Dark Intentions, #1 Read online

  Dark Intentions

  Charlotte Byrd

  Byrd Books

  Contents

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  About Charlotte Byrd

  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  Dark Intentions

  Prologue

  1. Jacqueline

  2. Jacqueline

  3. Jacqueline

  4. Jacqueline

  5. Jacqueline

  6. Jacqueline

  7. Jacqueline

  8. Jacqueline

  9. Jacqueline

  10. Jacqueline

  11. Jacqueline

  12. Jacqueline

  13. Dante

  14. Dante

  15. Dante

  16. Jacqueline

  17. Dante

  18. Jacqueline

  19. Jacqueline

  20. Dante

  21. Dante

  22. Jacqueline

  23. Dante

  24. Jacqueline

  25. Jacqueline

  26. Jacqueline

  27. Dante

  28. Dante

  29. Dante

  30. Dante

  31. Dante

  32. Jacqueline

  33. Jacqueline

  34. Jacqueline

  35. Jacqueline

  Connect with Charlotte Byrd

  About Charlotte Byrd

  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  Copyright © 2021 by Byrd Books, LLC.

  All rights reserved.

  Proofreaders:

  Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services, https://www.facebook.com/jdproofs/

  Renee Waring, Guardian Proofreading Services, https://www.facebook.com/GuardianProofreadingServices

  Cover Design: Charlotte Byrd

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a word of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Visit my website at www.charlotte-byrd.com

  Created with Vellum

  Praise for Charlotte Byrd

  “BEST AUTHOR YET! Charlotte has done it again! There is a reason she is an amazing author and she continues to prove it! I was definitely not disappointed in this series!!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “LOVE!!! I loved this book and the whole series!!! I just wish it didn't have to end. I am definitely a fan for life!!! ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Extremely captivating, sexy, steamy, intriguing, and intense!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Addictive and impossible to put down.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “What a magnificent story from the 1st book through book 6 it never slowed down always surprising the reader in one way or the other. Nicholas and Olive's paths crossed in a most unorthodox way and that's how their story begins it's exhilarating with that nail biting suspense that keeps you riding on the edge the whole series. You'll love it!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “What is Love Worth. This is a great epic ending to this series. Nicholas and Olive have a deep connection and the mystery surrounding the deaths of the people he is accused of murdering is to be read. Olive is one strong woman with deep convictions. The twists, angst, confusion is all put together to make this worthwhile read.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Fast-paced romantic suspense filled with twists and turns, danger, betrayal, and so much more.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Decadent, delicious, & dangerously addictive!” - Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Titillation so masterfully woven, no reader can resist its pull. A MUST-BUY!” - Bobbi Koe, Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Captivating!” - Crystal Jones, Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Sexy, secretive, pulsating chemistry…” - Mrs. K, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Charlotte Byrd is a brilliant writer. I've read loads and I've laughed and cried. She writes a balanced book with brilliant characters. Well done!” -Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Hot, steamy, and a great storyline.” - Christine Reese ★★★★★

  * * *

  “My oh my....Charlotte has made me a fan for life.” - JJ, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Wow. Just wow. Charlotte Byrd leaves me speechless and humble… It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Once you pick it up, you won't put it down.” - Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “ Intrigue, lust, and great characters...what more could you ask for?!” - Dragonfly Lady ★★★★★

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  About Charlotte Byrd

  Charlotte Byrd is the bestselling author of romantic suspense novels. She has sold over 1 Million books and has been translated into five languages.

  She lives near Palm Springs, California with her husband, son, a toy Australian Shepherd and a Ragdoll cat. Charlotte is addicted to books and Netflix and she loves hot weather and crystal blue water.

  Write her here:

  [email protected]

  Check out her books here:

  www.charlotte-byrd.com

  Connect with her here:

  www.facebook.com/charlottebyrdbooks

  www.instagram.com/charlottebyrdbooks

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  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  All books are available at ALL major retailers! If you can’t find it, please email me at [email protected]

  * * *

  Dark Intentions Series

  Dark Intentions

  Dark Redemption

  Dark Sins

  * * *

  The Perfect Stranger Series

  The Perfect Stranger

  The Perfect Cover

  The Perfect Lie

  The Perfect Life

  The Perfect Getaway

  * * *

  All the Lies Series

  All the Lies

  All the Secrets

  All the Doubts

  * * *

  Tell me Series

  Tell Me to Stop

  Tell Me to Go

  Tell Me to Stay

  Tell Me to Run

  Tell Me to Fight

  Tell Me to Lie

  * * *

  Wedlocked Trilogy

  Dangerous Engagement

  Lethal Wedding

  Fatal Wedding

  * * *


  Tangled Series

  Tangled up in Ice

  Tangled up in Pain

  Tangled up in Lace

  Tangled up in Hate

  Tangled up in Love

  * * *

  Black Series

  Black Edge

  Black Rules

  Black Bounds

  Black Contract

  Black Limit

  * * *

  Not into you Duet

  Not into you

  Still not into you

  Lavish Trilogy

  Lavish Lies

  Lavish Betrayal

  Lavish Obsession

  Standalone Novels

  Dressing Mr. Dalton

  Debt

  Offer

  Unknown

  Dark Intentions

  One debt. One secret. One night.

  * * *

  When I meet him at the Redemption Club, I’m not supposed to know his name and he’s not supposed to know mine. But we break that rule. That’s not the only one.

  * * *

  He gives me chills and makes my body ache. He makes my pain go away. He’s just a distraction, but I can’t get enough of him.

  * * *

  What I don’t know yet is that he will help save my mother’s life.

  What I don’t know yet is that I’ll owe him a debt.

  What I don’t know yet is that he is a man of many secrets. Secrets dark enough to break us both.

  * * *

  For bestselling author Charlotte Byrd comes an intense romance about debts, lies and secrets and the extent to which people go for love.

  * * *

  I have a secret and I'll do everything in my power to keep it that way.

  I've been watching her for a long time.

  I’ve been following her.

  She’s lost a brother. I lost a best friend, but no one could ever know.

  She's in pain, and so am I.

  She deserves so much better than me. I am rotten to the core and if I take this any further, I will pull her into my darkness.

  But I can’t stay away. I can’t stop.

  What happens when she starts to uncover my lies? What happens if love isn’t enough?

  * * *

  Dark Intentions is the first novel in the Dark Intentions series. It is a dark romance/romantic suspense about debt, lies, wealth, crime and family bonds. There is no cheating.

  Prologue

  I have a secret. She doesn't know it yet, but I'll do everything in my power to keep it that way.

  I've been watching her.

  For a long time.

  I saw her going to those bars.

  I followed her.

  I stayed in the background. I saw her meeting with the guys whose names she couldn't remember.

  She's in pain, and so am I.

  He was my best friend. We did everything together, but no one could know.

  We had this friendship, and now that he's gone, no one will ever know.

  1

  Jacqueline

  My palms are sweaty. My heart is beating out of my chest. The fear I feel is very much real.

  I step over the threshold and into the lounge. I shouldn't be afraid. Everything's going to be fine.

  This is just a place like any other, I say to myself. But I know that I don't belong. I'm wearing four-inch stilettos and it's my first high-heeled shoe in years.

  My dress hugs my curves a little too tightly. But by the way that the men sitting around the bar look at me, I can tell that they like what they see.

  I can do this, I say to myself, but of course, liquid courage is going to go a long way to making that happen.

  I beeline for the bar and ask the bartender for a martini. I spin around on the swivel chair and look around the room. The club is set up into different areas. There's a place to lounge near the entrance with couches and overstuffed chairs. Then there's the more formal bar area with a spot to order the drinks and to sit and chat with the bartender. For those who want some privacy, a few tall circular tables give you a chance to crowd around in an intimate way.

  A cacophony of sounds rushes above my head. The light is low, romantic, but also very masculine; a lot of grays and blues, but flattering, nevertheless.

  “How are you?" Someone walks up to me. He has dark hair and his suit is a bit too shiny, but nevertheless flattering. I see how his muscles press against the fabric.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spot another guy and the crestfallen expression on his face when he realizes that he has missed his shot. He turns to his friends with regret.

  “Hey,” the guy in front of me says to catch my attention. "I'm Damian."

  “Nice to meet you, Damian.” I extend my hand.

  That might be his real name. It might not. That's sort of how the game is played in places like this.

  “I'm Jacqueline,” I say, extending my hand, suddenly keenly aware of the fact that my real name has slipped out.

  That was a mistake.

  “Nice to meet you, Jackie.”

  I cringe. I don’t like the nickname and I don’t like him presupposing that he can call me something I didn’t say.

  “What brings you to a place like this?”

  “I guess a guy like you," I say, leaning on the glass bar top. “What is it that you do?”

  “A little bit of everything. I'm a videographer, weddings, proms, and occasional funerals.”

  “People want videos of funerals?” I ask, genuinely surprised.

  He shrugs. He's making stuff up. I can tell. That's what Cassandra recommended. It's better to go with a fake name and occupation.

  Of course, she didn't use the word fake.

  “This is a place where you explore a new identity,” she said, in the rich soothing voice of a digital virtual assistant. “When you come here, we want you to put the rest of your life away.”

  Tuck it into a small box and keep it far away from here, I think to myself sarcastically.

  Did Damian get the same speech? I wonder. If so and this is the best that he can come up with, I'm not really interested. No matter how good looking he is.

  We chat for a little bit longer, and I finish my drink and excuse myself.

  Maybe this was a bad idea. I don't even know what I'm doing here. This is for people who are bored, and rich, and tired of the lives that they’re living. Of course, that sort of qualifies me except for the rich part. And the bored part. I'm neither.

  I’m more like desperate and possibly, a little dysfunctional. Still, before I got here, I was intrigued, nervous, a little horrified, plenty terrified, but nevertheless, interested.

  Now, it just feels like another bar with more bullshit and lies.

  And I just don't know if I want that. Despite the fictions that people spew about their names, and who they are, and these other lives they lead, the conversation that we have is supposed to be genuine.

  We're supposed to make a real connection on this level that is beyond superficial. Because in reality, it's not about their job or what they look like necessarily.

  It's more about the spark that you feel when you're in their presence.

  Someone bumps into me and I spill my drink on the floor.

  "Sorry about that.”

  “Fine,” I mumble. I’m annoyed that I now have to scramble to clean this up before someone slips.

  But then a waitress in a short, black straight leg suit comes over with a rag and escorts us to a nearby empty couch.

  “Please don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything,” she says.

  “The waiters here aren't dressed exactly very sexy, are they?" I say, sitting down across from this new stranger.

  He leans back in his seat and looks me up and down very careful.

  “That's the point, I guess,” he says. “For all of us to pay attention to each other, rather than them. They're the distraction.”

  “And what are we?” I ask, suddenly feeling a little bit nervous at the intensity of his gaze
.

  “We're the main attraction,” he says without missing a beat.

  I take a sip of the new martini that the waitress brings and wait for this man to look away. But he doesn't. His gaze is laser-focused on me.

  Suddenly, a little spark wakes up within me, a little spark that I didn't even know I had.