The Enigma
Unlawful Men Book 2
Jodi Ellen Malpas
Copyright
Copyright © Jodi Ellen Malpas 2021
All rights reserved.
First published in 2021 by Jodi Ellen Malpas
ISBN Ebook - 978-1-7360572-3-0
The moral right of Jodi Ellen Malpas to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Jodi Ellen Malpas. All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Editing by - Marion Archer
Proofing by - Karen Lawson
Cover design by – Hang Le
Photographer - Cory Stierly
Model - Mitch Wick
Photograph Licensed by - The Cover Lab, LLC
Praise for Jodi Ellen Malpas
“Malpas’s sexy love scenes scorch the page, and her sensitive, multilayered hero and heroine will easily capture readers’ hearts. A taut plot and a first-rate lineup of supporting characters make this a keeper.” —Publishers Weekly on Gentleman Sinner
“A magnetic mutual attraction, a superalpha, and long-buried scars that are healed by love. Theo is irresistible.” —Booklist on Gentleman Sinner
“Filled with raw emotions that ranged from the deepest rage to utter elation, Jodi Ellen Malpas wove together an incredible must-read tale that fans will certainly embrace.” —Harlequin Junkie on Gentleman Sinner
"The characters are realistic and relatable and the tension ratchets up to an explosive conclusion. For anyone who enjoys Sleeping with the Enemy-style stories, this is a perfect choice."―Library Journal on Leave Me Breathless
“The Controversial Princess, told from Adeline’s POV, is thick on plot, rich in character development with Kindle-melting sex and the perfect blend of twists and turns, shockers and villains!” —SueBee, Goodreads Reviewer
“The Controversial Princess is an all-consuming, scorching hot, modern royal romance with twists, turns and a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger that will leave you begging for more.” —Mary Dube, USA Today HEA
“The Controversial Princess provided us with the romance our hearts needed, the passion our hearts craved, with jaw dropping twists and turns that kept us guessing and eagerly flipping the pages.” —TotallyBooked Blog
“A brave, cutting-edge romance…This is a worthwhile read.” —Library Journal on The Forbidden
“Unpredictable and addictive.”—Booklist on The Forbidden
“The Forbidden proves that Jodi Ellen Malpas is not only one of the romance genre’s most talented authors, but also one of the bravest. In this raw and honest portrayal of forbidden love, Jodi delivers a sexy and passionate love story with characters to root for. The Forbidden is easily my favorite read of 2017!”—Shelly Bell, author of At His Mercy, on The Forbidden
“The Forbidden is a gut-wrenching tale full of passion, angst, and heart! Not to be missed!”
—Harlequin Junkie on The Forbidden
“Every kiss, every sexy scene, every word between this pair owned a piece of my soul. I could read this book a hundred times and still react as if it was the first time. The Protector is a top 2016 fave for me.” —Audrey Carlan, #1 bestselling author of The Calendar Girl series on The Protector
“4.5 stars. Top Pick. Readers will love this book from the very beginning! The characters are so real and flawed that fans feel as if they’re alongside them. Malpas’ writing is also spot-on with emotions.”—RT Book Reviews on The Protector
“With This Man took this already epic love story to a whole new, unthinkable height of brilliance.” – Gi’s Spot Reviews
“Super steamy and emotionally intense.” –The Library Journal on With This Man
"Jodi Ellen Malpas delivers a new heart-wrenching, addicting read."—RT Book Reviews on With This Man
“We really don’t have enough words nor accolades for this book! It had everything and MORE with added ghosts from the past as well as a surprising suspense. But mostly, it was about a love that proves it can conquer anything and everything placed in its way. A beautiful addition to one of our favourite series!”—TotallyBooked Blog on With This Man
Dedication
To everyone who read The Brit and told me to write more dark romance . . .
Thank you.
JEM x
Contents
Prologue - Part One
Prologue - Part Two
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Epilogue
About Jodi Ellen Malpas
Also by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Prologue - Part One
Miami – Two Years Ago
JAMES
Darkness isn’t what it used to be. Not to me. It’s too much of a regular in my life now. Every day, dark. Every thought, dark. Every action, dark. It used to be scary. Unwelcomed.
Now, I am the dark.
And before me, a dark river. Blackness. Not even the moonlight is illuminating it, the dense clouds blocking any chance of light.
I stand on the edge, staring across the still water, waiting for the adrenalin to subside. For my shakes to leave. For my mind to clear.
Calm.
I need calm before I end a man’s life. I need to be stable. Composed.
Seen.
I reach up and pull off my balaclava, breathing in the chilly nighttime air and filling my lungs with something clean. The banging coming from the car is starting to irritate the shit out of me. I look over my shoulder. “Shut the fuck up,” I growl, my jaw in spasm. I should find his pleas for mercy humorous. He actually thinks I might change my mind. That his dribbling, pitiful pray
ers might alter his fate. Unlucky for him, it only fuels my rage. Changing his fate is about as likely as bringing me back into the light.
Zero possibility.
I take one last drag of my cigarette and flick it into the river before turning and pacing back to the car. I yank open the door. My victim stills, halting his squirming across the back seat. The bag over his head starts to inflate and deflate from the force of his heavy breathing. “Time to die,” I whisper, grabbing his arm and manhandling him out onto the gravel.
“No, no, please! Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.” Even his Irish accent grates on me, and I used to be a sucker for an Irish lilt. Now, people simply talking aggravates me, because no one in this world seems to have anything useful to say. No truths. Only lies.
I crouch down before him, where he’s squirming on his front, rubbing into the cutting stones, his hands bound. I tug off the bag, and he stills, blinking into the ground.
He can’t see me. And that won’t do.
I rise and push my boot into his side, forcing him to his back. He looks up at me, fear imbedded into every pore of his pitted face, his eyes wide. “Who are you? Who sent you?” he blabbers.
I pull a blade out of my pocket and slowly turn it, catching the moonlight, making it sparkle prettily. I look up. The clouds have floated past, revealing the moon. Perfect timing. Seen. “No one sent me.” I crouch again, my eyes refocused on the blade. “And who I am is irrelevant.” I turn my stare onto him. “You’re still going to die.” I flick the knife out accurately, slicing across his mouth, so that when he squeals in pain, his cheeks rip. The piercing, blood-curdling sound goes straight through me. Inflames the anger more.
I pull out my gun and casually attach the silencer, taking my time while my prey writhes and wails in the dust and dirt, begging for mercy. There will be no mercy. Not for me, and not for him. I push it into his groin.
“No, please!” he screams, blood pouring from his mouth.
“You want to know who I am?” I ask, and he stills for a moment. “No one knows who I am.”
Realization finds him. “No.”
“Yes.” I slowly squeeze the trigger and the whoosh of the bullet leaving the chamber brings a smile to my face, as does his scream.
“Enough, Kel.”
I look over my shoulder, seeing the shadow of one of the only people I like. “Come to spoil my fun?”
“Finish it.”
I sigh, swapping my pistol for my blade. “Fine.” And I drag it slowly across his throat. Deep. Straight.
Dead.
And then I cut out his tongue before rising, using the bag from his head to wipe the knife clean. I pat his pockets down and pull out a burner phone, tossing it to Goldie. “Get into it,” I say, grabbing my victim’s legs and dragging him to the edge of the river. I nudge him in with my boot, the sound of his body hitting the water echoing in the nighttime air. I watch him sink. “I feel much better,” I say to the water.
“As always, I’m happy for you.”
Yes, I feel better, but we both know I need more than the kill. The peace. The satisfaction. I pull out my phone and send a message to Beth, organizing the rest of my evening. “I’ll need some privacy,” I say, stalking away, the thrill of my recent kill fading fast. I look up to the sky. The clouds are back. The moonlight blocked.
Familiar.
I’ve spent so much time in darkness, I have become the darkness.
I arrive back at my apartment and light the candles around my desk before taking my chair and resting back, breathing in and out, calm and controlled. My heart is steady again. Slow enough for me not to be able to feel the beats.
I need to feel the beats.
“Where the fuck is she?” I mutter as I rest my elbows on the edge of the glass and stare at one of the flickering flames, mesmerized by the tiny blaze. My hand extends of its own volition, and I hover above the small fire, feeling the instant, intense heat.
I stare.
I feel.
Ding!
I snatch my hand away and look up at my office door, hearing the familiar sound of heels clinking the floor. I blow out the candles and make my way to the stairs, coming to a stop at the top. I see Beth down below, helping herself to some water.
I observe her, wondering what makes her tick. I know why I do what I do. I do it because I’m invisible in every aspect of my life. And this? I’m seen.
“I’ll be in the shower,” I say, and she looks up. “Join me in ten minutes.” I leave to go wash off my kill and get ready for more relief.
But first . . .
I go back to my office and collect a phone from the drawer, dialing FBI Agent Jaz Hayley as I perch on the edge of my desk. She answers quickly. Always does. “You’ll find one in the river,” I say coolly. “I believe they call him The Snake.”
“For fuck’s sake,” she breathes. “You need to stop.”
“Never.”
“Then I’ll stop you.”
“Don’t make me kill you, Jaz,” I warn. “I’m beginning to like you.” I switch on the bank of TVs on the wall and scroll through the faces of dozens of men. I imagine Jaz Hayley has a similar list, except hers will have a special place on it for me. Probably at the top. Such a shame she doesn’t know my name. What I look like.
Who I am.
“Fuck you,” she hisses.
I smile. “What are your plans for tonight?”
A light laugh indicates how exasperating she finds me. Frustrating. “Decorating my new place with my daughter. Picking out bridesmaids’ dresses for her wedding. But you already know that, don’t you?”
“She’s getting married,” I muse, as if I didn’t actually know that. “You’ll want to be around to see that.”
“Don’t threaten me,” she warns, and my small smile widens. “James,” she adds casually.
My amusement vanishes in a heartbeat at the mention of my name. Or, at least, one of them. What the fuck? And how the fuck? I know this woman is a talented FBI agent. She aced her tests and powered up the ranks. But she’s not a fucking clairvoyant.
“James Kelly.” She adds my surname for extra punch, to ensure I know she’s not fucking about.
“I prefer The Enigma,” I say quietly.
“Or Kellen James?”
I can’t conceal my inhale. And I can’t ask how she knows. I refuse to give her that much satisfaction when she details the journey to her discovery. But, fuck, how the fuck does she know?
“Won’t your ego allow you to ask?” she says, knowing what I’m thinking. She always does. It’s that sixth fucking sense. Jaz Hayley moving into Miami from New York City has been more than a pain in my arse. “Let me walk you through it,” she goes on. “So I got to thinking, who could want to get to The Bear so desperately? Who could want to fuck with him, kill his men? Kill him? A fellow trafficker? No. This just feels a little more like revenge. So I started digging a bit deeper.”
“I see where you’re going with this.”
“Impressed? I mean, I’m impressed with myself. My digging took me all the way to London, James. It took me to the estate where Spencer James’s family was burned alive. All presumed dead. But what if one survived? Not the showman that was Spencer James, you sound too young, but maybe one of his offspring? Who could want revenge more than one of them?” She laughs a little, satisfied, and my teeth grate. “You’re his son, and you want to kill The Bear because he wiped out your family,” she adds, and I flinch. “Shame no one knows who The Bear is.”
“I’ll find out.”
She hums. “I’ll keep this information as security along with a few other things, if you know what I mean.”
A few other things? Like? I refuse to ask. I know exactly what she means. She’s going to make a rat out of me. “What are you saying, Agent Hayley?”
“I’m saying you’re cornered.”
My blood simmers with a rage that’s dangerous. Cornered. I can’t be at someone’s mercy like that. “Stay safe, Agent Hayle
y,” I grate in warning, hanging up, my fist clenching around the phone. “Fuck!” I throw it with enough power to shatter the glass door of my office.
Prologue - Part Two
Miami – Two Years Ago
BEAU
I push my way out of the station and take in the clean air as I hold the wall, leaning down to pull off my boots. My feet are screaming, my head ringing after a twelve-hour shift. I look up and down the street, searching for Mom. Whatever possessed me to agree to her painting party tonight, I’ll never know.
Once my feet are free from the constraints of my boots, I perch on the wall and pull out my phone, calling Ollie. It goes straight to voicemail, and I peek down at my watch, checking the time. He’s already started his shift. “Hey,” I say, looking up, seeing Mom pulling into the street. “My shift ran over. Another body pulled out of the cove near Byron Bay. I’m just reminding you that I’m going over to Mom’s to help her decorate her new place and browse bridesmaids’ dresses. I’ll probably stay over since you’re on duty all night. See you in the morning. Love you.” I creak my way to standing and take the steps to the sidewalk as Mom pulls up. I jump in and slump back in the seat.
The Enigma: Unlawful Men Book 2 Page 1