Rebellious Reign

REBELLIOUS REIGN PART 2 JACIE LENNON Copyright © 2023 by Jacie Lennon All rights reserved. Visit my website at www.authorjacielennon.com Cover Designer: Dez Purington, Pretty in Ink Creations Photographer: Katie Cadwallader Photography, @cadwalladerphotography Cover Model: Kat Kostoff, @kat_luvs_ Editor: Jovana Shirley, Unforeseen Editing, www.unforeseenediting.com No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. CONTENTS About The Book Content Warning 1. Wryn 2. Connor 3. Wryn 4. Connor 5. Wryn 6. Wryn 7. Connor 8. Wryn 9. Wryn 10. Wryn 11. Connor 12. Connor 13. Connor 14. Wryn 15. Wryn 16. Wryn 17. Connor 18. Wryn 19. Wryn 20. Connor 21. Wryn 22. Connor 23. Wryn 24. Connor 25. Connor 26. Wryn 27. Wryn 28. Connor 29. Wryn 30. Connor 31. Wryn 32. Connor 33. Wryn Epilogue Thank you for reading! Also by Jacie Lennon Acknowledgments ABOUT THE BOOK Broken by a secret. Wryn My life has been turned upside down. What started as a fake marriage has become real and so much more. Ruby is still missing, and I’m devoted to finding her. But now, I can’t help but also focus on Connor. He tells me he’s falling for me. He says our arrangement isn’t temporary for him anymore. Then, a favor gets called in, and it could be the end of us. I don’t think Connor will forgive me for my betrayal. Connor Life has never been perfect for me. But now that I have Wryn, it seems like that might be attainable. My plans were foiled, and I don’t know who I can trust. Except for Wryn, the woman I think I’m falling in love with. She’s someone I never thought I would find. Although I didn’t have to look for her. Our marriage hasn’t been conventional. But now, I’m keeping something from her—for her own good. I just hope she will see it that way. If she ever finds out. This is part 2 in the American Mafia duet and the conclusion to Reluctant Heir. You should read Reluctant Heir first as it contains important information that is relevant to Rebellious Reign. CONTENT WARNING As the second part to Reluctant Heir, this book is also a dark(ish) mafia romance. During the story quite a few different dark themes are talked about and I wanted to list those below for anyone who may need them. If you find them to be an issue, please take care of yourself and don’t read this book. Violence Blood Gore Talk of human trafficking Talk of murder On page murder Kidnapping Child abuse in a main character’s past that is shown 1 WRYN It’s been two weeks of nothing. No word from Viktor, which I’m relieved about, and nothing from the four men who held Connor’s life in the palm of their hands, which scares me. People say no news is good news, but it makes me want to jump out of my skin. I busy myself by hovering over Connor, and I can tell it’s starting to irritate him. He’s healing, on the mend, but it’s slow going. His angry flesh on the side of his face is a stark reminder of what he went through and what could have happened if Viktor hadn’t stepped in. Connor is mad at me about that. But I did what I had to do. And I don’t regret it. Maybe Viktor will never call in his favor, but as soon as I have the thought, I know it’s laughable. Men like him will always cash in their debts, and I need to be ready. Connor hasn’t talked about what happened to him. Maybe it’s because he wants to put it behind him, behind us, but I know it’s not going to leave. This will follow us and hang over our heads until it’s dealt with. I stop in front of his office door and raise my hand to knock but then think better of it. I’m his wife. I don’t have to knock. Not that I ever did before. I push the door in and stop abruptly. He’s in a meeting. Four pairs of eyes snap to mine, and I raise one eyebrow. It’s not surprising enough to me to be hurt that I wasn’t invited. I smile and advance into the room as if I were wanted here all along. Connor is sitting in one of the wingbacks in front of the fireplace, his bandaged hand resting on his thigh, and I look around at the others. Geo, Ginny, and Dean. “Did you need something?” Connor asks. I look down at the cup of tea I’m carrying. It was for him, but I’m not going to offer it now. He wouldn’t take it. So, I wrap both hands around it and take a sip, staring at him above the rim. He raises an eyebrow, and so do I. “I came to join the conversation,” I say. Now that I know a conversation is happening, I want to be involved. “Outside.” Connor rises, stalking toward the door. After a smile toward the rest of those acting like they aren’t watching us, I follow him. He shuts the office door as soon as I’m through and then crosses his arms, leaning against it. He winces slightly, and I know his body is still sore. He doesn’t take his medicine anymore. The bottle is still half full in his bathroom. I check it occasionally since he won’t talk about anything. “What are you doing?” “I came to bring you tea. I didn’t know you had company.” I lean my