Duplicitous - A Dark Stalker Romance - Book 1 - Julia Sykes

Jul 30, 2026

Dark romance narrative centered on Karolina, a foster girl navigating a tightly controlled household where emotions are suppressed and cruelty is routine. In moonlit woods, Brandon’s pursuit and intimate games blur safety and danger, until Carter, a worst bully, corners her, blackmails her with threats from Shirley and Charlie, and weaponizes her vulnerability. The story builds mounting tension, fear, and conflicted desire as Karolina runs from the hunt and searches for rescue.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages181

Reading Time4 h 39 min

Author’s Note

Karolina

Karolina (ch. 1-5)

Rand (ch. 6-20)

DUPLICITOUS A DARK STALKER ROMANCE DECEIT BOOK 1 JULIA SYKES OCEANOFPDF.COM Copyright © 2026 by Julia Sykes All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Cover Design: Simply Defined Art [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) CONTENTS Author ’s Note 1. Karolina 2. Karolina 3. Karolina 4. Karolina 5. Karolina 6. Rand 7. Karolina 8. Rand 9. Rand 10. Karolina 11. Rand 12. Karolina 13. Rand 14. Karolina 15. Karolina 16. Karolina 17. Karolina 18. Karolina 19. Karolina 20. Karolina 21. Rand 22. Karolina 23. Karolina 24. Rand Also by Julia Sykes Connect with Julia! [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) For the dark romance girlies who understand that he’s not depraved, he’s *devoted* [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) AUTHOR’S NOTE Duplicitous is a dark romance that contains themes some readers may find upsetting. Please be gentle with yourself. Check my website for more information: [julia-sykes.com](julia-sykes.com) [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) 1 KAROLINA A shadowy form stalks me through the moonlit woods. I hold my head high, treading carefully so that I won’t trip over fallen branches in the darkness. He likes scaring me, and I won’t give him the satisfaction of showing fear. Not yet. By the time the trees thin and I near the clearing, my pulse is thrumming through my veins. My feet itch with the urge to run from the perceived threat, but I’m not ready to surrender to our twisted game. I know this is wrong. Perverse. But I’ve never felt more alive than I do when Brandon chases me. I’ve never felt freer than I do when he captures me in his arms and tackles me to the damp earth. At the house, our lives are strictly controlled, our emotions cruelly suppressed. But out here in the woods, we can let the wildest parts of ourselves overtake reason and decorum. In our stolen moments when Brandon claims a savage kiss, I don’t care that he’s my foster brother. I step into the clearing, and my eyes take a few seconds to adjust to the wash of moonlight. Animal instincts start to take hold, and the intrinsic sense that I’m prey makes my heart flutter. I clench my fists to hide the way my hands are shaking and turn to face him. My stomach drops when Carter, my worst bully, emerges from the trees. “What are you doing here?” I try to issue a demand, but my voice is too high and thin. A sick smirk twists his blandly handsome features.“I knew I’d find you out here. You’re breaking curfew. I should tell Shirley.” I take a step back, physically recoiling at the prospect that our cruel foster mother will punish me for my infraction. “No, you won’t,” I hiss with more bravado than I feel.“You’re out after curfew too.” His smirk tilts into a sadistic smile.“Maybe she’ll drown you for real this time.” My throat constricts, and for a moment, my head is submerged in icy water, my foster mom’s fingernails digging into the back of my skull. I narrow my eyes.“And what do you think Charlie will do to you if he finds out?” Our foster dad is as quick and vicious with his fists as Shirley is with her cane. Carter ’s sick smile doesn’t waver.“I won’t tell if you don’t.” He closes in, and I back away, edging towards the woods. “Where’s Brandon?” I demand, my eyes searching the shadows frantically for salvation. Carter ’s low laugh coats my pebbled skin like toxic sludge.“Who do you think told me I would find you here? You love being chased down and fucked, don’t you? I thought you were a stuck-up prude.” His grin widens.“But you’re just a filthy little slut.” “He wouldn’t.” I barely force the words out in an agonized wheeze. My heart twists, threatening to tear asunder. Carter spreads his arms, gesturing at the

FAQs

What themes does the author warn readers about?

The author’s note states Duplicitous is a dark romance containing themes some readers may find upsetting, and advises readers to be gentle with themselves.

Who stalks and pursues Karolina in the woods?

A shadowy stalker hunts her through moonlit woods, and the narrative repeatedly connects Brandon’s chasing to Karolina’s intense, conflicting feelings.

How does Carter affect Karolina’s situation?

Carter appears when she is breaking curfew, threatens her by referencing Shirley and Charlie, and tries to force a sexual confrontation while taunting her about Brandon’s lack of care.

Jul 30, 2026

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