There is no safe place in the world anymore, especially for women. For several decades, the birth rate of females has been declining. Militants, the government, and private citizens alike will do anything to find young women and force them into unthinkable arrangements.

Against the darkness of this world stand The Wanderers—a secret society born to provide sanctuary for anyone who believes in free will and democratic notions. Their numbers are growing and their citizens live in safe, hidden compounds.

Serve and obey your husband. The Republic has drilled this command into Haley for the fourteen years she’s lived in a home for girls. Now that she’s standing at the altar about to marry an aristocrat she’s never met, Haley fears what those words could mean once she’s at the mercy of her new husband.

Braylon, Riggs, and Storm had always planned to escape The Republic someday. When Braylon meets the sweet, beautiful wife he’s expected to rule, he knows he could never harm her, including claiming her innocence. He’s not alone—Riggs and Storm are just as enamored with her. When Braylon’s mother decides her daughter-in-law hasn’t conceived fast enough for her taste, the three must find a way to get Haley to safety. The time to escape is now.

Rush was living with The Wanderers for three years when he was kidnapped and taken by The Republic. His new home: a holding cell in the basement of some aristocrats. His new job: father a baby against his will. When Rush meets Braylon and the others, he offers them a way out. Can they trust him? The trip will be long and dangerous, but they will risk it all to protect Haley. The first taste of freedom is the sweetest.

There will be challenges along the way. Militants are everywhere just waiting to attack men and capture women for their own. Haley may be surrounded by men who would move mountains to save her, but she’s got news for them: if they want to earn her love, they’re going to have to stop coddling her and let her fight alongside them.

If you have been reading this series, you’ll remember Rush was taken by the Republic. He thought they wanted a doctor, but he’s been locked up. Now he’s been sold and locked up again. This time in a cell of an aristocratic home.

At the age of six, Hailey was captured by the Republic and been put into a girl’s home to learn what would be expected of her as a Republic wife. That was 14 years ago. She never met her husband before the ceremony that made her his wife, all she knew was what was expected of her.

Braylon fell for Hailey the moment he saw her, as did his two best friends Riggs and Storm. Braylon won’t force himself on her and with his friends is looking for a way for all of them to escape from the rules and restrictions of the Republic.

It’s been six months since they wed and now there is the expectation of a child. This is a problem since Braylon and Hailey haven’t consummated their marriage. What he didn’t realize is that someone who kind of looks like him is locked in the basement and is the one who will be donating for the conception.

It’s these circumstances that leads Storm to actually converse with Rush. Especially after the doctor has his visit with Hailey.

This is a favorite scene.

Rush stood and took a few steps toward Storm. He didn’t want the man to panic and flee the basement, but he wanted to do everything in his power to get this man on his side so he could help him get the fuck out of here.

He suddenly had an idea. “Look. I know you don’t belong here. I assume whoever else is on your side upstairs doesn’t either. Not just the woman but whoever she’s married to. These people are your friends. Your family.” He was guessing, but he felt confident in his assessment.

Storm lowered his gaze but didn’t deny anything. Good.

“If you can find a way to get me out of here, I can take you somewhere safe. I have people. Good people. I was with them when I was kidnapped three months ago. I assumed I was taken for my medical skills, but that obviously isn’t the case.”

Rush shuffled the rest of the way and wrapped his hand around one of the bars a few feet from Storm. “I come from a large community of people whose mission is to provide safety. A group who believes in free will.” Rush was taking a risk, but he didn’t have much to lose. It wasn’t like he was sharing state secrets. The Republic was well aware of the existence of groups like The Wanderers.

It was quite possible Storm had no idea though. He was young enough that he might have spent most of his life in isolation, cut off from the real world.

“Can you tell me where we are?”

Storm lifted his gaze and swallowed. “I shouldn’t.”

Rush shrugged. “Okay. But think about it. I was drugged when I was abducted. I don’t have the first clue what direction I was taken or how long we traveled. If I knew where I was, I could help figure out how to get back to my people.”

Rush needed to shut up. He couldn’t be sure he could trust this guy. He was gambling with his life. If Storm turned around and alerted anyone that Rush knew the location of an illegal community, Rush could end up being tortured for information.

Storm ran a hand over his face and met Rush’s gaze. “Let me talk to my friends.”

Rush nodded. “Okay.”

Storm stared at him. “You’re not dicking me around? You really do know a place?”

“Swear to it. I will get you there. And, Storm…” Rush drew in another deep breath. “If the woman really is pregnant, I’ll move mountains to help you. She’ll be carrying my baby. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to either of them or anyone else who is important to her.”

Storm nodded. “I’ll get back to you. If I find out you’re lying to me and you breathe a word of this to anyone in this house…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but his warning was clear.

“We’re in the same boat, Storm. If you tell anyone what I’ve shared, I could be tortured to death.” He lifted a brow.

Storm nodded again, hesitated, and then turned to head back up the stairs.

Rush watched him disappear, gripping the bars of his cell. For the first time in months, he had hope. A possibility that someone might help him get out of this godforsaken mess.
Becca Jameson. Shelter (Kindle Locations 892-898). Becca Jameson Publishing.

Once Rush meets Braylon and Riggs they start planning their escape in earnest.

Help comes in an unexpected way and the four of them start an arduous journey. One that is both emotional and physical.

I love the twists and turns as these characters grow in this tale. Hailey is far stronger than any of them expected and all of them grow to love her even more.

There’s adventure, action, romance and plenty of sizzle. I can’t wait for the next book!

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…