Synergy: New Adult Romantic Suspense (U-District, #1)

by Ashland, Jodi

  My deepest love, Gran

  Jade put down the letter and picked up Whiskers. She nuzzled her cheek into his soft fur. Even after all this time, there was still a raw spot from her grandmother’s death. Jade had forgiven Gran and was slowly forgiving herself for not contacting her after their last argument. In a way, she was grateful she didn’t have images of her sick grandmother in her head that would never fade away. Instead, she remembered a strong willful woman, one she respected and loved.

  There were no more doubts. Jade had proved her worth as CEO the day they found out they would recover the four million dollars. The company was stronger than ever, and she’d signed the papers to hand the company over to Bryce. Timothy had left the company voluntarily, finding a job elsewhere. And Jade was glad to learn that Roz had only been having a little interlude with Joshua Greenberg when he was in town, and neither had anything to do with what was going on. Although Jade had made amends with Stan, she decided not to bring him back, even though Gran wouldn’t approve. It didn’t matter; Synergy wasn’t Gran’s company anymore.

  Jade wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and spoke to the cat. “See what she made me do? My makeup is a mess.” Jade set Whiskers down and went into the bathroom to get herself ready for dinner at her parents’ tonight. They had some major celebrating to do.

  She’d barely reapplied her mascara when the doorbell rang. She opened the door for Bryce.

  “Hey, you okay?” He pulled Jade into his arms the moment he saw her face. “Ted said you’d be getting a letter from Gloria today.”

  Jade nodded, fearing tears would come again if she spoke.

  He walked her into the living room and sat beside her on the couch. “Why did you do this, Jade?” He handed her the paper she’d signed just yesterday.

  “Because I want you know…” She wiped her eyes. “I want you know how much I love you. My whole life I tried to live up to my grandmother’s expectations, and when I couldn’t, I left her behind. I loved her so much…”

  “I know.” Bryce wiped away a tear on her cheek.

  “I did this”—she handed the paper back to him—“because I love you more than I love the company. We both can’t work at Synergy and have a relationship together. You are more important to me.”

  He ripped the paper in half. “And you are more important to me.”

  “No.” Jade reached for it.

  Bryce let it fall to the floor and grasped her hands lightly in his. “Synergy is your company. You might make rash decisions without thinking them through, but your instincts are always spot on. If anyone has to leave, it should be me.”

  Jade shook her head.

  “But, as it turns out, neither of us have to leave.”

  “What?”

  “I spoke to Linda about revising company policy to allow for company relationships as long as they are disclosed and in writing and both parties agree to act in a professional matter, yada yada. She’s drafting up the document for both of us to sign on Monday.”

  Jade launched herself at him. She pressed her lips firmly against his. “I can’t believe you did that.” She kissed him again.

  Bryce slid his hand along the base of her neck and held her lips to his. He was smiling and kissing her at the same time. He pulled away and wiped her cheek with his thumb. “Gloria sent me a letter too.”

  “She did? What did it say?”

  “It was short and sweet. She gave me this.” Bryce pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket and opened it.

  Jade gasped.

  HIS HEART RACED as Bryce waited for Jade to say something.

  “Gran’s ring? I don’t understand.”

  “I didn’t either, at first. She said she wanted it to stay in the family.”

  “Then why did she give it to you?”

  “I think your grandmother had this planned all along.”

  “Had what planned?”

  Bryce knelt down on one knee.

  Jade’s hands flew to her mouth.

  “For you and I to be as happy as she was with your grandfather.” He reached for her left hand. “Jade Gloria Buchanan, will you marry me?”

  Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She nodded before the words came out. “Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”

  Bryce slid the ring onto her finger.

  She slid her hands around his neck as he pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Bryce. I love you so much.”

  His lips found hers with the same eagerness as hers found his. Warmth spread through his body, not from desire, but from love. “I’m in love with the most compulsive and passionate woman I have ever known. And this is the happiest day of my life.”

  She slipped her hands into his hair and pulled him into a kiss that was soft and gentle, like a hundred promises of their new life together wrapped up in her lips. Gloria had given him a gift: her trust that he’d cherish and protect her granddaughter. Somehow, Gloria had known Jade’s passion would get through his carefully composed shields.

  Bryce backed her into her bedroom. “What do you say to being a little late for dinner?”

  “We might get into trouble.” Jade trailed her lips down his neck.

  “Since when do you follow the rules?” He gripped her legs and pulled her up so she could fold them around his waist.

  “Good point, Radisson. A very good point.”

  JADE WAS READY TO BURST. She knocked on the door of her parents’ home, doing everything she could not to barge through the door on her own.

  Bryce stood with his arms around her. He laughed. “I can feel the energy radiating off of you.”

  Jade beamed as the door opened. “Hey, Dad.” She wondered if he noticed anything different about her.

  “Hey, kiddo.” He gave her a big hug as she thrust herself into his arms. “You’re in an awfully good mood. Dinner is almost ready. Mom is in the kitchen.”

  Jade linked her fingers in Bryce’s and followed the aroma of Mom’s red snapper recipe.

  “Perfect timing.” Grace said as she stirred her wine reduction at a low simmer. “Dinner is almost ready. Can you pour the merlot, Bill?”

  “No, wait.” Jade smiled eagerly. “I have something to show you.” She held out her hand.

  “Mom’s ring.” Grace smiled. “Ted said Mom left it to you.”

  Jade looked at Bryce and laughed.

  “What?” Grace glanced at both of them. “I want in on whatever it is you’re laughing at.”

  “Gran gave the ring to Bryce.”

  Grace tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Why would Ted tell me Mom’s ring went to you when she gave it to Bryce?”

  Jade wiggled her ring finger in front of her mother.

  “Oh… oh!” Grace pulled Jade in to embrace her. “You two are getting married!”

  “Congratulations.” Bill shook Bryce’s hand. “You keep my daughter happy.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  Grace reached for Bryce’s hand while she kept her arm around Jade. “Have you two set a date yet? We’ll have to make wedding plans. July or August would be the best time of the year for an outdoor wedding. Oh, this will be so much fun. I can’t wait to call everyone and let them know, then we’ll have to—” Grace’s eyes grew wide. “Mom knew you two were going to get married?”

  “Apparently.” Jade laughed. “It seems she had this planned all along. You know Gran, she always knew what was best for me.”

  Grace placed her hand on Jade’s cheek. “She would be so proud and happy for you. She loved your dearly.” Tears welled in her eyes.

  Jade couldn’t hold back tears of her own. “I know. I loved her too.”

  She looked at her father, who always had a hug for her when she needed it; at her mother, who nurtured her just the right amount; and at Bryce, who made her whole.

  Her grandmother, the one who’d known her better than she knew herself, would always be with her and would always have influence over her as long as she lived. Jade couldn’t have been
happier or more grateful for it… even when it drove her a bit crazy. Gran had been infuriating, frustrating, and sometimes overbearing, but she’d acted only out of love… and Jade was pretty sure Bryce could say the same about her.

  Bryce held his arms out to her, and she cuddled into his embrace. “So what do you think, a July or August wedding?” she asked.

  “I think it might be too hot to have an outdoor wedding in Vegas, don’t you?” Bryce smiled.

  “What?” Grace’s hand covered her mouth.

  “He’s kidding, Mom.”

  “Oh, thank goodness.”

  Bryce gazed into Jade’s eyes. “I don’t care when or where we get married, as long as we’re together.”

  “My thoughts exactly, Radisson. My thoughts exactly.”

  THE END

  If you enjoyed Synergy, please consider leaving a review. As a debut author, Jodi appreciates every review, whether positive or negative, since reviews help other readers find books that match their reading interests and allow authors to continue writing more books.

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  Please enjoy the following first chapter from the next U-District novel, Obscurity, due out in the late fall of 2015.

  OBSCURITY

  Selena Hawkins has suffered unbearable loss. She's just finding her way out of the fog and working toward independence with her San Francisco bookstore when her controversial best-selling book brings her face-to-face with Tucker Calhoun, a famous country singer, who threatens her on so many levels. Deciding to help him or suffer the consequences of a lawsuit, she uncovers a deep mystery that puts her life in jeopardy. Can she help Tucker see the deception right in front of him before he loses everyone he cares about?

  When a loved one is abducted, Tucker Calhoun will do whatever it takes to save his family, including avoiding police involvement and going after the author who threatens his ability to meet the ransom demands. Confronting Selena wasn't meant to bring someone else into his life, but the more time he spends with her, the more emotionally and physically attached he becomes. He’s devastated when she betrays him by going to her brother, a detective with the Seattle Police Department. Will he turn to the one person he shouldn’t trust?

  CHAPTER 1

  HER BOOK WAS CONTROVERSIAL and a huge hit—if Selena Hawkins believed her publicist. And boy did she want to believe Janet after seeing her book of poems in print for the first time. She’d even danced around the stockroom with a copy in her hand. But best of all was the towering display at the front of her bookstore—her own work occupying the prime window space for a change—not some unknown author of the month. Selena pinched her arm; nope, not a dream. Tonight she’d be treating herself to red wine and chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate.

  Still, she couldn’t believe her luck. Since she’d released her self-published e-book four weeks ago, it had gone viral, hitting the New York Times and Kindle bestseller lists.

  Selena’s cell phone rang, blaring out “Love Somebody” by Maroon 5. She wanted to roll her eyes every time she heard the ringtone Rebecca had added to her phone. It was her friend’s idea of a not-so-subtle hint. “Ghirardelli Square Bookstore.”

  “Selena, it’s Janet. They want you on Entertainment Tonight.”

  She sucked in an involuntary breath and bounced on her toes at her publicist’s news. “No way!”

  “You’ve got to do this one.”

  Oh no. Dread started to snake its way up Selena’s spine.

  “I already turned down other opportunities, but you can’t say no to Entertainment Tonight. This is a once in a lifetime—”

  “I can’t.” Selena’s palms began to sweat. “Oh, I don’t feel so good. I need to sit down.”

  “Take a deep breath. Look, I’ll tell them we’ll get back to them to give you time to think about it.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ve got to run. My other line is ringing.”

  Selena hung up. She couldn’t even think about going on television. She’d used a pen name for obscurity, didn’t even have a blog or social media accounts. What had happened to her sister would never happen to her. She’d already taken a risk publishing her deepest feelings, and she’d never have guessed the book of poems would ever sell more than a few copies. After all, what else did she expect after dropping out of art school, having limited success with business classes, and inheriting this bookstore that she was barely keeping afloat. She’d never succeeded at anything on her own until this.

  Success apparently had a price.

  After wiping her palms on the front of her pants, she returned her attention to the book display. The bold letters of the title, FOG, stood out against the black matte background. The gray cowboy hat on the cover appeared suspended in space. She didn’t particularly like the Stetson, but Janet had twisted her arm, since the cowboy hat made an appearance in the last poem of the book. It didn’t make sense to her, but who was she to argue with a well-regarded publicist? Selena sighed. Obviously Janet knew what she was doing, because the book was a resounding success. Selena carefully stacked her babies like a pyramid and reached out to put the final book on top.

  A man’s arm reached past her and plucked the very book from her hand.

  How rude.

  She dropped to the balls of her feet. “I’m sorry, but the store isn’t open yet.”

  The man turned on his heel and stepped outside.

  “Sir, I’m sorry, sir, but you have to pay for that.” She practically had to run after him to keep up with his long strides.

  He opened the book to the last poem and read it aloud, his back still toward her. His low, southern voice was as familiar to her as a baby’s cry was to a parent.

  Selena’s breath hitched and her arms crossed over her heart. His very presence was a threat, yet her legs became rooted to the pavement, even her breathing seemed to stop at his words, the ones she’d penned to paper.

  His eyes are gray, the color of sadness, misery, and sorrow

  His matching hat, button-down shirt, and cowboy boots don’t mask it

  Gray could be silver, the color of shiny sports cars and coin

  Meant to exude wealth, power, and fame

  But all I see is the subdued shade of gray and the subdued man

  Even the absence of color—white—or all colors—black—go with everything

  But gray, what does gray go with except other shades of gray

  It’s the color of fog and clouds bloated with rain

  Causing air, sidewalks, and streets to look the same

  Gray drives all signs of life into their cocoons

  It’s a lonely color, reflecting the lonely, desperate man

  Others don’t see past the outer beauty of him

  The strong jaw and shoulders imply his character is the same

  His tall height and long legs mean he is afraid of nothing

  Why can’t they see it in his eyes, the ones that betray him

  He’s afraid of something and he’s lost in the fog

  Come back to me, lyrics sung to the woman who is gone

  His voice exposing his anguish, his eyes showing what it cost

  Did he hurt this woman as much as she hurt him?

  Or did she push him away, as if on a whim?

  Why can’t they leave this man alone?

  His words aren’t meant for anyone… but the one he has lost

  His voice cracked during the final words of her poem. He turned his gray eyes on her and snapped the book shut.

  Tucker Calhoun stepped toward Selena, his tan cowboy boots thudding on the sidewalk. His blue jeans and brown leather jacket were well worn and creased in all the right places. He shoved o
ne hand in his pocket, the other gripping the book so tight his knuckles turned white.

  With every step toward her, he seemed to get taller, beyond his six foot height, or maybe she was cowering. She retreated a step, the doorknob jabbing into her back.

  “Looks like you have one of two options. Lock yourself in the bookstore or face me.”

  Never run from a threat, or you’ll become a target. How many times had Neal said those words?

  She lifted her chin. “My brother’s a cop, and he taught me to never run.” She stepped forward and drew in a deep breath, her hands firmly planted on her sides, and tried to make her five foot six inches look impressive. Tucker no longer towered over her, and that’s when she saw it. His eyes contradicted his anger. He was suffering. He was in pain.

  “You need to take this back.” Tucker shook the book at her.

  “How?”

  “Write a retraction; say the last poem wasn’t about me.”

  “I never said it was about you.”

  “Don’t give me any of that bull. You used the title of my song and my signature gray eyes and gray hat. You and the whole damn world knows this is about me.” He shoved the book into her chest.

  The force caused her to take a half step back. She clutched the book in her hand. “What do you mean the whole world knows?”

  “It’s all over the Internet. But you know that.”

  Blood drained from her head. The very thing that had killed her sister, she had now done to this complete stranger. “No, I—”

  “My misfortune is your fortune, right?” He slid his other hand into his pocket.

  “That’s not why—”

  “Sure it is, sweetheart. You’re not the first woman to take advantage of me.”