Vow of Deception (Deception Trilogy #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,97
away from the crowd. I attempt to kick him, but he grabs me by the hair. “Stay fucking still, Duchess. We don’t want to snap your beautiful neck now, do we?”
“Jeremy!” I mumble against his hand, but it barely comes out as a word.
He doesn’t release me until we’re in an alleyway with my back pressed against a wall. I’m breathing harshly as I stare up at him. He’s wearing a black hat and a mask that covers his nose and mouth. Only his eyes are visible, they’re brown, deep, and so familiar.
“I told you I’m taking Jeremy with me,” I say, panting.
He chuckles, the sound condescending. “You think Adrian will let his only son leave his sight? He’ll flip the world upside down for him.”
“Still—”
“Shut the fuck up with your whining, Duchess. You said you have something for me.”
“I won’t tell you until you take me and Jeremy away.”
“Away? Your mission is here. Why the fuck should you go away?”
“But—”
“You don’t remember, do you?” He expels an exaggerated sigh. “You’re a pain in the fucking ass, Duchess. Always were.”
“What?”
He removes his mask and I gasp. His face, the one with the slight stubble and the straight nose. It’s the same from my nightmare. The man who was holding my hand as I grabbed the gun and pulled the trigger. “You!”
“Yes, me. Your one and only—or what-the-fuck-ever.”
“But you’re not real. It was a nightmare.”
He pinches my cheek. Hard.
“Ow. What was that for?”
“It’s how you differentiate between reality and a hallucination, Duchess. Pain means it’s real. Lack of pain means it’s a sick game playing in your head.”
My mouth drops open. “How…how do you know that?”
“I know a lot of things about you, but most important of all, I know you didn’t get your mission done, Lia.”
“I’m not Lia,” I mutter. For the first time, the words feeling insincere.
“Yes, you are, Duchess.”
“No. The real Lia is lying in bed, staring at nowhere.”
He raises a brow. “Is she real, though? Did you test your pain?”
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth and I force it down as I murmur, “No. I’m not Lia. I’m Winter.”
“You really believe that shit, don’t you? Just how far have you gone this time?”
“It is real,” I snap. “I’m not Lia.”
He leans over to whisper, “Then how did you help me with Adrian’s assassination attempt a year ago? The nightmare you saw me in? Yeah, that was a memory, Duchess.”
I shake my head frantically, not wanting to hear this, not wanting to let the influx of energy that’s flowing through my veins hit my head.
My limbs tremble and I’m terrified of what that influx will bring.
“I’m Winter. My name is Winter Cavanaugh and—”
A flashback hits me so hard, my words die in my throat.
I’m standing in the middle of a church, murmuring “I do” as I stare up at Adrian. He’s in a tux that makes him tenfold more handsome while I’m wearing a white wedding dress.
His strong hand wraps around my nape as he pulls me against his chest. “You’re mine now, Mrs. Volkov.”
His lips meet mine in all consuming kiss that robs my breaths.
I don’t kiss him back.
All I think about is how to finish his life.
I gasp as I’m thrust back to the present.
“Do you remember now?” Luca asks. That’s his name. Luca. My partner in all of this.
And I do remember.
It’s true.
My name is Lia. Lia Volkov.
TO BE CONTINUED
Adrian and Lia’s story continues in the following book of the Deception Trilogy, Tempted by Deception.
Curious about Rai and Kyle who appeared in this book? You can read their completed story in Throne of Power.
For a sneak peek into Adrian’s past, you can download the free prequel, Dark Deception.
What’s Next?
Thank you so much for reading Vow of Deception! If you liked it, please leave a review.
Your support means the world to me.
If you’re thirsty for more discussions with other readers of the series, you can join the Facebook group, Rina’s Spoilers Room.
Next up is the continuation of the Deception Trilogy, Tempted by Deception.
Blurb
My husband. My villain.
We started with death and blood.
We started with games and carnal pleasure.
Adrian and I shouldn’t have been together.
He’s wrong.
I’m wrong.
What we have is the epitome disaster.
Yet, it’s impossible to stop.
My husband will either destroy me or I’ll destroy him.
Also By Rina Kent
ROYAL ELITE SERIES
Cruel King
Deviant King
Steel Princess
Twisted Kingdom
Black Knight
Vicious Prince
Ruthless Empire
Royal Elite Epilogue
LIES & TRUTHS DUET
All The Lies
All The Truths
KINGDOM DUET
Rule of a Kingdom (Free Prequel)
Reign of a King
Rise of a Queen
THRONE DUET
Throne of Power
Throne of Vengeance
DECEPTION TRILOGY
Dark Deception (Free Prequel)
Vow of Deception
Tempted by Deception
Consumed by Deception
TEAM ZERO SERIES
Lured
Crowed
Ghosted
Shadowed
Misted
Team Zero Boxset 1-3
THE RHODES SERIES
Remorse (Free)
HATE & LOVE DUET
He Hates Me
He Hates Me Not
About the Author
Rina Kent is an international bestselling author of everything enemies to lovers romance.
Darkness is her playground, suspense is her best friend, and twists are her brain’s food. However, she likes to think she’s a romantic at heart in some way, so don’t kill her hopes just yet.
Her heroes are anti-heroes and villains because she was always the weirdo who fell in love with the guys no one roots for. Her books are sprinkled with a touch of mystery, a healthy dose of angst, a pinch of violence, and lots of intense passion.
Rina spends her private days in a peaceful town in North Africa daydreaming about the next plot idea or laughing like an evil mastermind when those ideas come together.
If you’re in the mood to stalk me:
Website
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Contents
Also By Rina Kent
Author Note
Playlist
Prologue
1. Adrian
2. Winter
3. Winter
4. Winter
5. Winter
6. Adrian
7. Winter
8. Adrian
9. Winter
10. Winter
11. Winter
12. Winter
13. Adrian
14. Winter
15. Winter
16. Winter
17. Winter
18. Adrian
19. Winter
20. Winter
21. Winter
22. Adrian
23. Winter
24. Adrian
25. Winter
26. Winter
27. Adrian
28. Winter
29. Winter
30. Adrian
31. Winter
What’s Next?
Also By Rina Kent
About the Author