Smoke Series

Hughes Farm was the largest racing-horse establishment in the South. The family that owned it was known to be wealthy, powerful, arrogant, and terrifying. My first encounter with them didn’t prepare me for all that was to come. I don’t think anything truly could have. Growing up with only my father and brother hadn’t been easy, but we’d had each other. Losing them was the hardest thing I’d ever faced. It had made the times we went without food, electricity, or even shelter seem insignificant in comparison.

Loving a man known for his wealth, arrogance, and power had been a mistake. My head had known he was dangerous, but my heart hadn’t cared. When the lies began to unravel and the truth slapped me in the face, running was the only thing I knew to do. I didn’t belong in this world. His world. But you don’t run from The Family. Not when they claim you as their own. Trusting anyone is a mistake. Friendship is only as deep as the Boss allows it to be. You are never hidden. They will always find you.

Two places I never thought I'd be: a church and my little brother's funeral. I was the one who was supposed to die first. Not Hayes. He hadn't chosen my path. I took lives but Hayes had wanted to save souls. Yet here I was drinking from a flask, around people that hated me, unable to take my eyes off the fiancé he'd left behind.