The Right Choice

by Brandy L Rivers

  Brian leaned back in the chair with a snort. “Yeah. He stole her from me when I went to college. Makes sense, though. Hadn’t heard from her since. She went the same direction he did.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I may not have kept in contact, but I do know she’s been taken in for prostitution and dealing.”

  “Eww. That’s just…wow.”

  He shrugged. “Desperation makes you do all sorts of crazy shit.”

  “Yeah, like break into your sister’s house and destroy everything in your path.” She sighed.

  He finished his piece of pizza. “Let me make a call, then you’ll have my full attention.”

  Her head cocked. “What call?”

  “Need to contact the commander at Middleton. He’s a control freak, and it’s their jurisdiction. He’ll let us be there, but he won’t move fast without proof he’s there, which I don’t have.”

  “You’re trying at least. I honestly didn’t expect that.”

  “I’m not the same kid who hung out with your brother.”

  “I’ve noticed.” She licked her lips, trailing her gaze over his body as he stood.

  Brian walked to the living room to make the call. Voice mail of course. And as much as he’d love to drive out there and get the ball rolling, it would only cause problems. He was stuck waiting for a call back.

  Would Brian put Kent in jail? Hell yes, he would. Did he want Kylie in the middle of the fallout? Not in the slightest. Too much time and the asshole would be back.

  After leaving as much of a detailed message as he could, he walked back to the kitchen. “It will likely be tomorrow morning before he calls me back. He’ll either be smart and have someone pick up Kent tomorrow morning, or call me and have me come out there to work with their team to bring him in. On one hand, I’ll be able to bring him back to Lakeridge faster, but on the other, I’m stuck waiting on them to make the arrest.”

  She snorted. “If he’s even there. I do know he used to go there, but I haven’t exactly had the closest relationship to my brother in quite some time.”

  “I’m sorry. And it sounds like you don’t have the best relationship with your mother, either.”

  “Mom is irresponsible. She’s always been more concerned with her fun. She never pushed either Kent or me. I got where I did because I’m driven. Not because she did a damned thing to encourage me. No, she wanted to be my best friend who partied with me. Something I was never into.”

  “That’s where Kent got it from.”

  “Yeah. Look, I don’t want to talk about him. I’ve spent the last two evenings worrying about my brother. I don’t want to think about him at all anymore.”

  “Don’t blame you. So what do you want to think about?”

  “About how you’re going to take my mind off all the shit I’ve dealt with since my brother broke in.”

  His lips quirked as he watched her. “And you understand that unless you tell me to stop, I have every intention of pushing you past any limits.”

  Chapter 4

  Kylie’s breath caught in her chest as a shiver of anticipation went down her spine. Stopping? Not a chance in hell. She’d waited too long to have a chance at Brian.

  “I’m not scared.” She slid her chair back and started for her room, pulling her shirt over her head.

  Heavy footfalls followed her down the hall. Licking her lips, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  Brian spun her toward him, his mouth crashing over hers. He crushed her against his body, slipping his hand down her pants to squeeze her ass.

  He groaned low in his throat, sucking on her tongue.

  She slid her hands between them, opening his pants, desperate for more.

  “Uh-uh.” He pulled her arms away and pushed her onto the bed. Then he opened his shirt and let it fall to the floor as he reached into his pocket.

  Tucking the foil packet between his fingers, he opened his pants and shoved them off. And she started drooling as she raked her eyes over hard muscle and the light dusting of blond hair that led to a golden happy trail she wanted to trace as he kicked off his shoes and rid himself of the rest of the clothes.

  His cock was a thing of beauty. Brian had always been strong, and now, all she could think of was his virility.

  She sucked in a breath. “What about my clothes?”

  “By all means, remove them.”

  Standing, she took the bra off. Then his hands were on her jeans, taking over again. She didn’t mind. He caressed her body with his gaze, following the path with his hands.

  “I’ve been imagining this moment all day long.”

  “You have?”

  He nodded, meeting her gaze. “Hardly slept last night for all the images in my head.”

  Kylie dragged her hands up his stomach, exploring the ridges of banded muscle as she stared into his burning brown eyes. “You were always my favorite fantasy.”

  “Let’s see if I can blow those out of the water.”

  The sound of tearing foil caught her breath. He stepped back again and rolled the condom down his length. She almost did the stupid thing and told him to skip it. He may have haunted her thoughts, but she didn’t really know him. Brian wasn’t anything she imagined.

  Words dried up as he lowered her to the bed. She stared up at him as he maneuvered her up the mattress. He sat up, dragging his fingertips down her body, awakening every nerve on his way to her thighs. He scooted back, continuing his tour down to her toes before he dragged his hands up her legs as if he were memorizing her contours.

  Then he leaned forward and anticipation built as he pulled her open, licking through her wet channel. He circled her clit with his tongue.

  Sensation flooded through her when two fingers filled her. He glanced up her body with a devilish glint in his eyes. A third finger joined the fray as he sucked on her clit.

  Kylie lost it. Pleasure exploded in all directions so hard she couldn’t see straight as tiny lights flashed through her vision. Her muscles all constricted and released before starting to quake at the intensity of the orgasm.

  * * * *

  She came undone beautifully. He’d never seen anyone as responsive as Kylie. Such a gorgeous sight.

  He crawled up her body, watching her coming down from the high.

  When she finally got her eyes open, she opened her mouth but nothing came out. So he guided her legs over his shoulders and moved to enter her.

  Her body drew him in. She was so damned tight he took his time, giving her a while to adjust.

  He found her end, and she cried out. “Fuck, that’s good,” she whimpered after he’d been still a moment.

  He started a slow pace, making sure she stayed with him. When her hands landed on his thighs and her nails dug into his flesh, he increased his pace until the sounds coming from her were primal and full of pleasure.

  Shit, he loved the way she responded. He reached down to squeeze her bouncing breasts. Soft, firm, perfect globes he wanted to worship, but first, he was climbing toward his release and he needed her there before he gave in.

  He pinched her nipples between his fingers, and she shouted out her release, her walls rippling around him. He came, shooting over the edge as he watched her bite her lip, her eyes going glassy as she stared at nothing.

  Her chest heaved as he moved off the bed to rid himself of the condom. He came back, snagging his pants. With a grin, he set the other three condoms on the nightstand, sure he’d need at least one more, but hoped to use them all.

  Chapter 5

  Brian sat up, looking around the dark room. Shit, where the hell was his phone? He didn’t want to wake Kylie, not for work.

  Right, in his pants that were still on the floor. He grabbed his cell and stepped into the hall. “This is Cox.”

  “O’Malley. I got your call. If you can be here in thirty, you can follow my guys to the address. We’ll want to question Kent Jensen, too, but you can take him back to your precinct after.”

 
“I’ll be there.” He hurried back to the room and pulled his clothes on before sitting next to Kylie, stroking her back. “Hey, Kylie. Wake up.”

  She rolled over and opened her gray eyes. “Hmm?”

  “I need to go. I have the go ahead to pick up your brother if he’s at Tracy’s. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “Okay. Be safe.”

  “Will do.” He bent take a kiss before leaving.

  On the way to the car, he dialed Marissa.

  She answered with a yawn. “You got a lead?”

  “Yeah, should have told you last night, but I was with Kylie.”

  She snorted. “Do I need to get up?”

  “Yeah. I’ll pick you up. We’re heading to Middleton.”

  “Right, see you soon.”

  Ten minutes later he was in the cruiser and in front of Marissa’s. She hurried to the car, and he called the number O’Malley texted.

  “Officer Taylor. This Officer Cox?”

  “Yeah. Is it okay if I meet you at the residence? We’re coming from Lakeridge, and not sure I’ll have time to stop by the precinct first, but I can be there in fifteen.”

  “Sounds good. We’ll be there.”

  He pulled up in front of Marissa’s, and she climbed in, in uniform and a traveler mug full of coffee in hand. “So you stayed with Kylie?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Didn’t want her to be alone.”

  “Who was watching her house?”

  He shrugged. “Timmons and Fetch. They were in the car, across the street. They haven’t said anything. But damn it, it’s a small town, and there is nothing that says I can’t start something with someone if I’ve been called out to their house for a case.”

  She snorted. “Maybe, but it’s interesting timing.”

  “Doesn’t matter. We don’t run in the same circles. I’ve only seen her a few times over the years, and always in passing.”

  “What prompted the overnight stay?”

  “That’s how I got this lead. So stop right there. She remembered some place Kent used to go hide out when the shit started getting too deep.”

  “And where’s that?”

  “Tracy Hickman’s. Out in Middleton.”

  “Oh, isn’t that convenient.” Marissa shook her head in amusement. “At least you let her go when she decided to be stupid.”

  “Shit. When she dumped me, she was stoned out of her mind, and Kent was still in her bed. What else was I going to do? Try to convince her I was what she wanted? She made her choice, and I had better things to do than waste my time.”

  “And if you could have helped her?”

  “She didn’t want help. Neither did Kent. I learned that fast.” He sighed. “I’m not the only one who’s made bad calls on friends and lovers.” He squeezed her shoulder. “And that isn’t a jab, just back off, okay? I don’t judge your choices.”

  “Fine,” she muttered, turning to stare out the window. “One question, though. Last night, will it happen again?”

  “Hope so.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Chapter 6

  Brian parked behind the other cruiser and climbed out of the car. They were around the corner from the house.

  One of the officers shook his head. “We just saw a male fitting Kent Jenson’s description running through the yards.”

  “And you didn’t think to stop him?” Brian demanded.

  “You weren’t here yet.”

  “You realize he broke into the witness’ house, left a bag of drugs, and stole from her, right? His own sister. And you just let him go because we weren’t fast enough?”

  “We tried, but we couldn’t keep up,” the rookie sputtered.

  “Still need to question the woman who lives there.”

  Brian started toward Tracy’s home, assuming it was too late to catch Kent. That left a sour taste in his mouth as he stalked up to the door and knocked.

  Tracy answered after a moment. She looked strung out. Her once glossy hair was dull and greasy. Dark circles sat under her bloodshot eyes. Skin and bones. He didn’t have an ounce of sympathy at the moment.

  “Where is Kent Jensen?”

  She shrugged. “How should I know? I haven’t seen him in months.”

  “Then why was he seen leaving your place?”

  “Shit. Fine, he was here. I saw the cop car, and he took off.”

  “What’s he afraid of?”

  “Says that Fitzgerald wants his money. If he doesn’t get it, they’ll kill him this time. Roland Rygar is after him for the supply he stole. He needed the money to pay them both back. He’s scared shitless at the moment.”

  “Right, because stealing from a supplier is wise in the first place. Have any idea where he may have gone?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “You realize he just put you and his sister in danger?”

  Brian spun back to find the other two cops behind him. Marissa wasn’t there, but she may have gone in pursuit, or at least was attempting to figure out where he might have gone.

  He fought down his anger, and managed a calm statement. “Can you take Tracy in? Question her. See what else you can learn. I think I may know where he’s going.”

  “Will do.”

  Brian ran toward the cruiser.

  Marissa caught up. “Nothing?”

  “Oh, he’s in deep shit. Sounds like he stole the drugs from Rygar to pay back his debt to Fitzgerald. Either of them would go to Kylie if they thought she had anything to do with it. We’re heading back to Lakeridge. See what we can find out.”

  She held her hand out. “Let me drive.”

  He gave her no argument. He was pissed enough he didn’t trust his judgment at the moment.

  Chapter 7

  Last night had been abso-fucking-lutely amazing. Brian was better than anything she’d ever imagined. She’d thought he was being enthusiastic when he set three more condoms down. They went through them.

  Now, she was achy in all the best ways and still pushing herself to clean up the rest of the mess her brother left.

  At least one good thing came from her brother’s stupidity. She found someone who might be worth her time. Gorgeous, strong, and ready to rock her world. With his job, he wasn’t likely to demand all her time. Exactly what she needed at the present. Later, if they worked out, maybe more.

  Sighing, she hung the last of her clothes. Then the banging started.

  Her heart leapt into her chest as she walked toward the living room. The phone buzzed on her dresser and she swiped it up. Brian’s number.

  She answered. “Get him?”

  “No. Is someone at your door?” The last was a snarl.

  “Yeah. Just started knocking.”

  “Don’t answer it. Stay away from windows. Your brother is into a lot of shit he shouldn’t be. Hide. We’re on the way.” The phone clicked off.

  She stepped into the hall and ducked into the guest room, hoping if it was Kent, he wouldn’t think to look there. If it was anyone else, hopefully Brian was fast enough.

  The pounding got worse, then went silent. Kylie ducked into the closet and slid the door shut. There she strained to hear anything she could.

  Someone yelled.

  Kent yelled back.

  Kylie’s heart raced.

  Then sirens drew closer.

  Shots were fired.

  A car peeled away.

  The sirens parked out front.

  Kylie sat frozen.

  Time seemed to stand still.

  Chapter 8

  Marissa pulled up in front of the house. Brian had his gun drawn as he stepped out of the car and knelt behind the door. Kent lay bleeding on her doorstep.

  Someone had just fled the scene, but they needed backup for this shit. Brian called for that and a medic.

  “Great timing, huh?” Marissa muttered.

  “We need to clear the area.”

  Marissa moved closer to the door, and they both took a moment to make sure no one else was there. When
they came back to the front, Brian called Kylie.

  He knelt beside Kent who’d been shot in the leg and arm, though the arm was only grazed.

  She answered the phone. “What happened?”

  “Your brother was shot. He needs your help. More police and an ambulance are on their way.”

  Marissa read Kent his rights while Brian talked to Kylie.

  Something heavy slid, then he heard running. The door burst open, shoving at Kent’s leg, who doubled over.

  She took one look and ran inside. He wasn’t sure what the hell she was doing, but he worried for a second she wasn’t coming back. Then she reappeared with towels.

  “Need to stop the bleeding.” Her medical training took over as she assessed the damage. The fear he’d heard in her voice was gone for the moment.

  The ambulance was the first to arrive, followed shortly by two more cruisers. Where the hell had the cops gone who were supposed to be watching her house? That’s all he wanted to know.

  Later, he planned to raise hell with O’Malley in Middleton and chew someone’s ass for ditching their post in his own town. Someone from Lakeridge should have been outside her place, even across the street unless something bad enough to call all cars happened.

  Kylie let the paramedics take over, though she’d gotten the bleeding to stop. She said something about Kent being lucky it was muscle wound. The bullet had missed bone and arteries. His arm would be fine.

  They hadn’t managed to pry anything useful from Kent, but hopefully, at the hospital they would. Someone wanted him dead. With all the police swarming, would they target Kylie? He hoped like hell not.

  * * * *

  Kylie watched as they loaded Kent into the ambulance. She fell back against the door and slid down, staring at her blood covered hands.

  “Hey,” Brian said, “want to go to the hospital? Or would you rather come to my place?”

  “Your place. Don’t want to deal with Kent right now.”