"Do you ever get scared of being happy?" He asked softly, also pretty tired. I kept my eyes closed as I answered, my fingers softly drawing circles on his chest. "All the time. I used to a lot more, but, the downfalls seem a lot less daunting now that I have someone to free-fall with," I replied, and I looked up to see him smile a little at that, "We're just dancing in the rain these days.. there's no need to be afraid of the inevitable clouds that are gonna pop up." • • • College. Officially a new start. Crystal can already feel the clean slate and new opportunities like a breath of fresh air. She's finally ready to move in towards a brighter future. She knows hard times will inevitably come throughout her life, but that no longer scares her. However, life does have a way of throwing the most unexpected of curveballs at you... Especially when you least are prepared for it. [BOOK TWO OF 'HOPELESSLY DEVOTED' SERIES] • • • !!! [ TRIGGER WARNING ] !!! • suicide, suicidal concepts • domestic abuse, sexual assault • substance abuse, alcoholism, addiction • anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks • strong language and mature scenes • • •

After the murder of my uncle and three ranch hands, I was arrested for a crime I didn't commit and tossed into prison for first degree murder. I expected to live out my life sentence, filled with violence and uncertainty. But when my circumstances change once again, three years later, I'm released and paid a hefty sum for my silence. Determined to move on with my life I move back to the farm my deceased uncle left me. Things soon become complicated when the ranch stock soon begin turning up dead and strange men come knocking on my door. *Forth book in The Mate series. No you don't have to read the previous books.* Cover by IsaSecret.