The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition

by Kay Maree

  "...and we've fallen in love," Shawn finishes.

  "You dirty slut. How could you do this to Savannah? I told her not to trust you." Olivia stands up and tosses her drink at me but misses, before turning her attention to my dad. "And you Richard, I told you if you brought her, she'd destroy this family."

  "That's enough, Olivia," he yells, standing himself. "The only person ruining this family is you." She gasps and starts for the door.

  "I'm going to check on my daughter. You know the one you seem to not give a damn about anymore." Colin steps in her path and stops her.

  "I'll go check on her Mrs. Foster, you just go and relax for a bit. I know you wouldn't want her to see you crying." She lays a hand on his chest as gesture of thanks and heads off down the hall with Shawn's mom on her tail. Margaret gives a sweet knowing smile before she leaves the room. Colin is last to leave making a b line for the stairs.

  "You two have really gone and stepped in it," Charles says after a long bout of silence.

  "We didn't mean to," I say.

  "Do you love her son?"

  "With every ounce of my being."

  "Then, ok. I support you."

  "Really? Just like that."

  "You didn't do anything wrong. I always knew you weren't into Sav. No offense Richard."

  "None taken."

  "I wanted us all to be a family so bad, well I just kind of hoped she'd grow on you." The dads laugh, and Shawn breaks into a slight smile. "With you two together, my dream is still able to come true, and I guess with the exception of Savannah and Olivia, we all still win."

  "Poor Sav," I say looking to my dad for the ok to check on her. He nods, and I race up the stairs.

  I take the stairs two at a time only slowing down once I get to her door. I gently knock before opening it, and my eyes almost pop at the sight of Colin's face buried between Sav's legs as she bites a pillow to stifle her now clearly audible moans.

  "Oh my god! I'm so sorry," I say, before slamming the door shut.

  "Londyn, wait!" I hear her call from the other side of the door. I don't know what to do. Do I just stand here and wait for her to come to me or do I assume they're done and just re-open the door? I choose to wait and save my eyes from any more shock.

  Seconds later, the door opens, and Colin steps out. He gives me a big smile and licks his lips before heading down the stairs. Kind of hot, but also kind of gross. He leaves the door open, so I peek inside.

  "Are you decent?" I ask before entering

  "Yeah, I'm so sorry about that. I told him to lock the door, but I think he secretly wanted someone to catch us," she says her cheeks flushed from either embarrassment or orgasm. Maybe both.

  "Sooo, Colin?" I gesture to the door with my thumb before joining her on the bed.

  "Yeah, he's kind of had a thing for me forever. He's always cornering and telling all the dirty things he wants to do to me, and tonight in my moment of weakness I caved." She covers her face with her hands. "I'm so embarrassed."

  "Don't be." I slide closer to her and hug her. "I'm the one who should be embarrassed. I should have told you the truth from day 1, but I just felt so bad I didn't know what to do. By the time I realized you had a thing for him, I was already in love with him."

  "I figured when he said you'd been seeing each other for two weeks."

  "Do you think you could ever forgive me?"

  "Of course. You're my sister. Boys come and go, but what you and I are developing, that's forever." I hug her again, and this time happy tears threaten to fall.

  "So... How was it?" I ask, turning into a giddy teenager.

  "Oh my god, Londyn. So good!"

  "Do you have feelings for him?"

  "I didn't think I did, but after head like that I think he's earned a shot." We collapse on the bed in a fit of laughter, and I'm just so happy to have my fun-loving sister back.

  After we finish up with girl talk, I head down the stairs to find all four of the men standing in the foyer.

  "How's your sister?" dad asks. "Colin seems to believe he was able to cheer her up.”

  "He did a great job!" I say, smiling at Colin. "She doesn't even seem mad anymore."

  "Nothing can keep my angel down for long," Dad says as he heads up the stairs to see for himself.

  "Well, dinner is canceled," Shawn announces unsurprisingly.

  "I figured."

  "You want to get out of here?" He wraps his arm around my waist, and I melt into him.

  "Yeah, I'm starving."

  "Your brother and I are going to go find your mother. You two love birds have a good night." We say our goodbyes to Charles and Colin, and we head back out to the car.

  While we're driving Shawn suggests we go to dinner at Le Petit. I tell him I rather just eat something at one of our places, but he insists. I have to admit walking in on Sav and Colin has me ready to climb Shawn, but he doesn't seem interested in sex tonight. He actually seems nervous.

  "We don't even have a reservation, babe. This has to be one of their busiest nights."

  "Don't worry about it, it'll be fine." I watch as he keeps glancing in his rearview mirror like we're running from someone. What is wrong with him tonight?

  "At least, let me call ahead and see if they can squeeze us in." I pull my phone from my purse, and he grabs it out of my hand and tosses it into the back seat. "What the hell are you doing?" I ask, spinning around to look for it.

  "I said, don't worry about it. Just relax, Londyn." I look at him like he's lost his mind and only zone back in when I hear the sound of a siren behind us.

  "Fuck!" He yells.

  "What's going on?" Now I'm getting concerned. Are we actually running from someone?

  "Just do as I say, and we'll be fine" he watches the rearview like I've seen him do a million times tonight, this time waiting for the cop to come to the window.

  "Good evening Officer, what can we do for you this evening." I assumed he'd know the cop since we were just one town over, but they interacted like they've never seen each other.

  "Do you know why I've pulled you over?"

  "No, sir."

  "You were going 75 in a 60mph area."

  "I didn't notice the change. The speed limit is 70mph in Fostmore."

  "Well, you're not in Fostmore anymore, sir. Can I get your license and registration?"

  "Yes. Just a moment." He reaches in the center console for his wallet. "Do me a favor and grab my registration out of the glove box."

  I calmly do as I'm told, but panic a little when I see the glove compartment is empty, except for a tiny box.

  "It's not in here," I whisper.

  "What do you mean it's not in there? It has to be."

  "All that's in here is this box," I say sliding out the little black box while trying not freak out. He takes the box from my hand, and my heart races when he opens it.

  "Londyn Hollis, I know I haven't known you very long, but in this short amount of time, I have fallen so deeply in love with you that I can't imagine my life without you in it. If you feel the same, would you please do me the honor of being my wife?" My eyes dart back and forth between Shawn and the cop outside the window.

  "Wait. What about the registration?" I say dazed and confused.

  "We don't need it. I just need your answer." The Officer behind him taps his body cam and smiles, and that's when I realize he set this whole thing up.

  "Yes. Of course, I'll marry you." I scream before kissing him and then punching him the shoulder. "You scared the crap out of me when I couldn't find the registration."

  He said goodnight to the Officer who turns out was a good buddy of his, and we turn around to head back to his place. How this night had gone from the worst one of my life to the best was beyond me. All I know is that now I have a fantastic family who loves and supports me through anything, and now I have a lifetime with Shawn to look forward to, and I couldn't be happier. This was truly a Christmas miracle if I've
ever seen one.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Lana Cohen is a romance author of SHORT and STEAMY romance books that are so hot they'll make you blush.

  She's married to the man of her dreams and is currently living her best life in beautiful, sunny So Cal.

  When she's not writing, you'll find her online shopping to fuel her obsession with books, fashion, and makeup.

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  Doc Steel

  A novella

  DL GALLIE

  DOC STEEL

  Copyright © DL GALLIE 2019

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  Published by DL Gallie Author

  First published 21st December 2019 as part of the Dirty Dozen, Alpha Edition anthology

  Edited by Karen Hrdlicka, Barren Acres Editing

  Thanks

  To Kay,

  Thank you for putting together this anthology. Thanks to you, Doc Steel was created and I now have new knowledge of chickens and the American Navy

  Blurb

  Returning to civilian life isn't easy for Griffin Steel, that is, until he runs into Autumn White.

  She's stunning, vivacious, and has that same spark he fell for twenty years ago. Until he ripped her heart out and took it with him when he enlisted.

  Picking up the remains of her shattered soul, Autumn found love again, and life was great for a while.

  Until it wasn't.

  Now she's a single mom, finally getting her life together, and the last thing she expects is to run into the man who still holds a major piece of her heart.

  The temptation is too strong as all those feelings Autumn had for Griffin, flare back to life.

  It's inevitable.

  Magnetic.

  Explosive.

  Everything they have been missing for the past twenty years, and more.

  It’s perfect.

  Until the father of her child returns.

  He will stop at nothing to reclaim Autumn and his son as his own.

  PROLOGUE

  …Twenty years earlier

  “Are you freakin kidding me, Griff?” she shouts, her voice laced with anger, shock, and sadness. “You accept this without talking to me first?” This is not how I expected her to react. I expected excitement and happiness. Not like this.

  The ‘this’ Autumn is referring to is I just joined the navy and entered into their medical training program. I was amazed at what they offered in regard to the training and immediately signed up. Sure, I was shocked I enlisted, it was never on my radar, but it was too good of an offer to pass up. Not only will my degree be covered by the government but they will also pay me so study. I was so excited; I accepted immediately and couldn’t wait to tell Autumn the news. This will be a huge financial relief for us; the only downfall is I need to move to Portsmouth, Virginia. I was sure Autumn would be happy and excited for me. For us. I certainly didn’t think she’d react like this.

  “I thought I was doing the right thing,” I plead, “My degree will be paid for, sure I have to serve, but in the long run, it will be great for us.”

  “No, Griff, it will be great for you. While you are off sailing the high seas, I’ll be here. Alone.” She wipes her eyes, which are now glassy with tears. “I can’t believe you are going to walk away from us.”

  “I’m not walking away from us. I’m doing this for us. Don't you see?”

  She stares at me, the first tear falls and she angrily wipes it away. “No, this is all for you.”

  With those words, she turns and walks away from me. Racing over to her, I grab her hand and spin her to face me. We stare at one another. Her eyes well with tears and she begins to sob uncontrollably. Lifting my hand, I wipe away her tears. Bending down, I rest my forehead against her. “Autumn, I promise this will all work out. I need you to trust me.”

  “I do trust you, but I just don't see how you being a million miles away will work.” She swallows back a sob, “Please don't do this.”

  “I’m sorry, I have to.”

  She sighs deeply, I can finally see acceptance whirring around in her face. “When do you leave?”

  My lips lift in a smile, I knew she’d come around. “In two weeks.”

  “What?” she screeches. “I thought we’d have more time.”

  “I know, me too, but now you see why I had to make this decision as quickly as I did.”

  She nods. “I understand,” she mumbles but really she doesn’t, she just said that to appease me.

  “I love you, Autumn,” I vow, placing a kiss on her forehead.

  “I love you too, forever and eternity,” she whispers back to me.

  Forever and eternity, that’s what we always said to one another, and I really hope that our love mantra is true.

  The next two weeks, all we do is fight and bicker about anything and everything. I try everything to get her to see this is great for us. I even try to get her to come with me. She doesn’t want to leave Sandpoint, it is her home. Her family and friends are here. I want her to be happy, so I stopped asking her to move with me. After a long discussion, we agree to stay together but I know we won’t, there is too much hurt in her heart.

  The morning I leave, she is cold and distant. I know I’ve already lost her. On one hand I am excited for the venture ahead, but on the other, I am losing the one I love unconditionally. We kiss goodbye but there is no passion in it, it is robotic. She stands there and watches as I walk toward the plane. The plane taking me to Portsmouth, Virginia, where I will one day become Doctor Griffin Steel.

  At the top of the stairs, I look back at her and my heart broke. She is crouched down, staring at the plane, tears streaming down her face. And I know: those tears and her heartbreak are because of me. In that moment, I start to wonder if maybe I’m making a mistake…careerwise, it is the best decision I ever made. In regard to Autumn; it is a huge mistake.

  CHAPTER ONE

  GRIFFIN

  …Present day

  Today is the first day of the rest of my life, or so they tell me. To me, it’s the first day in hell. The navy is—no WAS my life—and for the past twenty years, I knew what I was doing on a daily basis. Now? I’m free to do what I want, when I want…but I don’t know what I want.

  Returning to Sandpoint, Idaho wasn’t what I wanted to do, but with Mom’s recent passing, Dad needed me. The timing was perfect, well as perfect as the death of your mother can be. Seeing Dad so heartbroken over Mom’s death is hard to deal with. She was his everything and when she died, a piece of him died too. Him wanting me to return here is the least I could do. So, after her funeral, I returned to Portsmouth where I handed in my retirement paperwork—something I didn’t expect to do so soon in my navy career. Then I packed everything up, and moved back to beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. The place where I grew up. My childhood here was great, it was also where I let the best thing that ever happened to me go, Aut
umn White. I often wonder what she’s up to; where she ended up. Wherever she is, I hope she’s happy.

  With my coffee in hand, I take a sip and the caffeine goodness warms my soul. With a newfound smile on my face—thank you, coffee—I step out of the coffee shop and a little boy runs into my legs. He falls onto his butt with a thud. Dropping down to his height, I stretch out my hand to him. “You okay, little dude?”

  His eyes widen and he stares at me open-mouthed as I pull him into a standing position. His mother comes running along, “Oliver James White, what have I told you about running off?”

  Now it’s my turn for my eyes to bug wide open. I’d recognize that voice anywhere, and when I lift my gaze from the little boy in front of me, my ears were correct. Autumn White is walking, no stalking, toward me, and she is just as stunning now as she was twenty years ago when I left, if anything she has gotten sexier with age.

  She stops midstep when her eyes land on me. Recognition flares and her baby blue orbs pop open in shock. Her mouth drops open and closes a few times, but nothing comes out. She stops next to who I assume is her son, her eyes still locked on me. From my crouched position with the little boy, I crane my neck to look at her. I smile but she doesn’t return one. Standing back up, we continue to stare at one another, neither of us saying a thing. Just like it used to, the air crackles around us. Everything but her fades into the background. The silence is broken when a small voice says, “I’m sorry, Mom.” He steps to her and hugs her sideways.

  Her gaze drops to the little boy. “You need to be more careful. You could have hurt Commander Steel.” She places emphasis on the word Commander, guess she’s still not impressed that I enlisted and left.

  “Just plain old Doc Steel now, I’m retired.”