Scout — Stacy Gail

There's no doubt that Scout Upton earned her nickname. From the time she was an orphan bouncing from foster home to foster home like an unwanted stray, she's had an uncanny ability to scout out trouble. Now an integral part of House Of Payne's dominance in the world of ink, her “trouble” alarm triggers every time world-renowned fashion photographer, Ivar Fournier, comes around.

Former model-turned-photographer, Ivar is notorious for making or breaking supermodels, both on camera and off. But when it comes to Scout, he can't get a foot in the door. She doesn't buy his charm or his story of wanting to spotlight body art for his next exhibit. Maybe because that's exactly what it is -- a story. Despite being born in a world of privilege, there's a terrible darkness behind his practiced smile, and it all stems from a past he needs to understand. Scout holds the key to that mysterious past, and if he has to break her apart to get it, that's exactly what he'll do.

95,000 words

***This is the second book of the House Of Payne series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to adult language and sexual content***