Behind the Screen: Digital Obsession Dark Romance (Gray Council Book 5)

by Sable Sinclair

HE LIVES IN THE DARK WEB. SHE SEES PATTERNS IN CHAOS. TOGETHER, THEY'LL REWRITE REALITY'S CODE.

Abel Darke exists everywhere and nowhere—the Gray Council's digital ghost who destroys lives through screens. But when cybersecurity savant Luna Lockhart is hired to stop his attacks, her autistic brilliance sees patterns others miss. She's hunting him across the dark web, and she's getting closer with every keystroke.

Luna's mind processes code like others see color—in beautiful, logical patterns that make sense of chaos. The Council's cyber attacks are elegant, almost artistic, and hunting their creator has become her obsession. When she's trapped in a safe house with the fidgeting, blue-haired hacker she's been chasing, the chemistry between their minds is as intense as the danger surrounding them.

As Abel subjects Luna to digital domination—controlling her devices, her environment, her pleasure—she discovers something that breaks both their Abel is David Kross's son. The final war between Council and Syndicate isn't just about Seattle—it's about the son torn between two fathers and the woman whose systematic mind might be the only thing that can end the chaos.

When Luna's pattern recognition reveals the truth about both organizations, she must help Abel the father who made him or the one who saved him. But Luna doesn't believe in binary choices—she's going to reprogram the entire system.

BEHIND THE SCREEN is the epic finale of the Gray Council series. This dark romance features a touch-starved hacker who controls everything through screens, a neurodivergent heroine whose brilliance rewrites reality, digital voyeurism and domination, and a guaranteed HEA that brings all five couples together for the ultimate battle. While each Gray Council book features a different couple and can be read as a standalone romance, reading in order enhances the experience as the war between the Council and Syndicate unfolds across all five books.

opposites attract, hacker romance, neurodivergent heroine, digital voyeurism, secret identity, found family, series finale, vigilante justice.

The Gray Council Where the villain always gets the girl.

Some codes are meant to be broken—others will break you first.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2026

About the author

Sable Sinclair writes dark romance where obsession meets devotion and love comes with a warning label. Her stories feature morally gray men who blur the line between protector and predator, heroines who find strength in surrender, and scorching heat that pushes every boundary. If you crave possessive alphas, twisted psychology, and happily-ever-afters earned through delicious darkness, you've found your next addiction.

When she's not crafting tales of beautiful depravity or researching things that would alarm her FBI agent, Sable can be found collecting masked book boyfriends, defending fictional villains, and pretending her search history doesn't require a therapist.

Reviews

[Katherine Schimpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me slightly of the 1990’s cult classic “Hackers”, but with the modern twists. We have quiet Luna working her desk job at a large company, hiding away because of a series of unfortunate events, well she feels they are. And we have Abel who does nothing but sit behind multiple screens day in and day out working on projects and keeping an eye on Luna, making sure she’s “ok”. One day their paths will cross, but that happens sooner than Abel expected because he sends the message, and she falls into his trap. After some push and pull, death threats, lies and abductions, the two of them work together and get things done (in more ways than one). This book is the last book in a series, it can be read alone or part of the group…but highly recommend reading the books before to get a better picture of all the players.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'BEHIND THE SCREEN is the epic finale of the Gray Council series. This dark romance features a touch-starved hacker who controls everything through screens, a neurodivergent heroine whose brilliance rewrites reality, digital voyeurism and domination, and a guaranteed HEA that brings all five couples together for the ultimate battle.'

The characters were very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a satisfying conclusion to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherine Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the Screen is a gripping dark romance that leans hard into atmosphere and psychological tension. The digital obsession theme adds a modern edge, keeping the story suspenseful and immersive from start to finish.

The characters are complex and compelling, with motivations that unfold gradually and keep the stakes high. As part of The Gray Council series, this installment deepens the overall world while still delivering a complete, satisfying story on its own.

Recommended for readers who enjoy dark romance with a psychological twist, strong tension, and an intense, page-turning vibe.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abel is the digital ghost working behind the screens for the council, then theres Luna whose been tasked to break his attacks she sees thinga other dont and Abel sees her and lays the perfect trap, only she doscpvers a truth on who Abel is one that can detonate wider than jist the council and syndicate, but where will it leave tjem? Well written the story is suspense filled, engaging, well paced, steamy, domination, digital world, captive, stalker and more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off Able and Luna love them. Have always been curious about Able since the very beginning as he is always in the background. And getting to see how he is and how he moves through the world was everything I wanted and more. And of course Luna would be his perfect match. He really did underestimate her in the beginning and so glad that he realized it and vocalized it as well. Now I am going to miss these men as they have wormned their way into my heart. They never claimed to be good men just the better of two evils.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocked! Abel is obsessed and orchestrating everything—I have to know what happens next! As the odd one of the group, he's had his sights set on the quirky Luna for the last 10 years. I love that they are both playing a game of cat and mouse, but the roles keep changing. This book pushes boundaries and makes you question your sanity, and has me completely hooked on the Gray Council series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodie Mihas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

What a way to end a series, secrets, lies, betrayal, obsession, love and fulfilment. Abel is the tech guy in the council, Lina is a hacker that Abel has been stalking for 10 years, he ruins her life until she has nothing left and then he swoops in and kidnaps her. She needs to prove to the council that she’s an asset and not a liability or they will get rid of her permanently. The twists and turns in this book are amazing and will have you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend this series and author,a fabulous dark romance that everyone should read 🖤❤️

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the Screen is the fifth book in the Gray Council series by Sable Sinclair. I have to admit I missed most of the books in the series but I like Sable Sinclair's work. And this book is no different. Behind the Screen is a dark obsession romance with all the good feels. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelsey Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ending to an objectively fantastic series. Abel and Luna's story was chaotic and endearing in all the best ways. The twists and turns kept it intriguing and I appreciated the pace of the story.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing way to end this series. It was intense and suspenseful. Betrayal and lies, secrets, and chaos. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved Able and Luna in this. I’ve enjoyed each of them that I’ve read so far.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abel + Luna.

Behind the Screen follows the obsession of Luna by Abel. Abel monitors her & keeps her safe. Luna is just as smart as Abel if not maybe smarter? Heck, they both are genius' in my opinion which makes them the perfect pair.

Unfortunately, Abel is the son of the man 'The Council' has been hunting since book 1 and we find out a heap more information about how Abel met the men he now calls family.

I really enjoyed this story and for me this one was the best one out of all 5 because I love nerdy main characters.

Thank you to House of King Publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.