Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Mirror, Mirror . . . Innocence or Sin. The reflection holds a darker truth.
ALEXEI
I’ve spent the last seven years in the hell of a maximum-security prison, every moment consumed by the need for revenge—revenge against the bastards who framed me, and revenge against the family who stole everything I owned. Now that I’m finally free, nothing will stand in my way. Not even her—my hot as sin new lawyer. Maybe she’s another weapon sent by my enemies to break me, or maybe she’s the key to my freedom. Either way, once she’s mine, I’m never letting her go.
ROSALIE
When I took this case, I thought I had it under control. But Alexei is no typical convicted killer—he's a dangerously seductive force of nature. Perhaps it's the lingering power from his days as heir to a global social media empire. Innocent or not, he's dangerous in the worst and best ways.
I secure Alexei’s release as we prepare for a new trial, but he wastes no time turning against his traitorous relatives and plotting his return to power. Amidst the chaos, our explosive chemistry ignites, putting us—and everyone I care about—in the crosshairs of ruthless enemies. If we can’t stop them, Alexei plans to burn the whole world down. And if anything, he’s a man of his word .
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
ONE
Rosalie
Alone, I cross my legs beneath the intimidating metal table secured to the floor, feeling as out of place as a raven in a nursery rhyme. The heat clunks and whispers from a grate in the ceiling but fails to warm the interview room, and when the door finally opens, the heavy frame scrapes against the grimy cement floor.
My spine naturally straightens, and my chin lifts as my client stalks inside, his hands cuffed to a chain secured around his narrow waist. He doesn’t shuffle. Or walk. Or saunter.
No. This man . . . stalks.
His gaze rakes me, and I mean, rakes me. Black eyes—deep and dark—glint with more than one threat of violence in their depths. He kicks back the lone metal chair opposite me and sits in one fluid motion. The scent of motor oil in fresh rain, something all male, wafts toward me.
I swallow.
The guard, a burly man with gray hair, stares at me, concern in his eyes.
“Please remove his cuffs,” I say, my focus not leaving my client.
My client. I don’t practice criminal law. Never have and don’t want to.
The guard hesitates. “Miss, I—”
“I appreciate it.” I make my voice as authoritative as possible, considering I’m about to crap my pants. Or rather, my best navy-blue pencil skirt bought on clearance at the Women’s Center Thrift Store. I don’t live there, but I’m happy to shop there. Rich people give away good items.
In a jangle of metal, the guard hitches toward us, releases the cuffs, and turns on his scuffed boot toward the door. “Want me to stay inside?”
“No, thank you.” I wait until he shrugs, exits, and shuts the door. “Mr. Sokolov? I’m Rosalie Mooncrest, your new attorney from Cage and Lion.”
“What happened to my old attorney?” His voice is the rasp of a blade on a sharpening stone.
I clear my throat and focus only on his eyes and not the tattoo of a panther prowling across the side of his neck, amethyst eyes glittering. “Mr. Molasses died in a car accident a month ago.” Molasses was a partner in the firm, and he represented Alexei in the criminal trial that had led to a guilty verdict. “I take it he wasn’t in touch with you often?”
“No.” Alexei leans back and finishes removing the cuffs from his wrists to slap onto the table. “You’re responsible for my being brought to the minimum-security section of this prison?”
Actually, my firm has juice and a named partner had made this happen. “Yes, and it’s temporary. You’re back to your normal cell block after this meeting.”
His chin lifts. “So this plush locale for our conference is for you, princess? The prestigious law firm doesn’t want you dirtied by the bowels of this place?”
Probably true. “I’m here to help you, Mr. Sokolov.”
His eyes glitter sharper than the panther’s on his neck. “Don’t call me that name again.”
I frown. “Sokolov?”
“Yes. It’s Alexei. No mister.”
Fair enough. I can’t help but study him. Unruly black hair, unfathomable dark eyes, golden-brown skin, and bone structure chipped out of a mountain with a finely sharpened tool. Brutally rugged, the angles of his face reveal a primal strength that’s ominously beautiful. The deadliest predators in life usually are.
Awareness filters through me. I don’t like it.
Worse yet, he’s studying me right back, as if he has Superman’s x-ray vision and no problem using it. He lingers inappropriately on my breasts beneath my crisp white blouse before sliding to my face, his gaze a rough scrape I can feel. “You fuck your way through law school?”
My mouth drops open for the smallest of seconds. “Are you insane?”
“Insanity is relative. It depends on who has who locked in what cage,” he drawls.
Did he just quote Ray Bradbury? “You might want to remember that I’m here to help you.”
“Hence my question. Not that I’m judging. If you want to do the entire parole board to get me out, then don’t hold back. If that isn’t your plan, then I’d like to know that you understand the law.”
It’s official. Alexei Sokolov is an asshole. “Listen, Mr. Sokolov—”
“That name. You don’t want me to tell you again.” His threat is softly spoken.
A shiver tries to take me, so I shift my weight, hiding my reaction. I stare him directly in the eyes, as one does with any bully. “Why? What are you going to do?” I jerk my head toward the door, where no doubt the guard awaits on the other side.
Alexei leans toward me and metal clangs. “Peaflower? I can have you over this table, your skirt hiked up, and spank your ass raw before the dumbass guard can find his keys, much less gather the backup he’d need to get you free. You won’t sit for a week. Maybe two.” His gaze warms. “Now that’s a very pretty blush.”
“That’s my planning a murder expression,” I retort instantly, my cheeks flaming hot.