“See you then.” I hang up, my back sweating. I’ve been trying to get them into one of these programs for what seems like forever. It’s not that I won’t miss them, because I will. I grew up running out to their cage and seeing them. But they deserve to be free, to be animals. Not prisoners.
The door opens and shuts to my office, catching my attention.
Charlie walks in wearing a long, sexy-as-hell black dress, her dark hair is let down and curling at the ends. When I was younger, my mother would dress in a black dress before she worked the estate. When I asked her about it, she furrowed her brows and said, “Every woman deserves a little black dress, Landon.” Then she smirked and ruffled my hair. “Don’t forget that, son.”
“Have I said how sexy you look in black?” I smile wolfishly. Charlie’s cheeks flush as she strides over to my desk. My cock grows in my slacks with the need to take her again. “We just got Jaheem and Ebele a home into a nice reserve, I think,” I inform her with a big smile.
“Really?” Charlie lights up. She smiles and looks off. “That’s crazy.”
I lift a brow, curious at what she’s thinking in that head of hers. “Why’s that?”
“They’re free, we’re free. It’s just an odd coincidence.” I nod and smile, noticing she has her hand behind her back and a mischievous smile playing her face. I cock my head to the side, curious what she’s up to.
“What?” I ask with a laugh.
She pulls her arm out and shoves her hand in my face as she squeals in excitement. I pull my face back to look at what she has in her hand to find a picture of some sort. I take it from her, and examine it. It’s an ultrasound image. I forgot for a moment about her being with the doctor I was so excited about finding Jaheem and Ebele a home.
“Really?” I look at her with surprise.
“Mmhhm.” She nods. “We didn’t lose the baby!” I stand from my desk and make my way to her, pulling her into my arms. “I can’t believe it. I surely thought we had lost it,” she mutters into the crook of my neck. I scoff.
“Must be a boy then, tough like his dad.” She rolls her eyes and slaps at my chest. I slide my hand along her abdomen, and smirk. “A Blackwell and an Evans, imagine that,” I mutter. Relief floods my senses that we didn’t lose it, that Charlie and I created something precious out of an act of love rather than creating chaos and damage in our wake. This baby is a start to a new chapter in mine and Charlie’s life. He or she stands for something memorable.
Charlie beams with happiness as she watches my hand caress her belly.
“Imagine that,” she repeats. “We actually did something right for a change, and it happened when we weren’t even trying,” she giggles. I shake my head, and pull my hand away. Trying to get a hold of my emotions.
“How’s your first day going as the Madam?” I ask, trailing my fingers up her spine. Making Charlie the Madam was the best decision I ever made. She’s perfect for the girls. Hearing the news, Veronica got pissed and left. I can honestly say things between the girls have become a lot less catty since her departure.
“Jayden is not taking the team cleaning her up well, and Roman is pacing outside the door like a dog in heat waiting for her. I just…” She closes her eyes. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do,” she huffs, sitting at my desk. It took some threatening and cash to get Jayden from Mick, but in the end, it was all worth it. Charlie seems much happier that Jayden is here. I offered Jayden a position to help Charlie out around the estate, but she refused. Jayden said there’s a void in her life we wouldn’t understand and she’d rather be an escort.
I grab Charlie’s hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. Things between Charlie and I are smoother now that we don’t have to fight what we really want, which is just to be together. We’re better people when we’re together than when we’re apart. We both have something the other needs. She needs my strength to cure her pain and my presence when she feels alone. I need her love and that attitude of hers to put me in my place.
“Your job is to be there for the girls, make sure they follow the rules. A lot of girls come in here damaged, although you wouldn’t know it by the fake smiles and how they constantly throw themselves at men. But mostly, that’s an act of filling an emptiness,” I explain, sitting on my desk. She runs her hand down my arm and smiles.
Charlie nods. “If there is something I know, it’s that you have to relinquish it all before you can have it all.”
I hold her arm and pull her back to my front, brushing the hair from her neck.
“Do you have it all, Charlie?” I whisper into her ear.
She turns her head slightly and offers a wicked smile.
“I’m getting there.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book was so much fun to write. The research alone was amazing and I found myself nose deep into the world of escorts and pimps till the wee hours of the night. It’s as fascinating as it is dark.
This book could not have been completed without my amazing team of friends though. Thank you Author JC Emery and your ability to listen to me ramble and plot at all hours of the night.
Thank you LM Creations for the amazing cover. BIG thank you to Alessandra Torre for the cover blurb. I tried my hardest not to fan-girl all over you, but you rock… so it was hard.
My editor at Hottree, you are amazing and worked so well with my tight schedule. Julie, can I just say THANK YOU for proofing Relinquish on your vacation (If that is not loyalty, I don’t know what is).
My street team and Addicts group, you are the best, and I love every one of you. Rock Stars Of Romance, you fucking rock! Thank you much for an amazing release, tour, and cover reveal.
Max Effect, you rock at formatting. I always know I’m in good hands with your amazing talent.
I am forever grateful to my betas. This book had me so nervous being my first out of my MC series. Some read a couple of chapters, some read all of the book. Stephanie, Brie, Bel, Julie, Vickie, Courtney, Jennifer, Nancy, and Emily. You’re opinion, and advice helped me in many ways. Thank you!
Most of all, thank you- the reader. This book would not be here without you and your support. I’m beyond grateful and hope to keep pleasing you with books to come!
Love M.N. Forgy
xx
ALSO BY M. N. FORGY
DEVIL’S DUST SERIES
What Doesn’t Destroy Us (#1)
The Scars That Define Us (#2)
The Broken Pieces Of Us (Novella)
The Fear That Divides Us (#3)
Love That Defies Us (Novella)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M.N. Forgy was raised in Missouri where she still lives with her family. She’s a soccer mom by day and a saucy writer by night.
M.N. Forgy started writing at a young age but never took it seriously until years later, as a stay-at-home mom, she opened her laptop and started writing again. As a role model for her children, she felt she couldn’t live with the “what if” anymore and finally took a chance on her character’s story. So, with her glass of wine in hand and a stray Barbie sharing her seat, she continues to create and please her fans.
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WEBSITE
www.mnforgy.com
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