Attraction Series Boxed Set: Books 1-3

by J B Heller

  “I will still have my moments of weakness, but you make me want to fight them instead of giving myself over to them.”

  The look of reverence in his eyes made me feel that much more powerful.

  “I am so damn proud of you Ash.” His lips crashed down against mine.

  Minutes later he pried his lips away from mine, as though it physically pained him to do so. He swept his thumb over my bottom lip, “If I don’t stop now, I won’t be stopping until I’ve emptied myself inside you again. And,” he glanced at his watch, “if you’re going to work, we have to get going.”

  The thought of having him inside me again made me want to call in sick like he’d suggested earlier. My shoulders slumped, and I sighed heavily. “Fine.” I mumbled.

  Axel grinned, “There’s my little minx.” He winked and dropped one last kiss against my lips before leading me out of his room and down the stairs.

  We stopped and picked up coffee and doughnuts for breakfast on our way back into the city. Axel was mostly silent on the drive, but he kept his hand secured on my thigh the whole time.

  When we stopped for the coffees he pulled out his phone and sent a few texts. I was curious but didn’t ask who he was talking to.

  When he pulled up in the library parking lot beside a sleek black car with a muscular, tattooed man leaning against the back I almost swallowed my tongue. The guy was impossibly sexy, and when he lifted his aviator sunglasses off his face and pushed them on top of his head the view just got better.

  Axel narrowed his eyes at me, “He’s married.” He said before opening his door and hopping out of the truck.

  Instead of coming around to my door and helping me down like he usually did, he went straight over to the hot guy and shook his hand before they started talking. I didn’t know if I should wait in the truck or get out and join the conversation.

  Chewing on the inside of my cheek for a minute I decided to go meet the hottie. That’s what new confidant Ashlynn would do. So I flung my door open and climbed down using the sidestep. Once on the ground I straightened my skirt and ran my hand through my hair then rounded the bed of the truck.

  Axel and hottie were talking quietly between themselves as I approached. When I came up by his side Axel wrapped his arm around my shoulder and introduced me, “Ash, this is Brayden Brooks. He’s a close friend and he’ll be spending the day with you.”

  My eyes widened. “Wh-what?” I stuttered, how could I be expected to function properly with this— this— sexy god of a man following me around all day?

  Axel raised a brow at me. “What’s the problem, Minx? Brayden was tailing you all day yesterday and you didn’t even know it.”

  I wanted to melt into the gravel beneath my feet. “He was?” I asked quietly. I began wracking my brain, had I done anything especially embarrassing yesterday? I couldn’t think with both Axel and hottie, aka Brayden, watching me the way they currently were.

  A panic attack was coming on. But it wasn’t out of fear, no, it was out of pure mortification. When I’d returned to work from being at the hospital with Axel I’d spent the whole afternoon gushing to Sammy about Axel and his brothers. Oh my lord! Had Brayden been in the library? As in, inside? Where he could have heard me singing Axel’s praises?

  I wanted to die. Just let the ground open up and swallow me whole, right now, please god. I’d be ever so grateful. Because that confidant Ash that I’d been so convinced I could be this morning, yeah well she just left the building.

  But nothing happened. God nor the ground bent to my will. No, I was left standing between two insanely gorgeous men who were both looking at me as if I was about to have a stroke. And I just might!

  Brayden grinned at me, “You all right there, Red? You look a bit flush.” His grin intensified as he shifted his gaze to Axel.

  Axel shot him a glare then took my shoulders in his hands and turned my body to face him. “Minx, if I can’t stay with you today then someone else has to.”

  “Couldn’t one of your brothers come instead?” I asked.

  Axel frowned, “Fuck no. We’ve been over this, those sneaky bastards would try stealing you away from me and that’s not going to happen. I’m not leaving you alone with either of them until I’ve got a ring on your finger.”

  My eyes about popped out of my head, “A ring?” I squeaked. Holy crap.

  The corner of Axel’s mouth lifted in a smirk, “Make no mistake Ashlynn, I will be putting a ring on your finger. Sooner rather than later.”

  “Oh.” I squeaked again. Holy freaking crap!

  Brayden’s laughter boomed behind me, “Oh you’re all kinds of fucked, brother.”

  Axel’s eyes shot over my shoulder towards Brayden, “And I ain’t complaining.” He winked then turned his focus back to me. “Now, like I said before, Brayden here is married. So I’ve got absolutely no qualms about leaving you in his care while I go sort shit out.”

  “Well, okay then, I guess.” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else but they both heard me. I took a few deep cleansing breaths while Axel watched me closely and I pulled myself back together after my minor freak out.

  “You good?” he asked, giving my shoulders a slight squeeze.

  I smiled and nodded, “Yeah, I’m good.”

  He dropped a kiss on my forehead then turned me back around and slapped me on the butt, “Right, well, I’ve got a motherfucker to track down and you’ve got books and shit to sort. I’ll pick you up this afternoon.”

  Then he was gone. And I was left standing in front of Brayden with bright red cheeks and nothing clever to say.

  Brayden straightened from his slouched position against his car and held out his crooked elbow for me to take, “Shall we?”

  I took his offered arm, cleared my throat and prayed my voice would come out strong. “Sure.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  As soon as I walked into the office I headed for Gabe’s desk. But before I could even make it to his doorway he was on his way out to me. “We’ve got a location. Let’s go.” He commanded.

  He was in the zone, and as soon as the words left his mouth, so was I.

  I turned on my heels and was out the door one step behind him.

  Adrenaline pulsed through my veins. I knew exactly what I wanted to do to Zane. But I also knew he’d made some new friends in prison, friends with skills that they had passed onto him. I couldn’t allow myself to underestimate him.

  I slid into the passenger seat of Gabe’s truck, “Where’s he at?”

  Gabe glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. I knew I wasn’t going to like what he had to say. “Eastman’s.”

  “No fucking way. How’d he get hooked up with them?” The Eastman’s ran a lot of shit around town. And none of it good. Apparently he hadn’t just made your typical low life connections in prison, he’d made friends in high places.

  Gabe ran his hand through his hair, while easily navigating his way through the traffic to get us to our destination faster. “Apparently Zane was in the right place at the right time one day and saved the youngest Eastman from ending up with a shiv in his kidneys. The two were tight after that, and he was welcomed into the fold.”

  Well fuck me.

  I rested my head back on the headrest and let out a long string of expletives under my breath. My fists clenched with the urge to smash them into the nearest surface, which happened to be the dashboard and I really didn’t want to end up with an airbag in my face, so I held myself in check.

  “You remember a couple years back we had a run in with Donny Eastman?” Gabe asked.

  I nodded, “Yeah,” I muttered. He’d been an alright guy to be honest. If you didn’t know better you wouldn’t have a clue about the shit he was into. He ran one of the biggest drug rings in the state. As well as playing a minor role in arms deals.

  Gabe scratched the back of his neck, “A few months after that he called me, his youngest daughter skipped town with one of his lackeys. As you can imagine, he was less than
impressed with the situation.”

  I half laughed, “What a dumb fuck.”

  “You’re not far off. I tracked them down in a couple of hours and let him know where they were. Anyway, the point of this story is, he owes me one, so I’m cashing in my favour. We shouldn’t have any problems getting him to cough up Fuckwad.” He explained.

  I was so relieved, I had no words. Without Gabe’s in, we’d be totally fucked. I was suddenly glad Gabe had made nice with the dodgy fucker. I mean, I liked the guy, but I probably wouldn’t have put myself out for him. Not knowing what I know about him and his business dealings.

  “Thanks man. I—” my throat clogged with emotion. I’d do anything to get rid of this guy and give Ash the security she needed. And Gabe had just handed me the golden ticket. No questions asked, no expectations, and no second thoughts. “Thanks.” I muttered. Unsure of what else to say. I couldn’t find the sufficient words to express my gratitude right now.

  Gabe just shrugged, “No worries, I knew a favour from Eastman would come in handy one day. Just glad I had this one up my sleeve. We’ll get this shit sorted and your girl will be able to rest easy again.”

  I nodded and watched the traffic out my window as we flew past the slower moving vehicles on the highway.

  Twenty minutes later we were at Eastman’s estate on the far side of the city. Gabe hit the button on the speaker box by the huge electric gate that shielded the property from passers-by. “McLeod to see Eastman. He’s expecting me.”

  There was a moment of silence before we were given the all clear. “Come on up to the main house,” then the gates opened allowing us entry.

  I whistled as the main house came into view, “Holy shit, corruption pays, huh?”

  “Apparently,” Gabe murmured as he pulled up in a small parking area just off from the wraparound drive that passed by the front of the house.

  As we climbed the stairs the front door swung open and Eastman leaned against the frame, his arms crossed over his broad chest, a gun in his shoulder holster. “McLeod,” he said, nodding to Gabe.

  Then his eyes swung to me. I could feel him sizing me up. Even though we had met previously, it wasn’t like we were on friendly terms or anything. “Jamieson,” he finally greeted me.

  I lifted my chin in response, “S’up Eastman. Heard you might be able to help me out.”

  He relaxed his stance and welcomed us inside. We entered a huge open foyer with a double sided staircase that led to the upper level. Eastman led us down a hall and into an office near the back of the house. “Take a seat. I’ll call Jimmy in.”

  We sat in a seating area by the open fireplace, Gabe and I took the two leather wingback chairs facing a double seater with a large glass coffee table in the centre, while Eastman wandered over to his desk. He pressed a button on his phone and instructed for his brother to be brought in. Then he came and joined us.

  He sat back in the lounge across from us and threw his arm over the back of it while we awaited the arrival of Jimmy Eastman. Gabe and Eastman made small talk for a few minutes until a knock sounded the arrival of the youngest Eastman brother.

  Striding in like he owned the place, with a cigarette in his hand, he flicked the ash as he passed the fireplace, not caring that he missed the pit. It was clear to see he had little respect for his older brother. Hell, that move even made me want to punch him. Little punk.

  Jimmy positioned himself on the arm of the lounge, his long legs straight out in front of him with his ankles crossed. He took a long draw from his cig then blew the smoke in his brother’s direction. “You called, big brother?” he quipped.

  Eastman kept his cool though, and cut straight to the chase, “Your friend Zane, where is he?”

  Jimmy arched a brow, “What’s it to you?”

  Eastman glared at his brother, “Where the fuck is he? I don’t have time for your bullshit today, Jimmy.”

  Jimmy just grinned, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I don’t know where Zane is, I’m not his keeper.”

  Eastman was losing his patience, and so was I. “You live under my roof, and live off my money. You will show me respect or you will be on the street. Do you understand me?”

  Again Jimmy didn’t budge, “You wouldn’t dare. Even if you wanted to. You’re bound by blood to me, and you’re loyal to a fault.”

  Eastman got to his feet and pulled his brother up by the collar of his button down shirt, “You ungrateful little fuck. I’ve had enough of your disrespect—”

  Before he could get too carried away, and rightfully so, we needed to get the information out of Jimmy. Gabe interrupted the two, “Boys will be boys Eastman, he’ll grow up soon enough and realise what a little punk he’s being.”

  Jimmy threw a hostile glare at Gabe, “Fuck you, McLeod. And your boyfriend.” He spat.

  Eastman’s grip on his brother tightened, “Where is Zane?” he repeated slowly.

  A sardonic grin lifted Jimmy’s lips, “Gone.”

  Eastman released Jimmy with a shove, planting him on the couch and towered over him, “Gone where? I know he’s been around the property the last week. I don’t want his shit here. He skipped parole,” he tilted his chin with his hand and cracked his neck, “if you don’t think the cops are going to come looking for your long lost prison buddy, you’re wrong. And I won’t lift a finger to help you this time.

  “Part of your release conditions require that you have no contact with ex-cons like yourself. I’m pretty sure the surveillance footage I have will be enough to see you back behind bars to carry out the remainder of your sentence.” He growled getting down in his brother’s face.

  Jimmy visibly flinched as Eastman delivered the blow that could see him back in jail. Then he tightened his jaw, his eyes turned steely with determination and his fists clenched by his sides. “Fuck you!” he roared, “Zane has been more of a brother to me than you ever have. I’d rather go back than give you shit on him.”

  Eastman’s fist flew through the air and an audible crack could be heard when it connected with Jimmy’s jaw. I would have flinched, but the little fucker deserved it. Gabe glanced at me and we both knew we weren’t going to get anything out of Little Eastman.

  “It was your own stupidity that put you behind bars! I did what I could to keep you out, but you fucked up and had to face the consequences. It’s time to man the fuck up and accept responsibility for your actions, Jimmy.” Eastman’s entire body had gone tense with pent up fury.

  “You’re little friend has some really fucked up plans for a nice girl, a good girl, one who doesn’t deserve this shit. Now tell me, where the fuck is he?” His tone was calmer now, but his body was still holding all his tension in his ridged muscles.

  Jimmy got to his feet, pushing his brother out of his way and stumbled towards the door, “You don’t know shit,” he sneered then spat a pool of blood onto the cream carpet before storming from the room.

  All the fight left Eastman’s body and he collapsed back onto the couch. Leaning his elbows on his knees he looked up, glancing between Gabe and I. He sighed heavily, “He’s always been this way. I don’t know what to do with him. He’s worse than my fucking girls, and they’re a bunch of hormonal moaning bitches half the time.”

  I would have laughed, but the heaviness of the situation was becoming too much for me to keep my shit locked down. “He knows Zane’s plan.” I stated.

  Eastman’s eyes shot to me, then he slowly nodded, “I’d say you’re right. But I could beat him half to death and he still wouldn’t tell me anything about it. I have a feeling Zane saved him from more than a shiving, if you know what I mean. Prison wouldn’t have been easy for a pretty boy like Jimmy, even with my connections.”

  “Fuck,” I muttered, then I lost it. “Mother fucking dickwad!” I was pacing and I didn’t even remember getting to my feet.

  I noticed Gabe exchange a look with Eastman and I shot him a glare, “What!” I spat.

  Gabe held his hands up in surrender,
“Nothin’, no judgement here. You know that.”

  “Then what?” my tone still harsh and grating even to my own ears.

  Eastman spoke, “I’ll find out what I can from my other boys. Zane had been on the property for a few days, maybe one of them overheard something. I’ll get whatever information I gather to McLeod as soon as I can. But for the love of god man, you need to calm down. You’re going to bust a valve.”

  I swung my attention towards Eastman, tilting my chin and narrowing my eyes, “Do you know what that sick fuck did to my woman? Do you know what he put her through? What would you do if some twisted fucker had one of your precious daughters in his sights?” I fumed as the words poured out of my mouth.

  Eastman went rigid, “Watch it Jamieson, I would tread very carefully if I were you right now.” He responded in a tone that broached no argument.

  I ran my hand through my hair, gripping it tightly at the base of my skull. “That fury boiling up in your belly right now at the mere thought of someone harming one of your girls, that’s what I’m living right fucking now. So no, I won’t calm the fuck down.”

  Eastman nodded, “I know what you’re saying. I’ll get my men on it now. You should go to your woman, be with her. That’s your best defence here.”

  I nodded once, then crossed the room and shook his hand, “I appreciate the help.” Then I walked out of the room without waiting to hear Gabe say his own farewells. I was done here. I needed to get back to Ashlynn and hold her in my arms.

  My gut was churning and a sick feeling settled in my soul. Something wasn’t right.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  It had taken me a little while to settle into the day with my temporary bodyguard Brayden, aka The Hottie, watching my every move. Sammy had been so excited when she saw me walking in on Brayden’s arm I swear she nearly wet herself.

  She hadn’t stopped staring at him since we arrived. Every now and then he’d throw her a wink, or a smirk and she’d swoon and just about melt into a puddle on the floor. I would roll my eyes and laugh under my breath at her theatrics.