Unchained: Sterling Chains, #1

By Vee R. Paxton

He wants to win big, but her kiss of death could be his biggest loss of all.

A failure—that's what artist Tatum Sterling's father called her when he abandoned their family. He thought she was supposed to have magic? There's no such thing as magic.

Years later the sting of that rejection is still sharp, but now something intense and carnal is happening inside her, especially when she sees Jack, her brother's former college roommate and her old crush.

As a high-powered criminal defense attorney, Jack Mathers is used to being tempted by women, but he can't deny there's something captivating about Tatum that's impossible to ignore. Still, she's the baby sister of his estranged best friend and pursuing her won't help restore that rift. But when he's approached by the head of the mysterious government organization and recruited to "activate" her, Jack weighs his friendship goals and wonders if he can have his cake and eat it too or will Tatum be the death of him?

Find out in this Suits meets Lucifer urban paranormal romance with a twist.

Unchained is a paranormal romance and contains on-page romantic encounters of a graphic nature, graphic/foul language, and a satisfactory ending (no cliffhanger). It is book one of a series but can be read as a standalone story.
Lust to love, Demon/Succubus, Mystery, Suspense, Awakening powers

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vee R. Paxton
• Release date: May 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223437109

Book preview

image-placeholder

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher.

It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Vee R. Paxton asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Vee R. Paxton has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed

Copyright © 2022 by Vee R.  Paxton

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Content Warning

This is a piece of fiction written for adults. It is intended for mature audiences only.

It contains profanity, fairly descriptive sex, mentions of crime and violence and a Dominant/submissive relationship.

Acknowledgments

image-placeholder

As always, thanks to my mother who continually offers encouragement and support in my artistic journeys.

Thanks to my muses-I had many for this project and they were all appreciated. Special thanks to muses Karen Gillan and Felicia Day who I was so thrilled to meet and tell them how special they were to my process.

Thanks to MJ Faraldo, my alpha reader, and to my entire beta reading crew whose input has been so valuable.

Thanks to my editor, Erin of The Word Faery for her valuable aid.

Thanks to my proofreader, Lori Diederich for aiding in those needed final touches.

Finally, thanks to authors and artists everywhere who continue to inspire others and make the world a better place through their talent and imaginations.

Contents

. Chapter

1.Tatum Sterling

2.Jack Mathers

3.Tatum Sterling

4.Jack Mathers

5.Tatum Sterling

6.Jack Mathers

7.Tatum Sterling

8.Jack Mathers

9.Tatum Sterling

10.Jack Mathers

11.Tatum Sterling

12.Jack Mathers

13.Tatum Sterling

14.Jack Mathers

15.Tatum Sterling

16.Jack Mathers

17.Tatum Sterling

18.Jack Mathers

19.Tatum Sterling

20.Jack Mathers

21.Tatum Sterling

22.Jack Mathers

23.Tatum Sterling

24.Jack Mathers

25.Tatum Sterling

26.Jack Mathers

27.Tatum Sterling

28.Jack Mathers

29.Tatum Sterling

30.Jack Mathers

31.Tatum Sterling

Bound

Bound preview - Malcolm Howard

Also By Vee R. Paxton

About Author

image-placeholder

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all – Helen Keller

Chapter one

Tatum Sterling

image-placeholder

My father’s delusions were my curse. He’d convinced me at the age of five that I was some type of succubus, claiming I had magical powers. But when I failed to meet his expectations, he left us in an instant. Even now, twenty-four years later, his cruelty still stings.

Grabbing a frosted glass, I poured a pint of the familiar amber beer that so many customers came to enjoy at Secret Elixir and shook my head. Magic wasn’t real. Not the kind my father prattled on about, anyway. Art was my magic, and here I was working in a location that filled me with inspiration to paint. A secret smile tugged at my lips; this was far from the dream life I’d imagined for myself, but maybe one of these people would be the muse behind the masterpiece that would allow me to leave bartending behind and become a full-time artist.

I glanced across the room. Secret Elixir was large enough to fit a decent crowd but small enough to remain intimate. Large wooden booths lined the walls, surrounding the open middle area that featured a scattered population of flimsy metal tables covered with thin cotton fabric in various shades of faded blue. 

Our customers sometimes included NYU students and tourists needing a place to regroup or grab a drink and a bite after exploring the West Village, but it was largely a neighborhood hangout. Tonight, the crowd was mostly regulars. My coworker, Gia, approached the bar with a swing in her step and a wide grin across her face. She had an uncanny ability to notice the smallest details about people. Wondering what she had spotted this time, I turned back to the tap and continued filling an order.

Hey, Taters, there’s a guy in the back who keeps staring at you, she said as she leaned across the bar to set down her tray. Gia became one of my best friends when I moved here. Her smooth dark skin, large brown eyes, and ample figure coupled with her cheerful and friendly attitude gained her plenty of attention and made her a favorite of most patrons. Like me, her dreams were bigger than this insignificant life working at a bar.

Is he cute? I asked, not looking up from filling the glass in my hand. I’d learned to play along with her. Hooking up with a customer never fit into my plans, but it was fun to entertain the idea as a way to pass the time.

 No, he’s fucking hot. Smoking hot. Sizzling, just your type, she said, still looking over her shoulder as she flipped out her notes to hand me the orders.

I glanced over to that area and saw him seated at a booth near the door. He had dark hair and a close-trimmed beard. His button-down dress shirt was open at the top with rolled-up sleeves. A leather jacket hung on the hook next to the booth. He was hella sexy even from here. He looked familiar. My eyes widened, and I nearly choked on my spit. No way, it couldn’t be him.

Oh shit. I know him, or he knows my brother. I almost knocked a glass off the counter as I looked away, not wanting to get caught staring. He probably thought I looked familiar from pictures my brother had of me. That must be the reason he looked over.

Do you mean that sexy lawyer you said was your brother’s friend we saw on TV a few weeks ago? The one you swooned over? That’s him? I thought he looked familiar. Hun, all the more reason to get out from behind this bar and scoot your ass over there. That cute new haircut you just got is working some magic. Use it. She gave me a gentle nudge and a self-satisfied smile because she’d discovered a weak spot in my armor.

I shook my head. Oh, hell no. He’s married. My throat tightened after saying those words.

I remembered when my brother Ash told me his friend Jack had married. I don’t know why it bothered me. It wasn’t as if I knew him or had any chance in hell of dating him. I looked again. His eyes met mine. Shit. I turned back to my work.

He’s not wearing a ring, she said, smiling.

Oh c’mon, do they ever? I countered.

He wasn’t looking at anyone else, just you. Oops, looks like Becky’s after your guy now.

Of course she was after him. Becky quickly picked up on a man who looked like he might have money or status. She rarely bothered with the college men, even though I’d have guessed they were her age or close. She’d once shared her tips on how she could tell a man’s status; it was something about shoes and watches. She’d been pretty drunk when she told me, so it wasn’t easy to sort out.

Jack Mathers isn’t my guy, Gia. He’s a sleazy lawyer friend of my brother’s.

A married man cruising for women in a bar fit my description of sleazy. Plus, Ash had said little about Jack recently, and what he had said wasn’t nice, mostly mumbling about what a dick he was. I suspected the two of them had fallen out.

Whatever you say. My gut says you’re smitten with him. The way your eyes popped out when he came on the TV and how you’re making every excuse in the book right now to avoid him tells me all I need to know. You always run away from the ones you like.

She wasn’t wrong. I found him very attractive. I dared another glance in his direction, only to see Becky practically sitting on his lap. Her long brunette hair dangled over him. He glanced past her toward me again. I looked away. Why would he pay attention to me when he had her all over him? Becky was a knockout. Gia had to be wrong.

Besides, I didn’t know Jack. Heart beating in my throat at the sight of him aside, this wasn’t the distraction I needed. I kept busy behind the bar.

I turned back to Gia. Even if he’s not married, you know I’m trying to get work together for a show. I need time to paint. A nice lady even bought one of my paintings last week, so I’m on a roll. I need to focus on me, not some man who would sideline my goals. I have priorities, I reminded her.

Creating art was my life. It had been ever since I was a little girl. I’d been working on getting my paintings on display and, so far, had only made it into one show.

Yeah, Sean was a dick for not agreeing to display your stuff here. I mean, he’s a crappy manager, but that would’ve redeemed him slightly, not to mention given the place an upgrade. Still, priorities or not, you need to get out, girl. Have some fun once in a while.

I have fun, I said to her, setting a drink down in front of a customer seated at the bar. He handed me cash in exchange, his fingers lingering on mine longer than appropriate. I ignored it, smiled, and moved away.

Uh-huh, sure you do. It’s been how many months since you moved here? she asked.

I’ve gone out with you guys, I protested.

Hardly! You need to loosen up.

Um, Gia, I whispered while filling a glass from the tap, I got so drunk the last time we went out I gave a guy a blow job in the alley behind the club. I mean, how loose do you want?

Oh, my God, how did you miss telling me that? she whispered, half giggling.

I grimaced. He wasn’t one of my finer choices, okay?

So he didn’t call? she asked while taking the full glass and setting it on her tray.

Hell no! I didn’t give him my number, I said, giving her a sly look and a wink while deftly flipping the glass in my hand before starting the tap.

Sneaky girl, she laughed. Still, that’s the problem. You need to meet some decent guys. That one over there, you like him, I know you do. What are you afraid of?

I sighed. She wouldn’t give up.

Whether or not I like him is irrelevant. I’m not getting involved with a married guy, no matter how hot I think he is.

I think you’re wrong about that, is all I’m saying. I don’t think he’s married. I have a sense about these things. I’m gonna tell him his next drink is on the sexy redhead behind the bar. See what he says to that.

I laughed. Tell him whatever you want, I said, shaking my head as I handed her the tray. I doubted she’d follow through on that threat, but part of me hoped she did. Maybe I could just talk to him, see what he was like. No, don’t be ridiculous. Even if he were single, he’d never be interested, especially if he knew I was Ash’s sister.

I looked into the large mirror again. I could see him still engaging Becky but glancing up at the bar. Was he still married? Maybe he wasn’t a married creep looking for an affair, and Gia was right.

I’d only met Jack once when he was my brother’s roommate. It was the week before my sixteenth birthday. I remember his vivid blue eyes behind those dark lashes and the way he smiled at me as he opened the door to their apartment. He barely asked my name and began small talk before my brother barked at him to go away, but he made an impression. After that meeting, I drew pictures of us together. Jack became my fantasy man. He was my brother’s age, which put him seven or eight years older than me. He felt so out there, so wholly unattainable, which was admittedly part of the allure. Today, he’d gained attention as a successful defense attorney, and I was a nearly thirty-year-old bartender and aspiring artist. Yeah, out of my league, even if he was single. Best not to think about it. Leave him to Becky, let her deal with him.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, the drunk guy leaning over the bar shouted as he waved for my attention. There was always that one rude customer who thought they deserved attention before anyone else. I turned to an attractive, well-dressed woman who patiently waited, not saying a word. She looked tense and continued to glance over her shoulder.

I smiled at her. What can I get you?

She looked at me nervously, leaned across the bar, and whispered. I um, are you Angela?

Every time I heard the code word, my skin crawled. Why were so many men such assholes? This week, Angela was the name currently posted in the ladies’ room for any woman needing an escape from some creep in the bar. She looked anxiously over her shoulder. A man was getting loud at a neighboring table she was watching. Judging from his escalating voice and exaggerated movements, his intoxication level appeared above average.

No, but I can get her for you. I turned to my co-worker behind the bar. Hey Bill, can you take this lovely lady to Angela’s office? I said as quietly as possible.

Bill often doubled as a bouncer. He wasn’t a guy you messed with. His broad shoulders and towering height were usually enough for most of our patrons to decide to back down.

He’d get this woman safely away from whatever creep she was escaping and into a taxi. He nodded and motioned for her to follow him as the two of them slipped into the back, where he’d direct her out the side entrance and get her that needed ride. I breathed a sigh of relief. I always did when the escape was successful and there was no confrontation.

Hey! the guy at the end of the bar shouted again, this time louder than before. I spun in his direction just as he hurled a shot glass toward my head. My hand flew up in the air and caught it easily. I usually wasn’t so coordinated, but luck was with me. Still, I was pissed. What an ass. Now Bill was gone, so it was just me to deal with this prick, all five foot three of me. Rage had set in, and I wasn’t about to back down. I threw my towel aside, grabbed a nearby broom, and ran toward him with death in my eyes. He stood there, transfixed, as our eyes locked. I’d been mediocre at pole vaulting during my track years in high school but miraculously dropped the broom handle without slipping and launched myself into the air, my feet landing perfectly on the counter, towering over him. I crouched down, grabbed him by his shirt collar, and pulled him toward me. His nose was nearly touching mine.

Get out, I said in a dark growl that I barely recognized as my voice as I released him, pushing him away.

His eyes filled with terror, and he bolted out the door. Applause rang out from a few patrons nearby who’d witnessed the encounter.

A large, bearded, muscular man leaned against the bar next to my feet. He raised an eyebrow and smiled.

That was one hell of a leap, little lady, he commented. How’d you do that?

I blushed, shrugged, and quickly slid down.

I don’t know. Adrenaline, I guess, I confessed to him. How did I do that? How the hell did that lame idea actually work?

He tipped his glass to me and nodded. A slow smile formed across his face. He deserved it. Well done. I’m Kane, he offered, his eyes lingering on me in a way that made me nervous. Any chance I can get another of these? he asked, waving his glass at me.

I nodded, still embarrassed and confused by my strange feat of agility.

Just then, Bill returned. Did that guy pee himself? He looked like he was about to.

I heard a chuckle escape from Kane.

Did he leave a mess? I asked, peering over the bar.

I couldn’t help but smile a bit to myself at the ridiculous notion that I could ever scare someone enough to pee themselves.

I don’t see a puddle, so no idea. I’ll throw down some cleaner anyway since I’m on this side. What happened? Bill asked.

That ass-wipe threw a shot glass at my head.

Fuck him! Glad you told him off, Tatum. We should ban people from the bar who do shit like that. Too bad Sean doesn’t see it that way.

Our absent manager was never one to look out for us. Secret Elixir was unimportant to him compared to the other bars he managed. He decided who worked here and what they were paid, that was about it. We mostly managed ourselves and looked out for each other.

Gia sauntered up to the bar, slipping a smile to Bill, who returned a secret smile that I caught.

I’ve got three impatient tables I need drinks for, she announced as she placed the order on the bar. Her eyes lingered on Bill for a moment before turning back to me. I wondered when he’d finally ask her out.

Your guy left, but he told me to give this to the redheaded bartender and say thanks for the excellent service, she said as she handed me a twenty-dollar bill. I looked to that corner of the room. The table was empty. Why was I disappointed?

Damn, that was nice of him. I trust he tipped well on his bill too? I said, putting it in the jar before filling the orders she’d handed me. Put that down to a missed opportunity or a dodged bullet. Either way, it was for the better.

Yeah, he was generous. Say, what happened up here? Why’d that guy turn tail and hustle out of here? He nearly ran me over on his way out the door.

Just another idiot thinking throwing something at me would get him faster service. I told him to leave. I think I startled him. He wasn’t expecting the little bar girl to have such a fierce attitude, I said, smiling and flexing what biceps I had.

Gia laughed. "You’re funny, girl. Now get hopping. My customers are waiting.

Chapter two

Jack Mathers

image-placeholder

What was it about her? I shook my head. Reclining in my leather office chair, I looked out my floor-to-ceiling windows at the view below of Manhattan. Overlooking the expanse of the city was what I needed to center myself this morning—to get my mind out of the gutter. The sun’s rays were streaming through the light clouds and into my window. A glare hit the sheen on the top of my large black desk and nearly blinded me for a second. Not what I needed. Modern furniture—it looks great, but that glassy sheen can have drawbacks with uncovered windows on sunny days. Perhaps I should reconsider getting blinds. This office wasn’t as large as my last one, but the smaller space suited me, and although this location was more expensive, the view was worth it. Decorating was never my forte, but most people didn’t notice the bare walls when they were busy staring out the window.

My discomfort this morning came from being up later than usual last night. I overslept and rushed in for an early meeting. My assistant, Matt, couldn’t hide the confused look in his eyes when I walked up the hallway to his desk in our reception area. I suppose it was unusual that, being the control freak I am, I’d neglected to control extra strands of hair from falling on my face. He’d asked if I had a good night last night before offering me a comb. I smiled and declined before disappearing into my office.

It didn’t end where I thought it was going to. That woman at the bar was all over me. She was attractive, and it seemed like a wild night ahead until she asked for legal advice. She wanted help regarding her brother’s situation and thought I’d offer for free if we were bed partners.

Sorry, babe, I told her, the satisfaction of my dick isn’t worth nearly as much as what’s in my head. I don’t work for free.

Perhaps I’d sounded gruff, but that’s my biggest turnoff. If a woman I like wants me, great, I’m usually good to go. If there are stipulations like that, no thanks. Not that I’m heartless, but I haven’t busted ass for the past few years to become one of the top defense attorneys in Manhattan so I can give free advice to some half-drunk chick I met in a bar.

Besides, she wasn’t the one I wanted. That red-head behind the bar; that woman had fire in her. I could sense it. I was also fairly positive she was my old friend Ash’s baby sister—problematic. Ash and I and I had fallen out over crap that my devious ex-wife lied about. I hadn’t been able to patch things up with him yet. I’d been wanting to find a chance to repair that friendship, but this new obsession of mine with his hot baby sister wasn’t likely to help. Since last night, I couldn’t get her off my mind. Her sleek red hair set off her dark eyes, and her smile lit up the whole damn room. I wondered if she had freckles. She was petite, slender, and not curvy. Nothing wrong with that. I never thought of myself as having a type, but I found her extraordinarily appealing.

Suddenly, I pictured her in leather cuffs, naked, kneeling in front of me. Fuck. Stop it, Jack. That’s Ash’s little sister. Lack of coffee must have been making my brain foggy.

I pressed the intercom button. Matt, can you come in here for a minute?

Sure thing, boss, he replied through the speaker.

I’d been in such a rush to get here and be ready for my early conference call I’d skipped coffee. Never a good thing. Not something I’d typically ask of my assistant, but I needed to finish evaluating the information in this file before my next meeting with a client. Extra legs were required.

I was glad to have someone full-time again. In my cutbacks to attempt a financial recovery after my divorce, I’d only been able to keep the last assistant part-time. Audrey and her lawyer had been sharp. She was a well-liked newscaster. I was the lawyer who helped the people she vilified avoid prison. My success rate gained me clients but lost me a fair amount of popularity. In addition, I was in too much pain from losing my father to put up a fight. Money didn’t seem important at the time—a first for me. My lawyer begged me to reconsider, but I just wanted it over with, so my losses had been more substantial than ordinary.

Matt smiled as he walked into the office. He had a few more files in his hands. He was pleasant, knowledgeable, efficient, and not snobby about covering multiple duties. I was lucky to have him.

"Here are