by L. J. Woods
Flipping through, he was right. He has a shit ton of cards. Black. Platinum. His student ID is the last thing I see before a baggie sticks out of the fold with layers and layers of bills. Bingo. When I reach for it, I gasp, the wallet dropping out of my hands.
What the fuck? Did I just …?
Crouching to pick up his wallet, I pull out the thing that startles me. A folded polaroid isn’t usually scary but the watch on the man’s hand is the same one on my wrist. My brows furrow, unfolding it to see Rosaline King with her gaze on my father. The picture is faded but the message is clear.
Damien’s mom knew my dad.
And now they’re both dead.
Did Damien know my dad? How long has he had this?
I’m shaking when my phone vibrates on the counter, the photo falling to the floor from my startled jump. I’m in a daze when I look at the phone, Willow’s name lighting up the screen. It shocks me out of my confusion.Tapping the red button, I’m closing my eyes and praying she’s just lost.
“Willow? Where are you?” I ask, my voice shaky and weak. “We’ve been looking for you ev—”
“Jo!” Damien’s voice crackles through the phone. It’s croaky and faint. Just like that morning. “Jo?”
“D-Damien?” Why does he sound so distant? So … hurt? “Are you okay?”
No answer and I can’t make out anything in the background, any audio coming in and out is like a bad radio signal.
“Where are you? Where’s Willow?” My questions fire off, hoping he can hear any of them, my skin prickling with both chills and heat. “Damien?”
“It’s—” His voice comes in again but he stops to cough and it’s like he can’t speak. My stomach is in knots and I’m about to throw up. Squeezing my eyes shut I take a deep breath, waiting for an answer.
I need to know they’re okay. They have to be okay.
“It’s Marion.” Damien finally gets his words out but it’s a hoarse whisper.
“Marion?” I’m trying to make sense of this before I hear sniffles. Like crying. A snort. Another sniffle. My heart stops when I recognize that pattern.
“Damien, where are you? Are you with Willow?”
“We’re fucked, Jo,” Damien’s words are hard to hear but what I do hear makes my heart almost explode. I’m clutching onto the table, my nails scratching against it, my chest feeling like I’m about to have a heart attack.
What does he mean ‘they’re fucked’?
I can’t lose them.
My throat tightens like it’s closing in, the room darkening around me. “Damien? What the fuck is going on? Answer me!” I’m gripping the phone, praying this isn’t as dangerous as the image my mind is painting. I’m losing my voice when I plead, “Please … ”
“Jo, I—” I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to finish. “I love you.”
The call ends.
What? No!
“Damien?” I’m screaming into the phone, dialling back, but it’s no use. “Damien!”
To Be Continued …
What’s Next?
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PAWN is the third and final book in the Elite Royal Series and I can’t wait for you to read it!
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About the Author
L.J. Woods is an author of young adult and new adult contemporary dark romance. Her delicious full-length novels feature fierce heroines and irresistible bad boy anti-heroes. With a focus on themes that include enemies-to-lovers, sports, bullying and suspense, Books by Woods will leave you gripping to your Kindle.
Also by L.J. Woods
Love possessive, brutal anti-heroes? How about some fierce and sexy heroines? Me too! Check out more of my books below!
KING
Book One in the Elite Royal Academy Series.
He’s untouchable. Or so he thought.
He might be the King but I won’t be his pawn.
—
Eden - the other side of the tracks full of elite hacks.
This town is as high-class as he is but it’s far from a garden.
Too many thorns. Way too many pricks.
The Academy alone has plenty of snakes, all serving one god.
Damien King. The devil himself.
He’s as seductive as his smirk. A sinful delight.
And I should know better than to eat from this fruit.
He wants to break me. Humiliate me. Make me buckle under his power.
But I’m not an easy target so now I’m his biggest enemy.
The leaders of the pack think they’re in charge, and I’ll play their game.
Damien has Isaac and Christian - other royals in his kingdom,
but I’ve got guts and I’m not afraid to play dirty.
Secrets sit behind that heart-pounding gaze and I’m going to use them.
Time’s up class-holes.
Checkmate.
—
KING is a full-length 85,000-word new adult/high school bully romance novel with mature themes. This enemies-to-lovers romance is recommended for readers over 18. This is NOT a standalone but if you’re a fan of alpha possessive bad boys, this book is for you!
Read it now.