Nothing to hyde a monste.., p.1
Nothing to Hyde: A Monster Brides Romance, page 1
Nothing to Hyde
A Monster Brides Romance
S.C. PRINCIPALE
Copyright Information
Copyright @ 2024 by S.C. Principale
The right of S.C. Principale to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000
All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed, or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organizations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
Cover Design: S.C. Principale
Editing: Evil Commas Editing
For questions or further information please contact: scprincipaleauthor@gmail.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedications and Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Also By S.C. Principale
Monster Brides Series
The Minotaur’s Valentine
Chapter One: Milo
Chapter Two: Libby
Chapter Three: Libby
Chapter Four: Milo
Chapter Five: Milo
Velvet Wings
Chapter One: Lennox
Chapter Two: Cindy
Chapter Three: Lennox
Chapter Four: Cindy
Possessed By the Leonid King | Felix Orbus Galaxy | Book One | Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Dedications and Acknowledgements
To my husband, who loves the sweet, caring Jekyll and the absolutely unhinged smutty Hyde that make me who I am.
To the Monster Brides Monster Fans and authors. You are my squad. You are my bookish besties. You make me ridiculously happy and you put up with my never ending failure to wrangle my plot bunnies in an orderly fashion.
Also... This is dedicated to anyone else who watched Mary Reilly when they were way too young and developed complicated Jekyll/Hyde feelings because of it. This one is for us.
Introduction
Frankie (only her mother calls her Frances) can’t believe she’s won a “Non-Traditional Student” scholarship to NYU at Pine Ridge. While it will mean moving to the sticks, she doesn’t really mind. She’ll get out the frozen potato packing plant and hopefully have more time with Bella, her beautiful little girl. Most importantly, she’s not going to screw her life up this time by falling for a dangerous bad boy who will derail her plans.
When she meets a private lab consultant on campus, Frankie knows he is the kind of man she wants to marry. Dr. Ellsworth is funny, kind, smart, stable, and single. Best of all, Bella loves him.
But then there’s Eddie. Sure, he is something of a bad boy, but he makes her panties drip just by smiling at her. While Dr. Ellsworth may walk her to her apartment off-campus, Eddie Hyde is the one waiting at her door with pizza, tequila, and a teddy bear for her toddler. And once the baby is in bed, Eddie makes all of her wildest dreams come true.
If only there were a way a bad girl gone good could have her cake and eat it, too...
A SPICY-BUT-SWEET TWIST on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that features:
A Two-For-One Special ;)
High steam
A strong single parent
Found family
Happily Ever After
Content advisory: Mentions of former addiction, a former manipulative partner, and a brief scene of a child in peril that is resolved with a Pine Ridge dose of heroism!
Chapter One
“There must be some mistake.” Frankie Watson looked around the pretty little two-bedroom apartment. It was on the second floor and had a view of the New York University at Pine Ridge sign, nestled against its riot of orange and red mums.
“Well, ordinarily students who receive a full scholarship are given free board at the dorms, but as you have a child, the housing stipend will cover this apartment for two years while you matriculate.”
For the millionth time in her daughter’s short life, Frankie gave thanks that she hadn’t listened to her useless ex. A married man with an opioid addiction, Burke had wanted Frankie to “get rid of it” more for his own sake than any consideration for her future. But even with all the struggles of single parenthood, Bella had never been anything but a blessing, and she was once again opening doors to better places.
“We’d love an apartment instead of a dorm. I did the dorm scene when I was at Offenburg.”
The lady showing her around gave a polite smile. She’d never heard of Offenburg, and Frankie wasn’t surprised. It was a tiny college that had a strong swimming program and not much else going for it.
“What was your major at Offenbach, dear?”
“Offenburg. I was majoring in physical education and swimming competitively for their NCAA Division III team. I decided I wanted to get into medical technology after witnessing some great athletes lose their dreams to pain medicine after injuries.” And after my married head coach knocked me up while he was high out of his mind. While we both were.
Frankie shook off bad memories. Four years clean and sober, three years and eight months of rocking this mommy thing even though it meant living with her mother and packing frozen potatoes for twelve-hour shifts at the Hash and Fries plant.
“Well, it was noble of you to turn your empathy into something that will make a difference. Now, I’m just the student housing liaison. If you need anything adjusted with your schedule, you’ll need to see the dean in charge of transfer students, Dr. Shaeffer.”
“Thank you, I will.”
“Mommy, can we go to that park? That park!” Bella, who had been quietly poking at her favorite busy book, was now standing on tiptoes in front of the window and pointing at the campus.
“That’s not a park, sweetie.”
“Oh, but there is one, not far from here. And there is a very nice preschool in Pine Ridge.”
“Just one?” Frankie’s stomach sank. What if they didn’t have openings? Her mother had offered to move in with her until she found childcare, but she was hoping to avoid that. Her mother meant well, but... They had never seen eye-to-eye on her taste in men, clothes, hair, tattoos, or careers. They had two things in common. They loved each other, and they would do anything for Bella.
“Oh, I’m sure there’s more than just one, but this one’s very popular and they give a discount for students and faculty. That’s how I got to hear about it. I sent my own children there when they were little.” The woman gave her an encouraging smile. “Judy Mcleaod runs it— Bright Stars Preschool. If you can’t find the number, I’ll be glad to help you.”
“No, I’ll look it up.” Frankie smiled and nodded, eager to conclude this discussion. She wasn’t used to personal service or such an abundance of attention from—well, anyone, actually.
Her mother said it was because Frankie gave off a tattooed biker chick vibe. Frankie said it was because people were dicks.
“Mommy! I do see a park! See the flowers?” Bella was insisting as Frankie showed the campus liaison out.
Bella’s words broke her heart. Her baby girl thought that anything green meant a park because she had only known concrete and apartments. Even their potted plants had failed to thrive and never made it to the flowering stage.
“That’s just Mommy’s school. Let’s go find the park, sweetie!” Frankie locked the new apartment with a feeling of pride and humble gratitude. This wasn’t a handout. She had applied for a scholarship for “Women in Medical Technology,” and she’d won it because of her kickass essay. The admissions officer had said they were impressed with Frankie’s “passionate reflections” about her personal experiences. Frankie could believe it. Who wouldn’t be passionate about wanting a career in medical technology after watching potential Olympians become drug addicts because insurance approved painkillers more than assistive technology, therapy, and rehabilitation?
Frankie was sure having three years of credits and being twenty-six helped, too. Compared to other students, she was probably old and boring. Old, boring, and a safe bet.
“Good. I want to be old and boring,” Frankie murmured as she re-tied Bella’s shoes.
“You’re not boring!” Bella pulled Frankie’s long, milk chocolate brown hair from its messy bun.
“Oh, yeah? What about old?” Frankie kissed her daughter’s chubby cheeks and then her button of a nose.
“So old!” Bella giggled madly and pulled out two more handfuls of hair.
“Bella-Boo, stop. You’re making Mommy look like a scarecrow.”
“Can we have a house wi
“Yes. Yes, we’re going to do that one day, honey.” Frankie set her jaw and held Bella’s hand, leading them toward the cute little town of Pine Ridge. Maybe they’d find a park on the way. She’d at least get bearings. Clear her mind.
Her mind needed to be cleared because it was a horrible tangle.
I want to get this degree. Good degree means a good job. Good job means a house. House means happy Bella with the things she deserves and the best life she could ever have.
Reality check. Good job means good money, but bills are real and houses aren’t cheap. It’ll take five to ten years before you, a single working mom, have the money for a down payment. Bella could be ten or even thirteen before she has a yard and flowers of her own.
“A pumpkin patch! A big one! Sunflowers!”
“So pretty, Bella.” Frankie’s mouth gave a guilty twitch, and her eyes refocused on their surroundings. Was Bella saying more things she wanted in her imaginary yard? Or was she pointing out something in someone else’s yard? Either way, it heightened her resolve.
Bella should grow up having those things, and not have to wait until she’s a teenager.
“Mama! And a dog? A puppy, please, Mama!”
It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have filled her head with all those stories about a new life. But that was the only way I could make her understand why we were moving away from my mother. What kid wants to leave their only home and their beloved grandma? A kid who thinks the new place will be bigger, better, and make their dreams come true.
“I’ll check and see what the lease says. Maybe not a puppy. Maybe a cat.”
“A kitten!”
“Maybe. If not, maybe a guinea pig.”
“A piggie!” Bella danced on the corner.
People smiled.
Frankie’s shoulders relaxed a little bit, and she started looking around in earnest. There were dozens of people walking around the town, enjoying the first Friday of cooler fall weather and looking forward to having Labor Day off on Monday. That meant a four-day weekend for her and Bella, since they’d taken a day to move.
It did seem nice. Not fake nice—real nice. People were calling out to each other and hurrying across the street to stop and have conversations. There were small shops with unique names, not big nationwide chains that felt predictable and sterile, even if they were convenient.
And there were kids. Kids with moms and dads pushing them in strollers, carrying them in baby backpacks, holding hands, and steering them away from the street.
My little girl deserves that. Frankie’s eyes fixed on a very handsome brunette, his gorgeous wife, and their twins.
Burke, Bella’s father, AKA Burke the Jerk, had other kids. Those other kids lived in his big McMansion, with a big yard, and attended a private school. They took vacations to Cancun and got cars for their sixteenth birthdays.
Burke didn’t pay any support for Bella, and Frankie was glad. It was part of their unspoken, unwritten agreement—she wouldn’t ask him for any money, and he wouldn’t ask her for any custody—not that he wanted any. Frankie didn’t want her daughter to grow up and find out what a skeezy slimeball her biological father was. She also didn’t trust Burke around her precious daughter. She shuddered inside at the very thought. Frankie and Burke had met while he was her coach. If he had started a relationship with one of the students on his team, who was to say that he wouldn’t cross other boundaries?
It didn’t bear thinking about.
Besides, other thoughts were assailing her.
I’m going to do better than getting Bella a dog. I’m going to get my baby a dad.
A clean-cut respectable dad. A fun, sweet, caring, straight-shooting dad. Two parents with two good jobs equal a house sooner. A big green lawn with flowerbeds, scarecrows, and a swing set just for her. And maybe siblings. Okay, and dogs. Anything she wants that I can give her
“Mama?”
“Sorry. What is it?” Frankie snapped back to reality and realized that her little one had been speaking for a while and waiting for a response.
“Do you like it here?”
“I think so, Bella. Do you?”
“I think so. Mama! A park!”
Frankie looked where Bella was pointing, and this time, her little girl was right. There was a park full of kids, slides, and sandboxes. “Let’s go!”
Chapter Two
“Mom, I promise, I’m okay. You don’t need to come up here to watch Bella. I’ve got daycare situated, and I even get a student discount.” Frankie swallowed the small lie. Daycare was situated—for the month of September. It had taken half of her savings to pay for it, even with a discount. She’d have to hope her on-campus job would cover food, gas, and childcare each month.
“What about a job? That stipend didn’t stretch to full room and board, did it?”
“No, it stretched to on-campus dining privileges and rent, though! I don’t need much. I already applied to work at the campus recreation center in the dorm three afternoons a week. It fits perfectly with my class schedule and still leaves me time to make it to the daycare center by 5:30. Bella’s going to love it there. I met a couple with twins at the park, and the lady’s sister teaches in the three-and-four-year-olds’ classroom. They have an actual curriculum and everything.”
Her mother’s anxious voice was silent.
Frankie looked overhead for signs of a lighting strike or wads of cash falling from the ceiling.
Nope. One miracle a day was enough.
“Mom?”
“Oh. Frances, I knew you’d turn it around and make a fresh start. I’m so proud of you, honey.”
Frankie smiled, revealing a deep dimple in her right cheek. “Thanks, Mom. I have to go. I need to run to the store. I’m going to use the slow cooker you gave me on Tuesday. We’ll have dinner ready when we get home from school.”
Her mother laughed with delight. “So proud of you. Love you, darling.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Frankie hung up and wriggled her bare toes on the soft beige carpeting. She had to admit that it was nice, feeling like a “real” adult. She’d enjoyed meeting Harper and Alban Wymark and their twins. Conversation had flowed easily as they each pushed a swing at the park, listening to their children’s excited shrieks. They talked about parent stuff, like the curriculum at Bright Stars and the qualifications of Harper’s sister, Izzy. Izzy was just the kind of teacher she’d want for Bella. She was smart, had an education degree, and was going to marry the town’s policeman in late October.
Now, she was going to run to the supermarket with Bella before bath and bedtime and prep a healthy, responsible dinner that would translate into several meals. The Wymarks even invited her to the Labor Day cookout at White Pines on Monday afternoon (tomorrow). Well, it wasn’t like a personal invitation. They were just informing her about a town event.
“But we can do those things now, Bella-Boo,” Frankie muttered to herself as she rubbed the tattoos on her neck and shoulder, fingers slipping under the strap of her olive-green tank top. “We’ll go to community things. Have play dates. Spend the weekends together making cookies and going to the park. No more tired, grumpy Mama with frostbitten fingers and blisters on her feet... I hope.”
“Baby girl, put your shoes on, and let’s go to the store. I’ll need your help to pick out snacks for your lunchbox.”
Bella scrambled up from in front of the television, her sandy brown hair escaping her little pigtails. Frankie laughed. Bella was 100% her baby. There was no trace of Burke in her appearance. Frankie’s own wild brunette locks were always trying to escape whatever pins and twists she tried to force them into. “Like mother, like daughter. Come here, sweetpea. Let Mama fix your hair.”
She scooped Bella up in her arms and carried her to the bathroom. Frankie paused in front of the mirror. Pretty face. Slender figure, but healthily slender, no longer the borderline skeletal figure Burke demanded from his swimmers. The tattoos were the only visible evidence that she’d once been a wild hellion, rebelling against college rules by sleeping with her coach, rebelling against her mother by spending her book money on tats, pills, and a fake ID.
