Page 2 of Emeric

Casper Ashford - Lead guitarist in Ruined & Relinquished, Reed’s stepbrother, and Reed and Elic’s partner

Reed Ashford – Lead singer in Ruined & Relinquished, Casper’s stepbrother, and Casper and Elic’s partner

Elic Thatcher – Reed and Casper’s partner

Dash Meadows – Drummer in Ruined & Relinquished, Slater’s brother, and Tristan and Romeo’s partner

Tristan Loft – Works for Jordan Altair Sr. and Dash and Romeo’s partner

Romeo Emerson – Dancer at Untouchable and Dash and Tristan’s partner

Dominic Summit – Talent manager and dancer at Untouchable and Perry and Peyton’s partner

Perry Altair Jr. – CEO, business owner, JJ’s cousin, Jordan’s nephew, and Dominic and Peyton’s partner

Peyton Lynx – Perry’s bodyguard, Greer’s brother, and Dominic and Perry’s partner

Dexen Dremest – Owner of Untouchable and other businesses, Xaiden’s brother, and Greer and JJ’s partner

Greer Lynx – CSO working for Perry, Peyton’s brother, and JJ and Dexen’s partner

JJ Altair – Business owner, R&D VP for Perry, mafia boss’s son, Perry’s cousin, and Greer and Dexen’s partner

Xaiden Dremest – Business owner, ex-fighter, Dexen’s brother, Val and Corbin’s partner, and Cody and Olivia’s adopted father

Val Dremest – Mechanic, Xaiden and Corbin’s partner, and father figure to Cody and Olivia

Corbin Dremest – ER doctor, Xaiden and Val’s partner, and father figure to Cody and Olivia

Hale Pierce – Dancer at Untouchable, Milo’s brother, and Danny and Simon’s partner

Danny Pierce – Dancer at Untouchable and Hale and Simon’s partner

Simon Pierce – Guard at Untouchable and Hale and Danny’s partner

PROLOGUE

EMERIC

Twenty Years Ago

“It’s not smart.”

My sister, ignoring my words, breezed past me, out of the kitchen, to grab an item from her room. She was getting ready for a meeting with a mafia boss. We knew who he was and heard what he’d done, but so far there was no proof.

Jordan Altair Sr. walked free, due to the attorneys he had on his side and because he kept his hands clean—at least as far as the police were concerned. We knew better. A man like him didn’t have the reputation he did without getting bloody.

“No, but the pay will help,” she said as she returned and slipped on her heels.

We lived together to save money. I was only four years into my career, and while I did well, I wanted to save as much as I could to buy a place of my own someday, while paying off my student loans. Lana was more than happy to have me here.

“There are other ways you can do it,” I reminded her. It wasn’t the first time I’d said it.

“I don’t want to take out more loans.” She turned, propping her hand on her hip. “I understand why you’re saying what you are, but I’m doing this. There’s no talking me out of it. The question is, do you have my back, or are we going to have an issue?” That was my sister. She always got to the point and didn’t take anyone’s shit.

“I’ll always be here for you. That doesn’t mean I have to like what you’re doing.”

“Come to the meeting with me.”