“We’ll put them on file,” he says. “Very impressive work.”
“She’s an impressive woman.” I swallow past the lump in my throat.
And she’s mine.
* * *
PENNY
“Sadist!”
“Sadist!”
“Sadist!”
All heads turn as Jack enters the Kezar Pavilion for his first professional MMA fight as Sadist. Through the shouts and cheers of the near-capacity crowd, I can hear the voices of the Redemption fighters, come to cheer on the most popular member of the team. But no one is cheering louder than me.
“You did an amazing job,” Amanda says, holding up her phone to snap a picture. “The logo, the shirt, the cape… Everyone is talking about him. They all want to know…is he a sadist for real?”
“His family kept asking him that when we went down to Tennessee,” I shout over the cheers. “I think they hoped his old girlfriend had been wrong and it was all made up.” I sigh, remembering our trip and how impressed his family was at his success in the MMA world. How they couldn’t know what their son did for a living was beyond me, but I made it my mission to make sure they understood just how hard he had worked and exactly what he had achieved.
Convincing them that his kink didn’t make him a different person was a harder sell than rebranding him at the team meeting—especially when that Avery bitch kept insisting he was sick—but we won them over in the end. Not only because they missed him and just wanted an excuse to get their family back together, but also because they saw us together in what appeared to be a normal loving relationship. Of course, after the lights went out and we went to bed, “normal” went out the window.
“He’s loving this.” Cora says, nestled in the crook of Blade Saw’s arm. “Look at that scowl. He’s really putting on a good show.”
“He’s probably imagining how I’m going to be spending my nights taking marketing courses instead of jumping into bed with him,” I say. “And the weekends fixing up my new office.”
Amanda looks over and frowns. “Don’t mention the new office. I’ll never be able to replace you.”
“At least you’re going to get rid of Ray’s blue couch.” I offered to take the couch, and Ray with it, so Amanda could buy new furniture consistent with her new look. “I’ll just be upstairs. And I got you a new client to make up for losing Gerry. Damien’s the bomb. You’re going to love him.”
Poor Gerry had it rough after the article about Jack hit the stands. What was meant to be a warning to the rest of the people he planned to blackmail almost became a death sentence. His office was ransacked, surveillance equipment destroyed, and he was found badly beaten in an alley not far from Club Sin. Witnesses saw six men and a woman in the vicinity, but no identities were confirmed. However, after the beating, Gerry had a change of heart. As a gesture of “goodwill,” he signed the title of the building over to Damien and then retired to Barbados. I had a strong suspicion his gesture of goodwill was made under duress and an even stronger suspicion about who led the attack. But I knew better than to ask.
Jack stops and poses for the cameras. A shiver runs down my spine as I drink in all six feet two inches of my gorgeous sadist who has been killing it in training for the last three months. His opponent, Scorpion, is in for some pain tonight. And I would know. I’m standing on my chair for a reason—and it isn’t just to cheer my man on or because I am wearing his family ring around my neck.
“She’s back on the chair.” Amanda sighs. “Pen, don’t you remember what happened last time?”
Yes, I do. And that first moment when I saw Jack as more than a friend is one of my fondest memories. “You think anyone is going to knock Sadist’s woman off a chair? The other fighters are terrified of him. At the weigh-in he took a step toward Scorpion, and the dude almost wet his shorts.”
My voice trails off when Jack makes an unexpected detour that will take him right past our seats. Heart pounding, I scream his name and pump my fist in the air.
Adrenaline shoots through me, and I get the rush I’ve been craving all day. My heart beats a little faster, my vision becomes a little clearer, my smile grows a little wider, and all my stress fades away.
Jack stops in front of us. His gaze lingers on me. His dark eyes warm, and his scowl fades. He is Redemption’s gossip king, everyone’s best friend, all-around nice guy, fighter, sadist, and the other half of my soul. He is darkness, and he is light. His mask is gone, and the real Jack is free.
My breath catches in my throat as he stares at me. I know that darkness. Understand it. Because beneath my pearls, pastels, and pretty clothes, I share that darkness, too.
He reaches up and kisses me, his hand behind my neck, his lips soft on mine. Cameras swing toward us, showing close-ups on the big screens. Lights flash, the crowd cheers. He loves me. And he’s not afraid to let the world know.
“You got the present I left for you?” he whispers.
“Yes, I did.”
“You wearing them?”
“Yes. And they hurt so good.”
“Are we gonna have some fun tonight?” He steps back and licks his lips, a predator about to feast. Or a sadist about to inflict a whole lot of pain.
“Only if you win.”
“I already won, darlin’. There is no better prize than you.”
Acknowledgments
Thanks to my amazing editor, Cat Clyne, and the Sourcebooks Casablanca team for whipping Rampage’s story into shape (ha-ha). Thanks to my agent, Laura Bradford, for all her support; my beta reader, Casey Britton; and the awesome Danielle Gorman, without whom I would have no time to write. And thanks to my Redemption fans who love my sexy fighters and begged for Rampage’s story. You guys rock! And, John, you definitely don’t want to read this one. Or maybe you do…
About the Author
After graduating from law school, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sarah Castille practiced law on the West Coast, and then with one of the world’s largest law firms in London, England, for many years. She obtained a master’s degree in law and traveled extensively before returning to Canada, where she began writing novels about alpha males and the women who tame them. After her first book, Legal Heat, won prizes in nine Romance Writers of America chapter contests, Sarah decided to take a break from the practice of law to pursue a writing career. She is the author of the Redemption series and writes contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense.
Sarah’s books have been listed as Publishers Weekly’s Top Ten Picks and Best Summer Reads, Amazon’s Best Romance Books of the Year, and have appeared at number one on Amazon’s Erotic Romance bestseller lists, as well as winning the Holt Medallion and being selected as “Must Read Erotic Romance of the Year.”
Sarah lives with her husband and three children on Vancouver Island, where she is currently working on her next novel.
AGAINST THE ROPES
First in the smokin’ hot Redemption series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sarah Castille
He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more…
Makayla never thought she’d set foot in an elite mixed martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it’s these guys. Then again, at her first sight of the club’s owner, she’s the one feeling breathless.
The man they call Torment is all sleek muscle and restrained power. Whether it’s in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when a soft touch is required and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he’s about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined…
“Fifty Shades of Grey meets Fight Club.”
—RT Book Reviews
For more Sarah Castille, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
IN YOUR CORNER
New York Times and USA
Today bestselling author Sarah Castille’s sizzling Redemption series continues
Primitive. Primal. His need speaks to me. I tighten my grip on his neck and rock up to kiss him. He takes over. His kiss is hard and demanding. “Mine.” His voice is raw, savage and for a moment I truly believe he may lose control.
Two years ago, Jake and Amanda were going hot and heavy. But when Jake wanted more, Amanda walked away. Jake immersed himself in mixed martial arts, living life on the edge. But that didn’t dull the pain of Amanda’s rejection-until a chance encounter throws them together.
Jake is darker, sexier, and impossible to resist. As their chemistry builds, Amanda’s not sure if she can stay in control, or if she’s finally willing to let him claim her body and soul.
“Castille’s follow-up to the excellent Against the Ropes doesn’t pull its punches.”
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
For more Sarah Castille, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
FULL CONTACT
Winner of the 2016 HOLT MEDALLION Award for outstanding literary fiction
Third in the Redemption series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sarah Castille
Ray wraps his arms around me and holds me tight as if something terrible has happened and he doesn’t want to let me go.
Full Contact. This is how Ray speaks when his emotions overwhelm him. I melt into his stillness. His body is hot and hard, his breath warm on my neck. He smells of leather and sweat, sex and sin. Nothing can tear me away.
Sia O’Donnell can’t help but push the limits. She secretly attends every underground MMA fight featuring the Predator, the undisputed champion. When he stalks his prey in the ring, Sia is mesmerized. He is dominant and dangerous and every instinct tells her to run.
Every beautiful thing Ray “The Predator” touches he knows he’ll eventually destroy. Soft, sweet, and innocent, Sia is the light to Ray’s darkness and completely irresistible. From the moment he lays eyes on her, he knows he’s going to have to put his dark past behind him to win her body and soul…
“Powerful. Gritty. And sexy beyond belief. Sarah is a true master!”
—Opal Carew, New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered By series
For more Sarah Castille, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
UNDER HER SKIN
First in an exciting dark contemporary series from debut author Adriana Anders
A dark relationship left Uma alone and on the run. Beneath her clothing, she hides a terrible secret—proof of her abuse, tattooed on her skin in a lurid reminder of everything she’s survived.
Caught between a brutal past and an uncertain future, Uma is reluctant to bare herself to anyone, much less a rough ex-con whose rage drives him in ways she doesn’t understand. But beneath his frightening exterior, Ivan is gentle. Warm. Compassionate. And just as determined to heal Uma’s broken heart as he is to destroy the monster who left his mark scrawled across her delicate skin.
For more Adriana Anders, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
RECKLESS HEARTS
It’s three alpha men and a baby in this steamy contemporary romance series
Addison Booker needs a job desperately. She shows up to interview for a nanny position only to find the sexy, cocky man she can’t get out of her head. Collin Montgomery knows hiring her is a bad idea—she’s the hottest, smartest woman he’s ever met and they disagree about almost everything—but Addison is so good with little Chloe. And there’s no substitute for chemistry, right?
“An emotional, heartfelt, and absolutely beautiful story. I wanted each character to be my best friend.”
—Jennifer Blackwood, USA Today bestselling author
For more Heather Van Fleet, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
These rough-and-tumble mechanics live fast and love hard.
By Marie Harte, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Test Drive
Johnny Devlin’s a charmer with a checkered past. He’s had his eye on bartender Lara Valley for ages, but she’s rejected him more than once. That doesn’t mean he won’t come to her aid when some dirtbag mauls her.
Roadside Assistance
Foley might look like a bad idea, but underneath, he’s all gentleman. Too bad Cyn Nichols isn’t buying it. What’s a bad boy to do when the goddess of his dreams won’t give him the time of day?
Zero to Sixty
Hot-headed Sam finds a sense of purpose in rescuing strays. When the puppy who’s stolen his heart runs into blond, beautiful Ivy, Sam can’t help hoping she’ll take in one more stray—him—for good.
“Readers will swoon at the romantic gestures and fan themselves during the steamy love scenes.”
—RT Book Reviews for Roadside Assistance
ROCK-N-INK
A steamy contemporary romance series where ambitious, conservative suits and inked-up, edgy rockers fall in love.
By Kasey Lane
Beautiful Crazy
When businesswoman Kevan fights Mason, the smoldering CEO of a mega PR corporation, to sign a hot new rock group, temperatures scorch in a battle for the band and the bedroom.
Beautiful Mess
When attorney Jami Dillon strides into the conference room to meet her new client, she’s shocked by an all-too-familiar figure. Jackson Paige was, in fact, Jax Pain, the drummer of Manix Curse. The tall, tattooed, sexy-as-hell hookup from law school—who also broke her heart.
“Get ready for your new auto-buy author! Kasey Lane’s debut hits all the high notes.”
—Megan Crane, USA Today bestselling author
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