Deadly & Ruthless, 1
Aera Cross is a man forged by hardship. His childhood, marred by pain and abuse, has left him with scars that run deeper than the skin. Survival has been his only mantra, that he’s learned to navigate with a hardened heart. But when a desperate father approaches him with a plea to rescue his ‘daughter’ from the clutches of a sadistic doctor, Cross finds himself at a crossroads.
The photo of Lorelei, a girl with an ethereal beauty, ignites something within him—a flicker of hope amidst the darkness. Lorelei possesses a gift that is both a blessing and a curse. But this extraordinary ability has made her a target, sold to the highest bidder and forced to perform for those who seek to exploit her. Each transaction chips away at her soul, leaving her a mere shadow of the girl she once was.
On the night of her daring escape, Lorelei stumbles into Cross’s world. Though she is wary of this rugged stranger, she has no choice but to trust him. Together, they embark on a perilous journey, where danger lurks at every corner and the lines between savior and sinner blur.
Be Warned: anal sex
Excerpt:
“Here’s a picture of my daughter. They’re going to hurt her. Please take the money and rescue her. I promise I’ll get more.”
The picture the man placed on top of the envelope grabbed Cross’s attention, and he felt compelled to pick it up. The young woman was gorgeous. Messy honey-colored hair piled on top of her head with whisps framing her heart-shaped face. Guileless grey eyes seemed to stare into his soul. Lush full lips. Unblemished skin. An ethereal woman like her only existed in fairy tales.
“She looks nothing like you,” Cross muttered.
“She looks like her mother. Does that mean you’ll accept the ten thousand?”
It was clearly obvious that Mouse Man had mistaken him for someone else. Cross placed the picture back onto the envelope. The money was a moot point. He could take the money and lie. Leave town like he planned, ten grand richer. Yet, his gaze kept landing on the woman’s delicate face.
“She looks young.”
“She’s twenty.”
Figures, he thought sourly. Too young for his fucking ass. Yet…
“Who has her?”
He hadn’t meant to ask the question, but it rolled out of him without conscious thought. Mouse Man visibly relaxed, thinking Cross accepted the mission.
“Noble Vale Sanatorium.”
Cross frowned. “She’s crazy?”
“No.” Mouse Man looked around then leaned in close. “She’s special.”
“Special as in crazy?”
“Special as in … g-gifted.”
Everything inside Cross froze. Vivi Wence flashed through his head, and how blissful it was having all the rage in his head cease even for a moment. He had tried to take her back, but messed it all up. After that, his life imploded. First, he’d lost his Heart of Darkness MC President patch. Second, he had almost fallen in the gauntlet he’d been forced to walk when the club kicked him to the curb. Had almost lost his life, and the demons in his head taunted that he’d be better off dead. The thought of suicide haunted him.
So, once he had recuperated, he ran. Trying hard to outrun his thoughts, he hopped on his bike and headed to parts unknown. Moving on when he felt it was time. And here he was, in another dive bar, drinking his way to an early grave. Maybe this woman was the salvation he desperately hoped for. Cross didn’t believe for one damn minute she was this man’s daughter, but now he was curious.
“Gifted?”
“A doctor by the name of Costello Birsha has her. He runs the sanatorium and he’s going to pick her apart trying to unlock her gift, but she’s too fragile to handle that. It’s going to destroy her. Please … please help her.”
“What type of gift?” Mouse Man shook his head, but Cross grabbed his shirt and yanked him close. “What. Type. Of. Gift?”
Mouse Man shrank back as far as he could go. “Lorelei can h-heal people.”
He had a name. Lorelei.
Wasn’t Lorelei a siren who lured men to their deaths? Damn, if he wasn’t going to follow those poor assholes.
This book is as heart breaking as it’s full of redemption. The main characters both had horrendous childhoods. Their connection and chemistry is palpable. She chased away his demons and he helped her see herself. She brought out parts of him that were softer and more vulnerable. I could not put this book down. If this is book 1, I can’t imagine what book 2 is going to be like. This was an intense read but absolutely great.
This was an intense start to this new dark series. Lorelei has been held and hurt for years as an evil doctor tried to pry her secrets from her. A miracle escape finds her self running into a dark tattooed man who says she is safe with him. Aera Cross has darkness in his soul and one look at Lorelei and he knows she is his salvation. I was totally taken in by some of the psychological twists in this story. Be in touch with your triggers. I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series next.
This was a quick read and enjoyable read. There was action, danger, betrayal, lots of feels, and spice. Both Cross and Lorelei had experienced their own versions of darkness or pain. They happened to be what the other needed to heal. Overall, I think it was a good book!
What a wild ride! I have read other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. From the first chapter this novel pulled me in and held on tight. What a wild ride! My heart hurt for Lorelai and all that she had been put thru her whole life. I loved Aera and Lorelai's story. I love despite all she had been thru she opened her heart to Aera and helped heal him and all the past trauma he had been thru. Their chemistry was so good! This novel had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. Once I started reading I had a hard time putting it down. I loved watching them both lower their walls and defenses and open themselves up to each other and fall in love despite all they had been thru. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next.
Good start to a new series, a great redemption story and continuing with the PNR themes. Lot's of drama, suspense, twist an turns. Well worth the read
A pretty good read. Mc romance. It has so pretty dark themes and I will recommend checking triggers ❤️
Book had it all drama and suspense and of course the authors ever present expertise of delivering all of with the dark romance twist and throw in the MC and you have a awesome read. Can't wait for the the next in the series.
Aera Cross was introduced in Shadow Obsession when he held Vivi Wence prisoner. Kicked out of his MC, Cross has been moving around. Mistaken identity brings him to Lorelei, a woman capable of healing others. Knowing that she could keep his demons away, he planned to keep her once he rescued her. Area isn't really a hero, but for Lorelei he is her hero. I liked their relationship. Lorelei softens him in some ways and he helps her feel free to be more confident.
This is definitely not your typical MC book!!! The story is very well written with just the right amount of spice and romance mixed in. Cross and Lorelei are a very nice couple with personalities that match perfectly. After everything Lorelei went through, the fact that she opens her heart and gets her voice back at the same time is incredible!!
First in the series and what a start with so much drama and action. I was totally sucked into the story of Aera and Lorelai.
Unholy Cross is book 1 in the Deadly & Ruthless series. Aera and Lorelai's story is absolutely heartbreaking! Aera having lived through complete horrors as a child and Lorelai, having such a special gift and being used and taken advantage of because of it in a horrific way by someone who was supposed to help her. You know what they say about payback though. Their journey is dramatic, intense and consuming. "Were they two halves of a whole? Two souls so deeply intertwined they couldn’t be separated?"
Unholy Cross is the first book in the Deadly & Ruthless series. The book is full of drama, action, suspense, twists, betrayals, and elements of redemption and the paranormal. The characters are gritty and realistic. I could not put the book down and read it in one sitting.Book 2 will have a lot to live up to, especially in the action and underlying paranormal theme.
This one was so freaking good. I mean Cross and Lorelei ?totally amazing. Cross was sent to rescues Lorelei from an evil Doctor, by the very man that sold her. Cross decides he want Lorelei all to himself, So he keeps her. Lorelei feeling totally free and safe with Cross start to fall in love with him. He keeps her safe and she heals him. Total HEA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ?️?️?️?️?️
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