The Right Choice
Brandy L Rivers
Copyright 2016 Brandy L Rivers
http://brandylrivers.com
Edited by Emily A. Lawrence
www.lawrenceediting.com
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Bundled Sets
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Fated Love
Falling Into Place
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Deadly Design
Untitled – Declan’s Story (Coming summer 2017)
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Combustible
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
About Brandy L Rivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Preview: Heart on Fire
Chapter 1
Rain pelted against the windshield as Brian drove through the storm. Long damned day at work, and he was ready to go home, grab a beer, and go to sleep. Ten minutes before the end of his shift, dispatch called and sent him and his partner back out. He vaguely knew the address but couldn’t recall why.
Marissa looked over. “Isn’t that Kylie Jensen’s address?”
And he had his answer. She was the sister of a man he used to call a friend. Kent started down the wrong path during high school. By the time Brian became a cop, Kent had been in and out of jail for drug use. And last he heard he was dealing.
The call was to investigate drugs stashed on someone’s property. Her asshole of a brother was capable of doing something as stupid as stashing drugs in her home.
He parked outside the house. Kylie burst through the door with fire in her gray eyes. Her red hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she still wore her scrubs.
“My piece of shit brother broke in and stashed a shitload of drugs in my room of all places. I want nothing to do with his lifestyle.”
Brian sucked in a breath and nodded. “Slow down. Show us what happened.”
“That.” The door had been kicked in.
Kylie walked inside. “Come in.” Turning on her heel, she stalked up the steps and pushed the door open. She shot him a glare. “Kent came by last night. Asked to hide out in my house. I told him hell no and to get lost. He was drunk, but I finally convinced him to leave.” Clenching her fists, she stared Brian down. “I know you’re buddies, but—”
“Were,” Brian pointed out. “Haven’t called him a friend in years. I’m not taking his side. Now tell me what the hell happened so we can get to the bottom of it.”
Her mouth dropped open, then her hands landed on her hips.
Marissa laughed softly. “Kent is a world-class asshole. This won’t be the first time we’ve had to lock him up.”
Brian looked into Kylie’s eyes. “Things haven’t been the same since I left for college. If he committed the crime, I have no issue putting him in a cell.” He almost took it back, knowing he should have said us, but something about Kylie all grown up and pissed turned him on.
“Fine.” She pointed past Brian at the door. “He busted in here. I have a door ordered and I’ll be installing it once it gets here in another hour. He stole some of my jewelry. Tore up my room. And left a backpack of what I assume are drugs, but I haven’t touched it. He wanted to hide out, so I assume the worst.”
An irritated growl erupted as she stalked back to her room. “This isn’t the first time he’s tried to pull this shit, but since I changed my locks, he actually broke in this time.” Kylie threw the door open and stepped inside. “He left a mess.”
“I’d say,” Brian answered.
The mattress was off the bed frame. Her clothes were thrown around. Several pictures were shattered, the frames lying on the floor. Drawers were overturned.
Kylie walked to the closet and pointed at the massive duffle bag. “Haven’t touched it. Don’t want to.”
Brian looked over at Marissa, silently begging her to ask the obvious question.
One corner of her mouth quirked. “Is there any chance someone else could have broken in?”
Kylie pinned Brian with a glare. “And this is why I didn’t expect shit from you.” Rolling her eyes, she walked past them.
Brian caught her shoulder and quickly pulled his hand back when she spun around, reaching up to fling his arm away. He held his hands up in surrender. “We’d be asking these same questions no matter who reported the crime, or who the suspect was. It’s not that we don’t trust you, but without evidence or a confession, we can only take him in for questioning, which we’ll do regardless.”
Sighing heavily, she marched to the dining room and opened her laptop. “I have evidence that he broke in.” She brought up a video of the front door, already paused where her brother did break in the door and storm inside.
“Why didn’t you start with this?” Marissa asked in irritation.
Brian moved in front of Kylie and stared her down. “We’re cops. There’s an obvious crime here. We want to get to the bottom of it.”
Sighing, she looked him in the eye. “Didn’t think it would matter. I know how tight you two were.”
“For the love of God. That was ages ago. High school, to be exact.”
“Right. Sure.”
Brian’s brow arched and he changed the subject. “Why do you have it on video?”
“Had a problem with someone stealing packages while I was at work.” Her cheeks pinked, but she held Brian’s gaze. “Whoever was stealing my shit must have noticed the camera because the thefts stopped.�
��
“Can you give us an official statement? We’ll deal with the crime scene quickly, and then we’ll get out of your hair.”
Chapter 2
By the next day, Kylie felt a little better. Brian had proved he wasn’t on Kent’s side. In fact, he insisted they stay to help her install the door. Somewhere along the way, the old crush resurfaced and burned into a heavy attraction.
Trying not to think about Brian, Kylie dropped onto the couch and glared at her ringing phone.
Groaning, she pressed talk. “Hi, Mom.”
“You called the cops on your brother! What on earth were you thinking?”
Anger flashed through her. “That he broke into my house, which is a crime. That he stole some of my jewelry, another crime. That he left a bag of drugs in my home, which could get me in a ton of trouble. He fucked up, not me.”
“You know that boy would never do anything to hurt you. He’s misguided and confused. If you had let him crash at your place, he wouldn’t have had to hide anything there.”
“Except he was probably hiding from his supplier or a loan shark. He’s in too much trouble, and I want no part of his criminal activities. So yes, I called the cops. Figure if they took the drugs away, I wouldn’t be the one to take the fall when someone figured it out.”
“Drugs? What did he leave?”
“An entire duffle bag full of crack.”
“Highly unlikely he’d have something like that.”
Kylie shot off the couch to pace the living room, trying to think of a response. Then the other line dinged. “You know what, Mom? Kent is an adult, and he needs to learn some responsibility. Goodbye.” She hung up and switched lines. “Hello?”
Brian’s deep, rumbling voice came across. “Bad news, Kylie. Kent’s running. Your mother seems to be helping him. I don’t trust the asshole not to come back and try to get your help. Someone will keep an eye on your place tonight and every night until we get to the bottom of this. Might be safest if you went to someone’s house.”
She sighed heavily. “Thanks, but that’s not happening. My mother thinks I should have let Kent hide out in my home. Besides, my best friend is off on her honeymoon. I’ll keep the doors locked.”
“Are you hungry? I could bring you some food. If you’d like.”
A slow smile spread on her lips. “Why are you being so nice to me, Brian?”
A heavy sigh floated over the line. “I’m worried about you. Your brother…his roommate seems to think he’s made a bigger mess than ever. He’s desperate. You’ve never been in trouble, you don’t associate with his friends, so you seem safe. Only he’d put you in trouble by being there.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“If I remember right, you like pizza, and I’m at the pizza shop. Tell me what you want on the pie. I’ll come by. We’ll eat. I’ll tell you what I know. And maybe you’ll believe me this time when I tell you I’m on your side.”
Guilt wafted in. She didn’t miss the hurt in his voice.
In hindsight, she’d been the judgmental twit. Not him.
“As long as you include Italian sausage I’ll be happy with anything else on the pizza.”
“See you soon.” Before she could respond, the phone clicked off and she sat staring at it. Brian had been her first crush. She’d been ten when he graduated from high school. She was too young, and he had thought of her as a pain in the ass.
But now, she was twenty-five. Sure, he was thirty-three, but maybe he could overlook the age gap.
She straightened up the living room, then went back to her bedroom to shove the clothes into her closet. She didn’t have time to put everything away the day before. The cops had been there all evening. She went to bed late and had to get up early for work.
Tonight was a different story. Brian pointed out that whoever Kent was associating with might target her. After a whole day of worrying, she didn’t like the idea of staying home alone, even with cops outside.
Now, she was beginning to think Brian’s suggestion to stay with someone had merit. Maybe he would take her home or stay with her. Either way, she might feel better.
Kylie made a stop at the mirror and freshened up her light makeup. Smiling at herself, she tried to push away all thought.
Doubt wouldn’t leave. He probably still saw her as a kid.
The bell rang, and she hurried to open the door. Her eyes caught on the way his T-shirt stretched across his hard chest. She dropped her gaze, taking in the worn denim before bouncing her head back up to look him in the eye. “Thank you. Come in.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t like the idea of you alone while he’s running around.”
Shrugging, she took the pizza and headed for the kitchen. “What would you like to drink?”
“What do you have?” The depth of his voice stoked the embers burning deep inside.
She opened the fridge and nodded inside before turning to lean against the counter.
He watched her for a moment before looking in the fridge. Yeah, there was a spark that could ignite at any moment. He grabbed a bottle of water. “Want one?”
“Sure. There is beer in there, though.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, but this is part business.”
“Not all?”
One corner of his mouth tipped up. “That depends on you.”
A thrill ran through her. “How so?”
“First, how well you take what I have to tell you. Second, I need to know what you want from me.”
“You’re interested in me?”
His eyes darkened as he watched her. “Yeah. We need to talk about Kent and what’s going on with him before we talk about anything else.”
“Let’s get food and sit.” Kylie grabbed a couple pieces and took her plate to the table.
Brian followed, sitting across from her.
“So what’s going on with Kent?”
“He stole from his supplier. Or he couldn’t pay him back. I’m not sure yet. I’ve heard rumors that he may have stolen a supply and is attempting to sell them to pay back his gambling debt.”
“Then why stash the drugs here?”
“Because he assumes no one would find out about you, or think the drugs were here. He’s in enough trouble with us and whoever he pissed off, and he just dragged you into the situation.”
“He is such an asshole,” she sneered.
“Which is why I’m worried about whoever is looking for him. They may come here if they think you have it, or may know where to find him.”
“That’s just perfect.” She took a bite of pizza and stared at the fridge.
“You said the person you’d stay with is out of town. You could stay with me. Or I could stay here. If you want.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “Why?”
“You’re a beautiful woman who has her head on straight. I like that.”
“Didn’t think you’d notice me.”
“In the last four or five years I have.”
“And you haven’t made a move,” she taunted.
“Wasn’t sure you’d go for me.” He huffed. “With your brother being shady as he is, and me being a cop, I didn’t know what to expect.”
Her lips quirked. “I’m not too young?”
“A few years back, I’d say yes. You put yourself through school, made yourself a career, bought a house. Age becomes a number once you manage to do certain things for yourself. And you’re only eight years younger.”
“Stay the night.”
He nodded, his eyes locked on hers. “I should warn you. If we go there, I take what I want.”
A shiver traveled down her spine. “How so?”
“You’ll experience new heights you never dreamed possible, but I will be in control.”
“If we’re talking pain, I’m not interested.”
He shook his head, one corner of his mouth lifting. “No. I want you to come, a lot, and hard.”
She licked her lips, imagining what Brian might be capable of. “That’s ac
ceptable.”
He took another bite, sitting back in his seat. His deep brown eyes smoldered as he watched her.
A nervous laugh escaped and she shook her head. She hadn’t been flustered before.
“Have any idea where your brother might have gone?”
Right, dinner was about what she knew. Later they could get to the good part. Maybe he could take her mind off all the shit that came with Kent.
Chapter 3
Brian waited for an answer. He’d changed the subject from sex back to her brother, probably confusing Kylie. He still had questions, and starting with dessert would mean he wouldn’t get the answers he needed.
He’d never imagined the chemistry had built from the moment he walked in. A spark could ignite, but he did have a job to do. Besides, if the people involved were who he believed, Kylie could be in as much trouble as Kent. Not legally, but the people involved would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.
Kylie took a slow breath and frowned. “I’m not sure where he’d go. My mother called to scold me for not helping him. She’s on his side, of course. Even though he borrowed more than ten thousand dollars from her just last month.”
“How much does he owe you?”
“Over the years? A couple thousand. I stopped giving him money quite a while ago.”
“Smart move.” Brian leaned forward, tapping the table. “And your mother continues to help him?”
“When she can. They probably know he stays at her house when he’s in trouble. Maybe that’s why she thought him being here would be safe. I don’t fucking know. She still believes he’s incapable of doing anything really wrong.”
“He can. I’ve seen it. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” Then an idea occurred to her. “Wait, there was a place he used to tell me about. That if he got in trouble he’d go to Middleton to some little townhome a friend owned. Shit, what was her name?”
“Tracy Hickman?” he asked.
“Yeah, Tracy. That was forever ago. God, didn’t you both have a thing for her back in the day?”
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