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The Woman Behind the Mask

All Rights Reserved ©

Summary

Some truths are more dangerous than lies. And for Rhea Larsen, the truth is her noose. Her name is stolen. Her past buried. And the truth could get her killed. This isn’t a second chance. It’s a cover. All in the name of sweet revenge. At Riverside University, she wears her borrowed identity like a second skin-- beautiful, untouchable, unforgettable. But beneath the charm and careful lies is something sinister. No one questions her presence. No one notices the cracks in her identity. Revenge requires patience and for Rhea it's a performance. It means stepping into the right lives at the right time, earning trust, and staying just long enough to destroy everything from within. Then she meets Eros Accardi. A man with blood on his hands and secrets like hers. A man who looks at her like he sees through every lie. And he wants her anyway. Two predators circling each other, waiting for one to fall prey. But what begins as manipulation quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. As Rhea gets closer to her revenge, the mask begins to slip, revealing the real woman beneath. As bodies pile up and the lies tighten around her, one thing becomes clear: The only person more dangerous than the woman behind the mask, is the man who understands her. But even he cannot know whether her touch is desire or strategy. She isn’t waiting for revenge. She’s hunting it.

Status
Complete
Chapters
57
Rating
4.9 (11 reviews)
Age Rating
18+

A Woman Scorned | Prologue

Monday, January 28th, 2019


Everyone has a story.

An explanation for why they are the way they are.

A justification for their screwed-up actions.

“I told you, you wouldn't survive me.” I smile at the trembling man before me.

Almost two years ago, our positions were completely reversed. I was the one trying to escape the death he was certain he would deliver. But today, there will be a different outcome.

I survived.

He won't.

My grip on the suppressed Beretta remains steady. I've bided my time for this moment. Nothing will ruin it.

Tonight, death will be dealt by my hand.

“You’ll--you’ll regret this,” the balding man stutters.

He cowers away, sweat beading on his forehead.

“You should've killed me that night." I wave the gun around. "It would've saved you a lot of trouble. And your life.”

“Wait!” he shouts. “If you do this, my son will come after you and everyone you love!”

I laugh.

He must not know about his son yet.

“You already killed everyone I love." The smile vanishes, my features returning to stone. "And which son? The one who’s dead, or the one in love with me?" I step up to him. "There’s no hope for you.”

“Have mercy!” he pleads.

So pathetic.

I shake my head.

He takes a shuddering breath, finally coming to terms with his fate. “What about your parents?”

I purse my lips. “They’re as dead to me as you’re about to be.”

Nothing can save him.

“Don’t you fear anything?”

Myself.

I pull the trigger.

The bullet pierces his skull, dead between the eyes.

There is nothing more dangerous than a scorned woman hellbent on revenge, with nothing left to lose and no one left to love.

Everyone has a story.

Let S. M. Devereux know what you thought about this chapter!
Love this

19

Love this

Funny

0

Funny

Spicy

2

Spicy

Suspenseful

12

Suspenseful

Emotional

2

Emotional

Profound

3

Profound

Heartwarming

0

Heartwarming

Shocking

4

Shocking

Good Writing

11

Good Writing

Compelling Plot

13

Compelling Plot

Great Character

9

Great Character

Strong Dialog

8

Strong Dialog

View 10 previous comments…
author

Great start.. BRAVO

a month
1
author

I am allowed to imagine the *BANG* right??? The same BANG as the one you just opened your story with!

20 days
2
author

wow like a bullet this one launched....bang and we are off. nice exciting start #ICBC

15 days

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