Captive by Jenny Lynn
Publication date: March 13th, 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
In the city of sin, who will be saved?
Beckett Carter is the last of his family; the head of Carter Enterprises and a reclusive billionaire living in a luxurious Las Vegas penthouse. Since his parents murder his obsession with justice has steadily grown stronger, leading him to become the masked vigilante known to criminals as the Phantom. When he’s not out playing the part of a filthy rich playboy he trains his body hard, and in his disguise he brings the criminal underworld to its knees.
Crime reporter Ella James keeps everyone at arm’s length, throwing herself into her work and her quest to find out what happened to her missing sister. She doesn’t let anyone get close enough to her to see how damaged she really is and afraid to trust anyone fully, she has never let a man touch her. While going undercover she puts her life in danger and discovers the secret identity of the Phantom as he ruthlessly eliminates a room full of criminals. This one night sets off a chain of events neither of them expected.
Faced with the threat of being exposed, Beckett is left with only one choice. He takes Ella captive, keeping her in a secret room until he can complete his mission. In Ella, Beckett finds an opponent unlike any he’s met before – she’s smart, resourceful, and worst of all, innocent. The untouched woman locked away in his penthouse is the greatest temptation he has ever faced.
A tense rivalry between the two grows into something so much more than either could have imagined. When Beckett gives in and shows Ella how dark he can be, can she succeed and show him the light?
Excerpt:
Ella was blunt. I folded my hands in front of me, watching her. She was shrewd, this reporter, trying to paint me into a corner with her words. Of course, I know the police are on the payroll for local criminals, but I can’t admit that. I can’t admit half the things I really know.
“I’m afraid I don’t agree with you. Crime is like a virus, it’s a constant struggle. Our police service is helping to heal this city from the inside out.”
A brief laugh pushed past her lips and she quickly composed herself, knowing that was an inappropriate reaction. Why did that stir something in me? The desire to lift her chin and stare into her eyes, to correct her simple act of imprudence, was overwhelming. The dark side of me wanted to teach her a lesson.
“Did I say something funny?” I demanded, my eyes burning into her.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Carter,” she sat a bit straighter. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just that I follow the crime beat very closely, and I have my personal doubts about the effectiveness of our police. I mean, they can’t even catch a rogue man who is attacking criminals on his own. What kind of a city lets someone get away with that, acting outside the law?”
“You’re not a fan of the masked vigilante I take it?” I kept my face calm and unreadable. If only she knew who was sitting across the desk from her.
She shook her head. “It sets a bad precedent. It tells people that if they wear a disguise, they can be outside the law. That man, the Phantom as they call him, is going to get hurt eventually, or killed.”
I leaned forward, taking a closer look at this gorgeous creature in front of me. She had my full attention, this mouthy reporter. She squirmed under my gaze, self-conscious. There was a faint purple ring around her eye, partially hidden under a veil of makeup but not hidden well enough. “Who did that to you Ella?”
She shifted in her seat, looking down. “It’s nothing,” she mumbled. “Back to your article, I just need a quick photo and I’ll be out of your way. Is your office okay? Maybe by the window?”
She wasn’t going to tell me what happened, and I wasn’t going to press her on it. I nodded and stood up, smoothing my tie, then waited beside the floor to ceiling window of my corner office. The view of the skyline was just past me. Ella retrieved a camera from her bag and walked closer to me, I watched her move. She was a bit timid, yet comfortable in her body. Suddenly her foot caught the edge of my rug and she gasped as she fell forward.
In an instant I stepped towards her and caught her, holding her upright in my arms. My reflexes have always been impeccable, it’s how I do what I do. It’s how I avoid fists and knives. Her hands were flat against my chest and I noticed the subtle hitch in her breath when she looked into my eyes. For a moment we stayed as we were, our faces inches apart.
Ella looked away, a flush on her cheeks, then regained her composure. “I’m sorry, Mr. Carter, I’m clumsy today. I’ll just get that quick picture.”
“I’m afraid I don’t agree with you. Crime is like a virus, it’s a constant struggle. Our police service is helping to heal this city from the inside out.”
A brief laugh pushed past her lips and she quickly composed herself, knowing that was an inappropriate reaction. Why did that stir something in me? The desire to lift her chin and stare into her eyes, to correct her simple act of imprudence, was overwhelming. The dark side of me wanted to teach her a lesson.
“Did I say something funny?” I demanded, my eyes burning into her.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Carter,” she sat a bit straighter. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just that I follow the crime beat very closely, and I have my personal doubts about the effectiveness of our police. I mean, they can’t even catch a rogue man who is attacking criminals on his own. What kind of a city lets someone get away with that, acting outside the law?”
“You’re not a fan of the masked vigilante I take it?” I kept my face calm and unreadable. If only she knew who was sitting across the desk from her.
She shook her head. “It sets a bad precedent. It tells people that if they wear a disguise, they can be outside the law. That man, the Phantom as they call him, is going to get hurt eventually, or killed.”
I leaned forward, taking a closer look at this gorgeous creature in front of me. She had my full attention, this mouthy reporter. She squirmed under my gaze, self-conscious. There was a faint purple ring around her eye, partially hidden under a veil of makeup but not hidden well enough. “Who did that to you Ella?”
She shifted in her seat, looking down. “It’s nothing,” she mumbled. “Back to your article, I just need a quick photo and I’ll be out of your way. Is your office okay? Maybe by the window?”
She wasn’t going to tell me what happened, and I wasn’t going to press her on it. I nodded and stood up, smoothing my tie, then waited beside the floor to ceiling window of my corner office. The view of the skyline was just past me. Ella retrieved a camera from her bag and walked closer to me, I watched her move. She was a bit timid, yet comfortable in her body. Suddenly her foot caught the edge of my rug and she gasped as she fell forward.
In an instant I stepped towards her and caught her, holding her upright in my arms. My reflexes have always been impeccable, it’s how I do what I do. It’s how I avoid fists and knives. Her hands were flat against my chest and I noticed the subtle hitch in her breath when she looked into my eyes. For a moment we stayed as we were, our faces inches apart.
Ella looked away, a flush on her cheeks, then regained her composure. “I’m sorry, Mr. Carter, I’m clumsy today. I’ll just get that quick picture.”
Author Bio:Jenny Lynn writes contemporary romance novels about charismatic billionaires, cocky bad boys and dominant alpha males. She loves to throw in exciting plot twists and plenty of steamy scenes that will keep you up at night. She writes men worth falling in love with, and definitely worth lusting after. Jenny has won awards for her writing but there is nothing that makes her happier than when people discover and enjoy her books. When she’s not writing Jenny is spending time with her family and trying not to burn dinner.
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