Radiance (46 page)

“It’s alright.  You got there.  You got there.” 

“I don’t like these fucking things.  Too many valuable people under one roof.” 

“Hiding makes them more determined.”  He lifted her face and wiped her tears. 

Elijah stepped out of the room and walked up to the redhead Hollow had always wished he could love but knew he was incapable of it. 

Gathering her carefully in his arms, Elijah hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead.  She took several gasping breaths.  Leaning back, he stared at her for a long moment.

“I won’t forget.”  Turning his face to Hollow, he said, “I’m in.  We need to meet at the estate.  It isn’t secure here.” 

The men held one another’s gazes for a long time.  “Are you sure, Elijah?  I don’t…want to take you back to that time.  You have so much now.” 

In a low growl, he replied, “Then he shouldn’t have tried to destroy the only woman I’ve ever loved.  Now, I will have his
head
on a fucking
pike
.” 

Tawny sniffed.  “That’s like, a figure of speech right?  Because it’s kind of a gross image.” 

Elijah looked down at her and winked.  “If that helps you sleep at night…sure, it’s a figure of speech.” 

“Lord.  Dealing with both of you might be too much.” 

“Nah,” Hollow told her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and leading her to the elevator, “This is going to be awesome.” 

Over his shoulder, he grinned at Elijah.  “Glad to have you.  I’ll try not to covet.” 

Then he took his second-in-command downstairs so she could reassure her men she was okay. 

Hollow left through the kitchens, hailed a cab, and changed to another to go the opposite direction.  When he was still miles from home, he took the subway. 

Getting off three exits before his own, he took to the roofs and dropped to his building with a tired sigh. 

Some days, the chaos and stress of it all didn’t seem worth it.  Then he remembered what Rolfe Eklund had put him through until he was eleven and what he’d put Elijah through. 

The man who’d tortured and abused them was merely a puppet and Elijah had made sure he’d never be in a position to hurt either of them again. 

The man who’d been
behind
Elijah’s father was still breathing. 

It was time to change that. 

©
Shayne McClendon

Research might be work…but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.  Riya O’Connell goes straight to the source for her dissertation on male sexuality. 

She sets out on a journey that will take her all over the country…and deep into her own desires.

*Thirteen thousand applications.  *Eight chosen men.  *One woman’s heart.

They provide information and ensure she reaches her next destination safely.  In return, Riya gives them what they want – and helps them discover what they need.

*Meet the subjects.  *Push your inhibitions.  *Experience the passion.

Sean (37) Internet Entrepreneur – Florida
Victor (31) Fisherman – Georgia
Joshua (22) College Student – Texas
Lucas (42) Rancher – Montana
Ricardo (32) Police Officer – California
Bobby (27) Musician – Massachusetts
Micah & Max (34) Financiers – New York

Step inside Riya’s world…you’re going to love it.

Refuse to compromise.

Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest memories, he’s been driven to succeed and has allowed nothing to get in his way. Starting from poverty, he built his empire on opportunity and intimidation.

Personally, professionally, and sexually – he dominates and ensures the reins are always in his hands.

Until Gabriella Hernandez steps into his building. From the moment they collide she shakes up his entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything he thought he knew about himself, his relationships, and his future.

Hudson is dark, deep, and steamy. The depth of the passion he feels for Gabriella twists him up inside and threatens to alter the course of one of his oldest friendships.

Be prepared to be manhandled in the best of ways. You’ll never meet another man like Hudson. The ride gets a little bumpy – but it’s worth it.

It’s time to meet Mr. Winters.

Tawny Ratliff is a loose cannon.  She’s brash, unpredictable, and always ready to fight.

She’s also the best friend a person could hope for, keeps an eye on the people she loves, and takes her desire to do good to the next level.

Brilliant and devious, Tawny takes you behind the scenes of “The Barter System,” to a time when she and her best friend Riya were just kids trying to figure things out like everyone else.

Her perspective is unusual, her language is uncouth, but she is never boring.  Find out why this character in “The Barter System” and “Hudson” won the hearts of so many.  She’s a woman with no filter.

Tawny is waiting.

Behind the scenes is your chance to shine...

The day the Johannson sisters arrive to launch their play Off-Broadway in New York City, they know their lives will never be the same.

Mikayla is confident, talented, and achingly lonely.

Madeline is brilliant, organized, and jaded about men.

Can these two women from Oklahoma find success, peace, and lasting love in the Big Apple?

Visit with characters you fell in love with in the other stories set in “The Barter System” universe and meet a few you're never going to forget.

The show is about to start.

Freedom is intoxicating...

Marciella Canfield is alone in the world with nothing but the company her father built. She goes through her days surrounded by security and very few reasons to smile.

A love life is low on her list of priorities due to repeated disappointments and a schedule that is out of control.

Fahad and Nuri Ghonim approach Marci one night at
Trois
and memories she’d buried from a trip when she was a young girl explode to the surface.

They offer her freedom she has never experienced and passion she cannot conceive without the ridiculous behaviors she’s come to expect from men.

Some risks are worth taking.

Shayne McClendon is an indie author most recognized for her premiere novel “
The Barter System
.”  Also set in “The Barter System” world are “
Hudson
” (book two), “
Pushing the Envelope
” (book three), and “
Backstage
” (book four). 

Other releases include “
Yes to Everything
,” “
Completely Wrecked
,” “
Love of the Game
,” “
The Hermit
,” and the “
Just a Little
” series with writing partner, Alexandra Andersen.

Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are (almost) always awesome.  Those around her don’t question the crazy.  Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right.

Stop by her
Facebook page
or visit her
Always the Good Girl
website and subscribe for your free story!