Covet Me (Immortal Vices and Virtues: Her Monstrous Mates, #1)

by Kel Carpenter

Y’all were a few hours away from not having this monster of a story on time. For that reason, we dedicate this book to strong coffee, DoorDash, grocery delivery drivers, anxiety medication, our author support group, Disney movies and soundtracks, and our husbands who make us dinner. And to all you lovelies out there that want to fuck the dragon.

“You go in there and own the room like the godsdamned phoenix you are.” I chuckled, standing up and putting my hands on my hips. “I feel like a godsdamned platypus.”

“Don’t worry. I’m already working out some details in my head.” “Please tell me that plan doesn’t include tunneling underneath the city like a rabbit?” “Don’t be ridiculous,” I chided. “That’s not even practical.” “Good—” “Maybe a slingshot, though,” I muttered, ignoring the way Sam pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Of course. I always keep my promises.” “I’ll see you tomorrow. I can’t believe you got us into this mess. The fucking Earth and Emerald trials.” “About that . . .” “ ???” “New plan.” “No. No new plans. Stop making new plans!” “You’ll like this one.” “I highly doubt that.” “I’m going to win this election, and you’re going to help me.” “ . . . I’m listening.” “And then I’m going to dismantle the syndicates brick by brick.” “Now we’re talking.”

“You know what happens if you break a pinky promise, right?” “I, uh, can’t say that I do.” “If you break the promise, I break your finger,” she said, pausing while waiting for me to react. We’d just had numerous bones broken. Not that I planned on breaching her trust, but a single finger was nothing in comparison. “Off,” she added. “Come again?” “I break it off. And I’ll keep it too.”

He was so rough and jagged on the outside, like an uncut diamond forged in fire and pressure. Beneath that hard exterior was something soft and so vulnerable.

I wasn't necessarily opposed to the kitchen counter, though. I may have loved my princess movies, but I also loved a good, dirty fuck. A real Prince Charming would have bored me to tears.

“Lovely morning, isn't it?” I said lightly. “Minus the dead body.”

“Why is it that fragile male egos think the worst thing a woman can be called is a whore? Hmm? What does it matter to men who I choose to let into my bed? If my choices are between living with a group of guys or going with you, I guess you can just fuck off and call me Snow White.”

“I suggest you rethink this.” She waited a moment, then said, “I’ve taken your suggestion into consideration.” And then she flipped him off.

“You’ll be watched and judged on the merit of your work and negotiation tactics, of course. Diplomacy is key. To be perfectly honest, unless you killed somebody, I’m not entirely sure our relations with the Pacific branch of Sea and Serpentine can get any worse,” she muttered. Seeing that we were syndicate, murdering people to get what we wanted was sort of the way we did things.

“I’m not correcting you because I can’t change your opinion of him. I can’t make you believe something you don’t. You think he’s worth nothing. That’s your opinion. It’s subjective and inconsequential at the end of the day because to me he’s worth everything.”