The Scarab Beetle Series by C.L. Stone

Kayli Winchester is a dirt-poor girl living out of a hotel, forced to be the parent for a drunken father and teenage brother who she’s desperate to keep in school. The only way she scrapes by is to utilize her one skill: pickpocketing. But even though she’s a thief she has a moral code: no kids or old ladies, only targets who can defend themselves. Not that they see her coming… Thinking she’s been working under the radar, Kayli has no idea The Academy has been watching and taking notice... moreKayli Winchester is a dirt-poor girl living out of a hotel, forced to be the parent for a drunken father and teenage brother who she’s desperate to keep in school. The only way she scrapes by is to utilize her one skill: pickpocketing. But even though she’s a thief she has a moral code: no kids or old ladies, only targets who can defend themselves. Not that they see her coming… Thinking she’s been working under the radar, Kayli has no idea The Academy has been watching and taking notice. Now a team that needs her skill has offered her a way out of her predicament and it’s her last chance: work with them, or face jail time. Kayli resists at first, but slowly the boys reveal they can be trusted. With Marc, the straight man, Raven, the bad-boy Russian, Corey and Brandon the twins as different as night and day, and Axel their stoic leader, there’s a lot Kayli can learn from these Academy guys about living on the edge of the law. If only she can stay on the good side instead of the bad. Especially when the job they offer her is more than any of them bargained for. After it’s done, the hunters have become the hunted and their target is now after Kayli. The Academy boys do their best to keep her hidden, but a thief like Kayli will never sit still for long. Meet an all-new Academy team in Thief, the beginning of the Scarab Beetle series. Warning: This is a new adult series. Readers of the other Academy series may need some caution as this series will contain mature sexual and violent situations and themes. less

Worse than a thief, is a liar. Kayli Winchester can finally let go of her thieving past and for once walk on the right side of the law. She’s had enough of the hustle and is determined to become the good girl. But her brother, Wil, is still missing. On the hunt for him, she discovers something worse than a missing sibling: Marc, Raven, Axel, Corey and Brandon. These aren’t just scoundrels with hearts of gold. They’re flat out criminals. But they’re criminals who need her... moreWorse than a thief, is a liar. Kayli Winchester can finally let go of her thieving past and for once walk on the right side of the law. She’s had enough of the hustle and is determined to become the good girl. But her brother, Wil, is still missing. On the hunt for him, she discovers something worse than a missing sibling: Marc, Raven, Axel, Corey and Brandon. These aren’t just scoundrels with hearts of gold. They’re flat out criminals. But they’re criminals who need her. In a ruse to draw them away from her brother and learn more about this so-called Academy, Kayli joins them on a mission to Florida in search of a missing little girl. Kayli will do anything to make sure her brother is safe. She’ll find their leader. She’ll discover their intentions. She’ll infiltrate their ranks. And if they try to threaten her brother or herself, she’ll burn them all. But when these five hot Academy teammates all contend for her heart, her resistance starts to crumble. Maybe she wasn’t meant to be the good girl, anyway. less

Worse than a thief, is a liar. Kayli Winchester can finally let go of her thieving past and for once walk on the right side of the law. She’s had enough of the hustle and is determined to become the good girl. But her brother, Wil, is still missing. On the hunt for him, she discovers something worse than a missing sibling: Marc, Raven, Axel, Corey and Brandon. These aren’t just scoundrels with hearts of gold. They’re flat out criminals. But they’re criminals who need her... moreWorse than a thief, is a liar. Kayli Winchester can finally let go of her thieving past and for once walk on the right side of the law. She’s had enough of the hustle and is determined to become the good girl. But her brother, Wil, is still missing. On the hunt for him, she discovers something worse than a missing sibling: Marc, Raven, Axel, Corey and Brandon. These aren’t just scoundrels with hearts of gold. They’re flat out criminals. But they’re criminals who need her. In a ruse to draw them away from her brother and learn more about this so-called Academy, Kayli joins them on a mission to Florida in search of a missing little girl. Kayli will do anything to make sure her brother is safe. She’ll find their leader. She’ll discover their intentions. She’ll infiltrate their ranks. And if they try to threaten her brother or herself, she’ll burn them all. But when these five hot Academy teammates all contend for her heart, her resistance starts to crumble. Maybe she wasn’t meant to be the good girl, anyway. less

Still on the hunt for her missing brother, Kayli Winchester's life amid the Academy team comes to an abrupt halt when she and Brandon are kidnapped. Mistaken for his identical twin brother, Brandon's life is threatened unless he helps a team of criminals hack into a secret underground cellular network and exploit it. The cunning Kayli makes a daring escape. With Brandon still held prisoner, she turns to the guys to help save him... moreStill on the hunt for her missing brother, Kayli Winchester's life amid the Academy team comes to an abrupt halt when she and Brandon are kidnapped. Mistaken for his identical twin brother, Brandon's life is threatened unless he helps a team of criminals hack into a secret underground cellular network and exploit it. The cunning Kayli makes a daring escape. With Brandon still held prisoner, she turns to the guys to help save him. Despite the team of Axel, Marc, Corey and Raven working tirelessly, this desperate search and rescue mission quickly changes into submission to the kidnappers. If the team doesn't give the bad guys what they want, someone will die. It’s unavoidable: they’re going to need to bring in outside help... help that will come at a high price. Saving the guys might require Kayli to do the unthinkable, and may shatter the team forever. less

Someone tried to kill Kayli Winchester. That someone is going to pay. After going overboard and nearly drowning, Kayli regroups and joins Axel, Corey, Brandon, Marc, and Raven back on board the Lucienda. This time, she's brought reinforcements. Liam and Henry join the team in an all-out hunt for a killer. It can't be too hard; there's only so many places to hide on a cruise ship. But the number of suspects is climbing... moreSomeone tried to kill Kayli Winchester. That someone is going to pay. After going overboard and nearly drowning, Kayli regroups and joins Axel, Corey, Brandon, Marc, and Raven back on board the Lucienda. This time, she's brought reinforcements. Liam and Henry join the team in an all-out hunt for a killer. It can't be too hard; there's only so many places to hide on a cruise ship. But the number of suspects is climbing. Tensions are high, and everyone is on alert, but along the way, there's way too many distractions--very hot distractions. Kayli's done hiding her feelings. She's showing her hand, come what may. She's never held back before she met this team--why start now? But when one of their team members disappears, all clues point to mutiny. Is the team going to fracture because of her? Did someone throw her overboard because of jealousy? Kayli refuses to believe it, but she'll have to provide proof before the murderer finds out she's still alive and comes back to complete the job. less

Kayli Winchester is on the run. Chased out of the hospital when Alice returns with a warning that she'll be coming for Kayli soon. Emergency protocol is initiated. Axel, Raven, Corey, Brandon, and Marc are preparing to run themselves. They need to separate from the Academy to protect everyone from the danger. Kayli and the Academy team will do whatever they can to protect their families and friends. They may have to leave Charleston forever to escape Alice's wrath... moreKayli Winchester is on the run. Chased out of the hospital when Alice returns with a warning that she'll be coming for Kayli soon. Emergency protocol is initiated. Axel, Raven, Corey, Brandon, and Marc are preparing to run themselves. They need to separate from the Academy to protect everyone from the danger. Kayli and the Academy team will do whatever they can to protect their families and friends. They may have to leave Charleston forever to escape Alice's wrath. However, Alice proves she can be everywhere at once. She’s aligned with powerful forces, a group possibly more powerful than the Academy, with corrupt police and officials on their side. No one is safe. No one can be trusted. When people go missing, the police are pointing fingers at Axel and the others. Just when Axel and the rest of the team are coming to understand their own complicated romantic relationships with Kayli, they’re faced with the ultimate realization: staying together could get them all killed. There’s only one way to handle this: Break all the rules, get to Alice, and ensure she’ll never be able to exact revenge again. The consequences will be severe. Success could mean ejection from the Academy. Complete ex-communication. Family will be torn apart. And worse, the team might be forced to disband forever. Everything is at stake. Not even the Academy is prepared for how this will go down. The entire organization may not survive. Will Kayli? less