From New York Times Bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken, comes ENVY, a new novella in her Eagle Elite Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken comes a new story in her Eagle Elite series…
Every family has rules, the mafia just has more….
Do not speak to the bosses unless spoken to.
Do not make eye contact unless you want to die.
And above all else, do not fall in love.
Renee Cassani’s future is set.
Her betrothal is set.
Her life, after nannying for the five families for the summer, is set
Somebody should have told Vic Colezan that.
He’s a man who doesn’t take no for an answer.
And he only wants one thing.
Her.
Somebody should have told Renee that her bodyguard needed as much discipline as the kids she was nannying.
Good thing Vic has a firm hand.
“See?” Renee spread her arms wide and gave
a little shrug. The moonlight cast a glow through the impressive kitchen
window, giving her such an ethereal look I stopped breathing for a second
before schooling my features. “Nothing to worry about, nobody here to kill me.”
I didn’t relax my stance or lower my gun.
“So you checked the crawl spaces? Closets? Dark corners?” I took a step as she
shook her head slowly. “Then surely you checked the pantry, right? I mean it’s
right behind you. Hell, there could be someone with a gun trained on that
pretty mop of hair right now and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.” Her
eyes widened like she hadn’t thought of it. Of course she hadn’t. It wasn’t her
job to think about the monsters in the dark, just like it wasn’t her job to
protect herself. That was why she had me.
I reached behind her and opened the
pantry, pointing my gun inside before shutting the door and facing her again.
“It’s clear.”
Her lower lip trembled. “I didn’t think of
the pantry.”
“It’s not your job to obsess over the
pantry,” I whispered in a gruff voice. “It’s your job to listen to me when I’m
trying to do my best to keep you safe.”
She looked away. “Can’t save everyone.”
“But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with
trying, Renee.”
I said her name.
It tasted sweet on my tongue.
The moan that wanted to follow was barely
suppressed by clenching my teeth together.
“Are you going to do a sweep of the
house?” she asked quietly.
“Did you want to join me?”
“Am I safer with you or by myself in the
kitchen?”
“With me,” I lied. Physically she would
always be safe from our enemies—but I knew the truth in my soul. I was just as
dangerous to her as a bullet. My being with her would eventually kill her.
All the wives knew it.
They knew that eventually there would be
blood.
And if their husbands were gone—it was
only a matter of time before it was theirs that was spilled.
I’d like to think that’s why we drank wine
like water.
Because when you constantly stare down
your impending doom, you start wanting to celebrate every extra minute you’ve
been given.
“Let’s go.” I nodded toward the hall. My
footsteps whispered against the carpet. Nothing seemed out of place—which was
almost more suspicious. People were messy. The hallways were lined with family
pictures of Renee smiling with her parents. A heaviness settled on my
shoulders.
“She can’t know,” Phoenix had said earlier
that night. “At least not yet.”
I knew she was close with her parents. I
also knew that they were dishonest with her. And she wondered why she was the one
nannying the kids.
Why she was constantly under the watchful
eye of Nixon.
I shook my head and kept walking with a
stiff Renee next to me.
I cleared each room, each closet, each
corner, and twenty minutes later when I felt it was safe enough for her to do
more than breathe at my side, I lowered my gun and put it back in its holster.
“All good?” Renee stepped away. She rarely
looked me in the eyes, but this time they locked onto me for a good three
seconds before she tucked her hair behind her ear and walked farther and
farther away.
I almost reached out and grabbed her arm.
Almost jerked her against my chest.
Almost confessed it all.
The lies they’d told.
The secrets we kept.
All to keep her safe.
All to keep her in the dark.
To keep her alive.
5 Stars
Rachel Van Dyken's Eagle Elite series never disappoints, and Envy is no exception. The 9.5 title in this series, features Vic Colezan Abandonato and Renee Cassini.
Whilst this pair couldn't be any more different, they are inexplicable drawn to each other. Their attraction is forbidden, but their chemistry and connection is undeniable, intense and passionate.
Vic is Nixon's cousin, his role and duty is to protect the family at any cost, he's exudes darkness, danger and violence which fits his role as an assassin. When taking on the role of protector he took an oath of loyalty and celibacy, which he struggles to adhere to when around the temptation that is Renee.
Renee grew up on the outskirts of the families, but she's well aware of who she is employed by to look after their children. She's sweet, demure and the men of the Eagle Elite, with their fierce, dangerous and demanding demeanours frighten her.
This story is intense, dark and gritty, and full of intrigue and suspense. Whilst it's publicised as a novella, its longer in length and will not only intrigue, you and captivate you but satisfy your cravings for more of the Eagle Elite.
I will be eagerly awaiting more of this series.
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
