AUTHOR’S NOTE

Thanks for choosing Feel Free to Scream. If you’re an Emm reader, proceed, you’ve seen it all before.

If you’ve never read any of my Emm Darcy title (especially if you’ve read me under May Sage) and have a few triggers, linger here for a moment.

I will warn you: this is a steamy, filthy world, full of dark and devious deeds.

This story, specifically, contains stalking, coercion, so many kinky things, including exhibitionism, and a general sense of helplessness. You went down the rabbit hole the moment you got into town, too late Claire darling.

This specific book is a completely monogamous relationship with zero sharing, although they interact with a lot of swingers, but if you find the general theme of unfaithfulness triggering, this story might not still be for you, as Claire has a boyfriend at the start of the book, and Keller doesn’t care.

No cheating occurs between the protagonists at any point. And honestly, he’d just gladly murder anyone who gets their hands on her.

If none of that scares you away, welcome to Thorn Falls. Leave your panties at the door.

1. Claire

1

CLAIRE

You don’t need a new notebook.

I stare at the perfectly sized, pale blue leatherbound piece of stationery foiled in gold, and my heart sinks.

Claire, you need to buy a week’s worth of dinners more than you need a fifty-dollar notebook!

I dare to flip the cover open, and god, the page is so thick and smooth. There are little doodles in the margins, too.

I’m mentally calculating my budget, wishing I could have worked a few extra hours at the diner back home before I flew to Thorn Falls. I have a little money to spare, it’s true, but it’s the start of the month, and I haven’t yet found a part-time job here.

Then again, starting next week, the school’s dining hall will be open, and my scholarship covers every meal, so I don’t technically need much money.

No, Claire. Put the notebook down. It’s not going anywhere. You can come back for it at the end of the month.

I hate conceding to the voice of reason, sounding strangely like my grandmother’s inside my own head. I’m no longer at home—I’m alone, without any family or friends around to count on. I can’t start with frivolous purchases. I’ve only just put the book down when a little hand reaches out to take it.

“Oh, it’s so pretty! Like a princess’s journal!”

I look down with some surprise, and see the most adorable little girl, with stick- straight golden hair and the biggest amber eyes.

My face breaks into a smile. She wears a cute dress with a big bow at the waist. If anything looks like a princess here, it’s her.