Bianca held her degree in her hands, marveling at how it felt. She smoothed her hand over the case that covered the piece of paper she had worked so hard to earn. Tears burned the back of her eyes as her dream came to realization. It had been so long in coming that she at one time thought it would never ever get here. But it had. She hadn’t given up, and she had really and truly made a dream come true. She stood in the clubhouse, holding it, gazing at it, not fully believing that she actually had it.
“Whatcha got there?” Jagger asked, as he came up behind her.
“I finally got my degree,” she grinned up at him.
“Awesome, baby! ’Bout damn time too. That pissed me off so bad when I realized you didn’t get your actual one the day you graduated.”
Bianca laughed. “I know, I thought I was gonna have to keep you from going after the people in the front office.”
He blushed. “Well, you worked hard for it and you deserved it. Sorry, but it really did piss me off.”
“It’s fine, it was cute.” She continued gazing at it, running her hands over it.
“Should we go celebrate?” He wagged his eyebrows at her, a sexy smile tugging the corners of his lips.
“No.” She hit him in the stomach. “We don’t have to ‘celebrate’ everything Jagger.”
“Can’t blame a man for tryin’.”
She rolled her eyes, the smile still faintly on her face.
“What’s that?” Meredith asked as she walked into the main room where they stood, nodding towards what Bianca held in her hands.
“My degree,” she told her friend, not able to keep the excitement out of her voice.
“They finally sent it to you? That’s great!” Meredith came over and hugged her friend. “I’m really happy for you.”
Bianca noticed that the smile didn’t go all the way to Meredith’s eyes and she wanted to ask her about it, but there were so many people around and she wasn’t sure that Meredith would want to get into something if it was personal. Instead, she grinned back at her friend. “Thanks, I’m so excited.”
People kept pouring into the main room of the clubhouse. “What’s going on?” she asked Jagger as she saw Layne, Tyler, Sharon, Steele and Liam make their way in. Denise even waddled in with Drew and Mandy, her stomach huge. She was due in a few weeks and just looking at her made Bianca hurt.
“Not sure,” he told her, putting his arm around her shoulder. “Maybe Liam’s gonna announce something? I have no idea.”
She sank against his side, paying attention with the rest of them as Liam stood in front of the group.
“I have a really important announcement to make. Actually it’s a decision that we’ve all made.”
His voice was so serious that Bianca gripped her arm around Jagger’s waist. Was he stepping down? The look on his face made her nervous. She thought of these people as her family, and if something was happening, she was going to be upset.
“I think you should explain,” Tyler spoke up from where he stood beside his best friend.
Liam swallowed roughly and glanced at the group. “Something pretty serious has been brought to my attention, and I think we should go ahead and talk about it now. We should just go ahead and get this out in the open and work through it. I don’t want this to rip the group apart.”
“What the hell is going on?” Bianca whispered to Jagger. Her previous elation was quickly being replaced with dread.
“No idea, babe, let him finish.”
“Just tell us, man,” Layne called out from where he sat at the table where everyone usually ate.
“This is pretty hard for me to get out,” Liam took a deep breath. “But it’s come to my attention that our very own Bianca got her degree today, and I really think we should give her that graduation party that she didn’t let us give her before.”
All eyes turned to Bianca, who stood there confused. “What?”
“This is for you,” Jagger chuckled. “Congrats on getting your degree.”
Everyone whooped and hollered for her as they all congratulated her. From somewhere, a cake was brought out, along with drinks and punch. Presents even appeared on the table where Layne sat.
“You guys, I don’t know what to say.” She bit her lip and fought the emotion that was welling up in her throat.
“Just say ‘thank you’,” Liam told her as he put his arm around her shoulder. “You really are one of us now, you ain’t gettin’ rid of us now.”
“Thank you,” she told him, putting her arms around the president who ran this club with heart and as much integrity as they could have. He had turned this group of ragtag men into a family, and she was so proud to be a part of it.
“You’ve worked really hard,” he told her. “We’ve all seen it and you deserve this. Enjoy it.”
Jagger had left her to go get himself a piece of cake, and she glanced over to where he sat in between Drew and Layne. They were laughing about something and he looked up, catching her eye. She smirked as he winked at her. Bianca knew he had a large hand in this, and he was so getting laid later.
“Congratulations, Bianca,” she heard as she turned back around.
Denise stood facing her, one hand at her back, the other cupping the swell of her belly. “Thank you so much, Mama,” she giggled, using the nickname the group had adopted for her after the past few weeks.
“Don’t even,” she threatened. “I want this child out of me so badly. My back is killing me.”
“You wanna go walk?” Bianca offered, knowing that many women triggered labor by walking.
“Nah,” she grinned, a twinkle in her eye. “I made President Liam exert his executive authority earlier, and since then I’ve been feeling some contractions.”
“Denise, you need to go,” Bianca told her.
“They’re not close enough yet, but forgive me if we rush outta here.” She stretched her back out while they stood.
“Of course. It would be pretty sweet if you did have the baby today. It would help me remember how special this day is.”
Denise put her hand on Bianca’s arm. “I wanna tell you how proud I am of you for accomplishing your goal. Whether you know it or not, you’ve become a role model for my daughter, and I hope that she keeps her eye on the prize—just like you. I can’t tell you how amazed I am at what you’ve done, and I want you to enjoy this. This is from me and Liam. I wanted to give it to you personally, that way nobody else gets jealous.” She winked, handing an envelope to Bianca.
Bianca didn’t know what to say. She truly hadn’t expected this party, much less the gifts that sat on the table for her to open. Opening the envelope carefully, she pulled out a voucher. “What’s this?” she mumbled as she tilted the voucher so that she could read it. “Oh my gosh,” she giggled as she realized what it was for. A two-day, two-nights pass at an amusement park in Indiana. “I can’t believe you got this,” she laughed.
“You and Jagger are a very fun couple who like to have fun together. I know that neither of you had the best childhood. That seriously was the one thing my children loved when I was able to do it for them. They have a water park and everything. Liam okayed for whenever Jagger wants to take the time. Those are good until the end of August, but I suggest you go during the week in the next few weeks. I hope that the two of you have an amazing time together and enjoy a nice little get away.”
Overcome with emotion, Bianca reached forward and pulled Denise into her arms. “Thank you so much for this. You and Liam both.”
“You’re welcome. Like I said, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, and my kids love you. I’m excited to see how far you go.”
Jagger sat with Layne and Drew laughing over Drew explaining the attributes of a young girl in his class. Apparently, he had taken to noticing the things that became important as boys grew into young men.
“Layne,” Steele cut into their conversation. “There was a call for you on the club answering machine. It came from Calabasas, California.”
Layne stilled and he pulled h
is cell phone out of his pocket. “Was it a woman?” he asked, getting up, grimacing as he put too much weight on his leg.
“It was. She said she was looking for you and mentioned something about Nashville.”
Layne cursed softly. “If y’all will excuse me, I gotta go check this,” he indicated a message he had on his cell.
“If you need something, let us know,” Jagger offered. There was only one person he knew that Layne knew lived in California. Almost sounded like Jessica was coming to Nashville, and he wasn’t sure how Layne would handle that.
“Will do,” Layne said as he pushed some buttons on his phone and walked out of the clubhouse.
“Who does he know in California?” Rooster asked, having a seat at the table.
“Dude, if I told you, you wouldn’t even believe me.”
An hour later, Bianca sat opening the gifts that had been given to her. Some were funny, like the one she got from Steele that was a shirt that said ‘Damn, I wish I had a teacher that looked like you’. Others were thoughtful, like the gift from Meredith and Tyler, a gift card to a local teacher store for more money than she cared to admit. Meredith had told her that she knew setting up a classroom was expensive and they wanted to do their part to help her.
Tears had been shared because the gift was so thoughtful, and then Denise and Liam had left in a flurry as her water broke while she and Meredith were hugging. Bianca hadn’t been sure they shouldn’t all pack up and head to the hospital, but everyone assured her they should hold off for at least an hour and she should continue to open her gifts.
There was one left and she grinned as she saw the writing on the card. This one was from Jagger. “Read it,” he told her, his eyes leveling on hers.
Inside the card was a coupon, good for one session of sex playing good teacher, bad student. She laughed, her face burning a bright red. “Seriously?” she questioned him.
He winked. “You can use that if you want, but it’s not your real gift. I just wanted to see you blush. This is your real gift.” He lifted a large box from behind his seat. “There’s a couple things in there, so be careful.”
She nodded and ripped open the paper and box. On top was a velvet box from a local jewelry store. It wasn’t small enough to be a ring, but that didn’t matter. They hadn’t talked about that, yet she was very interested in what sat inside. Carefully opening the box, she saw a Pandora bracelet with a few charms already on it. “Jagger, it’s beautiful,” she told him, fingering the charms. There was one that was an apple, she assumed for a teacher, a music note, she assumed for their shared love of him singing, and then there was one of an infinity symbol, she hoped to symbolize their commitment to one another.
“Keep going,” he told her.
Pulling out a couple of shirts, she marveled at his ability to know things that she would like. One even read ‘Property of Jagger’ on it. Everyone laughed as she pulled that one out and showed it. The box had been very heavy though, and she had to wonder what was making it so heavy. Pushing aside the tissue paper, she saw smooth black leather.
“Jagger?” she questioned as she looked up, catching his eye.
“Look at it,” he instructed her.
With shaking hands, she pulled the feminine cut jacket out of the box, her eyes immediately going to the patch that did in fact proclaim her Jagger’s property. It also told of her affiliation with them, but all she cared about was that patch. That was as big as an engagement ring in this world. “Are you sure?”
“I’d be honored if you wore it,” he told her, stepping forward and helping her put it on.
It fit like a dream, and she breathed in the smell of Jagger and leather, putting her hands around his waist. “I’d be honored to wear it,” she told him, pulling his lips to hers.
“Welcome to the family then.” Tyler clapped his hands, and whistles rang up as they stood there wrapped in one another.
He pulled away and she buried her head in his chest. Her story really had come full circle. Gone was the fear and indecision of not believing in herself. With this group of people she had come to know herself more than she ever had, and with that, she realized how out of control she’d felt about her life before. It was still there. But this time she welcomed it. Sometimes being out of control brought you to the most beautiful place ever.
The End
Acknowledgments
The fans of the Heaven Hill Series amaze me every day with how excited they are for anything that I do. If it weren’t for every single one of you, I would not be here! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Allison Jewell – We have known each other over half our lives and there is no one else I would rather be on this journey with. Thank you for listening to every single one of my worries, fears, stresses, and freak outs. Thank you for sharing in every single one of my accomplishments, excitements, and victories. I’ll always be grateful that we met on that snowy January afternoon for coffee. Seems like forever ago huh?
My family – My husband is amazing and my biggest supporter. I’m so thankful to have in my life. My sister-in-law never ceases to amaze me with the way she pimps me out and how excited she gets. I hope it always stays like that!
My friends – Thank you all for being so excited for me and supporting me, I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
Shellie – Thank you for convincing me that this was worth it when I was really second guessing it!
Lindsay, Kari, Sherri, and Paul – Thank you so much for helping me bring these books to the masses! I couldn’t do it without you and to be honest, I don’t want to!
Fellow authors – KIW & Cover to Cover. Thank you so much for teaching me, listening to me, and including me in these amazing groups. I wouldn’t be where I am without you all. I look forward to forming more friendships!
Thank you all for allowing and encouraging me to do what I love!
Book Four
Worth The Battle
Heaven Hill Book #4
By Laramie Briscoe
Dedication
To the readers who love the Heaven Hill boys as much as I do. To the amazing people I’ve gotten to meet so far this year and the great times this journey has taken me on—I have all of YOU to thank! Thank you!
Summary
Movie star running from her life.
Secret writer of erotic romance.
Trusts only Layne O’Connor of the Heaven Hill MC.
When Jessica Shea fears that her privacy is in danger, she takes the drastic step to leave her life behind and escape to the only person who’s never treated her like the movie star she is. He’s the one person who’s never sold a story to the tabloids and who knows the real Jessica, the one underneath the makeup and high-gloss shine of Hollywood.
Their friendship has stood the test of time. Now, someone has stolen private photos and writings from her home. Things that she doesn’t want the public at large to see. There’s only one place she knows she can go to be under the radar and lick her wounds.
That place is wherever Layne O’Connor is.
War Veteran.
Striving to live a normal life.
Member of the Heaven Hill MC.
Layne left a piece of himself in the war zone. Fighting PTSD and demons that he can’t explain has left him tired and changed from the man he was before he went overseas.
The only thing he feels like he excels at anymore is being a criminal, and he gladly does it for his brothers of the Heaven Hill MC. The only people who took him in when no one else knew what to make of his anger and frustration.
When Jessica arrives, however, she’s a trigger for everything he’s trying to forget. She makes him remember who he was before his life went to hell; she makes him want to get himself back. While working through those issues, he and Jessica are racing against an unknown enemy.
As they both work to trust each other and figure out just who her enemies are, they learn that love is never easy. They have to decide if the victory is worth the battle.
Chapter One
Nashville traffic sucked a big one—especially when it kept Layne O’Connor from getting to the one person in the world who had the power to make him drive seventy miles without questioning why. His fingers beat a rhythm against the steering wheel in time with the rock station he listened to. Today, the music that normally calmed him down set his nerves on edge.
“Move your ass,” he shouted as the person in front of him tapped their brakes. It was times like this he wished he could always drive his motorcycle. If he had been on the back of his bike right now, he could have maneuvered through this mess in ten minutes flat. Instead, he had been sitting in almost gridlock for over an hour. He’d also been flipped off more times than he cared to count, what he wouldn’t give to show these drivers the kind of artillery he carried with him.
A trip that should have taken an hour and a half at most was well into its second. Cursing loudly, he picked up the phone that sat in his cup holder and dialed Jessica Shea’s number. The fact that she was on his speed dial was telling. The only other people on speed dial were Liam and Jagger. He refused to look deeper into that as he waited on the ringing of his phone.
“Hey,” he forged ahead when she answered. “I haven’t forgotten you. This traffic is a motherfucking mess. I’m tryin’ to get there, but there’s a shit ton of Sunday drivers,” he yelled for good measure.
“I know.” Her voice was soft and understanding on the other end. “I figured you were on your way.”
“You’re okay, right?” He had to ask her because something didn’t sit right with him. They were friends, great friends, and at one time—lovers, but never in the way that you just show up at each other’s home. In the past when they had gone to see each other, it was planned well in advance. His intuition and instincts were on high alert.
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