Trusting the Betrayed (Rogue Dragons #1)

Casey has a job to do, and it doesn’t involve going to battle for a pixie of a woman with ever-changing hair and a violent ex. He doesn’t have time to meet new women. His clan leader has sent him and a couple of other misfits to retrieve his heir from the little mountain hamlet where the man has been hiding out for weeks. He must convince his once best friend to come back home—or drag him back if it comes to that—before their leader decides to put them both down.

Casey knows he shouldn’t be wasting time rescuing damsels in distress in the produce section of the grocery store. But he can’t help it. And the more he tells himself it can’t be permanent, the more he wants the ethereal creature he met between the pomegranates and the bananas.

Evangeline’s grandfather raised her and taught her how to make a living as an artist—by inking her designs on people’s skin. He would be so proud of her for opening her own shop—and for finally dumping her abusive boyfriend. If the scumbag hadn’t stolen her grandfather’s ring, she’d never see him again. As it is, she meets him in public to demand he return her property, but when he shows up, she only escapes him dragging her into the parking lot for another beating when a giant, brooding man chases him away.

Evangeline tries to thank the stranger, but he won’t even give her his name. He says he’s not sticking around town long and doesn’t want ties here. She tries to convince herself that it’s a good thing he’s leaving. She’s attracted to the guy, and given her taste in men, that’s a sure sign the stranger is no good for her. Which is too bad. Even though she doesn’t know who he is, Evangeline is half in love with him already.

Trusting the Betrayed is the first book in the Rogue Dragons series by Emilia Hartley. Like all Emilia’s books, this steamy romance has a sexy alpha male, a strong female lead, and a satisfying happily-ever-after.