Severed by Vengeance (The Severed Signet, #1)

by Elle Maldonado

To all my readers who long to be devoured in the flames of passionate and all-consuming love. But also crave to be ravaged. Taken. And disrespected in the best way.

I was fine, I repeated to myself. Everything would be fine.

On the outside, I was successful. Promoted to detective six months ago. Attractive. Fit. By all appearances, I had my shit together. But inside, sometimes, I felt broken. My life plagued by loss and grief. Maybe loneliness. I wasn’t sure.

“If I were you, I’d choose my next words wisely.”

Damn you, Alexa. He was hot. No, not just hot. Derek Cain was the unholy definition of calculated seduction.

He moved with the air and confidence of a man who commanded authority and respect—one accustomed to always getting what he wanted—a walking red flag.

While I wanted to get this introduction started, I couldn’t help admiring the view. Her toned thighs were wrapped in tight jeans, coupled with a fitted brown leather jacket that hit just above her hips. I’d never been more thankful for a piece of clothing as it gave me a full view of her plump little ass. And while I’d always thought there was nothing sexier than heels on a woman, preferably of the fuck me variety, her black combat boots were changing my mind.

“I’m staring because I never thought you’d be this goddamn beautiful.”

She had a fire to her. And I liked it.

We either overcome or fall victim to our demons.”

Fuck, I wanted her. I wanted to pull her onto my lap and take what was mine. But this couldn’t be rushed. Though I wasn’t used to patience in these matters, Evangelina wasn’t like the women I kicked out of my penthouse and hotels after sex. I’d never courted anyone before, but something told me she’d be the exception.

she was utterly oblivious that she no longer had a choice. She was mine. Better she understood that sooner than later.

“Oh, and Evangelina,”

“It’s not average.”

“Your height. It’s not...

“Again, with the short jok...

“No. It’s just that absolutely nothing about ...

I was in trouble, and I knew it. Derek was definitely flirting, and still, I suggested we be friends, knowing damn well platonic would be a short-lived status between us. I could feel it. Feel what his touch did to my insides and my underwear.

“Excuse me? What the fuck was that?”

“What was what?”

“That whole breathy Derek-was-great thing?”

“Your imagination.”

“Eva, you lying ass hoe! He’s hot, isn’t he?”

“...

Two bruised dicks in a day had to be a record of some sort.

Derek pushed me off balance, leaving my emotions in a tizzy. And I didn’t know whether I wanted to run the other way or wrap myself around him. No. That was a lie. I absolutely craved to wrap myself around his hard body.

Eva was mine. Mine to mark, wreck, and put back together as I pleased—only mine. And whoever had dared to touch her was as good as dead.

“Who did this?”

Fuck, I wanted to taste her. Throw her over the hood of the car and fuck her until I replaced her pain with pleasure.

There was something to be said about how beautiful she looked under the glow of the stars. The depraved part of me wondered if her tears would gleam just as lovely when they slid down that tender skin and cried out my name.

“I’m going to ask you again. And you’re going to answe...

However, unlike Evangelina, I didn’t give a single fuck.

I need your help.”

“I know you and me… we just met, but I don’t know who else to ask.”

if you even think of lifting another hand to her, I suggest you reconsider.”

“Let’s get you cleaned up too.”

“Where are we going?”

“The antiseptic and bandages are in my bathroom.”

That was a half-truth, as there was a first aid kit on the first floor. But what ...

“This is… nice. Immaculate.”

“For a single man, you mean?”

“Ma...

The slightest hint of a smile lit up her eyes. That was the second time she’d hit...

Evangelina had a chronic illness, and I suddenly felt oddly helpless, an emotion I hadn’t experienced since I was a child. What was more disconcerting was that there wasn’t anyone I could coerce, hurt, or kill to make her better. That thought process was unnerving, but I shoved it down into the dark place where all my errant musings and human sentiments went to die.

I said nothing else and prepared to clean her wound, fully aware she could do it herself. But the need to touch her was a beast with a mind of its own.

Dabbing at her lip with the damp cloth, I lifted her chin, my gaze never wavering from hers. The longer we stared in silence, the more I thought about what she’d just revealed. And the more unnerved I became. I hated the way she made me feel. I hated that I felt anything at all.

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“Why did you come to me, beautiful? Do I make you feel safe?”

“Answer the question.”

“It was a last-minute decision. And you have heavy surveillance. Don’t flatter yourself, Cain. Like you said, I don’t know you, so there would be no other reason besides convenience.”