His Ever After (Love Square) (34 page)
Read His Ever After (Love Square) Online
Authors: Jessica Ingro
Excerpt from
Rock My Heart
A Scarlet Fever Novel
By Selene Chardou
© 2013 Midnight Engel Press, LLC
Cillian stared deeply into my eyes and the look he gave me seared the edges of my very soul. I didn’t like the way he made me feel because it was the same craving I’d endured from the moment I saw Kaz. It was confusing and exhilarating at the same time because as much as I loved Kaz—and I was in love with the man—it was nice to know I wasn’t dead yet. I still could feel an attraction for another member of the opposite sex, even if that person happened to be my fiancé’s half-brother.
“I see Kasper hasn’t been entirely honest with his new fiancée…but then again, he wouldn’t want you to run away. I’m sure he’s told you about the club and mentioned adamantly how he was never involved.” He laughed out loud as he stood and refreshed his Jack Daniels. “That wasn’t exactly the case. However, I don’t exactly feel I am at liberty to say what went down because honestly, he should tell you himself and if he hasn’t confessed all his sins to you yet, it’s probably for the best. Some secrets are better kept buried.”
“Not to me!” I exclaimed with more bite in my voice than I intended. “You might think I am some naïve rich girl without a brain but that’s not me at all. I admit it—at one time, I was shallow enough to be a Paris Hilton clone but not anymore. The tour definitely grew me up and I am ready and willing to hear everything about Kaz’s past but how can I if no one will tell me because they are too afraid they might damage me? I’m not made of glass you know.”
Cillian turned back to me and leaned against the bar before he swallowed a good portion of his JD. “I never said you were, darlin’. You’re not Talia but you’re a fighter and I know one when I see one.”
“Really? How is that? I am interested to know how you know so much about me when I don’t know a damn thing about you.”
He strolled over and took his seat on the sofa again. “We always check up on family, and when you marry a Cox, we have to make sure you don’t have any hidden agendas. For instance, we know Talia has a cousin who is in the Demon’s Bastards but she didn’t tell Jaden. It wasn’t because she was trying to be deceptive but because she genuinely wanted to keep the peace. I admire that about a woman. What good would it have done Jaden anyway? He’s a rock star, not a full-fledged member of the MC.”
This news took me by surprise by surprise but I did my best not to show it. “How did you know Kaz would be gone this weekend?”
Cillian’s crystal blue eyes met mine with reluctance. “I didn’t know he would be gone this weekend. I was hoping I could speak to him about an issue that isn’t club business but when he came home, he was much too upset to see me. Tell me, did he hit you?”
I grabbed my injured cheek and looked away with intense embarrassment. “He didn’t mean to hit me. I threatened to abort his kid so it was my own sorry fault. I knew he was on edge and I should have left him alone.”
He chuckled and his eyes bore into me so deeply, I wanted to disappear in between the cushions of the sofa.
“I swear, I am not one of those domestic violence victims making up excuses for a man who treats me like shit. Kaz has never hit me before and I have to believe it is the intense amount of stress he’s under at the moment. The group may sign a two year contract that would have us moving to Vegas after they finish their album and the thought scares me to death. I’ve already experienced so much upheaval in my short life…I’m not ready to move again but my opinion means shit—absolutely nothing as far as he’s concerned.”
Cillian leaned over and placed his elbows on his knees while those gorgeous blue eyes never left mine. “Kaz does love you, Syd, and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you but that slap was out of line. You’re not an old lady and while I don’t condone it in those circumstances either, I can understand
why
it happens.
“The club deals with shady people and sometimes they want to hurt us. My case is a prime example. I can’t have my old lady around right now because I am accused of murdering a Federal agent in cold blood and that simply isn’t true. I might have killed someone but he was undercover and would have taken my life if I hadn’t taken his.”
I didn’t know exactly what to say to this because Kaz hadn’t told me anything about his life before Scarlet Fever. I knew a few tidbits of his childhood but there was a huge gap in his life that was missing and he wouldn’t divulge any information about it to me.
“Does this have anything to do with…why you shouldn’t be here at all? I mean, you haven’t put my life in danger by showing up here, have you?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t dare do that to you when I know of your condition. I needed to speak to Kaz and since he’s made himself unavailable and it doesn’t look like you two have any live-in help, I really think I should stay until he gets back.”
“That won’t be necessary,” a male voice explained in a cold tone.
I looked up and met the brooding amber eyes of Jaden.
“How the hell did you get in my house?” I questioned indignantly as I stood to my feet and marched over to him out of sheer frustration and anger.
“Don’t you mean
Kaz’s
house?” He dangled a key in front of me before he pocketed it and glared from me to his brother. “I have always had a key if you must know. I heard through the grapevine my brother was in town and I wanted to make sure he knew he had a place to stay but it wouldn’t be here with our
brother’s
fiancée.”
Cillian stood and walked over with slow, measured steps. He had to be drunk after all the Jack Daniels he’d put away but he was just as quick on his feet now as he was when he’d come by stone-cold sober.
“Are you seriously going to tell me where I can and can’t stay, you little selfish cunt? You aren’t even man enough to own up and claim the Mam of your little wee child but you talk to me like I am a piece of shit on the street? I am your older brother—not the other way around—and I’ll stay where I damn well please!”
Jaden’s complexion paled considerably and he actually looked afraid. “Cillian, life can’t be as simple for me as it is for you. I get it—you’re sick of Brianna and want to get rid of her in the worst way but don’t you think you are a bit cold the way you are going about it?”
“Don’t talk to me about gettin’ rid of old ladies when you’re still hangin’ on to your junkie ex. Fuck off Kaelan. I don’t need your advice and you’re not welcome here. In fact, do me a favor and go see Talia. The poor woman is miserable with worry about your no-good ass and if I had the balls, I would tell her not to shed one tear over you, ya miserable prick! It’s not my place though and she’s in love with you so I won’t crush her heart like that but when are you going to grow a pair and stop actin’ like Dad? Is that what you want your son to be like?”
Jaden turned away and stalked toward the door as he murmured, “Go fuck yourself, you miserable piece of shit.”
It had been like watching a tennis match and I didn’t quite know who to listen to but it was obvious the brothers didn’t get along.
“Sorry you had to be witness to that but someone has to talk some sense into that guy. Talia is the best thing that could have happened to a miserable little shit like him. She got him off the drugs and he’s taking his medication regularly. She cleaned him up and what is her thanks? A bun in the over and an indecisive douchebag who chooses a junkie whore over her. Kaelan’s always been stupid but he’s never sunk to this level of sheer craziness. And to think, I’m the one who’s considered the crazed and unhinged member of the Cox clan.”
I smiled though there was nothing about the situation that was the slightest bit funny. “He’s right, you know. I’m good on my own and I should be okay. Kaz is only gone for a couple of nights and we have top of the line security. It’s not like my life or the baby’s is in any danger what so ever.”
Cillian strolled closer to me until we were just inches away. “I know that but what if I told you I wanted to stay here with you? There is nothing sexual in my intentions what so ever but I feel awful about what happened tonight and I want you to know you’re safe, even with me being here. Kaz stripped some of that away from you when he decided to put his hands on you and that isn’t something you are just going to forget about and forgive. You make him earn your love and trust because what he did was unforgiveable and it’s the only way he will step up the plate and be a better man for you.”
My heart knocked so hard in my chest, I felt short of breath. “You’re right.”
Available now at all e-book retailers!
The Will To Love
, Book #2 in
The Scarlet Fever
series premieres
11/15/2013
Excerpt from
Kitchen Promises
A Riverside Trilogy Novel
By Brooke Cumberland
© 2013 Brooke Cumberland
Drake
“So…” Michael began. I could tell he was trying to come up with a better topic. “Have you guys given any thought on the wedding? I mean, are you going to set a date sometime soon? I’d really like to get planning.” He stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork and popped it in his mouth.
“You’re planning it, huh?” I asked amused.
“Well, you want it to kick ass, right?” Michael raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not really sure, Michael,” Molly interrupted. “With the babies, it just makes more sense to wait, don’t you think?” She turned to look at me. I hadn’t really wanted to wait that long, but I could definitely see her point.
“Whatever you want, baby. We could wait until after the babies are here.”
She smiled and took a sip of her water. “I mean, unless you just want to elope,” she teased. Honestly, I could care less what route we take. Of course, I wanted it to be special for Molly and I, but I just wanted to make her mine. I wanted to call her my wife. I wanted to stamp my initials in her to keep any wandering eyes off her.
“Hey, Elvis could marry us Vegas style for all I care.” I smiled back at her. I grabbed her hand in mine and brought it to my lips.
“Oh gross,” Michael groaned, ruining our moment. “I will not allow you two to get married by Elvis. Absolutely not. Hell will freeze over before that happens.”
“And why is that, Michael?” Molly snapped. “If I want Elvis to marry me, I will.”
“Unless Elvis himself resurrects from his grave, I can’t let you do it.” I watched as Molly rolled her eyes and stabbed another piece of chicken.
“Hell!” Stella screamed, jerking all of our attention toward her.
“Excuse you, young lady?” Molly narrowed her eyes.
“Michael said it first.”
Molly slowly turned her attention toward Michael. “Nice going.”
Michael busted out laughing as Molly cringed. “I teach her all my best assets, remember? She’ll have a great sense of fashion and a foul mouth. Get used to it, babe.”
“You are no help,” she growled.
The rest of our evening was spent listening to Michael test Molly’s limits. Apparently, Michael had a death wish. I just sat there, shaking my head as Michael dug his own grave. But I know they have a relationship I’ll never understand.
Whatever works for them…
Kitchen Promises
, Book #3 in
The Riverside Trilogy
premieres
December 2013
About the Author
Jessica is the author of the Love Square series. She grew up in Central New York, where she spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she's been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. It has always been a dream of hers to be able to share her stories with the world.
Jessica currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs.
Other Books by Jessica:
Their Merry Little Christmas (Love Square #2.5) - December 2013
Love, Your Concierge - March 2014
Connect with Jessica Online:
Web -
www.jessicaingro.com
Email -
[email protected]
Facebook -
www.facebook.com/jessicaingrobooks
Twitter -
@uvrays1997
Table of Contents
Excerpt from Rock My Heart by Selene Chardou