The Right Choice

by Brandy L Rivers

  He helped her to a stand and nodded inside. “Get cleaned up. We’ll be right here. Need to see if we can find any evidence before we take off. Your yard just became a crime scene. You’re welcome to stay with me.”

  She nodded, unable to formulate a response. She walked back to her bathroom and started scrubbing on autopilot.

  How the hell had everything gotten so fucked so fast?

  Hands closed over her shoulders and she looked up to find Brian’s deep brown eyes locked on hers in the mirror. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”

  “My brother pulled me into a shitstorm because he’s too fucking stupid to live.” She sighed and dropped her head.

  He massaged her shoulders. “I’ll keep you safe. Pack a few outfits. You’re staying at my place. At least until we catch the men after your brother.”

  “Yeah, and if that doesn’t happen?”

  “We’ll catch them, Kylie.”

  “Let me get my things.” She sighed and stepped out of his reach, walking back to her room.

  She came back with a small suitcase. “I’ll drive myself. I imagine you’ll have work to do after you take his statement.”

  He nodded. “How about you follow us? I’ll let you into my home. Get you the spare keys and head to the hospital. Your brother will be questioned, if he doesn’t wind up in surgery first, then the investigation will begin in earnest.”

  “Good. I don’t want to look at my brother at this point.”

  * * * *

  Kylie followed Marissa and Brian to his apartment. He directed Kylie to park in the spot next to his truck and took her to inside. He opened the door, then gave her a brief tour and a soft kiss.

  “I’ll be back when I can. You have my number. If you need me, call.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out a box with a spare key. “Here, in case you need to go somewhere.”

  The corners of her mouth tugged up. “Thank you.”

  “Relax. There’s a laptop if you need something online, cable, movies. Anything I have here is at your disposal. I need to go.”

  She wrapped her hand around the back of his head and drew him down for a kiss. His hands curled around her waist and he pressed his forehead against hers as he looked into her eyes.

  “Hope that means we aren’t finished because of this mess. I plan to explore us.”

  She gulped. “All for exploring. Go get the bad guys.”

  He dipped his head and walked out of the apartment.

  Her heart melted with the potential for more. Kylie explored the apartment, taking everything in. It wasn’t a mess, but it wasn’t spotless. Things weren’t always in their place, or maybe she was too much of a neat freak.

  Sighing, she sat her bag down in his room and made her way back to the couch to relax. Or try. She needed to take her mind off her brother and the potential trouble he was in.

  Chapter 9

  Two days later Brian and Marissa sat at his desk, finishing up the paperwork after bringing both Fitzgerald and Rygar in. Now that the feds were involved since each of them were wanted for crimes in nearby states, it was officially out of their jurisdiction.

  Brian leaned back in the chair and stared up at the ceiling. Kent was in jail, awaiting trial. So were the other two. No one was coming after Kylie, who was on shift.

  “When are you going to tell Kylie we got them?”

  He half laughed. “Tonight, after she gets home. Maybe I’ll have dinner ready for her.”

  Her brow arched. “Ready? As in cook?”

  “As in takeout.” He shrugged. “Something nice. I’ll have a bottle of wine ready. Tell her the good news, and hope that we continue whatever this is.”

  “Doubt that will be an issue. She seems pretty thrilled with the way things have developed.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “She was telling Arianna about you yesterday.” That was her brother’s girlfriend. She spent a lot of time with her family.

  “Guess we’ll see.”

  “Maybe you should bring her over for a barbeque this weekend. If you’re interested.”

  “If she agrees, we’ll be there.”

  * * * *

  Kylie walked into Brian’s apartment. As much as she liked staying with him, she missed her home and her things. Not that she minded being in Brian’s place, but it was smaller and missing touches of personality.

  She found food on the table, two glasses, and a bottle of wine. The man couldn’t cook, but he knew the best places to get takeout. Though she had cooked the night before.

  Brian came out of the bathroom in a pair of jeans and nothing else. His hair was still damp. His mouth curved into a smile. “Come, eat. We need to talk.”

  Her heart stuttered. Talk? Was he sending her home? There was an air of finality to the statement. But the wine…

  Confused, she dropped her purse on the counter and walked to the table. He pulled the chair out. She sat, and he pushed her in. Then he poured them each a glass of wine before taking the seat next to her.

  “We caught both Fitzgerald and Rygar today. Feds took over. They’re going away for a long time. Your brother is awaiting trial. I still want you to stay tonight, and then tomorrow, I want to see you. Wherever that is. I don’t want to walk away because you’re out of danger.”

  Her heart jumped out of her stomach where it had lodged itself. “I was beginning to think you were going to say you were done with me.”

  “No. Not at all. As long as you still want me around.”

  “I do. So where does that leave us?”

  “Dating?” He shrugged. “Not sure either of us is ready to move in together, but I do like having you in my bed or vice versa.”

  “Dating. Exclusive?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  She took a sip of her wine. “I’ll stay tonight.”

  About Brandy L Rivers

  Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.

  An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.

  Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

  Or join my newsletter

  Or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans

  Also by Brandy L Rivers

  Bundled Sets

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton

  New Beginnings

  In Too Deep

  Shadows Fall

  Shadows of the Past

  Fated Love

  Falling Into Place

  Breaking Free

  Mending Scars

  Labor of Love

  Light in Darkness

  Blissful Agony

  Deep Trouble

  Entangled Darkness

  Deadly Design

  Untitled – Declan’s Story (Coming summer 2017)

  Others of Seattle

  Nights Embrace

  Storm Mistress

  Accepting Fate

  Red Queen

  Seductive Solutions

  Changing Destiny

  Coming Together

  Storm Wrath

  Twisted Bonds

  Nights Embrace Spin Off

  Summer Rhythm

  Combustible

  Heart on Fire

  Falling Star

  Sweet Tooth

  Backburn

  Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke


  Cursed Vengeance

  Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

  Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans

  Preview: Heart on Fire

  Brandy L Rivers ©2014

  One night to be someone else

  Mila Day had plans. When her lover demands she give up her dreams to be a trophy wife, she leaves. Wanting to forget the wasted years, she ends up at a party in the next state, craving one wild night of abandon. It was exactly what she wanted.

  No strings.

  No names.

  But it’s not exactly what she gets. Six years later, she’s a happy high school teacher with a beautiful daughter she will always Cherish.

  No regrets.

  Kyle Blake is a fireman who has been burned. He’s happy alone until he hears joyous laughter next door. He finds it hard to resist Mila, and her little girl, who steal his heart.

  When pieces of her past surface, she’ll question everything. Can they survive the truth?

  Prologue

  Six years ago, Halloween night

  Excitement danced through her veins as Mila attempted to tie the glittery scarlet mask’s ribbons under her hair.

  Barb tapped her foot, taunting, “Come on, Mila. You don’t want to be late.” Mila’s best friend was ready for her boyfriend’s frat party across the street. They were in the apartment Anthony shared with a friend, but the guys were setting up, leaving them alone to costume themselves.

  “Help me, please. I don’t want anyone to recognize me,” she pleaded. “I plan on getting drunk, really drunk, and going home with some hot superhero, or maybe another demon.” And she was, but she was also nervous as hell.

  Barb shook her head as she turned toward her. “You’ll have your choice of men.”

  “Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone. I’ll deny it until my dying day.”

  For one night, and only one, she needed to be someone else. Five weeks since she had walked out on Paul, and Mila wanted to forget.

  She’d thought she loved him, until he told her what she was going to do with her life. Mila refused to fall in line with his agenda. Paul laughed, and told her she would never amount to anything. She walked away.

  Only took the prick a week to replace her with a woman she thought was her friend. If Leslie had been, that ended when she showed off her sparkly engagement ring, and proceeded to ask Mila to be her maid of honor. That was a big fat no.

  Good riddance. Jerk could take his bimbo to New York, and start his life as a scum-sucking lawyer. Leslie was clearly thrilled to become his trophy wife.

  Tonight, Mila wasn’t going to play sweet and innocent. With her inhibitions left at home, she was going to be bold and daring. She was going to have a great time with every intention of fucking that asshole, and his back-stabbing tramp, right out of her mind.

  “Honey, we’re in another state.” Barb nudged her chin up until they made eye contact. “You only know one of Anthony’s friends. No one is going to recognize you. Not unless you count Anthony, and he won’t come on to you,” she wiggled her fingers, “unless he wants a castration via acrylics.”

  Mila laughed. “Anthony loves you. I honestly doubt he has it in him to look at another woman.”

  “I don’t know. Do you see yourself?” Barb fanned her face dramatically. “You are so damned hot, you have flames springing up with every step you take. I’d be surprised if you don’t land a man in under two seconds.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Don’t forget the condoms!”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, mom.”

  Smirking, Barb twirled her finger. “Turn around.”

  Mila did and Barb worked her magic, hiding the ties in the fall of big dark chocolate curls that tumbled down Mila’s back. The jeweled mask was custom fitted to her face and covered from below her nose up to her hair. Projecting from the top edge of the mask, and encircled with curls, the horns appeared to spring from her head. She even wore a matching tail.

  Mila walked to the bathroom with the full-length mirror and stared at herself. Her breasts nearly spilled out of the scarlet satin corset. Matching hot pants showed off her long, toned legs. Black knee high boots, and gloves topped off the ensemble.

  Taking a deep breath, she reached for her makeup bag, and painted on shiny scarlet lipstick.

  She hardly recognized herself. She generally chose clothes for comfort. Cute, not sexy.

  I can do this. I want to do this, she reminded herself.

  Mila turned to Barb. “I’ll meet you back here late tonight, or early tomorrow.”

  Smiling, she pulled Mila into a hug.

  There was a tremble to her voice. “This is a one-time thing. I need to do something crazy once in my life.”

  “Doesn’t have to be one time. You need this. So let’s go have some fun.” Barb took her hand and pulled her out of the apartment, down to the frat house across the way. “Our first mission is to get some alcohol.”

  “Yeah, I’ll find our drinks.” Mila flipped her hair over her shoulder. Every pair of eyes landed on her as she sashayed her way through the crowd. Her new-found seductive power was something she could get used to, if she wasn’t planning to be a high school teacher.

  “Hello, devil,” a deep, velvety purr caught her attention as the owner stepped close enough to feel the heat of his skin.

  She turned to fall deep into smoldering blue-grey eyes. Most of his face was hidden behind a Phantom of the Opera mask. His dark hair brushed the collar of a poet’s blouse tucked into tight black pants over incredibly powerful legs. A cape completed the costume, draped carelessly over impressive shoulders. Below the mask, his full, tempting smile, and accompanying dimple, drew her attention. Mila wanted a taste.

  “Why hello, Phantom.” Her lips turned up in a coy smile as desire rushed through her. The Phantom of the Opera was her favorite musical. She could listen to it non-stop for days. “Can I tempt you with a drink?”

  “You’re tempting me for something more than a drink.” He stepped into her body as his hands wrapped around her waist. “Want to dance?”

  “Yes, I do,” she answered immediately.

  He led her to the dance floor and encircled her in his arms. So warm, so strong, and it felt right.

  His breath danced over her ear. “This too fast?”

  “Not at all.” A combination of confidence and desire left her feeling frisky. She nipped his ear, and was rewarded with a deep moan. The music started and his body moved to the beat. His lips grazed her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

  Barb cleared her throat. Even in her tiny, sexy fairy princess dress, she had a maternal quality. The pointed look brought Mila back to reality.

  Then a single brow arched in amusement. “Forget something?”

  Mila giggled impishly. “I was distracted.”

  Barb took an appreciative look at Phantom and one corner of her mouth lifted. “I can see that.”

  Phantom grinned. “I couldn’t resist temptation, but will gladly burn in hell to steal another dance.”

  “Who’s your friend?” Barb’s eyes sparkled.

  “The Phantom of the Opera.” Mila quickly answered, not wanting his name. She didn’t need it. One hot night, that was all she could afford.

  “Gonna play it that way?” Barb narrowed her eyes, but smiled back at the man. “Very well, Phantom, I’m Barb.”

  “Good evening. I hope you don’t mind if I keep Devil to myself for as long as she’ll let me. I promise to treat her well.”

  Mila had no doubt he would. Even if he only talked the whole night, she could listen to the seductive rumble without complaint.

  Anthony joined them with a round of drinks. He wore his football uniform, minus the pads. Maybe it hadn’t occurred to him to shop for a real costume? In any case, it worked for him.

  Once everyone had a cup, Mila chugged her beer.<
br />
  Phantom licked his lips as he watched her like a predator.

  That shouldn’t turn me on.

  In three years, Paul never once looked at her like she was edible and he was starving.

  He took a few long swallows from his cup, and offered the remainder. “More?”

  “Mmm.” She nodded and took his to guzzle it down.

  Anthony’s eyes widened as he shook his head. Barb grabbed the cups and dragged her man away, giving Mila a thumbs-up behind her boyfriend’s back.

  Mila turned back to Phantom, and drowned in his smoldering eyes. Not allowing herself to think, she fisted his hair and dragged him down for a kiss. There was no hesitation as his mouth closed over hers. He took control immediately, his tongue sliding against hers. His taste was rich, heady, and she wanted more.

  One hand squeezed her ass, pulling her tight against his straining length, his other turned her head enough for him to whisper in her ear, “Careful now, Devil. I’m trying to behave until I can get you alone, but you really,” he nipped the lobe of her ear, “truly, need to slow down, before I find a corner, and have you against the wall.”

  Her mouth popped open to argue, but she couldn’t think of a single thing wrong with that plan. In fact, she no longer wanted to be drunk. She wanted to remember every last detail. Her voice was husky when she finally responded. “Then dance, before I go back to tempting you.”

  He made the sexiest growling sound she’d ever heard. Her heart raced and her blood boiled. She knew slowing down was wise, but her body wanted everything he had to offer.

  A sensual, slow song came on, and his arms wound around her, pulling her closer. His lips trailed up the column of her throat, leaving her breathless as their bodies moved together. One hand caressed up her side, grazing over the curve of her breast.

  “Oh, Phantom. Now, you’re the one tempting me,” she moaned, urgently pressing her hips against him, feeling the evidence of his arousal trapped between their bodies.