Series: Cruel Desires #1
Publication date: October 30th, 2020
Synopsis:
I'm rich, angry and powerful, and I have one thing in my sights--revenge.
Nothing's going to stop me from executing my plan and taking down the man who dares to call himself my father. Not even her.
Curves for days, hair a man can wrap his fist around, and a mouth begging to be owned, Temple thinks she can stop me. Dragging her into my world, putting a target on her back--it's all part of the plan.
Claiming her wasn't.
But now I'm addicted to playing her traitorous body like a weapon, and the only thing that will save me is sacrificing her.
There's a reason they call me 'Sin'.
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Excerpt - Chapter 1: Temple
Four Months Ago
"Yo, anyone there?" a deep voice calls. "Dez? Where you at, man?"
I straighten from beneath the hood of the car I'm working on. "Dez isn't..." Oh. My. God. "...here."
Tall.
Built.
Hot as hell.
He's the sexiest guy I've ever seen.
I wipe my hands on an oily rag when I really want to check my reflection to see if my hair is as crazy as I think it is. "What can I do for you?"
He scans my body, lingering on my hips. "Where's Dez?"
"Out."
"When will he be back?"
"In fifteen years."
Pausing, he fixes me with a heavy stare. "I see."
"I doubt it." I haven't exactly advertised the fact that my asshole father got put away for drug trafficking. It's bad for business. So long as I keep the garage going, fix cars on time and at a good price, no one cares who's doing the grunt work.
The stranger's gaze lingers on the strap that's come loose on my overalls. "You his apprentice or something?"
"Or something."
The corner of his mouth kicks up. "Daughter."
"Bingo." As hot as he is, I need him gone. I've got three cars to finish, a heap of paperwork to fill out, and college application fees to pay. "Now, what can I do for you?"
"My car needs service."
I take in the bright yellow, limited edition Ferrari 488 Pista behind him. "That model literally rolled off the production line a month ago."
He shrugs.
"It's brand-new. What could possibly be wrong with a three-hundred-and-forty-thousand-dollar ride?"
Staring, he doesn't answer.
Since I'm in no place to knock back paying customers, I walk over to inspect it. But he quickly inserts himself between me and the car, forcing me to take a step back.
Pushing his hands deep in his jeans pockets, he leans against the side. "What time do you close?"
I pause. "Why?"
"A time, babe."
"Babe? We met five minutes ago." Needing his business more than I need an ego boost, I gesture to the hood. "Can you open it for me?"
"Sure." He doesn't move.
What's with this guy? "Sometime this century would be good."
He smirks. "I'll open the hood, but it'll cost you."
Jesus. "Look, I'm sure women fall for the whole smoldering good looks, mental foreplay, and killer car combination, but I'm on a deadline here. Do you want me to look at your car or not?"
He leans in close, the scent of salt and sea spray emanating from his skin. "I'm taking you out. I'll pick you up from here at eight."
When I don't answer, he tucks some of my hair behind my ear.
Shivers dance across my skin. "I never said--"
Another Ferrari Pista, this one black, pulls up next to the curb. The tinted window lowers, and, from it, a carbon copy of the guy in front of me appears. "Sin, come on, man. We've gotta boost."
Sin? Thinking hard, I try to place the name. I know I've heard it someplace, but for the life of me, I can't remember where.
With his gray eyes fixed on me, Sin skims my cheek with his knuckles. "Be ready."
"I'm not going out with you." My voice is lower, huskier than before.
"You sure about that?"
Yes. No. I don't know. Ten minutes ago, I had my life all planned. I'd finish working on the cars, and the overtime would cover the rent on this place, my college application fee, and some basic food. I'd work my ass off over summer and hope to God I earned enough for the first semester. Then I'd ace my classes, apply for a full scholarship and, if that fell through, I'd try for a student loan. Either way, I'd move forward and never look back.
But now...?
I'm stupidly thinking about a date with a stranger.
Taking his keys from his pocket, he drops them into my hand. "A friend will pick my car up later."
I glance from him to the keys and back again. "You never told me what you want fixed."
Sin backs away, his killer smirk firmly in place. "You're a smart girl. You'll figure it out."
For the first time, I look past his handsome face, and foreboding knots my stomach.
Hoping this isn't what I think it is, the keys a sudden dead weight in my palm, I practically choke on my own stupidity "Wait! You can't leave your expensive car here."
He either doesn't hear or doesn't want to, because seconds later, the Ferrari speeds off.
Grabbing my cell, I frantically type Sin's name, followed by the words "twin" and "Bayside" as I hope like hell the ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach is hunger.
Holy shit.
I can't read fast enough.
Son of the notorious mob boss. The Collector. Twin to a certified womanizer. Accused but never convicted of arson, drug running, violence, murder.
Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I quickly scan the garage to make sure I'm alone, then I pop the trunk. "Please let me be wrong, please let me be wrong," I chant, my eyes clenched shut. "I don't want to let some drug-dealing mob asshole use the garage as a drop-off point."
Peeling one eye open, my heart stops, then kicks into overdrive. A black duffel bag sits innocuously in the center.
Tearing it open, I choke back a string of curses.
Thousands of dollars' worth of cocaine.
Illegal drugs.
"Goddammit!" Tearing my fingers through my hair, I curse my fucking dad for not finding an honest way to pay the bills.
"Well, Dad, you might have been a pushover, but I'm not."
Screw this.
Knowing what I need to do, wondering if I'll live through the night once I do it, I grab my phone to call 911.
"That's my car," a female voice snaps behind me.
Dropping my cell, I spin.
A girl wearing designer everything saunters toward me as she points to the Ferrari. "I'm here to pick it up."
Panic freezes my heart.
She plants her hands on her hips. "Hello, do you speak English? I said, I want my car. Give me the keys."
It hits me like an uppercut knocking me flat on my ass.
There's no escape.
I can't call the cops. The Collector owns the town and everyone in it. If people like Sin, his brother, and this rich bitch are pawns in his dealings, then what chance do I have?
Angry at my dad, myself, and this whole damn situation, I throw the keys at her. "Take your car and get the hell out of my garage."
Grabbing the keys midair, she narrows her eyes. "Careful who you throw shit at, bitch. You don't want to make an enemy out of me. Trash like you is easy to dispose of."
My heart pounding, my breath short, I level her with a look. "Get off my property."
"Your funeral, trash." Sliding into the driver seat, she starts the engine.
A second later, she's peeling out of the garage.
Dropping to my knees, I curse my father and the shitstorm he created.
About the Author:
Lee Piper loves books. When not reading, she is either writing, at the beach or eating her body weight in chocolate.
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