Demon's Little Lamb (Shadow Demons 2)
A Bones MC Romance
Author: Marteeka Karland
Cover Art: Marteeka Karland
BIN: 009655-03130
Genres: Action Adventure, Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Themes: Age Gap (Older Man), MC Romance, New Adult, Organized Crime
Series: Shadow Demons (#2)
Multiverse: Bones MC (#4)
Book Length: Novel
Page Count: 121
A Shadow Demon infatuated with the enemy: Azriel Ivanovich knows the new intern he’s hired at Argent Tech comes with a price tag. It’s possible the young, sexy college grad is in bed with the people trying to stage a takeover of the company he and his brothers built as a cover for their underground activities. With the help of a former member of one of the most dangerous and influential shady organizations in the world, Azriel and the Shadow Demons are about to stage a takeover of their own. Of the permanent kind.
A little lamb lost among the wolves: All Lamb Newsome wants to do is start an exciting, promising life after graduation. The little break she takes in the Florida Keys before starting her new internship started things off smashingly. There she meets a wealthy man who is familiar with Argent Tech and they hit it off from the start. Both in bed and out of it. When she finds out he’s married, things unravel quickly. The mess that follows isn’t what she expected, however. Instead of a jealous wife, she has one of the owners of the company after her. In retrospect, she realizes she really shouldn’t have fallen for the guy, but the sex is just that good.
Betrayals and secret wars: Had she known the stakes, Lamb wouldn’t have bet her heart. Now all she can do is believe in her Shadow Demon -- even if she doesn’t know how he lives in the shadows. Now, she has to survive. But how is she supposed to do that on her own? And how can she ever trust her heart again when all it wants is the Shadow Demon she can never have?
Warning: Age-gap romance, includes adult scenes and graphic violence.
Praise for Demon's Little Lamb (Shadow Demons 2)
"The author did a wonderful job of writing – even though the heroine doesn’t know everything the hero is thinking, she overhears things, or people share things with her that allow a reader to find out what they want to know without head hopping or telling. It’s through dialogue and observations made by the heroine. It’s a complete picture and I appreciated that... the tale is fascinating, the writing is tight where it needs to be and I enjoyed the sparks that fly between Azriel and Lamb."
-- Xeranthemum, Long & Short Reviews
"I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS READ. Lamb and Azriel are a perfect couple once you get through the drama (that makes the book that much better). There is intrigue, mystery, crazy men, hotness and such protective Alpha vibes that turn you on over and over. I highly recommend this read! Run and click on buy ASAP."
-- 5 Stars from Tasha S., BookBub Review
"I loved the second book in the Shadow Demons series. Lamb is awesome because she had to navigate men who lied in the hi-tech world where there are secrets & lies all around!. She makes Azriel work for it and love does conquer all. I can’t wait for the woman that takes El Diablo down! "
-- 5 Stars from Mbtoner8, BookBub Review
"The story took off at full speed and I didn't want to put it down. My heart stayed clinched with anxiety for Lamb the entire ride. Buttery popcorn and Pringles sustained me throughout this fast-paced binge into the Shadow Demon's world. More, please!!"
-- 5 Stars from Dee_Annad, BookBub Review
Demon's Little Lamb (Shadow Demons 2)
Marteeka Karland
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2021 Marteeka Karland
“I got it! I got it!” Lamb Newsome thought her heart was going to beat through her chest. Her university advisor had gotten her an invite to apply for an internship at Argent Tech in Rockwell, Indiana just over a month ago. The invite alone was a monumental accomplishment, but to actually have been accepted? Yeah. She was on cloud nine.
“Shut up! You lie!” Karen, her best friend and roommate, looked at her with wide, round eyes, a huge smile splitting her face.
“Swear to God! Look!” She thrust the certified letter at Karen, who took it and read, her grin growing ever wider as she skimmed the important parts. “It’s signed by fucking Azriel Ivanovich himself!”
“I know, right?” Lamb stopped, then snatched the letter back, frowning as she examined it, holding it up to the light and everything. “You think he actually signed it? Might be a stamped signature.”
“Girl! That letter is on the fanciest paper stock I’ve ever seen. Of course he fucking signed it!” They both let out a squeal of delight. “When do you start? Will you still be able to go to Key West with us?”
“Yes. With about eight days to spare. Just enough time to recover from any hangovers and sunburn I bring home with me.”
“I can’t believe you’re going to be interning at Argent! I’m so jealous!” Karen didn’t look jealous. She looked as happy as Lamb was. They’d both worked so hard for the best jobs after grad school. Sure, they’d competed for every honor earned, but neither woman had taken their rivalry seriously.
An internship wasn’t permanent work, but it helped get her foot in the door and would give her valuable knowledge she’d have going into the next phase of her life. If she did well enough, and there was a spot available, she might even get to stay at Argent. That was a just a fleeting thought, though. Not an expectation. Argent rarely took on interns and never kept them longer than two years. But every single one had gone on to be one of the top minds in their given fields. She and Karen had competed for the Argent internship as well. Lamb figured it could have gone either way. She just got lucky.
“I can’t believe it either. But I’ll take it.”
Karen didn’t ask about the pay, and Lamb had no idea what it would be. Didn’t care. She doubted anyone who’d been offered a spot had truly cared about the income. They’d pay her what she was worth to them. Had they not thought she had potential, they wouldn’t have offered her a spot to begin with.
“You still ready to leave in the morning?” Karen gave her a grin as she took a pull from her beer.
“I’ll have to make a quick stop by campus to meet with the contact from Argent, so I’ll be a couple hours behind you guys, but yes. I’m still leaving tomorrow morning.”
“Awesome! We’ll save you a seat and have a mimosa ready for you when you get there.”
“Sounds perfect.”
They spent the rest of the evening drinking and celebrating. By the time Karen and the other three women in the group had stuffed their suitcases in the trunk of Karen’s little BMW, Lamb was in her car headed back to campus. The Ford Focus Lamb drove wasn’t fancy, but it would get her to the Keys and back.
The meeting on campus took less than an hour. By the end of it, Lamb was ready to cancel her vacation and start work immediately, but the man who’d spoken with her had insisted she take this time to relax. He promised she’d get little enough of it once she started work for them. Lamb had shaken his hand, unable to keep the huge grin off her face, then left.
* * *
Day two on the beach was like a dream come true for Lamb. The sun was hot, the waves relaxing, and the drinks plentiful. She’d say the guys were hot, except most were three times her age and interested mostly in golf. Which was fine. The few men she’d met who’d offered to buy her a drink were interesting to talk to. She’d also made it clear she wasn’t there to hook up with a rich guy, but she was definitely up for a lively debate or a stimulating round of chess. Most laughed and declined her offer, but a couple took her up on it. One gentleman scratched his head after she’d beaten him soundly in three rounds of speed chess before laughing loudly and shaking his head in disbelief.
“You’ve got beauty and brains, young lady. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. Not sure what you’re doing with your life, but you’d better make it count.”
“Yes, sir,” she responded, taking his hand when he’d offered it to her.
“Don’t let these old fools here have the satisfaction of buying your affections. Keep your head in the game, and you’ll get very far on your own merits.”
“Sound advice, sir,” she said with a grin. “I’ll make sure to follow it to the letter.”
That was the evening of her second night. She went to bed with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. The future was so bright, it was almost inevitable she’d find the dark somehow.
“You played a fine game.”
She was sitting on the beach the next morning playing chess with another older man when they were approached by a bystander. The compliment came from a distinguished-looking gentleman dressed in khaki shorts and a hula shirt… and with the sexiest British accent. It wasn’t a thick accent, just enough to be a turn-on for Lamb. This was a man she could sit and listen to all day long. How he managed to look distinguished in that getup was amazing, but somehow he pulled it off. He had a full head of dark chestnut hair with silver at his temples. He was fit, but not overly muscled. It was the kind of body that would look good in a suit and could still show muscle in clothing like he was currently wearing. Lamb bet he had a fine washboard abdomen and defined arms under the short sleeves.
“Thank you. Chess is a hobby of mine. Helps me relax sometimes.”
“Everyone needs something to settle their mind.”
“I suppose that’s true.” Lamb smiled at him. He was handsome in a conventional way. Nothing overt or over the top. Nothing overblown or obviously fake, though she suspected he’d had some kind of plastic surgery done to his nose. There was just something about it that didn’t quite fit the rest of his face. There wasn’t a laugh line to be seen at his eyes or mouth. He was almost too perfect.
He held out his hand. “I’m James Luxemberry.”
“Lamb Newsome,” she answered. “Are you here for the sand and the sun?”
“Most assuredly. And the sea. I’ve not spent nearly enough time on my yacht as I’d intended.”
“Wow. That sounds like fun.”
“It can be.” He gave a little secretive smile. “What are you drinking, my dear?”
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