Alexander

By Crystal Dawn

He was a world traveler, but he would finally be settling down. All those of his kind were drawn to the small area of the Ozarks. Alex had never even heard of it before and maybe that was a good thing. Everything had been going well, except for his crew boss. He didn’t think she liked him, and he liked her only too much.
Tanya had just got out of a bad relationship and hadn’t had time to recover. What didn’t Alex understand when she said it was too soon? Of course, her husband hadn’t looked like Alex or fired her blood like he did. Could she avoid the crew boss curse, or would she fall to Alex’s charms?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Dawn
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215357668

Crystal Dawn

When she’s not out hunting rogue vampires and werewolves, you can find Crystal Dawn out exploring the galaxy. She can do it all without ever leaving her computer. She kicks ass, takes names, and puts it all down for the enjoyment of her readers. At least that’s what I think she told me. Writing came as a natural outlet for her overly creative mind. She has always told stories and even written some but publishing books didn't start until 2012 with The Rebirth, was the first of the Planet Amazon books. Crystal has also been lucky to have some wonderful beta readers who keep her on track and help inspire her.Secretly, she crushes on all her sexy heroes because all her stories end happily. That is one of the things that makes writing such a joy. Knowing that it makes her reader's day a little brighter. Not that she doesn't read sad books sometimes. While still in school, she read Where the Red Fern Grows and cried like a baby. It was a wonderful book and sometimes a bit of sadness has to be put in books because that's part of life. While she reads all kinds of books at some time or another, PNR and SFR, which she writes is what she reads the most for pleasure.When she started writing, she decided on going Indie after the first two books because an author has more control. She believes Indie will compete well and continues to grow. The need to give pleasure to her readers keeps her going and she sees a long career ahead. Growing up mostly in the NW Arkansas area, it has given her a good place to set some stories and many of her characters come from there or nearby SW Missouri.The start of her stories is the easy part. Finishing them is a little harder when all the stories are in there trying to get out. She loves reading, chocolate, fine sweet wine, and traveling among a large list of pursuits. Her favorite people, after her family and close friends, are her readers who she says are some of the most wonderful people in this galaxy and the next.

Book preview

Prologue

He was there again. He was dark and dangerous. Still, she could not resist him. She moved toward him instead of running away like she knew she should. Something drew her to him, and now they were close enough to touch. The man pulled her into his arms. She looked into his eyes and knew he was more, much more than he seemed to be. His lips got closer until they were about to claim hers. Then she woke up with a gasp, hardly able to breathe.

Why was this happening to her now? Tanya was conflicted. She was both happy to avoid the kiss and disappointed she would never know what it felt like to be claimed by him. His face was always hidden in shadows. He had a past, not a good one. His people relied on him but didn't know it. His work was outside of things most people knew about.

This man had been part of a secret world few knew existed. It was a scary world of assassins, thieves, and political dealings. Finally, he managed to cut himself loose from that world. Yet she immediately recognized a part of it still inside of him. With the things he had done, could anyone ever truly leave the memories and the darkness behind?

What was he to her? Why did he visit every night in her dreams? Did he represent what was about to occur in her life, massive changes? Or was he waiting in her future to throw it into turmoil? Tanya feared she would soon find out.

Chapter 1

Home

As she drove, her mind headed back in time. Graham hadn't been a good choice, at least not for her. He'd been rich or at least from a wealthy family. He wanted to rebel and show that he could do anything he needed to on his own. That was why he picked her. His parents utterly disapproved, and he'd managed to make them very unhappy. He hadn't exactly pleased her mother, but she hid it well.

She had to give him credit for one thing - when he made an agreement, he kept it. When he asked her to marry him, he said the only thing that would tear their marriage apart was if she decided to leave. That day had finally come. She'd spent ten years in misery because she hadn't really known him at all. Tanya swore to herself that this would never happen to her again.

Ten years had passed, and all she had to show for it was money in the bank and a degree. During those ten years, she had nothing to call home or any kind of happiness. She'd always wanted a child but did not have one and probably never would. As the marriage progressed, it became obvious that love would never be a part of it. Her husband was cold, and he wanted no children.

When she'd become pregnant anyway, he'd ask her to have an abortion. Of course, she'd refused, but then she'd lost the baby anyway. Her eyes had recently been opened to what a selfish bastard he was. He told her she was the reason that they couldn't have children. He said something must have happened when she'd lost the baby that made her sterile. She believed him because she had no real reason to doubt him.

When she was looking through the safe, she found some papers. It seemed her husband had gone to the doctor for a vasectomy right after she lost their baby. Why hadn't she looked through those papers before? It would have saved her a decade of unhappiness. She immediately began her plan to get a divorce and go home. This wouldn't make much difference to him since their lives had been lived apart most of the time. That had been easier than spending time together. The better she got to know Graham, the less she liked him. Leaving would be a relief.

Her phone went off, and she saw that it was him again. Apparently, he liked their relationship and didn't want it to end. Once he was single, the women he messed with would want to marry him. She'd known he was unfaithful for a long time but hadn't cared. It's not like they slept together or had a real relationship. There was no one she wanted to see, so there had been no reason to be free.

There was a sign ahead. Soon she would be crossing into Arkansas. The thought of home made her want to cry. Why had she ever left? She hadn't kept up with any of her family and friends. Now that she was back, would they want anything to do with her? Of course, her mother and siblings would, and she could always count on Ariel. She didn't know about anyone else.

She had a job in construction that she had done when she was young. There was money in her account to live on and to buy a home whenever she found the right one. The ink had just dried on the divorce, but she was free. Thinking about how life could have been different was easy, but she needed to put that aside. That could not be changed or undone. Instead, she would worry about life going forward.

Tanya had held on to the marriage until his parents were gone, which should please him. It surprised her that he inherited anything, but he said he had. He tried to lure her back with that, but it wouldn't work. His family had been all about their ancestry and the blood that they carried. She found that funny considering the blood in her veins and what it meant.

Did they know he had been fixed and couldn't have any grandchildren? Had he shared that with them before they died as the final punishment because he had been disappointed in them? If she had only seen the way he really was and the pettiness that lived inside him. Why he wanted her back was hard to figure out since he could just marry one of the other women and leave them the way he had left her in place.

She'd hit Carr Lane, Missouri, right on the Arkansas-Missouri line and not far from Ariel’s. The road was ahead, and she turned on it. It wasn't long before she turned again, went through an open gate, and then across a cattle guard. This was the place Ariel owned when Tanya was growing up. The house ahead, however, was new. She hadn't seen it yet. There was even a paved lot in front where she could park.

A strong feeling hit her as she realized she was finally back home. So many years had passed, yet nothing in her life had turned out how she had hoped. While she probably could still have children, she wasn’t sure about putting up with another man. Maybe she would adopt. That wouldn't require a man, but she would wait to decide. That thought made her think about the man in her dreams, and she shivered.

Tanya got out of her SUV, leaving her luggage behind. She headed towards the door to ensure she was at the right place and her memories had been clear. Knocking, an adorable little girl opened the door. Looking around, Tanya hoped to find an adult. It could be dangerous to just let people into your house.

Katie, you've been told not to let people in, a teenager scolded.

She's ours, the little girl insisted.

Katie was Ariel's oldest daughter. Tanya had heard both boys had left home, but neither was far away, and they came to visit often. While Tanya was older, she still knew them quite well. She hoped she would get to see them before too much time had passed.

I'm glad you made it alright. Tommy here will bring your suitcases in if you tell him what you're driving and give him your keys.

She did it automatically and was relieved it would be taken care of. The drive was hard on her, but that was probably because of all the thinking she

did.

You made good time. Supper's almost ready. Why don't we go ahead and get in front of the line? We can fill our plates first, Ariel directed.

That was when Tanya noticed people were gathering but not going through what appeared to be a buffet line. She thought it was odd that Ariel would have a buffet nicer than many restaurants in her dining room. But there was no point in worrying about it, and the food smelled outstanding. Her stomach began to growl, demanding she follow Ariel's directions. Once she and Ariel got in line, everybody fell in behind them.

It was apparent to her that this was how things were done here. While it might take time, she would figure things out, and her life would settle. Her family would once more become close to her, and she would never leave them again. Her job was waiting, and while it would take a little while for her to get back into the physical condition she needed, she was still looking forward to it.

Tanya wished she had some children since all of her siblings did. It made her feel like an underachiever, but again, she could adopt. Life would go on and be better than it had ever been before. As they ate, they discussed the job.

The foundation is done and has been sitting for a couple weeks now.

That means I can start right away, Tanya observed.

It does. The new leader is not here yet, so hopefully, you will get a lot done before he shows up.

Why would that matter?

It shouldn't, but some leaders in the past have gotten impatient and pushy. This one may not, but it's best if we don't have to find out.

After supper was done, she was tired and ready to turn in. She would get up early for breakfast then Ariel would accompany her and the crew to the construction site. Tomorrow would be the start of her new life, and she wanted to be rested for it. Tanya said goodnight and headed to her room, where all her luggage awaited her.

A giddy feeling hit her when she looked into the bathroom and saw an oversized whirlpool tub. That would hit the spot just fine. Once the tub was full, she undressed and climbed in. She'd added some scent, and the sweet aroma filled the air when she turned on the jets. Her aching muscles relaxed. She was confident as soon as she was done, she would get to sleep right away.

It was a surprise that she fell asleep in the tub, and as the water cooled, it woke her up. That was unusual for her. She didn't like the feeling of the cold water, so she got out right away. She pulled the plug and dried off as the water drained. Once the tub was empty, she rinsed it and went to the bedroom.

Tanya put on her nightgown, but she no longer felt sleepy. She dug out her e-reader and began reading the first book she saw. Finally tired, she went to sleep, hoping tomorrow would be a good day. She woke to the alarm and hit the button to turn it off. Tanya stretched, hoping to work out the aches and pains in her body. Now she was ready to hop out of bed and get dressed.

Jeans and a T-shirt would do for the day, along with her rugged boots. Her hair would go back in a ponytail, so it was not in her way because she planned to work hard. Finally, it was time to present herself for breakfast. She was sure much of her crew would also be there getting breakfast.

Holy cannoli! As she entered Ariel’s dining room, it was packed. That would teach her to not get up early. She joined the line, and it seemed to take forever to work her way through it. Tanya was lucky to scrape a little of the food she loved most from the pans. The white gravy was changed out just as she got to it, so she took all she wanted. Why hadn't Ariel warned her that this was a food fest?

Making her way to the table, she sat in the seat Ariel had saved. You may have noticed that Will and her team are here.

I'll admit that I hadn't. Then, turning towards Will, she smiled, Hey Will, how are you doing?

I'm doing OK.

Come on, you've got two hotties, and all you can manage is, OK?

Will stood up, showing her a huge belly. I'm lucky to be doing OK.

Tanya gulped. I see what you mean. What are you here for if it's not top secret?

It's easy work this time. We are doing a little research and questioning some witnesses.

I'm glad the work's not too hard. You look like you need something easy, Tanya admitted.

She never considered being in Will's condition when she thought about having a kid or two. It looked almost painful and probably was. It most likely made it tough to enjoy her blond and her brunette. Maybe she managed because Will was always super tough at everything.

Tanya concentrated on her meal because she needed the energy. She wasn't used to hard work, and it would be hard on her for a little while. That was just how it would be, but she would get into better shape and then be fine. There was that old saying - whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Tanya, this is Sylvia. She will be your second.

Hi, Sylvia.

Right back at ya. If you need anything, just let me know, Tanya nodded, and Sylvia returned to her meal.

She'll make sure you know the names of everyone on your crew, and she'll help you until you get back into the swing of things. The lady is very nice but outspoken. You'll get used to her, Ariel assured.

OK. Do you have any to-go cups?

The coffee pot is over there, with various cups above it. Ariel pointed her in the