Crave: Fighting Fate Book 7

By Maree Green

Dean Thomas is a rock and roll heart throb. As the lead singer for one of the country’s hottest rock bands, Fighting Fate, he is sex personified. It’s not something he ever wanted, but with the bitter disappointment of a failed relationship still lingering in his heart, it’s certainly had its benefits.
That is until Eden Roberts walks into his life . . . With her honey blonde hair, and clear blue eyes that whisper sweet taunts of innocence, she’s a temptation that’s hard to resist—especially when he’d like nothing more than to break the rules put in place to keep her away from him.

Eden Roberts is the most ordinary person you could possibly meet. At least, that's what she thinks anyway. She knows she's good at her job, but ambitious? No way. Not in the slightest. Working for Leighton Records is the last thing she ever wanted, but she knows better than anyone that it's not always about what you want.
She’s prepared for it as much as she can—the long days, the megastar attitudes, and the cutthroat edge of the next person vying for her job. But what she’s not prepared for, is Dean Thomas . . . With his warm, chocolate eyes that seem to murmur promises of ecstasy for all eternity, he’s a challenge she’s not so sure she can handle—especially when the rules state she’s not allowed to touch.

They both know the rules, but as tensions rise and cravings set in, they find themselves being drawn into a game of intimidation and manipulation that neither of them asked for—one where trust is challenged, innocence is broken, and the lines between jealousy and revenge don’t exist.
So, what happens when fate takes away the one thing you thought you really wanted? Do you take what you’re given, or do you fight for what you crave?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maree Green
• Release date: Dec 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9780648128724

Maree Green

Maree began her writing journey in the early 2000’s while she was home raising her 4 beautiful children. As they grew, so did her style of writing, slowly progressing from children’s stories, to epic Young Adult sagas, to spicy New Adult romances. While the type of story has changed over the years, the underlying message in each story has always remained the same. Love.When she’s not writing, she can be found working with her husband on their property in Nanango, Queensland, Australia, looking after a menagerie of animals, and exploring as many creative challenges as possible.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Eden

Standing in the stale, generic space of the airport’s bathroom, I stared at my reflection and tried to breathe through the nausea. A slight sheen of sweat shimmered on the pale skin of my forehead, hinting at the possibility that I might actually faint if I didn’t pull my shit together real soon.

My heart thumped unevenly against my chest, the vein in my throat pulsing harshly in time with the beat. Blowing out a shaky breath, I ran my hands under the cold water and splashed a little on the back of my neck. What the hell were you thinking, Eden? I mumbled to my reflection. On what planet did you think this was a good idea?

The girl in the mirror merely blinked, innocence and vulnerability shining in her big doe eyes.

Of course, I knew exactly what brought her here, alone and twelve thousand kilometers away from home. Death had a way of doing that to a person. It made you reckless. It made you question your very existence. It cut you up into tiny pieces and forced you to put yourself back together again, despite the fact that it had stolen the most vital of pieces away from you.

It forced you to take chances, just to feel alive.

It. Changed. Everything.

My jaw clenched as a vision of Dad flashed through my mind. Fuck cancer. There weren’t many things I hated in life, but just thinking that word made me want to scream from the bitterness it cultivated. It was a cruel and twisted trick of fate.

The girl in the mirror gave me a pitiful look. She and I both knew I was running. I wasn’t stupid enough to think it was anything else. But after the hollow existence I’d been living since Dad had left me, I was desperate to find something that mattered. I was desperate to find me.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I raised my chin and took a deep breath. I had no idea if I’d made a mistake when I’d registered with the online job network that brought me here. It was the craziest and most reckless thing I’d ever done in my entire life. But it was the only thing that had given me any light these past few months. It was the only thing that had encouraged me to keep moving forward.

I sighed as I remembered my futile efforts to convince those who cared about me that I wasn’t being completely irrational and partially insane. It was a hard thing to do when you didn’t actually believe it yourself.

My stomach churned as a flood of doubts coursed through my body. Maybe they were right. Reality told me I was incredibly unprepared for this. I didn’t even have a backup plan. This was it. All I’d been told was that I needed to collect my bag and go through customs, and then someone from the agency was supposed to be waiting for me on the other side. It wasn’t until I discovered no one was actually there like they said they’d be that I started to question it all. I knew that probably bordered on insanity, but this was my life right now. I was absolutely winging every part of it.

With nausea still waging war inside my stomach, I gave up trying to calm myself down. Whether I liked it or not, I needed to formulate a plan B. I was well into a journey that was going to either make me or break me, and I was very much against becoming any more broken than I already was.

Grabbing the handle of my beast of a suitcase, I took a deep breath and made my way back out to the lobby area. It was time to find where I’d stowed my big girl panties and try like hell to pull them up. And fast.

Unlocking my phone, I tried to call the agency yet again. It was the tenth attempt I’d made in the last half hour, each call resulting in a busy signal that left me feeling a little more sick with worry.

Not knowing what else to do, I opened up my emails and began to type out a concerned message to the women I’d been speaking to this past month.

Eden Roberts . . . ?

My head jerked up at the faint sound of my name in the distance. Scouring the crowd, my gaze landed on a girl—not much younger than me, by the looks of her—pushing through the crowd, her gaze searching as she swung a small sign in front of her. As she spun to the left, I caught sight of my name scrawled across the face of it.

Relief lightened my chest for the first time since I’d boarded my flight over half a day ago. Raising my hand, I bolted toward her, dragging my beast of a case behind me as fast as I could.

As she spun away again, I reached out and grabbed her arm, desperate to not let her out of my sight.

The girl spun at the speed of light, her eyes narrowed and her mouth open like she was ready to bite my head off. The second I released her, her mouth snapped shut again. Eden Roberts?

I didn’t realize I was panting until I tried to take a breath to reply. I nodded. Yes. I’m Eden.

She looked me over and nodded. You look different than your picture, she said matter-of-factly.

I wasn’t going to argue with her. The picture I’d attached to my profile was from a much happier time in my life, so I didn’t doubt it for a second. Besides, she didn’t look like the kind of person you argued with.

Sorry I’m late, she said, lowering the sign. All our phone lines are down, and we only just realized the driver didn’t get the message. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.

I shook my head. That’s okay. No, not too long.

Reaching out, she took the beast from me and started wheeling it away. When I finally fell into step beside her, she gave me a sideways glance. My name is Claire, by the way. Obviously, I don’t usually do this. My gig is answering calls, but that’s hard to do when the phones aren’t working, she said dryly.

Following her outside, I rushed to keep up with her fast pace. I wasn’t sure if this was her normal speed or if she was in a massive hurry to get back to work. Either way, I wasn’t going to question it. You didn’t argue with a woman on a mission. Ever.

As she weaved through the crowd, she gave me another sideways glance. You’ve landed yourself a good gig, Eden. I hope for your sake you didn’t fudge your credentials.

It took me a moment to process what she’d said before my pride latched onto it. I mean, I knew people lied about loads of crap on their résumés all the time, but I wasn’t stupid enough to try it overseas.

Indignation rose from the depths of my bones. I’d spent the past five years surrounded by both men and women who doubted my ability because of my age, but I’d worked hard to get the knowledge and experience I had now. I’d had no choice.

Laughing it off, I hitched my handbag higher on my shoulder. Yes, that would be awkward, I said, dodging a small child running backward. But no, I haven’t fudged anything. I was born into a family who all worked in the music management business, so I’ve been studying and working in the industry since I was fourteen. I quickly sidestepped an elderly woman who was text-walking, making sure Claire could still hear me before continuing. I also have degrees in tour management, artist and repertoire management, stage and production management, as well as visual media and design skills.

Claire paused her steps and blinked at me. Oh. Okay. Then she smiled her first genuine smile. Then, welcome to the United States of America.

Chapter 2

Dean

Wiggling my tie into place, I straightened my belt and gave myself a once-over in the mirror. It wasn’t the full formal dress that was stated on the invitation, but it was the most amount of effort I was willing to put in for Leighton Records these days. If the event was for anyone else, I would’ve happily unrolled my sleeves and put a jacket on, but Craig Leighton could kiss my fucking ass. Call me spiteful, but that kind of shit happened when people fucked around on you behind your back. I sure as hell wasn’t going to apologize for it.

Shoving my hands into my pants pockets, I gave myself a stern look and released a huff. It was the sound of complete annoyance. A statement of irritation, discontent, and bitterness. Because as much as I loathed Craig Leighton and the label the sleazy asshole owned, there was one other person I surprisingly loathed more. My ex-girlfriend, Lila—the greedy bitch the sleazy asshole now called his. Together, they could both go eat a big bag of dicks, for all I cared. I seriously couldn’t wait to see the back of them.

With barely contained irritation, I picked up my glass of scotch and tossed back the contents. The past year had tried my restraint in more ways than one. It was bad enough that Lila had fucked around on me with someone I was contracted to work for, but finding out the asshole had given her a job where she had the ability to boss me around had been more than I could deal with. If she had shown even a sliver of remorse it might have been an easier pill for me to swallow, but according to Lila, she had been entitled to more than I could give her, and her actions were justified. I didn’t think it was possible to go from wanting to spend the rest of my life with someone, to hating them with a burning passion, but Lila certainly made it a reality.

Pouring myself another scotch, I moved toward the kitchen, wondering if the guys would let me get away with missing the event completely. There were going to be so many fucking celebrities there, I was sure they wouldn’t even notice my absence anyway.

Don’t even think about it, Mia said as I rounded the corner.

My eyes narrowed with scrutiny. There was no way she should’ve been able to tell what I’d been thinking, but with Mia, I didn’t doubt it for a second. She seemed to have a kind of sixth sense about these things. Most times it was amusing, but today it only made me surly.

I wasn’t thinking anything, I mumbled, bypassing Jace by moving around the kitchen counter.

Six years ago, I wouldn’t have even dreamed I’d be where I was today. Especially not with the three closest friends I’d had since my freshman year of high school. Starting a band had been a whim for us—something we fell into to keep us sane and out of trouble—and as much as we loved it, it hadn’t been something we thought we could make a living doing. Not in a million years. It wasn’t until things took a turn for crazy on YouTube that we thought we might have a chance at something incredible.

That was three years ago, and now here we were, playing to sold-out stadiums and making more money than I thought was actually possible. It was cake. Now I just had to find the icing. I wasn’t sure what that would be, but it certainly wasn’t the house we rented in East LA.

Moving to the sink, I silently exhaled. For the most part, living together was great, but during times like this, I craved a little more space. I didn’t cope well with being around people that much anymore. I kept thinking I’d snap out of it one day, but I was starting to doubt it. Maybe it was just who I really was now.

Aiden leaned against the counter and eyed me as he took a swig of his beer. You’re not alone, he said blandly. I wish we didn’t have to go too.

We all do, Jace said, rolling his eyes. We’ve already established that we’d all rather subject ourselves to various forms of torture than go to anything Leighton-related.

Matt tugged at the collar of his shirt. But?

But, Jace said, raising an eyebrow, it’s all a part of getting to the fucking finish line. Our contract ends as soon as we finish up this next tour. We just need to get this album finished before it drives us insane, enjoy the fact that we’re going on a world fucking tour, and then we can finally be free.

I unlocked my jaw and shook my head. "That’s all providing the asshole approves some fucking songs, Jace. You know he’s going to draw this shit out as long as he fucking can. We’ve been giving him songs for the album for the last nine months. Good fucking songs. Songs he should’ve approved—did approve—but now won’t. The album should’ve been finalized by now."

Matt crossed his arms over his chest. Dean’s right. This shit has gone on too fucking long. The fact that we’ve got no control over what goes on our own fucking album is crap, man.

This isn’t new, guys, Aiden said, running a hand over his hair. This is the same shit that’s been going on for the last three years. Like Jace said, we just need to suck it the fuck up and get through it. Leighton has to approve the album before the tour can kick off, and I don’t think he’ll drag it out too much longer because that’s where he makes all his money off us. All we need to do is make sure the music we keep giving him is true to who we are as a band. For us, and for our fans.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I sighed. I think you’re underestimating whatever it is that’s making the asshole flex his muscles with us. At the moment he has no inclination to approve the kind of music I’m making, but I can’t give him anything else. Because of him and Lila, this is where I’m at. This is all I’ve got.

Emmy stepped forward, her head cocked to the side a little as she gazed at me. She and Aiden had only been dating seriously for six months, but she fit into our group as though she’d always been here. Just because Leighton is being an ass and rejecting the songs you’ve written, doesn’t mean they’re shit, Dean. I’m a country girl, and even I can tell they’re amazing. Don’t let him get to you.

I just need to be away from him and Lila, I said, withdrawing a little more.

We know, Mia said softly. Just hold on a little longer, honey. We’ll all be free of him soon, okay?

Taking a sip of scotch, I slowly inhaled. All right, but if Lila starts any shit tonight, I’m out. I won’t hang around while they deliberately torment me.

Jace straightened his shoulders, his gaze burning into mine. If Lila starts any shit, Dean, we’re all out. That’s a promise.

I held his gaze for a while longer before giving him one slow nod. I knew I hadn’t been the greatest of company for the guys the past year, so the fact that they were still prepared to stand by me was a true testament to our friendship. But then again, each of us had been difficult in one way or another since we’d been signed as a band. I guessed this was just my turn. Lucky me.

Mia wrapped her arms around Jace’s waist and gazed up at me. We’re a family, Dean. We’ll all keep our mouths shut while we have to because that’s what’s best for our family right now, but that doesn’t mean we’ll stand by and let someone tear one of us apart.

Matt thrust his beer in the air. Hells yeah to that, he said, hatred glowing in his eyes.

Out of all of my family, he was the one who had disliked Lila the most over the years, although dislike was probably a very watered-down way to describe what he’d felt for her. I still didn’t know why I never listened to him back then. It was fucking stupid of me now that I thought about it. But I wasn’t going to make that mistake again. If any of my family didn’t like the next girl I decided to date, she was gone.

All I can say, Matt continued as he stared at me, is that Lila better fucking run if I see her after the contract ends, because she’s going to cop everything I’ve held back for the last four years, and it’s not going to be pretty.

Holding my glass up in a toast, I arched an eyebrow. Hells yeah to that, I said darkly. As much as I wasn’t an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, I certainly wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep if Matt decided to tell Lila what he really thought of her.

All right, Mia said, placing her hands on her hips. Love fest is over. Time to get your asses in the limo. Lash and Jax made me promise them I’d get you there by nine.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the smile that pulled on the corner of my lips. The boys from The Dark Hybrid were more or less a part of our family now. They were like our big brothers. They’d been with us, and there for us, since the very beginning. If it hadn’t been for them, we’d have made a hell of a lot more mistakes these past few years. We owed them a lot.

Tipping my scotch back, I clunked the empty glass on the counter and shoved my hands in my pockets. Let’s get this shit done, then.

I didn’t know what was going to happen tonight, but I prayed for something good.

Chapter 3

Eden

Posing in front of the full-length mirror in my new apartment, I took in the beauty of my blood-red cocktail dress and smiled. It was the most treasured piece of clothing I owned—not because it was the most amazing hand-crafted dress I’d ever seen, but because it had been made by my sister.

My heart warmed as I thought of Sam. We hadn’t had the easiest of relationships growing up. She was six years older than I was, and by the time I’d turned fourteen, she’d already moved out of our home with the love of her life and started a family. Living apart, we didn’t really get the opportunity to be close at all. It wasn’t until Dad’s illness became increasingly worse that we started to bond like real sisters. Now, we were as close as sisters could be.

Smoothing the dress over my hips, I was filled with a sense of pride. Sam was an incredibly talented designer. She mostly designed swimwear and underwear, but she’d designed the dress as a one-time surprise gift for my high school graduation dinner. The only things better than the dress were the diamond stud earrings Dad had given me. Those were treasured in a completely different way.

Reaching up, I gently touched one of the studs and smiled. I used to only wear them on special occasions, but now I wore them almost every day. I knew it was silly, but wearing them made me feel as though he was close by, and right now, I needed him with me.

I glanced over at the employment papers the agency had given me. It wasn’t the full employment contract I was supposed to collect. Apparently, my employer wanted to give it to me personally once I started. But the papers I had were at least enough to let me know that the job was legit, and I wasn’t being completely scammed.

Looking around the apartment, I felt the doubts start creeping in yet again. It was a nice apartment. Like, seriously nice. The kind of nice that rich people had. It made me nervous. I knew I hadn’t fudged my credentials when I’d applied, but looking at the place I was being put up in and the formal gala event I was supposed to be attending tonight, I was suddenly feeling like a fraud.

Picking up my mobile phone—or cell phone if I wanted to get with the American program—I pressed on the top contact and held it to my ear. After a few rings, I heard the click of connection. Hey, bitch.

The corner of my mouth tugged upward at my best friend’s greeting. Tell me why I’m doing this again?

Alicia scoffed. Because you’re a rude bitch who likes to sneak off and do fun shit without your best friend.

I chuckled softly. Alicia had been my number one supporter when I’d mentioned my intention to work overseas, but she hadn’t been happy that she wasn’t going to be able to come with me. As an airline attendant, she’d been trying to get on the international circuit for the last year, but it just hadn’t happened yet.

I sighed. I really don’t know if I’m qualified enough for this, Leash. What if I just bit off way more than I can chew?

She made a mumbling sound I was sure was probably accompanied by a shoulder shrug. Then you just chew faster, Edes. But I seriously doubt you’re going to have any trouble. As much as I hate that I can’t be doing this with you, you’re insanely good at what you do.

The churning in my stomach simmered down with her words, but the sick feeling remained. I sighed. "I’m just feeling so overwhelmed. I mean, you should see the place I’m living in, Leash. It’s massive. And so . . . expensive-looking."

She mumbled again. And I thought I couldn’t hate you any more.

Shut up, I said, but my lips twitched with amusement just the same. Is it too late to pull out?

Yes, it is. Suck it up and just do it. Show those bastards you’ve got what it takes.

Huffing, I snarled through the mouthpiece, I hate you.

You love me. Now, go. Have fun. Wow people.

Even though I knew she couldn’t see me, I still rolled my eyes. Yeah, okay. I’ll get right on that.

The soft vibration of her laugh came through the phone despite her attempt at hiding it. Call me tomorrow, and let me know how it went.

I sighed. Sure, sure. I’ll talk to you then.

Bye, Edes.

Pressing the button to end the call, I tossed the phone on the bed and strode to the large mirror mounted on the wall beside it. Smoothing the dress for the twenty millionth time, I exhaled, long and slow. I can do this, I said to my reflection. I’m not going to let them intimidate me.

My reflection gazed back at me with a confidence I wasn’t aware she even had. I nodded my head in full support, just as a loud knock came at the door.

With one last reassuring glance in the mirror, I scooped up my phone and the little silver clutch I’d stashed the necessities in and went to see who it was.

A man in a plain black suit smiled at me, all business-like. Miss Roberts? Your ride is here.

Of course, I said, trying to feign the poise I was very much lacking in that moment. I’m ready.

Closing the door, I followed him to the elevator and stepped past the guy who was charged with our safe descent. I glanced at him as I waited for the doors to close. I didn’t quite understand his position. Had we seriously gone that far as a society that we really needed someone to push buttons for us in an elevator?

Before I could consider the answer any further, the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. The guy in the suit gestured with his arm. If you’ll come this way, Miss Roberts. Your driver is waiting under the awning for you.

Right, I said, lifting my chin.

I tried to remember the deportment classes I’d been forced to take back in high school. One foot in front of the other, slightly off center, hips gently swaying side to side.

God help me.

I could just imagine what an idiot I looked like right now.

But no one seemed to be looking at me with an expression that definitely confirmed this. You know the one. Eyes slightly wide, crease between the eyebrows, mouth parted with a breath that appeared to mutter, What the hell?

Yeah, that one.

Thankfully, the only people who seemed to be looking my way, were a couple of middle-aged businessmen in fancy suits, and their gazes appeared no different from the guys I was used to seeing at the local bar every Friday night. I didn’t need to be an expert in body language to know what they were thinking—or what head they were thinking it with.

I glanced out the door ahead, catching sight of the car I assumed was waiting for me, the driver standing tall and proud beside it.

Excuse me.

Shortening my steps, I paused as a woman stepped in front of me, making me almost trip. I blinked at her stupidly. Was this the moment someone told me there had been a huge mistake and I wasn’t really supposed to be here?

I’m sorry to bother you, she said, smiling. It even looked genuine. I just have to say, you look absolutely gorgeous. Can I ask who you’re wearing?

I blinked again. What freaking universe

Reviews for Crave

[Betsy Bulluss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful series this has been! I truly hope there is a book 8 I’m dying to see what happens with Matt