In the Darkness Series by Sophie Stern

DIANA has been helping her father search for the Lost Treasure of Dreagle for nearly ten years. They're closer than they've ever been, but when he's killed and she's taken captive by the men who shot him, she realizes that there's no getting out of this alive. She's been captured, and there's only one thing that happens to girls who are taken on Dreagle. Resigned to her fate, she begins to adjust to her new life as a captive in the darkness. Then Max comes, and everything changes... moreDIANA has been helping her father search for the Lost Treasure of Dreagle for nearly ten years. They're closer than they've ever been, but when he's killed and she's taken captive by the men who shot him, she realizes that there's no getting out of this alive. She's been captured, and there's only one thing that happens to girls who are taken on Dreagle. Resigned to her fate, she begins to adjust to her new life as a captive in the darkness. Then Max comes, and everything changes. MAX is the leader of an elite security team called EXTRINSIC. His team can find stolen artifacts, lost information, and captured hostages. They can find anything, for a price. When Extrinsic breaks up a group of Dreaglan smugglers, they're surprised to discover the men have been stealing more than just lost museum pieces. They've stolen a woman. A beautiful woman. The most beautiful woman Max has ever seen. Diana is scared, terrified, and injured, but Max sees beauty where everyone else only sees pain. Will she be brave enough to let Max love her? Is he strong enough to stay with her through the darkness? "You're a shining star, and what do stars do? They float in the darkness." IN THE DARKNESS is a new series from Sophie Stern featuring familiar planets you might recognize from the Alien Darlings series or The Hidden Planet series. Each story features a couple who is facing the worst and most difficult trials of their lives, only to find love in the darkness. Each story can be enjoyed on its own and has a HEA. less

Blake doesn’t have time for love. As a member of the elite Extrinsic team, he’s never minded giving up romance for combat. He likes fast ships, fast fights, and fast women: in that order. Blake has been a part of Extrinsic for years and he's seen the worst parts of the universe, but when a betrayal catches him off guard, his confidence is shattered. Sasha doesn't need a man. They can't be trusted, and she has no interest in getting her heart broken again... moreBlake doesn’t have time for love. As a member of the elite Extrinsic team, he’s never minded giving up romance for combat. He likes fast ships, fast fights, and fast women: in that order. Blake has been a part of Extrinsic for years and he's seen the worst parts of the universe, but when a betrayal catches him off guard, his confidence is shattered. Sasha doesn't need a man. They can't be trusted, and she has no interest in getting her heart broken again. When her best friend's world is threatened, though, she knows she can't stand idly by and let him go through this alone. The problem is, she's not sure if her heart can handle it. less