Claimed By River

River
When my best friend proposed the idea of starting a tattoo shop that would serve as a front for vigilantism, I didn’t even hesitate. I’d been a detective in Atlanta long enough to see too many of the city’s worst criminals walk free on a lack of evidence or a technicality. It was clear I could do more good working with my friends than staying on the police force. Since taking the leap, everything has gone smoothly, except for one thing—4R Ink’s receptionist, Nadia. She’s gotten under my skin since the day we met. There’s something about her that I can’t quite figure out. She drives me crazy, making me want to shake her one minute, then kiss her senseless the next. So when I learn she’s in danger, I jump at the chance to get closer to her. What I uncover isn’t at all what I expected. Before I know it, I’m drowning in Nadia, and I don’t want to be saved. I want to pull her in with me and never let go. I’ll be damned if I let anyone take her from me now that I have her—the real her.

Nadia
I knew when I fled from my father that he’d never stop searching for me. For a long time, I never stayed in the same place for longer than it took to save enough money to move to the next. I never had a home or made friends. Until I came to Atlanta and got the job at 4R Ink. Something about the guys who own the shop makes me feel safe, especially River. Even though he doesn’t fully trust me and we drive each other crazy, I know he’d never hurt me. He knows I’m hiding something, but when I learn that the worst has happened, that my father has finally found me, it’s him that I turn to for help. He offers me protection, and the closer we get, the more intense my feelings become. With every touch, annoyance turns to desire and frustration becomes need. I want River more than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything. The 4R guys promise to keep me safe and River vows not to let me go, but are River’s feelings a result of the danger and his protective nature, or will he still want me when the threat has passed?