Animal: A Prisoned Spinoff Standalone
Page 27
It all gave me a headache.
I just wanted to go inside, give Demon a quick pat, head to the OR, and gut that fucking cunt Mina or Layla or whatever her name was.
Her blood was calling me.
I wanted it on my fingers. On my face. I wanted to drop my cum in a big pool of red.
But no, I was sitting on a wet beach, soaked, playing babysitter to a kid who was probably shitting on me.
Dad nodded.
I nodded back and turned toward the water again.
“What do you think of this place?” I asked the brat. “You think you’ll like it here?”
He didn’t answer. He just made some funny sounds.
That was probably a good thing.
If the kid had heard the conversation Tyler had with my dad and me, he’d be repeating it to everyone. We couldn’t have that.
But I wondered how long it would take until the truth came out.
I’d kept a lot of shit from my best friend, things that would cause him to find a knife and slit my throat if he found out, but I had no fucking idea how I was going to hide this secret.
“That bearded man up there thinks he’s your daddy.” I stared at the ocean, wondering how much longer this place would be our home. “He’d be real mad if he found out your daddy was really me.” I shifted him in my arms. His diaper was all wet, making him even heavier. “So, we’re going to keep this as our little secret and try not to let that hairy man find out. Got it?”
The kid giggled again.
Hell, I did, too.
I had a fucking son, and I found that shit real funny.
Jovana Shirley, you’re just incredible in every way. Everything you’ve done for this book, the things I constantly learn from you, your ability to see past my mess and know just what I’m trying to say, and the way you transform it all into a beautiful masterpiece—I’m just so very grateful for you. XO
Letitia Hasser, you are such a treasure to work with, and your talent blows my mind. Thank you for giving this book such a gorgeous face, for putting up with Julie and me (ha-ha!), and for always being so sweet.
Judy Zweifel, you’re awesome, lady, and you’re a blast to work with. Thanks for everything you did for this book and for squeezing me in. It’s so, so appreciated.
Linda Russell, thank you for all your hard work, for dealing with my needy ass (lol), for every sweet message, and for always being there. Your support means the world to me. XO
Kimmi Street, this goes far beyond everything you did for Animal, which is immeasurable, and it wouldn’t have been the same book without you. This is something that words just can’t define. It’s a love and admiration and a level of understanding that just exists between us. You are the most amazing friend and the most incredible human, and I love you doesn’t even dent the surface of how I feel about you.
Julie Healey-Vaden, you’re my spirit animal, my calmness, and my bossy pants. When I can’t take another step, you’re always there to motivate me, inspire me. You encourage me to listen to my gut and always stay true to it. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. Love you.
Donna Cooksley Sanderson, you put so much time and love into all my books, and Animal is no exception. Thank you for every word of encouragement, for every curse you shouted my way (hehe), and for being such a wonderful friend. XX
Sunny Borek, Beard is yours. Always. Love you hard, girl. XO
Gia Riley, you, my friend, are amazing. In every way. Chomp, chomp.
Ricky G, my soul sister, I don’t know where you’ve been my whole life, but now that you’re here, I’m never letting you go. Love your face.
Jennifer Michael, you were there for me when I needed you most. I will never, ever forget that. <3
Stacey Jacovina, Animal exists because of you. You’re my everything. My person. My warrior. XO
Special love goes to Jordan Marie, Elizabeth Kelley, Carol Nevarez, my group of Florida bloggers and readers who I love more than anything, Jesse James, Jennifer Porpora, Rose HL, Melissa Mann, Heather Hawley, Katie Kinnetz, Katie Amanatidis, and my COPA ladies. I’m so grateful for all of you.
Mom and Dad, thanks for your unwavering belief in me and your constant encouragement. It means more than you’ll ever know.
Brian, my words could never even dent the amount of love you give me. Trust me when I say, I love you even more.
My Midnighters, you are such a supportive, loving, motivating group. Thanks for being such an inspiration, for holding my hand when I need it, and for always begging for more words. I love you all.
To all the bloggers who read, review, share, post, tweet, Instagram—Thank you, thank you, thank you will never be enough. You do so much for our writing community, and we’re so appreciative.
To my readers, I cherish each and every one of you. I’m so grateful for all the love you show my books, for taking the time to reach out to me, for your passion and enthusiasm. I love, love, love you all.
Reviews mean the world to authors, and they are the most powerful way to help other readers learn about my work. If you enjoyed Animal, I would absolutely love it if you left an honest review. Even if it’s short, as little as a few sentences, it still helps so much.
Getting to know my readers is one of my favorite parts about being an author. In Marni’s Midnighters, my private Facebook group, we chat about steamy books, sexy taboo toys, and sensual book boyfriends. Team members also qualify for exclusive giveaways and are the first to receive sneak peeks of the projects I’m currently working on. To join Marni’s Midnighters, click HERE.
Best-selling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions.
A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their two dogs. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.
Want to get in touch? Visit Marni at…
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
MarniMannBooks@gmail.com
Would you like to qualify for exclusive giveaways, be notified of new releases, and read free excerpts of my latest work? Then, sign up for my newsletter. I promise not to spam you. Click HERE to sign up.
ALSO BY MARNI MANN
STAND-ALONE NOVELS
Prisoned (Dark Erotic Thriller)
Drowning (Contemporary Romance)
Wild Aces (Erotic Romance)
The Unblocked Collection (Erotica)
Pulled Beneath (New Adult)
Pulled Within (New Adult)
SERIES
Seductive Shadows - Book One (Erotica)
Seductive Secrecy - Book Two (Erotica)
Memoirs Aren’t Fairytales - Book One (Dark Fiction)
Scars from a Memoir - Book Two (Dark Fiction)