Sunday Snippet: Relative Chemistry (Uncivil Revolution)

Whew! What a week.It's been something of a wild ride. My daughter starts graduate school inAthens the week of August 25, and we're still trying to figure out herfinancial aid. She's headed to Ontario Canada this week for a theater festival,which is what she'll be getting her master's degree in. My work inbox isoverflowing! I'm so grateful for all the new projects but also a little dauntedby how much I have stacked up and waiting for me to get to. My car also has anissue that we're hoping is not the computer. I'll know more on Monday. Ugh!

I didn't get muchdone on the viewing front. Too many things needed my focus elsewhere. Betweenthe phone calls for school and car problems, my brain turned to mush. Bleh.

I did get anepisode of Best in Paradise in. I enjoyed it again. It's fun to have the introductionsfrom the cast members.

I also got to watchthe closing episode of Death in Paradise season eight. A very interesting and twistyepisode with a really cool gesture at the end from the commissioner.

And I also finishedup the main draft of a holiday manuscript I've been working on for, geez,almost a year. The sages finally cooperated and threw a bunch of ideas out. I'mso happy about that.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Relative Chemistry, anovel in the Uncivil Revolution series. Or maybe the Civil Revolution. I'm notsure on the title yet.

Here's the miniblurb:

In a nation torn apart by an uncivil war, Wallis Canton isallowed to live if she keeps the men at a covert human trafficking locationsated and satisfied. When Etta Morgan is brought and held for sale to thehighest bidder, Wallis finds a kindred spirit and rediscovers her will to befree. When Dom Marinelli arrives on the scene to save Etta, he almost takes outthe one man, Perry Norris, who didn't abuse and degrade Wallis. With Perry'shelp, the four escape the facility and live to fight another day, and Perryhelps Wallis navigate life on the outside, showing her good men do exist andlove can flourish from tragic circumstances.

And a sneaky peek…

Wallis Canton shuffled along infront of her armed escort. Her head throbbed and her muscles ached. Twelvehours with no food and barely any water sapped all of her energy. Taking careof five clients didn't help. Sex burned a lot of calories. I'm running on empty.The man behind her grunted. "You'rehome. No work tomorrow. Rest up." His mouth twisted in a sneer.The heavy steel door opened andPerry Norris, one of the caretakers, stepped to one side. "Instructions?"He spoke to the armed escort.Wallis itched to get inside thefacility, to have a shower, and find her bed. Her rumbling stomach and parchedthroat would need attention first. After that, she might curl up on the nearestflat surface and crash hard.The goon—she never remembered theirnames—shook his head and nudged Wallis across the threshold. Perry lifted hischin and quickly closed the door, turning the deadbolt before he put out asteadying hand.Wallis nearly crumpled at thesupportive gesture. "Need water." Her voice cracked and raspedbetween her dry lips.Perry pressed a bottle into herhand. "I figured. They never think past collecting the fee and moving onto the next stop." He guided her toward the bathroom in the old highschool that functioned as a makeshift dorm for the sex workers.She twisted the cap off and slowlydrank a few sips of the clear liquid. "Thanks." Her stomach gurgledand roiled … the water making her queasy, even as it quenched her thirst.Perry reached into his shirt pocketand tore the wrapper from a protein bar. "Didn't feed you either, didthey?" He handed the food over.She gratefully took the offeringand bit into the mix of granola, peanut butter, and honey. "No." Shechewed and swallowed, following with another longer drink. "Not usuallyout as long as I was today." A yawn escaped before she could stop it.Perry angled her toward him, hisgaze sweeping over her. "You're dead on your feet. Would you rather go toyour room instead of the restroom?"She shook her head. "I want ashower. I need to get … clean." Her gaze met his. "You know?" Especiallyafter the long sex-filled day.Perry dipped his chin. "Yeah.I do." He led her into the cavernous former locker room and over towardthe line of showers. "Finish the food and water. I'll get the water warmfor you." He pointed to the bench by the stalls.She sank down then jumped back up."Wait! You're fully—" The spray of water drowned her voice out.Dressed. He's fully dressed.Sitting back down, she nibbled theprotein bar and sipped the water. The infusion of calories eased the emptinessin her stomach and the water soothed her throat, but her body still ached fromthe overexertion of the day. She might fall asleep right here.Perry returned, his clothes damp."All warmed up. You're good to go." He grabbed a towel from the rackand dried his hands off.Wallis heaved a sigh and slowly gotto her feet, swaying a little.Perry caught her elbow. "Youokay?" Concern etched his features.Wallis lifted a shoulder. "Notsure. Can't really think straight." She moved forward, pausing by thestall. "Ugh. I don't even have the energy to get undressed." Hervision swam.Perry put his hands on hershoulders. "Look, I'm not trying to be creepy or anything, but let mehelp. You can't stay upright much longer."She gave a nod and held her armsup. Perry walked behind her and lifted her shirt over her head. Then he slidher pants down until she could step out of them and her clogs. She slowly madeher way into the stall and under the hot spray of water.Perry pulled the curtain. "I'llbe right outside. Call out if you need anything."She paused, wiping the water fromher face. "Can you stay? I won't be long." As much as she'd love tospend the next twelve hours under the steamy mist, she wouldn't be able to stayawake much longer.Perry grunted his acknowledgment."I'll stay."

I'm very excitedabout writing this one. I think it's the final book in a three book series andthe ideas have been rolling around in my head for more than a decade.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye