Sea of Snakes
Heidi Stark
Publication date: January 26th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary,
Dark Romance, Reverse Harem, Romance
Zeke,
Skyler, Dom and Rake—they grew up on this island and are in charge of
protecting its various interests. They’re used to being in control of everything here.
Including the surf. I’ve been kidnapped by a dangerous man, and am being used as
collateral while my father comes up with the funds to pay off his debt (sadly not the
worst thing he’s ever done although it’s up there), and if he doesn’t come up with
the cash soon I’ll be auctioned off to the highest bidder. In the meantime, these four
men are tasked with keeping me in their control and protecting me, and they take
their role very seriously.
But they’re not the only people to be concerned about. I’m tough in
my own way. I can tell that they want all of me, to take me over like they
do everything else. But five can play this game, and I’m not good at
losing.
**This is a Dark Reverse Harem/Why Choose Romance. 18+. Warning: this
book includes graphic violence and sex scenes, and references of abuse/assault that
some readers may experience as triggering.
Goodreads / Amazon
—
EXCERPT:
“It’s a protection job,” says the clipped voice. “We need you to hold her for us.
She’s collateral for a debt.”
“What does that entail, exactly?”
“Like I said, we need you to hold her for us.” The voices pauses. “You can do
whatever you like with her while she’s with you.”
“Oh, really?” Now he has my interest. “How long do we need to keep her for?” I
wonder what the other guys are going to think of this.
“No more than ten days,” says the voice. “That’s how long our associate has to
repay his debt.”
“How is this associate connected with this girl?” Skyler’s been
teaching me to ask more questions rather than just accepting information at face
value. I’m trying.
“You ask too many questions. But it’s her father.”
“How old is she? An adult, I am assuming? We’re not babysitters.”
“Yes, an adult. Not that it’s any of your business, but he crossed a contact back
on the mainland and is here on what he believes to be a business trip. His debt has
been on-sold to us, and he’s evidently having a little trouble accessing funds, as his
primary asset source has been frozen.”
“I see.” I need to know more. There must be an end game to this. Tane
wouldn’t ask us to help if he didn’t have a grand plan, or if he simply intends on
disposing of her after the time is up. “And if he doesn’t repay it? What happens
then?”
“She’ll be auctioned off to the highest bidder. And I have a feeling she’ll attract
a high price. Maybe higher than the value of the debt. Even if the debt is repaid, we
might reassess our next steps.” His tone is clinical.
Jesus, these guys are ruthless. We make sure to do just enough to stay on their
good side, but we try to avoid getting involved with the human trafficking and hard
drugs that they also control across the island chain.
“Oh, so she’s attractive?” He’s really piquing my interest here. Numerous
buyers bidding on a woman. I wonder how someone determines the price to
purchase a human.
This isn’t something we’ve done before, harboring a captive, and it’s definitely
on the cusp of what we’re prepared to do.
I wonder what Zeke will have to say. Skyler is slightly more mellow than him,
but they both tend to be overly cautious. Whereas I’m usually up for anything. And,
well, Rake is up for anything involving a woman.
“You’ll see.” The voice on the other end lets out an icy chuckle, causing a
shiver to creep up my back.
I have no doubt that Tane’s men are evil, just like him. I’m no angel myself, but
my soul is just dark, whereas his simply doesn’t exist.
“Do you expect anyone to come looking for her?” I glance at my free hand
again and crack my knuckles.
I wouldn’t mind an excuse to use my fists, maybe curry a little favor with our
captive to give her reason to be grateful to me. Nothing like a damsel in distress
who owes you their life.
“That’s for you to worry about,” says the voice. “But again, she’s yours to do
with as you please while she’s with you. Just don’t do anything that will... lower her
market value too much, if you catch my drift.”
“That leaves a lot of options.” I can’t help but grin.
The person at the other end of the phone directs me to stay tuned for further
instructions, and then they click off the call.
It’s been a while since I’ve been around a woman. I tend to avoid them. Sure,
I’ll have a little casual fun with a random woman every now and then. No strings
attached, a one-time event where nobody catches feelings.
But that’s where I leave things. Because ultimately women are dangerous, and
from my experience, they inflict nothing but pain.
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter
giveaway
—
