Driven by Demons

For J.D. Walker, owner of the infamous fetish club The Devil's Playground, life is good. His club is successful, he has plenty of money, and he spends his time indulging in his lifelong addiction: sex. But despite his current success, he is still haunted by a dark and violent past. Two years ago, reporter Molly Malone was part of a news team sure they could prove the Playground was a high-end brothel where people paid to have their sickest fantasies fulfilled. But Malone and her partners underestimated J.D. Walker's powerful connections and the expos blew up in their faces, ending in a libel suit that cost all but Molly their jobs. Now J.D. faces a far more serious threat from Reverend Zachary Knox, a fire-and-brimstone preacher who has sworn to close dens of iniquity like the Playground. Knox's protestors are scaring always Walker's clients and his employees, and it seems the reverend has just as many connections as he does. Molly Malone wouldn't mind seeing J.D. go down, but she has a personal vendetta against Knox. Back in Alabama where Molly grew up, Knox and his corrupt ministry were responsible for the darkest event in her life, one that has left her scarred emotionally and craving dark perversions. Up until now, J.D. and Molly had nothing in common but a mutual loathing for each other. But both have reasons to bring down Knox, and are willing to dance with any devil that gives them a chance, including each other. Using Molly's firsthand knowledge of Knox's crimes and Walker's connections, the two unite to destroy their common foe...and learn they have more in common than they knew: they are both driven by the demons of their pasts. Excerpt "The detective who was involved with the fight in the parking lot, Higgins, works in Vice," J.D. said. "I'll call him, and give him the tip there's some funky shit going on in the Connecticut fetish scene. See if he gets any bites. But I still have doubts you could pull off going in there with us." Her spine stiffened, and she stared belligerently up into his eyes. "I'm tougher than I look." She realized she was losing the battle with Slut Molly when she impulsively goaded him, "I'd offer you a demonstration, but I doubt your girlfriend lets you off the leash for long. Isn't it about time you ran home and reported everything to Mommy like a good little boy?" "A demonstration?" He loomed over her and, despite her bravado, she took a nervous step backwards. "What, you think I'm one of those creeps from Chelsea? You think I'd jump at your little 'free lunch' sign?" "Oh, please." She glared disdainfully up at him. "You're an easy target I've hit close to home with you every time, and you know it " Her voice took on a caustic edge. "I know your kind, Walker, and I know how to handle you." "Do you?" His smirk reappeared, and he advanced steadily as she backed up again. The rational part of her mind screamed to tell him they were done, and make him leave, but her sluttish persona was eager to play her game. J.D. Walker had haunted her dreams for two years now. In a way, he'd become the personification of everything she craved, but shouldn't...the ultimate bad boy. An arrogant jerk who made her yearn to be treated the way he did his clients. The wall blocked her retreat, and he towered above her. "You want to play Tough Girl with me, Molly?" he demanded, gripping her chin in one large hand. "What's the matter? Don't know how to play the game because you're in your place, and not on your knees in some back alley?" "You arrogant son of a..." "You want a demonstration?" he insisted. "I'll give you one." He released her, then began undoing her blouse. "I told you there's one rule: consent." Another button popped open, and her breasts heaved as she struggled for breath. "That doesn't mean you have to say yes...it just means you didn't say no. Tell me to leave, and I will. If you don't..." He shrugged. "We both know what will happen."