by L. P. Dover
Now, we were at the K & B Bistro with all of our friends, celebrating our victories and life changing experiences. I had my freedom, Zane had his undefeated record, and Gabby and Pax were celebrating their last couple of weeks of singlehood.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”
Glancing over my shoulder, Kyle stood there smiling with two glasses and a bottle of champagne. “Get used to it, this smile isn’t going anywhere.”
He opened the bottle of champagne and poured some into our glasses. “That’s good to hear,” he said, handing me a glass.
“What are we toasting to?” I asked.
Chuckling, he stood in front of me with his glass raised. “Lots of things, my love. Your newfound freedom, my ability to train an amazing fighter, our family and friends . . .”
“And to parenthood,” Kacey interrupted.
We both turned to see her and Tyler walking out onto the patio. “You must be talking about yourself because I know I’m not pregnant,” I chuckled.
Kacey placed a hand over her stomach and grinned. “You’re right, I am. Tyler and I wanted to come out and tell you guys first.”
“Holy shit, sis. Congratulations,” Kyle exclaimed. He hugged Kacey while I hugged Tyler.
“This is awesome news. How far along are you?” I asked.
Kacey cleared her throat and smirked up at Tyler. “Thirteen weeks.”
“Thirteen weeks? That means you were pregnant when you got married.”
She giggled. “Yep, it seems like these fighter boys are starting a trend on knocking us up before getting hitched. I think Gabby and Pax are the only ones doing things right. Well, as far as we know . . .”
“Thank you for telling us first. It means a lot,” I gushed. Kacey and Tyler looked at each other again. Something was going on. “What’s up? You’re acting funny.”
“What are you not telling us?” Kyle cut in.
Kacey bit her lip and smiled. “Well, it’s not exactly something we’re not telling you, but more like something we want to ask you.” She took a deep breath and reached for both of our hands. “Tyler and I would like for you to be our child’s godparents.”
Eyes wide, I stood there speechless. Kyle was the exact same way.
“It looks like we shocked them to silence, Tyler. I wonder if that’s a good thing or not?”
I snorted and shook my head. “I’m just shocked you’d entrust us with this.”
“Or better yet, she probably meant to say she’s shocked you would trust me with your child,” Kyle mentioned, nudging me with his elbow. He said it playfully, but I could see that he was just as honored as I was.
Kacey squeezed our hands. “Tyler and I have given this a lot of thought. I love you both and I know you would be there for our son or daughter if something were to happen to us.”
A tear fell down my cheek. “I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am. But what happens if . . .” I looked up at Kyle and then back to her, biting my lip.
“If you two break up?” she finished. I nodded, feeling stupid for even asking, but one could never tell what their future held. I didn’t want to imagine a life without Kyle, but things weren’t always perfect. “I don’t think I have anything to worry about,” she said, winking at Kyle. “So, do you accept?”
Lifting my brows, I glanced up at Kyle. “What do you think?”
Releasing a sigh, he turned to Tyler and held out his hand. “I’d be happy to be your child’s godparent. Just make sure it’s out of diapers before letting something happen to you.”
“Kyle,” I shrieked, slapping his arm.
He chuckled. “I’m kidding. How hard can it be to put on a damn diaper?”
Kacey snorted and hugged me again. “He has no idea.”
“No, he doesn’t, but I’d be happy to accept as well. I love kids.”
Stepping back, she smiled, glancing back and forth at us both. “Thank you. I guess we can tell everyone else now.” She and Tyler retreated back into the restaurant and it wasn’t long before we heard whistles and shouts of joy.
Lifting my glass, I laughed and said, “To parenthood.” Kyle tapped his glass to mine and we sealed the toast.
***
CHRISTMAS IN HAWAII. That was my gift from Kyle. We had flown down for Gabby and Pax’s wedding—which was amazingly beautiful—and on the day we were supposed to leave, he surprised me with an added two week vacation. Not only that, but he’d invited Zane and Nic to stay with us as well, so I didn’t have to be away from Nic on Christmas.
We were in a private house right on the beach with our own heated pool. It was a slice of heaven. The ocean water was so clear you could see through it. It made swimming much more enjoyable.
I knew Kyle had other plans when he’d invited Zane and Nic to tag along. Every day while Nic and I sat out on the beach, Kyle and Zane trained. Zane also made it a point to make sure Nic noticed him when he’d run past us on the beach. At first, they slept in separate bedrooms, but that ended after a few days into the trip. I loved teasing her about it.
Once Christmas rolled around, everything was perfect—except the fact that I left Kyle’s present at home. I hadn’t been expecting to be in Hawaii for Christmas. Now we were cuddling on the couch, with our colorful Christmas tree across the room. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was on the television, and I was in heaven.
“One of these days, I’m going to see snow,” I said, popping another Samoa cookie into my mouth.
“You’ve never seen snow?”
I glanced up at him and shook my head. “Nope. I’ve always wanted to have a snowball fight with someone.”
He chuckled. “I’d dominate you. My parents used to take Kacey and me skiing in Aspen when we were younger.”
“Aspen would be nice, but I’ve always wanted to visit the Swiss Alps. It’s one of the top places on my bucket list.”
Kyle held me close and kissed the back of my ear. “How about we go there next Christmas?”
Squealing, I sat up and faced him. “Really? We can do that?”
He twirled a tendril of my hair between his fingers. “We can do anything you want, love. But for now, would you do me a favor and go for a walk with me?”
I grabbed another cookie and popped it into my mouth. “Are you trying to say I need to work off these cookies?” I teased.
“Oh, I have other ideas on how we’re going to do that. Right now, I just want to take a walk.”
“All right,” I agreed, reluctantly leaving the warmth of his lap. “Let me get some water and I’ll be ready to go.” We both got off the couch and I went to the kitchen to get my water while he went into the bedroom and came out with a T-shirt on. “I’m sorry I don’t have your Christmas present here,” I murmured. “I promise as soon as we’re back at home, I’ll give it to you.”
Draping his arm around my shoulders, he squeezed me tight. “I’m not worried about it. You’ll have yours to open up when we get home too.”
“You give me enough by just being with me. I don’t need presents to be happy.”
“I know, but it’s something I want to do.”
When we got down to the beach, the only light we had was from the moon above, casting a sensual glow over the water. There was something up ahead lying on the sand, but I couldn’t tell what it was. “What is that?” I looked up at Kyle and he smiled.
“You’ll see.”
The closer we got, I realized it was a large, red blanket and a bucket of ice with a bottle of wine. “We’re not spoiling Zane and Nic’s romantic evening are we?”
He chuckled. “Nope, this is all for you. I wanted it to be special. Look,” he said, turning us to face the palm trees. As if on cue, the trees lit up with bright, sparkling lights.
“Oh my goodness, this is awesome. Is this all your doing?”
“Zane helped me put up the lights while you and Nic were in town the other day. Do you like it?”
I kissed him and laughed. “I love it. This i
s perfect.”
“I’m not quite done.” Taking a deep breath, he reached into his back pocket and cupped something in his hand. My heart started to pound when he got down on one knee and reached for my shaking hand.
“Kyle, what are you doing?” I whispered.
Sliding the diamond on my finger, he peered up at me, smirking. “I’m asking you to marry me, what does it look like?”
I cupped a hand over my mouth and immediately felt the burn behind my eyes. “Oh my God.”
He chuckled. “Megan West, I love you and can honestly say you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I want you to be the first and last. If you’ll have me, I’d be honored if you’d consider being my wife.”
With tears falling down my cheeks, I dropped to my knees and tackled him in the sand. “I don’t have to consider anything. The answer’s yes.” I kissed him hard and he rolled me over onto the blanket. “Now, I’m certain. This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
He closed his lips over mine and trailed them down to the tops of my breasts. “It’s not over yet, love. It’ll only get better from here.”
Lifting his head, I held onto his face and looked into his eyes, crying. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” he replied, brushing his fingers over my cheek. “And I’m going to make sure I show you every single day, starting now.”
***
Murder. Lies. Betrayal.
I deal with those things every day. My name is Jason Avery, one of the best undercover agents in the country. I have yet to fail on a mission, which is why I’ve been sent to Vegas. Countless women have been abducted, tortured, only to show up dead in the middle of the night. It’s my job to find out which sick fuck is responsible. Unfortunately, every lead sends me to a dead end; at least, until Aylee McFadden shows up at my door.
Aylee is a stubborn, headstrong FBI agent and also one of the sexiest women I’ve ever seen with a gun. In joining me, it gives us the leverage we need to get on the inside. She fights me at every turn, but soon realizes there’s more to me than tattoos and a dirty mouth. I can’t get enough of her. Now that we’re in the game, we’re one step closer to solving the crime. However, gambling with money isn’t what the big boys want. They want the one thing I’m not willing to give. It’s a no limit game, and if I back down I lose everything.
I will lose her.
***
About the Author
NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.
Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.
Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.
L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.
***
Other Titles by LP Dover:
FOREVER FAE SERIES
Forever Fae
Betrayals of Spring
Summer of Frost
Reign of Ice
SECOND CHANCES SERIES
Love’s Second Chance
Trusting You
Meant for Me
Fighting for Me
Intercepting Love
GLOVES OFF SERIES
A Fighter’s Desire: Part One
A Fighter’s Desier: Part Two
Tyler’s Undoing
Ryley’s Revenge
Winter Kiss: Ryley & Ashley [A Gloves Off Novella]
Paxton’s Promise
Camden’s Redemption
STANDALONE TITLE
Love, Lies, and Deception
***
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Cameo Renae ~ Hidden Wings
A.J. Bennett ~ Now or Never
Tabatha Vargo ~ Playing Patience
Beth Balmanno ~ Set in Stone
Ella James ~ Selling Scarlett
Tara West ~ Visions of the Witch
Heidi McLaughlin ~ Forever Your Girl
Melissa Andrea ~ The Edge of Darkness
Komal Kant ~ Falling for Hadie
Melissa Pearl ~ Golden Blood
Alexia Purdy ~ Breathe Me
Sarah M. Ross ~ Inhale, Exhale
Brina Courtney ~ Reveal
Amber Garza ~ Falling to Pieces
Anna Cruise ~ Maverick
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& Resist Me by A.O. Peart
***
EACH STEP I TAKE IS PAINFUL. Not in the sense that I’ve been physically injured—unless you can count my heart being torn out and ripped to shreds, twice, as being physically hurt—but in the sense that my body aches with any type of movement. I’m sore all over from too much crying and a lack of eating. Withering away to nothing, as my best friend, Lois has been saying for the past two weeks.
The fact that it’s been two weeks since my life has been turned upside down flipped inside out and run through the ringer stops me mid-step. Lois smashes into my back, no doubt looking at her phone, texting someone she shouldn’t be and meddling in my affairs. Even though I love her, I want her to stop. I want to wake up from this nightmare and have my life go back to the way it was six years ago.
Lois places her hand on my back, urging me silently to take the next step, and the next one and the next one after that. She’s been my rock for as long as I can remember, and surprisingly there was a time when I didn’t need her as much, but that’s all changed.
At the top of the staircase sits a table with a small bouquet of freshly picked flowers, a nice touch to the drab location. When Lois pulled in front of the building, I recoiled in my seat. The brick building, old and worn with age, shows no sign of being welcoming. The sidewalk is cracked and weeds grow in between the slabs. The only saving grace is the park across the street, and while it’s empty, it looks inviting, if not a place to escape.
Lois opens the door before I can raise my hand to knock. She’s impatient with me and I understand why. I know deep down she’s afraid I’m going to turn and run. Believe me the thought has crossed my mind a time or two. I know it’s not the answer, but it makes the most sense. If I can’t be found, I can’t be hurt, and I’ve had far too much hurt in my life to last me until my last breath. With her hand on my back, she gives me a gentle nudge to step into the office. The woman behind the glass wall looks up briefly and gives us a half smile. She probably feels the same way I do about the building. It’s lacking in life, much like I am right now.
After giving her my name, I sit down next to Lois. Her face is now stuffed in a magazine, and she’s ignoring me. This is her idea of tough love. I’ve been down this path with her before so I know what to expect. You’d think by now I’d be a pro and can deal with whatever is thrown my way, but I’m not. It seems that every few years my idea of happiness turns into a weak excuse for life.
My name is called, and I’m directed through an open door. The room I step into is lackluster and cold. I cross my arms to ward off an impending shiver and chastise Lois for making me wear a dress today. My cardigan is resting in the backseat of her car when it should be on my shoulders.
“Good
morning. What’s your name?”
It’s in the chart on your desk, I want to yell out, but refrain. Lois would likely hear me and scold me like a child. I’d take it though because she’d be right. The lady behind the desk doesn’t ask me to sit down or guide me to the chair or couch in her office. She doesn’t even look at me. This meeting is feeling a bit too impersonal for my taste, and as I reach for the door, I hear her clear her throat.
“Ryley, I like to ask my patients to say their names so that their identities aren’t forgotten when we start discussing why you’re here.”
It makes sense, I think. I opt to sit on the couch, but only on the edge. I don’t want to be comfortable or complacent.
“Ryley Clarke,” I answer, letting my name flow easily from my lips.
“Tell me, Ryley, what brings you in today?”
Of course she wastes no time punching me in the gut. If it weren’t figuratively, I’d flinch and let her know that it’s not okay to hit, but instead I straighten my back and ponder the question that seems to have brought me to this point in my life. A point where I’m required, no begged, to enter therapy to help figure out the rest of my life. Maybe not even the rest, but the next step. Either step I take leads me down a path of love, pain and irreparable hurt.
Most importantly, I don’t want to be here. I don’t think talking to a third party with a psyche degree is the answer. Sadly, I’m the only one who feels that way. I’ve been told therapy will help, but I’m not so sure it will. You can’t fix something that has been destroyed for years. We aren’t a family of teddy bears with missing eyes or ears that can be sewn back on making us look somewhat new. We’re a damaged bunch, destined for nothing but heartache.
