by Vic Tyler
“Okay, where are we going this time?”
Rubbing his jaw, he can’t keep the anxiety out of his expression. And as it does whenever he’s distressed, his accent starts slipping into his words. “Canada.”
“What?” My voice bursts out louder than I want it to. Narrowing my eyes, I grit, “Dion, what aren’t you telling me?”
Dragging his hand through his hair and tugging on it, Rodion Stepanov sighs.
“I wanted to get you and Katerina overseas, but she refused,” he mutters. His gaze rises to meet mine. “East has put a bounty on the survivors of the western faction.”
I stare at him in disbelief.
As far as I know, only Kitty and Jura made it out alive.
When I woke up after passing out in the Windrose, I was already in a truck — alone — being transported to Denver, where Dion was there to receive me.
Kitty came a few days later, and for the past few months, she and I have been moving around from city to city, state to state, never staying in one place for more than a couple weeks.
I don’t know where Jura is, but considering we’re all on the run, it’s hard enough to keep any contacts that won’t report us to Venti.
Dion has been helping Kitty and me this entire time, and if it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten these fake identities or any news and updates of things going on in the underworld. And without his money and connections, we also wouldn’t have been able to move around as much and stay under the radar.
He’s been paying for everything, which is why I get as many part–time jobs as I can to offset the cost a little, even though it stresses him out that I don’t just stay put, locked up in the apartment.
Honestly, it’s also suffocating, and I feel like I’m going crazy when I’m left to my own thoughts, so I need something to keep me occupied.
“Okay.” My head is spinning. “Okay.” I start breathing more heavily, feeling more nauseous and panicked by the second. “Okay.”
Then, a sudden thought comes to me. “What do you mean by ‘survivors of the western faction’?”
“Thankfully, it’s just Katerina and Jura.” Dion grimaces. “People are still looking for you, but there isn’t a bounty, so you won’t be hunted down like them.”
When the eastern faction found out I escaped, they let loose to the world that one of the Wintrehalls survived. Even though I haven’t run into any trouble with them, Dion vaguely assured me that people are looking.
Sure, it’ll help that they won’t have any monetary motivation to kill me, but frankly, I’m insulted.
“He didn’t bother putting one on me?” My voice is flat.
His eyes narrowing, Dion grits through clenched teeth, “That’s good. Don’t let pride get in the way of your survival.”
I swallow hard, and my fingers shake as they grip the pen in my hand.
God, I’m so fucking pissed.
“He doesn’t think I’m a threat.” I sound as offended as I feel. “That asshole’s looking down on me.”
Like he always has.
“Adri— Emma,” Dion says, exasperated, rubbing his face with both his hands. “You’re being ridiculous.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I drown out all the other sounds, hearing my breath seep in and out.
After the massacre of the western faction, Damien joined East’s side, serving as one of his Twelve.
I heard that he sold them out and made a deal with East when he was exchanged for the two years he was away.
Because of him, everyone is gone.
Because of him, I lost my family for the second time.
Because of him, I’m no longer me — in name, identity, or feeling.
“Adriana,” Dion murmurs gently. “You have a chance to live a new life. To start over and get out of this fucking mess.” He shakes his head, understanding all too well the consequences of living and breathing the darkness. “It’s the opportunity that people like me dream of, so take advantage of it.”
My lips spread into a warm smile, and he seems relieved to see it. “You’re right.”
And he is.
But it’s too late for me now.
Damien wanted me to leave his world — finding me a nuisance, a child, a civilian who doesn’t belong. That’s the only reason he left me alive.
But my life is already stained in blood.
Because of my word, the Stepanovs died.
Because of my hands, my second family was obliterated.
Damien may have given the others the key to break in, but I held the door wide open for them.
Literally.
It’s my fault, just as much as his.
I lost everything
Everything.
And for once, I’m consumed by the rage and bloodthirst for justice.
Because I’m the only one who can make it right.
Vengeance is a given.
As long as the person who betrayed my trust and killed my family is alive, I’ll keep fighting to make sure he can never do it again.
I’m going to take everything from him like he did to me, no matter the cost.
I promise.
The next installment...
“Surrender. And I'll give you everything you need.”
“Never.”
Book 2 of the VENGEANCE Trilogy will be published in 2019.
Stay tuned!
Overheard in the dungeon…
Adriana: You're… Richter.
Richter: I'm surprised you remember me.
Mach: *grunting with a cattle prod in hand* I have a hard enough time remembering who’s in the Twelve without throwing you into the mix.
Richter: Yes… It’s rather unfortunate. This is my first appearance since the ceremony.
Mach: He often drops by randomly like someone remembered his existence on a whim and figured he should remind people he’s alive.
Richter: Quite sad, really.
Mach: Makes you wonder why we bother inducting twelve people when it’d be easier to work with six or seven. Even that's overkill. Someone got too ambitious.
(Vic Tyler: …)
Richter: Hmm… ‘The Six,’ ‘the Seven.’ Doesn’t have the same ring to it. But ‘the Twelve’ sounds nice, no? You’ve got the Apostles, Herculean labors, months, eggs —
Mach: Eggs?
Richter: Yes, a dozen. Maybe that’s what we should’ve been called. ‘The Dozen.’ Sounds rather dismissive though.
Mach: Suits us fine then. Considering my entire fucking role was nixed entirely because it didn’t fit the fucking plotline. *grumbles* Who cares about that pesky little Dog anyway?
Adriana: (…)
Richter: Don't complain. At least you had a subplot.
(VT: I’m sorry.)
Mach: Apology not accepted.
Richter: I have better things to do than sit around with you lot.
Mach: That's just the author's way of getting rid of you.
(VT: Shh…)
OTL
See how Adriana first encountered CIA-turned-mercenary-torturer Mach.
Deleted Scene available for Vic Tyler's newsletter subscribers.
Fun Facts
Fun fact #1: The previous extra with Mach and Richter was modified from an actual scene in the book that got cut out.
And yes, a lot of scenes got cut because they didn't fit the storyline for Damien and Adriana. Hopefully, one day, I'll get the opportunity to tell everyone else's story, but who knows?
Fun fact #2: My favorite character is actually Mach.
And I deliberated for a very long time keeping him in the book because he's very important to Adriana's character development, but like I said, he just didn't fit quite right.
Which is why he’s mentioned quite a bit in passing (especially in regard to Adriana’s ‘job’), but he never makes an appearance.
He’s a beautifully sadistic character though, and if you’d like to see his first meeting with Adriana, subscribe to my newsletter for the deleted scene.<
br />
Fun fact #3: Kaden Eurus’s name was originally Kyle Gingham.
Remember Kyle? The investigative journalist who mysteriously committed suicide in the beginning?
Yeah, that was Kaden’s name until I remembered his last name needed to be “Eurus” (argh plot consistency!). And then, I just didn’t like the name “Kyle Eurus,” and thus, it was changed.
So I guess Kyle Gingham was made to die either way.
Fun fact #4: West was originally Damien’s father.
Not long after, I was like, ‘Oh, wait, actually, he should be Adriana’s father.”
And then, I got confused, and for a few moments, he was both their dads, and things got a little weirdly incestuous in my head until I got that sorted out.
(If you’re into that, sorry to disappoint?)
FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you for finishing Damien’s Promise!
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VIC’S SCRIBBLES
Sometimes, just getting the writing down is the hard part, but with this book, the editing was mad crazy!
There was just so much I wanted to share about all the characters, but so little time and so few pages.
VENGEANCE was originally going to be a duo/duet, but I got over–excited (as usual), and now, it’s going to be a trilogy (eXciTiNG!).
Without giving too much away, the next book will definitely show more of Damien’s dark side. He was a little tame in this one since he felt the need to behave around Adriana. She brought out his angelic persona :") and now, it’s time for him to bring out her little devil (look forward to it!).
I wrote the very first scene of this book (Adriana’s first appearance in front of West and the Twelve) randomly last year and then came back to it while I was in the middle of writing Unchaining You, the second book in my Only You series.
Literally, I was in the middle of writing the end, needed a change of pace, decided to write a mafia story, sat down, did not write a mafia story, went a little too Game of Thrones in an alternate universe with my mercenary family, and whipped this out in a week.
And then spent, like, three weeks editing it because there was too much to explain and write.
Definitely overdid it…
But I hope you enjoyed it. :)
I couldn't have done this without many people, so a big shout out to everyone who supported me throughout the making of this book.
To Beth and CommendablyYours, the awesomest beta readers ever! All my characters send their kisses and hugs to you. After all, your input is invaluable to their very being. <3
And thank you, Beth, for excitedly sharing your theories as you were reading this, and for giving me a list of books that’ll keep me busy all year! (I’ll get around to them all… eventually). Cheers to many more books and fan–girling together!
To my ARC team! Your words are so precious and meaningful to me and your support irreplaceable. Thank you for all your diligence and kind words! It totally makes my day when you ask me when my next book is coming out. <3
Rain, thanks for listening to me sulk and for being a dick about the door. I don't know what I'd do without you. Probably keep the door.
Ollie, Ollie, oxen free — I know you’re never going to read this, but thanks for all your support. If this book kicks off, it’ll all be due to you, and I owe you lots of delicious food.
M & J — cheers to leaking hardness. And yes, cheers. From the leaking hardness.
And to all who've worked with me behind the scenes, xoxo.
Thank you!
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More Books by
Vic Tyler
The Only You series
Contemporary Romance
Standalone books about sexy men, strong women, and the feelings they try oh–so–desperately to fight.
Adoring You
Synopsis Excerpt
Redeeming You
Synopsis Excerpt
Unchaining You
Synopsis Excerpt
Breaking You
Coming soon…
***
The VENGEANCE Trilogy
Dark Crime/Mercenary Romance and Suspense
Delve into the deep and dark world of Venti, where only the merciless survive.
Damien’s Promise
ADORING YOU
Just when I think I have it all, I meet him…
I have everything I ever wanted.
International fame. Broadway glory. Glamour and stardom.
What more could a girl ask for?
Certainly not a man who ignores my presence…
An accident put me in the path of the world–renowned musical prodigy, Peter Lennox.
Literally.
I certainly didn't mean to fall on him. Or for him.
But that doesn't mean he should pretend like I don't exist.
The only thing on his mind may be his work and his music, but I'm determined to make my place in his heart.
As long as he doesn't break mine first.
✴ Read it now ✴
Praise for Adoring You
"Adoring You was a dazzling love story that captivated me and made my heart melt over and over. I love Tyler’s message about passion, love, and life. It was a short, but there was also a lovely emotional depth weaved throughout the novel. It’s a story you’d want to savor and share. This was truly a pleasant, irresistibly swoony, and deliciously satisfying read."
Sincerely Karen Jo, blog
"A slow build romance, it was sweet and sexy and proves that love at first sight is possible."
Fiona F.
"It's sweet and a little sexy and a whole lot romantic. It's a short read but full of love."
KeriLovesBooks
REDEEMING YOU
I didn't sell my soul to the devil, but I did agree to work for him.
You would too if your landlord's hitting you up with those eviction threats and your bank account's got so many zeroes because that's all it is – $0.
Hence, Benji Reed, AKA the Devil Photographer of New York.
He's insanely talented.
Notoriously handsome.
And an unforgivable assho!e.
But maybe that has to do with the fact I made a hot mess on his bed on my first day of work…
It doesn't take a lot for me to get under his skin.
Or for him to get under my clothes…
We never expected our feelings to go more than skin–deep.
This was just supposed to be some casual fun.
But what's fun about falling in love?
✴ Read it now ✴
Praise for Redeeming You
“The book is more than brilliant… [Redeeming You] is a must–read–and–definitely–commendable story. It's rare to see such mixture of story characters in such a story plot. You'll love Maria and Benji as much as I do.”
Commendably Yours, blog
“An enjoyable, steamy, funny, amazing, well–written read with a beautiful story and scorching hot scenes. Wonderful first and second characters. I l
ove Maria and Benji's story the chemistry between them was sizzling hot. I couldn't put it down I was hooked from page one. Definitely, a must read.”
Nicoletta T.
UNCHAINING YOU
If he hates me for what happened 8 years ago, just imagine how he feels now…
Do I feel bad for hooking up with the one who broke my heart?
… No.
Should I feel bad about blackmailing him for a job?
… Probably.
But to be fair, I need the money.
Life’s kind to some people.
Exhibit A: Devon Leo
Hot, brooding loner in high school → hot, brooding, billionaire tech tycoon who’s an international mans!ut.
Exhibit Me: Skylar Kay
Your everyday average nobody → college–dropout, moonlighting–stripper nobody who’s drowning in debt.
The least he can do for breaking my heart is give me a job.
Yeah, the one I blackmailed him for.
I just didn’t think the job was for a position under him.
I’ll have to be careful not to get under him. Again.
Because this time, his reputation isn’t just on the line.
My heart is.
✴ Read it now ✴
Praise for Unchaining You
“If you want a story line that will suck you in and make you forget all your other responsibilities, just look no more.”