Tens - The Takeover

TENS - THE TAKEOVER JAYE PRATT & JENNA DARING COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2023 by Jaye Pratt & Jenna Daring All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it on a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities, is entirely coincidental. Jaye & Jenna asserts the moral right to be identified as the authors of this work. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. First Edition. Cover art by Jaye Pratt Formatting by Formatting and Design by Jaye. Editing and Proofreading by Messenger’s Memos -Fiction Editing Services CONTENTS 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 Jaye Stalker Links Jenna Stalker links BLURB Tens: The hottest, wealthiest, and most elite at Grand Ridge University. When secrets are revealed, I’m left with more questions than answers and the only way to get the answers I need is to become one of them and use the power of being a Ten to my advantage. I thought Forrest, Apollo, Riggs, and Darwin would be by my side, but a series of events leads me to believe they’re no different than their parents and I can only rely on myself. I need to play them at their own game. When my life is on the line, they promise to do whatever it takes to keep me safe. I don’t know how to play by my enemies’ rules, and being in over my head, I have to accept their help and hope I don’t regret it. Being ten steps ahead isn’t as easy as it seems when we’re up against some major players. We have to dig deep and play smart—a concept that isn’t easy for a Ten. They’re used to playing dirty, but in this game, we have to play by the rules. Targeting me is one thing, but hurting my friends is another. If they want me, they better come and get me. Because I still refuse to back down. Tens - The Takeover is the second book in the Grand Ridge University series. This book is a why choose and contains some dark themes throughout. I pack the last of the boxes I will need just as Lionel knocks on my bedroom door and pokes his head in. “Have you finished packing?” I nod with a slight smile. So much has happened in the last week since finding out that Darwin was taken to hospital after his car accident. Darwin is still in a coma. He had some internal bleeding, and a collapsed lung, and he is currently on ECMO. The doctors are hopeful by next week they should be able to see if he is ready to wake up. It’s a lot to take in. Lionel and I have had a long talk and right now he agrees I should move to the dorms at Grand Ridge. I’m not ready to see Jennifer right now, anyway. Lionel also ordered DNA tests—one for him and me, and one for him and Darwin. Ours came back, and it’s 99.999% positive he is my biological father. He hasn’t opened the one for Darwin; he wants his son to be awake before he knows. He said he is Darwin’s father regardless of the results, and if Darwin doesn’t want to know, then neither does he. “Yes, I’m all packed. I’m sorry I’m leaving.” “Don’t be. Like we discussed, Jennifer comes home today and we have a lot to deal with. It’s better if you’re not here for that, and I understand you not wanting to be around her after everything.” What sort of mother doesn’t come home when her son has been in a major car accident? I don’t understand her. Lionel pulled some strings and managed to get me a room at Grand Ridge, with the Tens. Which means I’m in the same building as Riggs and Apollo. Tens are not separated by gender, and they get an entire building to themselves. “Thank you again.” He steps into the room and helps take a suitcase. “Stop thanking me. It’s the least I can do. This is your house now, Aila, and this will always be your room.” I smile. Everything is a mess, but one thing I know for sure is that the Tens ruined my mother’s life and have messed with mine, and now Darwin’s. There has to be a way to bring Jennifer down; as they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I haven’t told the guys yet that I’m moving from the Taigums’ house. I haven’t spent much time with them since everything that happened. I needed space to clear my head, but I’m sure they will find out my new living arrangement today when I move in. I took the week off school, but it’s time to go back. Lionel will keep me updated on Darwin and whether anything changes or not. But they suspect he will be off ECMO tomorrow and will need a