Devil's Dominion Series by Christina B. Rose

Cas : She killed my brother. At least, that is what I have believed for the months I followed her, learning her habits, likes, and dislikes. The moment I’m about to pull the trigger is not the time to second-guess myself. In my line of work, I don’t have the luxury to wonder about guilt or innocence. The fact is, I’ve been paid to do a job. Mercenaries don’t get to pick and choose who they put down. I’m one of the best, and my reputation is on the line... moreCas : She killed my brother. At least, that is what I have believed for the months I followed her, learning her habits, likes, and dislikes. The moment I’m about to pull the trigger is not the time to second-guess myself. In my line of work, I don’t have the luxury to wonder about guilt or innocence. The fact is, I’ve been paid to do a job. Mercenaries don’t get to pick and choose who they put down. I’m one of the best, and my reputation is on the line. She may or may not have killed my brother, but she’s certainly not innocent, with the things she’s done. There’s just one problem… she’s so different behind the scenes than the person she plays in public. I’m curious about a target for the first time. As much as I hate everything she stands for, I hate the idea of letting her go without getting what I want from her even more. Mara : Rich, powerful, beautiful – part of the elite. Everyone thinks I love this life - the role I’m forced to play. But they’re wrong. I don’t want much – freedom? A sense of purpose? I’m not even sure I know. But I’m certain of one I’m tired of playing this role. I’m tired of this game. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t want let me go. There’s a lot of danger out there, and I’m in no position to refuse protection. I’m forced to comply with a hulking, cranky stranger. I suppose when he isn’t being so hateful, it isn’t the worst way to spend my time. I can’t pretend he isn’t gorgeous, or that I don’t find some strange thrill in his acrimonious demeanor. But there’s so much more that I want, as well. I want to break out of this life. I want to save myself and be free. less

Mara: My greatest fear has come true: I’ve been caged and discarded. Is it from those apathetic to my needs and desires, or from those who wish me harm? No. I’ve been subdued by the least likely suspect. The man who says he loves me. My dark obsession - my guilty pleasure. Casca Scutari.It doesn’t matter how I feel about him. I need to get away. I won’t let him do this to me. I need to find my freedom.Cas: She needs safety, and I’m the only one who can offer it... moreMara: My greatest fear has come true: I’ve been caged and discarded. Is it from those apathetic to my needs and desires, or from those who wish me harm? No. I’ve been subdued by the least likely suspect. The man who says he loves me. My dark obsession - my guilty pleasure. Casca Scutari.It doesn’t matter how I feel about him. I need to get away. I won’t let him do this to me. I need to find my freedom.Cas: She needs safety, and I’m the only one who can offer it. Sure, she may hate me, but I can’t worry about that. Thoughts of her and her childish whims need to take a back seat to the upcoming war. I have more pressing matters to attend to.Unfortunately, she’s all I think about. She consumes my mind, day and night, just as she’s always done. I can’t get her out of my head. But that doesn’t matter. I can’t allow her to take control. less

Mara: I always feel him. He follows me everywhere I go. It’s not in my head, either - I know he’s always there. His presence is as disconcerting physically as it is mentally, just as it always has been. But I don’t have time to worry about him. The possibility for a future I’ve always dreamed of feels like it’s right at my fingertips.The only problem now is that I’m not sure I want that future anymore. I’m not sure what I want at all.Cas: I’m not built for this... moreMara: I always feel him. He follows me everywhere I go. It’s not in my head, either - I know he’s always there. His presence is as disconcerting physically as it is mentally, just as it always has been. But I don’t have time to worry about him. The possibility for a future I’ve always dreamed of feels like it’s right at my fingertips.The only problem now is that I’m not sure I want that future anymore. I’m not sure what I want at all.Cas: I’m not built for this. She’s always been my obsession - my only vice. So I watch her. Even as I solidify my alliances, I’m plagued with thoughts of her. I need to bend her and push her. I can make her understand, I’m certain. She’s mine, and she knows it. We both know it.But I can wait. I know she wants to make the decision. I just hope she doesn’t make the wrong one. less

Mara: There is still a war to win and a snake to find. I can’t stop thinking about The Wraith. It’s pretty obvious at this point that all of this has something to do with me, and I need to find out what it is myself before it’s made all too clear to me by someone else.At least the man who destroyed my old self but preserved and polished this new me has made me part of his team. Cas has given me a voice and a place... moreMara: There is still a war to win and a snake to find. I can’t stop thinking about The Wraith. It’s pretty obvious at this point that all of this has something to do with me, and I need to find out what it is myself before it’s made all too clear to me by someone else.At least the man who destroyed my old self but preserved and polished this new me has made me part of his team. Cas has given me a voice and a place. I feel my life changing, and it’s better, even if it’s not at all what I would have imagined. I feel at home in a cozy house out in the middle of nowhere, but I can also hold my own on a mafia battlefield where we fight enemies known and unknown. In two very different circumstances, I finally belong and feel a sense of purpose that I’ve never felt before. I only hope that I haven’t found everything I’ve ever wanted just to lose it all.Cas: It’s hard to give Mara everything she wants since it’s often so difficult even for her to discern what that is. But I think I’ve gotten the hang of this thing we’re doing – this relationship we’re done denying. For the first time, I’m allowing myself to entertain a life that isn’t all darkness and shadows.I want to make sure that all parts of Mara are okay. I think she needs mental stability as well as physical protection, but I’m not certain I can ensure both. I need to find a way to balance her needs and wants and to stop her from getting killed at the same time. But there is still a war to win; an ever-present cloud hanging over us. There are still so many unknowns. less