TwistedRevenge

Mia
Bishop

Book One in the Ever After
Series

The
Gateway Arch in St. Louis hides a secret opening to a fairytale world. Hidden
from Rowan since childhood, it may have been where she was born, but it’s not
her home. That is, until the handsome, dangerous Luc strolls in with a tale
about “the one in red” and how she’s supposed to kill Ulric, the Big Bad Wolf.

The attraction
between Luc and Rowan is instant and intense. They explore each other while
unlocking the powers and abilities hidden inside Rowan. It is her destiny to
kill Ulric and Luc will do all he can to see that she fulfills her role.

Unfortunately,
the Pied Piper is determined to keep Luc and Rowan apart. Secrets come to light
that threaten to destroy their budding love. They’ll have to fight the Piper,
shape-shifting wolves, and themselves to find their happily ever after.

A Romantica®
fantasy erotic romance
from Ellora’s
Cave

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my family, for putting up with me
while I wrote it even though I am fairly certain I was unbearable to be around
some days.

To my friends and fellow authors, Phoebe Chase and Alexandra
Webb, thank you for believing that
Twisted Revenge
could be the first
story in this series and for all of the support during this crazy-exciting
time.

Also, thank you to Phoebe Chase for your awesome Twitter
skills. None of us would be here today without you.

To Amy Kessler, thank you for all your help behind the
scenes.

And to all of my friends who cheered me on. Thank you all.

“We have a guest. He is requesting an audience with the Big
Bad Wolf, sir.”

The man looked up from his meal and snarled a warning, “I’m
not a king. I don’t take audiences.”

“I know, sir, but—”

“Colin, spit it out, my meal is getting cold.”

Colin fidgeted with his hands and gnawed at his lower lip
for a moment before speaking, “It’s the Pied Piper, sir. He says he needs to
speak with you in private.”

“That man’s arrogance knows no bounds. Does he not realize
he is breaking the treaty by entering the pack’s territory?”

Colin cleared his throat. “With all due respect, Ulric, I
don’t think he cares.”

Ulric’s body shook in anger. “All men should care.”

The younger man inclined his head. “The Pied Piper holds no
allegiance with the kingdom of men, fairies, witches or any in our realm. He is
only out for himself.”

“Bring him in.”

“Are you sure, sir? The guards are ready to escort him to
the killing fields at your command.”

Ulric shook his head. “If he’s come all this way, then we
might as well hear him out. It must be important if he is willing to risk life
and limb just to speak to me.”

Colin nodded. “Very well.” He turned on his heels and left,
returning minutes later alone.

Ulric’s brow creased. “What is this? I thought I told you to
bring Piper to me.”

Colin gave a heavy sigh. “He said he demands an
introduction.”

“An introduction? Is he mad?”

“As a hatter, Sir Wolf.” The disembodied voice was tinted
with laughter and sent a chill down the shifter’s spine. It echoed all around
Ulric’s dining hall.

“Piper, show yourself.”

“Very well.” The man stepped out of the darkness of the
doorway and gave a deep and overly dramatic bow. “I am the Pied Piper, at your
service.”

Ulric took a moment to survey his new enemy. He appeared
just as others in the kingdom had described him. Tall and lean, with long blond
hair and blue eyes. The wolf could sense the malice and hatred that rolled off
the man in waves. “And I am the Big Bad Wolf, now that we have formalities
aside, let’s just get down to business, shall we?”

“Right to the point? I like that in a comrade.”

The wolf snarled. “Let’s get one thing straight, Piper. We
are not nor will we ever be comrades.”

The blond man slid into a chair near Ulric’s table and
folded his hands in his lap. “Are we that different, you and I?”

“I do not lure children to their deaths.”

The piper raised a brow. “Really? The legends about you must
have been over-exaggerated then.” He gave a sigh and shrugged. “Then I guess my
news will be of no use to you, mighty wolf.”

Ulric held up his hand. “Remain seated and say what you’ve
come to say.”

“Very well. My news is plain and simple. The one in red
emerges from her hiding place. The one who escaped your grasp so many years
ago, she is returning.”

Ulric narrowed his eyes and steepled his hands in front of
his mouth. “Go on.”

“That is all I really know.” He paused for a moment and then
grinned. “Well, that and the fact that the whispers in the forest say the one
in red will destroy you and your pack. She will seek you out and be granted her
revenge for what you did so long ago.”

“Nonsense. The child did not survive. Everybody knows that.”

The Pied Piper laughed and shook his head. “You were naïve
to believe the old woman. Maybe the other whispers are true. The Big Bad Wolf
has gone soft in his old age. Maybe it is time for a new alpha for your pack.”
He tapped his fingertip to his chin. “Your son perhaps?”

“The woman would not have lied. Not after the torture I put
her through.”

“She was protecting her kin. Of course she lied. She was old
and knew her days were numbered. Who wouldn’t hold out hope to save their only
grandchild?”

Ulric’s shoulders shook. He locked eyes on Piper, who looked
overly pleased with himself. “When will she come for me?”

“Soon. Send out your best trackers. I will take refuge in
the woods and do what I can to aid them by throwing her off track. Of course I
will require payment for this information and for my continued help in this
matter.”

Ulric paused, mulling over his options and finally nodded. “Name
your price.”

“Safe passage through your lands and your word that when I
call in a favor from you, you will do as I ask without question.”

“That’s it? That’s all you want?” Ulric snorted a laugh when
the piper gave him a quick nod of the head. “Very well, you have my word.”

“Perfect.” He rose from his seat and headed toward the door.
“One more thing. And this is important. Keep that son of yours far, far away
from the woods. She will most assuredly go after your loved ones first.”

Ulric nodded. “Consider it done.” As soon as the piper
disappeared out of the doorway, the older wolf called out, “Colin, where is my
son?”

“Still in the lands of St. Louis, sir. Shall I summon him
for you?”

A sly smile crept onto Ulric’s lips. “No, my boy. That is
exactly where I wish him to remain.”

“Rowan, are you sure you are in the right place?”

Rowan sighed and looked up at the sign accompanied by the
dark-green awning and the familiar logo. “I know what a Starbucks looks like. I’m
telling you he’s not here.”

The voice on the other end of the line sounded irritated. “You
must have just missed him. Try heading toward the Old Cathedral Museum. He
likes to stop by there and drink his coffee.”

Rowan pinched the bridge of her nose. “How do you know all
this? Do you stalk this guy in your off time? And if you do, then why aren’t
you out trying to book your own show with him?”

“He won’t listen to me. I thought maybe if I could soften
him up with a pretty face he’d agree to let us play at the Hideout.”

She groaned and hung up, pocketing her phone as the barista
took her order.

I’m being used as a piece of meat. Now why doesn’t that
surprise me?

As soon as she had her coffee in hand, she headed toward the
Old Cathedral Museum. Luckily it was less than a block away. She couldn’t
figure out why a club promoter would spend his mornings at a museum in a
national park, but then again, from what she’d seen, stranger things had
happened in this city.

By the time she arrived, the staff had finished opening the
museum for the public. She made her way inside and looked around.

There is no way he is here.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out and read
the text from her client. Rowan rolled her eyes. “Find him? As if it were that
simple.”

“Find who, my dear?”

She spun around to see an older woman standing behind her.
Her gray hair was pulled up into a bun and her clothes were an old-world type
of costume. The woman’s dress was long and blue with an apron covering the
front, a high lace collar and lace billowing out of the long sleeves topped off
the outfit. Rowan had to admit, the period piece really did fit the theme of
the museum with its relics from the frontier days. “Um, I’m looking for a man.
I was told he sometimes comes here in the morning.” She paused and pulled out
her business card, handing it to the old woman. The lady examined the card and
gave her a confused look. Rowan smiled. “I’m the manager for a local band. The
man I’m looking for runs a club I’m trying to get my clients booked at. His
name is Luc Marrok. Do you know him?”

The woman glanced from side to side. “I know him, yes. But,
my dear,” she worried her bottom lip for a moment, “I really don’t think you
should be looking for this man.”

Rowan frowned. “Why not?”

“You know what they say about wolves in sheep’s clothing,
right?”

“Yes, but I don’t understand.”

The old woman went wide-eyed and looked past Rowan. She
nodded her head and whispered, “Remember what I said.” Her voice grew louder as
if meaning to draw attention to herself. “Luc Marrok, why yes. He’s sitting
right over there.”

Rowan spun around to meet the gaze of a man sitting on a
bench inside the museum. He had been about to take a sip of his coffee when the
woman called out his name. It must have caught him by surprise because he still
held the cup in front of his face. His green eyes glared at Rowan from behind
his cup. She gave a little smile and then turned to thank the old woman but she
was already gone.

Weird.

She approached him cautiously, tossing her empty cup in the
trash. Something about those green eyes made her body heat up and her pulse
quicken. Even if she couldn’t get a good look at him with the cup in front of
his face, what she could see told her all that she needed to know. He was
dangerous and seductive and he didn’t even have to open his mouth. “Excuse me,
are you Luc Marrok?”

“You already know that I am. Why have you come looking for
me?”

Her cheeks burned red as she pulled out another one of her
business cards and handed it to him. “I represent a band. They would like to
play at a club I’ve heard you run. A place called the Hideout.”

He lowered his cup and took her card, barely giving it a
glance. “You’ve heard wrong.”

“No, I don’t think I have. My client says he knows you
personally and that they would like to perform at your club but you keep
denying them.” She did her best to keep her voice steady but as soon as he
moved the cup, she found herself mesmerized by his mouth.

He stood and she felt her stomach flutter. He was the
definition of tall, dark and mysterious. He stood at least a full foot taller
than her. His body was muscular but he was lean, not bulky beneath his tight-fitting
black t-shirt and his black hair was short and stylishly messy. He was dressed
in dark jeans and when he gave a little stretch and a yawn to show how bored he
was by the conversation, she caught a glimpse of just how perfectly those jeans
hung low on his hips.

Rowan groaned. He would be damn near irresistible if it
weren’t for the attitude. She shook her head and continued on even as he rolled
his eyes. “Now I do understand that your little club is exclusive and they aren’t
a very well-known band but maybe if you just give them a chance?”

“Let me guess, you represent Calvin and his merry band of
idiots?”

“They aren’t…” She couldn’t even finish her statement. She
had accused them of being idiots on more than one occasion. “Well, yes. I
represent them.”

“Look, I’m sure you mean well and all, but there is no way
they are playing the club. Calvin telling you about my club is the number one
reason why they will never play there.” He looked her up and down and snarled, “It’s
exclusive for a reason—no outsiders allowed.”

Rowan bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from
making a scene. Her face burned from the sting of embarrassment. She had spent
her entire life feeling like an outsider and trying to hide it from everyone. This
stranger managed to peg her on her insecurities in less than five minutes.

His smug, self-satisfied grin told her he knew he’d hit a
nerve. He slid her card into his back pocket, reached out and brushed his thumb
against her hot cheek. “Red’s a good color on you. You should wear it more
often.”

“I’m not wearing red…” Rowan pulled back from him, realizing
he was talking about the blush of her cheeks and glared. “You’re an asshole. I
hope karma kicks you in the butt real soon.”

“Don’t count on it, Red. Karma and I go way back. Even that
bitch won’t mess with me.”

She pushed past him. “I have a name. Use it next time.”

Luc laughed. “You assume there will be a next time. There
won’t be. You don’t belong in my world.”

Balling up her fist, she fought the urge to strike out at
him until he flashed her another smug smile. Rowan’s resolve of being
professional went out the window. Her hand flew out, open palmed and ready to
slap him but the man caught her wrist before she could strike him. His grip
tightened as he walked her straight back into a wall. She wiggled to get free
of him but his hand held her wrist better than handcuffs. He pinned her between
the wall and himself, keeping the one hand he held above her head. Suddenly she
was all too aware of how well built he was. Her heart was pounding, half with
fear and half with excitement. She cursed herself for it.

“Let me go.” She blew a strand of her hair out of her eyes
and met his gaze.

“Do you assault everyone who doesn’t give you what you want?”
He moved her hand up higher as his other hand ran down her side to grip her
hip. His thumb brushed against her hipbone. She did her best to not react to
his touch but it set her body on fire.

“I… I didn’t mean to.” Her words were weak and mousy.
Pathetic.

“Oh, I think you did.”

“Let me go now, Mr. Marrok.”

He dipped his head down and growled against her neck, “Next
time you try to slap me you might just regret it, Red.”

Her body shivered. She did her best to glare at him but if
eyes were truly windows to the soul, she was pretty sure he’d know that the
glare was pure theatrics. She mustered every ounce of bravado and steeled
herself as his grip started to lessen. “I already regret it and as you said,
there won’t be a next time.”

“Good, I’m glad we are clear on that.” He released her wrist
and stepped back. She slid from his grasp and locked eyes with him. “Run along
now, Little Red.”

Turning on her heels, Rowan walked as fast as she could
through the museum, never looking back. She could still hear Luc laughing as
she ducked behind an exhibit and ran face first into a broad-shouldered young
man. “Oh… I am so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. I apologize sincerely.” Her
hands were shaking, her words coming out all wrong all because that arrogant
man had her flustered.

The man turned and offered her a sweet smile. “Rowan? What
are you doing here?”

She stumbled back. “Phillip?”

He laughed and clasped her on the shoulder. “You act as if
you don’t know who I am. Maybe I should visit more often.”

“It’s been five years.” She tried to recall their last visit
but it had been so long ago she only remembered because his father had come to
wish her a happy birthday and Phillip had tagged along.

“Five years? Really? It doesn’t seem that long ago. You’ve
got to be… What? Twenty-three now?” He had a charming smile and was impeccably
dressed in a suit with a briefcase in his hand. She had no clue what he did for
a living but knew that he worked under his father. Her parents had been
longtime friends of Phillip’s parents. After her parents’ accident, Phillip’s
father would check in on her often, reminding her that she still had family,
namely her grandmother. Her grandmother had been too ill to travel at the time
of Rowan’s parents’ deaths let alone take care of a young girl so she had left Rowan
in the care of another family friend—a baker, Thomas, and his wife. Rowan had
always looked forward to visits from Phillip’s father but as she grew older,
the visits happened less and less.

Always an outsider.

She glanced around the museum, suddenly remembering her
surroundings and wrinkled her brow. “What are you doing in the museum first
thing in the morning?”

Phillip shrugged. “Just killing some time before work but it’s
great that I ran into you. I’ve been meaning to talk to you. It’s rather
important.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Do you have time now?”

Her heart pounded, nothing good ever came from someone
wanting to have an important talk with her. It usually meant she was being
fired, dumped or that someone had died and of all three, the last option was
the only one that would be relevant to Phillip. She swallowed past the lump of
fear forming in her throat and nodded. “I’ve got some time.”

“Good, good. Let’s go somewhere quiet to talk.”

“Okay.” She glanced around the near-empty museum. “Is it
quiet enough here?”

“Quiet, yes.” He motioned his head toward the counter where
the staff was watching them. There was an air of tension pulling at his smile. “But
too many ears.”

* * * * *

He led her out of the museum and down the street. It was a
neighborhood she was all too familiar with. Anything near the Gateway Arch and
the park was common territory but when he stopped in front of a seemingly empty
brick building, she fidgeted nervously. “Well? Is this quiet enough for you?”

He swept his hand toward the wall with no door or windows. “We
should go inside. You know how to get in, don’t you?”

Rowan frowned. She didn’t remember Phillip being the mayor
of crazy-town but she figured it was best to play along. “Oh yeah, but why don’t
you go ahead. I’ll make sure the coast is clear.”

“Always thinking. Smart girl.”

She laughed and turned her head to look around and wait
patiently for him to do whatever it was he thought would open up a solid brick
wall. He finally tapped her on the shoulder. “Ready?”

To her surprise, she turned around to see a door in front of
her where the wall had been. Windows decorated the side of the building and
loud music was coming from inside. “What the…?”

He frowned. “I thought you said you knew this place?”

Rowan covered. “Oh totally, I’ve just never been here so
early. Who’d have thought it’d be so busy?”

Where did that door come from? What the hell is going on?

He shrugged and opened the door. “Head toward the back. I
always have a table saved for when I stop by.”

She stepped through the door and gasped at the scene before
her. Everyone was dressed oddly—old-world attire, costumes of all sorts from
barmaids to animal costumes. One of the servers passed by and shouted over the
music, “Welcome to the Hideout. I’ll be with you in just a moment.”

Holy shit, this is the Hideout?

Phillip ushered her to the back and snapped his fingers at
the bartender. “Two beers. I’ll be at my usual table.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you just snap at that
girl behind the bar?”

“Yes, why?”

“I’m pretty sure staff members don’t like to be snapped at.”
She rubbed her temple to ward off the threatening headache when it became
apparent he had no clue what she was talking about.

He pulled out a chair for her, waiting as she placed her
small clutch purse on the table and slid into the seat. When she was finished,
he sat down across the table. “Are you hungry? We can order some food.”

“I think a beer first thing in the morning counts as an
Irish breakfast. Now what is going on? I don’t like games, Phillip. This place
is far from quiet. What do you need to tell me that you couldn’t just say in
the museum?”

“I guess quiet was the wrong word to use. Let’s just say
that the museum has ears and I didn’t want anyone listening to our private
conversation.” He waited until the waitress brought over their two beers and
dismissed her with the wave of his hand as he leaned forward. “It’s about your
grandmother.”