Resilience Read online

  Love Slave for Two 5

  Love Slave for Two: Resilience

  All Tyler wants to do is go home following his exhausting book tour, when a phone call from his past brings life to a grinding halt. He knows he must deal with it, or forever regret it.

  Tom loves Ty and understands if his guy doesn’t process things now, it’ll always haunt him. Which is why he travels with Ty on his journey, to support and love him through it.

  Nevvie’s past formed who she is. Any threat to her family means she’ll immediately engage momma-bear mode. She’ll make sure justice is done…even if she has to do it herself.

  While a hurricane aims for Savannah, the triad learns information that will forever impact their family and leaves Tom feeling guilty for not being home. Now the race is on to protect their family from an unknown killer and prove their innocence. Can they weather the storms together, or will forces beyond their control rip their lives apart?

  Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre

  Length: 111,075 words

  LOVE SLAVE FOR TWO:

  RESILIENCE

  Love Slave for Two 5

  Tymber Dalton

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  LOVE SLAVE FOR TWO: RESILIENCE

  Copyright © 2017 by Tymber Dalton

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-796-0

  First Publication: November 2017

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  For all my readers who hoped Tyler, Tom, and Nevvie would start talking to me again.

  They did. (Thanks for having faith in them!)

  And to Hubby and Sir. Always.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Tymber Dalton is the wild-child alter-ego of author Lesli Richardson. She lives in the Tampa Bay region of Florida with her husband (aka “The World’s Best Husband™”) and too many pets. Active in the BDSM lifestyle, the two-time EPIC award winner is also the bestselling author of over one hundred books, including The Reluctant Dom, The Denim Dom, Cardinal’s Rule, the Suncoast Society series, the Love Slave for Two series, the Triple Trouble series, the Coffeeshop Coven series, the Good Will Ghost Hunting series, the Drunk Monkeys series, and many more.

  She loves to hear from readers! Please feel free to drop by her website and sign up for updates to keep abreast of the latest news, views, snarkage, and releases. You can also find all of her Siren-BookStrand releases under all four of her pen names on her author page on the BookStrand site.

  Honest reviews are always welcomed. They help with a book’s visibility and can boost its placement on book retailer sites. Even a few lines about what you felt reading the book will help. Thank you so much, it’s greatly appreciated!

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  AUTHOR'S NOTE

  This was never meant to be a series. I wrote the first book, then got the idea for the second, and…

  Well, you can see where we are now. Plus, the characters are telling me there are more stories to be revealed. Thus is the curse of the pantster. The characters are totally in control, whether I like it or not. Now that the characters have reawakened, I’ll follow them until they shut up again.

  Ironically, Hurricane Irma hit our area as I was trying to finish these for submission to Siren.

  Yes, life is truly stranger than fiction, and I suppose there is irony there, somewhere.

  This really isn’t a standalone book because it references things that happen in the first five books, and assumes you the reader have read them and understand who the characters are.

  Before you ask, yes, there will be more books in this series.

  While this book isn’t a cliff-hanger, it is the first part of a duet story arc that concludes in LSFT: Retribution (Book 6).

  The current books in the series (including the prequel) are available from Siren-BookStrand and are best read in the following order:

  Love Slave for Two: Beginnings (Prequel)

  Love Slave for Two (Book 1)

  Love Slave for Two: Family Matters (Book 2)

  Love Slave for Two: Reunions (Book 3)

  Love Slave for Two: Reckoning (Book 4)

  Love Slave for Two: Resilience (Book 5)

  Love Slave for Two: Retribution (Book 6)

  Referenced characters you might not recall: Rhys is Tyler’s adopted nephew and is featured, along with Manny (Amanda) and Korbin in Two Geeks and Their Girl. Ray and Oot from Love Slave for Two: Beginnings also appear in kitten’s tale and Safe Harbor. Sarah, Del, and John were featured in Dead Moon Rising and in Love Slave for Two: Reunions. Jacob and Kyle are Nevvie’s half-brothers via her adoptive mother and first appear in Love Slave for Two: Reunions.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Author's Note

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Landmarks

  Cover

  LOVE SLAVE FOR TWO:

  RESILIENCE

  Love Slave for Two 5

  TYMBER DALTON

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Meanwhile, Augustine lurked near the front of the house most of the evening, conceale
d in the shadows provided by the thick cover of ancient, looming oak trees and overgrown azalea bushes the structure nested within.

  No one to see him. Nobody passed his hiding spot.

  The perfect predator, prey just within his grasp.

  Some things never changed. As he waited, he wondered if Samson would even recognize him, if shock and terror would alight upon his features before Augustine snuffed him out for good.

  He was done pretending that man could continue to exist upon this plane with decent beings.

  Done.

  Within his pocket, the knife’s comforting weight made its presence known, calling to him, the blade sharpened and ready for use, for righteous pruning of humanity’s dead weight from the tree of life.

  Tyler looked up from the lectern as the Friday night audience at the New York City Book Fair burst into applause. The entire auditorium had filled to capacity over four hours before his scheduled reading, standing room only, with an overflow room watching on a large screen in the ballroom next door.

  Also filled to standing room only.

  With microphone in hand, the event’s moderator, Bill Charlesly, walked over to where Tyler had stood reading an excerpt from his latest book, Carnal Thoughts. The book was being officially released tonight as soon as this event ended. Tyler wouldn’t have to stay that long, however, because this event, the reading and Q&A, was the actual book launch. His publisher had piggy-backed the release onto the book fair event, knowing the press buzz from industry bloggers would prove invaluably insane.

  Adding to the frenzy was the fact that Netflix was producing a mini-series based on some of the earlier Augustine books, and they were hoping this newest release would renew interest in the older titles.

  The applause continued unabated as Tyler bashfully smiled and nodded his head to the audience with a slight bow.

  Bill finally managed to get a foothold over the noise. “Thank you so much, Tyler. Sounds like another hit to me. Wasn’t he great, everyone?”

  Another cacophonous wave of applause and cheers swelled and filled the hall as they walked over to two chairs that had been set up in the middle of the stage for the next portion of the event. Tyler picked up the microphone which had been left on his chair. As Tyler sat, he flipped the switch to turn on the mic while Bill seated himself in the other chair and picked up his notecards.

  To either side of the stage were cameras recording the event, and two more hand-held camera crews to record the audience members asking questions. The video of tonight’s event would be released online tomorrow for free, as well as aired later on cable TV.

  There were three microphone stands, one in each of the three aisles and manned by event staff who could cut the mic if need be, and people were already queuing at them to ask questions. The house lights were brought up so Tyler and Bill could see the speakers.

  Tyler willingly tolerated these events despite how emotionally draining he found them to be, and even though there were always a few oddball questions lobbed his way, including about his personal life.

  He’d grown used to those in the nearly sixteen years since that day.

  Which of the top three will be asked first, I wonder?

  Bill started the Q&A with his own questions. “Tyler, Carnal Thoughts is your tenth book in this series. Do you ever get tired of writing about a serial killer?”

  Tyler’s gaze scanned the audience, the eager fans awaiting his answer, and he slyly smiled. “Augustine’s a rather…interesting chap, isn’t he?”

  That garnered laughter, exactly the reaction he’d hoped for.

  Tyler continued. “I follow my characters, Bill. When Augustine tugs at my mind, I willingly accompany him on his sojourns. Since it’s fiction, I don’t mind the treks I take with him.”

  Left unsaid, Especially not when I look at my bank account.

  The Augustine series was his cash cow. No way in bloody hell would he stop writing it, even if he ever came to despise it. Although, fortunately, there was no sign of that happening.

  “It must be disturbing to research serial killers and their methods and mindsets. How do you approach your research?”

  Tyler fought the urge to run his fingers over his goatee and mustache as he gave a dramatic pause instead of immediately reciting the answer he usually prattled.

  A version of it, anyway. “It’s a dark topic, to be sure. But never forget that every anti-hero or villain is still the hero of their own story. The trick isn’t to focus on the gore, but to use the acts as a framework to build the characters and conflict.”

  “Does it bother you to have written a serial killer people actually root for to win in each book?”

  Now Tyler did smile and stroke his goatee, which drew more subtle laughter as he looked out over the audience, two large screens on either side of the stage showing his reaction close up. “I think it means that, as a writer, I’ve done my job quite disturbingly well.”

  Laughter.

  He wouldn’t deny the crowd’s reactions fed his ego. He’d be a liar to say it didn’t. Writing was a lonely profession, and feedback like this was one of the few reasons he attended live events.

  “Augustine isn’t the only series you write, of course. You’ve made no secret that crossing genres as a writer is an integral part of what you need to do for your personal creative process. And in previous books, both within and outside of the Augustine series, you’ve blended elements of classic literature, seamlessly melded Shakespeare and even Chaucer into your works. Is there a method to your madness…”

  They talked for a few minutes. He’d been interviewed many times in the past by Bill at other book events, as well as for his NPR podcast, and knew how this worked. They waited to see if anyone left the queues and returned to their seats based on their chat.

  And, by mutual agreement, Bill never asked Tyler one of the “top three” questions. It made for better crowd reactions when one of the audience posed those questions.

  They always posed them.

  Finally, they threw to the first crowd question. A younger woman, perhaps in her late twenties, was the lucky one. “Hi, Mr. Paulson. I’ve been reading your work for years, and you’re my favorite author.”

  “Thank you very much. I’m flattered.”

  “I even did a high school book report on Damning Thoughts my senior year.”

  He hoped his smile looked right. That’s one way to make me feel old. “Did that earn you a decent grade, or a trip to your school’s psychologist?” he teased.

  She grinned as the audience laughed. “An A. They already knew I was weird.”

  He laughed, a genuine laugh. “Excellent. And your question?”

  “Where do you get your ideas? And thank you.” She gave up the microphone.

  Bingo.

  One down. And four people left the queues.

  “Everywhere. The news, life, my own addled brain.” He smiled and let the laughter die down again. “The problem isn’t getting ideas. The problem is finding enough time to write them all.” Close enough to the truth.

  Bill called on the far right mic. A middle-aged man asked the next question. “Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?”

  Number two. As if they knew to ask them immediately.

  A few more people stepped out of the queues.

  “Write. You’re not aspiring if you’re writing. You’re a writer. You might aspire to earn money as a writer, aspire to be a professional writer, but writers write. Also, read. You cannot be a successful writer if you do not read. Especially within the genre you wish to write, but also outside it. I cannot count the number of times I’ve heard people say they don’t want to read within their genre to prevent accidentally copying someone else, but how can you know what’s working and what isn’t if you do not read the genre?”

  Let’s see if we can go for the hat-trick…

  Bill filled in with a few of his pre-written questions, some of which Tyler knew in advance and some he didn’t, which was fine.

/>   Then he took the third audience question. This time, an older woman, casually dressed in jeans and an Augustine T-shirt one of his fan clubs had created, with a mosaic of his book covers on it. “You’ve written pretty complex relationship dynamics into some of your books. Does your personal life help you with that?”

  Close enough to ding question number three. But having spotted a few teenagers in the audience—and even younger children, meaning reckless parents at best—he was smart enough to keep his answer family-friendly and vague.

  “As a writer, I have to be an observer of human nature. And as my family well knows, they are not immune to those observations, although I don’t directly add them to my works in particular. I always protect the guilty.” He smiled, adding a little stroke of his goatee to amplify the laughter once again rippling through the audience. “My family are the first to tell people that, no, Dad isn’t a serial killer, or that I think they should fall victim to one. Or any of the other beasties, human and not, that I’ve written in the past.”

  Although he knew serial killers wasn’t exactly the direction the woman had intended for him to take that answer, he wasn’t going to discuss his spouses or his sex life with perfect strangers.

  Bill added another question, then threw back to the audience.

  The young woman looked maybe college-aged, dressed as a painfully stereotypical Goth, complete with ripped fishnets and enough piercings to make TSA checks interesting for all parties. “What was it like to kill that guy?”

  A low, disquieted murmur hummed through the crowd in ominous undertones, indicating audience displeasure that she’d asked that.