Risk
Looking through binoculars, I watched the factory complex from the roof of a building several blocks away, seeing the aftermath of battle, the decimation of so many of the forces Maddox had built. If I knew Arik, Maddox was dead, but the dregs had scattered like cockroaches, searching for the dark. Giving me work to do.
Right now it was time for me to go. It wouldn’t be long before Sun’s soldiers headed this way. I needed to be safely out of the area before that happened.
Just as I moved to lower the binoculars, two warriors exited the warehouse toward the middle of the complex, one with bright, shining red hair, and the other short and blond. The blond carried a wrapped bundle in his arms. The sight of Arik walking across the compound, the female secure in his arms, was a stab to the heart, but I hadn’t been able to stay away. Needed to know he’d survived, even if it meant seeing him with someone else. My first instinct when I’d learned about her was to take her out, but I didn’t have the kinds of gifts Arik’s female was capable of. Still, all I had to do was close my eyes and I went right back to those moments when he’d held me, took care of me.
Maybe you shouldn’t have allowed yourself to love him in the first place.
Yeah, I’d known deep down that was a no-win scenario.
At least the females were safe. The ones who’d lived through things ninety-nine percent of the world could never understand. But I knew what torture was like. I’d lived it, and I’d never allow it to happen to anyone else if it was in my power to stop it.
I took one last, long look, soaking in the sight of the first man I’d ever loved. And then I took that emotion and locked it away. Vowed it would never happen again. Emotion wasn’t worth the risk.
The thought had the corner of my mouth curving up, but there wasn’t any joy in it.
As I stood, ready to head back to the city, to that safe place where no one could get inside my guard, my gaze slid across the male at Arik’s side. Sun carried himself with authority, tall and imposing. Maybe it was the air of command that nagged at me, I wasn’t sure. There was something about him, something I couldn’t put my finger on, but I needed to figure out what. The male was on my radar now, and I’d keep an eye out until I uncovered exactly what kind of threat he posed.
I’d see him again, of that I had no doubt.
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Book 2 in the Archai Warrior series,
PHOENIX FALLING,
will release November 28, 2023.
Preorder now to be certain you don’t miss Sun and Risk’s explosive story!
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Before you go…
Have you read Ella’s heart-pounding ASSASSINS series?
Start with book one, ASSASSIN’S MARK.
I knew the minute I saw him that Levi Agozi was too perfect to be real. I didn't care. He came to me, asked for me, and, dazzled by his dark good looks and the bad-boy aura surrounding him, I gave in. Willingly.
My father is set to become the next governor of Georgia, and he'll use me to get there if he has to. He'll hand me over, virginity and all, to the man with the biggest bank account and political pull.
I wanted something more.
I wanted Levi. And I had him—until I woke up, disoriented and confused, at his mercy. He’s a bad boy, all right. A sexy, deadly assassin. And I'm the pawn torn between him and my father, two powerful men intent on destroying each other.
I might not understand their war, but I do understand one thing: no matter who wins, I lose.
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Continue reading for a free glimpse into the dark and dangerous world of Levi Agozi…
“I have added a new autobuy author to my list and her name is Ella Sheridan.”
LARA ADRIAN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR