Players and Thieves: Entwined Fates, #11

By Trista Ann Michaels

Playing Christian

Christian Marcone and his assistant Sharna have been circling each other for months, neither willing to make the first move. Sharna thinks she's come up with a plan to force Christian's hand, but will it backfire?

Thief of Hearts

The Senate Regent plans to start a war in order to position himself firmly as the sole ruler of the galaxy and Jonah Marcone has the proof. Unfortunately, the Regent knows it and sends in a thief to get it back, before ordering Jonah's assassination.

Asa might've caught Jonah by surprise once, but he's smarter than she gave him credit for. Can the two of them come together to defeat the Regent and save the Senate? Or will the assassin kill them both?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trista Ann Michaels
• Release date: Jan 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393045335

Book preview

Players and Thieves

Entwined Fates, Volume 11

Trista Ann Michaels

Published by Trista Ann Michaels, 2020.

Also by Trista Ann Michaels

Crime and Punishment

Topping The Domme

Master Delacroix

Theirs to Share

Burning Submission

The Master's Den

Declan

Entwined Fates

Captive

Stefan

Taron

Destined For Two

Remember Me

Mercenary

Slaves

Her Pirate Master

Up In Flames

Dominating Miya

Players and Thieves

Mercenary

Social Prey

Dirty Sexy Dom

Two For Tessa

Shot in the Dark

Standalone

A Ghost of a Chance

Dead Reckoning

Table of Contents

Title Page

Also By Trista Ann Michaels

Players and Thieves (Entwined Fates, #11)

Sign up for Trista Ann Michaels's Mailing List

Also By Trista Ann Michaels

Author Note

Welcome to the next installment of the Entwined Fates series, Players and Thieves. This book contains two stories, Christian and Jonah’s. These two stories are connected, but the entire book is stand alone, as is all the books in the Entwined Fates series. If you would like to read them in order, they are as follows....

Captive

Stefan

Taron

Destined For Two

Remember Me

Mercenary

Slaves

Her Pirate Master

Up In Flames

Dominating Miya

Players and Thieves

I hope that you enjoy Chris and Jonah’s stories.

––––––––

Prologue

Why can’t politicians keep their hands and dicks out of the cookie jar? Jonah grumbled.

Sidious snickered as he opened his office door and stepped inside. A question I’ve asked myself a dozen times or more.

Lord Jonah Marcone stepped into his Uncle Sidious’s office on Daego and drew in a deep breath of air. He’d always loved this space. Entering into it never failed to put him at ease with the large windows overlooking the lake behind it and the fireplace with an actual wood burning fire that flickered inside.

His Aunt Mikayla had decorated the house based on her home world of Earth, which is also where Jonah’s mother was from. His mother, however, preferred the modern look of their home on Tillarus, but she loved the peace and tranquility of the moon Daego, which is why he’d spent a good chunk of his childhood here. He and his twin sister, Jacqueline were even born here. Right in this very house.

This place was the family center. It’s where they came to relax, to celebrate a birthday or big event. Mikayla even had an addition built so they had plenty of room for even more family, which seemed to be growing every time Jonah turned around.

His aunt and uncle had shown that family isn’t just who you’re born to. It’s who you pick up along the way, which was proven when they made Devlin and his sister, Rhianna part of the family. Although they don’t have the same name or even the same blood, Devlin and his family, as well as his sister Rhia and her family are just as much a Marcone and welcome here as the main family members.

There was constantly someone coming and going, but Sidious and Mikayla both loved it. If they wanted time to themselves, they would go somewhere else and leave the monstrosity of a house for the family to enjoy. It’s what it had been built for.

Unfortunately, Jonah wasn’t here for relaxation.

Does the Senator have any idea who’s blackmailing him or why? Jonah asked as he took the seat across from his uncle’s desk.

The why is the legislation that Christian and Alex have been working on, Sidious replied.

The bill that will limit the powers of the Regent? Jonah asked.

Sidious sat back in the chair and ran a hand through his shoulder length platinum hair. That would be the one. It would seem someone, my guess is the Regent, doesn’t want a cap on his powers, so he’s blackmailing senators to gain their support to squash it.

Are we sure it’s the Regent and not the corporate elite who stand behind him? Jonah asked.

You assume it’s the corporate elite who control the Regent, when it actuality, it’s the Regent who pulls the strings. He tells them what he wants for his support of whatever bill they want passed that might further their business.

Jonah snorted. I thought the Regent was supposed to watch out for the average person, to do what’s best for the people, not the corporate elite.

Sidious’s lip curled. In a perfect world. Unfortunately, this position appears to corrupt men. His uncle studied him. What we need is someone who is incorruptible.

Jonah grinned. What you need is a miracle.

Are you saying if you had the position, you could be corrupted?

I’ve grown up in politics my entire life. I’ve been groomed to take over as ruler of Tillarus once my father retires. I’ve had the luxury of seeing first-hand how a good ruler takes care of his people. I’ve also seen good men ruined by greed. I hate the whole nature of politics. I say what I mean and mean what I say, just like dad. I don’t pander. I don’t believe in political spin. I do believe that I would always put the people first, but there’s not enough money in the galaxy for me to take on that job.

Sidious smiled. Can’t say as I blame you. His uncle’s smile died and worry clouded his gray eyes. The corruption is getting out of hand. Christian was hoping this new bill would limit the Regent’s power, putting more of it in the hands of the Senate, taking it away from just one man and putting it in the hands of the majority.

That’s a problem in and of itself, Jonah replied. Not that the power lies with the majority, but just getting the majority to agree on a course of action. I’ve heard Jonah complain for months now about bipartisanship being dead and how it’s nearly impossible to get anyone to agree on anything. It’s become a do-nothing government. Even if you expose the Regent, what then? Who’s to say the next Regent won’t be just as bad?

Sidious sighed and tapped the top of his desk. So you’re suggesting we leave him be? Let him continue on, using executive orders to further his power and agenda?

Jonah rubbed his hand over the top of his head in frustration. No. That wouldn’t work either. Jonah stood and began to pace around the room. The problem is the position. It’s too corruptible, too many favors exchanging hands. Even a good man could be overwhelmed by it all, swayed.

I agree. Years ago when your father and I finally took the dictator down and reinstated the Senate, the Regent was primarily only supposed to be a figurehead. All the power was in the hands of the Senators. Over the years, the power has slowly shifted to now it mostly resides with the Regent. It needs to go back to the way it was.

Which is what Chris’s bill is supposed to do, Jonah said as he leaned on the back of the chair. With a sigh, he continued. So basically, I need to find the proof that the Regent is behind it.

Any ideas where to start? Sidious asked.

Follow the money, Jonah replied as he pushed back off the chair and stood straight. Where did the Senator who’s being blackmailed send it?

He hasn’t yet.

Jonah grinned. Perfect. All I have to do now is get with Aspen and have her tag it, then we can see where it goes.

Your Uncle Taron will kick your ass for getting his daughter involved in this.

She’s a freakin’ hacker. A damn good one. If anyone can tag that currency transfer it’s her. She tags it, we track it and then hopefully, I can link wherever it’s going to the Regent, proving he was behind it.

The link may be the hardest part. The Regent is a smart man. I’m sure it’s not going to be obvious.

Jonah grinned. But isn’t that why you came to me?

Sidious laughed just as a beep came over his computer screen. He hit one of the keys on the keyboard and smiled at the screen. Hey, Jack.

Hi, Uncle Sidious.

Sidious’s brow creased into a frown and Jonah’s chest tightened with concern. He suddenly had an uneasy feeling and knew instinctively it had something to do with his twin sister, who Sidious was talking to on the computer.

You okay, sweetheart? Sidious asked. You look tired.

Jonah walked around to stand beside his uncle, just out of her line of vision, and studied his twin sister. She did look tired.

I’m fine, she said, faking a smile.

Don’t listen to her, Sidious. Jacqueline’s husband Haydrian appeared in the screen behind her. She’s not been sleeping.

It’s nothing, she said, waving her hand in dismissal. My brother isn’t by chance there with you, is he? I called his ship, but he didn’t answer.

He’s here. Sidious turned in his chair to look at him. He nodded his head to the screen and stood so Jonah could have the chair. I’ll go get some coffee and let you two talk.

Jonah nodded and sat down. If something had upset her, she would tell him and if she was tracking him down, something must have upset her. Is Haydrian being an ass again? Jonah asked, teasing his brother-in-law.

Haydrian bent forward slightly and stuck his middle finger up, making Jonah chuckle. That’s not very kingly of you brother-in-law. You’ve been hanging around our cousin Shane too much, I think.

Haydrian smiled as he dropped his hand and gave Jonah’s sister a pat on the shoulder. She’s been a little upset, Jonah. See if you can calm her down.

Jonah nodded as Haydrian turned and walked from the room, leaving him alone with his sister. What’s going on, Jack? he asked with concern.

Do you remember when we were teenagers and I had that string of really bad nightmares right before you crashed your speeder and broke your legs?

Jonah cringed at the memory. That had been one hell of a painful crash and recovery. Despite all their medical advancements, breaks like that took a while to heal. He still sometimes had issues with one of them. Unfortunately, yes. Why?

I’m having nightmares again, but much worse. I wake up shaking and screaming. I can hardly breathe. Jonah, I feel as though something awful is going to happen.

Jack, Jonah tried to reason. I know because we’re twins we have this weird mental connection, but you’re not psychic. Those nightmares were just a coincidence. Nothing more.

She shook her head, dismissing what he said. If you’re getting ready to do something for Uncle Sidious, please don’t.

Jack—

I have a really bad feeling, Jonah. Promise me you won’t do this.

Jonah sighed. I’m just going to meet Aspen. She’s going to do some hacking for me. That’s all.

She stared at him, a look of helpless worry in her eyes. Jonah wanted desperately to make her feel better, but he didn’t know how. He couldn’t lie to her. She would know, just like he would know if she lied. He could tell this really concerned her. He could feel it in his gut, her tension, her fear. Now that he’d picked up on it, the sensations would continue to nag at him until she felt better. Despite their physical distance."

Jack, I promise. I have no intentions of going up against anyone.

She shook her head just as Haydrian walked back into the room. It’s not that. It’s something else. Something I can’t see, but it’s...it’s awful...painful. The pain is...

She swallowed and Jonah frowned. He wanted to reach through the screen and hug her, but he couldn’t.

I’ll be okay, sis. I promise.

A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye and she gave him a nod of understanding before moving and allowing Haydrian to sit down. Haydrian touched her arm softly. The cook needs to see you in the kitchen, love.

She nodded silently and with her arms around her middle, hugging herself, she walked from the room, Haydrian watching her go. He turned back to the screen with a frown. I don’t know what’s going on, Jonah, but she’s freaking the hell out. She wakes up screaming, crying, she can’t get back to sleep. Last night she didn’t even want to go to sleep at all. Has she done this before?

Once, but not that bad. It was right before I crashed my speeder. I had always thought it was just a coincidence. We can feel things about each other, but she’s not psychic, so I don’t know what the hell this is.

She’s not here and can’t hear us, so are you about to do something dangerous?

Jonah shook his head. Not from my view point. It’s strictly just a fact finding mission.

Haydrian snorted. Who are you looking for facts on, Jonah?

Jonah sighed, but didn’t answer.

Haydrian shook his head. My guess is what makes this dangerous is not what you’re doing, but who you’re looking into.

Maybe, Jonah replied, although silently agreeing with his brother-in-law.

If you need help let me know, Haydrian said firmly. I may not be pirating anymore, but I still have connections, friends in low places.

Jonah grinned at that last one. I’ll keep that in mind. It won’t do any good for me to lie to her and tell her I won’t do it. She’ll know. Keep her calm, if you can. Try to get her busy doing something to keep her mind off it.

Are you kidding? Your sister can run circles around me. She’s already got so much going on, I can barely keep up with her. The people here love her, though. She’s always there for them.

Jonah smiled. She had a good teacher. She’s just like our mom.

Haydrian smiled as well. Krista is a good woman. I’ll do what I can with Jack, but...

Jonah gave a nod. She’ll worry no matter what. I’ll talk to you later, Haydrian.

He hit the keyboard, closing down the communication. Were her nightmares something to be concerned about? He gave his head a shake. No. He refused to go down that path. They were just a coincidence, nothing more.

––––––––

Chapter One

Playing Christian

Christian Marcone sat back and only half listened to the bickering around the table. So much for bipartisanship. The hope of getting anything through this laughing stock of a senate anymore was practically non-existent.

He looked to the head of the table where his best friend and now brother-in-law, Chancellor Alexander Dorn sat with his head in his hand, his finger and thumb squeezing his temples. Christian knew that position. Alex was close to his breaking point and shit was about to hit the fan.

Just as Christian thought it, Alex growled and lifted his head while at the same time slapping his palm against the table so hard the glasses rattled against the wood.

Damn it, enough! he bellowed.

And there it was—Alex’s breaking point.

Every senator around the table froze and stared at the formidable chancellor as he came to his feet and leaned his palms on the table. With eyes narrowed into hard slits, he slanted an angry look around the table that had several men swallowing their tongues.

Despite himself, Christian bit back a grin. When he wanted, Alexander Dorn could be quite intimidating. No wonder everyone compared the man to Christian’s father, Lord Sidious Marcone. He’d seen his father stare down a room full of men with that same exact look.

"If all