by Alexa Riley
For You Complete Collection
by Alexa Riley and Shannon Stacey
Three novellas from New York Times and #1 ebook bestselling author Alexa Riley show us just what happens when strong, possessive men find the women of their dreams.
Stay Close
A former Russian mafia soldier is hired to protect a friend’s daughter, but he knows he’ll do more than keep her safe—he’ll make her his. Forever.
Hold Tight
A hotshot consultant hired to streamline Osbourne Corp. meets his match in Pandora Justice—the more she plays hard to get, the more he wants her.
Don’t Go
CEO Henry Osbourne has only ever desired one woman—the one who got away. She ran from a boy, but a man of power and persuasion now stands in his place.
Featuring A Fighting Chance by Shannon Stacey
All work and no play makes Adeline Kendrick a dull girl, so when she heads to a casino resort for a friend’s bachelorette weekend, she’s ready to have a good time. Until she runs into Brendan Quinn, professional fighter and the one who got away—the one her family drove away—and things take a turn for the interesting.
Running into his ex won’t shake Brendan. Even if it brings up the old pain of loving her when she was only slumming. Even if she looks really good. In fact, what better way to get over the past than to take advantage of the still-sizzling chemistry running hot between them? He’s there to win an MMA fight, but he won’t say no to a little physical relief of a different kind.
But when the weekend is over, Adeline isn’t ready to give up her second chance that easily. Brendan is still the one for her, no matter what her family thinks. Now, if only she can convince him of that…
Originally published in 2016
Praise for Alexa Riley
“Alexa Riley delivers their signature steamy, alpha feel-good romance with addictive helpings of secrets, suspense, and revenge!”
—The Rock Stars of Romance on Everything for Her
“Alexa Riley has given me everything I want and more. Sizzling passion, a devoted and loyal hero and a safe love story that has me sighing with pleasure at the end.”
—Nichole, Sizzling Pages, on Everything for Her
“It’s what Alexa Riley fantasies are made of—Sugar and Spice and Everything Kinky and Nice!”
—Yaya, After Dark Book Lovers, on Everything for Her
“Full of big attitude and intense chemistry, I had lots of fun watching these two deal with their feelings and in Paige’s case, finally letting someone into her heart.”
—Harlequin Junkie on His Alone
“A great addition to the series that is still growing.”
—Night Owl Reviews on Stay Close
“The AR recipe in full force: virgin, claiming, instant love, fast marriage, babies. If it ain’t broke…”
—The Book Disciple on Hold Tight
Also available from Alexa Riley and Carina Press
For Her
Everything for Her
His Alone
Claimed
For You
Stay Close
Hold Tight
Don’t Go
Table of Contents
Stay Close by Alexa Riley
Hold Tight by Alexa Riley
Don’t Go by Alexa Riley
A Fighting Chance by Shannon Stacey
Excerpt from Hot Response by Shannon Stacey
STAY CLOSE
Alexa Riley
For Daisy... We miss you every day.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
Epilogue
Prologue
Ivan
She loves to dance.
Her small body moves with the dark beat of the bass as I throw back a shot of vodka. There is no burn when the liquid warmth hits my tongue and melts down my throat. I clench the glass because I can’t put my hands where I want them.
The seductive curve of her waist as it cascades to the flare of her hips... I watch transfixed when they move side to side. Side to side. Her body is like the pendulum inside a grandfather clock, and I can’t look away.
The music is deafening, but if she were to simply whisper my name, I would be at her feet, begging to touch what I shouldn’t, taste what doesn’t belong to me, run my hands along the sweet innocence she taunts me with. An innocence I shouldn’t want but crave. Something so pure and untouched like nothing I’ve ever known before.
Slamming the glass down on the bar, I’m both disappointed and relieved when it doesn’t break. Maybe the cut of the glass could cool the feelings I have pulsing though me but I doubt it. Not with her. I’m not sure anything ever could. I would welcome a pain that’s greater than my ache for her. For there is nothing more powerful than the spell she has me under.
I’ve been hired to protect her.
But as I push away from the bar and walk towards her, I can’t help but think that perhaps someone should have protected her from me.
Chapter One
Penelope
I lean up against the wall in the hallway, trying to determine what’s being said inside my mom and dad’s office. I’ve been standing out here for over twenty minutes and can’t make out a word. In fact, I’m not even sure they’re speaking English. I saw the man who came to have a meeting with them shortly after dinner. It was odd because my parents never bring their work home. The moment my eyes met his, something funny happened inside me. He stole the breath right out of my lungs, something no boy had ever done before.
It might have to do with the fact that he was far from a boy. That beast was all man, maybe even something more. A man who looked like he could kill someone with the flick of his wrist. And the weirdest part—how could someone who looked so menacing draw me in? Call to something deep inside me. Something that I didn’t even know was there until I saw him.
My parents run the entire security and protection division for one of the top companies in the world, so I’ve been around a lot of people who look deadly. My sister and I have whispered that we think at one time our father worked undercover for the government. At least that’s what Pandora, my twin, thinks. I believe her, because Pandora notices everything. You can’t get much past her.
This guy seems dark and deadly, from his eyes that are so brown they’re almost black, to his jet-black hair that’s been buzzed short. It looks like he doesn’t have the time—or the inclination—to do anything with it. The way he walked in and how he held himself makes me think he doesn’t give much thought to how he looks. Someone like him doesn’t care what others think, and that kind of confidence is sexy. It’s different than what I’m used to with the boys at school. That difference draws me to him.
I caught sight of tattoos that ran along his knuckles and hands before disappearing under his coat. Then they peeked out again, up around the collar of his jacket, making me think that most of his big body was covered in ink. And the man was big.
He wasn’t like most of the men who wor
k for my dad. They look like they could take you in a fight, but they’re always clean-cut and in suits. Not this man. I don’t know what it was about him, but I was drawn to him instantly.
He isn’t my normal type, not that I really have a type at all. I’m only eighteen, so I’m not sure I’ve decided that yet. The boys I talk to at school would fall under the preppy category, but that’s pretty much every guy there. It’s private and caters to kids with some of the richest parents in New York City. No one there is running around with tattoos covering their body.
“Not this one, Penny.”
I jump a little at my sister’s soft words. She’s standing next to me with her back against the wall as well, as if she’s been there the whole time.
“How do you do that?” I whisper at her. Jesus. Everyone in this freaking house is like a spy or something. They move around like cats, never making a noise. When I move, people don’t normally miss me coming. I’m loud and pretty clumsy.
She shoots me a smirk, and I roll my eyes. She reaches out her hand and links it with mine. “You weren’t in bed.”
“Because I’m spying,” I whisper a little too loudly and cringe at myself.
I’m sure I’m doing a terrible job at sneaking around. You’d think living with Pandora and my parents, I would have picked up some tricks. But I should have known my sister would catch me. We’re twins and have had our own rooms since we turned thirteen, but she still ends up in my bed most nights. She doesn’t sleep well when she’s alone. I like it, though. Pandora has always been the strong one, even when we were growing up. She gives no shits, whereas I’m the girly girl who gets her feelings hurt about everything. But at the end of the day, Pandora is still the one crawling into my bed. It makes me feel like I also have a way of making her feel safe. Just like she always did with me growing up. From school playgrounds to asshole boys, Pandora was always there to put someone in their place.
“They probably know you’re out here,” she whispers back, and I shrug.
I don’t care. I want another look at the dark stranger. Something about him has piqued my curiosity, and I feel drawn to him. Maybe it’s the mystery, or maybe it’s that he seems like a challenge. It could be that while I find the darkness in his eyes sexy, they still seem a little lonely. My weakness is seeing someone else hurting, and I caught a glimpse of that. It calls to me.
“Not him, Penny. Stick to the boys at school.”
I look over at her. We look exactly the same, but I have my father’s green eyes and Pandora has our mother’s deep blue eyes. We’re both built like her, though. We’re both petite with small features and deep red hair. Our eyes are really the only way to tell us apart. That is, until one of us opens our mouth. Then it’s easy to tell who’s who.
I feel warmth hit my cheeks. I’m not shocked she knew I was standing out here trying to get another look at him, but I’m still a little embarrassed. I’ve always been a little boy crazy, but it never lasts long. I crush for a second and then jump on to the next. For some reason, when I know they like me back, I lose interest fast. Pandora always jokes that I’m in love with having a crush, and once the crush is gone, so am I.
“Something feels off. I can’t put my finger on it, but he’s rough around the edges. You need someone sweet.”
She’s right. Something does feel different with him, but it’s a kind of different I don’t want to stay away from. As crazy as it sounds I think he’s mine. I don’t know why but when I saw him, it was all I could think.
“Fuck,” she mumbles, probably reading my face.
The door to our parents’ office opens, making us both jump away from the wall. Our mom stands in the doorway, her hands on her hips. “What are you two doing?”
“I wanted to see if we could stay late after school tomorrow to study for finals,” Pandora says quickly.
She’s fast on her toes to cover up for us. She’s always been that way, even when we were little. I would get a bright idea, like covering our room in sparkles, and she’d tell me not to. Then I would do it anyway, because, well, I have terrible impulse control, and when we’d get busted she’d always say it was her idea. Always my protector.
She squeezes my hand, still locked in hers.
Mom rolls her eyes, clearly not believing her. My gaze goes to the shadow behind her. He’s looking right at me. My heart jumps into my throat. I can’t look away from him. Pandora gives my hand another hard squeeze, silently telling me to stop staring. Finally I drop my eyes from his, instantly missing the connection.
“Fine. Your dad and I have a meeting tomorrow and will be working late. Your security will be waiting outside the school for the both of you.”
“I want to go for a run after,” I tell her.
I’ve been stuck with Pandora and her security guard since I ditched my last one. Dad made me stick with Pandora’s security and got rid of mine for losing me the last time. I should have felt bad, but the guy totally gave me the creeps. He’d always find ways to touch me, and the touches started to linger a little too long.
I love my family, but all of them want to keep me in Bubble Wrap. They aren’t even like this with Pandora. Everyone thinks I’m the soft one, which is probably true. I’m not into self-defense, and I really don’t care about anything pertaining to safety and security. I’m into cooking, dressing up, dancing and singing at the top of my lungs. And probably boys. But after today, I’m crossing boys off that list. Men. One man in particular is climbing to the top of that list.
“Well, you’re in luck. We found you a new bodyguard.” My mom glances over her shoulder at my new obsession, and my heart rate spikes. I could not be this lucky. I glance over and see his eyes are still on me, but I can’t read his face with so little light. “Penelope, this is Ivan. I don’t think you’ll be able to lose this one.”
My mom smirks, and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling. Ivan is most definitely a man I won’t try to run from.
I hear Pandora mumble “fuck” under her breath as his dark eyes narrow on me.
Chapter Two
Ivan
I tighten the laces on my shoes and then tuck my knife into the strap at my ankle. I cover it up with the leg of my slacks and then walk over to the closet to grab a shirt.
I’ve moved into the guest house at the Justices’, although it would be hard to consider this anything but a mansion. There are two other personal bodyguards covering the family, but they maintain residence elsewhere and only stay the night out here when necessary.
The guest quarters are within walking distance to the main house but still offer some privacy. Originally I didn’t want to move onto the property, but Paige said I owed her. Which is true.
I was raised in Renza, Russia, just outside Moscow. I did labor on the railways there as a young boy until one of the older guys came around one day looking for runners. I didn’t know at the time what that meant, but he offered up money, and I knew exactly what that was.
My mother died during childbirth, and no one knew who my father was, so I was given to an orphanage. I ran away when I was ten and found work where I could. The place I ran from wasn’t looking to chase down another mouth to feed, so I became a child of the street and did what I could to survive.
I started off taking packages after I finished the rail work for the day, but eventually I was trusted with more deliveries. The money was far more than I could make doing an honest day’s work, and back then I needed to eat. It was all about surviving. I was loyal to those who treated me with even half an ounce of decency, but as time went on, I began to harden my heart. Lines started to cross and I started to lose myself.
Years went on, and I became a part of the Russian underground mafia. The organization was dirty, and as much as I wanted to be loyal, I couldn’t do some of the things they asked me to. I didn’t have another life beyond this makeshift family, and I did what I could to survive.
But as with all men, power and greed began to take over, and the underground changed hands. Dissent simmered in the ranks, and everyone was trying to get off the sinking ship before they got pulled back in. I knew I didn’t want to go down, like I said, everything was about surviving, and members were being killed off one by one. There was nothing in that life worth dying for. I knew I had to get out and did what I had to.
The one thing I did have was information, and it was useful. I got a coded message sent to me at the perfect time, and I was ready for it. The contact wanted information on a deal that was taking place between a corporate giant in America and a country in southern Asia. They were concerned it could have potential ties to the Russian mafia and they wanted the Asian company vetted.
I agreed to turn over what I had in exchange for safe passage out of Russia. I wanted to disappear, and this was the perfect opportunity. I could leave my homeland and have a simple life somewhere far away. I never had dreams of fortune or fame. I was only ever just a boy trying to survive the winter. My choices led me down a dark path, one that at first I had no choice but to take, and I was ready to start over.
I found out my name was on a shortlist of those being terminated from the original underground, so I made my move. My death was staged in an explosion of a warehouse that I was living in at the time. The scene was made to look like I’d been taken out by someone looking to make a name for himself in the ranks. I found out later that the person who claimed responsibility was someone I trusted. He was killed two days later.
I arrived in Italy a week after with nothing but the clothes on my back and a USB drive in my pocket. My contact at Osbourne Corporation had been true to their word and gotten me across the borders.
Jordan Chen was waiting for me at a café by the sea in Genoa. I gave him all the information I had and then some. He gave me a new name and passport, but then he gave me something else.
“What’s this?”