Tsaysshesays

          	@Nancy_818 @slcwatt55
          	Re: In The After — ITA
          	
          	Book two and David’s guilt is STILL directed ONLY at Ava — guilt for a woman he believes deserves better, the same woman who just days ago humiliated his wife in front of his biggest clients. A woman who bit him to one-up her claim over his wife.
          	
          	Other women get “shut-up rings.” David is out here planning to give Emily a “shut-up, babygirl” and a whole weekend to dicknotize her. Who says romance is dead? WHO???
          	
          	I was very tempted to comment this in the book’s CS, but I held myself back.
          	
          	PS: Did you two notice the TW about "reproductive decisions"? Unless Emily considers an abortion,—I highly doubt it—it means Ava IS pregnant,and considers/is forced by David for an abortion. Damn it! I STILL hope Ava is NOT pregnant, and the reproductive decisions are Emily weighing the options.

slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 -- THE OFFICE PHOTO
          	  
          	  I missed that, T -- that only now -- David has to put down the photo of his family but had no problem kissing Ava (a few times that we know of) -- and probably fcking in that office (as you pointed out) -- w/ that picture of wife/kids staring straight back at him. So...doesn't this reveal (unintended by L) anger toward Emily? He didn't need to put the photo down before when he was engaging intimate contact -- sex, french kissing, giving/receiving oral -- in front of his wife's photo! So -- what changed TODAY -- now that she's kicked him out? That's anger.
          	             I would LOVE this book to get more real into issues like that -- but it'll never happen. Here are the storylines that I think SHOULD be addressed and won't be:
          	             1) David's anger and resentment. Because he clearly wants to get back at her in some way -- for some reason -- no doubt.
          	              2) Ava being psycho. (How interesting that the Author doesn't find this behavior psycho, hmmm?)
          	              3) Emily being angry -- FFS -- like...REALLY angry. She bores me constantly. I'd like to see some spite -- some fury at 17 yrs of being dismissed. HELLO, ya there, Emily? Anybody home?
          	              I don't think the book will delve that deep into any of these storylines. Just a guess.
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slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 ITA - Chp 3 - and David
          	  
          	  Nice rainmaker/lightening analogy, T. Thing is -- is he spiraling? I don't (yet) see it. I saw it in the prior Chp. Here -- I hear a man upset with himself -- talking himself into why he loves his wife (intellectally, mostly, and not based upon present emotion) -- reminding himself he is a moron -- and feeling confident that he can control Emily by delay tactics to give him time to change her mind. He reminded me EXACTLY of Ava right before the Godfrey when she said "game on" and came in her best lingerie. We heard the same sentiment from Ava in Boston after David left -- these 2 are the same personality. 
          	             So - I didn't hear a guy "feeling" for his wife -- not in Chp 3. I didn't hear a guy that cannot live w/out his wife...did YOU?
          	             I "get" why he's not telling Jerome - it's personal. L is not a lawyer, for sure, so I'm working from my own common sense -- and I believe Jerome KNOWS the filing was personal. David would tell him otherwise -- and that's my intrpretation of why he's backing down (for now).
          	            Re: David saving Ava's texts -- interesting interpretation, T. But - think to when you've ever REALLY DUMPED someone -- their text messages are deleted like spam -- because you're never returning to them (or him) again. But...David is struggling with that, still.
          	             Bottom line - I just think he came across as douche. It's still all about him talking about money constantly (a POV mistake by the author, imho) -- but he values himself and others on designer items (and price tags) -- and ends convinced he'll manipulate HIS weak wife. Shallow, pretentious, and vain. ICK.
          	                 And...I CANNOT help but notice that when he does call Emily beautiful - it's SEXIST and a total BACKHANDED compliment --- she's the kind of beautiful that other women aren't intimidated by. Who says this? And, what's it mean...she's beautiful in a plain way? Fck off, David.
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slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 I ENJOY LISTS THAT CRAP ON DAVID
          	  
          	  Yesss...he most certainly would have ruined dancing, kids' events, and pregnancy. Gawd -- if I were Emily -- I'd be trying to start some VERY new hobbies because David has ruined everything. PS - I'm blonde -- but not God-given -- and in my heart, I still consider myself a brunette. (lol - this is what happens when things are fake)
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slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 Sin & Run -& Me Procrastinating
          
          So...instead of getting ready for a work-related Holiday Luncheon (does anyone like going to these?) - I'm sitting here wondering why Alaric fell in love with Selene. The first couple meetings between the 2 are critical. But I have found myself re-reading the questions he asked that 1st date - when he said "there she is" on the 2nd - and what makes him stare like a lovelorn Pepe' Le Pew on the 3rd (where Derrick stops mid-bite to stare in awe, Cassian, too).
                     But...he was already talking about her BEFORE that 1st date. He had already researched her. He went on Date 1 to confirm she was "it". So - what was "it"? 
                       I'd like to open "it" for comment. We see on Date 1, Alaric (1) admires that she is smart, and (2) notes - that while she is playing by Dominion Rules like a pro -- he likes what she's thinking and not saying MORE. Selene admits on that 1st date that her eyes are very expressive - so Alaric got to see how alive she was under the Dominion Female Demeanor -no photo would capture that. AND, he seems to REALLY be drawn to the fact (3) that she has survived a "monster like her father" to still stand like a Queen - and (4) is NOT flirty/obsequious. He (5) ONLY asks only for her "honesty" and "no fear" -and (6) tells Cassian he wants something "authentic." 
                   Here's my thought: I think Alaric wanted a Partner - someone strong enough to stand by the side of the Ruler of a Bloody Criminal Underworld (a moon standing by his darkness) - STRONG enough NOT to be afraid of HIM (which is why surviving Darius was a plus) - and HONEST (vs one pretending to like him for self-gain). I think this reveals he wanted a woman to love HIM - authentically. So, he fell for a woman independent and strong enough NOT to let her father control her sense of self. I think he sought LOVE (though he won't admit it) - and needed someone strong enough NOT to fear him - and Strong enough to love him honestly.

slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 ITA -- J CONFRONTATION
          
          So...whatever. That's how I felt about today's chapter. David is totalllllyyyyyyyy whiny. And, he's hiring a lawyer and HR is being notified. Jerome FORGOT to mention the promotion -- but they're fckd. I just still wonder WHEN (or, is it...iF) David will ever think about his wife and HER pain. Instead...a whiny drunk guy saying "i want my wife back" waaaaagh. Yeah - he's not selling himself, is he?

slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 I haven't had enough to say on Reign & Ruin (R&R) -- yet. Too early. I did post on your page some questions and preliminary guesses ("guesses" being the optimal word). Did you see it?
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Tsaysshesays

@slcwatt55 I did see your questions and I’ve taken a screenshot. I’ll get back to you after I finish reading RnR.
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slcwatt55

@Nancy_818 @Tsaysshesays R&R
            
            So, Nancy - it seems Matthias is a man who tortures people - so this is going to be a hard read for you. But - since you're reading and just skipping the violent sections -- I will include you in my questions to you/T unless you ask me not to do so.
                  So - Mathias' Dad was asked to undertake a favor -- and I am wondering if that task was to either (1) get intel from Ara of some sort -- since it sounds like she/Sabrina are maybe P.I's -- or control bad information, in some way - or (2) to show her a good time to get over Rico, in which case I think Nan or Pops made the call. Nan is going to be a hell of a character -- but Pops is clairvoyant -- so if it's the latter, I could see him knowing these 2 psychos might just be perfect. I -- obviously -- don't have enough info to guess -- so these are just fun guesses for now.
                   Either way - it seems like the favor was called in through Mathias' dad. And - from the book's notes -- it sounds like Mathias is ordered to interact w/ Ara -- that turns into a 1 night stand/weekend -- and Mathias falls first. (You know I love me books where big bad men fall first -- so can't wait for this one.) BUT -- it seems Ara finds a secret and dumps him -- and he ends up looking for her. I suspect the secret is that Mathias is married, because another book tag was "marriage of convenience" -- as opposed to "arranged marriage", the term she chose to use for Sin & Ruin's Alaric/Selene. 
                        Maybe I'm all wrong -- but I suspect the "marriage of convenience" isn't referencing Mathias and Ara -- but, rather, the basis of the hell Ara is going to rain down on Mathias when she finds out he has a wife.
                        Thoughts and guesses?
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Tsaysshesays

@slcwatt55 @Nancy_818
          
          Will Niko remember his father a year from now? Absolutely not. And Alaric will see that as yet another betrayal from Selene. That man adores his son—his daily ritual is kissing Niko’s curl, his cheek, and then his forehead, always in that order. And, I agree with you, S, Alaric will take it as the biggest betrayal—  jeopardising Niko's life and taking him away.

Tsaysshesays

@slcwatt55 @Nancy_818
          
          My biggest prediction remains— Selene survives the kidnapping, but Amara dies, and Amara’s body is mistaken for Selene’s. That gives Selene the out she’s  wanted. If Selene doesn’t “die,” Alaric would never stop looking for her — and it won't take him long.
          
          As for the man she’s with during that time is probably someone she meets in her new life. Maybe someone Santos secretly plants to watch over her and keep her safe — more ally than love interest.

Tsaysshesays

@slcwatt55 @Nancy_818
          Predictions 
          
          I know Alaric is celibate during the separation, and so is Selene. One thing you missed (as per the author) is that the man who will be with Selene during that year has not been introduced or even mentioned yet. So it can’t be Tiago — unless the author meant “not introduced by first name,” since Tiago (Tiago House) is the surname.
          
          Foreshadowing: Alaric standing behind Selene as she kills Darius.
          I think this moment is for the end of the book, not right after the one-year separation.
          
          I also doubt Selene will be held captive by her father during that year. Darius would BREAK her the moment he got her back. He was already brutal the first time; now he’d kill her spirit completely and use Nico to force her into anything he wanted — even selling her body if it benefited him. And since he’s already brokered a deal with Tiago, a rival house aligned with Citadel, I don’t believe ANYONE in that alliance has good intentions.
          
          A man who buys a MARRIED woman—especially if he is in love or obsession with her— is not doing it to play cribbage with her.  His intentions won’t be noble. And if Selene were kidnapped and alive, Alaric would know immediately that Darius or Citadel were behind it. He’d start hunting the next day.
          
          And Citadel? Alaric says they’d bargain for her. If their intent is simply to use her as leverage, they won't keep her a year. Alaric would give them anything in a day to get her back. So whatever keeps her away for a year is not captivity — it’s Selene finally having freedom and choosing to stay away. There is NO WORLD where it takes him a YEAR to get her back if she was kidnapped by Darius or Citadel.

slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 
          AND...ANOTHER THING - DARIUS IS INFIRTILE
          
          I meant to tell you, T -- in my re-read -- there is a line in Alaric's POV where he wonders if Darius is the bio father if EITHER Amara or Selene -- noting he looks like NEITHER. (I think your guess was that Amara was actually his - but I don't think so, anymore.) We already knew, too -- of course -- that everything about Selene's behavior/personality is pretty much the opposite of Darius, to the point it's comment-worthy for all who meet her.
          
          But - Alaric describes Darius as looking like a sloth -- and mentions that so, too, does his penis. And, we know he has at least 4 Mistresses on cycle all the time -- yet no accidental pregnancies -- ever? So, my theory is that Darius didn't father EITHER of his children. And, the reason he kept Selene around was because he views POWER in the form of heirs. (Remember his boring speech when Adaric comes to their house for dinner? Heirs were what secured the power of legacy to Darius.) He couldn't afford to lose Selene as a pawn on his chessboard of power - that's why he kept her. And...no wonder he adores the Grand-SON.

slcwatt55

@slcwatt55 @Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818  
            I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT NAVARRO's TIMING
            
            I've been thinking about why the Navarro's finally stepped in -- and why not earlier? Here's my thought:
            1) Santos was assigned to Darzi when Selene was a baby. She remembers Santos standing by her father's side -- so she had met him. I think he was there to watch over Selene -- AND Darzi knew she was at risk of being kidnapped by the Navarro's, which is why Selene was a prisoner in that home. She wasn't even allowed to go outside for sunlight w/out permission. So, Santos was a mole to watch over her while in Darzi's captivity.
            2) Maybe the writing was on the wall that a Selene/Alaric union might some day be on the table - OR Santos got himself too close to trouble w/Darzi -- but he left to Alaric's. He was around when Alaric was a child - and he's 6 years older than Selene. Either way - he ends up in Alaric's household.
            3) Selene is protected -- again -- by Santos in Alaric's household. And, I think he didn't intervene b/c he knew she loved him AND b/c Alaric treated her well. When Alaric cheated -- Santos feared the same kind of fate of most Dominion women -- and knew it would break Selene -- so he backed her escape because he cared about her. He misgauged Alaric, though -- or to quote Alaric -- he "underestimated" Alaric after the "cheating" incident, and that's why he helped Selene/Amara run w/the child.
            4) In the meantime -- the Navarro's wouldn't be able to easily get in to kidnap Selene/Niko -- but for an insider job (and Santos' help). So, Alaric's cheating started the fall of the dominoes -- which then triggered the fall of everything else. The 1/2 BJ and "I don't love you" - started this terrible chain of events - including Santo's "underestimating" of Alaric's feelings/loyalty to Selene.
            5) So - when Darzi "sells" Selene - the Navarro's finally say "we're coming in." It couldn't have been easy to invade Alaric's - but for Santos on the inside - underestimating Alaric's love.
• Reply

slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818  - THE FORGOTTEN FATHER
            
            Ohhhh...that's so, so cruel to Alaric. There was a scene (I think when Amara comes to visit) where the writing was so good -- showing Alaric taking the baby from Selene's arms (since her sister is coming) -- and the writer shows how the baby nestles into Alaric's chest as always -- and where it belongs -- like it's Niko's "place." So, the bond and affinity between the 2 was really shown. (I think there are a couple other references to how the baby is held by his Dad, too; I just remember this one in particular.) So - can you imagine what will happen when they reunite? Niko will SCREAM and kick and yell like Alaric is a stranger - unwanted - by his own child. Oh....brutal. Yes - Alaric is bound to HATE Selene when they reunite. How can he not?
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slcwatt55

@Nancy_818 tsaysshesays Lovers-Enemies-Lovers
            
            Nancy - To your comment - I think the cheating will be the tip of the iceberg for why Alaric and Selene become “enemies” — running away and stealing a child makes a 1/2 blow job look like child’s play. I think Alaric will HATE his wife — but will not kill her (as we see he ordinarily would) because he loves her even more than he hates her. Selene hates him because she sees him as not loving her — in the meantime — and projects her father’s behavior onto him.
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slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 -- 
          THE EXCERPT IN SIN AND RUIN - AND ALARIC'S TAKE ON LOVE
          
          I missed it, too, but got it on a re-read. And, I have to say your assessment of how he viewed love was still dead-on. (Down to referencing his parents.) But, it was in the chp w/ the excerpt that I found 3 paragraphs back to back that really shed light on how Alaric sees himself (answer: he doesn't) and his feelings for Selene -- it, then, rolled into his comparison of love vs what he experiences w/ Selene. Read as a whole, I think it reveals strongly that he DOES view love as making you weak -- not realizing that it can make you strong, too. I think that's  worth a LOT of discussion for his character (that, and his inability to see he is doing everything that he views as a man in love). Anway -- that excerpt is in "Ephemeral Desire", if you want to jump back for a re-read yourself. (fyi)

Tsaysshesays

          
          @slcwatt55 @Nancy_818 I also pointed out in my answer that he believes love is whatever his parents have, or what he sees in couples like Annie and Derrick, or Penelope and Jason. And because what he has with Selene looks nothing like that traditional version—because it’s completely different,  and far more unexplainable—he automatically assumes it CAN’T be love.
          
          This stupid, stupid— lovable—man doesn’t realize that what they have is The Dream little girls (me!) grow up imagining… minus the whole syndicate life, obviously.
          
          Maybe he’s measuring love in the pure, biblical sense—but even 1 Corinthians would point straight at Alaric when describing love.

Tsaysshesays

@slcwatt55 @Nancy_818
          
          Woah, woah!!! This excerpt is NEWS to me. It's like I completely missed it. I'm going to HAVE  to re-read WHILE I work. Weirdly enough I remember this comment but not the passage. Huh???
          Which chapter is this? 
          
          From My Notes About Pedro Sànchez In Alaric's Words— "Long time servant, Ex military , loyal to the family but not blind, his concern wasn't for Darius it was for her. 
          I wasn't worried. He was a different kind of useful. Every man who built their fortress the way Darzi did, had someone on the INSIDE who wanted to SEE the gates FALL." 
          
          Selene also described Pedro as fatherly. Him and the other guy Dion. If anything, I feel that he will help Selene escape if it's Darzi who has kidnapped her. Or he may help Alaric later. There is a foreshadowing that Alaric will stand behind Selene while she kills Darius.
          
          
          Tiago is someone completely different, I think he is another Syndicate leader as vile as Darzi, and they both are working against the Dominion. Maybe Selene is a payment for some sort of favour, or protection. Selene is extremely beautiful and Alaric's wife, so owning and debasing her would be a power trip for this Tiago, who may or may not be already obsessed with her. And it also serves to humiliate and fck with Alaric. I'm sure they have discovered that Selene and Nico are both Alaric's weaknesses, with them gone he'll be too vulnerable to fight back or pay attention to the secret workings. Jokes on them Alaric is going to go LETHAL. And I'm here, SAT.

slcwatt55

@Tsaysshesays @Nancy_818 - I RE-READ AND FOUND THE TIAGO REFERENCE
          
          Ignore my last post asking questions about it. (I can't find my comment now to delete it!) BUT...who would buy Selene be sold as a bride (making an accommodation to take her son) when she's already married? How bizarre is this??? Could it be someone who has been in love w/ her for a long time? If so -- the only person I can think of was that Pedro guy who was shown as being obsessive about her when Alaric first visited Darius' house? I had no sense of his age -- but his interest in Selene was significant. He was just a security guard, I thought, so it could be just a protective man. That's the only person I could think of -- but maybe it'll be a new character who is introduced, otherwise.