by Selena Kitt
“You hate me so much? Why? I don’t understand. I gave so much to you. Helped you out so many times. I was always there for you. Always.” Jade stroked Dane’s back, offering him that support at least. He sounded so disbelieving, so heartbroken. So hurt.
“And that’s because, in your mind, I always needed your assistance. My big brother bailing me out again. Pathetic. I don’t need you to come ‘fix’ me. Or make my problems disappear.”
Bruce approached, the block of wood ready.
“You’re the one that asked me to stay here. To help you rebuild.”
“Yeah, I needed more money. And time to figure a way out. Money buys anything here.” He lifted the gun higher as an example. “Your life has been too damn easy. Besides, having you here made it so much easier for me to do what I needed to do. After all, that’s the way I always am around you anyway. You’re the big man. The good man. I’m the weak younger brother. And because of that you made the perfect alibi too. Bet you told everyone, ‘My brother, John, would never hurt anyone. Life has been hard on him, but he’s a good man.’”
Jade buried her face against his shoulder. Oh God, Dane had said almost that exact same thing to her. She didn’t want to see what was coming next.
Dane, his voice weary and sad, said, “You could have asked. I’d have given you what you needed.”
“Yes, and I’d have accepted and hated you even—”
A heavy thump cut his words off without a sound. John bent over and gasped. “God damned son of a bitch.”
Jade stuffed her fist to her mouth to stop the scream from escaping as Dane headed for his brother. But John came up in a lunge and decked Bruce. Bruce’s head snapped to one side and he went down – hard. John spun around as if realizing the window he’d opened.
Too late.
Dane sprang across the last few feet, hitting his brother in the chest. They both went down in a flurry of arms and legs as they fought for control. The gun went skittering across the floor. Jade kicked free of the manacle and raced after the gun, trying to keep a wary eye on the two men.
She picked up the gun and pointed it at the men. Only Dane was sitting on his brother, one hand at his throat, the other, fisted, wailing into John’s face.
Bruce groaned. Jade raced over and bent down to him. “Easy Bruce. John hit you hard.”
He opened his eyes, took a moment to register what had happened, then came off the ground with fire in his eyes.
Jade turned to see Dane land one last blow to John’s jaw. John slumped to the ground.
It was over.
“Damn it,” Bruce bellowed. “I wanted to get a good one in.”
Dane sat back on his heels, still straddling his brother, and gasping for air. “Sorry, I gave it to him for you. And Jade. And Tasha. Elise. And Celia.” He glared down at John as he stood up. Taking a step away, he added, “So many lives lost. So many more ruined.”
Dane turned to look at Jade. He opened his arms. She raced to bury her face against his chest and squeezed him tight. Dane held her close against his heart. Fearing it wasn’t over, she peered around Dane’s shoulder at John’s crumpled body. John wasn’t moving.
Sirens whistled from far away. Bruce bent down to check on John’s pulse. “He’s alive.”
“Too bad. What an asshole.” Jade reared back to look up into Dane’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Dane. I’m not feeling very generous toward your brother at the moment.”
He tucked her close again him. “Neither am I. Neither am I.”
She turned to face Bruce. “Bruce, who or what is back there?”
He looked at her confusion. She pointed in the back corner. He dropped the wood to the floor before running his fingers through his short hair. “I think it’s Peppe.”
The color drained from her face. “Oh, God!”
Bruce smiled sadly. “Looks like John was on a house-cleaning mission.”
Jade shuddered and burrowed deeper into Dane’s arms. “Thank God, it’s over – before he got around to you.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Three weeks later
At the sound of the truck arriving, Jade walked out of the lab trailer, a big smile on her face. Dane. She checked the time on her new cell phone, a gift from the team. On time. She laughed and waved.
“You two are almost too much, you know that?” Meg stood at Jade’s shoulder shaking her head.
Jade laughed enjoying the great friendships she’d developed with the team. They’d become like a real family, with bonds that wouldn’t break. “Great, isn’t it?”
“I’m jealous.” Meg admitted. “We’ve only got about two weeks left. And I miss my Pete. Maybe I should have him fly over for a hot weekend, too.”
Dane exited the truck, a grin on his face as he walked toward them. “I heard that. Take him on a cruise. That’s where we’re headed as soon as you guys are done here. I can’t wait.”
“You need the break,” Jade murmured, walking into his arms. “How was the meeting?”
“Good and bad. I barely recognized John. This last three weeks hasn’t been easy on him.” He sighed, the rumble rolling up from deep down. “The extradition process is going ahead.” He dropped his head to rest against the top of Jade’s. “I spoke to one lawyer who said the U.S. wants to try him for the murders of Celia and Elise. Plus they are going back through John’s history to see if there could be other victims.”
She closed her eyes at the pain in his voice. What a mess the last few weeks had been. Dane had had it the hardest. She still had nightmares, only they were less disturbing. Dane had them too. Although she hadn’t let him know she’d watched him twist in torment while he slept.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He tightened his arms then released her, keeping one around her shoulder as he smiled at Meg. “How’s it going here?”
Meg smiled. “It’s great. We’ve found the mother and daughter we’ve been looking for. The DNA results came in today for them. Just waiting for the father’s DNA to match up then those three can go home where they belong.”
“Wow.” Dane smiled down at Jade. “That’s excellent. I guess that means you’ll be able to relax a little when Duncan gets here next week?”
She laughed. “Maybe.”
When Duncan had heard the story he’d freaked on the phone and wanted to come over right away. It had taken a lot to convince him to hold off. Now his visit would be a joy. She couldn’t wait to see him.
Jade leaned away a little. “Also, the police have a tentative ID on two of the prisoner women from the grave. But, as in John’s case, it’s important to find all of Peppe’s victims. To find them, identify them and bring them home.”
Tony had pitched a fit over identifying Peppe’s victims, but he underestimated the wealthy business owner who had been horrified and had quickly offered financial support to see the job done right.
Thank heavens.
“Home and family is important. So is friendship. And love.” Dane’s smile turned intimate, turning Jade’s insides to mush.
This trip had done so much for her. For all its horrors and violence, there’d been many good things happen. She was being held by one of them. She’d survived. Not only survived but thrived.
In fact, by now, she was pretty sure she could get through anything.
That’s what she called progress.
Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday’s Child, book 1
What she doesn’t want…is exactly what he needs.
Shunned and ridiculed all her life for something she can’t control, Samantha Blair hides her psychic abilities and lives on the fringes of society. Against her will, however, she’s tapped into a killer—or rather, his victims. Each woman’s murder, blow-by-blow, ravages her mind until their death releases her back to her body. Sam knows she must go to the authorities, but will the rugged, no-nonsense detective in charge of tracking down the killer believe her?
Detective Brandt Sutherland only trusts hard evidence, yet S
am’s visions offer clues he needs to catch a killer. The more he learns about her incredible abilities, however, the clearer it becomes that Sam’s visions have put her in the killer’s line of fire. Now Brandt must save her from something he cannot see or understand…and risk losing his heart in the process.
As danger and desire collide, passion raises the stakes in a game Sam and Brandt don’t dare lose.
Hide’n Go Seek, book 2
A twisted game of Hide’n Go Seek forces an unlikely alliance between a no-nonsense FBI agent and a search-and-rescue worker.
Celebrated search-and-rescue worker Kali Jordon has hidden her psychic abilities by crediting her canine partner Shiloh with the recoveries. But Kali knows the grim truth—The Sight that she inherited from her grandmother allows her to trace violent energy unerringly to victims of murder. No one knows her secret until a twisted killer challenges her to a deadly game of Hide’n Go Seek that threatens those closest to her.
Now she must rely on FBI Special Agent Grant Summers, a man who has sworn to protect her, even as he suspects there’s more to Kali and Shiloh than meets the eye. As the killer draws a tighter and tighter circle around Kali, she and Grant find there’s no place to hide.
Maddy’s Floor, book 3
Medical intuitive and licensed MD Madeleine Wagner thought she’d seen every way possible to heal a diseased body…then patients start dying from mysterious causes in her long-term facility.
The terminally ill fight to get into her ward. Once there, many miraculously…live. So when her patients start dropping and she senses an evil force causing their deaths, she calls on her friend and mentor, Stefan, for help. Together, they delve beyond the physical plane into the metaphysical… Only to find terror.
She wants to save everyone, but are some souls not meant to be saved?
Detective Drew McNeil has two family members in need of Maddy’s healing care, but his visits to her facility leave him wondering – who cares for Maddy? Bizarre events on her floor raise his professional curiosity. And the more time he spends with Maddy, the more personal everything becomes. When the deaths on Maddy’s Floor intersect with one of his cold cases, he realizes an old killer has returned – and Maddy’s standing in his path.
How can these people stop something that no one else can see, feel or even believe?
Books by Dale Mayer
Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday’s Child
Hide’n Go Seek
Maddy’s Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, knock…
Rare Find – out soon!
Death Series – romantic thriller
Touched by Death
Haunted by Death
Novellas/short stories
It’s a Dog’s Life- romantic comedy
Sian’s Solution – part of Family Blood Ties
Riana’s Revenge – Fantasy short story
Second Chances…at Love
Second Chances – out now
Book 2 – Spring/summer 2014
Young Adult Books
In Cassie’s Corner
Gem Stone (A Gemma Stone Mystery)
Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs
Family Blood Ties Series
Moltere Mountain Saga
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance
Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1
About the Author
Dale Mayer is a prolific multi-published USA Today Best Selling Author. She’s best known for her Psychic Vision Series. Besides her romantic suspense/thrillers, Dale also writes paranormal romance and crossover young adult books in different genres.
Connect with Dale Mayer Online
Dale’s Website
www.dalemayer.com
Twitter
http://twitter.com/DaleMayer
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/DaleMayer.author
Just Another Day at the Office
An Erotic Romance
Hedonist Six
It’s Cath’s first day at the new job, and she’s a bit overwhelmed. Her new colleague, John, is able to set her pulse racing just with his presence, making their training sessions awkward to say the least. Meanwhile their sleazy boss, Richard, seems unable to grasp that she’s not into him.
John is used to being ignored, or worse, by the opposite sex. When new girl, Cath, tries to get his attention, he reacts in the only way he knows how: with suspicion. Can she convince him he truly is the man of her dreams?
In this sweet, feel-good Love Story, you’ll follow two flawed people attempting to come together in an imperfect world. If you want cliché, porn-style sex, look elsewhere. Instead you’ll get realism, awkwardness and insecurity, leading up to a heart-felt, steamy romance which dreams are made of.
Please note this novel has previously been published in four separate parts.
© 2013 Hedonist Six
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Part I.
I.
It’s only 9:30 am and already I can smell his armpits from across the large, shiny desk. What a complete creep! If I didn’t need the money I would’ve cut the interview short and made my escape by now…
My brain is on autopilot as he witters on about what he expects from me, I try to keep eye contact to a minimum while uttering generic responses where appropriate.
“Yes I understand,” I say.
Punctuality is important, got it. My eyes wander around the room, over the posed photographs of him sharing a handshake with some equally pompous looking dicks. Dick – an appropriate nickname for Richard Porter – purchasing manager at the large electronic components distributor where I hope to be working soon.
By now I’ve seen enough of the over dressed hard board office from which he rules his domain and I stealthily glance through the window that overlooks the office floor. The desks are arranged in groups of three or four with low partition walls surrounding each cluster. All of group arrangements that I can see are fully occupied except one.
“Yes indeed I’m very excited to start my career here …” I hear myself say.
I give Richard – Dick – a quick glance. Pointless, he’s still looking at my cleavage. Perhaps I should offer him a tissue. I try to breathe through my mouth to avoid the “manly” smell he’s producing.
Outside on the office floor the man who sits alone in a grouping of three desks catches my eye. He turns around in his chair as he answers the phone and only now can I fully appreciate him. My age, or at the most thirty, if I had to guess. His full head of dark blond hair is a bit messy and just slightly longer than intended. A perfect face, if there can be such a thing. Completely regular features and a straight nose as if copied from an ancient Greek statue; not that I recall seeing many Greek statues of a man of his build. I can’t tell the exact colour of his eyes from here but even at this distance they express a certain kindness. He looks so serious, speaking into the phone with his full, sensual lips and a thoughtful look on his face.
I let my eyes travel down over his body – he’s definitely a big guy, but it’s hard to get a good look while he’s sitting in the chair. I can tell however that his belly is straining ever so slightly against the white pin striped shirt he’s wearing, in fact he should probably go a size up. The sight
is delicious although I’m certain I’d prefer the shirt off altogether. The extra weight he’s carrying excites me beyond belief. He is so exactly my type, it’s unnerving. My mind instantly conjures up images of him, on top of me, his broad arms cradling me as he leans in for a kiss. Oh what I could do to this guy.
“So you’ll handle a few easier accounts at first, then we’ll reevaluate, subject to successful completion of your trial period which lasts three months,” Dick says.
“Mmm hmm,” I answer. “Three month trial period, yes.”
I try to regain my composure, to hide the breathlessness I feel, but I can’t take my eyes off my favourite future colleague.
Oh no! What’s wrong? The gorgeous face I was just admiring has twisted into an expression of shock, sadness. He’s still on the phone, but he’s stopped speaking. Instantly my feelings of lust have dissipated, replaced by concern. It’s as if I can feel his pain from over here.
“So who will I be working with?” I turn to Dick who is now finally looking up from my chest.
“Oh you’ll be working under Jonathan Hall, Senior Purchaser here at Aspect Technologies” he says as he motions over to the one occupied desk in a cluster of three, at my Mr. Perfect.
“Great, I guess I’ll see you in two weeks then.” I shake Dick’s hand as I get up, still a bit flustered by the sights I was admiring just moments ago. As Dick walks me towards the elevator I steal one last look at Jonathan. He is sitting completely still, staring at nothing while still holding the phone in mid-air. I try to give him a warm smile as I walk right through the path of his gaze, but he is completely oblivious.
II.
