Annelie Joyce

My boyfriend cheated on me, so I kissed his uncle in front of him. I thought that would be the end of it. I was wrong. “We continue what you started,” Xander says. I laugh dryly. “You mean the part where I used you?” “Exactly.” His dangerous smile is somehow like a promise. “Play my lover. You get your revenge. I get what I want.” And now I’m trapped in a game I started—with a man who never loses. “You started this game, Brianna,” he murmurs. “Now let’s see if you can keep up.”

A dozen years ago, when Sera was adopted by Reggie Blackwood—a wealthy ex-womanizer, she thought that was where her hard life would end. However, when Reggie reveals that he has four secret sons from different mothers, Sera knows it will lead to disaster. What's more, Reggie announces a will full of intrigue: whoever among the four men wins Sera's heart and marries her, will be the main heir to the Blackwood Group. Suddenly, Sera is caught up in an intoxicating game of love. Ace, the domineering ambitious lawyer; Beck, the romantic artist who sees her as a muse; Cal, the compassionate doctor who becomes her protector; and Damon, the mysterious man with a dark past. Tensions between them rise, blurring the line between true love and hidden ambitions. Amid rivalry, passion, and dark secrets, Sera must choose: give her heart to one of the Blackwood Brothers, or escape this dangerous game. But in a world where love and betrayal walk side by side, who can truly be trusted? *** “You're all acting like I'm a precious item that needs to be taken care of,” I protested, glaring at the four of them who probably just took my annoyance as a joke. Ace raised one eyebrow. “Wrong. You're a fire that needs to be tamed” “Or to be played with,” Damon interjected casually, his smile mocking. “Or to be celebrated.” Beck's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Or to be kept lit,” Cal finished, his voice low, without taking his eyes off the book he was reading. I clucked in annoyance. They were all incredibly frustrating.

"Who did that to you?" His voice pressed, demanding. But I had to shut him down if I wanted to keep myself together. "If you get to keep things from me, then so do I." “If I find out who he is—if I find him…” “I hope you don’t,” I cut in. “Because I’d rather he was already dead.” “I won't be at peace until you see it for yourself. Either his grave, or his death right in front of you.” He inched closer to me, pulling my chin more and more until our faces were very close. “And remember, Leandra ....” His words sounded like a promise. His breathing was so heavy, so determined. “The moment you watch that b*st*rd die, you’ll see me there too.” *** Being my best friend’s delivery girl isn’t exactly my idea of fun. Usually, it’s annoying. But this time? This time, it led me straight to him. He kissed me—this stranger, so alluring that it made me think of him all the time. The scent of his body, his heavy voice, his pierced grey eyes ... it all stayed with me. Haunted me. Drove me crazy. The problem? He wants nothing to do with me. He keeps his distance, tells me to stay away, says I need to forget him. He says he’s a dangerous man. But how do I forget someone who’s already under my skin? How do I let go of the one man who’s already claimed my heart?