The Third Empire Novels & Stories

If a man wanted to, he could stand up and fight back, he would have a chance, but most women wouldn't. So instead I find their weaknesses and exploit them. Smiling at the next name I go to the club. Walking in I watch as everyone stays quiet. I see Evan look towards the fire exit, moving I rush to block it, grabbing him I throw him back. "What do you know?" "Well, the princess won't be ruling the city for long, that is for sure." He laughs, moving I punch him. "Who took her?" "You kill me you will never know." He smiles smugly. "I was expecting your visit, after standing right there watching them talk and listening, I couldn't wait to watch her empire fall down."

Just a slow recognition that the ground they had relied on was no longer beneath their feet. The turning vote had done what pressure never could. It had made resistance impractical. And in that moment, the empire did not fall. It realigned. The hardest part was still ahead. But the direction was no longer in doubt. The system had chosen itself. And there would be no going back.

Victor placed Luca’s file back on the desk. “Time for phase three.” “What’s phase three?” the assistant asked. Victor’s smile grew colder. “Break them.”

Final. Aurelia's face lights with understanding. "Of course, of course. Go, go. You mustn’t keep them waiting." She waves us off and turns back to her circle, already laughing at something someone else has said. He steers me away, his hand moving from my wrist to the small of my back. I wait until we are clear of the nearest group before I say anything. “The Ferraris.” “There are no Ferraris.” I glance at him sideways. “You lied to your mother.”

he said. "Okay, let's do this. Who knows, that third book is already on its way," Cela said. Hyun's eyes grew bigger. Thankfully, they are just talking on the phone and Cela can't see how excited he is to hear the news first hand from her. Tomorrow will be perfect.

He wouldn’t allow himself to be swayed by such emotions. At least, that was what he told himself. But as he watched the branches bow to the wind’s embrace, he wasn’t so sure anymore. How was it that he could be ruthless enough to run a mafia empire, to kill without hesitation, yet be blind to the simplest truth—that he cared? How had he not realized that his lies and manipulations would only lead to his downfall? That he would lose the one person who had ever cared about him, leaving him utterly, irrevocably alone?

Two real marriage certificates and one cheap counterfeit looked almost identical under the blistering noon sun. Nora Reed held the two real ones like trophies, laughing so hard she had to lean into Grant Hale's arms. "You are unbelievable, Grant," she said. "You really said that to Elara? Aren't you scared she will get so mad she actually runs off with someone else?" Grant wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled like the answer was obvious. "Run off? With who? Who else would marry her?"