by Mia Bishop
Twisted Revenge
Mia Bishop
Book One in the Ever After Series
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis hides a secret opening to a fairytale world. Hidden from Rowan since childhood, it may have been where she was born, but it’s not her home. That is, until the handsome, dangerous Luc strolls in with a tale about “the one in red” and how she’s supposed to kill Ulric, the Big Bad Wolf.
The attraction between Luc and Rowan is instant and intense. They explore each other while unlocking the powers and abilities hidden inside Rowan. It is her destiny to kill Ulric and Luc will do all he can to see that she fulfills her role.
Unfortunately, the Pied Piper is determined to keep Luc and Rowan apart. Secrets come to light that threaten to destroy their budding love. They’ll have to fight the Piper, shape-shifting wolves, and themselves to find their happily ever after.
A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Twisted Revenge
Mia Bishop
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my family, for putting up with me while I wrote it even though I am fairly certain I was unbearable to be around some days.
To my friends and fellow authors, Phoebe Chase and Alexandra Webb, thank you for believing that Twisted Revenge could be the first story in this series and for all of the support during this crazy-exciting time.
Also, thank you to Phoebe Chase for your awesome Twitter skills. None of us would be here today without you.
To Amy Kessler, thank you for all your help behind the scenes.
And to all of my friends who cheered me on. Thank you all.
Prologue
“We have a guest. He is requesting an audience with the Big Bad Wolf, sir.”
The man looked up from his meal and snarled a warning, “I’m not a king. I don’t take audiences.”
“I know, sir, but—”
“Colin, spit it out, my meal is getting cold.”
Colin fidgeted with his hands and gnawed at his lower lip for a moment before speaking, “It’s the Pied Piper, sir. He says he needs to speak with you in private.”
“That man’s arrogance knows no bounds. Does he not realize he is breaking the treaty by entering the pack’s territory?”
Colin cleared his throat. “With all due respect, Ulric, I don’t think he cares.”
Ulric’s body shook in anger. “All men should care.”
The younger man inclined his head. “The Pied Piper holds no allegiance with the kingdom of men, fairies, witches or any in our realm. He is only out for himself.”
“Bring him in.”
“Are you sure, sir? The guards are ready to escort him to the killing fields at your command.”
Ulric shook his head. “If he’s come all this way, then we might as well hear him out. It must be important if he is willing to risk life and limb just to speak to me.”
Colin nodded. “Very well.” He turned on his heels and left, returning minutes later alone.
Ulric’s brow creased. “What is this? I thought I told you to bring Piper to me.”
Colin gave a heavy sigh. “He said he demands an introduction.”
“An introduction? Is he mad?”
“As a hatter, Sir Wolf.” The disembodied voice was tinted with laughter and sent a chill down the shifter’s spine. It echoed all around Ulric’s dining hall.
“Piper, show yourself.”
“Very well.” The man stepped out of the darkness of the doorway and gave a deep and overly dramatic bow. “I am the Pied Piper, at your service.”
Ulric took a moment to survey his new enemy. He appeared just as others in the kingdom had described him. Tall and lean, with long blond hair and blue eyes. The wolf could sense the malice and hatred that rolled off the man in waves. “And I am the Big Bad Wolf, now that we have formalities aside, let’s just get down to business, shall we?”
“Right to the point? I like that in a comrade.”
The wolf snarled. “Let’s get one thing straight, Piper. We are not nor will we ever be comrades.”
The blond man slid into a chair near Ulric’s table and folded his hands in his lap. “Are we that different, you and I?”
“I do not lure children to their deaths.”
The piper raised a brow. “Really? The legends about you must have been over-exaggerated then.” He gave a sigh and shrugged. “Then I guess my news will be of no use to you, mighty wolf.”
Ulric held up his hand. “Remain seated and say what you’ve come to say.”
“Very well. My news is plain and simple. The one in red emerges from her hiding place. The one who escaped your grasp so many years ago, she is returning.”
Ulric narrowed his eyes and steepled his hands in front of his mouth. “Go on.”
“That is all I really know.” He paused for a moment and then grinned. “Well, that and the fact that the whispers in the forest say the one in red will destroy you and your pack. She will seek you out and be granted her revenge for what you did so long ago.”
“Nonsense. The child did not survive. Everybody knows that.”
The Pied Piper laughed and shook his head. “You were naïve to believe the old woman. Maybe the other whispers are true. The Big Bad Wolf has gone soft in his old age. Maybe it is time for a new alpha for your pack.” He tapped his fingertip to his chin. “Your son perhaps?”
“The woman would not have lied. Not after the torture I put her through.”
“She was protecting her kin. Of course she lied. She was old and knew her days were numbered. Who wouldn’t hold out hope to save their only grandchild?”
Ulric’s shoulders shook. He locked eyes on Piper, who looked overly pleased with himself. “When will she come for me?”
“Soon. Send out your best trackers. I will take refuge in the woods and do what I can to aid them by throwing her off track. Of course I will require payment for this information and for my continued help in this matter.”
Ulric paused, mulling over his options and finally nodded. “Name your price.”
“Safe passage through your lands and your word that when I call in a favor from you, you will do as I ask without question.”
“That’s it? That’s all you want?” Ulric snorted a laugh when the piper gave him a quick nod of the head. “Very well, you have my word.”
“Perfect.” He rose from his seat and headed toward the door. “One more thing. And this is important. Keep that son of yours far, far away from the woods. She will most assuredly go after your loved ones first.”
Ulric nodded. “Consider it done.” As soon as the piper disappeared out of the doorway, the older wolf called out, “Colin, where is my son?”
“Still in the lands of St. Louis, sir. Shall I summon him for you?”
A sly smile crept onto Ulric’s lips. “No, my boy. That is exactly where I wish him to remain.”
Chapter One
“Rowan, are you sure you are in the right place?”
Rowan sighed and looked up at the sign accompanied by the dark-green awning and the familiar logo. “I know what a Starbucks looks like. I’m telling you he’s not here.”
The voice on the other end of the line sounded irritated. “You must have just missed him. Try heading toward the Old Cathedral Museum. He likes to stop by there and drink his coffee.”
Rowan pinched the bridge of her nose. “How do you know all this? Do you stalk this guy in your off time? And if you do, then why aren’t you out trying to book your own show with him?”
“He won’t listen to me. I thought maybe if I could soften him up with a pretty face he’d agree to let us play at the Hideout.”
She groaned and hung up, pocketing her phone as the barista took her order.
I’m
being used as a piece of meat. Now why doesn’t that surprise me?
As soon as she had her coffee in hand, she headed toward the Old Cathedral Museum. Luckily it was less than a block away. She couldn’t figure out why a club promoter would spend his mornings at a museum in a national park, but then again, from what she’d seen, stranger things had happened in this city.
By the time she arrived, the staff had finished opening the museum for the public. She made her way inside and looked around.
There is no way he is here.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out and read the text from her client. Rowan rolled her eyes. “Find him? As if it were that simple.”
“Find who, my dear?”
She spun around to see an older woman standing behind her. Her gray hair was pulled up into a bun and her clothes were an old-world type of costume. The woman’s dress was long and blue with an apron covering the front, a high lace collar and lace billowing out of the long sleeves topped off the outfit. Rowan had to admit, the period piece really did fit the theme of the museum with its relics from the frontier days. “Um, I’m looking for a man. I was told he sometimes comes here in the morning.” She paused and pulled out her business card, handing it to the old woman. The lady examined the card and gave her a confused look. Rowan smiled. “I’m the manager for a local band. The man I’m looking for runs a club I’m trying to get my clients booked at. His name is Luc Marrok. Do you know him?”
The woman glanced from side to side. “I know him, yes. But, my dear,” she worried her bottom lip for a moment, “I really don’t think you should be looking for this man.”
Rowan frowned. “Why not?”
“You know what they say about wolves in sheep’s clothing, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t understand.”
The old woman went wide-eyed and looked past Rowan. She nodded her head and whispered, “Remember what I said.” Her voice grew louder as if meaning to draw attention to herself. “Luc Marrok, why yes. He’s sitting right over there.”
Rowan spun around to meet the gaze of a man sitting on a bench inside the museum. He had been about to take a sip of his coffee when the woman called out his name. It must have caught him by surprise because he still held the cup in front of his face. His green eyes glared at Rowan from behind his cup. She gave a little smile and then turned to thank the old woman but she was already gone.
Weird.
She approached him cautiously, tossing her empty cup in the trash. Something about those green eyes made her body heat up and her pulse quicken. Even if she couldn’t get a good look at him with the cup in front of his face, what she could see told her all that she needed to know. He was dangerous and seductive and he didn’t even have to open his mouth. “Excuse me, are you Luc Marrok?”
“You already know that I am. Why have you come looking for me?”
Her cheeks burned red as she pulled out another one of her business cards and handed it to him. “I represent a band. They would like to play at a club I’ve heard you run. A place called the Hideout.”
He lowered his cup and took her card, barely giving it a glance. “You’ve heard wrong.”
“No, I don’t think I have. My client says he knows you personally and that they would like to perform at your club but you keep denying them.” She did her best to keep her voice steady but as soon as he moved the cup, she found herself mesmerized by his mouth.
He stood and she felt her stomach flutter. He was the definition of tall, dark and mysterious. He stood at least a full foot taller than her. His body was muscular but he was lean, not bulky beneath his tight-fitting black t-shirt and his black hair was short and stylishly messy. He was dressed in dark jeans and when he gave a little stretch and a yawn to show how bored he was by the conversation, she caught a glimpse of just how perfectly those jeans hung low on his hips.
Rowan groaned. He would be damn near irresistible if it weren’t for the attitude. She shook her head and continued on even as he rolled his eyes. “Now I do understand that your little club is exclusive and they aren’t a very well-known band but maybe if you just give them a chance?”
“Let me guess, you represent Calvin and his merry band of idiots?”
“They aren’t…” She couldn’t even finish her statement. She had accused them of being idiots on more than one occasion. “Well, yes. I represent them.”
“Look, I’m sure you mean well and all, but there is no way they are playing the club. Calvin telling you about my club is the number one reason why they will never play there.” He looked her up and down and snarled, “It’s exclusive for a reason—no outsiders allowed.”
Rowan bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from making a scene. Her face burned from the sting of embarrassment. She had spent her entire life feeling like an outsider and trying to hide it from everyone. This stranger managed to peg her on her insecurities in less than five minutes.
His smug, self-satisfied grin told her he knew he’d hit a nerve. He slid her card into his back pocket, reached out and brushed his thumb against her hot cheek. “Red’s a good color on you. You should wear it more often.”
“I’m not wearing red…” Rowan pulled back from him, realizing he was talking about the blush of her cheeks and glared. “You’re an asshole. I hope karma kicks you in the butt real soon.”
“Don’t count on it, Red. Karma and I go way back. Even that bitch won’t mess with me.”
She pushed past him. “I have a name. Use it next time.”
Luc laughed. “You assume there will be a next time. There won’t be. You don’t belong in my world.”
Balling up her fist, she fought the urge to strike out at him until he flashed her another smug smile. Rowan’s resolve of being professional went out the window. Her hand flew out, open palmed and ready to slap him but the man caught her wrist before she could strike him. His grip tightened as he walked her straight back into a wall. She wiggled to get free of him but his hand held her wrist better than handcuffs. He pinned her between the wall and himself, keeping the one hand he held above her head. Suddenly she was all too aware of how well built he was. Her heart was pounding, half with fear and half with excitement. She cursed herself for it.
“Let me go.” She blew a strand of her hair out of her eyes and met his gaze.
“Do you assault everyone who doesn’t give you what you want?” He moved her hand up higher as his other hand ran down her side to grip her hip. His thumb brushed against her hipbone. She did her best to not react to his touch but it set her body on fire.
“I… I didn’t mean to.” Her words were weak and mousy. Pathetic.
“Oh, I think you did.”
“Let me go now, Mr. Marrok.”
He dipped his head down and growled against her neck, “Next time you try to slap me you might just regret it, Red.”
Her body shivered. She did her best to glare at him but if eyes were truly windows to the soul, she was pretty sure he’d know that the glare was pure theatrics. She mustered every ounce of bravado and steeled herself as his grip started to lessen. “I already regret it and as you said, there won’t be a next time.”
“Good, I’m glad we are clear on that.” He released her wrist and stepped back. She slid from his grasp and locked eyes with him. “Run along now, Little Red.”
Turning on her heels, Rowan walked as fast as she could through the museum, never looking back. She could still hear Luc laughing as she ducked behind an exhibit and ran face first into a broad-shouldered young man. “Oh… I am so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. I apologize sincerely.” Her hands were shaking, her words coming out all wrong all because that arrogant man had her flustered.
The man turned and offered her a sweet smile. “Rowan? What are you doing here?”
She stumbled back. “Phillip?”
He laughed and clasped her on the shoulder. “You act as if you don’t know who I am. Maybe I should visit more often.”
“It’s been fi
ve years.” She tried to recall their last visit but it had been so long ago she only remembered because his father had come to wish her a happy birthday and Phillip had tagged along.
“Five years? Really? It doesn’t seem that long ago. You’ve got to be… What? Twenty-three now?” He had a charming smile and was impeccably dressed in a suit with a briefcase in his hand. She had no clue what he did for a living but knew that he worked under his father. Her parents had been longtime friends of Phillip’s parents. After her parents’ accident, Phillip’s father would check in on her often, reminding her that she still had family, namely her grandmother. Her grandmother had been too ill to travel at the time of Rowan’s parents’ deaths let alone take care of a young girl so she had left Rowan in the care of another family friend—a baker, Thomas, and his wife. Rowan had always looked forward to visits from Phillip’s father but as she grew older, the visits happened less and less.
Always an outsider.
She glanced around the museum, suddenly remembering her surroundings and wrinkled her brow. “What are you doing in the museum first thing in the morning?”
Phillip shrugged. “Just killing some time before work but it’s great that I ran into you. I’ve been meaning to talk to you. It’s rather important.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Do you have time now?”
Her heart pounded, nothing good ever came from someone wanting to have an important talk with her. It usually meant she was being fired, dumped or that someone had died and of all three, the last option was the only one that would be relevant to Phillip. She swallowed past the lump of fear forming in her throat and nodded. “I’ve got some time.”
“Good, good. Let’s go somewhere quiet to talk.”
“Okay.” She glanced around the near-empty museum. “Is it quiet enough here?”
“Quiet, yes.” He motioned his head toward the counter where the staff was watching them. There was an air of tension pulling at his smile. “But too many ears.”