Empire (New Protectorate, #1.5)

Love blooms in the dark.

After a lifetime of service to the Amauri vampire family, retired assassin Harlan Bounds lives his life exactly as it pleases him – on his private estate, surrounded by beauty, and unbothered by the bloody politics of the criminal underworld he left behind. He doesn’t need or want for anything... except, perhaps, the tantalizing witch hired to look after the acclaimed rose garden on his grounds.

Zia North has nursed a crush on the mysterious vampire that is her boss for nearly a year. They’ve never spoken, and she knows the rules by heart: never stay on Empire Estate’s grounds after sundown and never, ever bother Mr. Bounds. There’s no chance for her to fulfill her sensual fantasies, so what’s the harm in indulging a crush that will never see the light of day – or the kiss of darkness?

It’s all daydreams until she makes a mistake that finally brings her face to face with the intimidating vampire. Harlan’s dark intensity draws her in, and Zia’s light sparks a craving that can’t be denied. Fantasy clashes with reality when his dangerous past threatens to bite them both, but not even the violent conflicts of the vampire syndicate can sever a bond forged in blood.

This is the second volume in The New Protectorate Stories. It is a standalone, winter-flavored vampire romance in the wider New Protectorate universe and can be read without reading any of the other books. Content warnings can be found on the author's website and in the backmatter of the book.