen and inexplicably, I was mesmerized. Her blue eyes stared at the camera, staring at me through the screen—seeing me in a way that even I was incapable of doing.
That thought was ludicrous and I knew it. Nevertheless, I was drawn.
As she accepted a glass of champagne, her head turned my direction. Instinctively, I took a step back, away from her gaze and into the shadows. I wasn’t ready to meet those blue eyes in person, not yet. From the distance, I watched as I took in each inch of her.
A natural beauty, she seemed unaware of her effect on the men around her. Unlike her usual hairstyle, currently her dark hair was pulled up on the sides, the front styled in sweeping waves as long curls cascaded to the middle of her back. The softness of the style showcased her sensual neck and the simple pearl necklace. Under the lights from above, her gaze shone and lower lip disappeared as she nervously scanned the crowd.
The long black dress she wore hugged her breasts perfectly, yet the skirt flared outward, hiding what I knew was a beautifully curved body beneath. I’d done my research, bided my time. No, I hadn’t seen her as up close as I desired; however, I’d observed. Despite the cool spring weather, at least three times a week she’d don skintight athletic apparel and run a local trail.
From my observation, Dr. Laurel Carlson wasn’t a woman who thrived on being the center of attention—not like the room of potential donors, many vying for her attention. Her unease was evident in the lines around her eyes and the straightness of her neck. And yet still she was here, a testament to her dedication to this project.
If only I’d moved faster, done my job, this would have been avoided.
I hadn’t. I’d been too enthralled in a way I found unusual yet fascinating. It was a twisted, gnawing feeling I didn’t recognize.
I wanted to understand it.
In that search for comprehension, I’d taken too long.
Now, the stage was set for this show, and it was too late to lower the curtain.
For that, I was responsible.
Now was the time to move.
I leaned against the far wall, yet my mind stayed on her—my exception, the one who fascinated me in a different way.
Maybe it was more than her outward appearance. It was her intellect along with her doctorate in pharmacology—she also had a doctorate in applied mathematics with a focus on computational neuroscience and pharmacology. The combination intrigued me. Rarely did I encounter a woman like her. Most were different, satisfied to be a physical outlet for me or other men. They concentrated on appearance, keeping their knowledge level hidden. Admittedly, my sample was skewed. I paid those women for their services, thus reducing the variables.
Laurel was different; she was unaware of her beauty and unapologetically confident with her intelligence.
Despite my obvious fascination, she was my assignment.
I’d never failed at a job.
In that regard, Dr. Laurel Carlson wouldn’t be my exception.
It was time to get this done.
Download TWISTED today, book one of the Tangled Web trilogy, entire trilogy is COMPLETE. Get your copy today by clicking on the title.
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Books by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig
THE SPARROW WEBS:
WEB OF DESIRE:
SPARK
Releasing January 14, 2020
FLAME
Releasing February 25, 2020
ASHES
Releasing April 7, 2020
TANGLED WEB:
TWISTED
Released May, 2019
OBSESSED
Released July, 2019
BOUND
Released August, 2019
WEB OF SIN:
SECRETS
Released October, 2018
LIES
Released December, 2018
PROMISES
Released January, 2019
THE INFIDELITY SERIES:
BETRAYAL
Book #1
Released October 2015
CUNNING
Book #2
Released January 2016
DECEPTION
Book #3
Released May 2016
ENTRAPMENT
Book #4
Released September 2016
FIDELITY
Book #5
Released January 2017
THE CONSEQUENCES SERIES:
CONSEQUENCES
(Book #1)
Released August 2011
TRUTH
(Book #2)
Released October 2012
CONVICTED
(Book #3)
Released October 2013
REVEALED
(Book #4)
Previously titled: Behind His Eyes Convicted: The Missing Years
Re-released June 2014
BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES
(Book #5)
Released January 2015
RIPPLES
Released October 2017
CONSEQUENCES COMPANION READS:
BEHIND HIS EYES-CONSEQUENCES
* * *
Released January 2014
BEHIND HIS EYES-TRUTH
Released March 2014
STAND ALONE MAFIA THRILLER:
PRICE OF HONOR
Available Now
THE LIGHT DUET:
Published through Thomas and Mercer Amazon exclusive
INTO THE LIGHT
Released June, 2016
AWAY FROM THE DARK
Released October, 2016
TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE SERIES:
INSIDIOUS
(All books in this series are stand-alone erotic thrillers)
Released October 2014
ALEATHA’S LIGHTER ONES:
PLUS ONE
Stand-alone fun, sexy romance
Released May 2017
A SECRET ONE
Fun, sexy novella
Released April 2018
ANOTHER ONE
Stand-alone fun, sexy romance
Releasing May 2018
ONE NIGHT
Stand-alone, sexy contemporary romance
September 2017
INDULGENCE SERIES:
UNEXPECTED
Released August, 2018
UNCONVENTIONAL
Released January, 2018
UNFORGETTABLE
Released October, 2019
About the Author
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
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Aleatha impresses with her versatility in writing. She released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES, a dark romance, became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Her first stand-alone smart, sexy thriller INSIDIOUS was next. Then Aleatha released the five-novel INFIDELITY series, a romantic suspense saga, that took the reading world by storm, the final book landing on three of the top bestseller lists. She ventured into traditional publishing with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016. In the spring of 2017, Aleatha again ventured into a different genre with her first fun and sexy stand-alone romantic comedy with the USA Today bestseller PLUS ONE. She continued with ONE NIGHT and ANOTHER ONE. If you like fun, sexy, novellas that make your heart pound, try her UNCONVENTIONAL and UNEXPECTED. In 2018 Aleatha returned to her dark romance roots with WEB OF SIN.
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Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America, NINC, and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.