Kidnapped by Wild Girl

Riordan, a new recruit in Arran's criminal crew, regains consciousness in the back of a car, paralyzed by a sedative. He soon realizes his captor is Cassie, a wild, impulsive woman with a penchant for danger and a history of hunting predators. Cassie claims him as "hers," dragging him to her family's Scottish mansion for reasons that blur the line between obsession and protection. Riordan's confusion and anger are matched by a strange, growing attraction to Cassie, even as he questions her sanity and motives. The stage is set for a dark, twisted romance amid a backdrop of murder and gang rivalry.

Claiming and Confessions

Cassie confesses to her family that Riordan is not just a pawn but someone she's claimed for herself, driven by an instant, overwhelming attraction. She admits to drugging and kidnapping him out of both fear and desire, and her family—used to unconventional beginnings—accepts her actions with a mix of concern and resignation. Riordan, still reeling, is forced to confront his own feelings as Cassie's vulnerability and honesty begin to erode his defenses. The dynamic between captor and captive shifts, setting the tone for a relationship built on mutual danger and raw need.

The Killer's Threat

Cassie reveals she's received a chilling note from Deadwater's serial killer, marking her as the next victim. The killer's method—luring women with notes signed in the names of people they trust—has already claimed several lives, including a member of Arran's crew. The threat forces Cassie and Riordan into an uneasy alliance, with Riordan's protective instincts overriding his anger at being kidnapped. The family rallies, and the focus shifts from Cassie's impulsive crime to the urgent need to outwit a murderer who is always one step ahead.

Family Fortress

Cassie's family closes ranks, fortifying their estate and bringing in trusted allies from Arran's crew. Riordan is reluctantly assigned as Cassie's bodyguard, his lack of combat experience offset by his determination to keep her safe. He undergoes crash training in self-defense and firearms, while Cassie's brothers test his loyalty and intentions. The family's criminal past and their code of ruthless protection are laid bare, and Riordan is forced to prove himself worthy—not just as Cassie's chosen, but as a potential member of their inner circle.

Dangerous Obsessions

Cassie's history of obsession and trauma comes to the fore as she revisits therapy notes and confides in Riordan about her fears of abandonment and her mother's mysterious past. Their mutual attraction simmers, complicated by Cassie's impulsive declarations of love and Riordan's own broken family history. Both are haunted by the specter of violence—Cassie by her mother's fate and the killer's threat, Riordan by his abusive stepfather and the revelation that the city's corrupt mayor is his biological father. Their connection deepens, but so do the risks.

Unlikely Allies

As the investigation into the serial killer intensifies, Cassie and Riordan navigate a minefield of ex-lovers, jealous rivals, and double agents. Moniqua, a sex worker with ties to both Riordan and the rival Four Milers gang, becomes a source of jealousy and suspicion. The lines between friend and foe blur as betrayals come to light, and Cassie's detective instincts lead her to question everyone—including those closest to her. The killer's methods grow bolder, and the circle of trust tightens.

The Next Target

The killer's pattern becomes clearer: he targets women connected to Arran's crew, using sedatives and psychological manipulation to lure them to their deaths. Cassie's name on the list raises the stakes, and the family's fortress becomes both sanctuary and prison. Riordan's role as protector is tested as Cassie's impulsiveness puts her in harm's way, and the killer's taunts grow more personal. The tension between desire and danger reaches a breaking point, forcing both Cassie and Riordan to confront what they're willing to risk for each other.

Seduction and Strategy

The sexual tension between Cassie and Riordan explodes as they give in to their mutual obsession, using sex as both escape and affirmation. Their relationship is a battlefield—dominated by power struggles, playful torment, and moments of raw vulnerability. Cassie's need to be wanted collides with Riordan's fear of abandonment, and their intimacy becomes a crucible for healing old wounds. Meanwhile, the investigation into the killer's identity accelerates, with Cassie's detective agency and Arran's crew pooling resources to set a trap.

Training for Survival

Riordan undergoes brutal training at the hands of Cassie's brothers, learning to fight, shoot, and survive in a world where weakness is fatal. The family's code—protect your own at any cost—is drilled into him, and he earns a place in their ranks through blood and determination. Cassie, too, is tested, her skills with a blade and her willingness to kill for those she loves put to the ultimate test. The looming confrontation with the killer becomes a rite of passage for both.

The Bodyguard Pact

Cassie and Riordan formalize their alliance, agreeing to a ten-day pact of mutual protection, revenge, and sexual exploration. Their relationship, once defined by chaos and impulse, becomes a partnership built on trust, strategy, and shared purpose. Together, they plot the downfall of the mayor—Riordan's father and the city's most powerful predator—while closing in on the serial killer. The lines between love and vengeance blur, and their bond becomes unbreakable.

The Serial Killer's Game

The investigation reaches a fever pitch as new evidence points to Bronson, the Four Milers' second-in-command, as the killer. A brutal interrogation yields a confession, but Cassie's instincts tell her something is off. The family celebrates the apparent end of the killing spree, but a new attack proves the real murderer is still at large. Trust is shattered, and the hunt resumes with renewed urgency.

Blood and Betrayal

Cassie is kidnapped from the hospital by someone she trusts, and a beloved friend is nearly murdered in a copycat attack. The realization that the killer is still among them sends shockwaves through the crew. Moniqua, long suspected but never proven, emerges as a central figure—her ambition and cunning revealed as she manipulates events from the shadows. The final pieces of the puzzle fall into place, and Cassie prepares for a confrontation that will demand everything she has.

The Trap is Set

Cassie and Riordan, backed by the skeleton crew and her brothers, set a trap for Moniqua and her accomplices. The confrontation is brutal and bloody, with Moniqua confessing to the murders in a bid for power and recognition. Cassie delivers justice with her own hands, avenging the women lost and reclaiming her sense of agency. The mayor, desperate and exposed, makes a last stand, leading to a final, deadly showdown.

Fire and Fury

As the Four Milers' stronghold burns, Cassie and Riordan fight their way out of the inferno, saving each other from certain death. The city erupts in chaos as rival gangs are dismantled, and the skeleton crew emerges as the new power in Deadwater. Old wounds are healed in the crucible of fire, and new alliances are forged in blood. The cost of victory is high, but the survivors are forever changed.

The Unmasking

With the killer dead and the mayor exposed, the crew consolidates their power and begins the work of rebuilding. Cassie's detective agency is vindicated, and the women of Deadwater are finally avenged. Riordan confronts his father, claiming his place as both son and adversary, and the family's secrets are laid bare. The city, once ruled by fear, is given a chance at redemption.

Love and Vengeance

Cassie and Riordan, scarred but unbroken, find solace in each other. Their love, once born of obsession and violence, becomes a source of strength and hope. Together, they create a home, surrounded by family and allies, and dedicate themselves to protecting the vulnerable. The lessons of the past—about trust, loyalty, and the price of vengeance—shape their future.

The Final Reckoning

As Deadwater settles into a new era, Cassie and Riordan look to the future. The skeleton crew, now a force for justice, continues to hunt predators and defend their own. The scars of the past remain, but so does the love that carried them through. The story ends with a promise: the fight is never over, but together, they are unstoppable.

Characters

Cassie Archer

Cassie is a force of nature—impulsive, fearless, and driven by a need to protect women and punish predators. Scarred by childhood trauma and her mother's mysterious death, she channels her pain into action, forming the Skeleton Girls Detective Agency and hunting Deadwater's serial killer. Her obsession with Riordan is both her weakness and her salvation, forcing her to confront her own capacity for love and violence. Cassie's journey is one of self-acceptance, as she learns to balance her wildness with vulnerability, and her need for control with the risk of true intimacy.

Riordan Jones

Riordan is a man shaped by abandonment and betrayal—first by his mother's death, then by a stepfather's abuse, and finally by the revelation that the city's corrupt mayor is his real father. Drawn into Arran's crew and Cassie's orbit, he is both protector and protected, forced to confront his own darkness as he fights for survival. Riordan's love for Cassie is transformative, giving him purpose and a sense of belonging he's never known. His journey is one of healing, as he learns to trust, to fight, and ultimately to forgive.

Arran Daniels

Arran is the head of the skeleton crew, a criminal mastermind with a code of honor. Haunted by the murder of his mother and the loss of friends, he is both protector and avenger, willing to do whatever it takes to keep his people safe. His relationship with Genevieve and his mentorship of Cassie reveal a softer side, but his willingness to use violence as a tool sets him apart. Arran's arc is one of leadership—balancing justice with mercy, and power with responsibility.

Shade (Connor Michaels)

Shade is the crew's enforcer, a man who dispenses justice to the city's worst predators. Marked by trauma and a history of violence, he is both feared and respected. His relationship with Everly, and his mentorship of Cassie, reveal a capacity for tenderness beneath the brutality. Shade's journey is one of redemption, as he seeks to atone for past sins by protecting the vulnerable and guiding the next generation.

Genevieve Walker

Genevieve is Riordan's sister and Arran's partner, a woman who has survived abuse and loss to become a linchpin of the crew. Her empathy and intelligence make her a natural leader, and her relationship with Arran is a model of healing and partnership. Genevieve's arc is one of resilience, as she learns to trust, to love, and to build a new family from the ashes of the old.

Everly Makepeace

Everly is the mayor's daughter and Shade's partner, a woman whose quiet demeanor hides a core of steel. Abused and manipulated by her father, she finds freedom and purpose with the crew. Everly's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to assert herself, to fight for justice, and to claim her own happiness.

Moniqua

Moniqua is a sex worker with ties to both Riordan and the Four Milers, whose ambition and cunning drive much of the novel's intrigue. Her jealousy and desire for power lead her to betray friends and orchestrate murders, making her the true villain of the story. Moniqua's arc is one of self-destruction, as her quest for recognition ends in violence and death.

Sinclair, Struan, Jamieson, Camden (Cassie's brothers)

Cassie's brothers are a formidable force—each with their own strengths, traumas, and loyalties. They test Riordan, support Cassie, and enforce the family's code of ruthless protection. Their presence is both a source of comfort and a reminder of the dangers that come with loving a woman like Cassie.

The Mayor (Marlon Makepeace)

The mayor is the embodiment of institutional evil—abusive, manipulative, and willing to sacrifice anyone for power. His relationship with Riordan and Everly is defined by neglect and betrayal, and his downfall is both personal and symbolic. The mayor's arc is one of exposure and reckoning, as his secrets are brought to light and justice is finally served.

Dixie

Dixie is a sex worker and Cassie's friend, whose near-murder serves as a catalyst for the final confrontation. Her survival and recovery represent the resilience of the women of Deadwater, and her role in Cassie's new mission signals a future where victims become avengers.

Plot Devices

Dual Protagonist POV and Unreliable Narration

The novel alternates between Cassie and Riordan's points of view, allowing readers to experience both the chaos of Cassie's mind and the haunted vulnerability of Riordan. This duality creates dramatic irony, as each character's secrets and misunderstandings drive the plot forward. The use of unreliable narration—especially in Cassie's obsessions and Riordan's trauma—keeps readers guessing about motives, loyalties, and the true identity of the killer.

Red Herrings and Misdirection

The investigation into the serial killer is littered with red herrings—Bronson's confession, Adam's boast, Moniqua's manipulations, and the planted notes. These misdirections keep both the characters and readers off-balance, building tension and delaying the final reveal. The true killer's identity is hidden in plain sight, with clues scattered throughout, rewarding careful reading and detective work.

The "Claiming" Trope and Forced Proximity

Cassie's impulsive kidnapping of Riordan, and her insistence on "claiming" him, subvert traditional gender roles and create a dynamic of forced proximity. This trope is used both for dark humor and genuine psychological exploration, as both characters grapple with issues of control, consent, and vulnerability. Their pact—ten days of mutual belonging—serves as both a plot device and a crucible for character growth.

Family as Fortress and Found Family

The Archer family's mansion, and later the warehouse, serve as physical and symbolic fortresses—places of safety, but also of testing and initiation. The theme of found family runs throughout, as Riordan is gradually accepted into Cassie's clan and the skeleton crew. The contrast between biological and chosen family is explored through the arcs of both protagonists, culminating in a new, stronger community forged in adversity.

Trauma, Therapy, and Healing

Both Cassie and Riordan are shaped by trauma—abandonment, abuse, and violence. The novel foregrounds therapy, self-reflection, and the struggle to break cycles of obsession and self-destruction. Cassie's therapy notes, Riordan's nightmares, and their mutual confessions create a narrative of healing that is as central as the murder mystery.

Revenge and Justice

The plot is driven by the desire for revenge—against the killer, the mayor, and the abusers who haunt Deadwater. The characters' pursuit of justice is both personal and collective, blurring the line between vigilantism and heroism. The final reckoning is as much about healing old wounds as it is about punishing the guilty.

Analysis

Riordan's Revenge is a dark, twisty, and emotionally charged conclusion to the Body Count trilogy, blending murder mystery, gangland intrigue, and a scorching, unconventional romance. At its core, the novel is about the transformative power of love and the necessity of facing one's fears—whether those are external threats or the demons within. Jolie Vines uses the tropes of dark romance (kidnapping, obsession, forced proximity) not just for titillation, but to explore deep psychological wounds and the possibility of healing through connection. The murder mystery is both a plot engine and a metaphor for the characters' search for truth and justice in a corrupt world. The novel's ultimate message is one of hope: that even the most broken people can find belonging, that love can be both wild and redemptive, and that justice—though messy and imperfect—can be won when the vulnerable fight back together.

Last updated: July 5, 2025