Dark Bastard: A Dark Sparrow Novel

by India Kells

  Elizabeth laughed, a dreamy look in her eyes. “When I’m on a mission, I often miss hot water. Being in a tent in the middle of the desert, with an infinity of stars over my head, I tend to forget about the comforts of this world. Would you like a cup of tea?”

  Even if her body yearned for a soft bed, Sasha’s mind was restless, a sure sign of tossing and turning the moment she put her head on the pillow. “I would love some, if it’s not too much trouble or too late.”

  “It’s never too late for a cup. Put your luggage down, curl up on the couch, and let me get you the best medicine in the world.

  How could she refuse? She’d been in constant motion since she’d left her childhood home. It was rewarding and tiring at the same time.

  Her phone buzzed again. Again, it was a blank message. What was going on? She deleted it once more, and wondered if it was a network problem.

  “There you are. And I’ve added a couple of cookies. They’re marvelous.”

  Elizabeth curled up by her side as Sasha took her first sip and sighed. “You were right. It’s heaven in a cup.”

  “How long has it been since you’ve taken a break, my dear? You look worn out.”

  Puffing loudly, Sasha shook her head. “The last few years have been challenging. Working abroad has become more difficult, and I had family issues to take care of stateside. I think all that combined took more of a toll than I’d realized.”

  “So, you haven’t had any downtime in a while. I see a lot of my child in you. Loyalty, dedication, and stubbornness to the point where you push your limits too far. And I asked you to even more work. That was very inconsiderate and unthoughtful of me.”

  Sasha didn’t want to say more as to why she worked so much and redirected the conversation. “Don’t worry about me, all I need is a good night of sleep, and I’ll be good as new.” Even though she smiled, Sasha could see the worry in her hostess’s eyes. “Elizabeth, I don’t want to pry or anything, but if there is something I can do, maybe talk to your son and make him understand how much you worry about him, I’ll do it.”

  Elizabeth reached out and touched her hand. “You have a good heart, Sasha, but I’ve tried everything. To be honest with you, even though my boy demanded that I stay in the country since the kidnapping, I only agreed because I wanted to stay close to him. What he’s working on is eating at him, and even if I don’t know what it is exactly, I feel better knowing I can keep an eye on him. I wish he could see he shouldn’t shut out the world for his work, however dedicated he is. He told me he’d made a promise to see it through. I just hope it doesn’t eat him alive.”

  Everything Elizabeth had said could’ve been applied to Sasha, but it also matched the intensity she’d seen in another man. Her thoughts had slipped again and made her heart lurch, and she hated herself for that. Had she been so lonely Lazarus King’s face was the only one that could make her tremble?

  With another sip of the hot tea, Sasha tried to empty her mind. If she wanted to go to sleep soon, thoughts of the handsome, annoying man wouldn’t help at all.

  Instead, she observed Elizabeth, who held a heavy burden in her heart with her son and her work in Chicago. “When you called you said you needed help with something. What was it?”

  Elizabeth’s graceful face winced. “I shouldn’t have reached out to you like that. I’d hoped you were in the city and were maybe willing to help. But you don’t have to. I see you need to rest and spend time with your cousin….”

  Sasha stopped her. “I love my cousin, but she has her own life with her man. Without a new contract, I don’t have much to do. I always consult, but that’s only when the hospital calls on me. And you know I never say yes until I’m sure I want to do whatever it is I’m being asked.”

  With her mouth quirking up, Elizabeth relaxed. “That’s for sure. I remember very well. I knew I couldn’t stay inactive or I’d go insane, so I looked around and found an organization in the neighborhood that welcomes the homeless, who are mostly elderly and veterans. I volunteered and quickly became the coordinator. We sorely need a doctor. We’ve advertised, but you know how slow bureaucracy can be. I thought as you came under the umbrella of a non-profit, it would be easier to get the authorization and have you there as a buffer. I don’t think it will be a full-time job.”

  The way she’d described it, Sasha knew it was a worthy cause. It was true that she’d worked in foreign countries, helping those in need, but there were many lost souls right next door. She could find a place nearby, take the time to unwind and see Deva more often, without the usual rush of having to catch her next plane. Could this be the opportunity she’d been looking for to slow down, even for a little while. The idea settled deep in her bones, confirming it was the right decision. “I think you just found yourself a doctor, Elizabeth. When do I start?”

  After a couple of stunned blinks, Elizabeth clapped her hands before reaching out to take her in a tight hug. “Oh! Are you certain? That’s so wonderful. Those people are in such distress and you’re an angel to agree. Thank you so much!”

  She’d never felt so relaxed after accepting a job, which was further proof she was right to say yes. As Elizabeth suggested another cup of tea to celebrate, a ringtone sounded throughout the apartment.

  “That must be my son. He always comes for a couple of minutes in the evening to make sure I’m okay. Always the worrier. Have another cookie and I’ll be right back.”

  The older woman almost sauntered away, and filled with contagious energy, Sasha did as she said and grabbed a treat.

  As she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, she could hear Elizabeth’s melodious voice blending with the deep, male voice of someone who could only be her son. Sasha was glad she didn’t have to meet him. Not only did she feel too grimy to be social, but after so many flights and hours in the air, she probably looked like a homeless woman herself.

  Her phone buzzed on her lap. Sasha wasn’t expecting any calls or messages and almost ignored it, but to make sure she wasn’t dismissing something important, she decided to check.

  Welcome home, doctor.

  It wasn’t a known number or caller, which was strange and unusual. Putting her cup down, she started typing to enquire who the sender was, but the field remained blank. Instead of replying, she deleted the message. Whoever that was, it could be a misdirected message from one of her contacts, and she had a few doctors in them. Just as she decided to let it go, it buzzed again.

  Feeling safe yet?

  Her heart rate increasing, Sasha tried to understand if it was a hoax or a real threat when she got her answer.

  Enjoy it, as it won’t last. Good night, Doctor Landry.

  There were weirdos everywhere, and Sasha knew better than take it too seriously. Anonymity could make people do things without worrying about the consequences. However, she made a mental note to change her number to be on the safe side.

  Her dark thoughts changed direction when the voices in the lobby grew louder. Sensing trouble, she went to stand but froze when she saw who walked into the living room. It was like her mind vaporized when Lazarus King stopped short and gaped at her in return.

  “Sasha!”

  The last time she’d seen him, he’d just woken from a coma, was pale and unsteady, and snarly as ever. From a doctor’s perspective, she was glad to see he’d returned to a healthy body condition. The woman in her purred at the muscled body she could guess under his simple shirt and pants. Mentally slapping herself, she got to her feet, deciding that being professional was the way to go. “Lazarus?”

  What was he doing here? Was he following her?

  Elizabeth gaped at the scene before asking a question, but Sasha’s heart beat too loudly in her ears to understand it.

  “We worked together a while ago.”

  That was a vague answer, one that probably represented how much he hid his intentions and work from his mother. And then it clicked. Elizabeth’s last name was King. Somehow, her neurons hadn’t made the connection.
>
  With silver eyes on her, Sasha steadied herself. “I didn’t realize Elizabeth was your mother. We know each other through different humanitarian missions we’ve done together.”

  “So this is a friendly visit from a former coworker?”

  His question acted like a cold shower, full of suspicions. The man clearly didn’t want her there, close to his mother. Duly noted. But Elizabeth beat her to the explanation.

  “Sasha has agreed to a temporary assignment with the non-profit I’ve told you about. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  The smile he gave his mother was sincere but lacked warmth. “Indeed. Sasha is a wonderful doctor. You’re lucky to have her.”

  “The darling girl had only just stepped off her plane when I called her. I insisted that she stay here tonight. But maybe it would be an idea if she remained with me for the duration of her work. What do you think, Sasha?”

  She started shaking her head when Lazarus cut her off, his British accent sharp as ever. “That’s a wonderful idea, Mum. She should stay with you. There’s plenty of room, and you’ll have someone to go to and from work with.”

  Elizabeth kissed his cheek, but Sasha knew better. Lazarus surely had an ulterior motive with being so accommodating. Did the man want her to stay to keep his mother company? Or was it his usual control issues taking over?

  “My boy, don’t push her like that. Let her sleep on it. There’ll be plenty of time to talk about it tomorrow. Why don’t you move her luggage to the spare room while I clear up here? I’m sure Sasha is dreaming of a shower and well-deserved sleep.”

  Lazarus didn’t wait for her answer and grabbed her suitcases before going down the hallway. Sasha almost had to run to keep up.

  A guest room wasn’t an appropriate name for a suite with an en-suite bathroom, but that wasn’t Sasha’s main concern at that moment. Questions were accumulating way too fast to remain unanswered. Through Deva, she’d learned that Sam had brought Jamieson Finch to his knees, almost killing him, but the man had disappeared once more. No wonder Lazarus had been working non-stop to unearth that scum. Sasha had seen firsthand the damage Finch had done, the trail of blood he’d left. Most of all, it was the damage he’d done to his children and their mothers that was abominable. No wonder the eldest of all the brothers would never stop until the man was dead.

  Lazarus put her suitcases down by the wall before turning to her. All traces of the civility he’d shown his mother were nowhere to be seen. Up close she noticed extra worry lines around his eyes and maybe more strands of white in his dark mane and beard. But it was the tension and worry emanating from him that defused her annoyance. A little, at least.

  The tension between them was so thick it could be sliced with a knife. Sasha braced for the reproach she expected from him. Reprimands over her taking risks to protect her cousin or even his brothers, or maybe at her for leaving without a word the moment he’d recovered from his coma. From the moment they’d met, all she’d ever felt coming from him was annoyance and irritation—and the impression she was another inconvenience he had to deal with alongside all his other obligations. If not for his brothers, who supported him with incredible loyalty, as well as the way Lazarus cared so much about his family, Sasha never would’ve helped him to begin with. She had no doubt there was good in the man in there, even if it was a side she’d never had the privilege to see.

  Tired and with no intention of having that type of conversation at that time of night, Sasha was about to give him a piece of her mind to end the unpleasant encounter as soon as possible. After all, wasn’t it what he’d wanted from the start? To get rid of Sasha as fast as possible.

  However, her plan was thwarted when Lazarus stepped forward and plastered her against the wall with his big body. Breath fled her as she expected a show of power. Instead, his gaze softened on her face as his breath fanned her mouth. “And yet again, you’re stepping into my plan, in the middle of a dangerous situation. I swear you have a death wish, doctor. Reappearing like this? Only you have the power to flip my world upside down.”

  Stunned at his words, not understanding what he was talking about, Sasha opened her mouth, a million questions about to pour out, but Lazarus took her by surprise by taking her lips in an unexpected, soul-consuming kiss, one that fried her brilliant brain but also warned that danger didn’t only come from outside the walls.

  THE END

  King Bastard

  Thank you for reading DARK BASTARD! The story of Sam and Ellie was a difficult one, but also filled with hope and a deep will to believe that love is possible.

  Now, there is only one brother left, the one who has started this quest and needs to end it. Lazarus King knows that with the end of his father, may also come his own. Doctor Sasha Landry had been a distant witness of all the brothers hardships, but won’t allow Oz to lose himself with vengeance plan. Can the end bring them both the hope of a new beginning, or is death the only option? Enjoy the last chapter of the bastard brothers, with the story of Lazarus and Sasha in KING BASTARD!

  An enemy he had to defeat to save the one person who mattered.

  Lazarus King had risen from the dead, had chosen a new name, and was now ready for the greatest fight of all. He and his brothers had all but taken down their father, the monster who had destroyed so many lives, including his own.

  He was the oldest of all those bastard children and duty-bound to do what should have been done so many years ago. But how to catch a feral animal when it couldn’t be found?

  Oz had made sure everyone he cared about was protected, but he had left a blind spot: Sasha Landry. Until now, he had refused to acknowledge the attraction he felt for the fearless doctor as love only made you weaker.

  The experienced operative should have known better…

  One-click KING BASTARD now!

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  And don’t miss the brand-new release!

  Deadly Alliance

  “Deadly Alliance is an exciting Fortis/Purgatory crossover novel by Maddie Wade and India Kells. When I heard that two of my favourite authors had got together and written a crossover novel, there was no questions asked, it was a no-brainer, I just had to read it!!”

  “Deadly Alliance: A Fortis/Purgatory Crossover Novel, by Maddie Wade and India Kells, is the best of two romantic suspense series. Each of these series shine in this genre on their own, combined it creates a high thrill story full of drama, danger and some heavy romantic interludes.”

  Fortis and Purgatory are both exceptional covert agencies composed of deadly operatives. With the Atlantic Ocean between them, they never thought they would ever collaborate until a series of horrible murders force them to unite.

  As a former Navy SEAL, Shane Rhodes has suffered his share of tragedies but when his best friend’s little sister is murdered by a vicious serial killer, he takes it personally.

  Emme Wallace is the perfect bait; she is also young, innocent and skilled.

  With both their teams behind them, they go after a lethal shadow set on revenge.

  As danger brings them even closer, barriers are shattered and bonds formed until they realise that they are much stronger together than they are apart.

  But will their unique talents and skills be enough to survive a threat no one can see?

  One-click DEADLY ALLIANCE now!

  Here's an excerpt of DEADLY ALLIANCE

  “You are not taking this seriously! Do you even care if someone else dies because you did nothing?” Shane Rhodes slammed his fists onto his boss’ desk and wondered if the woman even heard him.

  A lifetime in the military, overcoming the most extreme situations, surviving brutal missions, had made him one of the finest operatives in the world but none of those things mattered when he faced Beatrice Dante. The slender pixie-sized woman was a powerhouse, running her organisation with ideas of her own and an unyielding iron will.

  He’d joined ‘Purgatory: Defend and Rescue’ less than a
year ago and thought it would be the best transition from active service to civilian life. And now, the infuriating red-haired woman was making him doubt his decision.

  As he paced the area, Shane refrained from rolling his eyes. Who held a serious discussion in a warehouse with boxes piled up to the ceiling, mismatched chairs, creepy old dolls stacked on various shelves, and was that—? “Why are we here? And are those camouflaged-coloured sex toys in those boxes?” Incredulous, Shane didn’t dare approach them.

  Set up in a small but functional corner office, Beatrice leaned back in her chair and sighed at his impatient words. The woman looked way younger than she was in years. At least according to the information he’d gathered on her. When she’d first approached him with the possibility of working for her organisation, he was dubious, but her reputation preceded her, hell, it was a few miles ahead!

  “To answer your questions in no particular order—we met here because it’s a practical place that I own and is bug-free. And more people are supposed to join us. Second, don’t touch the dildos because you may have a nasty surprise and third, I’m taking what you told me very seriously.”

  “Is that so? Women are dying and here we are in the middle of nowhere doing nothing.”

  Ever so slowly, Beatrice came around the desk and crossed her arms. For a brief instant, the memory of Mrs Hannison, his fourth-grade teacher, popped into his head, making him even more impatient. “Would you prefer we start running around like headless hens? I know this situation affects you the most…”

  “Affects me?” Those words sounded very tame in his ears. Worse, it spread unimaginable pain through his chest. “Nicholas is my best friend, and his little sister, a woman I’ve known all my life, was killed! Strangled to death. The madman even sliced her skin. Fuck yeah, it affects me.” Shane knew he was losing control; it was so unlike him, he barely recognised his reaction.