American Monster: Americana, #1

By Teresa Mummert

Every hero has an origin story where he slays the monsters and gets the girl.

Mine is a cautionary tale. I am the monster, and I watch the woman I love die over and over again.

 

I was born an orphan and a legend with my first breath. My silver spoon was replaced with an iron blade, and my wealth with a bounty on my head. I lived in the shadows, lurking amongst the bastards and the beggars with no moral compass to guide me as I stumbled through life, carrying the heavy burden of my past in secrecy. The few who dared to speak my name knew me as Justus Beiste – just beast. I was untamable and bowed to no man or God, ruled only by my desires. But the one thing I craved most, I could never have, for fear she too would fall victim to my curse.

 

This isn't a love story. This is a tragedy played out in endless acts, spanning countless lives.

 

Still, I would follow her across centuries, my soul tethered to hers, protecting her from those who came before us, until I succumbed to bloodlust and broke our ties or bonded us together forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Mummert
• Release date: Apr 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223951872

Teresa Mummert

TERESA MUMMERT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her work includes word-of-mouth bestselling, White Trash Trilogy, which landed her a three-book publishing deal with Simon & Schuster. She is also the author of the wildly popular Honor Series which chronicles the taboo romance between a student and her college professor. To date, she's written over twenty-five novels and plans for many more releases in the future.

Book preview

American Monster

Every hero has an origin story where he slays the monsters and gets the girl.

Mine is a cautionary tale. I am the monster, and I watch the woman I love die over and over again.

I was born an orphan and a legend with my first breath. My silver spoon was replaced with an iron blade, and my wealth with a bounty on my head. I lived in the shadows, lurking amongst the bastards and the beggars with no moral compass to guide me as I stumbled through life, carrying the heavy burden of my past in secrecy. The few who dared to speak my name knew me as Justus Beiste – just beast. I was untamable and bowed to no man or God, ruled only by my desires. But the one thing I craved most, I could never have, for fear she too would fall victim to my curse.

This isn’t a love story. This is a tragedy played out in endless acts, spanning countless lives.

Still, I would follow her across centuries, my soul tethered to hers, protecting her from those who came before us, until I succumbed to bloodlust and broke our ties or bonded us together forever.

TRIGGER WARNING

This book has scenes depicting physical abuse. Please read with caution. Your mental health matters. For a complete list of possible triggers, please visit TeresaMummert(dot)com.

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Copyright © 2023 by Teresa Mummert

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

Cover Design: Teresa Mummert

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Contact: [e-mail]

Website: TeresaMummert.com

Agent: Kimberly Whalen

To the girls who like their book to have some teeth.

CONTENTS

PLAYLIST

PROLOGUE

Justus

1

Addy

2

Justus

3

Addy

4

Justus

5

Addy

6

Justus

7

Addy

8

Justus

9

Addy

10

Justus

11

Addy

12

Justus

13

Addy

14

Addy

15

Justus

16

Justus

17

Addy

18

Justus

19

Addy

20

Justus

21

Addy

22

Justus

23

Addy

AMERICAN BASTARD (AMERICANA #2)

SNEAK PEEK

1

Addy

2

Addy

3

Justus

PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR'S PREVIOUS WORK

If there's one thing I can always count on with Teresa Mummert, it's her ability to craft a story so compelling that it leaves you pleading for more. She has a way of making you feel like you're living out each scene, every struggle, and each kiss. It trulyis storytelling at its finest. - Author Brandy Lynn

Hands down one of the BEST books that I have EVER read!! - For the Love of Books

One of the most AMAZING novels I have ever read!!! - Flirty and Dirty Book Blog

This book was so incredible, I cried A LOT, I smiled, I loved, and I devoured this book. - Swoon Worthy Books

I truly loved it!! It was captivating and emotional. It tugged at my heart and soul--such an amazing story! - Author Kim Karr (Connections series)

I think this is my favorite Teresa Mummert book to date. - Author Jules Snow (Devoured series)

It is such a different book and plot. I just loved how unexpected it was. - Author Debra Anastasia (Poughkeepsie series)

Teresa Mummert has a gift, one that many don't possess. It's the gift of being able to suck in a reader so far they don't see the twist in the story coming. - Author S.K. Hartley (Bad Boys series) 

SO D*MN GOOD!!!!!!!!!! I Loved it!!!! Incredible writing! - Author Kathryn Perez (Therapy)

"Every word captured me, and every sentence made me ache for the main characters in this beautiful story." - Author Amanda Bennett (Broken series)

This book was perfect. Flawed characters and a very real, dark past...interwoven perfectly into a web of lies and an amazing ending. - Author K. Pinson (Mirrored series)

It's a beautifully written, riveting story that grabs you from the beginning and keeps you guessing how it's going to unfold until the very end. - Author Sophie Monroe (Battle Scars series)

It's soooooooo good. I honestly loved it!!!! - Author Tijan (Fallen Crest series)

I think what I loved most was the originality of the story. Teresa nailed this one! - Author Maureen Mayer (Second Chance series)

I truly believe this to be a masterpiece story and one that will live in my heart for a long time and that Teresa needs to write a sequel and soon! - Author Vicki Green (My Savior Forever)

"He's more myself than I am.

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

― Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

PLAYLIST

Till Forever Falls Apart – Ashe & Finneas

9 Crimes – Damien Rice

Mastermind – Taylor Swift

Addicted – Kelly Clarkson

Closer – Kings of Leon

You Should See Me in a Crown – Billie Eilish

Take Me to Church – Hozier

Never Say Never – The Fray

Bad Guy – Billie Eilish

Ready for It – Taylor Swift

Way Down We Go – Kaleo

Sex is on Fire – Kings of Leon

Outside – Staind

Look What You Made Me Do – Taylor Swift

Heathens – Twenty One Pilots

If You Could Only See – Tonic

Power – Isak Danielson

It’s Not Over – Daughtry

Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? – Taylor Swift

PROLOGUE

Justus

What happens when you kill your soulmate?

Lehnu, in Hindu culture, is a belief that souls can be linked, causing their lives to intertwine. Buddhists believe in Saṃsāra, a painful, continuous cycle of birth and death.

They’re both correct. But it’s not always that simple.

Most people are blissfully unaware of the revolving door of existence, except for a cursed few who suffer from my affliction. Others like me exist in varying degrees – a spectrum. Some are born with the knowledge buried in the dark recesses of their minds. Sometimes the memories come in echoes, what most would call the Mandela Effect or déjà vu, slowly revealing the past. In others, a catastrophic event, like a head injury to the left anterior temporal lobe dislodged the key to their pasts. My condition was more complicated than that.

But being aware isn’t the worst part.

Some souls, while connected, are contrary. In Judaism, they call it a learning partner, or hevruta. Their purpose isn’t to complete you but to help you complete yourself. This person is meant to challenge you. And Adelaide was a fierce competitor, who could hold a grudge.

This isn’t a love story. This is a tragedy, played out in endless acts spanning countless lives.

I’d waged wars for this woman, traversed continents, and decimated entire civilizations, only to lose her again and again. But I was relentless. If it took another thousand years, I would wait for her, correcting the mistakes of our pasts until I figured out how to free our souls from this torment.

Even if it killed me.

1

Addy

Panic bloomed in my chest as someone from behind me groaned while shuffling their feet to move me along, and my fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. A few months too late, I thought, trying not to let my mind dwell, my self-doubt festering in my brain like cancer, eating up any self-confidence. Wiping my clammy palms against my skirt, I bit down on the inside of my cheek. Maybe if I had left sooner, everything wouldn’t have been destroyed. But I was here now, and I needed to make the best of it, even if it was torture.

How did I end up here?

This is the question I’d asked myself countless times before. The answer always blurred in the recesses of my mind. My entire existence was a series of very unfortunate and embarrassing events, most of which I’d blocked out of sheer humiliation or guilt. But I couldn’t block out Bryce, no matter how hard it was to think about what had transpired before I’d run away.

The first day at college is daunting. The first day of my second year, at a new college, was abysmal. And I was completely and utterly alone for the first time that I could remember. This wasn’t part of the plan. Not my plan anyway. Bryce should be by my side, squeezing my hand to tell me that none of this mattered, and in the grand scheme of life, this wouldn’t even be a blip on the radar of important moments. But he couldn’t save me anymore, because I didn’t save him. I was suddenly thrust into a world where everyone expected me to make my own decisions about my life, after being told what to wear, what to eat, and who I could talk to. And here I was staring up at a flickering electronic sign, my stomach twisting in knots, unable to pick which meal I would have for lunch. It was all so overwhelming. I knew no one here, which is why I chose Wellington U, but now I was second-guessing my decision.

I pushed my way through the crowd of students, anxious to place their orders, bumping into a girl and nearly sending her careening backward. I clutched onto her wrist to prevent her from colliding with the guy behind her, apologizing profusely.

I am so, so sorry.

Not a big deal. Jeez, you have ninja skills. Do you do Pilates or something? she shot back; a wide grin plastered on her face.

I dance.

I did ballet when I was little.

That’s… great.

Of course, it was something sophisticated and graceful like ballet. She was beautiful, the kind of girl who would win homecoming queen effortlessly and have the nerve to think it’s not a big deal. I felt my face begin to heat as my mouth became parched. Those types of girls would bully me mercilessly throughout grade school. I didn’t blame them for how I was treated, although I liked to think that my real mother would have taught me to be kind and not to stick pads covered in red paint to people’s backs. But I wasn’t like them. Money bought them power that they wielded like a weapon. Had I been armed with more than dimples and a perky chest, perhaps the stage I’d danced on wouldn’t have had a pole. I braced, waiting for a snide comment, but her pearly grin never wavered. You just started here, right? We had Trig together this morning. I sat two rows behind you. Aren’t you getting something to eat? she asked, adjusting the strap of her periwinkle bag on her shoulder that matched her pedicure perfectly. I curled my toes inside of my shoes, knowing my socks didn’t even match each other.

Oh, I think I’ll just get something from the chicken place across the street.

Her brows pulled together before she glanced over my shoulder as she called out, Hey, Kian. Let’s go over to Cluck U and grab some tenders with … Her eyes met mine again. What’s your name?

A-Addy, I stammered. You don’t have to do –

Hey, A boy called out from behind me.

I was startled when I twisted around to greet him. He loomed over me, his shoulders nearly twice as wide as my own. Fresh meat, he teased, his pale eyes raking down my body as he ran his fingers through his messy cornsilk hair. He was your typical all-American boy, complete with a football jersey and blinding smile.

Addy Chase, I gritted out, gathering my long chestnut strands into a messy bun. I just transferred from IU.

Hoosiers. Very cool. I’m Kian Waterson. Word of advice don’t bother trying to talk Harper out of whatever she’s decided to do. Resistance is futile. He winked at her as he spoke and I finally relaxed my shoulders, realizing neither of them was the monster I’d made them out to be. She’s a one-woman welcoming committee.

Harper rolled her wide chocolate eyes. "Ignore him. It’s called being friendly. She grabbed my arm and began to guide me through the throngs of people. The strip mall over on Main has the best chicken strips in the world, but you can’t say that too loud. It’s sacrilegious or something. Cluck U is legendary around here, and we are all about the legend of Wellington."

What’s the legend of Wellington? I asked, my eyes dancing between them as they both fought against their smirks.

We can’t divulge all the juicy gossip on your first day. Come on, she replied with an excited squeal.

Kian was quick on our heels, and I got the feeling he followed Harper anywhere. We made our way across the lot and down a tree-lined path before slipping across the street and into the red-and-yellow-clad fast-food joint just as the sky began to open up, pelting us with icy drops of rain. There was a tangible energy in the air causing goosebumps to scatter across my flesh.

My eyes scanned the eatery, landing on a guy who had a face that could rival that of a movie star, his cerulean eyes meeting mine with a scowl, causing a shiver to roll through my body. For the first time since I’d arrived, my mind finally gave me a reprieve from the constant onslaught of memories of Bryce. It was then I noticed the scar that sliced across his angular cheek like God had trouble cutting him from his mold. He sat alone and people seemed to go out of their way to avoid the corner he’d taken up residence in, averting their gazes whenever he peered around the establishment. But even as they looked away, he was the center of their attention, the subject of their hushed whispers. And it wasn’t hard to figure out why.

I tugged my sweater around my waist, traipsing behind Harper as we found a booth on the left side of the room.

She slid across the bench and Kian sank down beside her, leaving me to take the other side by myself. I grabbed a menu and began to scan the items, before my eyes drifted back across the room, catching the stranger's gaze once more. He didn’t look away, his eyes narrowing like he was daring me to break eye contact first, but I was transfixed.

Let’s share the mother-clucker size, Kian suggested to Harper.

What are you getting? There was a pause before Harper giggled. Earth to Addy.

My attention snapped to hers as I shook my head. Um… I don’t know. Maybe just some stuffed mushrooms.

You can’t come to Cluck U and not eat the chicken, she admonished me. I’ll share some of mine with you, she added, adjusting her auburn ponytail that sat high on the crown of her head.

I was gonna share with you, Kian muttered, his tone laced with annoyance that caused the hair on the base