Series: Mermaid of Venice #4
Publication date: May 16th, 2022
Synopsis:
The latest action-packed installment in the Mermaid of Venice finds Gia Acquaviva, the world's most famous mermaid, reconnecting with a mysterious man from her past. Will he punish Gia and get the revenge he deserves--or will they fall in love all over again?
Meanwhile, Gia attempts to rebuild her broken business empire just as the Mermaid world descends into a bitter and dangerous civil war. Gia already picked her allies, but will she make good on her promises--or will she cut sail when the winds shift?
Fans of Killing Eve and Fifty Shades of Grey will love the Mermaid of Venice series. These page-turning thrillers have lush fantasy elements and showcase the billionaire lifestyle that you secretly covet.
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Excerpt
When Florent's jet landed and he exited the plane, Moussa led his people to a round of applause. After much embracing, Moussa escorted Florent onto Gia's plane.
Florent wore a sweater, just like the last time she'd seen him, several months ago. He carried a Domenico Vacca alligator duffle--a custom bag that cost him no less than eighty grand.
"Bon soir, Gia," Florent said, lowering his head to nod hello. "These days you can't seem to stay out of trouble, can you?"
Gia wanted to gain the upper hand, to throw him a little, so she gingerly pulled the cashmere blanket off her chest--exposing her breasts--and moved Serena to the other side to continue her feeding.
The plan worked. Florent was transfixed.
"I would get up," Gia whispered, "but as you see, I am dealing with a hungry baby."
Florent's eyes flashed, and in that blaze echoed a multitude of memories, unrealized dreams and resentments. Over the years he had fantasized about everything from embedding himself back in Gia's life and marrying her, to strangling her and tossing her in the ocean. And now, here she was right in front of him, chest exposed, the very picture of radiant motherhood combined with unfettered sexuality. It was difficult for him to reconcile this scene with what he knew to be true about her--her killer instinct, to be specific. After all, he had the scar to prove just how dark her true impulses were.
Moussa shifted from one foot to the other and swallowed hard as he watched the pair before him. He offered a brief, "ahem," and broke the awkward silence. "Bisset, how long before we leave for the port?"
"I have a fleet of trucks coming in half an hour," Florent replied, finally tearing his eyes away from Gia.
"Then I have some work to do to get everyone ready." Moussa bowed at Florent before heading down to wrangle the merfolk, happy to leave the plane.
When Moussa was gone, Florent sat across from Gia, trying not to fidget. He wanted to telegraph an air of cool serenity. Gia, of course, didn't buy it.
"Why are you here, Florent?"
"I want to help. Am I not a gentleman, Gia?"
"I never knew you to be one, no."
"Then you don't know me."
Gia studied his face, narrowing her eyes. "I find it odd that you harbor an impulse to help in any circumstance that involves me."
Florent smirked. "Oh, but you see, Gia, I've been waiting for the moment you need me the most. I have been watching and waiting for a very long time. What luck," he commented, raising his eyebrows. "It appears that the moment I anticipated has finally arrived."
JINCEY LUMPKIN is a writer and creative director in Luxury Beauty. She is the author of the Mermaid of Venice fantasy thriller series. Recognized as a thought leader on women and culture, Jincey has written more than 50 columns for the Huffington Post and Playboy. She headlined Sex Week at Harvard and gave an infamous TEDx talk, "Are Robots the Future of Sex?" She has been profiled by Dateline NBC, Vice, and GQ, among others. Out Magazine listed her in its "OUT 100", naming her as one of the world's most influential LGBTQ+ people, alongside celebrities like Laverne Cox and Ricky Martin.
