Cover Reveal- For Her Protection

 I'm here with a cover release and a blurb for my next book in the Knight series. In the next novella we get more of Rocco Jamison, Silas' best friend and bodyguard. 

Rocco's book comes with a host of trigger warnings. He's had a hard life, and some of it is recounted on page. Nothing that's too too angsty, because y'all know how I am, but all the same, it's there. I enjoyed writing him. He's a quiet bear, and it was fun to pair him with a mate who fills silence like it's her job. I started the story with the intention of Rocco saving Julissa, but I think by the end of it, she did a bit of rescuing of her own. 

As promised in my newsletter, I'm here with a preorder link and a sneak peek of chapter 1! I can't wait for you guys to read their story!

Keep scrolling for a sneak peek of chapter 1, and click HERE to preorder your copy! 

Sneak Peek:

The crush of the crowd was instantly familiar. Strangely, it was one of the things Julissa missed about Motsi gatherings. Animal shifters of all types gathered in the ballroom, dressed in the various hues of red, celebrating…what in the world were they celebrating now? She shook her head and took another sip of champagne. She honestly didn’t know, and frankly, most of those in attendance probably didn’t care. Any reason to gather and gossip and show-off. It was one of the perks of being a part of high shifter society.

Her father was on the Tri-council, and her family was one of the founding members of the Motsi society. Micah’s position afforded Julissa many privileges that she’d enjoyed over the years. The lavish parties, the safety and protection the insular community granted had all been at her fingertips. 

The tri-council, or ruling three as they were called, was responsible for controlling and governing the shifters of Eastfield. The city was divided into three parts, the cats on the Southside, bears on the North, and wolf shifters on the Eastside. The West side was neutral and home to humans and some shifters who kept themselves separate from the Motsi, though they still answered to the council. Her father had been in his job since she was born, holding on to that position with a firm hand that meant strength for some, and fear for others.

She was happy to be home. For a year after law school, it had been touch and go. She’d traveled for that year, appeasing her mother under the guise of figuring out what she wanted to do with her life. But she already knew. It took her months of begging her father and Silas Knight’s assistant to get her an interview with him. Finally, after a year, she’d gotten the job she most wanted. Silas Knight was liaison to all the shifters in the country, and he worked with the government in their favor, creating laws and amendments that benefited their people. She wanted to be a part of that, and finally, she would be. She couldn't wait to start her new job next week. 

Tonight was the first time she’d been to a huge Motsi event in years. She’d gone to small parties here and there when she came home to visit, but she had been serious about her school work. Now that she had her dream job, she had planned to change her lifestyle, and these big events weren’t on the list. Except, in exchange for her father helping her land her new job, he required her presence at her parent's side during the more significant events. She knew what that meant. 

Micah Crespo was ready to marry off his only daughter. 

She sighed and drank some more champagne. Her father hadn’t said that in so many words, but the parade of eligible men started from the moment she’d stepped through the door. She assumed knowing her plans would be enough to deter her father, but alas. She looked around the crowded room, skimming the golden décor. The ballroom was teeming with power and crackling energy, the sound of the many conversations bouncing off the two-story ceiling. She needed a breather. But before she could get one, her mother pulled her closer and introduced someone else. Julissa pasted on a smile and held out her hand. His name ran into all the others, his promise to get in touch with her later the same. He stared at her in a way that was not at all flattering. She could almost hear coins pinging around in his head. Marrying Julissa came with a massive influx of money from her marriage trust, and this male was counting them already. She excused herself and took off for the balcony. If she were lucky, it would be empty. 

She took her first deep breath of the cool night air, and the most intoxicating smell came with it. She whipped her body around, searching the large balcony for the source. Her bear wanted to lavish in that scent and roll in it. Citrus, a hint of pepper, and deep, dark, luscious vanilla laced the potent aroma. 

It made her hungry…reckless. 

She spotted him, or well, his silhouette, in the corner of two cement posts. His body was large and powerful. Her feet carried her closer. She didn't have a choice. Her bear was pushing her at this point. His form became clear once she entered the shadows with him. His eyes glowed as he lifted his glass to sip. Intense. Julissa could think of no other word to describe his gaze. It seared through her, burning down any inhibitions she might have had. 

Her mouth watered as her gaze traced his face. His tall, muscled body fit perfectly into a red tuxedo with an elegant, subtle, plaid pattern, the suit pants hugging his thighs. Tattoos crawled from the neck of his dress shirt right up to underneath the low-cut beard that covered his strong chin. His full lips were dark pink, begging for her to bite them. Waves covered the top of his head, faded into a taper cut on the sides. 

He was…everything.

An air of danger surrounded him, her feminine instincts warning her that he may be more than she could handle, but she pushed that aside. She took a deep breath and tried to contain her racing heart. His gaze never left her as she perused his body. 

Hers.

Juilssa’s bear declared it, clawing at her insides for her to run to him. She was struck mute. 

Where someone else would rush to fill in the silence, this male didn’t. He sipped from his drink, his eyes never leaving hers. The tension rose between them, thickening the air. The years in the Motsi had made her a confident woman. Julissa had never had an issue conversing with anyone, but this man intimidated her. But simultaneously, her bear wanted to submit to him and curl under him. 

She cleared her throat and fought to think of some kind of witty banter. Anything to break the weighted silence. She wanted…no needed to know who he was. Yeah, she could start with that. Before she could open her mouth to ask, he tilted his head as though listening before his lips lifted in a small taunting smile. 

“They looking for you, sug.”

His voice. 

That deep, gravelly sound seemed to scrape over her skin, pulling goosebumps in its wake. Who was he?

“Julissa!” her mother called for her on the other side of the balcony. 

Her heartbeat thundered. Fear that she would lose this man and this moment made panic flare within her. 

“Go, mama. We’ll meet again.”

Confident. Reassuring. His words loosened her feet, and she moved to answer her mother’s call. But not before one more glance at his face. Julissa burned it into her memory. Yeah, they would meet again. She would make sure of it. 

♠♠♠♠

ROCCO WATCHED THE FEMALE, Julissa, as she left the balcony. She left behind a scent that would haunt him and his bear. It was deep, sensual amber layered on top of a bright, floral magnolia. He committed it to memory, knowing he would make well on his promise to her. It wouldn't be hard to find her. Everyone knew Julissa Crespo. Her father was a powerful man in Eastfield. One who was very protective of his daughter. Not that that would stop Rocco. His bear wanted to chase her down now, but he had other pressing matters to handle at the moment. To that end, his phone buzzed with an address. 

He waited until enough time had elapsed before he left the balcony. He didn’t want even the slightest hint of impropriety to hit her. He wanted her, yes, but he had no plans for anyone to know that. If he was lucky, he and his bear could get their fill of her, and she would still be eligible to be mated afterward. His bear bucked in denial, but Rocco squashed it. They couldn’t keep her, no matter what part of him longed to do so. They weren’t fit for her.  Adina Knight spotted him the moment he re-entered the ballroom. 

“Rocco,” she looped her arm in his. “I have some people I want you to meet.”

“Mama Di.” He warned. 

She waved off his protest. “I got my other boys mated off; it’s your turn.”

He grunted and shook his head. Mating wasn’t in the cards for him. He could tell her that, but it would go in one ear and out the other. From the moment her son had brought him home, Adina Knight had been mothering him. If she had her way, Rocco would’ve been adopted into their family and living under their roof. Despite all the therapy she’d made him get, Rocco adamantly held himself separate from them, at least as much as they would allow. 

“Silas is mated, and it’s time for you to stop following him everywhere and settle down.”

“I’m his security. It’s my job to follow him everywhere.”

She sucked her teeth. “Please. You could’ve been handed that over to Theo. You can work at any one of the garages you own.”

He shrugged because even if he weren’t protecting Silas, them people would barely see him. He spent his off time at the garage closest to his house because it specialized in vintage car restoration, and he used it to work on his own car. Adina was right. It and the others he owned made him enough money that he could quit working for Silas. But…he owed his best friend his life. 

Literally. 

It had been Silas who had found him on the street stealing money to feed himself. The day he met Silas, his whole life had changed. 

From the corner of his eye, he spotted Julissa. She was surrounded by her friends, smiling. The brightness of that smile reached down inside of him and warmed him. His bear rumbled. What would it be like to have that sunshine aimed at him? He memorized her face, from her large doe eyes surrounded by lush lashes to her button nose and full-painted lips. Her strong jaw and high cheekbones gave her a regal appearance. Her blood-red velvet gown made her pecan brown skin glow and clung to curves that made his mouth water. She was temptation come to life. His heart thumped hard against his chest. 

It wasn't for him. 

“Ma, I gotta handle something tonight, so rain check on the matchmaking,” he rumbled. 

“Liar,” Adina chided. “Fine. But I’m not giving up, despite your stubbornness.”

“Noted,” he teased and nuzzled against her cheek. 

He walked away and sought out her son. He found Silas where he’d left him last, whispering in his mate’s ear. The two made a striking couple. The natural and affectionate way they handled each other showcased their love to anyone who saw them. Silas was a different man than he’d been before he found his family, and Rocco loved that for him.

“I need to head out,” he told his friend. “Theo is circulating and close.”

Silas looked up, his eyes sharp. “What’s going on?”

“A potential tenant.” 

“Be careful, Rock. Text me when you get home.”

“I’m good.”

Silas narrowed his eyes. “You going by yourself?”

“Deena’s meeting me there.”

“Bet. See you Sunday.”

They dapped up, and Rock made his way to the exit. He felt eyes on him as he got close to the door. He turned and met eyes with Julissa. She licked her lips, and a shudder of want moved through his body. She was beautiful, and though he knew he couldn’t keep her for himself, for a moment, he was tempted. He gave her a small salute and left the room before he could be put off his task.