Rough Diamond

Rough Diamond: The Origin
This is the becoming of an antihero and his undoing.
Before Mason became the Yadili fixer and acquired the Mace nickname, he learned to navigate loss, grief, and treachery. Then he meets Sophie and briefly experiences respite with a woman who matches his wildness. But can he hang on to her?
Mason’s and Sophie’s story unfolds in two parts. The Origin is part one.

Rough Diamond 2: Deal & Close
Frenemies and desire, a lethal cocktail.
Mason is a Yadili fixer. Like his name implies, there’s never been a challenge he couldn’t cut, dress, and lay to rest. Those close to him fondly call him Mace—a heavy club with a spiked metal head—for a reason. He will rip the heart out of anyone who crosses him. However, when the treacherously seductive Sophie comes to him for a favour, the grudge he’s suppressed for a decade threatens to spiral out of control.

Sophie holds her own in the ruthless Yadili world. She set up the Haven Project to provide safety for her workers. Still, someone is intent on destroying her. So she has little option but to ask the dangerously desirable Mason for help. He offers her a deal she can’t refuse. But making a bargain with Mason is akin to dealing with the devil. Still, better the devil she knows, especially one she’s resented for ten years.

Together, Mason and Sophie must battle to survive all manner of betrayals. That’s if their thinly veiled animosity for each other doesn’t consume them first.

EXCERPT

“Get in!” Mason ordered as he opened the door and hopped into the driver’s seat.
She didn’t need another prompt and ran across to the passenger side, yanking the door and diving in as Mason pressed the ignition. She slammed the door, and the car kicked to life. He accelerated just as Bomba’s boys reached the car, leaving them in a cloud of dust.
“Oh my god! Oh my god!” She clutched her chest, trying to calm the rapid thumping of her heart. She leaned forward, holding her head and rocking back and forth as the adrenaline ran its course in her body.
“Put your seatbelt on,” the order was calm without inflection.
She lifted her head and stared at him. He appeared so composed, almost serene. As if he hadn’t just raced through the streets of the slum with her to avoid being beaten up or killed by the gang. As if he got comfort from inflicting pain on Bomba.
She was in awe of him, of his composure. Of his entire vibe. “I swear. I fear your face. Na you be Eleniyan.”
“What does that mean?” He glanced at her quickly.
Even the way he spoke indicated he was not from around here, of a different class. Yet he had still bossed Bomba, taken him unawares.
“It means you’re the boss of all bosses,” she laughed with relief.
He turned to her, grinning, his eyes gleaming with something wickedly delicious and dark. “I like that.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and heat flushed on her skin. Damn. He was handsome, and his eyes held her captive for the brief seconds they bore into her before he gave his attention back to the road. Something niggled about him like she knew him. Then again, she would never forget a face like his. Not if he’d ever been her client.