Dark Redemption Read online

  Dark Redemption

  Charlotte Byrd

  Contents

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  About Charlotte Byrd

  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  Dark Redemption

  1. Dante

  2. Jacqueline

  3. Jacqueline

  4. Dante

  5. Jacqueline

  6. Jacqueline

  7. Jacqueline

  8. Jacqueline

  9. Dante

  10. Dante

  11. Dante

  12. Dante

  13. Jacqueline

  14. Jacqueline

  15. Jacqueline

  16. Jacqueline

  17. Jacqueline

  18. Jacqueline

  19. Jacqueline

  20. Dante

  21. Jacqueline

  22. Jacqueline

  23. Jacqueline

  24. Dante

  25. Dante

  26. Jacqueline

  27. Dante

  28. Jacqueline

  29. Dante

  30. Dante

  31. Jacqueline

  32. Jacqueline

  33. Dante

  34. Jacqueline

  35. Dante

  36. Jacqueline

  Connect with Charlotte Byrd

  About Charlotte Byrd

  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  Copyright © 2021 by Byrd Books, LLC.

  All rights reserved.

  Proofreaders:

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  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

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  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

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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 Redemption

  He saved my mother’s life. Now, I owe him a debt. But I don’t even know who he is.

  * * *

  Dante Langston is man of extreme wealth and privilege and just as much darkness.

  Our time together was supposed to be a one night stand.

  No names. No phone numbers. No other way to get in touch.

  But I keep going back to look for him.

  What I don’t yet know is that he already knows me.

  He has been watching and waiting. He needs to stay away to protect his secrets but he can’t.

  Neither can I.

  I’m addicted to his lips and his touch. He’s addicted to our shared pain.

  What happens when I find out the debt I owe is to him?

  What happens when I find out the other secrets that he is much more desperate to keep?

  * * *

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

  * * *

  Dark Redemption is the second 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.

  1

  Dante

  I arrive in Minnesota to surprise her. She hasn't been returning my calls and it's a total long shot. I don't know if she's not interested anymore, or just busy or occupied.

  Her mom's surgery didn't go well and the last time we spoke, she cried into the phone and then hung up and didn't answer any more of my calls.

  I don't know where she's staying. When I get to the hospital, they tell me that a lot of people tend to stay in the apartment hotel just across the street. Once I'm there, Jacqueline is not very difficult to find as the woman at the front desk confirms that she is staying here but refuses to give me the number of her room.

  I sit in the parking lot for hours wondering if I'm just going to make a fool of myself. Probably, but still, I can't pull away.

  I have to see her.

  I have to talk to her, even if it's a foolish thing to do.

  Right at twilight, I see a woman walk across the parking lot weighted down with a stack of books in her arms. Her hair's pulled up in a messy bun. Her skin is pale, but her eyes are vibrant with a wild expression that’s difficult to describe. She doesn't see me as I walk up and I again, hesitate, debate consider leaving.

  When I get her attention, however, everything changes.

  Days pass and I'm still here. I call off work. I reschedule a meeting and I stay with her. Then she gets the bad news about her mom's condition.

  Now, there’s nothing we can do but wait. Jacqueline sits for hours in the hospital room, taking the occasional break to go for a walk. I insist on these excursions to clear her head, to get her body moving, to engage with who she is as a person and not just a daughter in grief.

  We walk and we talk about everything and anything.

  I tell her about my childhood. I tell her about my mom, my brother and his wife. She tells me about her own father and the disappointment that he has been. She tells me about her dreams of finishing her journalism degree and getting a job in a magazine or TV news.

  We talk and we walk, we walk and we talk and our connection seems to grow deeper and stronger.

  The following morning after the scare at the hospital, I wake up and see Jacqueline sitting with my laptop on her knees.

  "What are you doing?" I ask, rubbing my eyes and stretching my arms above my head.

  "What is this?” she asks, her eyes full of rage.

  I lean over.

  Jacqueline brings the laptop to my face and points at the email from the Danick Clinic.

  I swallow hard.

  I knew that I shouldn't have given her the passcode to get in, but it seemed so innocent.

  "What are you doing with my laptop?" I ask, trying to turn the conversation onto her.

  She glares at me.

  "Mine ran out of juice. I wasn't snooping around. I opened it to look something up, your email popped up, and this is the first one I saw.”

  I open my mouth to say something when she cuts me off.

  “Why are they talking to you about paying for my mother's medical bills?"

  I shrug and avert my eyes.

  “Did you pay her bill? Were you the anonymous donor?"

  Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I pull on my underwear and reach over for the jeans that are laying on the floor.

  "I can't believe that you did that. You didn't even know me then. Why are you ..." She shakes her head, walking from one side of the room to another, trying to figure out at what point she told me about her mother being sick.

  * * *

  My head starts to thump, the blood pumping through my veins clenches up my heart. The problem is that the only reason I knew about her mother was that she told her friend, Allison, over FaceTime messages, which I should not have had access to.

  "Look, you mentioned it and I looked into it," I lie.

  One lie has to cover up another and another, but I can't possibly tell her the truth.

  "What are you doing?" Jacqueline asks, staring at me as I button my shirt.

  She pulls on my shoulder to turn me to face her.

  "Why are they contacting you?" she asks, glaring into my eyes.

  "I told you, you had mentioned that your mom was sick."

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Yes, you did,” I lie. “You mentioned the Danick Clinic, you mentioned what kind of cancer she had. I knew your last name. This is a very common thing," I lie again.

  Lies upon lies, but it's all for a good cause, right? That makes it okay.

  She looks at me as if she is going to throw up. I know that she doesn't believe me, but I can't bring myself to tell her the truth.

  "So you looked it up? You called the clinic and what? They just told you about her medical condition?"

  I take a deep breath and breathe out just as quickly.

  Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I hang my head in between my shoulders.

  "I liked you a lot, okay?” I say, lifting up my eyes and looking at her through my hair. “We have this connection from the first time that we met. I told you that when I went back to the Redemption, I just couldn't complete the deal with anyone else. You were different."

  "Okay, whatever."

  Jacqueline gets up. She starts to walk away from me, but I grab her hand and pull her closer to me.

  "Not whatever, it's the truth,” I whisper.

  "What does this have to do with my mother?"

  "I told them that I was going to pay the bill. I didn't need any medical information, but I didn't want my name to be revealed. A lot of donors do that and they're happy to accept payment from anyone as long as the check clears."

  "I don't believe you."

  I shrug and press on. "That's why I did that. I wanted to help you and your mom. I'm sorry that the surgery did not turn out like you had planned, but it seemed to be her best bet according to her doctors, right? According to everyone you spoke to."

  Tears start to roll down her cheeks. "You had no right to do this. You lied to me."

  "But it was a nice thing."

  "I don't care!”
Jacqueline screams, grabbing her jacket and purse.

  She throws her feet into her boots and, without lacing them up, she walks out the front door, slamming it shut behind her.

  When she leaves, darkness engulfs the room. Not knowing what to do, I plop down on the bed and stare at the ceiling for what feels like forever.

  After I'm certain that she's not coming back anytime soon, I get on my laptop and read the email requesting additional money for all of the additional expenses that her mom is now incurring as a result of the complications.