When she brought me another plate, I politely declined and it ended up causing some tension. Found out she wasn't as angelic as I thought and she was an even worse cook. We'd had several arguments about her cooking when it made the entire floor smell like bigfoot had taken a big old shit in the hallway. The stench lasted a week and we'd been enemies ever since. Well, maybe not enemies. We just pretty much hated each other and let the other know by means of little pranks here and there. They weren't terribly mean, but one actually ended up getting the cops called on me.
I'd found a way into her apartment and left a 'Cooking for Dummies' book on her kitchen counter. I was in and out faster than you could say 'I was just trying to help' and no one saw me, but she knew who'd left it the second she laid eyes on it.
Thank the good Lord the officers who showed up were ones I'd worked with frequently, otherwise I would have had to deal with more crap for another few weeks. Revenge would have been sweet, but the consequences were unpredictable.
I yanked open my front door and started down the hall a short distance to her apartment. I wasn't going to put up with that crappy music anymore. I heard Emily's voice in the background and Conall could barely stop laughing long enough to tell her what was going on.
He'd been a lot happier since meeting Emily, a lot more laid back, even with all the shit that went down with her brother. It's too bad she didn't grow up with a good family the way we had, but what better way to get one than with us, right?
"I gotta go, Con. Time to throw down the law."
"Whatever, Gus. Emily says hi. Let me know how it goes next week. We'll see you soon, yeah?"
"Yeah. Later."
I pocketed my phone and took a deep, cleansing breath to calm my nerves. I wasn't angry enough to accidently disrespect the woman, but I was definitely at the end of my rope. Work was getting crazy with all the kids gone missing and it was hard to not bring that shit home with you. It amazed me how many parents just let their children play around unsupervised.
Hello people! We live in Detroit. It's not purgatory, but it isn't the golden gates of heaven either.
Con's reminder that I was going to be meeting someone great next week calmed me down. I hadn't meant to tell Con about it and if I found out he spilled the beans to Luke, there would be hell to pay. Being a detective for missing children didn't really leave much time for me to go out and meet people. I'd joined a dating site in secret, one that didn't give real names or pictures, just to see what happened and ended up talking to the coolest girl I had ever met. She was funny and smart and I had a good feeling she was absolutely gorgeous. We'd agreed to not send any pictures once we started talking since we both didn't feel comfortable with it. But we talked on the phone a couple times a week and it was a miracle I hadn't been caught while I was back in Oakland.
I pounded on the door and waited. A few seconds later, the music turned down and I heard giggling from the other side.
The door opened a crack and there she was, hiding behind the chain with a knowing smile. Damn, she's pretty, I thought. Too bad she's an evil-
"Can I help you, Fergus?" she asked sweetly.
"Yeah, Red, you can. The music is too loud, has been for weeks."
She rolled her eyes and shut the door. My jaw dropped in shock at her rudeness until I heard the sound of the chain and she opened the door a moment later, a little wider so I could just see inside her apartment. It was a mess.
Figures.
"My name isn't Red, it's Aiden."
Same difference. The meaning for Aiden is 'fire'. She has red hair. Big fucking coincidence if you ask me.
What? I like to know that stuff just like Ash does. Give me a break.
"Whatever, Red. Just turn the music down. I gotta get some sleep."
"Don't ask me. It's not my music."
"Then whose is it?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.
She smiled and took a step back, opening the door a little wider. Behind her was a tiny little red haired beauty dressed in a princess gown and holding a wand with a heart on the end of it. The top of her head would probably reach up to my mid thigh, she was so small. Her little smile looked like an angel's and she giggled when Red told her to say hi.
I swallowed, knowing exactly what I'd gotten myself into.
"Fergus, did you have something to tell, Little Aiden?" Red asked sarcastically.
I turned my eyes to her and shot daggers into the dark brown of hers.
"You named you're daughter after you?" I asked, trying to be an asshole on purpose.
She rolled her eyes again, "She isn't my daughter. She's my niece. My sister liked the name and when she came out with red hair, it seemed fitting."
"She's the reason for the music? Almost every day?"
She smiled again and I felt my stomach flip. Why'd my arch enemy have to be so smokin' hot?
"Yep. I watch her while her mom works. She's a nurse so it changes every so often."
I swallowed again and looked back down at the little girl. She had freckles covering her face and a little button nose that actually looked a lot like Red's.
"Um…"
"Yes?" she pressed, and for the first time in my life, I turned away from a challenge.
Just walked away without a word.
I heard her chuckle softly and clenched my fists. Then Little Aiden giggled and squealed, making my heart do a tiny flip. It was a beautiful laugh.
I hurried into my apartment and leaned against the door.
"What the hell was that?" I asked no one and rubbed my sternum, hoping to relieve the panic in my chest.
I don't know how long I stood there, but my phone chimed with a text message, pulling my thoughts back to reality. I loved kids, always wanted some for my own. That little girl was a wakeup call, though. She tugged at my heart with just a smile.
My phone showed a text from MysteryGirl. We hadn't given our names either in case we decided this whole thing wasn't going to work out. She was definitely my type of woman. Thought like me, had a dirty mind, and I couldn't wait to lay eyes on her.
MysteryGirl: Why do neighbors suck?
I smiled.
We had a lot in common.
Read Gus' story in the next book of The Brannock Siblings series:
Missing
Coming Soon
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite retailer.
Thanks!
Jessica Wilde
About the Author
I live in Morgan Utah with my husband, daughter, and dog, Kolo. I write as often as my active daughter will let me and my husband has the patience of a saint. I find inspiration from dreams, people I meet, and life experiences. When I write, I usually end up drinking one too many cans of Peace Tea, eating three too many Fruit by the Foot fruit snacks, and accidently kicking my pup and best buddy, Kolo, too many times since he loves to sleep under my desk at my feet.
I started writing as a teen, but my fear of the unknown won out every time and I threw everything out. After becoming a mother and deciding to stay at home to raise my beautiful little girl, I tried again when I couldn't stop thinking of ideas. I loved every minute, every hour of sleep lost, and every character that came to life in my mind.
It's strange, but my favorite moments are when I have writer's block because I can turn to my husband and find inspiration through him by just doing what we do best together. Talking, laughing, and just being in love. He doesn't like to read, but he never stops encouraging me to keep going.
Writing has become an important part of my life and every book has a special place in my heart.
Connect with Jessica Wilde
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7373464.Jessica_Wilde
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Acknowledgements
There are many people that have encouraged me, supported me, and given me inspiration and love as I have worked to get my books out into the world. Without them, none of this would have been possible.
I never expected Leverage to be such a success and there were many moments where I found myself in tears because of all the amazing feedback I received. Ask my husband, he heard the screams of joy and had to stop what he was doing, even if it was sleep, to 'come see this'. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that readers enjoy the results of my crazy brain never shutting off. I fall in love with every single one of my characters. They come to life as I write and to see so many people experiencing the same thing as they read has been truly fulfilling for me.
My first two books, Every One of Me and Our Time, were written over a long period of time and started out as a secret. I was terrified to put my work out there and I was new to the world of self-publishing. It was difficult to get the word out, but accomplishing what little I had was a big deal for me.
Conned has been quite the challenge since Conall is such a stoic and silent character, but there is so much to love about him and writing his story just made my love for this family grow. I hope you love him and appreciate his place in the Brannock family as much as I do.
Now, I have lots of people to thank. People who have been there for me from the beginning and many that I have run into along the way who have made a huge difference in getting my books out to all of you.
Thank you!:
To my husband, without your love and support, I honestly don't think I would have ever come close to finishing a single story. You know my brain never shuts off, but your encouragement to just write it and your patience with me as I've locked myself away for hours at a time, is the biggest reason why I can say 'I did it!'. For all of your help with ideas for characters, covers, scenes, and titles, when you had to wake up, drop everything, or just listen for a few minutes. I love you with all my heart.
To my daughter, you are still so young and one day you might read Mommy's books. It's because of you that I write. I want you to know that even when the world knocks you down and keeps you there until you feel you will break, love will always be there. Whether it is from me, Daddy, the family, or the man who steals your heart, you will always have love. I pray each day that you will find true love in your future. There are a lot of frogs to kiss along the way, but just remember that your prince will love you completely, unconditionally, and he will be the luckiest man in the world to have it returned by you. You are so special to me and I will always be here for you.
To my families, the one I grew up with and the one I've come to love so much over the years. Thank you for your love and support, for your excitement to find out what happens next, for your help in getting the word out there, for your ideas and for listening. For the hours of babysitting you have done so I could put more time in. This wouldn't be possible without you. I have a lot of stories to tell (Mom, you know this almost better than anyone), your patience will always be appreciated.
And to those that I have met along the way. Three Chicks and Their Books Blog, thank you for taking a chance on me, for being the first 'big deal' for me. I can't wait to work with you more in the future. To Halos and Horns, Beautiful Book Blog, Weet Weets Bookshelf, and any other bloggers and reviewers that have taken a chance on me and spread the word. I read every single review. I thank you for your words, your very applicable gifs, and the excitement you have shared with me.
And last, but most important of all, to my readers, whoever and wherever you may be. I can honestly say without a moment's hesitation that I LOVE YOU, from the bottom of my heart! I love your encouragement, I love your feedback, and I love it when you contact me! You can't possibly imagine how wonderful it is to hear all the positive things you have to say to me. Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU. I hope you love whatever comes next.
Find other titles by Jessica Wilde
Leverage (The Brannock Siblings, #1)
Print ISBN-13: 978-1495276989
ASIN:B00J8766O0
eBook ISBN: 9781311640024
Adventure. That's all Aislinn 'Ash' Brannock wanted in her life. Her dad and two brothers - all cops - got to see it all, but their over-protectiveness made her feel like she had been locked away in a tower with three fire breathing dragons watching her every move. Yes, it was that bad. The only silver lining? Lucas Shade. Her brothers' best friend growing up, and apparently the only man she will ever love because let's face it, none of the others even come close. After an unfortunate mistake lands her back in her father's home, her world is turned upside down and Lucas is there in a tightly wrapped package of serious with a big red bow on top. Life just got interesting, but it comes with a price, one she never wanted to pay.
Detective Lucas Shade never had a real family, but the Brannocks took him in as one of their own and he never took it for granted. Ash was a big reason for why he stuck around, but in order to save himself the beating of a lifetime from her two older brothers, he kept his feelings for her hidden. When the case he has been working on for months takes a turn, Ash could become the leverage the bad guys have been waiting for, but keeping her invisible may destroy everything Lucas has worked so hard for. Good thing Ash is the only person he would give up everything to protect.
Our Time
Print ISBN13: 978-1494310219
ASIN: B00H1AJCTC
eBook ISBN: 9781311364517
Jocelyn White's only priority in life is her daughter, Olivia. As a single mother, with no family and the only friends she had now hours away, life isn't easy. But the last several years taught her what is truly important and she plans on spending the time she has loving her little girl and keeping her safe and happy. She doesn't plan on her new gorgeous, blue eyed neighbor turning out to be the one thing her and Olivia have been missing.
Andrew Carter has been waiting his whole life for a woman like Jocelyn. After his parents died years before, leaving him to care for his little sister, Madison, he spent years patiently waiting for a family of his own. When Jocelyn and Olivia completely steal his heart, he knows his patience has finally paid off and it's time for his life to finally start.
What he doesn't know is that Jocelyn is keeping something from him. Something she learned a few years ago.
Life is short and sometimes, time isn't on your side.
Every One of Me
Print ISBN-13: 978-1493758302
ASIN: B00GG6AO5I
eBook ISBN: 9781311259479
Five years ago, Tessa Marshall turned her back on everything she once knew. She left behind her friends and family hoping they would be better off without her in the way. Now, after being diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (Multiple personality disorder) and determined to set her life straight, she is going back. She doesn't expect her best friend growing up, and the only man she has ever loved, to be waiting for her.
Charlie Mackenzie never knew the real reasons why Tessa left, but because of the promises he swore to keep, he feels responsible. He has spent the last 5 years fighting underground MMA, staying distracted, and trying not to chase after her and drag her back to him. Now that she is finally back, he won't allow her to push him away without knowing how he has felt about her all along. The only problem? He's not just dealing with Tessa anymore.
Tessa won't let herself be a burden to anyone and being with Charlie will only complicate his life, and hers, but she can't seem to shake him, and Benny, her friend from 'The Facility', isn't helping matters. Learning to live with not only the people around her, but the people in her head, isn't as simple as she thought it would be and Charlie is forcing her to abandon all of the control she thought she had.
The two of them must decide if their love is worth fighting for and Tess has to learn to just let go, because Charlie won't let her go. He won't let any one of her go.
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