Defiant Company (Company Men Book 5)
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DEFIANT COMPANY
BOOK #5 OF COMPANY MEN
CRYSTAL PERKINS
Copyright © 2017 by Crystal Perkins
Cover Design by Helen Williams
www.allbookedout.com
All trademarks are owned by their respective companies and are denoted by the use of proper capitalization of the company and/or brand. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This contemporary erotic romance is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with, especially if you enjoy sexy, emotional, romance novels with alpha males. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
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CONTENTS
About Defiant Company
Books by Crystal Perkins
Corrigan & Co. series
Society Girls series
Company Men series
Praise for Books by Crystal Perkins
Things to Know
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Coming Soon
Acknowledgments
About the Author
ABOUT DEFIANT COMPANY
Sex. Betrayal. Fear. Courage.
* * *
Rhys Madison looks like he has everything—money, a killer smile, and women lining up for a place in his bed. But, he doesn’t have Vivienne Sloan, the only woman he’s ever loved. He has a chance with her now, but after what happened to him last year, he doesn’t think she’ll ever really want him.
Responsibility. Truth. Beginnings. Hope.
* * *
Vivienne Sloan married the wrong man. She’s always know it, but she didn’t know how to get away. Now that she’s free, she has a second-chance with the man she’s always love, but he’s fighting his demons, and running away. She wants to fight with him, if only he’d give her the chance.
* * *
Fight. Heal. Live. Love.
* * *
Rhys stops running, and starts to face his past, but Vivienne isn’t sure she can give him another chance to hurt her. With their families and other forces at play against them, they’ll need to either come together, or fall apart.
* * *
Fighting for yourself and who you are is sometimes just as important as fighting for the love of your life. Do they have it in them to do both?
BOOKS BY CRYSTAL PERKINS
THE GRIFFIN BROTHERS SERIES
Gaming For Love (The Griffin Brothers #1)
Building Our Love (The Griffin Brothers #2)
Creating A Love (The Griffin Brothers #3)
Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers #4)
Designing The Love (The Griffin Brothers #5)
Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers #6)
Keeping Their Love (The Griffin Brothers #7)
CORRIGAN & CO. SERIES
Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #1)
Devouring the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #2)
Rocking a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #3)
Lessons in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #4)
Uncovering His SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #5)
Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #6)
Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #7
Tending Their SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #8)
Playing in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #9)
Loving My SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #10)
Society Weddings (a Corrigan & Co. novella)
SOCIETY GIRLS SERIES
Society Girls: Sierra (Society Girls, #1)
Society Girls: Neveah (Society Girls, #2)
Society Girls: Matisse (Society Girls, #3)
Society Girls: Waverly (Society Girls, #4)
Society Girls: Rhieve (Society Girls, #5)
Society Girls: Jenysis (Society Girls, #6)
Society Girls: Harlow (Society Girls, #7)
Society Girls: Camari (Society Girls, #8)
Society Girls: Kalila (Society Girls, #9)
Society Girls: Rose (Society Girls, #10)
COMPANY MEN SERIES
Royal Company (Company Men, #1)
Unexpected Company (Company Men, #2)
Savage Company (Company Men, #3)
Brash Company (Company Men, #4)
OTHER BOOKS
A Kiss is Just a Kiss
Activate
Never Fear-Phobias Horror Anthology
Never Fear-Christmas Terrors Anthology
Romantic Times Anthology, Vol. 3
(Gary and Maggie Griffin short story)
Never Fear-The Tarot Anthology
Never Fear-The Apocalypse Anthology
PRAISE FOR BOOKS BY CRYSTAL PERKINS
“People should be free to love whoever their heart leads them, too. And this author did a great job of presenting a passionate love between 2 people who are seen as different from each other as dictated by society, but this difference wasn't a part of the love they share. Ms. Perkins did an admirable job of dealing with the issue (and other issues) as a non issue, if that makes sense.” -DianeM, Amazon Reviewer, Creating A Love
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“I love this series!!!!!! Crystal has the amazing ability to bring her characters to life. I laugh with them, I hurt with them, I smile with them, and I cry with them.” -Jessica, Amazon reviewer, The Griffin Brothers series
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“I love how Crystal makes the characters feel like real people.” -Tami, Amazon Reviewer, Learning To Love
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“This is a lovely romance story that has a sexy sizzle to it but it's funny as well as it is somewhat edgy. I like that the hero has money but it's not the focal point in this story. I love that the heroine has problems but they are not so insurmountable that they take over the story. This is good old-fashioned romance done with a modern day twist. Well Done.” -Kindle Customer, Amazon Reviewer, Gaming For Love
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“I found this book on Amazon yesterday and loved the cover. I read the synopsis and knew I had to get it. So I purchased it and started to read it right away. Oh my, I could not put the book down. I got so wrapped up in the story I was afraid to put my Kindle down or I would miss a part.” -Amazon Customer, Gaming For Love
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“I thought this was a fantastic start to a series, and kind of first book of a series that makes you want to rush out and buy each additional book in the series. The premise of a strong group of women working together to help other women in need was pretty awesome. I loved how C0rrigan & Co was a secret covert company along the same lines as the underground railroad but it saved women from sticky situations or abusive relationships.” -Aubrey, Romancing the Book blog, Fielding Her SECRET
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“I had so many different emotions while reading. I was rooting people, wanting kick people, wanting to rip some peoples clothes off, laughing while reading, gasping out loud. Seriously, I read this like a crazy person. So much happened that I was not mentally prepared for. There were so many shockers while reading this I could not even think about putting the book down.” -Sabrina, Amazon Reviewer, Devouring the SECRET
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“Love this book the suspense and sex is EPIC.” -Teresa Jensen, Amazon Reviewer, Rocking a SECRET
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“Perkins breathes life into their characters and has the reader feeling their agony, pain, and even their love for one-another. I enjoy reading her books and learning more and more about each of the people that make up this secretive group.” -Dayreader Reviews, Corrigan & Co. series
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“In the end I am somehow proud of you Crystal Perkins. How you portrayed Ellie and her and Aiden love. I know I have no right to be, and it's really not my place to say but I am proud I read it and I recommend it to all women so they can see how strong We can be.” -Marta Bukowska, Goodreads Reviewer, Tending Their SECRET
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“The story flowed well and kept my attention throughout. There was one part I was totally not expecting to happen. I love when that happens.” -Lisa Dess, Girls With Books blog, Training Her SECRET
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“Wow this story! There are some stories and characters that leave you speechless, breathless and at times slightly broken, and Loving my SECRET Matt & Reina's story is definitely one of them!” -Vicki Plant, Goodreads Reviewer, Loving My SECRET
“I laughed I cried and there many times that I wanted to throw my device.” -Mallory, Goodreads Reviewer, Loving My SECRET
“Perkins gives the reader a quick peak into the Weddings of the amazing ladies in the society. What a fun roller coaster ride it was.” -Taz Lozada, Goodreads Reviewer, Society Weddings
“Totally loved this book as I did with all of crystals book previous to this with their well written gripping story lines brilliant characters a must read really can't wait for the next in series.” – Sassylady33, Amazon Reviewer, Society Girls: Sierra
“It is banter central, lol and completely full with characters who you actually get to know and enjoy spending time with.” – All Booked Out, A Kiss is Just a Kiss
“Good book and a really powerful message.” Petrina, Goodreads Reviewer, Society Girls: Jenysis
“If you’re looking for a great book, this is the one.” Renee, Goodreads Reviewer, Society Girls: Kalila
“I love these books!!!! I seem to read them in one sitting I just can't put them down!!!” Rita, Amazon Reviewer
“This is the new series by a brilliant author and still incorporates the characters from her previous series. This book was brilliant, the author always writes about strong characters with a vulnerable side and she delivered once again. This book was one of her more lighthearted ones, but still had the angst I have come to associate with Crystal Perkins.” Natasha, Amazon Reviewer, Royal Company
THINGS TO KNOW
If you haven’t read any of the Corrigan & Co. books, you can still read this book. I’m listing some info below that will be helpful to you!
The Society: A secret group of female spies, operating out of the Corrigan & Co. Foundation. It was created by Jane Corrigan, Maggie Griffin, Helen Wilson, Mallory Daniels, and Cyndi Evans. They still make their presence known from time to time, but the Society is now run by Reina Corrigan. She is the wife of Jane’s grandson, Matt Corrigan, and someone not to be trifled with. Their story, Loving My SECRET, is the only book I don’t recommend reading without having read the others.
The male characters in Company Men are all brothers, or friends, of the spies. Most of the women in the books will not know of their existence, since those who work for Corrigan & Co. have no idea what the beautiful women of the Foundation really do. Some are in awe of them, and some resent how they seem to come and go, and do whatever they want.
Corrigan & Co.: Matthew Corrigan runs this public side of the company. One of the most powerful men in the world, he’s ruthless in business, and would do anything to protect his wife, and their friends. His brother, Miles, works alongside him, running the Acquisitions department, and doing what he can to help the Society women. His wife, Alex, runs the front desk at the Foundation. Their love story was in the book, Working on Love, which is always free in ebook format, on all platforms, as it connects my first two series, and also gives more insight into Matt and Reina’s story.
The Studkateers are what the men connected to the Society (including the Griffin brothers) call themselves. They have a strong friendship with each other, they’re hot, and I love The Three Musketeers, so why not?
Rhys is the brother of Rhieve, from Society Girls: Rhieve. In her book, he was lured out of a sex club, and kidnapped as revenge against the man Rhieve loves, Calum. He was eventually rescued, but he hasn’t dealt with what was done to him while he was taken.
Nate and Jade are a big part of this book. Their book, Training the SECRET explains what happened to him as teenager. This is one I really don’t want to spoil, but you can message or email me for more info!
Confused? You can always message or email me if you need clarification on something!
For everyone who’s ever been forced to live a life they didn’t want.
PROLOGUE
Rhys
I watch her because I can. Because I have to. There is nowhere else I could look with her in the room. It sounds creepy, but it’s not. Really. I’ve been captivated by her since I was thirteen, and there’s never been another woman who could compare to her. That’s just the way it is.
We grew up as best friends, and then we both felt more. Sneaking around made it exciting, but she’s what made it magnificent. It was the best time of my life, and then it was the worst. I lost her, and if I’m being honest, I also lost myself.
She glides across the dance floor in the arms of her husband, both of them the picture of wealth and sophistication. I’m supposedly an example of that same kind of picture, but if the people in this room saw beneath the mask, they’d be horrified. Even more than they were when my “perfect” sister, Rhieve, got together with Calum. Calum could buy and sell most of the people in this room, but he fell from grace long ago, and never cared about getting back up.
I wish I could say the same about myself, but whether I want to or not, I care what these people in this room think of me. Most importantly, I care what that woman dancing with her husband thinks of me. I was warned to stay away from her years ago, and even if she wasn’t married, she wouldn’t want me now. What self-respecting woman would if she knew what had happened to me last year? Being kidnapped by a pair of women from a sex club, and offered as a plaything to any woman who wanted me doesn’t exactly scream “class and sophistication”. There were a few men, too, but since I don’t swing that way, I’ve worked hard to block them out. I screamed a few times, if I’m being honest, and most of the women in this room would run from me if they knew what I’ve had done to me. Including Vivienne.
Especially Vivienne. My next-door neighbor. The first—and only—girl I was ever in love with. The girl I was repeatedly told to stay away from, because there were plans for her. The woman who married one of the most powerful men in this room five years ago. The woman I can’t take my eyes off, even now. She’d never accept what I’ve become, even if it was her who drove me into the beds an
d dungeons of other women. Even if she knew I still thought of her while I came inside of them. No, she’d never choose me, even if she could.
So, I watch her from afar at parties like this, keeping a smirk on my face and knowing she’ll never look my way. Knowing socialites will try to keep my attention, and fail. Knowing I can never have the only thing I’ve wanted since I was thirteen. The only woman I’ve wanted. I’ll watch, and hope that one day I’ll be wrong and she will look my way, just like she did all those years ago.
V ivienne
I know Rhys is here. I can sense him, even though I would never dare look at him. Christon would destroy him, if he even thought I still cared. Oh, how I care, and hope, but he’s not mine to covet. The day he walked away from me, I lost more than just my heart; I lost my will to care about how I live my life, which is how I ended up here, on this dance floor, with a man I hate.
My husband, whose ridiculous name caused him to be bullied most of his life, now enjoys nothing more than bullying me. He won’t touch me—in any way—but he knows how to hurt. In fact, he knows his not touching me hurts me the worst, because I want a houseful of children. It’s why he won’t have sex with me any longer. His needs are met elsewhere while I cry myself to sleep.
“Your smile has slipped, Vivienne. Pull yourself together. We both know you’re nothing more than your looks, and you need to be looking like nothing makes you happier than me. The fact that you can’t even manage this one small thing just proves how stupid you are.”