open season c. j. box

“Those are divorce papers. Sign it,” He instructed, his voice cold as usual. I stared at the papers in shock and despite knowing the answer, I still asked. “Why?” “Because you aren't needed. I married you only because my father made it the only way to inherit his properties. I wasn't going to allow my hard work to go to the snake that is my younger brother and now that I've inherited almost everything, you're not needed.” “That is all I was?” I inquired knowing fully well his answer would hurt me but he didn't bother giving me an answer. “You'll be paid for your years as my bed warmer—” Bed warmer? “—and the moment my lawyer receives the signed document, you'll have the money sent to your card. In addition, you can stay here for an extra month.” I smiled through gritted teeth. “Fine. A hundred and thirty thousand grand is all I need.” “You can get more.” “I need just the amount I specified and don't worry, I'll sign right now. Just send the money now,” I told him before signing the document and handing it to him. *** After Shawna ends her loveless marriage she finds out that she's pregnant for her ex-husband. Now she has to figure out how to take care of herself, her kids, and her sick mother. When Damien comes back into her life and is willing to share her burden and take care of her. Will she forgive him and come back to him after everything he has put her through?

They say that when you love someone, tell them. I told him and we became lovers- a celebrated couple and business partners. I was the veritable Cinderella who has caught her Prince Charming. We had two blissful years until I woke up to the harsh reality that he never loved me and was just a stand-in for his true love. After a tragic incident, my Prince Charming turned into my worst nightmare. Overnight, he stripped me of my identity and everything that goes with it: name, wealth and protection. He let me suffer humiliation and pain. He left me broken and almost made me lose my precious sons. The children he did not deserve to know about. Now, I am back on my feet. With the help of my four long-lost brothers, I regained everything my ex-husband took away from me. With an empire behind me, it's time for revenge. “It's time to make you pay for what you have put me through. And I won't stop until I win.” “Now, who lost everything, my dear Ex? Certainly not me.”

PART 1 - NIKOLAI AND NOVA: Nikolai is the youngest brother of Kai and Konstantin Volkov. Since his torture and kidnapping, he's become a cold, distant shell of the man he used to be, making a name for himself as a Ripper. The only light in his life is Nova Lorelei, the mate he rejected while he was under the control of a demonic entity. But even as he yearns for her, he knows she's better off without him in her life. So he keeps to the shadows and watches over her. This worked out fine until he saw his mate being abused by another. Will Nikolai be able to keep his distance from Nova, or is the Mate Bond stronger than his willpower? ----- PART 2 - DIMITRI AND ARYA: Wracked with guilt at nearly killing his human mate four years ago, Dimitri Volkov let Arya go so she could live a normal life. He didn't feel worthy of a mate or happiness after almost killing her and betraying his entire pack, so he settled to living a life filled with blood and pain as his brother and Alpha's Lead Enforcer. A trip to Brooklyn changes everything for him when he finds his way onto Brooklyn Bridge only to see his mate about to commit suicide. He saves her again, but the Mate Bond Sighting clicks, and the traitorous Gamma finds himself in quite the position: reject Arya or accept what Fate has given him? Book 1 - Alpha Kai Book 2 - Konstantin: The Heartless Beta **Can be read as a standalone as I delve into what happened in the previous books**

Missy moves to a small town in Northern California after walking in on her boyfriend in bed with someone else. The picturesque cottage she bought outright isn’t as picturesque as she was promised. She is forced to hire the only contractor in town to make it liveable, even though she can’t stand the man and his rude and crude remarks. Adrian Brewer is a single father, fighting for his parental rights for his daughter, and doesn’t need another woman to bring more drama into his life….but there is just something about Missy that makes him tease her like a little boy with a crush and has him wishing for more. When Adrian makes repairs to her new home, can he also help repair her heart? Can she repair his in return? When their past comes back to ruin what they started building together, will the foundation of their budding love be able to withstand the storm? Will Missy let it all burn down? If it does, can Adrian build it back up?

Just as the saying always goes, 'Every disappointment is a blessing'. Skyler just found out that her groom had been cheating on her on her wedding day right in her wedding venue. Feeling heartbroken, she ran off thinking life was over until she bumped into a strange man. "Let's get married. I will help you get back at your ex and you will help me get my family's company in return" He said to her. Getting married to Mason Delgado - a man from one of the richest families in the US - within minutes of being betrayed by her groom seemed okay at first, an unknown love began to blossom between them and Skyler thought things would stay that way, until an old family friend returns with the sole purpose of stealing Mason from Skyler. With the internet prying on Skyler's private life and haters at large, the greatest of all being Mason's mother all against their marriage, will their love grow stronger or will they fall apart?

Reyna's life has been far from sunshine and roses. As the Alpha's daughter, at the age of 21, should have received her wolf by now. She was the only member of her pack without a wolf and had to endure constant bullying and heartache, which was made worse by her intended mate's rejection in favor of her step-sister. This life made her determined to leave, and so she hatched a daring plan to escape during the highly anticipated Hallowed Bond Ball, which was a night of celebration that marked one year after the end of the War of the Three Alpha Kings. She had no idea that destiny was about to throw her a curveball. Just as she was attempting to escape under the cover of darkness, a surprising twist of events suddenly takes place. The word 'mate' reverberates through the castle walls, spoken in not one, but three distinct voices. To her astonishment, Reyna finds herself bound to three mates. A wolfless mate to all three powerful Alpha Kings fresh from being at war with one another. With the fragile truce between the three Alphas threatened, Reyna's life is in danger from powerful families who would do anything to keep the peace after decades of war. Reyna stands at the center of a prophetic revelation, holding the key to something far greater than she could have ever imagined. But as soon as she learns why she was chosen, evil slowly starts closing in. *** “You're intoxicating, darling… I think we may have found something we're all addicted to..." My face reddens as I look at them, and for the first time in ages, I feel like I belong. The way they're looking at me with reverence and the desire I know is meant only for me… I feel like a Queen.

When Caleb Kingston proposed marriage, I knew he did not love me. But as a woman who loved him secretly for years, I agreed to whatever scraps he could give me thinking that he could learn to love me in time. Three years into our marriage, I realized that I had been a fool chasing an impossible dream. A stubborn man like Caleb only loved once and she sure was not me. “She's back and she wants me. I do not want to ruin this chance for anything.” He told me, slapping a divorce paper my way. “What about our baby?” His scowl told me he was not happy that I sprung that news on him. “Abort it. Do whatever you want with it. I don’t care.” Was his callous remark. That same night, after signing the divorce agreement, I packed my bags and left with a promise that I will be back stronger to show this ruthless billionaire what he lost.

When Wisdom was a young girl, the Alpha of her pack ordered her not to shift, and she wasn't allowed to train. Her parents wouldn't tell her why, which concerned her and her best friend, Deshal. Wisdom's mate turned out to be Beauden Ralston, the future Alpha of the Fierce Growlers, where Wisdom is his father's assistant. Beauden doesn't want a mate and promises to reject her when he finds her. The night he went to reject Wisdom didn't go as he expected. That night turned out to be the worst night in both of their lives. The following day Wisdom disappears after telling her best friend about her night with her mate. Deshal can't is furious and wants to kill the future Alpha. But he had promised her he wouldn't do anything, that's the only reason she told him. Beauden couldn't believe Wisdom had left. He tried to go on with his left but couldn't get his mate off his mind, and his wolf wasn't happy about it. Beauden searches for her in vain. While Wisdom is gone, she discovers unexplainable things about herself and wants answers. When she returns home, Wisdom is a different woman and more determined to learn why the Alpha refused to let her train and shift. Wisdom wants what is hers and won't stop until she gets it. *****Trigger Warning ***** This book contains assault *****

In the dark underworld of Cosa Nostra, a hidden mafia princess is suddenly thrust into a deadly feud between two powerful mafia families. Lucia, a young woman who had no idea about her true lineage, is living a peaceful life in a nun's convent until the day her father's enemies come calling. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers she's been groomed her entire life to be the perfect mafia wife, because she's been promised to an enemy since birth. Forced into an arranged marriage with Giovanni Vittori, the ruthless eldest son of the Vittori Capo dei Capi, Lucia finds herself caught in a twisted game of power and vengeance. When the blood feud between their families rages on in the aftermath of a disastrous wedding, the stakes get higher and the danger grows. Lucia must rely on her wits and cunning to survive in a world where everyone is a potential enemy. Giovanni is torn between his duty to his family and his growing obsession with his beautiful bride. But as they fight to overcome their families' bitter past, they find themselves surrounded by enemies on all sides. In a world of vendettas and retribution, can they find love amidst the chaos, or will they be crushed under the weight of vengeance and sacrifice? *** Giovanni is Book 1 of 4. The subsequent sequels will be released under this book. BOOK 1: GIOVANNI - COMPLETED BOOK 2: EMILIA COMPLETED BOOK 3: DOM (TBA) BOOK 4: FRANKIE (TBA)

Four Brothers. Four Stories. One Pack. Kai, Konstantin, Dimitri and Nikolai - The Volkov Brothers rule New York, not only as a Russian Mafia family but also as The BloodCrest Pack. Book one follows Alpha Kai, known as the Beast Of New York, Russian Mafia leader and Alpha of the Blood Crest pack - and he's come to claim timid and abused Caterina as his mate. Terrible rumours surround Kai and his pack of bloodthirsty wolves, but as Caterina gets to know her mate better and realises that he is not the monster he is made out to be. So what exactly turned Kai into the beast he's known as? In Book 2 we meet Konstantin, known as The Heartless Beta. He never cared for love or finding his mate as the Beta to the Alpha God. Who needs a mate when you have a pack to protect? However, when scentless, halfbreed Lily stepped into his life, everything seemed to fall into place. What will Konstantin do once he discovers the scentless, half breed wolf is pregnant with his prophesied firstborn and has been his mate all along...And she's being held prisoner by a creature even older than the Werewolf God Xamnir? Book 3 Parts 1 and 2 sees Nikolai and Dimitri both thinking that keeping away from their fated mates during the war is what’s best for them. But is their willpower stronger than Fate? Staring at temptation for so long will only make you crave it more, this is something both Nikolai and Dimitri will find out soon enough.