Beginning of Forever (Heaven Hill #7)

by Laramie Briscoe

  Looking out onto the stage, she saw the rock group, Black Friday, finishing up. A fan of the band, she tried to still the heart that threatened to beat out of her chest as they finished their song and walked towards her. The lead singer was the personification of hotness in her opinion. She had always wanted a meeting, but had never been able to approach him when they had been in the same space. This time he would have to walk right by her—not that she had deluded herself to think he would know who she even was. Pulling her shaking hands to her body, she gripped them hard as the group approached.

  “Good job, guys,” she smiled as they passed her. One by one, they nodded and accepted her smile until she came face to face with Reaper, the lead singer. She only knew his stage name. What she wouldn’t give to know his real one.

  “Thanks. Good luck out there, sweetheart,” he smiled widely. His teeth were white and straight, the dimples that she had caught glimpses of in pictures deepened widely in his cheeks. He was tall, much taller than she had originally thought. He towered over her 5’6 frame (with heels, thank you very much), and the tattoos that traveled down his arms were a feast to her eyes. They were intricate, and she wished she had the time to study them all.

  Harmony opened her mouth to tell him something else, but he was already gone. Disappointment hit her stomach hard and fast. But at least it had been a start. With any luck, she would see him at some other award show. She heard her cue as she looked back to where the rock band stood, debriefing with some of their management. For just a split second, her eyes met Reaper’s and goose bumps appeared on her arms. If only they’d had more time.

  * * *

  Reaper sat with his head back, eyes closed. The night had been long. He never really liked doing these awards shows, but their fans were amazing. Even though they didn’t have what others called “crossover” success, they had some of the most rabid fans in the music industry. That, however, didn’t change the fact that he was lonely and tired of not having someone besides the members of his band to share his life with.

  “Who was the cutie that smiled at us as we walked by?”

  “That was Harmony Stewart,” he answered, moving only his lips.

  “Country singer?”

  “Yes, dude,” he sighed. “The country singer.”

  “She’s cuter than I imagined. I’ve only seen her on TV a few times.”

  Reaper sighed again. “Seriously Train, you’re getting on my fuckin’ nerves. Do you have to talk all the time?”

  “What’s your problem? Do you need to get laid?” Train asked, having a seat next to his friend.

  “Do you ever get sick of all this?” He lifted his long arms and big hands up; gesturing to the backstage green room they sat in.

  “Sick of what? The free pussy, the free booze, the amazing trips overseas and around this great nation? Playing the music we love every night? I’m ready to do this the rest of my life. Why aren’t you?”

  Reaper lifted his head up and opened his eyes, staring into the eyes of his friend. “I’m burnt out. Not with the music, but with the lifestyle. I need a change, something different to shake things up.”

  “Burnt out? How can you be burnt out?”

  “It’s just…” he ran his fingers through his hair. “We’ve been on the road for a year. I need something new and exciting in my life. I’m sick of the same girls, the same bus, and the same hotel rooms.”

  “You’re bein’ a moody fucking pansy is what you’re being. Do you know how many guys would give their left nut to be where we are?” Train slapped his friend on the shoulder, the disbelief showing on his face.

  Reaper realized he would get nowhere with his friend. Train dealt with his demons in unhealthy ways and perhaps tonight wasn’t the best time to approach him about this. He couldn’t rightfully explain his feelings if he didn’t fully understand them himself. Better to just pretend that everything was peachy. “You’re right. I’m crazy. I just need some good alcohol and a good cigarette. Let’s get to the after party.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” the lead guitarist said, grabbing his friend by the arm and ushering him out of the room.

  Reaper realized that nobody seemed to care what he thought, how he felt, or just how lonely he was. He might as well make the best of what to him was an unbearable situation.

  * * *

  “Harmony? Are you changing into the dress that new designer sent you for the after party?”

  “I think so,” Harmony answered her best friend and assistant, Shell.

  “You need to change now, then.”

  Harmony rolled her eyes and grabbed the hanger from Shell’s hand. “Yes ma’am.”

  Used to bossing her friend around, Shell had a seat while Harmony changed. “So tell me, did you meet anybody interesting at this awards show?”

  “I did. Did you see any of the show?”

  “I didn’t get a chance too, no. I wish I had, but there was a lot going on back here,” Shell answered from behind the door that Harmony had closed to change.

  “I’m so sorry, Shell. I know how hard you work, and you’ll never fully know how much I appreciate it. You’ll be excited to hear that I finally met the guys from Black Friday.”

  Harmony heard the squeal and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

  “I am so damn jealous. That lead singer—was he as hot as he looks on TV?”

  “Even more so. I actually said a few words to him. Top moment of my life this year—for real.”

  She finished changing and let herself out of the dressing room. Coming out, she turned around in a circle, making sure everything looked okay. For the show, Harmony had wanted to keep it classy and her dress had been very Old Hollywood. This dress, however, was young and fun. Sparkles and glitter reigned. The hot pink color showed off the tan she had been able to get during a short vacation before awards season ramped up.

  “Does this look okay?” she asked, turning around again so Shell could see her from every angle.

  “You look really good. Hoping to meet anybody at this party?”

  “You never know,” she shrugged. “Maybe the guys from Black Friday will be there, and I’ll be able to say something else to them. I was kind of a blabbering fool earlier. Are you coming with me?”

  Shell wrinkled her nose up at her friend. “I don’t know. This hasn’t been a stellar day for me.”

  “All the more reason for you to raid my closet, find something hot, and come out on the town with me.”

  “Why are you trying to corrupt me? Usually it’s the other way around. You’re the belle of the country ball, and I’m the one trying to get you to do Jager shots,” Shell laughed.

  “Maybe I’m ready to let my hair down. It’s time. I am twenty-four years old, and I’m not gettin’ any younger. If I keep goin’ at this pace with the music, I’m not goin’ to be married before thirty, and that’s never who I wanted to be. I’m the type of girl who wants a boyfriend, wants to be in love. I’m gonna have to make that a priority.”

  Shell knew that Harmony was telling the truth. She was one of those women who were made to be in love, but she wasn’t for sure that her friend had ever felt those feelings. Her one serious relationship hadn’t ended well and left her feeling disconnected. It was nice to see that she was beginning to look past that time in her life. “Okay, okay. If I need to be there to keep you from asking the first man you meet to marry you, I’ll be there to save you from yourself.”

  “You, Shell, are the best friend a girl could ask for.” She reached over, kissing her on the cheek.

  * * *

  “You sure we can leave in an hour?” Reaper asked he unfolded himself from the backseat of the limo they had taken to the party location.

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Train answered with a huff. Reaper didn’t miss the way he wiped the back of his hand over his nose. It was a sure sign that some things never changed. He raised his eyebrows as Train admonished him. “Dude, when did you become such a fuckin
g killjoy?”

  “I told you already, I’m just not feeling this tonight.”

  They got into line with the rest of the celebrities and the other members of their band to walk the red carpet that lead into the venue that housed the party for the night.

  “Hey.” Train hit his friend’s elbow. “Isn’t that the little country girl from earlier?” He pointed further up the carpet.

  Reaper couldn’t see for shit, so he squinted his eyes together, trying to bring the person in front of them better in focus. “Fuck,” he mumbled, pulling the wrap-around sunglasses he normally wore on stage up to his eyes. They were part of his persona, but in actuality they were prescription and without them—he really couldn’t see. “Yeah, that’s her.”

  “Cute, isn’t she?”

  “Seriously man, we already talked about how cute she is.”

  At that moment, they walked onto the main part of the carpet. Flashbulbs went off as they plastered smiles on their faces. Photographers called their names from all around. A little further down the aisle a photographer yelled at Reaper.

  “What sweetheart? Didn’t hear you.” He cupped his hand over his ear.

  “Take a picture with Harmony. It’ll be a good photo op.”

  Harmony heard the exchange from where she stood and laughed. “He might not want to be seen with someone like me,” she smiled as she glanced back at him.

  He couldn’t tell if she was flirting with him or not, but he figured he would seize the day. “Nah, darlin’ maybe you don’t wanna be seen with someone like me.”

  A blush covered her face, and she turned around so that she faced him. “I’m a fan, seriously. I’d love to take a picture with you.”

  The smile she gave him made his stomach dance. He had faced huge crowds before overseas. Hundreds of thousands of people he had performed in front of and not been nervous. Approaching this woman with the smile on her face made his legs shake. He strode over to her and easily put his arm around her waist. Even wearing heels she only came up to his shoulder.

  “Where do you want us to look?” he asked.

  The amount of people screaming at them was so deafening neither one of them could understand what anyone was saying. “Let’s just start looking to the left and then look to the right,” she said as she gripped his waist.

  They stood there for long minutes as everyone got their pictures—and when it was over, the two of them were reluctant to let go of each other.

  “Thanks Reaper and Harmony,” the original photographer told them.

  “You’re welcome,” Harmony answered. She pulled her arm from around his waist and turned to face him. “Thanks for taking a picture with me. I guess I’ll see you inside and maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn what people call you besides Reaper?”

  “If I tell you that, then I’d have to kill you. It’s highly classified.” He put his hands in the pockets of the pants he wore and rocked back on his heels.

  She wasn’t sure if he was flirting with her or not because she couldn’t see his eyes, but she knew that they were staring right at her. “Well then, I guess I better figure out how to work on my security clearance.” She gave him a flip of her hair as she turned from him and walked towards the entrance of the club.

  The pictures were already making their way all over the world.

  Buy Only the Beginning at Amazon.

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  The Heaven Hill Series

  Meant to Be

  (First in the Heaven Hill Series)

  Single mother.

  Laid off factory worker.

  Drug runner for the Heaven Hill Motorcycle Club.

  When Denise Cunningham is served with foreclosure papers on her birthday it’s the last straw in a long line of bad luck. Sitting and crying about things has never been how she solved her problems, but this time she decides to do just that. A phone call interrupts her pity party and changes the course of her life forever.

  Loyal brother.

  Grease monkey mechanic.

  Vice President of the Heaven Hill Motorcycle Club.

  William Walker Jr., known as Liam to his club, needs a new recruit that is just naïve enough and desperate enough to do what he asks without question. When Denise Cunningham lands in his lap, he decides to hire her—not because he wants to, because he has to.

  Neither are comfortable in their new roles, but he needs help and she can’t stand to lose anything else.

  As bullets fly and a local Bowling Green, KY reporter works to bring the club down, Liam and Denise find themselves getting closer to one another. When the stakes get high and outside forces try to keep them away from each other, they have to decide if they really are meant to be.

  Buy Meant to Be at Amazon.

  Out of Darkness

  (Second in the Heaven Hill Series)

  Ex-News reporter.

  Rape survivor.

  Former enemy of the Heaven Hill MC.

  Meredith Rager’s life completely changed the night she was attacked by an unknown person. Once a vibrant force that threatened everything about Heaven Hill, she is now under their care. The only place she feels safe is inside their compound. When she decides to take back the part of her life that her rapist took away, she discovers secrets that once again could tear the club apart.

  Orphan.

  Formidable force of nature.

  Loved member of the Heaven Hill MC.

  Tyler Blackfoot came into the world a John Doe. An orphan from the moment that he took his first breath, the only thing anyone knew was his Native American heritage. For most of his life, he’s been alone – except for the club that has taken him in as their own. When he rescued Meredith, a protective side of his personality came out that he never knew he had. Protecting her means everything – even when he discovers danger might be closer than either of them thought possible.

  Together, the two of them are trying to make a life for themselves. Against everything they have, they’re hoping to see the light that will lead them out of darkness.

  Buy Out of Darkness at Amazon.

  Losing Control

  (Third in the Heaven Hill Series)

  Strip-club waitress.

  Aspiring teacher.

  Friend of the Heaven Hill MC.

  Bianca Hawks met Jagger Stone in the most embarrassing of ways. After watching him play music at Wet Wanda’s for months, she fell half naked into his arms after a drunken bout with a stripper pole and the back of a pick-up truck. Avoiding him and his killer smile no longer works when she needs her car repaired and he comes to her rescue. His request for payment comes in the form of date nights spent with just the two of them – away from both the strip club and the MC.

  Tough guy with model good looks.

  Talented musician.

  Newly patched member of the Heaven Hill MC.

  Jagger Stone only wanted two things – to be a patched member of the Heaven Hill MC and to get to know Bianca Hawks. One for two isn’t bad, but when her car breaks down and she’s left with no one else to help her, he plays the situation to his advantage. Over late nights driving up and down the interstate and nights in spent at her apartment, Jagger realizes that there is so much more to Bianca than he ever knew.

  When her dream of becoming a school teacher is threatened by someone who wants her all to himself, the two of them are thrown into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. For the first time, Heaven Hill isn’t sure what they
are up against or if they can keep their family safe. In times of danger, Bianca and Jagger know the only thing they can do is hold onto each other while trying not to admit they are losing control.

  Buy Losing Control at Amazon.

  Worth the Battle

  (Fourth in the Heaven Hill Series)

  Movie star running from her life.

  Secret writer of erotic romance.

  Trusts only Layne O’Connor of the Heaven Hill MC.

  When Jessica Shea fears that her privacy is in danger, she takes the drastic step to leave her life behind and escape to the only person who’s never treated her like the movie star she is. He’s the one person who’s never sold a story to the tabloids and who knows the real Jessica, the one underneath the makeup and high-gloss shine of Hollywood.

  Their friendship has stood the test of time. Now, someone has stolen private photos and writings from her home. Things that she doesn’t want the public at large to see. There’s only one place she knows she can go to be under the radar and lick her wounds.

  That place is wherever Layne O’Connor is.

  War Veteran.

  Striving to live a normal life.

  Member of the Heaven Hill MC.

  Layne left a piece of himself in the war zone. Fighting PTSD and demons that he can’t explain has left him tired and changed from the man he was before he went overseas.

  The only thing he feels like he excels at anymore is being a criminal, and he gladly does it for his brothers of the Heaven Hill MC. The only people who took him in when no one else knew what to make of his anger and frustration.

  When Jessica arrives, however, she’s a trigger for everything he’s trying to forget. She makes him remember who he was before his life went to hell; she makes him want to get himself back. While working through those issues, he and Jessica are racing against an unknown enemy.

  As they both work to trust each other and figure out just who her enemies are, they learn that love is never easy. They have to decide if the victory is worth the battle.