This is a work of fiction. All names,

characters, locations, and incidents

depicted in this work are of the author’s

imagination or have been used in a

fictitious manner. Any resemblance to

actual persons, living or dead, locations,

or events is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2013 Madison Stevens

No portion of this book may be

transmitted or reproduced in any form, or

by any means, without the prior written

permission of the author.

Chapter One

Pan sighed. She was sick of chasing after
someone who didn’t want her. For some
reason, she had a hard time not seeking out
Emilio. Something about him just pulled
her in. Aside from his amazing good
looks, he seemed so in charge and
dependable. Not that he was letting her
close enough to really find out. Nope, she
was left out, looking in.

“Something on your mind?” Tyler

nudged her arm. She smiled at him. Now
here was the guy she should be going for.
Tats, piercings, the whole nine yards. Yet
every time she was around him, she just

didn’t feel it. He was a fantastic guy
though. She was happy to be around him.

“Nothing really,” Pan said and glanced

again at Emilio. His tan, muscled arm
flexed as he took a drink off his beer. A
lock of his ink black hair fell over his
eyes. Pan ached to brush it back.

“Yeah, that sure looks like nothing,”

Tyler said. He arched a brow at her and
glanced over across the room. “Not sure
what his deal is, but it’s his loss.”

Tyler tossed his arm over the back of

her chair and pulled her a little closer.

Even if he wasn’t who she really

wanted, it was nice to be wanted. Pan
enjoyed the warmth and leaned her head
on his shoulder.

Damn it! If Emilio had to watch them

for one more second, he was going to lose
his cool. It was bad enough he had to
avoid her like the plague, but he wasn’t
about to watch as she got together with
Tyler. She wasn’t supposed to end up with
him. Not that she should end up with
Emilio. With the shit-storm his father had
left him with, it was better that he not be
tied to anyone. He never knew who could
be watching, and he wouldn’t risk her
safety.

No, it was better that he just deal and

stop sulking like a little bitch.

Emilio slammed a shot. One of many

this night.

“Easy,” Luc said over the haze of the

alcohol.

He looked over again to see her place

her head on Tyler’s shoulder.

There was no way he was going to sit

around here and watch her hook up with
his friend. Emilio spotted Karen across
the room. Usual big hair, big tits, no brain
combo. Just what he was looking for.
Something he could really sink into and
forget his troubles.

He winked at her across the room.

Didn’t take long for her to saunter over.

“Hi, Emilio. What are you up to

tonight?” She leaned over, real close to
his face, giving him the perfect view of
her tits.

Emilio stood up. “Let’s get out of

here.”

“You sure?” Luc shot him a pensive

look.

With a short nod of his head, the two

made their way out of the bar.

Pan’s eyes flew open when, startled as

Sarah flopped down into the seat next to
her. The music had faded to a nice buzz,
and she was just starting to feel at peace.

“Phew! I don’t know if I’ve ever been

so tired.” She grabbed her ticket book and
fanned herself.

“It has been pretty busy lately.” Pan had

noticed the increase and wondered if it
was the occasional band or if Sarah’s
mother had pushed for some advertising.
She suspected it was a combination of the
two.

Sarah leaned in when Tyler excused

himself to the bathroom.

“So what the hell is going on between

you all?” she asked.

“Who?” Pan asked with surprise. “Me

and Tyler? Nothing. It’s just nice to have a
warm body to snuggle next to sometimes.”

“Well don’t lead him on. Tyler might

look tough with all the muscles, ink and
piercings, but he’s more than that.” Sarah
looked toward the bathroom with sadness.

Pan got the impression there was

something she wasn’t being told and
looked at Sarah expectantly.

She shrugged. “I’m just saying, he’s a

fine piece of man meat, but he’s got real
feelings. I think a lot of people don’t give
him enough credit because he looks so
tough.” Sorrow rimmed her eyes.

Pan huffed. “Do you know something I

don’t?” Her arms crossed in front of her.

“Nope.” Sarah took her towel and

swiped the table a bit. “Just seen it in his
eyes.”

Pan knew what Sarah was talking

about. She’d seen that haunted look that
seemed to follow Tyler around. If only she
could make herself love him. He really
would be the better choice.

Tired, she shook those thoughts from

her head and stood.

“Tell Tyler I had to split will ya?” She

stretched, and the tank she was wearing
inched up under her breasts.

“Sure,” Sarah said as Pan walked out

the door.

The chilled air reminded her that

summer was just about finished. Here
soon it wouldn’t be so comfortable for her
to wear the tanks and jeans. The change
always made Pan a little sad. All her great
tats would be covered up. Such a sin
really.

Lost in her own thoughts, Pan was

surprised when she rounded the corner to
the bar and spied a couple nestled in the
alcove of the building. She was surprised
that she hadn’t heard the woman
previously with all the noise she was
making.

Trying hard not to be noticed, Pan

stilled and tried to figure out what to do.
She glanced over at the woman again as
her high-pitched staccato squeaks cut
through the air. There wasn’t much she
could see of the woman. Her back was
mostly wedged on the side of the building
that jutted out to the side. It partially
blocked her from the view of the street.

She gasped when her gaze fell on the

man. It was Emilio. His eyes shot up to
her.

Her heart beat triple time and twisted

from the pain.

This was a man she’d been after for

ages, and yet there he was, fucking some
bimbo. She really wanted to be angry, but
in truth, the sight of him turned her on
more than anything. His eyes hooded over
as he stared at her.

Her breathing became uneven as she

watched him plow into the woman. She
licked her dry lips and felt a tingle in her
nipples that sparked down to her clit. Pan
squeezed her legs together to ease the
throb. Emilio watched her with such
hunger that she couldn’t look away.

Watching him caused such an ache. She

felt her hand trace a path on her neck. It
made her nipples pebble. As her hand slid
down to ease her tortured breasts, Emilio

watched with desperation in his eyes.
Never easing up, he continued to fuck the
woman at a near brutal pace.

Just as Pan reached her nipple, Emilio

ceased his movement and closed his eyes.

“Pan,” he whispered.
Everyone froze.
Pan dropped her hand in shock. Had he

really just said that?

Emilio’s eyes snapped open.

Apparently, he realized his mistake.

“What the fuck!” The woman pushed

away from him. “Did you seriously just do
that?”

Pan choked as she tried to catch her

breath.

The woman turned toward the sound.
“Oh fuck you both.” She shoved Emilio

back.

“Karen!” he shouted.
This was too much. Way more than Pan

could deal with. The man was so distant
every other time, but he wanted her when
he was going at it? She turned and walked
quickly to her bike.

“Wait,” she heard him call. Whether he

was calling to her or Karen, she didn’t
know, but it didn’t matter. It’s not like
things were going to change.

Pan hopped on her bike and tore out of

the parking lot.

Emilio sighed. That had turned to shit

real quick. He pulled off the condom and
tossed it in the dumpster.

He didn’t know what he would have

said if Pan hadn’t run off. Wasn’t like his
situation had changed. There were issues

he had to deal with, and she couldn’t be
involved. End of story.

He scrubbed a hand down his face.

That had been amazing though. The want
for her almost seemed to manifest his
desire. One second he was seeing her in
his head, they next she was there. Not only
that, but it wasn’t the first time he’d called
out her name at release either. His desire
for her consumed his every thought.

Emilio sighed again and started toward

the door. Maybe he could get a ride home
from one of the guys. Tonight was just not
what he expected.

***

Pan’s heart slammed into her chest.
What the hell was that?

She was not the kind of woman that

liked voyeurism or even PDA. So what
the heck was that all about? She shook her
head and slowed down as she turned the
corner near the bar. She would just have
to chalk it up to being horny. It had been
quite a while since she had gotten any.

Something caught the corner of her eye

as she passed an alley near the bar. Two
men lurked in the shadows. She shivered
as she drove past. One of the men stepped
out slightly. His gold tooth glinted in the
streetlight.

Max. Pan cursed under her breath. She

had done a run for Max recently. Being a
courier meant that sometimes she ran
documents for less than savory people, but
since all she did was paper, there was
little risk in the deal. Until she made the

run for Max.

The man receiving her delivery looked

less seedy but dangerous none the less.
When he looked in the envelope and
proceeded to light it on fire, she was more
than a little surprised. He handed back
what was left of the ash paper and paid
her to relay a message to Max.

“Go suck a dick,” she had said to Max.
“Go what?” Max’s hand crunched the

paper.

“Suck a dick.” Pan backed away

slightly. This was not the kind of situation
she wanted to be in.

“Got another run for you,” Max said,

his tone menacing.

“Sorry, can’t take on any more work.”

Pan quickly hopped on her bike.

“Oh, I don’t think you understand.” Max

reached forward and placed a hand on the
front of her bike. “This isn’t really a
request.”

“Are you threatening me?” Pan

carefully placed her hand on the side pack
of her bike. She’d tucked a knife in there
just in case something like this came up
but really didn’t want to use it. Especially
since she was certain Max and his cronies
were all packing heat.

“Let’s not call it a threat.” He leaned

forward, close enough for her to
experience his stale breath. “Let’s call it a
promise.”

“Really? Talk about cliché.” Pan

revved the engine and leaned toward him,
reaching into the side pack. “How about

this for a promise? Move back before I
give you a new hole to piss out of.” She
tapped her knife on the inside of his thigh.

Max’s face contorted in rage. The other

men outside the warehouse stilled to
watch where things would go.

“You bitch!” he said through gritted

teeth. “Don’t think this is the last of this.”

“Well, next time I’ll be sure to bring

bigger toys.” Pan put both hands on the
bike and spun out. “And use some mouth
wash before you kill someone.”

Nope, things had not gone well. And

now here was Max. So, she watched the
alley to see if Max would come after her.
Instead, a teen walked from the sidewalk
into the alley. She watched in her mirror
as the three disappeared into the darkness.

Pan shook her head and tried to clear

out all the crap from recent days. Between
Emilio and Max, she was having a hard
time keeping things from getting all
jumbled.

The bookstore came into view. She

was more than a little happy to slip her
bike around back in the shed. It wasn’t the
most ideal spot but better than alerting
Max where she might be. Especially now
that she had a pregnant sister to worry
about.

The back door popped open at the click

of her key.

“Hello,” she called.
She turned to double-check that the lock

was in place and then stomped up the
stairs. Normally Pan didn’t like to make
so much noise, but there had been more

than one occasion she’d come home to her
sister and Luc going at it.

“Everyone’s getting some but me,” she

mumbled as she made her way to the
apartment.

The door to the apartment was much

like any other door except it was inside
the bookstore. Pan fished out the key and
went inside.

It was a small space, but she loved it.

Although she was technically sharing it
with her sister, Iris had mostly moved in
with Luc. The two would sometimes sneak
up stairs for lunchtime hanky-panky, but
that was usually the extent of things.

After their uncle had died, Iris took Pan

to a number of stores, and the two picked
out furniture they could afford and liked.
Pan picked things that were comfortable.

She might be a tough biker chick, but
she’d be damned if she didn’t like a nice
comfy sofa.

She plopped the keys in the bowl by the

door and made her way to the couch.

So many things to process. She shook

her head. The images of Emilio flashed
through her head. Her chest ached. It
didn’t seem to matter how much she cared
or even how much he might want her. Pan
was tired of chasing.

Pan rolled on her back and forced

herself up. She needed to get to bed
because tomorrow was a new day. A start
to an Emilio-free life. She shuffled off into
the room, the resolution fermenting in her
brain.

Chapter Two

Emilio walked around the bike. This was
just not working. He had tried everything.
The damn thing just wouldn’t run right.
The diagnostic tool sat on the floor beside
the bike. Things seemed so much simpler
when bikes weren’t computerized.

He glared at the box. If it weren’t so

expensive, he’d consider drop-kicking the
damn thing across the room. He kept
getting the same reading, but there just
didn’t seem to be a reason for it. The
exhaust was in perfect working order.
Hell, the whole thing purred like a kitten.
Or maybe a small tiger.

Emilio threw down his gloves and went

to the cooler for some water. Maybe this
was less about the bike and more about
his thumping head. He massaged his
temples. Getting wasted the night before
had been not such a hot idea.

He sighed. No, it had been a terrible

idea.

Not only was Karen ready to rip his

balls off, but he didn’t know if he could
look Pan in the eye again. In the haze of
the moment, she had been there when he
wanted her the most. With her looking so
amazing, he just couldn’t stop himself.
When she had slid her hand down to her
tits, he just lost it. Even now, just thinking
about it made him hard.

Shifting to the side, Emilio tried to hide

the evidence. Last place a man wanted to
be hard was in a garage full of men. Well,

the last place a straight man wanted to be
hard.

A noise from across the gravel lot drew

his attention.

Pan climbed out of her Lincoln Town

Car. She looked his way. A blush
darkened her cheeks, and she quickly
looked away.

Emilio nearly groaned when she

climbed into the backseat of the car, her
jean-covered ass poking out. The way
those pants fit like a second skin made him
want to explore things he shouldn’t. She
came out loaded down with boxes, and he
was slightly disappointed he hadn’t spent
more time checking out her low-cut top.

“Hang on, Pan,” Tyler shouted from the

mouth of the garage. Emilio couldn’t stop
the hard line that formed around his mouth.

He liked Tyler, but he had no right to

be all over Emilio’s woman.

Emilio froze. That wasn’t right. She

wasn’t his woman. Hell, he’d done just
about everything in his power to convince
not only her but himself that she wasn’t his
woman.

There was no way he’d drag her into

his shit. His dad had done a good enough
job of that considering the mess he, his
sister Mary, his brother Nicoli and mother
were all in thanks to that douche. It would
be a miracle if he came away from his
dealings unscratched. He already
suspected Nic was involved in dangerous
shit.

He looked longingly as Tyler reached

Pan. No, there just wasn’t room for her
and everything she would mean.

Pan pasted a smile on her face. How

was it that the last person she wanted to
see was the first person she looked at?
Yes, some cruel force must have been at
work for that to happen.

Tyler stepped up and reached out.
“Here, let me take some of those,”

Tyler said. She reached out to hand over a
few of the boxes but came back empty
handed when he took them all.

“Thanks.” She hurried to open the door.
She took the boxes back and placed

them just inside the door. Iris peeked
through the screen.

“Oh hi, Tyler.” Iris caught Pan’s eye.

The questions were nearly bursting out but
now was not the time.

“Looks like you’re really settling in

now with Luc,” Tyler said with a nod.

Pan smirked at the blush coloring her

sister’s cheeks.

After the wild courtship between Iris

and Luc, it was no surprise to anyone that
Iris ended up pregnant or that she would
move in with him. They really were a
complementary match. Iris and her
bookish ways, Luc and his bike shop.

Pan chuckled. He was her yin to his

yang.

“I guess I am,” Iris said. She gave a

weak smile and placed a hand on her
growing belly.

Iris seemed a little less ashen today.

The past few months had been hell for
Iris. At nearly six months, they had all
expected the morning, or in her case all
day, sickness would be gone.

Unfortunately, she was one of the few
whose illness lingered. It had been a big
reason Pan had stayed close to home and
taken the job from Max. She wanted the
money, but traveling out of state just
wasn’t something she wanted to risk. Luc
had been great, but someone had to be
there when he couldn’t. Besides, who was
going to run the bookshop when Iris felt
like garbage?

Truth be told, she actually liked being

home. She got to hang at the bar and keep
up with friends. It meant she and Iris had
time to bond, something they hadn’t done
in years.

“I’m just going to take this stuff back to

the room,” Iris said. She gave Pan a
pointed look.

Boy, Pan was pretty sick of people

acting like she was taking advantage of
Tyler. He was a big boy, and if he wanted
to flirt, then so be it.

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” Pan crossed

her arms. “You’re gonna go and rest on
the couch. I’ll be inside here in a bit.”

Pan laughed when Iris shot her a dirty

look.

“Quit being a baby and go sit down.

You look like death warmed over.”

Iris slammed the door but not before

Pan heard a trail of curse words.

“I can see she hasn’t been able to shake

the morning sickness,” Tyler said.

Pan turned toward him.
“Nope. I swear, I’ve seen that woman

puke more than I ever thought possible.”
Pan stepped a little closer, so Iris
wouldn’t be able to hear. “We’re all a

little worried. Doc said she’s fine, but it’s
just so sad to see her so sick.”

Pan glanced through the window. Her

sister was lying on the couch. She seemed
so small and delicate.

“She’s stronger than you all give her

credit for,” Tyler said. He turned to look
through the window.

Iris popped up on the couch and turned

toward them. Busted! Iris flipped them off
and went in the bedroom.

“Fucking crazy pregnant lady on the

loose.” Pan rolled her eyes. When she
turned, she and Tyler were just inches
apart.

“What are you doing tomorrow night

for dinner?” he asked.

She stared at his mouth as he spoke.

The gauge inside his tongue flashed every

now and then, causing heat to pool
between her legs.

“Can’t tomorrow.” She shifted her gaze

to his. Amusement danced in them. “It’s
girls’ night.”

“Day after?”
Pan’s breathing became a little labored.

Tyler might not be the man she wanted, but
he was nice, and damn, he really looked
great. A shiver slipped through her. Yeah,
every girl had a special place for that bad
boy look. Spiky black hair, tattoos and
piercings made him exactly that.

“Okay,” she whispered.
His brown eyes lit up.
“Great!” Tyler bounced on the balls of

his feet.

“Great,” she said, feeling a little bad. It

wasn’t her intent to set him up, but she

deserved to be happy, damn it. Pan smiled
weakly at him.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted

some movement at the bike shop. Emilio
was pacing back and forth inside the
garage. He stopped and seemed to notice
her looking. Pan nearly choked at his stern
look.

“Yeah, well,” Tyler fumbled. Pan

turned to say goodbye and found him
staring intently at her. She knew he had
guessed who she had been looking at. Her
feelings had never really been a secret.
“So I guess I’ll pick you up at the shop.”

“Sounds good.” Pan made her way to

the door. A hand grasped hers and pulled
her around.

“I know how you feel, but he isn’t

going to change.” Tyler nodded toward the

garage. “I’m not him, but we could have
something. I’m just asking for a chance.”

A little taken aback, Pan nodded.
“Right. Okay, see you then.” Tyler

bounded off the porch and back to the
garage.

Emilio threw his hat on the floor and

pounded over to Tyler.

“What the fuck was that about?” The

muscles in his arms quivered to beat the
shit out of Tyler.

“Just working out plans for a date.”

Tyler slipped by without breaking step.

Shock seeped in, and it took Emilio a

few moments to refocus. “You what?” He
whirled around and found Tyler drinking
down some bottled water.

Tyler took his time to wipe his mouth

and cap the bottle before replying.
“Listen, I don’t know what the hell is
stopping you from making a move, but if
you aren’t then I will.” He tossed the
bottle roughly into the trash. “We’re all
sick and tired of the games. You want her,
but you won’t take her. Better yet, you
won’t tell any of us why.” Tyler stepped
closer and jabbed Emilio in the chest.
“You want to knock my teeth out, go right
ahead, but that ain’t going to stop the next
guy.”

Horror raged through Emilio. She

would find someone. No way in hell
someone as hot as her wouldn’t find a guy.

Tyler ran a hand through his short

spikes. “Listen, I’m not trying to be a dick,
but if you don’t let anyone in, how the hell
are we supposed to help?”

With that, he walked away. Emilio was

left trying to hold his emotions in check.

This was really shaping up to be a shit

day.

“I’m in the baby’s room,” Iris called

when Pan closed the front door.

She gathered up the boxes and

wandered through the house Luc and Iris
now shared. Luc had really worked hard
to make it a home for the both of them. He
seemed so thrilled when Iris started
adding her own flair to the place. More
than anything, it looked lived in and
inviting. The perfect place to raise a baby.

She walked into the second bedroom

and sat the boxes on the dresser. Yellows
and greens jumped out at every turn.

“You sure you don’t want to know the

sex?” Pan asked.

Iris sighed. They had been over this

several times, and each time it was the
same response.

“We want to be surprised.”
“Well you aren’t going to be. Any

which way it’s going to be a baby.” Pan
crossed the room and sat on the floor to
pass over the new boxes.

“Ya think?” Iris rolled her eyes and

took the first box. “We just think it would
be fun. His mom and sister are dying to
know. It’s going to be so special when
Luc walks into the waiting room to
announce the gender.”

Iris stared off dreamily. She had been

doing that a lot recently. The more
pregnant she grew, the worse it became.

“Fine, fine. So what’s on the list

today?”

“Bouncer and stroller.” Iris huffed.

“It’s convenient how Luc seems to miss
out on the stuff that would be the easiest
for him.”

“Down tiger.” Pan held up her hands.

“You know he’s taking on as much extra
work as he can before the baby comes.”

Iris sighed. “I know. I’m just tired, and

we haven’t been able to spend as much
time together.”

“Is that the code word for sex?”
Iris shot her a dirty look and rubbed her

tummy.

“Oh!” Iris jumped causing Pan to jump.
“What? Are you all right? Should I call

the hospital?”

Pan started up off the floor when Iris

reached out to stop her.

“No!” Iris turned and grinned at Pan

with pure joy. She yanked Pan’s hand and
placed it on her belly. The strange rolling
she felt made her giggle.

“Is that the peanut?” Pan stared in awe

at her sister.

Iris nodded.
“That is insane!” At her exclamation,

she felt a sharp kick and chuckled. She
leaned closer to her sister stomach. “Hey,
you. Don’t start something you can’t
finish.”

Iris giggled when Pan pulled her hand

back.

“So,” Iris turned her attention back to

Pan. “What’s up with you and Tyler?”

And there is was. Sure didn’t take long

for that to come up.

“What is up with everyone being

worried about Tyler?” Pan tossed the
instructions to the stroller on the ground
and stood to pace the room. “The man is
sexy as sin!”

A low chuckle came from the door.

“I’m sure he’d be happy to hear you say
it,” Luc said.

Iris struggled to stand. Pan reached out

a hand to pull her up and watched as she
flung herself into his arms.

“Luc,” Iris said before crashing into

him.

“Hey, baby.” He leaned down to kiss

her and rub her belly. Iris reached out and
ran her fingers through his blond hair, her
thumb gently caressing the scar across his
face.

Pan always hated these moments. Not

that she wasn’t happy for her sister, but

there wasn’t a clear outline for what she
was supposed to do.

“You putting together the stroller?” Luc

said as he pulled Iris into the room.

“Yup, and on that note, I’m out,” Pan

said. The room felt about ten times too
small with his massive frame swallowing
most of the room.

Iris grabbed her hand as Pan made her

way to the door.

“You don’t have to go.” Iris gave her a

loving squeeze.

“I know.” Pan smiled. “Enjoy your time

together. Won’t be long before you all get
very little of that.”

Pan rubbed her sister’s belly and then

made her way to the front door. Just as she
turned the knob, Luc called to her.

“Tyler had it rough as a kid. Won’t go

into details but wanted you to know.” Pan
started to respond when Luc put up a hand.
“Not saying not to go out with him, but just
know, it means something.”

Pan thought on this. Tyler was a nice

guy, but how much did it mean to her? She
nodded her understanding to Luc. Tyler
knew her feelings, but that didn’t mean
that he wasn’t hoping for something. She
was just going to have to be blunt.

“Thanks,” Pan muttered before rushing

out the door.

Chapter Three

“All right, another round and a sprite.”
Sarah bounced into her seat after passing
out the shots. Iris was finally feeling well
enough to come out for an evening, but the
only way that was happening was if Luc
got to sit at the table next to them. Not
much of a girls’ night if they had to deal
with the sausage fest living it up next
door.

Pan stuck out her tongue at her sister.

She was tired of seeing them make goo-
goo eyes at each other, and she had just
gotten there. Not that Sarah and Jake were
much better, but at least he was behind a
bar.

“Thanks again for covering this

afternoon. The nap seemed to really help.”
Iris touched her knee.

Pan waved her hand. “Bah. No

problem. Better have you rested than
falling asleep at the table.” She gave a
wicked smile. “Besides, nobody wants to
hear you snore.”

Iris pinched her leg. “I do not!” She

stamped her foot.

“’Fraid you do.” Luc reached over and

stole the shot in front of Pan. Likely for
starting something with Iris. She flipped
him off. Nothing worse than stealing a shot
before a girl even had the chance to take
one.

“I hate you both.” Iris hopped up and

fled to the bathroom.

Pan rolled her eyes at Luc.

“Pregnant women.” She stood to

follow. “I’ll handle this.”

Pan hurried into the small bathroom and

felt bad when she heard sniffling from one
of the stalls.

“Oh, Iris, I was just teasing.” She tried

to open it up, but the lock was in place.

The click sounded and a red-eyed Iris

opened.

“I know.” She sniffled loudly. “I just

can’t seem to stop crying.”

Iris laughed, which only made the

sniffling louder.

The two laughed.
“Ugh. All these hormones are making

me crazy.” Iris walked over to the mirror
to check her eyes.

Slightly pink, but she looked

completely in control.

“All better?”
Iris slicked back her hair. “Yeah, sorry

about that. We should get back though.”

“That’s what sisters are for.” Pan

winked and gave Iris a quick hug. “Go on
and head back. I’m going to go while I’m
in here.”

Pan quickly finished her business and

hurried to rejoin the group. As she rushed
out of the bathroom, she ran into a solid
wall of flesh.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Pan looked up to

meet Emilio’s deep brown depths.

“What the hell do you think you’re

doing?” he barked.

Pan stepped back at the hostility.

“Doing? Uh, going back to drink.” Pan
shifted her eyes from side to side. Damn,
all alone.

“With Tyler.” Emilio took a menacing

step forward.

Pan narrowed her eyes at him.
“Whatever the fuck I feel like.” Pan

crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“You can’t be with him.” Emilio

stepped forward again. This time they
were toe to toe. His breath floated across
her face.

“Why’s that?” Pan took in a shaky

breath. He just seemed so raw, and she
couldn’t figure out why.

“You aren’t for him.”
Pan bristled at the comment. Why

didn’t everyone seem to think she wasn’t
good enough for Tyler?

“I’ve about had enough of everyone

being worried over Tyler. He’s a big
damn boy, and if I want to go out with him

then I will.” A lock of her dark brown hair
fell down her face. “Not to mention that
you get to fuck every big-titted bimbo in a
pair of heels, and I’m just supposed to
stand by and watch.”

She froze when Emilio brushed the hair

behind her ear and then trailed his fingers
along her neck. Her skin prickled in the
wake of his hand. Goose bumps formed.
The look in his eyes caused a tingle and
made her insides clench. Leaning a
fraction of an inch toward him, she
enjoyed the warmth he created in her.

“This isn’t about Tyler,” Emilio said in

hushed tones. “Or the bimbos.”

“What’s it about then?” Pan swayed.

The effect he had on her was obvious. The
way her nipples pointed through the thin
material of her bra and tank, it was a

wonder she wasn’t poking him in the chest
with them.

“He’s just not the right guy for you.”
Pan stared into his hooded eyes and

wondered if he was going to kiss her. It’s
what she had been thinking about for
nearly a year, but this was the first time
he’d even seemed interested.

“Oh, and who is?” She leaned in so

their mouths were nearly touching. “Are
you the right guy?” The husky sound her
voice made and half-mast eyes made it
clear what she thought.

Emilio jerked back and ran a hand

through his ink black hair. The muscles on
his tanned chiseled arms twitched, like he
was holding himself in check.

“No,” he said with a sigh. “I’m not the

guy.”

Pan watched as he looked everywhere

but toward her.

“Oh you have got to be kidding me!”

Pan shoved Emilio with everything she
had and felt a little satisfaction when he
stumbled back

The shock of it was clearly written on

his face. “I just don’t get you. You run
from me for the past year. Then when I
give up and move on, you won’t let me
go.”

“I wasn’t trying—”
“Really? You really weren’t trying?”

Anger raged through her. She was sick and
tired of this. He was either interested, or
he wasn’t. This cat and mouse game was
finished. “Whatever, I’m done.”

Pan twisted around him and stomped

toward the front.

“Wait.” Emilio grabbed her by the

wrist. “It’s not like that.”

She tugged her arm back. “Oh sure it’s

not.” Pan rolled her eyes.

“What, you think it’s fucking easy not

going to you? To not put my mouth on you
and watch you fall apart as I make you
come?” Emilio rubbed her wrist and
pulled her closer to him. “To not lose
myself in you until we are both shouting
our release?”

Pan closed her eyes and shuddered at

the thought.

“Why?” she whispered.
Emilio released her hand, jerking Pan

back to reality. She eyed him as he
stepped away.

“It’s too dangerous.” Emilio turned to

head to the back door but stopped. “I just

can’t risk it. You mean something, and
they would use that.”

“They?” Pan was confused. Something

was happening with Emilio, and she
couldn’t figure out what.

He turned and looked at her with such

longing her heart broke a little.

“Have a good night with the girls.” And

just like that, he was gone.

Emilio cursed as the door shut behind

him. He hadn’t meant to get so close.
Hadn’t meant to say anything really, but
when he saw her in those low-slung jeans
and tank, his mind hadn’t really been
doing much of the thinking.

He kicked some gravel. Just thinking of

her with Tyler pissed him off. The two
were buds, but every time he pictured

them, standing on the porch laughing, he
wanted to go over and beat the shit out of
him.

This was a new one for him. It hadn’t

been so bad running from her the past
year. Sure he had wanted to do something
about it, but the dangers involved had
made it easy to keep her at arm’s length.

His lip curled at the thought of the

dangers. The next time he saw his father,
he planned on ripping off his fucking
balls. Leaving him to deal with his mess
was one thing, but now his whole family
was feeling the strain of his father’s
connections. Nicoli was only inches away
from getting into some serious shit. He
really didn’t know how he’d keep his just
barely teen brother out of this. As it was,
his sister was fielding most of the police’s

questions. Detective Connor Maxwell had
been a particularly large thorn in his side,
not that Maria seemed to mind. He had
seriously started to wonder if Maxwell
came by to check on leads or check out his
sister. Either way, he didn’t like it.

Emilio hopped on his bike and headed

back to the shop. Maybe if he threw
himself elbow deep in grease, it would
help him work out some of his anger.

Pan stumbled back to the table. She felt

like she’d been shot. The shock of it
would have been less surprising than
some of the things Emilio had said. She
was important? They would use that? The
more she thought on it, the less sense it
made.

“Hey, what took so long?” Iris pinned

her with a hard stare.

Pan shook her head. “I’m just not

feeling so great. Think I’ll cut tonight
short.”

She knew Iris wasn’t buying it, but let it

slide. Wasn’t often she skipped out on a
girls’ night.

“All right, but call me tomorrow. Don’t

forget I have a doctor’s appointment and
won’t be in all day.”

Pan nodded and headed for the door.
Once outside, the cool air wakened her

senses a little. Since talking to Emilio,
everything felt slightly muted and a little
out of focus.

She mounted her bike and started

driving back to the bookshop. When she
passed the spot where she’d seen Max,
she slowed down. With that prick, she

couldn’t be too certain what would come.

What she didn’t expect to see was the

teen from before. Blood dripped down his
face. Max and his goon towered over him.
The thugs beat on the poor boy, menacing
smiles plastered to their faces.

Pan snapped. It was one thing to mess

with adults, but kids crossed the line. She
whipped the bike around and roared back
to the alley front. There would be just
enough room if everything worked out
right.

The bike rumbled toward the two men.

They didn’t even seem to notice until she
was right on them. Pan slipped a machete
out from a holster on the side. She’s
upgraded since her last run-in with these
pricks.

The men jumped back at the sheer size

of the weapon. Pan screeched to halt,
flipped the boy on the back of the bike and
tore off through the alley. Unsteady hands
gripped her stomach as they raced through
the darkness. Shots rang out just as they
turned the corner.

“Bitch!” Max screamed at her. “You

think I don’t know your bike?”

Yeah, he knew it was her. This was

going to be fun later.

Chapter Four

Pan weaved in and out of traffic. She
wasn’t certain they would be able to
follow her, but Max had eyes and ears
around town. They would need to head to
some place quiet. A place that they
wouldn’t think to look. Pan grinned. Only
one place would work.

The city slowly started to fade as they

followed the roads outside of town.
Finally, a good twenty minutes later, they
stopped at a small diner. She was happy
they had made it in time. Most things shut
down around here at ten. Half an hour
more and they would be hunkered down in

some shed.

“Hop off, kid.” Pan loosened the grip

he had on her waist.

“Where are we?” the boy asked.
She took her helmet off and shook her

long, brown locks.

“A friend of mine owns the place. We

can chill here until things die down.”

She turned and finally got a good look

at the boy. Slightly unkempt black hair
framed his tan cherub-like face. His hazel
eyes were so wide and expressive she felt
just inches away from pulling him into a
bear hug. The wonder and awe she found
there touched her in ways she hadn’t
expected. Quickly, she looked away.
Something seemed familiar about him.

“Let’s go on in.”
Pan led the way.

When they had settled into a booth,

Anna popped by with a pot of steaming
coffee. Pan thought the teen boy’s eyes
were going to pop out of his head with
how hard he stared at Anna. Not that Pan
blamed him. Anna was short and busty.
Like pop a button and put an eye out busty.
Her long, blond hair was always tied
back, and that, for some reason, only
seemed to set the guys off more.

“Well it’s been a while, Pan.” Anna

poured her a cup of coffee. The teen
quickly flipped his mug over for a cup as
well. Anna arched a brow but poured
anyways.

“It has. Just hiding out for a bit.”
“From the good guys or the bad guys?”

Anna stood and planted a hand on her hip.

Pan laughed loudly. “Bad for now.”

She turned to the teen and stared at him
pointedly. “But I haven’t gotten the full
story yet.”

“You all going to eat anything?”
Pan glanced at the counter. Anna’s

famous apple pies were proudly on
display. She figured nothing could butter
the kid up more to talk than warm apple
pie a la mode. With the order for two put
in, Anna wandered off, leaving the two
alone to talk.

“So,” Pan fiddled with the silverware.

“Wanna tell me what the hell was going
on back there?”

The boy’s lips clamped up. This was

going to be for more difficult than
expected.

“’Kay, well how about your name?”
“Nic.”

“Well hi, Nic. I’m Pan.” Pan stuck out

her hand and was thrilled when he shook
it. “So I’m just gonna come right out and
say it, Max is a bad dude. Whatever you
got going with him, I’d quit right now.”

“Aren’t you worried?” Nic ran a hand

through his hair. “You really shouldn’t
have gotten involved. Now he’s going to
be after you.”

“Max?” Pan cracked her knuckles. “He

and I have some unfinished business.”

Nic eyebrows shot up, and Pan nearly

choked on her coffee. Apparently, he
hadn’t expected her to want to pick a fight
with Max. Heck, hardly anyone picked a
fight with a man like him. He was the go
between for a number of unsavory
organizations, and some groups that
weren’t so organized. People turned to

him when they needed a problem to
disappear. He made it happen.

Anna came back with the pies, and they

both fell silent eating. When they had
finished, Pan continued with her
questioning.

“So. You going to tell me what the hell

was going on back there?” She leaned
back in her seat and put her arms on either
side. One thing she’s learned from years
around men was to make yourself as big
as possible.

Nic shook his head. Pan sighed.

Whatever it was, he wasn’t talking.

“Well you have to talk to someone

about this. Anyone else know about
what’s going on?” She stopped to take a
drink of her coffee.

“Yeah, my brother knows.” He looked

down at his fingers and twisted the napkin.

“So who’s your brother? Maybe I know

him.”

“Emilio Diaz.”
Pan’s eyes flew to his. Well damn.

Now that she thought of it, the kid was the
spitting image of Emilio. Another
heartbreaker in the making.

“Well, we had better get you home. I’m

betting your mom and sister are having a
fit.”

Nic shot her a sheepish smile. Yup, the

kid already knew how to work over the
ladies.

***

Emilio cursed as he pulled up to his

mother’s house. Just like fingerprints, a

person’s bike was very much a unique
thing. At least the good ones were. Pan’s
bike sat in front of the house, mocking
him. Like it was the most natural thing in
the world to have it sitting there.

This was going to be bad. For one, it

was bad enough living with you mom,
sister and brother, but now he had to have
a very uncomfortable conversation with
them just feet away. It wouldn’t have been
so bad if he’d had his old apartment, but
like with everything else, his father had
screwed that for him when he split town.
His mother couldn’t afford to meet the
mortgage payment without his help, so he
did what anyone would do, he moved
home.

Emilio put the stand up and climbed off

his bike. He figured he would just go in,

hash it out and put an end to the silly
dream Pan seemed to have about the two
of them.

When he walked into the living room,

he found his whole family gathered around
her. His blood started to boil. It was not
okay for her to just try and make a place
among his family.

Pan looked up and gave him an

awkward smile.

“What the fuck!” Emilio stormed over

to Pan.

“Emilio!” his mother shouted in

surprise. “Watch your mouth!”

He ignored her protest. “What, it

wasn’t bad enough that you follow me
around at the bar, but now you’re
following me home?”

His arms shot out wide, and Pan

jumped back at the gesture.

“I thought I made it very clear,” he

barked. “I’m. Not. Interested.”

He could see her flinch with every

word, and felt guilt for it, but she had
caused this. Just couldn’t leave well
enough alone. Had to pull his family into
this.

Pan all but jumped off the couch and

turned to his family.

“It was nice to meet you,” she said. The

words seemed to choke in her throat.

Emilio watched, stunned as she turned

to Nic.

“No more alleys for you. Be careful.”
His heart raced when she turned to him.

All the pain and anguish he had tossed at
her, written clearly on her face. Tears
shimmered in her eyes as she fled past

him.

He jumped when he heard the bang of

the front door and the roar of her driving
off.

Emilio turned to his family and doubled

over in pain. He looked up to find his
brother breathing heavy, his fist clenched
in rage.

“You’re such a dick! She saved my life,

and you ran her off.” Nic burst out of the
room and stomped up the stairs.

“Asshole,” his sister, Maria, muttered

as she walked out.

“Somebody want to tell me what the

hell is going on around here?” He stared
at his mother, the voice of reason.

“Well, maybe you should have asked

that first instead of running your mouth.”

She walked into the kitchen and Emilio

followed.

“Sit down, and I’ll get your stupid ass

something to eat. And then we can talk
about that nice girl that saved your
brother.” Emilio flinched. His mother got
out bread, cheese and meat. If he was
getting a sandwich, there was no doubt his
mother was mad.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m going to

look like an ass in the end?”

Mama Diaz stared pointedly at him. “If

the shoe fits…”

***

Emilio sighed. Yes, he was an ass.

Several sandwiches later and one brave
tale of rescue, Emilio quickly realized
what an ass he had been. Here he’d

accused her of basically stalking him
when all she had been trying to do was
return his brother safely home.

“So what’s the deal with you and this

woman?” His mother’s knowing brown
eyes pinned him. She had never been one
to mince words. Coming from an Italian
family meant getting to the point. Her
wavy, black hair framed her sweet face. It
was no wonder she got away with being
as blunt as she was.

“There’s no deal.” This was the last

conversation he wanted to have with her.

“But you want there to be?” A well-

defined brow lifted in question.

“Doesn’t matter. I can’t get her

involved in this.” Emilio put his plate in
the sink to avoid looking at his mother.

“Seems to me like she already is.”

He turned around to look at her.
“Not like this. It’s dangerous.”
“She’s already in danger from what I

got.” Nic popped into the kitchen and
stared hard at his brother.

“What do you mean?” Emilio said. His

heart beat hard in his chest. This was not
good.

“Well first of all, she stepped in to

save me. She was waving a big fucking
knife around.”

“Language!” his mother shouted.
“Second, she said something about

having unfinished business with Max, and
he said something about knowing her
bike.” Nic sat down and gave Emilio a
meaningful stare. “And no one has
unfinished business with Max.”

Emilio nearly swallowed his tongue.

His brother was right. No one had
unfinished business with Max. It just
didn’t work that way. Max was the guy
you called if you wanted to tie up
unfinished business.

He walked over to the table and put his

head in his hands. All this time he spent
staying away from her. Keeping her out of
trouble. Only to find the damn woman had
walked right into it. Not that he wasn’t
grateful. Knowing they were beating his
brother made him want to start breaking
heads, but this had to be handled with
care. Max was no idiot, and Emilio
wanted to make sure whatever happed
would stick.

He sighed. This was going to

complicate things.

“Well I need to get to bed,” his mother

said. “Long day at the hospital tomorrow.”
His mother kissed them both and went
upstairs.

“Nicoli, what the hell were you

thinking?” Emilio couldn’t hide the
emotion in his voice.

“What?” Nic crossed his arms, ready to

do battle. “I did what I had to. They call,
and you come.”

Emilio slammed his palm on the table.
“No! They call and I come. Not you!”

He could feel the veins in his neck
pulsing. “What do you think would have
happened if Pan hadn’t gotten to you?”

Nic shrugged. Emilio had to stand up.

Pacing might help keep his emotions under
control.

“These men make people disappear all

the time. Why do you think dad ran out?”

He stopped and stared at his brother.
“Listen, he ran out owing them a lot of
money. There’s only so much I can pay at
a time, but you let me deal with them.” He
squatted in front of Nic and grabbed his
shoulders. “You are turning into a fine
man. Mama and Maria need you. I’ll
handle the rest.”

“What about Pan?” Nic looked like the

boy he was, a boy forced to grow up way
too quickly.

Emilio shook his head. “You let me

worry about Pan.”

Nic stared hard at him and finally

nodded. A big yawn forced him to his feet.

“You hurt her,” Nic said as he reached

the door to the hall. “Don’t do it again.”

Emilio watched him climb the stairs

and breathed a sigh when he heard the

bedroom door shut.

He pulled his cell out of his pocket and

flipped through. Calling her was the only
option. Emilio only hoped she would
listen.

Chapter Five

“Just clasp, damn you!” Pan felt like
throwing the boot across the room but
knew it wouldn’t accomplish anything.
Besides, it wasn’t the boot’s fault she was
in such a pissy mood.

All day she’d listened to the phone ring

and fought to not pick up. For once,
Emilio was chasing her, and she didn’t
want to be caught. After the way things
were left last night, she didn’t know if she
could see him without twisting his junk so
hard he sang soprano for the rest of his
days.

The latch slipped into place, and she

stood to examine herself. She’d ditched

her normal tank, jeans and boots. What
was the point of going on a date if she
wasn’t going to dress up? The green flirty
long sleeve dress flowed just mid-thigh. It
had been years since she’d put on a dress,
but it just fit her mood. Her long, chestnut
hair matched nicely with the dress. She
had debated curling it but decided that
was a bit too fru-fru for her. Despite all
this, she had given in to the need for boots.
But at least these had a heel and looked
less like the kind to kick ass and more the
kind a man would want wrapped around
his waist.

Pan looked down. Yes, this dress and

boot combo was killing it in the leg
department.

A knock came from downstairs. Pan

grabbed her purse and went down to greet

Tyler.

As she got closer to the door, she

noticed a black car with dark-tinted
windows just across the street, a car that
stood out like a sore thumb and most
certainly didn’t belong parked outside the
store. Pan stared hard at the car, trying to
make out anything she could. As if they
knew she were watching, the car started
up and zoomed away.

Pan sighed. Just another thing to worry

about. She’d already talked with Luc
about the incidents and pushed for Iris to
take some time off from the store. He’d
wanted them both to take some time off
until things cooled down, but Pan knew
the chances of Iris allowing the store to be
closed that long. Then, they would be right
back where they started, or she would

have to worry her sister by telling her why
they needed to close. Not really at the top
of her list.

Pan shook her head. She was not going

to let this ruin her night and opened the
door to a very handsome Tyler.

“Wow,” Tyler said. “I didn’t realize

we were getting so dressed up.” He
looked down at his own clothes.

He looked fine to her. Jeans, clean rock

t-shirt and boots.

“I just wanted to try something

different.” She gave him a warm smile.
“So, where are we going to eat?”

Pan locked the door and turned around.

Tyler gave her a sheepish smile.

“Well, I didn’t really know what you

liked to eat, so I thought I would let you
pick.” He ran a hand through his spiked

hair.

“Great!” Pan walked to his car. “We

can go to Blondie’s. My friend Anna just
took over the place and could use the
customers.”

“Sounds good to me.” Tyler opened her

door and then went around to his own.

The two kept things very on the surface

as they drove to the diner. Aside from the
occasional direction, they mostly talked
about bikes. This was fine, but it was
becoming very clear to her that they just
really didn’t have that spark.

By the time they had parked and seated

in the diner, they were laughing and joking
like they would any night.

“Oh, Pan, I’m so glad to see you!”

Anna rushed over to their table. “Did you
take care of that poor little guy from

yesterday?”

Pan smiled. Anna was always worrying

about others. It was how she ended up
suckered into owning the diner.

“Yup. Home with his mama.” Pan

ignored the questioning looks from Tyler.

“I’m so glad. Looked like someone had

really worked him over.” Anna blushed
and looked between Tyler and Pan. “I’m
sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tyler.” He stuck

out his hand, and Pan noticed the glint in
his eye. Yes, that was the glint of a man in
lust. Not that she was surprised. Anna was
a knock out. If she wasn’t so shy when it
came to men, she would have long ago
been married.

Anna cautiously took his hand and

smiled nervously. Pan could see her

breathing increase and the pulse
strumming in her neck.

“Yes, well,” Anna stepped back

quickly, bumping hard into the table
behind her, “How about some pie? Yes,
pie would be good.” And just like that,
she was off.

Pan could tell how affected Anna was

when she heard a crash from the back.
Poor girl must have really been booking.

She turned to Tyler who was still

staring at the doors Anna had disappeared
behind. His head shot around when she
cleared her throat. Pan arched an eyebrow
at him, causing him to duck his head.

Pan sighed. “She’s single.”
Tyler’s head shot up.
“You’re going to have to work for it

though. She’s shy with men.”

Tyler nodded but then scrunched up his

brow. “Did you just give me the green
light when we’re on a date?”

Pan reached across and patted his hand.
“We both know we’re better as friends.

And I’m telling you right now,” Pan
squeezed his hand a little, “If you are just
looking for some ass, move on. Anna
needs a full-time man.”

Tyler sat up straight and nodded.
Anna came out and slid two pies in

front of them. It hadn’t really been the
dinner Pan was wanting, but with the state
the poor girl was in, she was surprised to
even see her again.

She and Tyler started chatting again

about bikes and before she knew it, the pie
was finished. They smiled awkwardly at
one another.

“Ready to ditch this date and go to the

bar?”

Tyler laughed. “Sounds good to me.”
Tyler tossed down some money to

cover the bill plus tip.

Pan waved at Anna from across the

room. Yes, they would make an interesting
couple. She chuckled.

***

Emilio sat at a table with the guys,

hoping to see her. He had to tell her that
he was sorry. The phone in his hand was
useless. She’d been ignoring his calls all
day.

He leaned back and stretched. With

everything that had been going on, sleep
was about a million miles away. Every

time something creaked in the house, he
was up and ready. At least his father had
been kind enough to leave a few guns.
More likely, he was in such a rush they got
missed. Oh well, either way Emilio had it
covered.

He scrubbed a hand over his bleary

eyes. When they opened, he spotted a
vision in green. He grew hard. The
creamy smooth skin peaking between her
dress and skirt gave him ideas of where
he’d like to be at that moment.

He looked up and caught her staring at

him with such intense heat he had to force
himself to not take her right there.

And then Tyler came into view. Arm

draped over her shoulder, like the two
were already a couple. Emilio’s stomach
twisted as the scene set in, and the two sat

down at the table. The way they moved in
pushed Pan in the chair next to him.

He kept his eyes on her, hoping she

would look up and acknowledge his silent
plea. She turned her body, so she was
facing more toward Tyler.

Emilio’s blood boiled. He’d done

nothing but think of her all day.

Sarah came by to take their drink

orders.

“So,” she looked at Pan, after brushing

a few blonde strands out of her eyes. “You
two on your date?”

He saw Pan’s eyes flicker to him and

then back on Sarah.

“Were. Now we’re just hanging.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “That’s a

pretty quick date.”

“Well, it doesn’t help when your date

finds someone he’d like to date more.”

Emilio shoved back his chair. What the

hell was Tyler thinking? Like there could
be someone better than Pan. Everyone
turned to look at him.

“You were looking at other women on

a date?” he choked out.

Pan put a hand on Emilio’s and

squeezed. “It’s all right. We already knew
it wasn’t going to work for us.” She turned
to smile at Tyler. “Besides, she’s not
going to make it easy for him.”

Emilio slowly sat down but didn’t let

go of Pan’s hand. Instead, he moved his
chair closer to her and leaned toward her
ear.

“I tried to call you today,” he

whispered. Her long hair slinked across
her shoulder when she shivered.

“I know,” she said. “I ignored the

phone all day.” She turned to look at him.

Emilio grinned. There was no holding

back with her.

“I wanted to say I was sorry.” He

rubbed his thumb across the sensitive skin
on her wrist.

“I know.” She went stiff at the stroking

and then looked at their hands. “For
someone who doesn’t want me, you sure
spend a lot of time trying to get me.”

Pan yanked her hand back, stood and

made her way to the dance floor.

The place was packed. Sarah’s idea to

host bands had grown very popular. They
had even expanded out to other days
during the week. Pan closed her eyes and
got lost in the music.

A hand wound around her waist. She

turned to peer into two very dark smoky
brown eyes.

“Just,” Emilio sighed, “Just give me

this.”

Pan breathed him in as she threw her

arms over his shoulder and buried her
head in his neck. He smelled like oil and
sandalwood. The smell made her nipples
tighten. She rubbed shamelessly on him
and enjoyed his groan. Feeling bold, she
darted out her tongue to taste him. Slowly
she traced a path along the vein in his neck
to his earlobe. Without thinking, she
nipped the skin.

Emilio twirled her around. Her ass

firmly planted against the hard ridge in his
pants. Pan moaned softly and reached her
arms up behind his neck. Her head lulled

to the side, exposing a side for him to trail
warm kisses on.

If he kept this up, she’d be hard pressed

not to take him right here. A warm hand
made its way to her bare thigh. She pushed
back and rubbed her ass against his raging
hard on. The fingers at her thigh dug in,
almost painfully. But Pan was too far
gone.

Emilio spun her back around and stared

into her eyes. Whatever he was looking
for, he found. Hungry lips crashed into her
own. He devoured her like a starved man.
The hand at her back pressed her closer.
Pan angled her head to the side, so they
could delve even deeper into one another.
They spent no time on timid kissed. Their
tongues dueled, each trying to push the
other further.

Abruptly Emilio pulled back. Pan’s

eyes shot open. She was about to let him
have it when she found herself being
pulled toward the back and out the door.
The cool air only fueled her desire for
him. Emilio pushed her against the wall,
and once again they were locked in a hot
embrace. This time there was no one to
watch.

His hot seeking hand was again at her

thigh, this time hitching it up again his hip.
Her dress rode up as he firmly planted
himself between her legs. His cock
pressed hard against her heat.

Pan tossed her head back and moaned

at the friction. Emilio planted open-
mouthed kisses on her throat until he
reached her collar. He roamed back up the
other side, seeking out her mouth.

Pan ran her fingers through his soft

black hair. Her leg latched behind him as
she rubbed along his length. The hand on
her thigh slipped to her ass. He moaned
when it met with nothing but skin.

Emilio pulled his mouth away from her.
“Fuck, baby. Are you not wearing any

panties?”

Pan rolled her eyes. “Thong.”
Emilio grinned. “Even better.”
A loud clatter drew their attention to

the back door. Karen stumbled out the
back with a man close at her heels.

“Excuse us,” she started, but narrowed

her eyes when she saw the two of them.
“Well well. Guess you finally decided to
stop spying and sample the goods?”

Pan slid her hands and leg down from

Emilio. “Well at least the face will match

the name he calls out.”

Karen rolled her eyes. “Listen, bitch.

You chase him around like a little puppy,
and suddenly you’re feeling like big shit
now that he’s decided to throw you a pity
fuck?”

It would have sounded so much more

damaging if Karen’s lipstick wasn’t
smeared on half her face. The other half
was on the amused face of the schmuck
beside her.

“You listen, bitch,” Pan said. Emilio

tensed in front of her and placed his hands
on her waist. “You better take your man of
the night and move on before I get it into
my head to cunt punt you from here until
next Tuesday.”

Karen stood in shock for a moment

before she flipped Pan the bird and

marched off. She looked over to Emilio
when she felt him shaking violently.

“Are you okay?”
He lifted his face, the laughter barely

contained.

“Cunt punt?”
“What?” Pan rolled her eyes. “I read it

online, and it just seemed so bad ass.”

Emilio threw his head back and

laughed.

“Apparently, I need to start reading

your sites.”

Pan smiled. That sounded like he was

interested in more than just one night. She
hoped that was true.

“So,” she said. “What is this?” She

gestured between them.

Emilio ran a hand in his hair. “Do we

have to go there?”

Pan stared at him in awe. “Yes. I can’t

take playing around.” She dropped her
head and spoke quietly. “Not with you.”

“Shit, Pan. I like you. You have to

know I do, but this just can’t happen.”

Her head shot up. Fury laced the edges

of her eyes. “What the hell does that
mean?”

“I want to be with you, but that’s all it

can be.” He leaned in slightly. “I’ve got
things going, on and you can’t be
involved.”

“What the…” Pan shoved Emilio back.

“We’ve all got fucking things going on.
I’m not your fuck buddy. Either you want
it all or nothing.”

Emilio looked over to the side.
“Whatever.” Pan walked to the door.

“Just leave me out of your fucking games.

Between Iris and Max, I’ve got enough
shit to worry about.”

She flung the door open.
“Max?” She heard him call, but she

was already storming toward the table.

“So how about a ride home?” she said

to Tyler.

He quirked an eyebrow but nodded.

They quickly made their way through the
crowd and out the door. Once they
climbed in his car, she noticed Emilio
through the glass of the bar. She could
seem him mouth her name but turned
away. The pain of the evening was
proving to be too much. She just wanted to
get home and crawl into bed.

Tyler, sensing her pain, drove in

silence. She didn’t fight when he insisted
on coming in to check out the place and

secretly sighed when nothing jumped out.
Once the door was locked, Pan let the
night wash over her. She sighed and went
upstairs to the bedroom.

Stripped bare, she crawled into bed

and sobbed. He had feelings for her but
wouldn’t be with her. Life could be so
cruel sometimes.

Chapter Six

The cell on the counter of the bookstore
chimed for the millionth time that day. Pan
had managed to ignore every other time
but refused to turn the damn thing off. Iris
was resting at her home with Luc. Going
to the appointment yesterday had taken a
toll on her. Pan worried that Iris might
need to get a hold of her. Besides, she
wasn’t going to let that jerk stop her from
having access to her phone.

The tinkle of bells could just barely be

heard over the phone.

“Is that my dumbass brother?” Pan was

so happy to see Nic looking much better.

A deep cut on his lip and bruise on his
cheekbone were the only signs something
had happened to him. That night he had
seemed so pale in comparison to his
normal deep olive coloring.

Pan slipped the phone in her pocket.
“He is sorry you know.” Nic came over

the counter and plopped down on the stool
next to her.

She nodded. He might be sorry, but she

just couldn’t deal with him.

“You seem to be looking better. How’s

the eye?” She reached out and gently
touched the bruise.

“Oh, nothing I can’t take.” Nic puffed

out his chest, and Pan had to bite her
cheek to keep for snickering.

“I’m sure.”
Nic grinned at the mild ego stroking but

faltered when the phone starting to ring
again. Pan pulled it out and put it on
vibrate. At least she wouldn’t have to hear
the thing.

“This is all our dad’s fault.”
“What is?” Pan stared at his downcast

face.

“All of this.” Nic waved to the phone.

“Emilio told mama that night that he
couldn’t be with you because of
everything.”

Pan fumbled. Emilio had said almost

the same thing to her at the bar.

“Why?” she didn’t want to ask. She

wanted to hear it from Emilio, but the
thought of talking to him twisted her heart.

“When papa and mama met, they came

from two different worlds. Mama’s family
was old-school Italian. Wanted her to

marry a nice boy from the block. They had
come here and started a butcher store.
Then opened several others. It’s not like
they were rich, but they had money.” Pan
was awed by how distant he seemed from
them. Like they were strangers.

“My father stopped in one day, and it

was all over. They fell in love instantly.
Mama said it was like movie. Well, her
folks didn’t like it. They vowed to disown
her if she married him. In a year they were
married. Mama hasn’t seen them since.”
Pan’s heart ached for Mama Diaz.

“But papa wasn’t quite the man Mama

thought.” Nic twisted in his seat. “You
have to understand. He’s not a bad man.
It’s just the way of things. You want to
move up in the world, and you have to
scratch a few backs.”

Pan shook her head. She knew where

this was going and knew he couldn’t be
more wrong.

“Well, at least, that’s what my father

thought.” He tore his eyes from hers and
stared at a line on the counter. “He’d
made so many deals with Max. This time
was a big one. He was supposed to move
us all away from all this. Usually Emilio
was the one to talk him out of big
schemes, but he had his own place and it
all happened so fast.”

Pan watched as his hand shook on the

counter and grabbed hold of it.

“Over twenty thousand this time.

Something went wrong with the pickup.
When the dust settled he was gone. Bag
packed and everything gone.” He looked
up to her. The pain poured from his eyes.

“He didn’t even think to take us.”

Silence fell over them both as they

processed the ramifications. Pan watched
as Nic took in several deep breaths.

The large picture window to the street

caught her eye. A black car with tinted
windows drove by slowly. Just like the
one last night. The car quickly sped off.
The coincidence of it wasn’t lost on Pan.

Nic glanced over his shoulder at the

street.

“Trouble?”
“Maybe,” Pan said as she slipped off

the stool. “Better bail just in case.”

She snatched her keys and phone off the

counter and shoved them into her pocket.

She flung the sign to “closed” and

locked the door. Not that it would keep
someone out who really wanted in. The

two moved toward the back and stopped
at the door.

“We need to try and get to the shed

unseen. I’m going to look outside and
make sure it’s clear. Then I want you to
make a run for it.”

“But what about you?” The ashen hew

from the night before was back. Pan
leaned in and gave him a pat on the
shoulder. “I’ll be right behind you. I just
need to lock up and then we’re good.”

Nic gave a nod, but she could see the

worry in his brow.

Pan carefully opened the door. She

hoped that her hunch was wrong and that
car hadn’t meant anything, but when it
came to Max, it’d be stupid not to be
careful. She breathed a sigh of relief. The
back looked clear.

She signaled to Nic and sent him

running toward the shed. She locked up
and slipped inside the shed doors, just as
the black car turned down the alley. Soon
they would be at the mouth of the shed.
The two would be clearly visible and
completely open. Pan pushed Nic into her
Lincoln, and the beast of a car roared to
life.

She threw the car into reverse and

peeled out. The beast stopped just inches
from the bumper of the black car and
kicked up dust and rocks as it sped out of
the alley.

“Buckle up! I think we just asked them

to play tag.” Pan snapped herself in just in
time to make a sharp left.

The tires squealed and the car rocked

as they righted themselves. Pan patted the

dash of the car. If she had gone with
something plastic, they would have
flipped the car with that turn.

In the mirror, she could see the black

car in hot pursuit. Not able to take the
corners like her, they had to slow down.
Pan grinned. That was how she’d lose the
bastards.

“Uh, Pan. You’re kinda scaring me.”

Nic gripped the door until the skin around
his fingers was white from strain.

“No worries, kid.” Pan jerked the car

to the right. “He can’t make a turn like we
can.”

“Are you sure we should be taking

turns like we are?”

Pan laughed. “Nope, but we’re winning

with it.”

Pan looked in the mirror. The car had

dropped even further back.

When she took the next turn, she felt a

buzzing from her pocket.

“Perfect,” she muttered. Pan reached

down and yanked the phone out. Without
even looking at it she flipped it open.

“Listen, assface. If you want to make it

up to me, you’ll be at your house like
now.” Pan made another sharp turn. The
tires screeched, cutting off all
conversation. The effort of keeping the car
straight was wearing on her.

“Pan, what the hell is going on?” She

could hear the strain in his voice.

“Emilio, I don’t have time for this shit.

We’re being chased, and it’s taking all my
concentration not to get into a wreck. Now
just meet me at your house.”

Pan paused to take another turn and

watched as the other car nearly
disappeared out of sight.

“And you might want to come prepared.

I don’t know what we’ll have trailing
behind us.”

“Pan, you’ve got to tell me.” Pan

flipped the phone closed and tossed it to
Nic. She didn’t have time for this.

“’Kay, kid. We’re going to try and pull

a fast one, but I need you to hold on.”

Nic nodded at her and made sure the

belt was secure.

Pan knew these streets better than

anyone. More than that, she knew the
alleys better than anyone.

She weaved through the alleys. After

making nearly half a dozen zig-zags, she
brought the car to rest. Hidden from the
street, this alley was a sort of optical

illusion. Unless you knew it was there, all
you’d see is another brick wall. Of
course, it was really just a brick wall
from another building that couldn’t be
seen. She just prayed the other car
wouldn’t know this trick.

They sat in silence for several minutes

waiting for the slightest hint that something
was wrong. When ten minutes had passed,
Pan slowly backed out of their spot. The
adrenaline rush from before was fading,
leaving her shaking and exhausted.

They made their way on the outskirts of

town. As they pulled onto Emilio’s street,
Pan’s heart started to race. Another black
car sat alongside Emilio’s bike. Her heart
rate slowed when she saw two men
standing beside the car. She spotted
Emilio, white shirt stained with grease,

pacing restlessly in the grass.

Both men stilled when she came into

view.

She parked behind the car and came

around to Nic’s side once out.

“Oh thank God.” Emilio raced to them

and yanked them both into a bone-crushing
hug.

Pan leaned on him and enjoyed the

warmth. After the chase, she was feeling
drained emotionally and weak.

Likely sensing her exhaustion, Emilio

kept a firm arm around her as he let Nic
go.

“Now someone wanna tell me what the

hell is going on?”

Pan pulled back and looked up at him.
“Yesterday I saw a black car with

tinted windows as I was leaving with

Tyler.” The arm around her tensed. “Nic
popped in and that same car drove past. I
think it might be one of Max’s goons.
When we took off, they tailed us.”

The other man moved into view. “Can

you remember much about this car?”

Pan shrugged. “It was black and had

black windows.”

She looked over to Nic but he shook his

head.

Emilio turned them toward Nic. “Go

inside and calm mama down. She and
Maria are going crazy.”

Nic nodded and went inside.
He then looked down at her. “This is

Detective Connor Maxwell.” He nodded
in the other man’s direction.

Detective Maxwell was about as large

a man as she’s ever seen, easily six foot

six and with muscles to spare. This was
the kind of man that you didn’t want to
meet in an alley with. He had a strong jaw
and kept his sandy hair in a close buzz cut.

“I think you’re going to need to tell him

about your run-in with Max.” She turned
to look at Emilio. The muscle in his jaw
twitched with strain. “He’s already
familiar with my story.”

“Maybe we should take this inside.”

Connor scanned the street and then nodded
to Pan. “Looks like she’s about to fall
over, and I’ve got my men on patrol.”

“She’s not going to fall.” Emilio’s arm

pulled her until she was snug against him,
but they still started to move.

When they reached the porch, Emilio

held the door open for the detective but
held them back a moment.

“You just tell him what happened. He

might be able to help us.” He leaned
forward and kissed her lightly on the lips.
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

Pan studied the blazing depths of his

eyes and found the comfort she needed.
She leaned into him once again and let him
pull her along.

Chapter Seven

Emilio paced the hall as he listened to Pan
tell her story about Max. Several times he
had to hold himself back from going in and
throwing her over his knee. Pulling a God-
damned knife against someone like Max.
Twice.

He stopped and scrubbed a hand down

his face. All along he was trying to keep
her out of trouble, and she was already
neck deep in it.

Her story came to an end, and he went

in and sat in the chair near the couch.
Connor shot him a scowl. He was tempted
to flip him off but didn’t want the hassle.

Pan needed him, and he’d be damned if he
wasn’t there for her.

“So what’s the plan?” Emilio asked.
Connor and Pan both turned to him.
“Well,” Connor said. “That was just a

warning. I’m guessing they didn’t expect
to get caught and will up the ante.” He
turned to Pan. “It would be best if you
didn’t stay there tonight. I’ll have my men
run by, but we can’t be there all the time.
Is there somewhere you can go?”

“She’s staying here.” Emilio chimed in.

Her surprised eyes found his.

Connor nodded. “That would be best. I

can have the guys run by every hour.”

Pan sighed. “Maybe I should stay with

Iris and Luc.”

Emilio shook his head. “They shouldn’t

be involved in this. Iris is already so

emotional. It would kill her to know you
were in trouble. I’ll call Luc and let him
know. Maybe he can make and excuse like
the bookstore is being fumigated to
explain why the place needs to stay
closed.”

She nodded. Maria appeared at the

door. Likely she’s heard they would have
company.

“Pan, why don’t you come with me? I’ll

get you something comfortable to wear
and you can take a shower.”

Emilio’s heart wrenched at the drained

look on her face. He wanted nothing more
than to soothe the day away and curl up in
the bed with her, but first he needed to
work out a plan with Connor.

She walked by and he reached out to

hold her hand.

“I’ll come talk to you in a bit.”
Pan nodded. He rubbed wrist to assure

her.

When Maria and Pan had left the room,

he turned back to Connor.

“So what can we do? I’m tired of this

bullshit.” He could feel the muscles in his
shoulders tense from anger. Max had
fucked up. It was one thing to pressure him
to pay more, but coming after his brother
and now Pan was the final straw. He only
hoped that when they were finished he’d
have the chance to lay a couple licks on
him for putting his hands on Nic. Fucker
had it coming.

“I got a couple leads on something

going down tomorrow night. Might be our
only chance to pin him with anything. Got
to make sure it’s a good one so the prick

will serve time.”

Connor stood as he spoke and Emilio

followed.

“You okay to stay here?” Connor

asked.

“I’ve got some assurance that we’ll be

all right.” Emilio crossed his arms over
his chest.

“I don’t need to know about your

assurance. Just make sure it doesn’t end
your ass up in jail. Last thing they need is
to bail you out.” He nodded in the
direction of the kitchen.

Emilio stuck out his hand. “Thanks

again for coming by. I really didn’t know
where else to turn with this.”

Connor grasped his hand firmly. “Any

time. I’ll be in touch about tomorrow.”

He watched the detective leave and

pulled out his phone. Now he just had to
make sure Pan was where he could see
her.

“Hey, Luc. We need to talk.”

***

Pan let the hot water wash over her.

The chill that has seeped into her bones
just wouldn’t go away. She’d had close
calls before, but these men were serious.
Hell, just the fact they were willing to take
out some teen said it all.

The sound of the bedroom door drew

her from her thoughts. After shutting off
the water and drying off, she went out to
meet with Maria. Comfortable clothes
would be nice.

“Thanks again for the clothes,” she said

as she opened the door. “It will be so
nice…”

Emilio stood at the base of the bed.

Clothes stacked in his arm, frozen as he
stared at her. Pan tightened the towel
around her. Luckily it seemed to be
covering all the necessary parts, but it was
pretty obvious he knew how very naked
she was underneath.

“I didn’t mean…” he said. He was

having a hard time getting the words to
come out. She just looked so very shiny
and naked. Two things he very much
wanted her to be.

“Maria didn’t think you would fit into

any of her pants, so I brought you a pair of
my sweats. The top is hers so it might be a
little tight.” He grinned, not that he would
might the tightness.

Pan rolled her eyes. Men. She walked

over and took the clothes from him.

“Thanks. I’ll just go put them on.” Pan

started for the bathroom but stopped when
she felt a hand grip her arm and pull her
back to his chest.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were

dealing with all of this?” he whispered
from behind her in her ear.

Pan turned to look at him. “Why would

I tell you?”

The pain of her question reflected in his

eyes. “Because I can help you. I should be
the one you come to with this.”

“You?” she laughed. “You can’t even

decide if you want me.”

The other hand shot out and pulled her

hard against him.

“Make no mistake about if I want you.”

He pushed his hips forward and ground
his hard cock against her.

No. No mistake there. He wanted her.

But for how long? She just couldn’t play
this game anymore, and she wasn’t about
to become his plaything.

“Don’t. It hurts too much.” She placed

her hands on his well-sculpted chest. “I
need someone who wants more than one
night.” Pan spun around and raced toward
the bathroom.

“I’ve always wanted more.” Emilio

followed her in the bathroom and shut the
door. “I spent a year trying to keep myself
back from you, stopping all my shit from
ending up in your lap, and you start your
own damn war.”

Emilio stalked her, backing her up

again the shower stall. The steam from the

room only heightened her awareness of
him. His woodsy scent filled the air
around her. Pan sucked in a shallow
breath.

He pressed against her, savoring the

soft feel of her body.

“Baby, you just can’t stay out of trouble

can you?” He leaned in and ran his mouth
along her neck. “No more waiting. No
more standing by while someone else puts
their hands on my woman.”

Pan tried to take in everything he was

saying, but the delicious friction his body
created against hers was driving her
insane.

“Your woman?” Pan leaned her woozy

head back to look into his eyes.

“Mine.” He growled.
The kiss that followed wasn’t just

brutal, it was claiming. She felt him
imprint his being on her very soul. Pan
laced her fingers through his hair and
kissed him with everything. If she was
being claimed, then he was as well. She
wanted him to think about her long after
their kiss was over.

Emilio ran his hands along the side of

her breasts and reveled in the feeling. All
he had to do was yank away this towel,
and she would be standing naked before
him. The thought pushed him on. He was
going to make her his or die trying. Pan
moaned when he pulled back and traced a
line to her ear and then down her neck.

He reached the swell of her breasts and

nipped the fleshy area. The line of the
towel was the divider. Should he pull it
down? He looked up to her. Pan gave a

wicked smile before dropping the fabric
between them.

Emilio groaned and palmed the

mounds. The dusky peaks pressed into his
hands, begging for attention. Instead he
pulled back and traced around them with
his fingers, getting close but never quite
touching where she wanted him most.

Pan snorted her frustration and thrust

her hips forward, catching him off guard.
Her wet heat pressed firmly against his
aching cock. With fervor she rocked
against him, nearly halting any thoughts he
might have. Then two hands snaked under
his shirt. She pulled and tugged until the
greasy white shirt hit the floor.

Pan had never been so happy to see a

chest before. She’s seen him a time or two
with his shirt off working on bikes,

glistening from sweat in the afternoon sun,
but this time she had full access to the
rippling planes. She started from his
shoulders. Enjoying the twists and turns of
the muscles there. As her hands fell on his
pecs, the muscles jumped beneath her
fingers. She swept her thumb nails over
his dark nipples and grinned when he
groaned.

“Two can play this game.” He rolled

her nipples between his fingers.

Pan threw her head back, shoving her

breasts further into his hands, and rocked
her hips against him again. Her hands on
his chest slipped down until she reached
the clasp. She followed it further, tracing
the line of him on the outside of his jean.
When she reached the spot where they
met, she looked up at him. Two dark pools

stared back at her. They widened with
shock when she plunged two fingers into
her aching pussy.

“Oh, what are you doing to me?”

Emilio leaned down and captured her
mouth.

Without warning, Pan found herself

being twirled around and placed on the
counter by the sink. Emilio knelt between
her pale thighs and brushed away the hand
she still had inside her. He leaned in
toward her pink center. All her sweet
creamy skin around was bare of any hair
and smooth to the touch.

He trailed kissed along the inside of

each thigh. Pan groaned in frustration and
tried to thrust her body forward. He
planted her legs on his shoulder and
moved closer to her aching depths. She

felt his stubble scrap along the outer lips
of her pussy and nearly came off the
counter. Another sweep of his jaw and
then she felt his tongue slide across her
clit.

He teased the nub, flicking it until she

was nearly hyperventilating and then
backing off. Keeping her just at the edge
of a fantastic orgasm. He leaned in fully,
resting his weight on her thighs, pushing
her center up some as her legs draped
down his back.

He nipped her clit hard. She tightened

each time. When he shoved his tongue into
her, her muscles clamped down on him
reflexively. Just a few more thrusts, and
she would be falling over the edge.

As if reading her mind, Emilio pulled

out. Pan gripped his hair and made him

look up at her.

“I swear to God. You don’t finish this,

and I will fucking hunt you down.”

Emilio chucked as he went back to

work, flicking and nipping her clit once
again. This time she was in such a frenzy
that when he shoved back in, she broke
apart instantly, groaning loudly as she
came into his mouth.

“Uh, Pan?” Maria called from the other

side of the bathroom. “Emilio, Mama
needs your help in the kitchen. I’ll just,”
she cleared her throat, “I’ll just wait
outside the bedroom door.”

Pan’s head dropped back against the

mirror. Perfect.

Emilio crawled up her body and kissed

her roughly.

“We are not finished,” he said, resting

his forehead against hers. “Not by a long
shot.”

He rocked into her, showing how not

done they were.

Pan groaned. So fucking close. She

leaned up in search of her clothes and
noticed the wet patch on the front of his
jean.

Emilio grinned at her. “You sure are

excitable.”

Pan rolled her eyes.
“Just don’t let them see you like that.”
Emilio laughed and walked to the door.

When he got there, he paused and turned
back.

“Remember what I said. This isn’t

over. Next time you come, you’ll be doing
it around my cock, screaming my name.”

Pan shivered as he closed the door and

collected herself in the silence.

***

Pan sat comfortably with Maria in the

bedroom, as the latest fashion show
played.

“So,” Maria sat up nervously, “You

and my brother seem to like each other.”

Pan laughed. “Yeah, I guess so. Only

took me a year to get him to notice me.”

Maria twisted her thick, wavy back

hair in a neat bun at the nape of her neck.

“It’s not really like that with Emilio.

We all knew something was eating him.
There was all this trouble with Max, but
he was so irritable.” Maria snickered.
“Mama was ready to box his ears if he
came home stomping around. We figure

lately it’s all been because of you.”

Pan blushed. It likely had been all from

her.

“So tell me about Detective Maxwell.”

Pan leaned in a little, doing an
exaggerated whisper. “Is he really as
beefy as seems?”

This time it was Maria’s turn to blush.
“I wouldn’t really know.”
“Oh? With the way he looks at you, I’m

surprised he hasn’t pinned you to the wall
and had his wicked way.” Pan tossed her
a saucy grin.

Maria blinked several times in shock.
“He looks at me?”
“Only like you’re the icing on his

favorite cake.” Pan sat up and stared at
Maria. “You really didn’t notice? That
man has it bad. Real bad.”

Maria gave her the brightest smile

she’d ever seen and bounced on the bed a
few times.

A knock at the door broke their

camaraderie.

“Dinner,” Emilio said from the other

side of the door.

Maria jumped off the bed and bounced

out of the room.

“What’s she so happy about?” Emilio

stared after his sister as she skipped down
the hall.

“Beefy men seem to have that effect on

girls,” Pan said as she skipped after
Maria.

“Wait, what?”
Pan laughed as she raced down the

stairs, feeling the lightest she had in ages.

Chapter Eight

Emilio jumped at the noise coming from
the kitchen. He’d had a hell of a time
falling asleep. The raging hard-on from
earlier had only slightly gone away but
returned full on every time he closed his
eyes and saw Pan sink her fingers into her
greedy pussy.

The sound of the door had him up with

a pair of pants on in nothing flat. He
tucked one of the guns in the band and
crept down stairs. The kitchen light was
on, but there didn’t seem to be anything
out of place. He crept to the door and
slipped out into the cool night air.

He could see Pan silhouetted on the

bottom stair. The breeze blowing her long
hair. He loved the look of her in his gray
sweat pants and the tiny little tank his
sister had given her.

He plopped down beside her only to be

sucker punched in the gut.

“What the fuck,” he gasped, bending

over.

“Oh, Emilio, I’m so sorry.” She rubbed

the spot she had just hit. The movement
less soothing and more erotic than it
should be.

He took her hands into his and pulled

her to his chest.

“What are you doing out here?” he said.

The night air had caused her skin to get
goose bumps. The angle he was at, he
could see the hard pebbles of her nipples

and knew she wasn’t wearing a bra.

Pan shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Emilio rubbed her shoulders in

comfort.

“You don’t need to worry. I’ll take care

of you.”

Pan turned and looked him in the eye.
“I know,” she said. She bit her lower

lip and turned away slightly. “It was
really more like frustrated and can’t
sleep.”

Emilio groaned and tightened his grip

on her.

A sound to the left had him up without

thinking. He stepped in front of Pan and
felt her stand behind him.

“You think it’s them?”
A shot ricocheted off the side of the

house as Pan spoke. Emilio threw himself

over her. They both crashed to the ground.
He reached behind and pulled a gun out.
Keeping in mind where the sound had
been, he fired at the bush near the line.
Answering gunfire flew through the air.
Emilio pulled the trigger several more
times until he heard someone curse. If it
hadn’t been so damn dark, and if Pan
wasn’t with him, he would have followed
the shooter. The son of a bitch had to be
stopped.

“Are you all right?” Pan said from

under him.

He sat up, pulling her with him. “I’ve

got to call Detective Maxwell. Go inside
and make sure everyone is okay. Then
have them all pack a bag. We’re not safe
here.”

Pan hurried inside as he pulled out his

phone and flipped it open.

“Connor,” he said. “Yes, I know what

fucking time it is! We’ve got a problem.”

***

Pan leaned against Emilio’s bike and

watched the rows of red and blue lights
lining the street. She glanced over at the
house and was glad to see Detective
Maxwell much calmer than when he
arrived, something she suspected came
about from Maria being firmly tucked with
her family in the back of his car.

Pan turned, looked at the detective’s

unmarked car and waved at Maria.
Everyone agreed they were likely
targeting Pan and Emilio. Made the most
sense. Connor would take the others to his

house, and she and Emilio would find a
hotel to hide in.

Orange hues lit the sky as the sun

peeked over the side of the house. Pan
yawned and slumped a little more on the
bike. It had been a very long day. She just
wanted to get to the hotel and sleep about
a million years.

She jumped when Emilio dropped his

jacket around her shoulders and glared at
the men around them.

“When I said get the others ready, I

meant for you to put on a bra.” Pan looked
down. In the haze of everything, she had
forgotten her bra. Pan glared at Emilio.

“Yeah, little busy.” She slid her arms

through the sleeves and zipped it up.

Emilio leaned in and captured her in a

tender kiss.

“I know,” he said when he pulled

away. “I just don’t like them staring at
what’s mine.”

A shiver slipped through her at his

comment.

“Are you finished?” she asked as he

slipped on his helmet and handed her one.

“For now.” Something must have been

happening, but he was being tight lipped.

At this point, Pan didn’t really care.

Whatever was going on could wait until
they had both gotten some sleep.

Emilio climbed onto the bike and Pan

followed, slipping her arms around him.
Scratch that. She could go anywhere as
long as she had the rumble of a bike
between her legs and his warm body
pressed against her.

***

Pan slipped out of the jacket once they

were at the hotel. It was about the last
place they would think to look for them.
The four-star accommodation weren’t
really something either of them were used
to and would likely be a good cover.

Stretching, Pan groaned at the strain.

The long day had taken a toll on her
muscles. With Emilio in the bathroom, she
stripped her pants off and snuggled into
the warm covers. A few minutes later, she
felt the bed dip as he climbed in next to
her.

She listened to the sounds around them.

Everyone in the hotel was waking up. She
heard the clatter of people going about
their business. It just seemed so strange

the things would be so normal when
everything in her world had changed in
just a day’s time. She sighed and rolled
over on her side.

A warm hand found its way to her

belly, and she squeaked slightly when she
was pulled back against a warm bare
chest.

“Just sleep,” Emilio rumbled in her ear.
A fuzzy feeling fluttered in the pit of her

stomach at the intimacy of the embrace.

Her heart slowly returned to normal,

and the gentle breathing in her ear lulled
her to sleep.

Pan’s eyes shot open with a start.

Groggy and confused, she slowly let the
day before sink in. Sometime in their
sleep, they had changed positions. She lay

partially sprawled on Emilio. He leg
hitched over his thigh, breasts mashed to
his side and cheek resting just over his
heart. He held her snug to him with the
arm draped over her shoulder and along
her body.

Something twitched near her knee, and

she knew without a doubt what that was.
When she tried to slide her leg down a bit,
his other arm came out and stilled the
movement. Pan leaned back and looked
into his hooded eyes.

“Hi,” she said shyly.
“Hi,” his voice gruff from sleep.
Emilio traced lazily along her leg,

enjoying the silky feel. Hell, it was a full
body sensory feel with her breasts gently
poking his side. He knew she felt him
tenting the sheet and did little to hide the

effect she had on him.

Pan placed a timid hand on his chest

and traced the muscles she found there.
She loved how they shifted as the moved
along. Slowly she made the trip south,
never fully letting on her intent. There was
no way she was leaving this bed without
feeling him at least once. She reasoned it
was only fair considering that he’d
already sampled her goods.

She felt his hand still when she reached

the line of his boxer briefs. The head of
his cock strained the elastic, begging to be
set free. Without missing a beat, she
slipped her hand past the band and met
with smooth hard skin. As she palmed him
in her hand she nearly choked. She’s felt
him though his pants, but this was so not
the same. He was big. Bigger than she’s

ever had.

The thought of him being inside her

made her pussy clench with need. She ran
a finger over the head and heard him take
in a shuddering breath.

“Pan,” he said on a sigh.
Pan traced the length of him under the

confines of the fabric. After gripping him
at the base, she made long, sure strokes up
to the head and then back down. Pan
turned her head and place feather kisses
on his chest. When she came to his nipple,
she swiped the tip of her tongue across it,
causing Emilio to groan.

She gently let go of him and pulled her

hand out.

“These have got to go.” She traced a

line along the band of his underwear.

Without missing a beat, Emilio reached

down and yanked them off in one fluid
motion. Pan sat up and grinned at him.

“In a hurry?”
She climbed over him and straddled his

stomach without touch the place he wanted
her the most.

“You have no idea.” Emilio reached up

and whipped her tank over her head.

He beautiful breast bounced nicely with

the action. Starting at her hips, her worked
his fingers over the skin until he was
covering her lush mounds. He weighed
them in his hands, enjoying the feel, then
rolled her hard nipples between his thumb
and forefinger. As she arched back, a hand
slid around her and lowered them to his
wanting mouth.

Emilio pushed the breasts together. He

sucked and bit the hard buds. He sucked

her peak into his mouth and quickly
flicked the nipple rapidly, making it hit the
roof of his mouth. He pulled back and
with a loud pop, let go.

Pan lifted her lower half as he

continued his ministrations on her other
breast. She reached between them and
shoved her thong to the side and ran her
wet pussy up and down the length of his
cock.

Emilio let go of her breast and arched

his body up as she continued to slide over
him. She would reach the head and let the
slippery knob work her clit as she ground
into him. Pan sat up, fully into the
sensation of slipping him through her lips.
She raked her nails down his chest and
found purchase gripping his arms as she
rode him with all she had.

Without warning, she found herself

being flown through the air and slammed
into the mattress. Emilio’s hard body
pressing into her. Her eyes widened in
shock when she felt him tug on her panties
and ripping as the tore them off.

“Did you seriously just rip my

panties?” As much as she wanted to be
mad, it was about the hottest thing anyone
had ever done.

“I’ll buy you more,” he grumbled from

her neck.

“Please tell me you’re on birth

control,” he said as his head gently
prodded at her folds.

“Maybe,” Pan said breathlessly.

“Please tell me you’re clean.”

“Always wore a condom.” He rested

his forehead against hers. “But not with

you. I want everything with you. No
barriers. Just us.”

Pan stared at him in awe. This man that

had done nothing buy push her away,
wanted nothing between them. Wanted her
and only her.

She swallowed at the impact and

nodded.

Emilio surged into her. Unable from

being gentle at this point. He fell into her
depths until he snug all the way to the root
of his dick. He stilled once inside and
allowed her the chance to adjust to the
invasion. All around him he could feel her
muscles contracting to make room.

He was big. Pan had thought it before,

but now the reality was inside her, and he
was more than big. He was nearly
painfully big. The only thing keeping the

pain at bay was that the head of his cock
rubbed continually against that lovely g-
spot so deep inside. Testing out the girth
of him, Pan wiggled her body up and
down.

“Ready?” Emilio groaned.
“Not yet,” she said and again wiggled

up and down.

Emilio groaned even louder. She felt

him swell inside her. The sensation was
almost overwhelming.

“Baby, if I don’t move soon, the show

is going to be over.” He reached rubbed a
finger over her clit. The muscles inside
fluttered.

Pan pulled back from him, slipped his

cock out until just the head was left. She
swirled her hip a few times with just the
tip in and Emilio was sure he would lose

his mind. Her legs snapped around his
back, slamming him into her.

Both moaned as he bottomed out in her.
Emilio came up on his knees, lifting her

hips off the bed so he could hold her as he
fucked her. He hammered into her without
mercy, pushing himself firming again her
g-spot. The sound of slapping skin and
grunting filled the air.

Pushing in a few more times, Emilio

felt the fluttering of her muscles working
at a faster pace and knew she wouldn’t be
long. As it was, he had been holding off
on his own release, waiting for that
moment she tumbled over.

Pan felt like her whole body was on

fire. Whatever he was doing to her was
magic. Just before her orgasm took her
over, Pan stared at the bronze god above

her, black hair jumping over his blazing
eyes, muscles rippling with each thrust.
Watching him power into her, Pan let go
and felt the rush of a fantastic orgasm.

As her muscles clamped down, Emilio

thrust in two more times and shot his seed
deep inside her, shaking from the force of
his release.

He sighed when he felt himself finally

shrink back to normal and rolled off of
her. Draping an arm over her, he pulled
her snug against him as they drifted off to
sleep.

Chapter Nine

The shrill sound of the cell made Emilio
jump. He grabbed if off the bedside table
and looked at the face. Nic’s name flashed
before him. He climbed out of bed as
stealthily as he could and went into the
sitting area.

“What’s going on?” he asked in hushed

tones through the receiver.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Emilio Diaz.”

Emilio stilled at the menacing voice of
Max.

“Where the fuck is Nic?” Emilio

walked into the bedroom, grabbed his
clothes and went back to the sitting room

to put them on.

“Well that depends on you.” Max

laughed over the line. The dead sound of it
sent a chill down his spine. “See, thanks
to your little bitch, I’m out quite a bit of
money.”

Emilio peeked through the door. Pan

lay sleeping peacefully on the bed.

“What am I supposed to do about that?”

Emilio stilled his shaking hand. He had to
play this cool. Max wasn’t a guy to fuck
with.

“Don’t get smart with me, you little

prick. I’m out twenty grand thanks to your
worthless father and ten for the whore.”
He could hear Max take in a draw from
his cigarette, likely to calm his own
nerves. Being in debt that much meant he
owed. And if owing Max was bad, Emilio

could only guess the kind of people Max
would owe.

“See, I’ve been thinking,” Max

continued. “I’ve got all these debts and no
collateral. So maybe I just take Nic here
as collateral. That is, unless you’ve got
the cash I want.”

Emilio stilled. There was no way. He

could come up with some, but there was
no way.

“I’ve got fifteen.”
“No good enough!” Max shouted into

the phone. The sound of things being
thrown around made Emilio worry for his
brother’s safety.

“I’ve got fifteen and my bike. You

know it’s worth more than the debt.”
Emilio waited, his heart lodged firmly in
his throat.

“Deal. Meet me at the warehouse, and

don’t try anything funny.”

“Let me talk to Nic.”
“Fine.”
Emilio could hear rustling through the

phone.

“Emilio?” Nic scared voice came on

the line.

“I’m here, bud.” Emilio swallowed the

emotions threatening to bubble up.

“Oh shit, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to

help. Thought I could talk to them. Listen,”
Nic got closer to the phone, “They want
money. Get in the safe. Combination four,
two, one.”

Emilio furrowed his brow. They didn’t

have a safe.

The sound of Max’s laughter grated

Emilio’s last nerve.

“Bring me the money and bike soon. I

don’t like waiting.” The phone went dead.

Emilio sprang into action. In seconds,

he was dressed and quickly lacing his
boots.

“What’s going on?” Pan padded into

the sitting room, sheet wrapped firmly
around her.

“They have Nic.” Emilio stood and

yanked open the drawer nearest him.
Inside lay the guns his father left. He
tucked them into the back of his pants and
covered it with his shirt.

“I’ll be dressed in just a sec.” Pan

raced from the room but stopped when
Emilio grabbed her hand.

“You stay here.” He fixed her with a

firm look. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I can be your backup.” Pan pulled

harder, struggling to maneuver out of his
grip.

“No!” he shouted. “No. You can’t be

there. I just couldn’t take it. It’s bad
enough they have Nic, and I don’t know
what they might do.”

“That’s why you need me,” she

pleaded. Her heart wrenched at the
thought of him in so much danger.

Emilio pulled her to him and kissed

her. Hard. Like he was trying to fill all his
emotions in just one kiss. He pulled away
and placed his forehead to hers.

“I do need you,” he said hoarsely.

“That’s why you can’t go. The thought of
losing you kills me. I just can’t think about
it. I need you here.”

Both hands cupped her cheeks for one

last tender kiss.

“I love you,” he whispered and then

rushed out the door.

***

“Thanks for calling me, Pan,” Connor

said. He paced the length of the sitting
room taking in everything that she’d said.
Maria and her mother stayed behind in
case Nic happened to get away. It was a
long shot but better than worrying about
what was going on.

“He just took off. Said something about

trading his bike over the phone. My guess
is that asshat Max is in deep and needs
cash.” Pan picked at her nails.

The detective had raced over the

minute Pan had called. She watched as he
made several calls. There was something

going on tonight, and Max was in too deep
to get out on his own. Worry ate at her
over Nic. He had already been through so
much. She only hoped they wouldn’t hurt
him to force Emilio to make a trade.

Emilio.
Pan clinched her fist. You just don’t say

you love someone and then take off, never
knowing if they’ll see you alive again. If
Max didn’t take him out, she just might.

“Right. Thanks, Chuck.” Connor hung

up the phone and turned to her. “So it
looks like we were right about some kind
of drop tonight. Likely Max is supposed to
pay and just doesn’t have the money for it.
Him shaking down Emilio only shows
how desperate he is.”

“So what does that mean?” Pan stood,

ready to take action.

“It means,” he said, placing his hands

on her shoulder, trying to steer her back to
the couch, “It means that I’m going to get
over to the warehouse. Some of the guys
will meet me there are soon as they can.”

“What should I do?” Pan moved away

from the couch.

“You should wait here in case he

comes back.” He patted her hand.

Pan ripped it away and poked him in

his oversized chest.

“Listen here, bub. I’ve been ditched

once tonight. After a long day of being
chased, shot at, amazing sex and a love
confession.” Pan stepped forward and
puffed up until she was about as
intimidating as she could get. “If you think
you’re leaving me behind. Think. Again.”

“We don’t have time for this shit.”

Connor rubbed his forehead.

Pan held firm. She was sick and tired

of these dumbasses telling her what she
should do.

“Fine,” Connor said. “But you just

make sure he knows I had no choice.”

Pan was pretty certain she heard him

mutter something about crazy bitches but
let it go. They had some ass to go kick.

***

Emilio pulled up at the warehouse. He

couldn’t really figure out what Nic meant
about the safe combination until he made
his way up to the building. Four goons
waited for him at the gate and waved him
through. That meant two at the door and
one inside with Nic. This was doable.

The cold steel of the guns pressed into

his back. He hoped he wouldn’t need to
use them but knew Max wasn’t going to let
this go. For one, they had to get out of
there on foot since he was trading his
bike.

He climbed off the bike and walked to

the doors.

“Light load there. Hope you don’t piss

the boss off,” goon number one said and
laughed.

“Quit fucking around. Boss wants to

see him ASAP,” goon number two said.

They led him inside the dark

warehouse. One behind and one in front.
Like he was going to take off at this point.
Machines sat empty, cobwebs collecting
in the corners. A thick layer of dust and
grim covered everything.

After traveling down a series of rows,

they came to the back of the building.

“Ah, Emilio. So good of you to drop

by.” Max grinned at him from behind a
desk. Nic sat to his side with tape over his
mouth.

“Cut the crap, and let’s get to it.”

Emilio stopped in front of the desk and
tried to make himself seem as large as
possible.

“So where’s my money?” Max glared

at him. “You know I don’t like games.”

“No game. Just a little assurance.”
Max stood and slammed his hands on

the table.

“I don’t have time for this. Now

where’s the God-damned money?” Little
flecks of spit came out.

Emilio tossed the keys to the bike on

the table.

“I tell you when Nic and I are safe

outside the gate. Not until then.” Emilio
crossed his arms across his chest.

“Well it looks like we’ve got ourselves

a problem.”

***

“Now don’t get out of this car. The rest

of the team will be here soon, and we’ll
handle it.” Connor said as he stooped to
the passenger’s side window.

He’d parked the car just down the road.

They had a clear view of the gate and
from what Pan could see, there were only
four men out front.

“So what are you going to do?”
This just did not sound like the plan she

envisioned.

“I’m going to sneak in and see what’s

going on.”

Three shots rang out in the night. Both

froze.

“Fuck this shit.” Pan slid over in the

driver’s seat and revved the engine. “Get
in, or I’m leaving your ass.”

Pan shifted into gear just as Connor

flung himself into the car.

“This is not the right way to go about

this,” Connor shouted over the squeal of
the wheels.

“That’s my man in there. For all I know

he could be bleeding out.” Pan screeched
around the corner. “Hold on!”

They rounded the corner, two of the

four guards flying over the roof. As the
crashed through the gate, the others

jumped out of the way to avoid the
mangled fence.

“You just hit those men!” Connor

screamed at her.

Pan gripped the wheel tighter. She’s hit

those men and would run over others if it
meant she got there in to save Emilio and
Nic. They were Max’s thugs anyway.
Guys who had no problem kidnapping and
beating a kid, maybe even killing a kid.

She could see his bike to her the right.

No one else guarded the bike, so she
could only assume they were inside. She
debated what to do. Outside the car, they
were helpless. To the left was the truck
access door. The main door had been
lifted, but a strong metal gate had been
pulled across.

“Don’t even think about it,” Connor

said. “This thing would never drive
again.”

Pan slammed her foot the floor and

raced up the ramp.

“It doesn’t need to drive if we can get

to them.”

The battering ram on the front of the car

did little to soften the impact of the gate.
Unlike the chain, the gate strong had little
room to bend. It was only with a little luck
that the chain and lock wrapped around
the fence broke.

Pan and Connor covered their faces as

the windshield shattered in on them. The
sides of the fence scraped along the car as
they went past, the grinding metal a sure
sign to those inside that something was
going on.

Pan peeked her eyes open and nearly

choked at the sight. She had expected that
there might be a small bump at the end but
not the six-foot plummet looming before
her. She hesitated. Break or gas? She
floored it and held tight to the wheel.

“Oh no.” Connor sounded like he might

be sick.

They flew through the air, and for a

second, it seemed entirely possible that
things would work out well. Then the
reality of the floor came crashing in on
the. Literally.

The car crunched as it hit the floor and

several loud pops could be heard.
Amazingly, they were still able to move.
Pan continued to floor it. Sparks flew in
all directions from the car. The grinding
sound that was coming out of the vehicle
meant it wasn’t long for this world.

Pan dodged various machines and a

conveyor belt as she wildly flew through
the rows. When the back wall came into
view, she spotted monster that had caused
all of this. Max stood over Emilio. Blood
raced down his arm. Nic sat off in the
corner. She made a snap decision.

She pressed hard on the horn and hoped

that he would hear. Surely, he would
know it was her. Who else would pull this
kind of stunt? Pan aimed the car and
prayed.

“What the fuck is going on?” Max

pulled back. His men were already
running out the back door.

Emilio spit the blood out of his mouth

and covered the graze on his arm.

“Sounds like my reinforcements are

here.” Emilio turned and watched as the
unmarked car wildly made its way toward
him. “Un-fucking-believable.”

He launched himself at Nic, knocking

them both behind the metal rail on the
side. He turned to see the black car
screech to its side and slide forward,
blocking Max in.

Connor, pale and slightly shaken,

crawled out the window facing Max, gun
drawn and ready. The sound of sirens
cried in the distance, getting closer by the
second.

Pan leapt from the driver’s side and

stormed out of the car. She was a sight to
be seen, even in his sweats and little tank.

“You were supposed to stay at the

hotel.” Emilio gave her a stern look.

“What, so you and Nic could get

killed?” Pan continued to storm over to
them. “Not on your life, buddy.”

Pan first examined Nic and then turned

her attention to Emilio.

“No bullet holes?” She gently touched

the large gash on his arm.

“Just grazed me.” He looked at his

blood-soaked shirt. “I think he was just
trying to scare me. It’s not like he can get
money from a corpse.”

The relief flooded through her, then

contorted to rage. Pan pulled back and
socked him right in the gut. Emilio
doubled over at the impact.

“Don’t you ever fucking tell a woman

you love her and then leave to go get
killed.”

Emilio straightened up to see the pain

in her eyes. She threw herself in his arms

and squeezed.

“I love you too, dumbass.”
Emilio shook to keep from laughing.

Yes, that was just the confession he was
looking for.

Epilogue

Pan and Emilio stood, arms linked, in his
mother’s living room. It had been months
since that night without so much as a peep.

“We still don’t know who was behind

this mystery shipment and exactly what
Max was buying into. He’s been very tight
lipped since we took him in. Likely trying
to save his own ass.” He looked around
the room, his gaze lingered on Maria. “We
got wind that your father might have
played more of a role than we thought, but
we’re still piecing things together.”

They all shared shocked looks except

Mama Diaz.

Connor turned to her.
“This doesn’t seem like a surprise to

you.”

She shook her head. A single tear

rolled down.

“It doesn’t. I knew he was in something

big. Kept telling me we’d be able to retire
on some island.” She looked at Connor.
“That kind of money doesn’t just come
from nowhere.”

“Well,” he said. “You hear anything,

anything at all, you call me.”

He stopped when he reached Maria.

“Or if you just need to talk,” he said
quietly and wrote down his cell. His
fingers slipped along hers as he passed
over his card.

Emilio clapped him on the back and

shook him back to reality.

“Thanks again for everything. Not so

sure I’d be here if it weren’t for you.”

“Thank your damn fiancée.” Connor

shook his finger at her. “You’re never
getting near my car again.”

He huffed out the door.
A chime broke the silence, and Pan

looked at her phone.

“Oh my God. We have to go right

now.” She yanked on Emilio.

“What the—” Emilio started as she

pulled him hard behind her.

“That baby! She’s having the baby!”

Excitement raced through her. She hopped
up and down.

Emilio pulled her in and kissed her

hard.

“Now let’s go see what we’ve got.”

***

They quickly made their way to the

hospital and up to the maternity ward. Pan
paced the halls waiting for any news. She
stopped short when Luc burst into the hall
beaming like a new father.

“It’s a girl!” he nearly shouted.
Pan weaved around him to make her

way to her sister’s bed.

Ten little fingers, ten little toes and a

head of dark brown hair. Her niece was
the spitting image of her mother and aunt.

Pan smiled at a very tired Iris. The

effects of motherhood radiated off her.

“Please tell me you didn’t name her

Crocus.” She grinned.

“Lilly,” Iris said softly.
“Mama would have been so happy she

had her name.” Pan cradled little Lilly’s
sweet head.

She kissed her sister and Luc

congratulations and let Emilio pull her
from the room. In the hall she wrapped
herself in his warm embrace.

“Soon,” he whispered in her ear.
“Soon?”
“Soon that will be us. Happy family.

Ready to take on anything that comes our
way.” Emilio smiled lovingly at her.

“Okay, but I’m buying her a leather

jacket. In this family she’s going to have to
learn to kick a little ass.”

Emilio chuckled at the thought of a little

mini-Pan.

“She sure will.”

By day, Madison Stevens is a mom, wife,
house cleaner, short-order cook and
underpaid custodian. When night comes,
she gets to hang up those jobs, enjoy the
silence and become a sex goddess, or,
when she has a headache, cook and read.

She can be contacted at
[e-mail].

Letting Go (Road House Series #1)

A nasty breakup isn’t going to stop

Sarah from getting what she wants. And
what she wants is her too hot boss with
his bad-boy image and aloof attitude.

The last thing Jake ever expected was

that sweet little Sarah would make a play
for him. For months, he’s kept to himself
and bit his tongue about her less than
stellar boyfriend. Now that she’s given the
green light, he’s not stopping until he gets
what he’s been imagining since she
walked into his bar.

The fires of passion might just be what

they need to soothe both their hungry
bodies and souls.

Holding On (Road House Series #2)

Iris wants nothing more than a simple,

quiet life until she meets ex-Navy SEAL
Luc. The sexy motorcycle mechanic
ignites a hidden passion in her, but his hot
and cold attitude leaves her frustrated and
confused. She needs a man who is willing
to put it all out there.

Luc was burned in the past by his

fiancée. Physically scarred and
emotionally torn, Luc struggles to make
his heart meet up with what is in his head.
But Iris isn’t going to take no for an
answer, even if that means she has to
break out of her shell.

Both Iris and Luc can only begin to heal

once they stop dwelling in the past and
start holding on to each other.