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Blurb
Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life.
That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.
Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.
When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?
– Book 1 in the spicy romantic suspense series, Arresting Onyx.
– Scenes featuring organized crime, assault/kidnapping, and drugs (discussed) may be uncomfortable for some audiences.
– No cheating. HEA guaranteed!
Excerpt
Background on scene: Mia and Mason has just spent an amazing night together in the apartment Mason shares with his brother. Now it’s morning, and his brother has come home early to an unwelcome surprise...
Dim light streaked under the closed bedroom door, and a faint noise echoed from somewhere in the apartment.
With the sheet wrapped around her body like a dress, she pressed her ear to the door but couldn’t make out the sounds. Unease crept up her spine. Mia found her clothes piled haphazardly on a padded chair next to the dresser, her shoes on the floor, and she quickly dressed. Muffled voices drifted closer as she tiptoed down the hall and paused just before the hallway opened into the living room.
“God, Mason. How could you be so damn stupid? We’ve discussed this.” A man grunted in obvious displeasure. “You’re lucky Danny isn’t here. What if he saw all your clothes scattered about the living room or walked in on the two of you naked? I nearly went blind from it. Why didn’t you at least tell me?”
Mia flushed hot.
“How could I tell you when I didn’t expect this?” A defensive edge lined Mason’s deep timbre. “Why does it even matter? Am I not allowed to bring my girlfriend here?”
“Girlfriend?” A noise ricocheted as though a fist slammed down on a piece of wood. “Are you fucking serious? She’s your parole officer’s sister.”
“Damn it, Alan. I’m falling for her. I’m crazy about her.”
Alan cursed. “You spent ten years locked away in a hellhole, and I could only see you through a sheet of bulletproof glass or in a damn commons room with armed guards who watched our every move. You never even met Danny until you came to live with us. I don’t want to lose you again.”
Mason sighed. “You won’t. I would never do anything to jeopardize that. I swear.”
“You’re doing a great job so far.”
“Give Mia a chance. Just talk with her.”
“I want her out of here, Mason. If Borden shows up for a stupid inspection and his sister is asleep in your bed, you’ll be in the backseat of his car in handcuffs. He won’t care if it’s legal. Borden will throw something at you and get you into major trouble. No woman is worth that.”
“She is.”
“I’m not.” Mia turned the corner and entered the living room.
The men quieted and looked at her from the open kitchen.
If only I could’ve snuck out before Mason woke or Alan returned home. She held her head high and focused on Mason. “Your brother is right. I should go. I—um—I have some errands to take care of, anyway.” Though the errands could wait for later in the week, she headed toward the front door and narrowed her gaze on her purse.
“No, stop.” Mason hurried after her and grabbed her hand.
Mia tried to pull back, but Mason drew her into the kitchen and set her in front of his brother like a prize.
Alan’s dark-green eyes burned with a coolness she didn’t care to fathom.
Her gaze slid down his body. Though tall and handsome like Mason, Alan failed to boil her blood or kick-start her libido. From his wayward dark hair, loose dress shirt, and wrinkled slacks—and the fact he’d stayed out all night—his date must’ve gone well. Too bad he came home so soon.
Mason stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. “Mia Eddison, Alan Harding. Brother, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend.”
Alan hid a cough behind his balled-up hand and offered his other hand to Mia.
She accepted it. “It’s good to finally meet you.” Benji had accepted her right away, and she expected Alan would too. At a loss for words, she stood a little straighter to not show weakness.
“I’m sorry you heard all that.” Alan stepped back. “I’m just protective.”
Mia blushed hotter. “I understand. I’m sorry I spent the night. I didn’t mean to intrude in your home, and the last thing I want is to cause problems for Mason’s parole.”
“Don’t do that, Mia.” Mason tightened his grip as he glared at Alan. “You promised me when I moved in that this place is half mine. I pay half the bills. You don’t have a choice with whom or what I bring into this household as long as it doesn’t violate my parole. She stays.”
Alan gripped his hands. “You’re right, but Borden will probably ban her from returning if he finds out about this.”
“It’s possible.” Mia turned her head to stare up at Mason. “But he wouldn’t want to. Jim will have to put my name down on legal documents and probably update his supervisor about this situation. He’d consider that shameful.”
Mason kissed her hair before he released her. “We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”
“My brother can be an asshole.” She stepped toward Alan in a plea for him to understand. “I’m not. If you would feel more comfortable if I left, I will. If Jim files the paperwork to legally forbid me from coming here, I won’t return. I won’t jeopardize Mason’s parole for anything in the world. I care about your brother too much to hurt him.”
“No. Stay.” Alan forced his hand through his short hair and sighed. “We should talk. You’re important to Mase so you’re important to me. Come, sit down.” He headed to the living room without waiting for a reply.
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About the Author
Amber Daulton writes raw, edgy romantic suspense and dark cartel romance featuring high stakes, deep passion, and defiant hearts. She’s the author of the Lozano Cartel, Arresting Onyx, Embracing You, and Ramseys in Time series, as well as a rich catalog of standalone novellas. Her books are available worldwide in digital, print, and select audio formats.
From her home base in North Carolina, she builds dangerous criminal underworlds and maps out fierce, second-chance love stories alongside her supportive husband and her demanding feline writing assistant, Zita.
Find her here: https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton