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interlude
He had it all…
Good looks. Thriving business. Beautiful fiancée. Life for casino owner David Carrone and his sweetheart Athena Lewis is at its peak—until a scandal of lies, a secret from his past, and an unspeakable tragedy tears a wide rift between them.
 
He lost it all…
With his reputation in question, his business in ruins, and his world crumbling around him, David struggles to protect all he holds dear. But when the most important person in his life is met with danger, he can no longer play by the rules.
 
He risked it all…
Desperate to get back the woman he loves, David recruits the help of some unlikely allies—and become the monster many believe him to be. Because when risking it all for the one you love, sometimes you have to face the devil with a demon...

Sneak Peek...

“Welcome home, baby.”

Those simple, quiet words were like a delicious caress. In response, he kissed her on the underside of her jaw then trailed his lips across her soft earlobe.

“So you’re not mad at me anymore?”

She stroked her hand over his bare shoulders, and he savored her touch. “You just made me come twice. Why would I be mad?”

He rolled to his side and gathered her close. “You didn’t answer any of my calls this week.”

“But I got all of your messages,” she murmured, slowly running her fingertips along his arm.

“I don’t like it when you avoid me, Tena,” he said forcefully. He couldn’t even remember what they had fought about, but he hated leaving home with tension and anger between them. It made his business trips that much longer.

“I texted you.”

“You could’ve called me.”

She sighed. “It wasn’t on purpose. It’s been really busy at the office, and the time difference—”

“Excuses are for losers.”

She shoved at his arm. “Haha. Funny not funny.”

He pinched her ass then gently rubbed the lush flesh. “I’m serious, sweets. I don’t like it when we fight.”

“Me either.”

“Then next time,” he muttered, taking a quick nip at her jaw, “answer my calls.”

She pressed her lips against his shoulder as her hands made their way down to his lengthening shaft.

“Okay. I will.” He groaned when she encircled her palm around him and began slowly stroking. “Now…can we make up again?”

                                                                                    ***

A faint stirring came from the bed, and Athena turned to find Davie propping himself up on his elbow.

“Hey,” he called out, his voice gruff and low. “What are you doing way over there?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

He pulled back the covers and held them open for her. “Come back to bed, sweets.”

Athena unfolded her legs and made it back to the wide, rumpled bed. She climbed in and tucked her head under his chin. Davie instantly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his hard frame. The warmth of his naked body pressing against her was oddly reassuring.

​“You okay?”

She nodded, keeping her face buried in his chest.

“Talk to me, Tena,” he prompted, gently rubbing the small of her back. Athena didn’t realize until she felt his soothing hand on her how tense she was. “What’s going on?”

Everything. Anthony. The wedding.

Us.

She turned away from him again to stare out the window, unnerved by his sharp receptiveness to her misery. “It’s nothing, Davie. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Is it Anthony?”

There was no sense in denying it. “Yes.” He fell silent and she continued, “It’s been a month now and I still haven’t heard from him. I went by the apartment, and I know he hasn’t been there either.”

“Tena, I’ve told you that you need to stop letting your brother’s problems become your own. If he wants to throw away everything you’ve done for him then—”

“Okay, stop,” she interrupted, pushing away from him as frustration rose in her. “I don’t want to get into this with you tonight.”

“Fine, but you can’t keep babying him forever. He needs to work through his shit on his own for a change.”

“Damn it, Davie. Can’t you just let me vent without the lecture? I’m really scared right now and you’re not helping.” She bit her lip, unprepared for the quiver that snuck into her voice.

He cursed and pulled her back into his arms. She knew he hated it when she cried, not that she tended to get so emotional, but any sign of tears always seem to upset him. On those rare occasions she happened to tear up, his voice seemed to thicken. She found it fascinating—and a little amusing.

“I’m sorry, sweets. I’m sure he’ll turn up. He always does.”

What if he doesn’t?