Sphinx

by M.E. Clayton

Do secret societies really exist?

The Order of the Cronus does, and as an organization that has stood the test of time, it made a person question what exactly it took to make something like that happen.

Fox
Reputed to have the makings of a born leader, Fox Harrington was no stranger to taking control of a situation and making it all work out, no matter who thought they were in charge. Born into one of the wealthiest legacies in the nation, Fox hadn’t been naïve to the expectations that had been placed on him at a very young age. Still, Fox was always ready for the next step or the next enemy.

With only one more year left at Hales University, all that Fox had to do was make it through his senior year without mucking things up. The Order of the Cronus had big plans for him, and they wouldn’t take kindly to Fox prioritizing anything before them. Only the most brilliant and powerful could continue to make the organization work, and Fox knew it like he knew his own name.

However, that was all before Kincaid Black came into the picture.

Kincaid
With her entire future ahead of her, Kincaid Black didn’t have the worry and headaches that most people did. Born into one of the most powerful families in the nation, Kincaid hadn’t been raised to be soft. Still, when a horrible tragedy hits home, she is changed forever. Already a force to be reckoned with, Kincaid becomes something entirely different.

Prepared to make the most of the opportunities afforded her, Kincaid remains focused, determined, and unstoppable. Attending Hales University was more than an educational blessing, it was a personal coup. With her best friend at her side, cowardice a foreign concept, and more money than God, Kincaid feared nothing, and nothing was going to stand in her way for what came next.

However, that was all before she found herself having to choose between her past and her future.

When secret societies really do exist…
Fox Harrington had been prepared to do whatever necessary to win, but when Kincaid Black enters his life, not only does his entire life shift on its axis, but The Order’s foundation is also shaken.

Kincaid Black had not been prepared for Fox Harrington, but when it becomes clear that he isn’t going anywhere, she’s faced with having to break his heart, hers, or both.

Together, Fox and Kincaid find themselves at in a constant struggle with everyone around them, but also with each other, and that’s not a good thing for anyone.

This is not a standalone work. It is the fourth book in a continuous story that spans five books and can be considered a cliffhanger.

* This book contains violence, killing, adult language, adult situations, and explicit sexual encounters. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

There's not much to add to my bio, I'm pretty boring...LOL. My favorite thing is to read and, last year, I decided to trade in some of those reading hours and try my hand at writing. The experience has been one of the best things I could have ever embarked upon. It's turned into a hobby that is fun and thoroughly enjoyable. When I'm not reading or writing, I'm spending time with my family or friends.

Reviews

[LaBlue · Rating 2 out of 5]

What was the point of this story? It didn’t need its own book. I dislike serials in romance. Put the whole story in ONE book and be done with it!! The conclusion of this couple is in the next book “Siren”. I have read three books leading up to this one and it’s not even a complete story. Smdh. Good luck.

[Ꭿຖᥲ·♡ ྀི · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75✯

°2nd chance
°When they met she was a virgin, he was not; they dated for 3 months
°3 year separation - both with others
°Both faithful after reconciling
°Switching POVs
°Unwanted attention from OW -not an ex and the hero had zero interest in her
°Pushing away from the h
°No cheating or scenes with OP
°Stupid Saxton keeps calling Kincaid "babe" it was annoying, again, idc that Hasting is ok with her husband calling another woman "babe", I personally think it's disrespectful
°I felt bad for Fox when Kincaid told him that Saxton was her "person", we get it you're "soulmates", I just hope things change in the next book cause at this point I feel like they're always going to choose each other first instead of the love of their lives
°Cliff-hanger ending
~*~*~*~*~*~*

Excerpts:

I had issues, and they weren’t going away anytime soon. Saxton Voss understood this. When we’d first met, I’d been too young to realize it, but I’d met my soulmate in those grey eyes of his. Saxton was my person, though not in a romantic sense. There’d never been anything more than friendship between me and Saxton, but that friendship was close enough to be uncomfortable for some. Luckily, his wife and my good friend, Hastings, accepted our close friendship.

**********

Even being with other girls hadn’t helped. I could count on one hand how many girls I’ve fucked since being with Kincaid, and every single one of them deserved an apology. My body might have been plowing into the girl, but my mind, heart, and soul had been pretending that she was Kincaid.
Every. Single. Fucking. Time. That was the reason that there’s only been a handful of them. I’d feel so disgusted with myself afterwards that it’d take a long while before I felt comfortable enough to try again. However, every single fucking time that I did try again, the results had been the same.

**********

I let out a deep breath, then did what I always did when I felt edgy. I called Saxton, hoping that I wasn’t interrupting him and Hastings. She was still healing, and that should be his priority right now. “Babe?” “He just left.” I didn’t have to explain who I was referring to. Saxton knew everything about me. “I’ll be right over-” “No,” I quickly replied. “Just…stay on the phone with me a while?” “Of course,” he whispered like I knew he would. Two hours later, I finally let him get off the phone.

**********

Ever since Ross’s wedding to Sutton, Alexis has been texting more or just making herself more visible. I wasn’t sure why, though. The Order rules had been made pretty clear on initiation night, and romantic relationships were forbidden between a sponsor and his supporter unless a Hera contract was signed. Well, I most definitely had not signed a Hera contract with Alexis. In fact, my lack of attraction to her had been one of the main reasons that I had chosen her as my supporter. So, I wasn’t sure what was going on with her lately, but she was out of her mind if she thought we’d be anything more than what was between us in that contract.

**********

My entire body felt like it was on fire, and it only ever felt that way with Fox. Right now, I couldn’t even remember the faces of the couple of guys who I had used to try to rid myself of the ache that still existed after breaking up with Fox.

**********

“If you have any… hope of…us working something out, then that’s the most important thing that you need understand, Fox. Saxton is off-limits. Saxton will always be off-limits.” “So, I’m just supposed to be okay with you running off to another guy whenever life gets too hard?” I spat, never realizing just how resentful I was feeling about that. It didn’t matter that Saxton’s already told me that they’ve been best friends since the second grade. This was a new development for me because she’d never mentioned him before. “Yes,” she fired back. “Just how his wife is okay with me running to him whenever I need him. Just how his wife is okay with him running to me whenever he needs me, too.”

**********

“Saxton is my person, and I will never give him up for anyone. If you’ve never believed a word I’ve said before, you better believe that, Fox. Saxton is…irreplaceable in my life.” Jealousy was an ugly thing, but so was insecurity, and I was punching that two-ticket combo right now. Now, did I believe something was going on between Saxton and Kincaid? No. Even not knowing Saxton Voss that well, the dude was pure integrity. He’d never cheat on his wife, and he’d never put his wife in the position where she’d have to entertain and accept a girl that he’s slept with in the past. Kincaid wasn’t vile like that, either. So, I believed that they were only friends. I believed that they’ve never been anything more. It wasn’t sexual jealousy that was tearing at my insides, it was worse. Saxton had Kincaid’s unwavering loyalty and trust, and I had neither of those things. I had her body, maybe even her love, but Kincaid wasn’t an emotional person. If she were, then she would value love over trust, but she wasn’t, so she didn’t.

**********

Saxton just shook his head. “Look, we have something else we need to discuss, babe.” “I thought we already agreed that we had a full plate? What now?” “Your man’s not very good at hiding that rage he’s been nursing for three years,” he said, surprising me a little. “While he might know that there’s never been anything romantic between us, he’s not taking my place in your life very well. Fix it, Kincaid. Even if you’re not ready to tell him the truth about everything else, you need to explain our friendship to him. He deserves that bit of security after everything you’ve put him through.” Well, hell.

**********

Her hands hit my chest as she pressed herself against me. “Fox-” “What the fuck are you doing?” I snapped as I grabbed her wrists and threw her hands off my chest. “Don’t ever invade my space like that again, Alexis.” “Look, I know what the contract stipulates, but it’s not real, Fox,” she said, further surprising me. “Besides, who’ll know if we fool around a bit. It’s not like I’d ever say anything.” I ran my hands through my hair, then down my face. This couldn’t be happening.

**********

Even if I’d wanted to, there was no stopping my next words. “You’re the stupid one if you believe that,” I told her. “Laney Spinner is setting you up, Alexis. If you can’t see that, then I definitely chose the wrong person as my supporter.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t say that,” she bit out. “I’m perfect for you, Fox. Besides, there’s no rule against you not marrying me after-” “Marry you?” I choked out, horrified at the very idea. “Alexis, I don’t know what you think is going on here, but I am not interested in you.” It was time to choose brutality over honesty. “That’s the reason I chose you in the first place. There was no threat of me becoming attracted to you, so you were safe.”

**********

While I didn’t normally go around being a dick, this girl was making it impossible to be decent to her. Besides, the very last thing that I needed in my life right now was for Kincaid to think I had something going on with Alexis. Though I was certain that Kincaid would believe me over Alexis, it’d be easy for Kincaid to decide that she didn’t need the drama and try to walk. Over my fucking dead body. “How can you say that?” her voice tilting more towards offended than hurt. “Don’t you dare stand there and tell me that I’m not attractive enough to grab your attention, Fox Harrington.” Sweet Jesus.

**********

“I do have a girlfriend. So, if I were you, I’d take that into some serious consideration.” Before she could argue further, I sealed the deal. “Because the last thing you need-any girl needs-is me telling Kincaid that you were hitting on me after I told you that I wasn’t interested.” Those blue eyes that she was so proud of almost popped out of her head. “What?” “That’s right.” God, it felt so good to be able to say that again, even if the details were still a little muddled. “Kincaid’s my girlfriend, and if that’s not enough for you, here’s a little more food for thought. Not only is she my girlfriend, but I’ve been in love with her for over three years.” Her eyes started blinking like the sun was shinning in her eyes. “So, while you might think highly of yourself, and while other guys would probably kill to sleep with you, you’re no Kincaid Black.”

**********

“I can do this,” I told her. “Let me do this, Kincaid.” She shook her head. “Not a chance, Fox.” Her face softened, and in this moment, I hated how strong Kincaid was. I hated how she didn’t need saving. I especially hated that she’d go to Saxton if she ever did need it. “I got this,” she swore. “I promise.”

[Hermiena Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

My very first 1 star for my favourite author.

I was so sad 😭 like noooo!

But first, thank you for the new series.

Now. The honest bit.

I hated the whole situation with Kincaid and Fox and Saxton.

I felt so robbed of your kind of romance in this story. Usually your characters are absolutely 100% all about each other. During the story you FEEL that commitment, and you crave it.

But with this story, all I found was annoyance with how Kincaid kept putting Saxton first and vice versa.

The hero, fox and poor Hastings were almost running the line along second best.

It gave me the impression that kindcaid and Saxton will choose each other over their love for their partners. And that is just not worth reading for me.

I would have liked a situation where Kincaid put Fox above Saxton, she kept making Fox feel insecure and that made me hate her and I couldn't continue the book.

Sorry,

[Elise Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What?! This one’s very different!

This is Fox and Kincaid Blacks story it’s not like the others. They’re both Alphas and omg that makes this story explosive! It ends in a cliffhanger but it also has a twisted ending ! Surprises are a constant in this story Of course it’s so hot and steamy and I loved it! Kincaid is my favorite so in this story I really found out how strong and yet Hurt she is. I highly recommend it and the series!

[nancy brune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sphinx

This was a disappointment. Book 4 and 5 could easily been one book. Half of this book was of Fox and Kincaid having sex. Now don't get me wrong I love the sex in the story but it was too much. To the point I skipped over a lot. Towards the end it picked up and was good again. Yes I will pay for the last book. But I am disappointed in this series.

[Payal - A Bookaholic's Musings · Rating 2 out of 5]

FOX and KINCAID

I envy the relationship Saxton and Kincaid have... even though it's a little too much.
I feel that their friendship comes first even to their relationship and that's a little weird to me.

Kincaid story has been piling on since the first book, but honestly I don't understand her.
This has by far been the most disappointing book in the series, actually in M.E. Clayton world, and that really su*ks.

I mean there is a limit to how much you can take someone for granted which is what she has done to Fox.

Honestly I don't know what to write.
It's a sort of second chance romance, with unnecessary angst and a (sorry to say) dumb-ass heroine and a masochist hero
I mean I get what she did, in the beginning, but later it was so not needed.

This couple did not require 2 books at all. It's honestly the least interesting book and after the built up it seems all the more disappointing.
In fact, the background story is more interesting than the couple...
The couple is just angry sex and a whole lot of yelling (on the hero's part) and frustration...

I hope the next one is ended well with some closure.