To have and to hold from this day forward – to love and to cherish, till death do us part – and these are the bonds we break.
My name is Mia Stone. You may know how my story ends, but the truth is buried between the headlines. A secret that was meant to be taken to the grave – Until now.
I promised myself to one man, while still in love with another. I came between two best friends and by betraying one, I lost everything. In the end, we both knew, those bonds were always meant to be broken.
These men want to own me, possess me, or hold me down, but I was never meant to be tamed.
I have been told that I am a force of nature, but even a hurricane comes to an end.
Authors Note: If you have read Blood & Bone then you know how Mia’s story ends. If you require a happy ending, this book may not be for you. You can choose to skip this book and read Bound To Burn. If you choose to read Bonds We Break, know that this book contains sensitive subjects so please read with care.
The creek of the metal stops him in his tracks and he strokes the back of his neck, dipping his head nervously. His black engineer boots are rooted to the concrete floor as we stare at each other. Even though no words are spoken, the enormity of our conversation is palpable as he holds me captive with his eyes.
I see the war raging inside of him, and if I didn’t want him so much, I would tell him to turn around and run. But I can’t, because I’m selfish. The small space between us is heavy with the weight of our pasts.
His decision is made like a gavel hitting the block the moment he steps forward and crashes into me. Sparks fly and the air swirls around me, making me dizzy with the feeling of his body on mine. I am tangled up in him like a ball of string and I’m slowly unraveling. The door shuts behind us with a kick. I have missed this feeling of being consumed by someone, the need so great you might die without it. I tear at his shirt as he pulls down my shorts, our clothes left on the floor like breadcrumbs leading to our demise. I fall onto the edge of my bed and everything slows down. My heart races, the blood pumping in my veins, and I can still feel his touch on my body even though he’s hovering over me.
I am breathless with anticipation and have stars in my eyes, but I know how this story ends. Cash will be the victim to the recklessness of my chaotic heart, but I can’t make myself push him away. At this moment I should only be thinking of him, but images of Jack’s face cross my mind because I realize something; it’s not Jack who is my weakness, it is this man standing before me.
There is so much on the line and it could easily end badly for both of us, again. He once offered me forever, and I didn’t treat it as the gift it was meant to be.
“I’m only going to break your heart,” I warn him.
He leans over me, his mouth inches from mine. “Smash it, shatter it, do whatever you want.” Somber eyes meet mine as if he knows how this will end, but he’s willing to take the risk. “It’s yours.”
I place a hand to his chest, feeling the slow beat of his heart and the hard muscle is hot under my palm. “We can stop this before it starts,” I offer him one last reprieve, because once we start, I won’t ever be able to stop. “It’s been in motion for a long time, Mia.” Cash looks at me darkly, his body hovering over mine, pushing me further into the mattress. “Couldn’t stop it now if I tried.”
Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. I am a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys and the tragically flawed. Music is what inspires her storytelling.
Check out my website for more ways to learn about me and my books, as well as purchase signed paperbacks and book merchandise @ www.pauladombrowiak.com
Where do you run when everything has been stripped away?
Mercedes
After making the biggest mistake of her life, Mercedes Elliott thought moving halfway across the world was the right decision. But six months later, she’s isolated, dependent on a dangerous relationship with her boyfriend, Jason Marsh, and no closer to rebuilding her once promising legal career. Running low on hope, Mercedes secretly reaches out to the one man she never thought she’d see again.
Alec
Alec McKinley always regretted letting Mercedes slip through his fingers. So when she invites him for coffee, he jumps at the chance to see her. Mercedes is just as beautiful as he remembered, only he can’t help but notice the pain lingering in her eyes.
The Truth
After Mercedes’ relationship comes to a violent head, she finds herself unable to escape her boyfriend’s grasp. That is, until Alec makes an unexpected offer that could be her saving grace. But accepting that offer comes at a cost.
Being near Alec ignites a flame Mercedes thought had burned out long ago. And when they realize Jason is not the man they thought he was, she and Alec uncover a stunning truth that will change everything between them.
Will they let the past ruin them for a second time, or give in to the truth they’ve been keeping secret?
Devastated and lost, Alec McKinley knows he must move on. Still, he can’t forget the love of his life. The woman he tried so hard to protect and failed. When Alec arrives at the trial that will determine the fate of those responsible for destroying his world, he discovers how deep their lies run.
Mercedes
Mercedes Elliott has suffered through a lifetime’s worth of trauma, but finally, the end seems near. The trial that could set her free is around the corner, and all she can think about is finally being able to go back to Alec. But when Mercedes returns, she finds he’s not alone, and everything she thought she knew was all just a devastating lie.
The Lies
Deceptions run deep, and Alec grows more and more desperate to protect Mercedes, even as she is slipping through his fingers. Can he keep her alive long enough to prove his love for her, or will lies be what shatters them completely?
American writer AV Asher (Avie) was one of those kids always who got in trouble for reading in class. She has been creating stories since childhood, but only recently began writing them down. The Truth Keeps Silent is Avie’s debut novel. The second book in the duet, The Lies That Shatter, is expected to be released in the Autumn of 2021. Avie lives in Northern Nevada with her husband and three children.
Out of the Ashes will be the best bar in the county. At least that’s what I promised my uncle before he passed away.
With all the changes we’re making, more challenges arise. The crowd seems to get rowdier with every day that passes, and most days I feel like I can’t keep my head above water.
That is until Dylan, the kid I used to babysit, walks in. He’s definitely not a kid anymore. But he might just be what I need to keep the bar running smoothly. Too bad he isn’t staying in town.
Guarding my heart is the least of my problems, but I’m not sure how long I can fight my attraction.
The hallway to the office is a short distance away, and I make my way toward it. The loudness of the bar fades away the closer I get to the office. Now where is that box? Scanning the shelf, I don’t see it anywhere. I squeeze behind the door, bumping it slightly as I reach up to look at the boxes higher on the shelf. There. Of course, it’s on the top one. I really need to get some kind of a ladder in here. Especially since there are more people working here that may need to get something.
My hand goes up to grab the box, and I feel a sudden presence behind me. The door creaking before a soft thud as it shuts. “Here, let me help you with that.”
Before I have a chance to turn around or offer any sort or rebuttal, Dylan’s hands are covering mine on the box. They are warm and softer than I expected, and I can’t deny the sparks that course through my body at the contact. My hands slide off the box as he brings it down in front of us. Me, caught between him and the shelf. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m perfectly capable of pulling a box down.”
I turn around to face him. That was a mistake. With my back to him, I could pretend his mere presence didn’t have an effect on me, but now…I don’t know if I can hide my reactions as easily. “You sure about that? The last time you tried aprons fell all over the floor.”
Don’t look up. Don’t look up. Keep your eyes focused in front of you. His chest is perfectly reasonable to talk to, right? “And that’s because you intervened.” Jesus, this is ridiculous. My eyes move up his body. Above his chest, to his chiseled jaw, and up until I can see his eyes. Yep, big mistake. They hide nothing. Want simmers in their deep brown depths. The ball is in my court, and the way he’s looking at me makes it hard to keep my wits about it.
A part of me wants to knock the box out of his hands and climb him like a tree. The other part knows damn well I don’t need to venture down this path. This way lies heartache and broken promises. “Angie, are you still with me?” The box holding the mini straws and napkins falls to the floor. “Hello?”
That shakes me out of my thoughts. “Yeah, sorry what were you saying?”
“I was talking smack on your awesome box getting skills.” He bends down until he’s eye level with me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just can’t think.” I turn, but I’m trapped between Dylan and the shelf. His arms are on either side of me. My hand goes to his arm to push him away and stop at the sound of his voice.
“Is there a reason you can’t think? Am I that reason?” I don’t have to see his face to know he’s smirking. I can tell by his voice, low and seductive. When the fuck did he master that?
“Does it matter?” I try for annoyed, but it’s clearly not working. “I need to get this box to Carlos.”
“Okay,” he leans in closer. His breath a soft whisper against my ear. “But, answer one question.” He waits for me to speak up, and I don’t. I want to know what he’s going to ask. “Do you feel anything toward me? I think I’ve made my interest pretty damn clear.”
I could lie. Lying would be a hell of a lot easier, but I can’t. Not now. Not with him so close to me. “I’m attracted to you. In ways I shouldn’t be.” A glance toward him is all it takes to know that he doesn’t give a damn that I shouldn’t have any feelings toward him. A wide grin is all I can see. And fuck if I don’t want to kiss him. To see if he’s as confident as he lets on.
My toes lift of their own volition, and I do just that. I need to know. Maybe then whatever the hell I’m experiencing around him will stop. I mean for it to be a quick peck, but soon my lips are parting and I’m deepening the kiss. I fully expect him to pull away, or grab me. Something to give me an idea of what he’s thinking. All I can hear is the metal shelf behind me shaking. He has some restraint at least. Before I can pull away the door opens and we jump apart from each other. “Angie, did you find the straws and napkins?” Carlos asks as he rounds the door. Dylan picks up the box and hands it to him before hurrying out of the office. Carlos pins me with a glare. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Ang.”
Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, and fur baby. She is a lover of all things geeky and Gryffindor for life. Welcome to Your Life is her debut novel and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it.
