Mesmerized Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Praise for

  Insatiable

  “The story line is fast paced and loaded with action as the irresistible force meets the unmovable object when two enemies from different life stations fall into heated love . . . This is quite a sizzler.”

  —Genre Go Round Reviews

  “Dane has created a fully realized, intricate world with thoughtful, sympathetic characters, which makes it easy to lose oneself in the romance . . . The cliffhanger ending will leave readers panting for the next installment.”

  —Romantic Times Book Reviews

  “Lauren Dane is one of the best authors out there writing exciting, on-the-edge-of-your-seat science fiction romance . . . Insatiable is also a great suspenseful thriller where the chase will leave some readers breathless.”

  —Babbling About Books, and More

  “Another awesome entry in Dane’s Federation Chronicles.”

  —Book Binge

  Laid Bare

  “It’s impossible not to love this story. The sex is sizzling, the emotions are raw. Lauren Dane has done it again. Laid Bare, quite simply, rocks!”

  —Megan Hart, national bestselling author of Switch

  “From the get-go, three elements worked as one: vibrant, drawnfrom-life characters, profound emotions and an erotic passion that often set the pages ablaze.”

  —Leontine’s Book Realm

  “This book is amazing! I was so engrossed in the book I couldn’t do anything but read . . . This is the best book I have read this year.”

  —The Book Girl

  “In a word, this book is amazing. All three characters are magnetic and thoroughly realistic. They’re expertly woven into a roller-coaster story that will have you crying one moment, aroused the next and laughing with glee at each triumphant step along the way . . . This is Dane’s best story yet!”

  —Romantic Times, 4½ stars

  Relentless

  “Relentless will sweep you away.”

  —Anya Bast, New York Times bestselling author of Jeweled

  “Exceptional . . . an intriguing alternative world.”

  —Joey W. Hill, author of Vampire Trinity

  “Hot romance, detailed world-building and a plot focusing on righting injustice make Relentless a page-turner. With passion and politics, Dane delivers again!”

  —Megan Hart

  “Ms. Dane takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions . . . This is a fabulous read for fans of sci-fi with a generous helping of erotic romance. I hope that we’ll be seeing more installments in this futuristic world.”

  —Darque Reviews

  “Spectacular . . . absolutely brilliantly written.”

  —Manic Readers, 4½ stars

  “Pulled in from page one, readers will enjoy the delicious sensuality.”

  —Romantic Times, 4½ stars

  “Emotionally charged, passionate and at times volatile, Relentless once again proves that Ms. Dane is a first-class author who is fully capable of delivering exactly the sorts of story lines that readers crave.”

  —Romance Junkies, 5 Blue Ribbons

  “Filled with heat and erotic passion . . . Relentless is a do-not-miss.”

  —Joyfully Reviewed

  “This terrific science fiction erotic romance is fast-paced and filled with action in and out of the bedroom.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Fiery, erotic and rich with plot, this book is definitely a keeper on my shelf.”

  —Night Owl Romance

  Undercover

  “Delicious eroticism . . . a toe-curling erotic romance sure to keep you reading late into the night.”

  —Anya Bast

  “Sexy, pulse-pounding adventure . . . that’ll leave you weak in the knees.”

  —Jaci Burton, national bestselling author of The Perfect Play

  “Exciting, emotional and arousing . . . a ride well worth taking.”

  —Sasha White, author of One Weekend

  “A roller coaster of emotion, intrigue and sensual delights.”

  —Vivi Anna, author of The Vampire’s Kiss

  “Hot, sexy and action-packed . . . A fabulous read!”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Wow! This book rocks!”

  —Romance Junkies

  “It’s one of those rare books that will stay with you for a long time.”

  —Love Romances & More

  “Undercover is a compelling and wild read.”

  —Manic Readers

  “Dane has written a sizzling, delicious tale of love lost, found and expanded . . . As endearing as it is molten hot. The friction between Sera and Ash as they resolve their past is intense, and with Brandt added to the mix, it’s nothing short of explosive.”

  —Romantic Times, 4½ stars

  Berkley Heat titles by Lauren Dane

  MESMERIZED

  INSIDE OUT

  INSATIABLE

  COMING UNDONE

  LAID BARE

  RELENTLESS

  UNDERCOVER

  Baileyd @ Demonoid.me

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

  (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

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  (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

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  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This book is an original publication of The Berkley Publishing Group.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  Copyright © 2011 by Lauren Dane.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. HEAT and the HEAT design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Heat trade
paperback edition / April 2011

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Dane, Lauren.

  Mesmerized / Lauren Dane.—Heat trade paperback ed.

  p. cm.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-47901-8

  1. Mercenary troops—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3604.A5M47 2011

  813'.6—dc22

  2010036296

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Leis Pederson, who loves futuristics and took a chance on my very first one back in 2007 when she bought Undercover. Having an editor who loves the genre you write makes this all the more sweet.

  Ray—forever.

  Laura Bradford—though I thank you in every book, it’s a small measure of just how much I appreciate you.

  Joss Whedon—thank you for creating Firefly.

  Liz Phair—thank you for creating the song that inspired the title for this book.

  Readers—where would I be without you? Thank you for all your myriad kindnesses.

  This one is for Mary

  Chapter 1

  Eleven Standard Years Ago

  Asphodel Portal City Lockup

  “Sir, you can’t go in there!”

  Andrei Solace didn’t bother looking up. Not that he’d have been able to see much with one eye swollen shut from the butt of the rifle he’d taken to the face. The pain had subsided to a dull, all-consuming ache, but the anger burned, low and steady, in his gut. Enough to get through another day.

  The outsider spoke again, his tone nearly amused, partly chiding. “I’m afraid you’re incorrect about that.”

  Andrei did risk a glance, curious about who spoke to a jailer that way.

  He expected another social worker. Gods knew he’d seen enough of them over his lifetime. Instead, what he got was the biggest man he’d ever seen. It was enough to have Andrei ignoring the pain from his injuries to swing his legs from the narrow cot to stand and edge closer.

  “Look, sir, I’m sure you think you’re entitled to all sorts of things with your shiny shoes and soft hands. But this is my lockup, and I’m telling you there’s no entry to the cells without the proper paperwork.”

  The big man looked down his nose, not a difficulty. Andrei committed the expression to memory as the man looked as if he’d smelled something awful. So much was communicated without a single word. Smart.

  The jailer flinched, just a tiny bit, when the big man reached into his pocket and pulled a sheaf of papers from it. “Will these do?” He opened a portfolio to show the jailer.

  The jailer read, his lips moving, until he paled and stumbled back. “I had no idea, sir. I . . .”

  “Now that we’ve taken care of the formalities, I’d like to see the prisoner.”

  With a new target for his anger, the jailer sent Andrei a glare over his shoulder as he led the big man through the hall, unlocking as he went. Andrei didn’t want to appear weak, but he really had to sit down again, so he made his best attempt at nonchalance and strolled back to his cot to sit.

  Wilhelm Ellis, newly minted Comandante of the Federation Military Corps, came to a halt just outside the boy’s cell. Andrei was a mess of bruises and bandaged wounds, one eye swollen shut. His eye, the good one, held a quiet, burning anger.

  Barely eighteen standard years, and he was hard. Harder than most adults, even those Ellis dealt with in the corps. Hard wasn’t a bad thing. Especially out here. It could be a very good thing indeed, especially in a soldier.

  Sighing with annoyance and no small amount of disgusted anger, he rounded on the jailer, pinning him with a glare. “Has he been seen by medics? I was under the impression he’d been here for two weeks.”

  “Two weeks and four days. Not that I’m counting.” The jailer sent a sneer toward the boy that had Wilhelm clenching his fists momentarily.

  Instead, he kept his voice very, very calm. “Care to explain the state of his face?”

  Finally, the jailer understood. He stumbled back, his gaze on the ground. “He has anger problems. Always attacking. Seven hells, sir, he was brought in here after nearly killing a man. He’s been picked up on assault and theft charges multiple times in the last years.”

  “Did. You. Give. This. Boy. Those. Bruises?” Wil wanted to punch this petty little bully for the damage he’d done. Instead, he bullied with his size and position. He rarely did, but sometimes it was necessary to scare the spit out of a man before he got the picture fully.

  “With all due respect, sir, the boy attacked one of my men. He’s the reason why we have to chain him like a horse in a pasture. The boy is garbage. A dirt rat just like his mother was. If he’d had a father around to instill some discipline, he wouldn’t be here. I don’t think you can come in here and second-guess when you’re not up to sp—. . .” The jailer’s words died away when the boy jumped toward the bars, held back by the shackle on his ankle.

  “Fuck you. You don’t talk about her,” he snarled, yanking on the chain so hard Wil wondered if he’d break his ankle. This was some will. A good sign if it could be channeled correctly.

  “Unlock the cell and the chains and get out of my sight before I show you some discipline myself.” Wil kept his eyes on the boy as he spoke to the jailer.

  “He’s dangerous. Didn’t you hear what I just said? He attacked an armed man. Why don’t we get you a chair and you can interview him on the other side of the bars? Safer that way.”

  Wilhelm touched the personal comm on his wrist. “Operative Haws, inside with me, if you will.” He didn’t look at the jailer as he spoke. “I’m quite capable of handling myself. Do as you were ordered, or you can join him in the cell next to this one.”

  The jailer appeared to begin to mumble, but Wilhelm sent him a look so severe, he clamped his lips together, unlocked the cell and shackles and got out.

  “Get out of my sight.” Wil walked past and into the cell, towering over the boy who shook with his desire to lash out. At Wilhelm, at the jailer, at anyone. Wil knew that expression, having seen it in the mirror enough as he grew up.

  He sat on the rickety chair they’d provided, stretching his legs before him, purposely taking up as much space as possible. Daniel would have his back. And most likely he’d learn something from a boy he’d been not too long before that. It’d be good for Daniel to see how far he’d come. How much discipline had straightened his life out.

  This one. He shook his head as he took in the wild-eyed Andrei Solace. “Why are you so angry, Mister Solace?” Slowly, taking the boy’s measure, he pulled a pouch from his pocket and rolled a smoke.

  The boy tried to hide behind an uncaring facade. Keeping his mouth closed, choosing a shrug.

  Wil inhaled the rich heat and exhaled, enjoying that moment very much. “This place is a dump, Andrei Solace. This ’Verse, this cell, your life, all a fucking dump.”

  He enjoyed the flare of anger in Andrei’s eyes, the tension of his muscles as he trembled with the effort not to punch Wilhem right in the nose.

  Wilhelm nodded, satisfied when the fists unclenched and the spine relaxed slightly. “Good. See? You can control yourself. When you want to. I’d wager you were simply never taught any discipline.”

  With a dismissive wave, he went back to the smoke, wondering how long it would take to get Solace to speak. The boy now had about a 30 percent chance of making it back to Ravena with him.

  Each interview he’d done over the last four years as he’d built his special teams had been different. Some he knew before he even saw the person if they’d be a yes. Other times, he’d been convinced one way or another and had his mind drastically change at the last minute.

  Andrei Solace was, at first glance, another in a long line of kids from rough backgrounds who fell into violence and criminal activity from a young age. Not unusual at all. This one, though, had scored off the charts on his testing.

  The way he’d reacted when his family had been insulted indicated a sense of loyalty. Loyalty when g
iven by a boy like this one would create a bond for life.

  “Your silence is interesting. I’m going to take it as you wanting to hear more about why I’m here, shall I?” He narrowed his eyes at Solace, who stared back stonily without speaking or moving.

  Inquisitiveness was something he wanted to see in one of his people. He had no room for people without intellectual curiosity. He’d always found candidates who thought critically operated at far higher level of functionality, especially in the field.

  Wilhelm stood, straightening and brushing the front of his uniform. The percentages were dwindling.

  “Yes.” Andrei said it, and the word sounded as if it were dragged from him.

  “Progress.” Wilhelm sat again. “My name is Wilhelm Ellis. I’m the Comandante of the Federation Military Corps. I might be in a situation to ease you from this place and set you on a new path. One that won’t end with you in permanent hold.”