Take All Of Me: A Brother’s Best Friend, Sibling Rivalry Romantic Suspense Novel (The Takers Series Book 1)

by Sienna Evans

  Take All of Me

  A (Brother’s Best Friend, Sibling Rivalry) Romantic Suspense Novel

  A Takers Series

  Book 1

  Sienna Evans

  COPYRIGHT NOTE

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed "Attention: Permission Request” at authorsiennaevans@gmail.com.

  © Sienna Evans

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are strictly the product of the author or used fictitiously. Any similarities between actual persons, living or dead, events, setting or locations are entirely coincidental.

  

  Author’s Note

  I appreciate my readers! Take All of Me is a reworked story and the first book of the Takers Series. I hope you enjoy Falling in love with Greyson and Celeste. I also hope you will take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. Thanks in advance!

  Be sure to like Sienna’s Amazon Author Page add the book on Goodreads, visit her website and Facebook Page. Please be sure to join her newsletter for the latest news, exclusives and giveaways. Thank you for your support!

  Table of Contents

  Take All of Me

  Author’s Note

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  The Calm Before the Storm

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Two Weeks Later

  Celeste

  An Additional Two Weeks Later

  Greyson

  Turmoil

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Celeste

  Greyson

  Thank You

  Author Bio

  Book Description

  Greyson

  Never expected much out of life—Succeeded!

  Poster boy for a brother; he claimed the badge, I embraced the bad.

  My best friend’s sister is pure innocence, but somehow, I’m going to claim Celeste Morgan.

  Celeste

  I’ve had enough of waiting for something, anything to happen with Greyson Michaels.

  But he’s bound by a promise.

  Though we aren’t little anymore.

  And we don't need anyone’s approval.

  We’re adults, free to make our own choices.

  And I don’t see a single reason to not have Greyson Michaels take all of me!

  But with the level of drama surrounding us, our story won’t ever be easy…

  The Calm Before the Storm

  Greyson

  Seatbelt secure, I stepped hard on the peddle. The car lunged forward and the Kona Blue Mustang reached 60 miles per hour within seconds, and I continued to push the limits. I pressed the clutch to the floor and maneuvered the shifter. Instantly, the low rumble of the exhaust turned to a powerful roar. Bold lights and a vast skyline were blocked by high-rises, becoming blurred lines beyond the windshield. The closer I moved to my destination, the further I drifted from a world of darkness. With corruption looming behind me, I welcomed the light dangling in front of me.

  Her light...

  My flight got in late to JFK, so now I had to deal with a bunch of traffic heading into Midtown Tunnel. But then a black Yukon Denali drew down on my bumper and flashed its lights about ten times. I let the idiot have fun until we got out of there. From every angle, traffic held steady, but I couldn’t let other drivers keep me from getting to her. At 9:30 on a Friday night, I didn’t have time for this.

  I caught a break and swerved out of the lane; the Denali followed, lights blinking like before. This was the foolishness, the childish stuff that transferred from childhood to adulthood. And unfortunately, I knew the asshole: my brother, Detective Brendan Michaels.

  Not now! Not today! I caressed the wheel, squeezing tighter than before. This was nonsense, but I wasn’t up for the this tonight. I flashed him off and kept going. Now wasn’t the time for complex family issues. Plotting out my route, I slowly began ramping up the speed.

  A red SUV sat in the left lane, in front of me, while a shuttle limo tried to box me in on the right. Dropping my speed enough to force the him to pass, I shifted down and cut behind him, skipping over to the second lane in time to trap the idiot trailing me. This was the type of stuff that always occurred whenever I made it to the city because he had connections to track me down once I entered his state and mostly importantly, enjoyed riding his younger brother. But I needed the next 2 or 3 hours, just for me and the girl that haunted my dreams.

  Holding the wheel steady while keeping the pace, I said, “Call CeCe!” Saying her name nearly took my breath away. If nothing else, life thought me that first love spoiled a man for everyone else.

  Thumbing the wheel and waiting to hear her shriek my name, I didn’t breathe. Honestly, I’ve faced off with some of the worse scum to walk this earth, yet she had the ability to crush me. The guys I went up against could only hurt the outer me; CeCe, on the other hand, could shred me from the inside out.

  “Greyyy!” Her voice snapped me out of the daydream. “Greyyy!”

  “Hey girl,” I muttered, scared like hell of sounding too anxious or desperate. I even sat up in the seat, gripping tighter on the wheel with both hands.

  “Don’t tell me you’re not coming, Greyson! The last time you were in town, you promised every month. How long has it been?”

  “Ce— “

  “No, no you better not disappointment me!”

  “I wouldn’t ever do that, CeCe.”

  “Don’t patronize me, Greyson!”

  “My flight was late, and I’m in traffic. Have you left home yet?” With each word, I tried like hell to slow the heartbeats.

  “I’m already on my way,” she sang into the line and it took me back to when we were little kids. I could imagine her lips—the way they’d poke out, pointing at me. And when she’d tilt up her head to gaze into my eyes, looking me full on, pupils diving past the barriers most girls would be too afraid to challenge.

  “I can pick you up. Need more time? Where—”

  “No… No… And hell no! You’re meeting me, as planned. I need a friendly face. It’s been a long week, Grey. You owe me tonight ...” While she went on and on about my disappearing acts, I shot to the exit. Flooring the pedal, then quickly easin
g into a smooth stop at East 35th Street.

  “Celeste, I don’t know what you just said.”

  She laughed and I could picture her shaking her head, swooping her long, blonde hair from shoulder to shoulder in a flirty way. I know this girl; I’ve known this girl since her arguments were nothing more than whiny sentences. I’ve known her since those big, blue eyes were even bigger; when her nosey, little behind would come all the way over to my parent’s house, up the street, just to find out what I was doing so she could have something incriminating over my head at any given time. I’ve always known her likes and dislikes, even more than she’d admit to herself even.

  That’s the girl I fell for.

  I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it did. I fell in love with my best friend’s sister, and I don’t know how to turn off the feelings because something inside of me wanted to go against a childish promise and make her mine. Ours might’ve been a perfect love, if we were different people—if she wasn’t his sister and I wasn’t the man I’ve grown into.

  Celeste

  “Okay. Okay Grey! I’ll save some words for when I see you.” I giggled like a silly kid. After sliding my thumb across the screen to end the call, I squeezed the phone in the palm of my hands like the residual effect of his voice was still there.

  I was all nerves. Felt like I was holding my breath for the past three months. And now, he was back. Glancing at the clock hanging above the doorway, I confirmed the time on my watch and even peeped at my phone. I just promised Grey I wouldn’t be late; even when he’d offered to pick me up, I still said no. Luckily, I didn’t have to go all the way back home. My boss’s associate was a night-owl who always seemed to be working some “special” case. I’d left the DA’s office around rush hour, then showered and changed, before coming over to his associate’s office to drop off documents.

  Now, I was ready to get out of here. My weekend was about to start in three, two, one...

  Spinning around, I bumped into a pale man with coarse features. I yelped and jumped back, my butt hitting up against a nearby desk.

  “Excuse you,” he spat, literally. He towered over me like a huge shadow.

  “I’m okay.” I tried to slip around him and even though he was tall and skinny, his belly stuck out as it clung to a dingy, gray cotton shirt.

  “Let me help you,” he began. More spit flew out from paper thin lips, though the top-middle part seemed swollen. He wanted to be helpful now, but his words didn’t match the cold, emotionless expression on his face.

  “No, I already said I’m okay.” I squinted, while fixating on the now infamous lip. I’ve seen so many different types people come and go, but this guy made my skin crawl. He was like a cold, wet rag, and I only wanted to get away. The longer I stayed, the worst the discomfort growing inside of me.

  Yet instead of stepping aside, he stood there like a statue. Freaked me out. I didn’t want to see him any longer, nor hear his creepy voice, nor inhale the metallic odor surrounding him. I immediately thought of blood. I gagged, bringing my hand to my face and stopping short of touching it when I realized that drops of his spit had landed on me. I looked away from my hand to discover he’d stepped closer to me. His pale skin reminded me of an old, worn out catcher’s mitt. He breathed loudly through a crooked nose and stood there like he’s had a hard life.

  I eased sideways, as far out of his way as possible to reach for a napkin from the administrative assistant’s desk. Yet he just stood there, screwing up my flow. The entire office was typically cozy and organized whenever I came by, like it belonged in someone’s home. But this guy disturbed the whole ambiance. And he was just there! Lurking!

  “Can I help you?” I asked curtly, once I got the napkin and began scrubbing off the fluids from his spit-bath. Keeping my gaze low, I braced for his response as the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

  Before he could answer, Attorney Jamison popped out of his office. Without words, he motioned the guy over. The stranger followed with extended arms and a pat hug. The men spoke low; the words were muffled.

  “Celeste, you’re still here?” my mentor’s associate asked as the visitor turned his eyes back to me. “This is our new Russian client.”

  I nodded, flipping the tissue in a nearby basket and momentarily hugging my torso.

  The stranger stood there as if an unspoken secret remained between us, eyebrows drawn and lips stretched into a thinner line, with the exception of that bubble in the middle. I just couldn’t be cordial. Couldn’t bring myself to be polite even. He made me uneasy, and I felt naked and exposed, utterly vulnerable.

  “Celeste?” the stranger repeated Jamison, like he knew me. This time, he smiled, showing bright yellow teeth with the exception of a missing one on the top left. “Be careful out there.” He spoke every word slowly, purposefully as if there was a hidden meaning behind his words. One I was not privy to, at least, not yet.

  My insides sunk; a deep-down heaviness sat right there. “I-I have... My boyfriend is waiting for me.” I literally jetted through the door. Everything within yelled to call Grey and have him pick me up, but I made such a big deal about the restaurant and not needing him and-and everything under the sun to keep him from making a bee-line to me. I only know that I needed to get to him, and everything would instantly get better.

  Yeah, Greyson Michaels would make everything better. So, I left the unease in the office as the night air flowed over me. For tonight, I was excited about being a Jersey girl living in the City, with a thing for her brother’s “bad boy” best friend, as if women still craved men with that label.

  I bit my lips to keep from laughing out loud. Didn’t want to draw attention to myself. Licking my lips, I savored the memories. The wind outside way lazy, the streets were filled and I inhaled a City I’ve always felt a connection to. At any given day or time, there was always something going on. The streets were literally alive. I floated down the steps leading to the subway.

  “Miss! Miss!” A heavy male voice caught my attention. He stood about ten feet away, on the opposite end of the staircase. Dark, concrete walls around us made me feel claustrophobic. With other people around, I somehow knew I was his focus. Looking over, I blinked, and he was right there, about two full steps in front.

  What in the world is this? This can’t be happening.

  Pulling my handbag closer to my side and hooking part of it under my arm, I moved quickly and in a hurry. The stench of smoke and piss hit hard in my face, so I bit my lips closed, trying like hell not to breathe.

  “I’m tawkin’ tuh you!” the guy shouted out from behind in an overpowering New Yorker’s accent. Even with everyone else around, I imagined his footsteps being the heavy, thudding sound that kept pace with me.

  When I made it to the platform with at least two dozen others waiting for trains, I dropped down to a trot. Once in the center of a bunch of kids, I stopped altogether and peered in the direction I’d just come from.

  No way! He was there, glaring my way and daring me to make a move. I slowly walked backwards until I bumped into someone. “Sorry,” I mumbled without taking my eyes off of the stalker.

  I didn’t understand why this was happening to me and now but was relieved when the ground started rumbling. The subway train rolled in while I considered my next move. I could jump on and hope to God he wouldn’t follow, but I needed to do something, and quick. I spun around with my palms up and mouthed, “Leave me alone!” My eyes stung. I refused to cry though. I had to be strong and bold. Predators always pounced on those they felt were weak.

  The commuters began piling onto the subway train, and I saw more of him. His hair was evenly cut, shirt tucked into crisp khaki pants and his shoes weren’t smudged. Scary not shabby.

  Once I saw his feet, my eyes flew back up to glare into his eyes. The man’s face was pale with a tinge of beige. He stood tall with bulky shoulders that hunched forward. Honestly, his whole demeanor was intimidating, so when I turned to add distance between us again, I d
idn’t look back until I got on the subway train. And this time he didn’t follow.

  He. Didn’t. Follow.

  I was safe on a packed train that would get me as close as possible to the restaurant on East11th Street and into the arms of my brother’s best friend. For now, I had to get that weirdo stalker out of my mind and prepare for Grey.

  Breathe Celeste. In. Out. In. Out.

  I’ve had enough of waiting for something, anything to happen with Grey. And we weren’t little anymore. We didn’t need anyone’s approval. We were adults, free to make our own choices. And I couldn’t see a single reason to not have Greyson Michaels take all of me. After what I’ve just experienced, I needed to be held, cuddled and loved like nothing else in this world.

  Greyson

  Cars packed close, filing up both sides of the block. Old apartment buildings and bushy trees hide the lights on this off-the-main street. It was dark, quiet and peaceful.

  The phone lit up the second I swung the car into the parking spot. Didn’t answer until everything was shut down. Shouldn’t have, but sometimes we have obligations that can’t be denied. When you’ve been a slave to all things “business” related, people never seem to understand why you need uninterrupted time.

  “Yeah?” I asked as the phone reached my ear.

  “Grey, tonight—”

  “No, I can’t make it,” I promptly replied to the overeager scum I’d already turned down.

  He coughed, a harsh sound that vibrated through the line. “Make time for business. Time is running out!” He barely made it through the sentence before he exploded with coughing again.

  I yanked the phone from my ear and disconnected myself from that life. Real life for me consisted of infiltrating systems, but not just any type. I strictly dealt with international smugglers, and I only did what was necessary to survive.

  Breathing in, breathing out, I tried to expel the unnecessary stuff from my focus. I needed to forget that I’m unworthy and make myself believe that I could dare approach Celeste. After another minute or so, I opened the door and stretched my legs.