by Kit Rocha
“Even if they don’t benefit you?” Isabela asked sharply. “If you turn the Riders into something other than a cloistered order of warriors--if you make it clear they can have lives just like anyone else--then you can bet your ass Estela Reyes will find a way to drag her son back into the family business. Will you let him go, Gideon?”
Estela might want to sink her hooks into Reyes, but Gideon knew him better than his mother ever had. Nothing would send him back to the family estate to pick up the reins of leadership. But Hunter was still close to his parents and siblings. And Gabe...
The Monteros were clearly struggling. They’d lost their heir. If Gabe asked to be released to take his place as their new patriarch, could Gideon deny him that? Should he, when so many people’s lives and livelihoods depended on the Montero businesses?
“Yes, I’d let him go,” he said quietly. “The world has changed, Isabela. Eden isn’t a threat anymore. The boundaries between the sectors are blurring. I ask too much of my Riders to hold them against their wishes to vows they made in a different time. If I forced them to sacrifice their lives at my whim, how would I be any less of a murderer than Diego?”
“You wouldn’t.” Isabela paused. “Maricela filed with the priestesses this morning--a petition for canonization.”
“Not for Ivan, surely?”
“No, not Ivan.” She rubbed the heel of her hand quickly over her cheek, catching a tear that had just begun to fall. “Uncle Carter.”
That hit him in the chest. Carter Maddox had been a good man. He was the one who had given Gideon his first lessons in combat, who’d taught him how to throw a punch and hold a gun. He’d loved Gideon’s aunt with every atom of his being, so completely and unwaveringly that the disapproval of her family and the Prophet and a whole damn sector hadn’t been able to sway him.
Just like Ivan.
The way he’d treated Carter was one of the many things Gideon had made his grandfather answer for at the end. “Good. That’s good. Do what you can to make sure the priestesses agree.”
“I plan to, though I’m not sure it’ll be necessary.” Isabela flashed him a rare smile. “Things are changing, big brother. Are you ready for it?”
“You know I am.” Gideon raised his glass, and she clinked hers against it. “Tell you what. I’ll handle the angry nobles and the conspiracies and the rogue Makhai agents and all of it--if you promise me one thing.”
“Don’t even try it. I will not plan a Rios wedding on my own.”
Gideon heaved a tortured sigh, but inside, his heart felt as light as Isabela’s laughter. As bright as Maricela’s smile as she leaned in to kiss Ivan’s cheek. As brilliant as Avery’s grin as she leaned over the back of the couch to whisper something to Kora.
It would be months of planning. Hundreds of guests. Endless days of celebrations. A year’s worth of tithes. But maybe if he made the wedding big and splashy enough, he could buy himself another decade of reprieve.
Because Gideon had sworn himself long ago that he’d never damn anyone he loved to the hell of being married to him.
Before You Leave the Sectors
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Interested in more books about Gideon and his Riders?
Book #1: Ashwin
Book #2: Deacon
Book #3: Ivan
Book #4: Hunter
Book #5: Gabe
Have you read the BEYOND series? Find out how Dallas and the O'Kanes brought down Eden...
Volume One (Contains books #1-3)
Volume Two (Contains books #4-6)
Volume Three (Contains books #7-9)
The Complete Beyond Series Bundle - All nine novels, three novellas and various short stories, all in strict chronological order. Buy it, save a ton of money, and read straight through!
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About the Author
Kit Rocha is the pseudonym for co-writing team Donna Herren and Bree Bridges. After penning dozens of paranormal novels, novellas and stories as Moira Rogers, they branched out into gritty, sexy dystopian romance. The Beyond series has appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and was honored with 2013 and 2016 RT Reviewer's Choice awards. Get updates about their new books by subscribing to their announcement list, or visit their website at kitrocha.com
Acknowledgements
As with every book, we have an entire team to thank for helping us to the finish line. Our editor, Sasha Knight, our Keeper of Bibles and Timelines, Lillie Applegarth, our sharp-eyed proofreader, Sharon Muha, our assistant, Angie Ramey, our new agent, Sarah Younger, and our community moderators, Jay and Tracy. Without this fabulous group of women, we would be lost and our books would be abandoned manuscripts. Thank you, a million times thank you.
We want to thank all of our patrons over on Patreon, whose support gives us a little breathing room to concentrate on writing. Special shout out to the members of the VIP Booth: Adrienne Lovelace, Andrea Porfirio, Brenda Oster, Courtney Foster, Ilene Gerber, Jacki, Julia Broek, Pattee Gatica, Rebecca Lewis, Ritarsha Furqan, Suzii Stevens, Terri Berryhill, Treece Phelps. You are the best!
Finally, as always, thank you to our readers. Your enthusiasm for the Sectors and your willingness to embrace the Riders as you embraced the O'Kanes is a blessing and our daily motivation. We love you and are grateful to you every day.
Copyright Information
Ivan
Copyright © 2018 by Kit Rocha
This novella is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.