MoonPart of my heart-stopping fury recedes when I pull Madison back into my arms. Her entire body is shaking and she’s still clutching the knife I handed her. Alex takes it from her hand after I scoop her into my arms and cradle her against my chest. I breathe in the scent of her hair and try to gain more control.This woman is everything. She’s the reason I wake up in the morning. Everything I hold dear is wrapped up in her. Cori meets my eyes and she tips her head in acknowledgement. When she turns away, Duke is standing behind her. He pulls her into his arms and walks her toward the front room. He stops when Goose is dragged closer by one of Dax’s men and places himself between Cori and Duke. Duke casually pulls his gun and fires, striking him between the eyes. Goose blankly stares at the ceiling by the time the sound of the gunshot fades from the room. Cori spits on Goose’s body before Duke leads her forward. Alex gives orders to clean up the bloody mess.“Please take me home,” M

MadisonIt’s three more days before our guest arrives. I’m actually tongue-tide when Moon introduces me to Father Andrews. He’s American but lives in Mexico and drove all this way to return a favor he owed my husband. He’s younger than a priest has a right to be and he’s too damn good looking for his job. I place him in his early thirties. It’s strange because he looks oddly familiar even though I’m sure I’ve never met him.The three of us walk into the living room where Mrs. Loche put out cucumber sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Father Andrews’s eyes light up. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast and these look delicious,” he says while filling a plate.Moon doesn’t sit with us. “Mr. Loche and I are working on a new garden and clearing some land. I’ll be next door if you need me.” He leans down and places his lips on mine for a short kiss. It actually embarrasses me because Father Andrews is watching. Moon taps me under the chin in understanding because of the heat traveling up my

CoriTwo weeks with no sex, no communication with the outside world, and no voice except the one in my head, put me in a bitchy mood. Since yesterday, when the fog in my brain cleared, I’d been climbing the walls. Unfortunately, I hadn’t ventured out of the room. I wasn’t feeling brave enough, but that was yesterday.Today, my sex organs were revolting and I had a different outlook.I still felt unloved and ugly. Combined with the pathetic pity party I’d been throwing for myself, it summed up the past fourteen days. I glanced down at the missing fingers on my hand. The twisted flesh looked better than it had but it was still hideous with red swollen skin where the fingers were sliced off.The only thing that brought me out of my post rape funk was having someone to kill. That was handled now and pity was once more my best friend.I glanced at the door to the bedroom, the one Duke never entered. He brought me here, gave me his room, and vacated to sleep elsewhere. He left me alone exce

CoriRocks, sticks, and other nasties, courtesy of the great outdoors, dug into my legs. The missing skin on my ass cheeks burned, and we couldn’t move. Duke pulled me a little closer with his left arm, keeping his gun hand free. His warmth, mingled with sweat, was comforting even in the heat.Danger was part of this world and I knew exactly how I got here. I’d lived on the edge my entire life and arrived at this point with open eyes. Escort work skirted the law and attracted unsavory people. Moon’s service was well run and offered protection for the girls. I never lied to myself, though. I was always one customer away from getting the shit beat out of me or getting killed. Even under Moon’s protection, it was only the man and me in the room.Duke loosened his hold and took my hand. He placed it on the dirt which surprised me until he began writing.“Gone maybe. We are not moving.”I nodded. I hadn’t heard anything since the last shots. The house blocked us and with the angle of the t

CoriDuke’s eyes stayed glued to my ass. Usually, the power I had over men was my aphrodisiac. This was different. He looked at me like he owned me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. If he would fuck me, it would be easier. That I could deal with.I cooked enough food for several people. Slowly, the scent filled the house and my stomach growled more frequently. The panic had receded to a point where I was breathing normally. I had to gain control to move on and I would. For now, I needed time to get my head straight.I popped bread into the toaster and started preparing Duke’s plate. I cut thin slices of orange as a garnish to finish the design. I carried his plate over first and then retrieved mine and sat across from him.He stared down at his food and then looked up at me. He picked up the orange slice and examined it. That’s when I realized he’d probably never ate at anything fancier than a diner. Would he think I was showing off?I picked mine up and ate it without smiling, sep