Introduction
Her sister, Kimberly, is a glamorous blonde. The two rarely contacted each other, and Casey was shocked to learn that Kimberly was engaged to Hank Williamson, son of wealthy State Senator Henry Williamson II, with the wedding scheduled for October—a fact Kimberly had never mentioned in their few conversations.
Naturally cautious Casey understood her sister's secret, but given the Williamson family's prominent status, the situation became increasingly perplexing.
After meeting the Williamson family—the charismatic Senator Henry, the aloof matriarch Devine, and their charming son Hank—Casey sensed an unease beneath their welcoming exteriors.
Her investigation led her to the Ryder brothers. The enigmatic Williamson family's security chief, Ace, was a brooding and reserved individual; his guarded demeanor hinted at hidden family secrets. Archer, her brother, possessed a rebellious charm; his easy smile was both disarming and captivating. Despite her suspicions about Ace's motives, Casey was irresistibly drawn to him, and Archer's allure only exacerbated her infatuation.
The local sheriff linked Kimberly's disappearance to a series of crimes, but Casey's intuition pointed to the Williamsons. Torn between her affection for the Ryder brothers and her duty, she had to race against time to uncover the truth before it was too late.
Then, one night, a body was discovered… and her investigation plunged into a chilling new frontier.
Chapter 1
Chapter Title: Polished and Pretending
Kimberly
The day started with a headache and a list of things to pretend to care about. I opened my eyes to the blinding Chesapeake sunlight slanting through gauzy curtains of the bedroom of my tiny home, and the sharp, scratchy screech of a seagull with a vendetta against my window. It sounded like it had unfinished business with the glass.
Hank was already gone—again. No goodbye kiss. No whispered farewell. Just the faint scent of his cologne lingering on the pillow next to mine and a text, timestamped at 5:17 a.m.
Early meeting. Coffee’s in the pot. Love you.
Love you. I stared at the words a second too long before tossing the phone face-down on the comforter. They felt rehearsed, like lines from a script Hank had been reciting too often. Not that he didn’t mean them. He did—probably. Just the way someone meant brushing their teeth or tying their tie. Polished. Correct. Expected. Distant enough to make anyone wonder if all of this—us, the wedding, this life—was a beautifully packaged mistake.
I padded barefoot into the kitchen, poured the coffee he left behind, and stepped onto the porch swing. The July heat clung to the air like a second skin. Somewhere down the street, wind chimes clinked. The scent of brine drifted from the bay. If I focused hard enough, I could almost convince myself I liked it here.
But I didn’t.
Not really.
I wasn’t from here. I didn’t grow up on these docks or know the names of the fishermen who waved as they passed. I didn’t crave the daily gossip or the salt in the air that never quite washed off. I came from the city—shopping districts, rooftop bars, Uber Blacks waiting at the tap of a screen.
But I came here for Hank.
Henry “Hank” Williamson III, Crisfield’s golden boy. Son of a senator, heir to a political dynasty, a man with crisp jawlines, cable-knit sweaters, and the kind of ambition that got whispered about in Capitol Hill backrooms. We met two years ago at a campaign fundraiser in Annapolis. I had been dating someone else. By the time dessert was served, I wasn’t.
Now, we were engaged. And when we marry in a few months, we would be moving to D.C., where Hank would take a seat behind his father’s desk—literally. His father had already pulled strings to get him a senior aide position. My role was less clear. Wife. Support system. Polished accessory. Baby-maker.
I was trying to be okay with that.
I took a sip of coffee and tried not to think about her... Kathy, my sister.
Too late.
I missed home. I missed her.
Kathy, my brilliant, stubborn, elusive older sister. The one who vanished into a career I could never quite define. The one who called from blocked numbers and never stayed on the phone for longer than five minutes. I hated how distant we'd grown. Sometimes I told myself it was Kathy’s fault, and sometimes I wasn’t so sure.
We used to be close. We used to tell each other everything. But now it felt like I didn’t even know where Kathy lived. I had tried texting a few days ago. No reply.
Whatever. That’s just how Kathy was. Secretive. Busy. Gone.
Yet, I had dreamed of her again last night—barefoot, bleeding, holding something in her arms I couldn’t quite make out through the murk of dream-logic. Her voice had been low and urgent. “You’re not safe, Kimmie.”
I woke up gasping, heart pounding, with an uneasiness that coiled in my chest.
Despite everything, I texted her again. I always did. Some part of me still believed she'd reply.
Hey. You alive?
No response. No read receipt. No little gray bubbles. Just silence. The kind she was always so good at giving me.
After coffee, I took a long, too-hot shower, dressed, and drove to Sweet and Savory—my bakery, my pride, my refuge. Back in New York, I had been a rising star in a PR firm, armed with a marketing degree and an ego to match. But here in Crisfield, Maryland, I was the girl who served decadent chocolate soufflés and New York cheesecakes that made grown men weep.
The town had its charms. Quaint porches, familiar faces, the predictable rhythm of small-town life. But by noon, I felt the walls closing in.
Crisfield loved its rituals. Oyster trucks, farmer’s markets, church raffles, sunburned boat parades. I played my part. Wore my sundresses. Smiled in the grocery aisles when strangers stopped me with: “Oh, you’re Hank’s fiancée, right?”
I was always “Hank’s fiancée.” Never just Kimberly.
I looked too polished. Too lean. Too “other.” I was contouring and eyeliner in a town that preferred bare faces and work boots. I was jewelry when this place preferred sweat.
Still, I did the rounds. Picked up my dry cleaning from the same gruff old man who always called me “City Girl.” Finalized the table arrangements at the florist for the rehearsal dinner although the wedding was still months away. Hank wanted white roses. I wanted something with color. Something warm, alive—peonies, maybe. Lilies. We hadn’t decided. But I had a feeling I would cave.
Again.
When I got home, I felt hollow. Like something inside me had unraveled thread by thread, leaving only a shape of a woman who was supposed to be excited about her wedding.
I took another shower. Did a face mask. Curled my hair the way Hank liked—long waves, soft, romantic. Even though I wasn’t sure if I was doing it for him anymore. Or for me. Or for the version of myself I was clinging to, like shards of badly glued porcelain.
I tried calling Kathy around four.
Straight to voicemail.
Hey. I know you’re probably busy, but I... I just wanted to talk. That’s all. Nothing big. Just… call me, okay?
My voice cracked on the last word, and I immediately regretted how desperate I sounded.
But after Dad died, she was all I had left. The only real family I still wanted to claim.
Then my phone rang.
Hope bloomed in my chest like a reflex—maybe it was her. Maybe she heard the message and—
The name on the screen killed that feeling instantly.
Divine Williamson.
I took a slow breath, then answered.
“Good afternoon, Divine,” I said, stiffly polite, silently praying she was calling to cancel our pre-dinner negotiations.
“Your accent is improving, Kimberly,” she replied, her voice crisp and dry like over-steeped tea. “I’m calling to remind you of our closed-door meeting at five. Have you and your lawyer reviewed the pre-nuptial agreement clauses?”
Every syllable she uttered sounded like it had been scrubbed clean with bleach. Divine Williamson didn’t speak. She enunciated.
“We have,” I said, injecting as much faux-enthusiasm into my voice as I could. “Thoroughly.”
“Very well. I’ll see you at five. Don’t be late.”
Click.
No goodbye. Of course not.
I tossed the phone onto the vanity and looked at myself in the mirror. My mascara-free eyes stared back, hollow and unsure. I hadn’t even noticed I was holding my breath until I exhaled all at once, like a balloon deflating.
I sat there for a long minute, unmoving. My blue eyes traveled to my sun-kissed blonde hair, the slope of my cute nose, the high cheekbones I inherited from my mother, and my soft pink lips. Without makeup, I already looked… perfect. At least by magazine standards. And in any other world, that would’ve been enough.
But of course, according to Divine Williamson, I needed to cover my pores.
As if pores were a character flaw.
I picked up my makeup brush with fingers that trembled only slightly, dabbed on primer, and started layering on the mask. The cool product spread over my skin, smoothing me into submission. Concealer blurred away exhaustion. Foundation dulled the redness blooming under my eyes. I added contour, bronzer, highlighter—sharp enough to cut glass. Painted color back into my cheeks. Glossed my lips into a pout.
Finally, I looked up at my reflection.
She smiled back—flawless, composed, ready.
Even if I didn’t feel like her anymore.
But it didn’t matter how I felt. Not here. Not now. Not with Divine waiting.
Last Chapters
#96 CHAPTER 96
Last Updated: 11/8/2025#95 CHAPTER 95
Last Updated: 11/6/2025#94 CHAPTER 94
Last Updated: 11/5/2025#93 CHAPTER 93
Last Updated: 11/4/2025#92 CHAPTER 92
Last Updated: 11/3/2025#91 CHAPTER 91
Last Updated: 11/2/2025#90 CHAPTER 90
Last Updated: 11/1/2025#89 CHAPTER 89
Last Updated: 10/28/2025#88 CHAPTER 88
Last Updated: 10/28/2025#87 CHAPTER 87
Last Updated: 10/28/2025
You Might Like 😍
The Prison Project
Can love tame the untouchable? Or will it only fuel the fire and cause chaos amongst the inmates?
Fresh out of high school and suffocating in her dead-end hometown, Margot longs for her escape. Her reckless best friend, Cara, thinks she's found the perfect way out for them both - The Prisoner Project - a controversial program offering a life-changing sum of money in exchange for time spent with maximum-security inmates.
Without hesitation, Cara rushes to sign them up.
Their reward? A one-way ticket into the depths of a prison ruled by gang leaders, mob bosses, and men the guards wouldn't even dare to cross...
At the centre of it all, meets Coban Santorelli - a man colder than ice, darker than midnight, and as deadly as the fire that fuels his inner rage. He knows that the project may very well be his only ticket to freedom - his only ticket to revenge on the one who managed to lock him up and so he must prove that he can learn to love…
Will Margot be the lucky one chosen to help reform him?
Will Coban be capable of bringing something to the table other than just sex?
What starts off as denial may very well grow in to obsession which could then fester in to becoming true love…
A temperamental romance novel.
The Biker's Fate
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Dani," he pressed. "Do you get me?"
"No, Austin, I don't," I admitted as I pulled my robe closed again and sat up. "You confuse me."
He dragged his hands down his face. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I sighed. "You're everything my parents warned me against. You're secretive, but you're also honest. I feel wholly protected by you, but then you scare me more than anyone I've ever known. You're a bad boy, but when I dated a so-called good one, he turned out to be the devil, so, yeah, I don't get you because you're not what I expected. You drive me crazier than anyone I've ever met, but then you make me feel complete. I'm feeling things I don't quite know how to process and that makes me want to run. I don't want to give up something that might be really, really good, but I also don't want to be stupid and fall for a boy just because he's super pretty and makes me come."
Danielle Harris is the daughter of an overprotective police chief and has led a sheltered life. As a kindergarten teacher, she's as far removed from the world of Harleys and bikers as you could get, but when she's rescued by the sexy and dangerous Austin Carver, her life is changed forever.
Although Austin 'Booker' Carver is enamored by the innocent Dani, he tries to keep the police chief's daughter at arm's length. But when a threat is made from an unexpected source, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the only woman who can tame his wild heart.
Will Booker be able to find the source of the threat before it's too late?
Will Dani finally give her heart to a man who's everything she's been warned about?
The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride
Yet Alexander made his decision clear to the world: “Evelyn is the only woman I will ever marry.”
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother
"What is wrong with me?
Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?
It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.
He’s my boyfirend’s brother.
This is Tyler’s family.
I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.
**
As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.
Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.
When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.
I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.
**
I hate girls like her.
Entitled.
Delicate.
And still—
Still.
The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.
Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.
It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.
I’m not here to rescue anyone.
Especially not her.
Especially not someone like her.
She’s not my problem.
And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Invisible To Her Bully
My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate
My drunk stepfather remained indifferent, his weight suffocating, making it hard to breathe as my heart raced.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and two figures burst in.
"Get off her!" a deafening roar echoed.
I didn't expect the twin brothers who'd bullied me at school to come charging in like gods to save me.
After my grandmother passed, I had to move in with my mom and stepdad, who treated me like a servant. I prayed every day for my 18th birthday to come, so l could leave and escape this broken home.
However, on my first day at my new school, l encountered the legendary twins everyone feared.
To make matters worse, the Moon Goddess revealed they were both my mates!
After helping me out with my stepdad, my twin mate cornered me, played with my hair, and whispered possessively, "You belong to us, our little mate..."
Thornhill Academy
A demon king who would burn realms to keep her safe.
A dragon-shifter whose fire bows to her skin.
A hellhound bound to her soul.
A professor who was never supposed to want her.
And the man who broke for her long before he ever touched her.
Five men. Five obsessions. Five hearts tethered to hers by magic older than the Wall itself.
Hunted, haunted, and newly awakened, Allison is dragged into a rebellion built on blood and belief, the same fight her parents died trying to protect. As enemies close in and desire sharpens into something dangerous, she must decide what kind of power she will become. The weapon the Council always wanted. Or the storm that tears their world apart. Because when Allison rises, kingdoms kneel and when she loves, she loves like war.
Dark Academia | Reverse Harem | Dark Romance | Dark Humour | Action-Packed | Steamy | Unputdownable
Balance of Light and Shadow
Little did she know how much both worlds need her to bring peace and true freedom.
Surrendering to Destiny
Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.
From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.
Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Crowned by Fate
“She’d just be a Breeder, you would be the Luna. Once she’s pregnant, I wouldn’t touch her again.” my mate Leon’s jaw tightened.
I laughed, a bitter, broken sound.
“You’re unbelievable. I’d rather accept your rejection than live like that.”
As a girl without a wolf, I left my mate and my pack behind.
Among humans, I survived by becoming a master of the temporary: drifting job to job… until I became the best bartender in a dusty Texas town.
That’s where Alpha Adrian found me.
No one could resist the charming Adrian, and I joined his mysterious pack hidden deep in the desert.
The Alpha King Tournament, held once every four years, had begun. Over fifty packs from across North America were competing.
The werewolf world was on the verge of a revolution. That’s when I saw Leon again...
Torn between two Alphas, I had no idea that what awaited us wasn’t just a competition—but a series of brutal, unforgiving trials.
Author Note:New book out now! The River Knows Her Name
Mystery, secrets, suspense—your next page-turner is here.
Mr. Ryan
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.
Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.
She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan
Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!
Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.
Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
Mated by Contract to the Alpha
William—my devastatingly handsome, wealthy werewolf fiancé destined to become Delta—was supposed to be mine forever. After five years together, I was ready to walk down the aisle and claim my happily ever after.
Instead, I found him with her. And their son.
Betrayed, jobless, and drowning in my father's medical bills, I hit rock bottom harder than I ever imagined possible. Just when I thought I'd lost everything, salvation came in the form of the most dangerous man I'd ever encountered.
Damien Sterling—future Alpha of the Silver Moon Shadow Pack and ruthless CEO of Sterling Group—slid a contract across his desk with predatory grace.
“Sign this, little doe, and I'll give you everything your heart desires. Wealth. Power. Revenge. But understand this—the moment you put pen to paper, you become mine. Body, soul, and everything in between.”
I should have run. Instead, I signed my name and sealed my fate.
Now I belong to the Alpha. And he's about to show me just how wild love can be.













