ENTANGLED PURSUITS (MEN OF ACTION Book 1)

by Brenda Jackson

  LOVE, PASSION AND PROMISE BOOKS

  are published by

  The Madaris Publishing Company

  P O Box 28267

  Jacksonville, FL 32226

  Entangled Pursuits / Copyright 2020 by Brenda Streater Jackson

  All rights reserve. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher.

  Love, Passion and Promise is a trademark of the Madaris Publishing Company and Brenda Jackson Enterprises. The Love, Passion and Promise logo is a trademark and registered trademark.

  ISBN 978-1-7344558-1-6

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Printed in the United States of America

  Cover design by Rebecca Marie, The Final Wrap

  Formatting by Elaine York, Allusion Publishing

  Love, Passion and Promise

  An Imprint of the Madaris Publishing Company

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  About the Author

  To the man who will always be the love of my life, Gerald Jackson, Sr. My first. My last. My everything.

  To my girl cousins – too many to name, but you know who you are in both the Hawk Family and the Randolph Family. Thanks for the memories.

  To all my readers everywhere, I wish you the best in 2020!

  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! – Psalms 133:1 KJV

  THE CONNECTING BOOKS FOR THE MEN OF ACTION SERIES

  THE GRANGERS

  A Brother’s Honor

  A Man’s Promise

  A Lover’s Vow

  Captivated by Love

  THE PROTECTORS

  Forged in Desire

  Seized by Seduction

  Locked in Temptation

  IT WAS A GORGEOUS day in June, a perfect day for a wedding. The location was the beautiful and historic St. Joseph Cathedral, one of the oldest, standing churches in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The cathedral easily sat the four-hundred guests who’d come to witness the wedding of Stonewall Courson and Joy Ingram.

  Standing at the front of the church, Stonewall drew in a deep breath as he glanced out at the audience waiting for the ceremony to begin. If anyone had told him, this time last year, that he would be at this place in his life, he would not have believed them. A lot had happened since that day, a little over fifteen years ago—less than a year after graduating from high school—when life as he’d known it changed.

  That was the day he had been sent to prison as an accessory to a robbery, and he’d remained behind bars for eight years. Originally, his sentence had only been for five years; however, he’d ended up doing eight because he’d had trouble with other inmates. And he had no doubt that he would have done more than those eight years, if it hadn’t been for the older man standing beside him—the man Stonewall credited with saving his life, and the man Stonewall was honored to have as one of his best men, Sheppard Granger.

  Sheppard, who had been in prison for a crime he did not commit, had been instrumental in not only helping Stonewall turn his life around, but he had helped many other young inmates, as well. He had become their friend, their advocate, and the father-figure many of them never had.

  He had believed in them and had encouraged them to believe in themselves. He had convinced them that they had something to contribute to society, even if they believed society had done them wrong. It was up to them to reach for the best.

  Stonewall’s chest swelled with pride. He had reached for the best and had found it in the name of Joy Ingram. She had stepped into his world and his life had changed forever. Today she would become his wife, something he never knew he even wanted. Especially since Joy was a cop—one of the best police lieutenants on the force.

  He thought back to that big case she’d solved last year involving a surrogate operation. She and her colleagues had shut down a huge national network that included businessmen and politicians and had reunited mothers with the babies who had been stolen from them. Sadly, some of the cases were still stalled in court.

  Stonewall thought about his own involvement in that particular case, when he’d saved a woman, and her newborn baby, who’d been held hostage, by carrying them out of a house just before it blew up. That act of heroism had landed him on the front page of several newspapers and on magazine covers and had led to several television and radio appearances. There was even a movie in the works. And through it all, Joy had been by his side. His Joy in the morning, and later, she had become his Joy at night. And in less than an hour, she would become his Joy forever. She would wear his name, share his life, have his babies, and make him as happy as he intended to make her.

  “Getting nervous?”

  He glanced over at Sheppard and smiled. “No, Shep. I’m not nervous, just anxious to get things started.”

  In addition to Sheppard, Stonewall was lucky to have two other best men by his side—Quasar Patterson and Striker Jennings. Quasar and Striker were like brothers to him, and he’d also met them in prison. Quasar, who was Cuban-American and stood tall at six-foot-two with straight, black hair flowing around his shoulders, had gotten married last year to renowned psychic investigator, Randi Fuller. Months before that, Striker, who stood over six-three and looked more like a professional bodybuilder than a skilled bodyguard, had married an heiress he had been hired to protect, Margo Connelly. Both Striker and Quasar often wore sappy grins on their faces these days—obviously marriage agreed with them. Stonewall had no doubt marriage would agree with him, as well.

  “Be patient, Stonewall. You’ll see your beautiful bride soon enough,” Quasar said smiling.

  “I am trying to be patient.”

  “You want me to give you a quick breathing lesson?” Striker offered, grinning.

  Stonewall rolled his eyes. Striker’s wife Margo was expecting the couple’s first child and Striker was accompanying her to child-birth classes. “I’m getting married, Striker, not having a baby.”

  “Yeah, but certain breathing practices can calm you down,” Striker insisted.

  “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

  Stonewall glanced out at the audience again before looking down at his watch. When Father Jon Martensite took his place beside him, and the music began playing, Stonewall knew it was time. The best part of his life was about to start.

  • • •

  “You okay, honey?”

  Joy looked up at her father who looked handsome in his tuxedo. Today he had put aside his uniform as chief of police in Baton Rouge to simply be the father of the bride. “Yes, Dad, I’m fine.”

  “Well, you look beautiful, Joy Elyse.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, Dad.” Striker’s wife, Margo, had designed her wedding dress and she felt beautiful in the off-the-shoulder flowing white gown made of satin and lace.

  “I love you, Dad,” Joy whispered.

  “
I love you back, honey.”

  While growing up, her father had always been her hero. Of her three siblings, she was the only one who had followed him into law enforcement. She had been a police officer, then a detective, and last year she’d been promoted to lieutenant with the Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Department. Then again, she’d always been a daddy’s girl. “I’m happy.”

  He smiled down at her. “I know you are, and I can thank Stonewall for that. I guess I don’t have to tell you that you’re getting a good man.”

  That meant a lot coming from her father, whom she’d always thought to be a good judge of character…even though he’d sometimes given people the benefit of doubt. People like her ex-fiancé.

  She drew in a deep breath, fighting her nervousness. Her sister Cheer, who was her matron of honor, was about to enter the church. Cheer would be followed by the ring bearer, one of Joy’s nephews, and then two of her nieces, who were her flower girls. The wedding reception would take place in the huge ballroom of the Lake House Reception Center.

  Last night’s rehearsal dinner had been wonderful. Joy’s ever-observant detective eyes had noticed a number of things...like the way Stonewall’s good friend, Dakota Navarro, a wealthy, international playboy and jetsetter, couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Stonewall’s sister Mellie. And how Joy’s friend, Dr. Lennox Roswell, a medical examiner for the Charlottesville Police Department, kept discreetly checking out Stonewall’s boss, Roland Summers. Roland -- who owned a bodyguard/protection agency— was not only Stonewall’s boss but also a close friend. Lennox was a drop-dead gorgeous woman and was used to men ogling her. Joy found it interesting that this time it was Lennox who seemed to be on alert.

  And finally, Joy’s eyes settled again on Andrew Logan, a man she and Stonewall fondly called Drew. It had been surprising when they’d discovered they both knew him. Andrew had served time with Stonewall in prison, and Joy had met Andrew a few years ago at a national law enforcement seminar, back when he had become a police detective in Alexandria, Virginia.

  It was at that particular seminar that he had hooked up with Joy’s friend and fellow detective, Antonia “Toni” Oliver. Toni and Drew had engaged in a pretty hot and heavy affair during the week of the seminar, and it had lasted for almost a year after that.

  To this day, Toni hadn’t told her why they’d broken up, but Joy pretty much had an idea. Since Toni was one of her bridesmaids, and Andrew was one of Stonewall’s groomsmen, they’d both been at last night’s rehearsal dinner...it had been obvious to everyone that they were trying to ignore each other. Joy would have to try to catch Toni for a quick chat before leaving for her honeymoon.

  “Ready, baby girl?”

  Joy glanced up at her father. Her thoughts had purposely drifted to last night’s rehearsal dinner in an effort to calm her nervousness. But now those thoughts were where they should be—on the handsome man waiting for her at the end of the aisle. The man she loved more than life itself. “Yes, Dad, I’m ready.”

  On her father’s arm, she slowly walked into the church, absolutely sure that she was about to become the happiest woman in the world.

  • • •

  Stonewall glanced down at Joy. The moment she’d entered the church on her father’s arm, he’d lost his breath. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Her wedding gown was stunning, and she looked totally radiant in it. As she’d walked down the long aisle, she’d only had eyes for him. And he’d only had eyes for her.

  They had sent each other silent messages with their eyes—ones filled with love and promises. From this day forward, they would be each other’s world. He would be her protector, and she would be his. Their love was a gift from above, and they both knew it.

  “By the powers invested in me, by this great state of Louisiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Stonewall, you may kiss your bride,” Father Jon Martensite announced.

  With a huge smile on his face, Stonewall lifted Joy’s veil and pulled her into his arms, giving her the kiss that would seal their love forever.

  • • •

  Joy smiled at Toni, glad she’d been able to find a few minutes to speak with her without any others around. “Why weren’t you out there with all those other single women trying to catch my bridal bouquet, Antonia Oliver?”

  “You know why,” Toni said, grabbing a glass of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter. “I don’t ever intend to marry, so why would I want to catch your bouquet?”

  Yes, Joy did know, though she was one of the few who did. “I see you and Andrew are doing your best to ignore each other again.”

  Toni took a sip of her champagne. “We were cordial to each other at the rehearsal dinner.”

  “What happened, Toni? The two of you were together for ten months.”

  “It should not have lasted that long, Joy. It started out as a one-night stand, and I let him talk me into seeing him again. Then we became sex buddies.”

  Joy lifted her brow. “Sex buddies?”

  “Yes. The sex was so good between us, we agreed to continue it—sort of like an extended one-night stand. Recreational sex. And we agreed that at any time either one of us wanted to end things, we could, no questions asked,” Toni said.

  “And?”

  Toni didn’t say anything for a minute. Finally, she admitted, “And then we began doing things outside the bedroom—talking about our work, sharing little things about each other, talking on the phone when we were apart, and increasing the amount of time we spent together.”

  Joy nodded. “The two of you were getting to know each other. What’s wrong with that?”

  “It wasn’t supposed to be that way, and then…”

  When she stopped in mid-sentence, Joy asked, “And then what?”

  Toni finished the rest of her champagne. Then, in a soft voice, she said, “And then one day, I realized I had fallen in love with him.”

  “So you broke things off with him.” It was not a question.

  “Yes. Because we had agreed that we could end things whenever we wanted...so, I did.”

  “But you had been seeing him for ten months. Surely things had changed, Toni.”

  “Not in my book. Don’t you see, Joy? I couldn’t risk losing my heart to him...or any man. Besides, it was not supposed to get serious.”

  “But it did,” Joy said.

  Toni released a sigh. “Only on my part. Drew never did or said anything to make me believe he wanted anything other than what we agreed to in the beginning.”

  Joy reached out and took her friend’s hand. “But what if you were wrong? What if he wanted more?”

  “It doesn’t matter. That was four years ago. I’ve moved on.”

  Joy smiled at her friend. “Have you really, Toni? This is Joy, remember? I know how miserable you’ve been. Is this the first time you’ve seen Drew since you ended things?”

  “Yes. The first and probably the last.”

  Joy studied her friend and knew she was fighting back tears. “Toni…”

  “No, Joy, it has to be this way. I can’t fall for him or anyone else. I refuse to be my mother.”

  “But you’ve admitted you love him,” Joy reminded her.

  “Then I need to fall out of love with him.”

  “It’s been four years, and you haven’t managed to get over him yet. Do you think you can?”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Toni forced a smile. “I am trying. Now enough about me. Are you ready for your honeymoon? Where are the two of you going? And more importantly, are you happy?”

  A huge smile touched Joy’s lips. “I am extremely happy. Stonewall is the best.”

  “Then, I am happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Toni. But I want you to be happy, too. I’ve watched how you and Drew have been watching each other when you think the other one won’t notice. You two should at least talk.”

  “What if he asks me why I ended things? There is no way I can tell him how I feel, Joy.”

  Joy glanced
over Toni’s shoulder and smiled. “My husband is trying to get my attention. I need to change clothes so we can leave for our honeymoon.”

  “You never said where you’re going,” Toni said.

  “To Barcelona. We catch a cruise ship from there to the Canary Islands.”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  “I’m excited. When do you head back to Miami?” Toni was a police detective with the Miami Beach Police Department.

  “My flight leaves at eight in the morning.”

  “Have a safe flight back home, Toni. And give this thing with Drew some time. You’ll figure it out. But trust me, talking might help. Now give me a hug. I promise I’ll call when I get back. We can come up with a strategy for you after I get settled.”

  The two hugged, and when Joy hurried off to her husband, Toni sighed. Maybe Joy was right. There was no reason she and Andrew couldn’t at least say hello. Neither of them had a reason to be angry about their breakup. It was what they’d both agreed to, after all.

  She turned and glanced around the room, looking for him. But her heart dropped when she saw him leaving with a beautiful woman.

  Timing had never been one of their strengths.

  Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.

  - Benjamin Disraeli

  Eight months later

  DETECTIVE ANDREW LOGAN TOOK another sip of his coffee as he glanced around the chief of police’s office. Unless there was a departmental meeting, he rarely had a reason to come in here, so he couldn’t help wondering why he’d been summoned now.

  He’d been a detective for eight years and loved what he did for a living—literally bringing in criminals. It wasn’t all that difficult, considering at one point in his life, he’d been one of them. He was not proud of his juvenile-delinquent past, especially since it had made it easy for the police to pin a conviction of armed robbery on him when he’d been seventeen and still in high school. He’d been innocent, but that hadn’t mattered.