by Angel Lawson
The phone chimes in my hand, an email notification popping up on the screen. The moment I see it, I tune Leslie out. I blink, sure I’m reading it wrong.
Email Notification: Sweet Cherry.
I keep my voice calm and calculated. “Excuse me,” I say, blood thrumming as I walk from the room and escape outside. My head swims with anticipation, heart pounding an urgent rhythm. Three years since I’ve heard from this one. Three years since she slipped through my fingers.
I swipe it open and stare at the message title: It’s gone.
I’m half-convinced it’s a prank. Likely, those cocky little bastards she’s hiding with found out about me and thought this would be a fun way to fuck around. That’s okay. I’ve been preparing for how to deal with them.
Then I see the message.
What are you going to do about it?
It’s a crisp photo, the contents unmistakable. It’s a bed with white sheets, pristine if not for the stain sitting stark against the paleness. Blood. From the dark dampness that surrounds it, probably some semen, too. Blood and semen and her arousal.
Oh, Story…
I’m looking at the remnants of her cherry.
There’s a man’s hand curled up next to it, wrist dark with tattoos. He’s wearing a gold ring in the shape of a distinctive skull. I don’t need to zoom in to see the ‘LDZ’ engraved within it.
It’s the same ring as my own, after all.
I turn off the phone, knowing who it is and what he’s done. I grind my teeth, trying to shove the crazed hurricane of anger back into my chest. Just for now. Just until I can make a move.
But it’s hard, imagining those hands on my sweet young Lady. Knowing he’s taken what belongs to me. Knowing that he’s defiled her, tainted her, forced his dirtiness inside her. I tried to warn her. This world is a machine. The cogs turn, making it spin, and the wheel never stops. It takes a woman and turns her into a whore. Unclean. Polluted. Impure.
If the Lords think I’ll let that happen to her, then they are sorely mistaken.
Storming back through the door, my head is still full of the sight of those sheets. I wonder how it happened. Did he tear his way inside? Did he fuck her like an animal? Did he stretch those greedy lips into a smile as he defiled what’s rightfully mine?
Leslie turns when I approach, fumbling with her folders, so eager to regale me with more details that she misses the gun I pull from my coat.
I raise the barrel and put three bullets into her head.
As she falls to the floor, the sound of gunshots still ringing against the marble, I draw in a feral, steeling breath, soaking in the silence.
Yes, that’s better.
My vengeance has never been swift, but it’s always absolute and without mercy.
The Lords are about to discover just how true that is.
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Lords of Wrath, Book 2 in the Royals of Forsyth University series is available for pre-order.
Acknowledgments
Sam
Can’t possibly end this book without thanking Michaella, Adara, and all my DD(&T) Facebook buds! This wasn’t a book I was convinced I could write, even though I wanted to. Angel and all of y’all really pushed me through! Lisa, you are forever a true homie. To my Discord nonnies: I live and breathe for you, you precious, shining beacons of purity and impeccability. My day never feels complete until I see someone casually sexualizing a dragon in #General. How blessed am I?
* * *
Angel
It took me four years to get Sam to enter the world of reverse harem with me so we decided to go in with the darkest content we’ve ever produced. For two writers that met over the love of a complicated vampire and were drawn to the darker aspects of that love story, it’s not really a surprise.
This was a crazy book. Sam and I are always tinkering around with ideas—we have for a decade now. Always angsty. Sometimes dark. We decided to finally lay it on the line with this series. I love this series. I love reverse harem. And yes! I love all of you readers, the cool kids from Angel’s Antics, Lisa who I put through the dirty work, Vanessa @ VC Edits, and of course Sam for the kick ass cover.
Join us on Angel’s Antics to discuss the book and other fun stuff. We’re dying to hear what you think!
Also By Angel Lawson & Samantha Rue
Boys of Preston Prep
(M/F Steamy Angst-Romance)
* * *
Devil May Care
A Deal With The Devil
Touched By The Devil
Devil Incarnate
* * *
Royals of Forsyth University
(Reverse Harem Dark/Bully Romance)
* * *
Lords of Pain
Lords of Wrath
Lords of Mercy
