and stares at the unconscious body of the man who stole, in one way or another, her whole life’s happiness. She might have doubts—after.
International Waters of the Atlantic Ocean, 2020
She brings her newest shipmate a glass of 2004 Penfolds Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon; the rarest wine one can buy. Amaya deserves special care.
“Thank you,” says the younger woman, pulling her blanket more securely around herself. The evening ocean air can be significantly cooler than on land. Amaya is still wet from her thorough shower.
She sits next to Amaya and holds her hand, pleased to not be rejected. “I’m sorry,” she says. “I had to be sure about you.”
Amaya squeezes her hand and they both stare in silence at the black ocean waves. The jar holding Benicio Morelli’s testicles sits on the coffee table in front of them. The younger woman chuckles at the thought of him waking up without those.
She’s been reborn tonight, accepted and fully fledged—a swan, after all.
“Do you know swans mate for life?” Amaya asks.
VV looks at her, rolls her eyes, and leans in for a kiss that takes Amaya’s breath away.
Below deck, Noelle Stein beats on the walls of her cold cell. She’s a problem for another day.
The Vagina Vigilante is only getting started. Watch CJ Roberts’ website for news on her upcoming novel. And if you haven’t read her dark masterpiece, Captive in the Dark, you have a treat in store.
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Beauty and the Beast
Willow Winters
Prologue
Calum
“Sir, are you sure you want to do this?”
Alessio’s hesitation is personified by weakness.
It was different when I started. We were all different back then, and I know my driver longs for the days where my reputation didn’t send shivers of ice down the back of spineless men.
Maybe I’m more callous than I once was when wealth flowed freely, and my partners held more respect for me than they did fear. That’s what happens when a man is forced to become a beast.
As the limo comes to a slow stop in front of the castle bathed in the dark night, my thumb runs along my hard jaw line, skimming over the deep scar that made me who I am. The glittering candlelight and floral scent that filters in through the cracked tinted windows doesn’t hide the ruthlessness of the men attending tonight.
The elite and upper class, better known as the devils in Armani suits that run this city, don’t hold a flame to my brutality. They can hide behind the masquerade of tonight, their flutes of expensive champagne and cloaks of luxury, but we all know who we really are. I don’t intend to hide behind a damn thing. Just like they don’t hide their unease around me.
One of the few partnerships and personal relationships that hasn’t changed since then is with a man named Carter Cross. He took what he wanted when it came to all matters. I’ve decided I’m no better.
Annabelle will leave the ball with me tonight. There’s nothing that will change my mind of that.
She’s beautiful, and the opposite of the beast I became. More than that, the business deals I can acquire with her father’s reputation . . . well, he owes me, and I’ve decided beautiful Belle is what I want in the place of his debt.
Am I sure I want to do this? I answer Alessio with the grim reality, “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
1
Annabelle
It’s uncomfortable enough in this lace dress that hugs nearly every curve without feeling so many eyes on me. ‘A deep red will compliment your complexion,’ my father’s public relations director suggested. ‘Go dark and sexy, make a show of it and have fun.’ I still remember how she shrugged like it didn’t really matter. If it didn’t matter, she wouldn’t have stepped in at all.
My heels click on the large black and white marble tiled floor in the entry way. Although I can barely hear that over the pounding of my heart as it wrestles against my rib cage to escape.
The chandeliers drip of wealth in this castle. As if the tables topped with ridiculously large bouquets and hors d'oeuvres served on polished silver at every turn of this massive place didn’t give it away. It’s a masquerade ball set back in time. This elaborate party is ideal to present the newest member of an elite family who runs in my father’s circle. As I catch sight of