by Rose, Renee
“Very well,” Lucius bows to her. She curtsies in return, and I roll my eyes. Stupid leeches, always going for this old-fashioned bullshit. I can tell the vampire king is eating it up, though, and step closer to Sheridan.
Lucius makes a show about glancing at the horizon. “Perhaps we can be about our business then. Dawn is close.”
“Yeah,” I mutter under my breath. “Wouldn’t want you to end up fried.”
Sheridan elbows me in the side as she moves to her Mercedes.
“We have something of yours.” Sheridan motions towards the trunk and waits for the vampire king to nod permission. Slowly, she pops it and steps away. Lucius takes two steps forward, angling his head. His face goes ultra blank when he sees what’s inside.
“Ah. Yes, that does belong to me. Tell me, wolf, how does my child end up in your trunk with a wooden stake in his chest?”
“He was stalking me,” Sheridan tells him. “He came to my house and tried to get in. Confessed to leaving the body on Fight Club’s doorstep. Something about ‘keeping the old ways’ and showing the world what real vampires are like. He and his vampire ‘brethren.’” She raises her index fingers and wiggles them at the word ‘brethren.’ Lucius’ face turns scary as Sheridan continues. “Anyhoo, I shot him and staked him, but only halfway. I figured you’d want to deal with him yourself.”
I hold my breath as Frangelico studies my girl, her car, and his fallen lieutenant. Now we see if he’ll enforce his own rules.
The smile that breaks out on Lucius’ face makes me shiver. “Why, thank you, my dear. It is so nice to meet a wolf who respects a treaty.” He motions to his bodyguards and they lumber forward, dragging the unconscious vampire out of the trunk and behind the building. They don’t bother to be gentle.
“Poor Nero. So passionate and promising. I will have to punish him. And get to the bottom of this little coup.” Lucius touches his tongue to his fangs. He doesn’t look upset at all.
“I’ll let my alpha know the treaty still stands,” I say, and tug Sheridan’s arm. Time to go, before the vampire decides he is angry after all, and wants to punish more than just Nero.
Before she can turn and follow me, Lucius says, “I’ve always loved she-wolves.”
I whirl with an insult ready, but Sheridan stops me with a hand on my chest. “I got this,” she tells me sweetly.
She smiles at the vampire, showing her fangs. “Careful. While we do appreciate your willingness to liaise with us, we don’t always like vampires, and we’re not interested in playing victim. I wouldn’t want you to end up with your head cut off because you looked at a she-wolf the wrong way.”
I stiffen, ready to fight. Sheridan just insulted a vampire king with a not-so-subtle threat.
Lucius Frangelico tosses back his head and laughs. We watch the pale column of his throat work, frozen in horror. Vampire laughter is the scariest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.
“Lovely,” the leech says, shaking his head with glee. “Just lovely. Go now before I decide to keep you.”
* * *
Trey
Instead of driving home, I head for Gates Pass and cruise up to a scenic overlook. Day breaks, and for a while we don’t speak, just watch the light and color unfurl over the valley. Sheridan slips her hand into mine. Fuck, this could’ve all gone down so much worse. But for now, I have my lady within reach and another beautiful day on the horizon.
Her hand strokes my hair. I capture it and nip her fingers until she laughs.
“We did it,” she sighs, her outrageous dress rustling around her.
“You did.” I kiss her fingers. “Liaise? Let me guess—word of the day calendar?” Her smile is not only enough of an answer, it has my cock twitching.
Yeah, I want to tip her over the hood of the car and fuck her, dress and all, but we’ve both been through a lot. First I want to watch the sunrise with my baby, get her soft and sweet. Then I can tie her to the bed and give her orgasms until she agrees to never leave me.
“Club will open soon,” I comment. “Cops have no reason to keep it closed, now.”
“Good. I have big plans for it.”
My head is so caught up with whips and chains and what type of rope would be best on her soft wrists that I have to rewind her words until I hear them properly. Then I rewind them again. “Excuse me?”
She wrinkles her nose. “You heard me. The concept is good, but you have a long way to go in execution. Fight Club could be awesome and legit, if we just implement a few safeguards.”
I lean back against my seat, stunned. “So you’re staying?”
She blinks at me a few times. “Well, Garrett says I can only stay if you sponsor me.” She bats her eyes at me. “So what do you say?”
I grin so wide my face hurts. “You sure?”
She shrugs. “I never fit in with the Wolf Ridge pack. Just did a good job of faking it.” She crawls into my lap, big dress and all. My arms close around her like she was made to be here. “With you, I don’t have to fake it.”
“Damn right.”
She chuckles. “You okay with me being here?”
“Oh yeah.” My arms tighten around her. “Now I don’t have to go with my other plan to get you to stay.”
“What plan?”
“Not gonna tell you. I might need it later, if you change your mind.”
“I’ve made my decision. I’m not going to change my mind.”
“Well, then I want to surprise you later.” I slide my hand over the gown’s tight bodice. “But it involves that collar and leash and ball gag, if you must know.”
She giggles. “Awesome.” She cuddles closer, tucking her head under my chin.
“So you want to work for Fight Club?”
“I already am.” She snuggles back into me and it takes me a moment to remember what we were talking about. “I’m going to take over the books and operations, but I can’t stop serving behind the bar. At least, until I teach Luka to make change. You need me.”
“Damn right,” I murmur, liking the feel of her in my arms. “I think I’ll like being your boss.”
“Boss? No. I have a business and marketing degree and an MBA. I’ll be your boss.” She pushes up and meets my gaze fiercely.
“You serious?”
“Fuck yes,” she replies and despite myself I grin.
“You’re cute when you swear. Say it again.”
“No.” She settles back in my lap with a sigh.
“I bet I can get you to say it again,” I promise darkly.
She chuckles. “I look forward to having you try.”
* * *
Sheridan
The light slants across Trey’s face, gilding his features. I sigh a happy sigh. I don’t know what I’m more grateful to him for; helping me secure peace with the vampires, or getting me to stand up to my dad. Now I get sunrises and sunsets and all the hours in between with him. He’s my reward.
“Can we stop by the club first? I need to take some measurements.” When he blinks at me, I continue, “For the new layout I’m going to design. Don’t worry, we won’t implement all the changes at once. We’ll start with little upgrades the clients will appreciate. First is a new parking lot—I’m calling contractors tomorrow.”
“Fuck me,” Trey groans.
“Oh, that’s also on the agenda. If you’re good, and no one’s around, you can do me in the club, up against the chain link fence.”
He freezes, then grips my breast, hard. “Is that a promise?”
“Work hard, play hard.”
“Come on,” he growls. “I want to see what sort of sexy get up you got on under this dress.”
“Okay.” I grin at him and put my hand on his thigh as he puts my car in gear. I can’t resist, but I wait until he’s about to turn back onto the road before leaning close to whisper in his ear, “I’m not wearing anything.”
The End
Thank you for reading Alpha’s Bane—we hope you loved it! If you did, please consider leaving a review—they help
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Want more? Grizz’ story is next— find out what his secret is, and what the vampires have on him that made him betray his own kind. Make sure you’re on Renee or Lee’s newsletter so you get the word when Alpha’s Secret releases.
Author’s Note
A huge thank you to the people who make this series possible: Aubrey Cara, the best beta reader on Earth, and Maggie Ryan, our fabulous editor!
Lee Savino Goddesses and Renee’s Romper Roomies—you bring us such joy!
And of course everyone who’s read and reviewed the series thus far. We appreciate you! Stay tuned for Grizz’ story. We’re not telling who his mate will be, but hint: you’ve met her before!
XOXO
Renee & Lee
Alpha’s Temptation (Bad Boy Alphas, Book 1)
Read now
MINE TO PROTECT. MINE TO PUNISH. MINE.
I'm a lone wolf, and I like it that way. Banished from my birth pack after a bloodbath, I never wanted a mate.
Then I meet Kylie. My temptation. We're trapped in an elevator together, and her panic almost makes her pass out in my arms. She's strong, but broken. And she's hiding something.
My wolf wants to claim her. But she's human, and her delicate flesh won't survive a wolf's mark.
I'm too dangerous. I should stay away. But when I discover she's the hacker who nearly took down my company, I demand she submit to my punishment. And she will.
Kylie belongs to me.
Alpha’s Danger (Bad Boy Alphas, Book 2)
“YOU BROKE THE RULES, LITTLE HUMAN. I OWN YOU NOW.”
I am an alpha wolf, one of the youngest in the States. I can pick any she-wolf in the pack for a mate. So why am I sniffing around the sexy human attorney next door? The minute I catch Amber’s sweet scent, my wolf wants to claim her.
Hanging around is a bad idea, but I don’t play by the rules. Amber acts all prim and proper, but she has a secret, too. She may not want her psychic abilities, but they’re a gift.
I should let her go, but the way she fights me only makes me want her more. When she learns what I am, there’s no escape for her. She’s in my world, whether she likes it or not. I need her to use her gifts to help recover my missing sister—and I won’t take no for an answer.
She’s mine now.
READ NOW
Alpha’s Prize (Bad Boy Alphas, Book 3)
MY CAPTIVE. MY MATE. MY PRIZE.
I didn't order the capture of the beautiful American she-wolf. I didn't buy her from the traffickers. I didn't even plan to claim her. But no male shifter could have withstood the test of a full moon and a locked room with Sedona, naked and shackled to the bed.
I lost control, not only claiming her, but also marking her, and leaving her pregnant with my wolfpup. I won't keep her prisoner, as much as I'd like to. I allow her to escape to the safety of her brother's pack.
But once marked, no she-wolf is ever really free. I will follow her to the ends of the Earth, if I must.
Sedona belongs to me.
Read Now
Alpha’s Challenge (Bad Boy Alphas, Book 4)
HOW TO DATE A WEREWOLF:
#1 Never call him ‘Good Doggie.’
I’ve got a problem. A big, hairy problem. An enforcer from the Werewolves Motorcycle Club broke into my house. He thinks I know the Werewolves’ secret, and the pack sent him to guard me.
#2 During a full moon, be ready to get freaky
By the time he decides I’m no threat, it’s too late. His wolf has claimed me for his mate.
Too bad we can’t stand each other…
# 3 Bad girls get eaten in the bedroom
...until instincts take over. Things get wild. Naked under the full moon, this wolfman has me howling for more.
# 4 Break ups are hairy
Not even a visit from the mob, my abusive ex, my crazy mother and a road trip across the state in a hippie VW bus can shake him.
#5 Beware the mating bite
Because there’s no running from a wolf when he decides you’re his mate.
Read Now
Alpha’s Obsession (Bad Boy Alpha’s Book 5)
A werewolf, an owl shifter, and a scientist walk into a bar…
Sam
I was born in a lab, fostered out to humans, then tortured in a cage. Fate allowed me to escape, and I know why.
To balance the scales of justice. Right the misdeeds of the harvesters.
Nothing matters but taking down the man who made me what I am: A monster driven by revenge, whatever the cost.
Then I meet Layne. She thinks I’m a hero.
But she doesn’t understand—If I don’t follow this darkness to its end, it will consume me.
Layne
I’ve spent my life in the lab, researching the cure for the disease that killed my mom. No late nights out, no dates, definitely no boyfriend.
Then Sam breaks into my lab, steals my research, and kidnaps me. He’s damaged. Crazy. And definitely not human.
He and his friends are on a mission to stop the company that’s been torturing shifters, and now I’m a part of it.
Sam promises to protect me. And when he touches me, I feel reborn. But he’s hellbent on revenge. He won’t give it up.
Not even for me.
Read Now
Alpha’s Desire (Bad Boy Alpha’s Book 6)
She’s the one girl this player can’t have. A human.
I’m dying to claim the redhead who lights up the club every Saturday night.
I want to pull her into the storeroom and make her scream, but it wouldn’t be right.
She’s too pure. Too fresh. Too passionate.
Too human.
When she learns my secret, my alpha orders me to wipe her memories.
But I won’t do it.
Still, I’m not mate material—I can’t mark her and bring her into the pack.
What in the hell am I going to do with her?
Read Now
Alpha’s War (Bad Boy Alpha’s Book 7)
I marked you. You belong to me.
Nash
I’ve survived suicide missions in war zones. Shifter prison labs. The worst torture imaginable. Nothing knocked me off my feet... until the beautiful lioness they threw in my cage. We shared one night before our captors ripped us apart.
Now I’m free, and my lion is going insane. He’ll destroy me from the inside out if I don’t find my mate.
I don’t know who she is. I don’t know where she lives. All I have is a video of her. But I’ll die if I don’t find her, and make her mine.
I’m coming for you, Denali.
Denali
They took me from my home, they killed my pride, they locked me up and forced me to breed. They took everything from me and still I survived.
But one night with a lion shifter destroyed me. Nash took the one thing my captors couldn’t touch—my heart.
Somehow I escaped, and live in fear that they will come for me. It’s killing my lioness, but I’ve got to hide—even from Nash. I’ve got to protect the one thing I have left to lose.
Our cub.
Read Now
Alpha’s Mission
Bad Boy Alpha’s Book 8
THE MONSTER WANTS HER. HE WON’T BE DENIED.
I've become a monster.
I hear blood moving in people’s veins. Scent their emotions.
I want to feed. To hunt. To mate...
I'm no longer a human--my life is over.
I've left everyone I love. I've gone rogue from the CIA.
My only hope is my handler.
Annabel gray is tough enough to face my monster. If I lose control, she won't hesitate to take me out. But I'm not the only predator out there. Someone's hunting Annabel.
She needs my protection.
But if I don’t get my animal under control,
I may be her biggest threat yet.
Read now: Alpha’s Mission
About Renee Rose
USA TODAY
BESTSELLING AUTHOR RENEE ROSE is a naughty wordsmith who writes kinky romance novels. Named Eroticon USA’s Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, she has also won The Romance Reviews Best Historical Romance, and Spanking Romance Reviews’ Best Historical, Best Erotic, Best Ageplay and favorite author. She’s hit #1 on Amazon in the Erotic Paranormal, Western and Sci-fi categories. She also pens BDSM stories under the name Darling Adams.
Renee loves to connect with readers! Please visit her on:
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King of Diamonds - A Dark Mafia Romance Excerpt
Want more? Check out Renee Rose’s steamy new mafia series, Vegas Underground….
I grab the vacuum and head back into the bedroom. When I finish, I hear male voices in the living room.
“Hope you can get some sleep, Nico. How long’s it been?” one of the voices asked.
“Forty-eight hours. Fucking insomnia.”
“G’luck, see you later.” A door clicks shut.
My heart immediately beats a little faster with excitement or nerves. Yes—I’m a fool. Later, I would realize my mistake in not marching right out and introducing myself, but Marissa has me nervous about the Tacones and I freeze up. The cart stands out in the living room, though. I decide to go into the bathroom and clean everything I can without getting fresh supplies. Finally, I give up, square my shoulders and head out.