Falling Feathers

BENNETT “PENANCE”

She believed my words and felt my hatred, but they were all twisted lies. Every word, every action, was a blade against her skin and they marked me as well. Our fate was sealed the moment our parents got married and I couldn’t do anything about it other than push her away. I didn’t want anyone else to see her, to touch her, to love her, but I couldn’t have her even though she was always mine.

I made her believe the lies to make her hate me, feeding the part of me that hated myself. When she got the chance, she flew away, and I’ve been paying for it with bits of my soul ever since. I’ve been watching and waiting while I found a new family with the Devil’s Saints MC, channeling all my anger and resentment toward our past into something more to gain enough favor to barter with fate.

When she finally comes home, she’s a swan, and we’re no longer family. Evelyn was always beautiful, and I’ve always loved her. She thinks she’s transformed, but those are just the feathers. It was always her light that shined the brightest. I’ll chase away the darkness I shrouded her in and repent for my sins before I make her mine, then I’m never letting her go.

EVELYN

Years ago, I should have known nothing could happen, no matter what my heart said, because he was my stepbrother and he hated me, which he made it clear every chance he got. When I couldn’t take it anymore, when I was at my lowest and surrounded by choking darkness, I ran. It wasn’t far enough. The memories twisted into nightmares and followed me, along with the stolen moments and the dreams I knew would never come true.

In the years I’ve been gone, I’ve grown into the woman I was always supposed to be. I’ve gotten better at ignoring the echo of his voice in my head and the way his eyes would heat when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. Still, I can feel the fissures caused by the push and pull between us.

Our parents are divorced now, more broken pieces of a fairy tale forgotten, and they haven’t seen Bennett in years. It should be safe for me to be home where so much has changed, except I can still feel his eyes on me, just like I used to. I can’t shake it and I’m not sure I want to. I’m stronger now, but he holds the power to break me; he always has. When he gets his hands on me again, I can see how much he wants me, but can I trust him?

**18+  If you like alpha heroes and an insta-love story that is sweet and spicy but isn’t necessarily simple, then this is for you.  No cheating with a guaranteed HEA. Bennett (Penance) is part of the Devil’s Saints Motorcycle Club, Seattle Chapter. Meet Penance in Devil’s Return (Devil’s Saints Motorcycle Club: New Orleans Chapter Book 1) and Biker. The New Orleans Chapter is mentioned in Flowers and Moonlight. The DSMC is not a one percenter club, but these guys don’t always operate within the law either and have ties to crime families. Don’t be surprised if there is OW (other women) drama when the men of the DSMC are involved.**

Once upon a time…When you’re tucked into bed and looking for a fairy tale, not all of them can be glitter and gold.  Sometimes you want them gritty and twisted to fulfill your deep, dark desires.  This October, fifteen of your favorite authors are bringing you the Dark and Twisted Tales Series.  These stories will follow you into your dreams and show you that the tales you grew up with might have had moments in the sunshine, but were borne from the darkest corners of your mind.…they lived happily ever after.