Friday Eve Snippet

We used to always share Friday Eve Snippets, but somehow or another that concept got lost and disappeared. Today, I thought I’d bring it back! On July 12, the second book in the Compass Brothers series, Southern Comfort releases. It’s available for preorder now at a discount! I thought I’d share the opening of the book with you. Oh, and FYI–Northern Exposure, book one, is available now.

Caught between desire and a promise…

Compass Brothers, Book 2

Seth Compton knew from the first that his boss’s daughter was all wrong for him. She was too feisty, too damned independent and, at seven years his junior, too damned young. When she comes home with a college diploma and fiancé on her arm, though, he can’t quite remember all the reasons he held her at arm’s length.

It’s not just his jeans-tightening reaction to her all-grown-up curves. Something doesn’t feel right about her impending marriage, and he won’t rest until he’s stopped her from making the biggest mistake of her life.

The morning after her wild bachelorette party, Jody expected a hangover. The surprise? Waking up tied to a bed with sexy-as-sin Seth. He’s got some wild idea about proving they belong together, but she’s not buying it. Besides, she has a promise to keep that’s too close to her heart to risk, especially not with a man who, until now, made his disinterest plain.

No one ever said Seth backed down from a challenge. She’s going to make him work for it? No problem. Luckily for him, he has plenty of rope… 

Product Warnings

This story contains a bondage lovin’ cowboy who kidnaps and hogties a cowgirl to his bed and does all sorts of naughty things to her. Fun, right? 

 

Prologue

Seth Compton let his horse run free across the dry earth, enjoying the cloud of dust stirring around them. He and his brothers raced over the mountain ridge, heading to their favorite camping spot. Summer was just kicking in, but given the heat and lack of rain, it promised to be a brutally dry one.

Though the heat and humidity were unusual for Wyoming, they certainly didn’t bother him. He loved hard earth and the loud clomping of his horse’s hooves as they beat out a tempo that proclaimed his freedom. He was connected to the land, to the animals, to the fresh mountain air and even the unusually brutal sun. All of it made him feel alive and he whooped, grinning at his brothers.

The ride to the campsite went a long way to easing the ache in his chest that had started at dinner, when his older brother, Silas, broke the news he was moving away. It had shocked Seth, stunned him. Silas was the most like their pop, JD, and he was the one brother Seth never thought would leave the ranch. He figured like every ancestor who’d come before them, Silas would lay down deep, solid roots in Compton Pass. He belonged to this place, to their home, and Seth simply couldn’t imagine living here without him.

While Silas was made for Compass Ranch, Seth knew his greener pastures lay elsewhere. He longed to leave, to head south and work in Texas. While attending a livestock show with his pop a few months ago, he’d met Thomas Kirkland. Kirkland lived outside San Antonio and owned one of the biggest working ranches in the state. Seth had spent most of one afternoon picking Thomas’s brain about the workings on a real Texas ranch. He must have impressed the man because Thomas had sent him a letter last week, inviting him to come down after graduation to work for him. Seth kept the offer a secret from his pop and brothers. He wasn’t sure why, but the time to tell them his plans had never felt right.

The setting sun drew patterns on the ground, and Seth let the images wander through his mind. Some people looked for pictures in the clouds, but Seth found them on the earth. The shadows of the trees as they neared the mountain ridge looked like an army of soldiers, standing at attention, all waiting for his command. His destiny was at hand. He could feel it. One more year of damn high school and then he would be free.

He looked back at Silas once more, worried about the deep lines carved in his brother’s face. Something had happened, Seth could sense it deep in his soul, but he knew his brother. Silas would never tell him why he was really leaving. Glancing forward, he watched the backs of the twins as they rode side by side, always together. Unlike most identical twins, there was no mistaking who was Sam and who was Sawyer. The two were as alike as mud and soap. Sawyer possessed a recklessness that didn’t seem to reside in the refined Sam.

They hadn’t discussed their plans for the evening, but the second Silas had made his announcement to the family, he and his brothers looked around the dining table and nodded. Seth saw Silas’s pain and knew he’d support his brother no matter what he did. Hell, there was a selfish part of him that was actually glad his brother was leaving. It would pave the way for his departure next summer. Make it easier. Christ, his self-seeking thought made him sick.

Tonight was about Silas, about helping his brother. Besides, Seth felt a pain grip him low in his gut. When would the four of them all be together like this again? The idea cut through him like a knife and as he slowed his horse, a piece of his childhood died.

Tonight. Tonight would be their last time together and the heaviness that accompanied that realization threatened to stop him in his tracks.

Tonight wasn’t their usual laid-back escape from chores and hard work and school. It wasn’t a hunting trip or the beginning of a summer vacation or a winter retreat to test their wilderness survival skills.

Tonight wasn’t about playing or bonding or just being guys. It was about saying goodbye to Silas, and in part, to his youth.

They slowed as they approached their destination and ducked beneath the shelter of the mountain cypresses. The uneven terrain forced them to walk their mounts. They knew better than to risk injuring their animals.

Seth shoved his concerns to the back of his mind. Hell, it was that or fall on his knees and beg his brother not to leave. He wasn’t ready to be the oldest brother, to take on more responsibility, serve as a role model for the twins. Those traits had rested easily on Silas’s shoulders and Seth suddenly realized there was a freedom in being the second oldest. He got away with more, didn’t have to toe the straight and narrow line that Silas seemed to walk so easily.

They dismounted, and Seth helped Sawyer tie the horses to some low hanging branches. Sam gathered kindling for their bonfire, while Silas patched the pit they’d left from prior visits. Silas withdrew some hot dogs from his pack and grinned. They’d just eaten dinner, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to turn down a dog cooked black from a campfire. Manna from heaven.

“Si, you’re bleeding.” Sawyer’s comment distracted Seth from his stomach.

“It’s nothing.” Silas tried to hide his injury, but their youngest brother was relentless.

“It is something.” Sawyer moved behind Silas to get a closer look. Sawyer’s next comment clued Seth in to exactly what he was looking at. “It’s too uniform to be a cut.”

“Did you do it?” Seth tipped his hat away from his face and glared at his older brother. Damn him. They’d talked for years of getting tattoos when they were old enough. Swore they’d go together. When Silas didn’t answer, he stomped over, determined to see his brother’s betrayal for himself. “Holy shit. You did. You got a freaking tattoo. Without me? Without us? You asshole!”

Silas dodged Seth’s half-hearted punch toward the sore spot between his shoulder blades. While he was pissed as shit, his heart couldn’t let go of the idea that Silas was leaving in the morning. He couldn’t let tonight end in a fight.

Silas shrugged. “I had a hard enough time convincing Snake to ink me. If I’d brought you guys with me he never would have caved. He only did it because I’m eighteen now.”

Besides, if Silas had told Seth, they wouldn’t have been able to stop Sam and Sawyer from tagging along too. Their kid brothers shadowed their every move. Sometimes it was flattering as hell, but most of the time, it was just fucking annoying.

“Well, I suppose that’s true. Plus he’s probably afraid JD’ll kill him if he finds out,” Sawyer said, ever the peacekeeper.

Seth rolled his eyes at his baby brother’s words. Kid thought their pop walked on water. Of course, Seth had to admit, around here, the guy did. As head of Compass Ranch—the center of Compton Pass, Wyoming—JD Compton wielded a power most men could only dream of. However, while Seth’s father’s money opened doors, his personality made him a born leader. When JD spoke, people listened.

Silas nodded. “Yeah, that’s why I took the bandages off. Didn’t want him to notice.”

Sawyer persisted. “But you gotta let us see it at least.”

“Sure.” Silas dropped a wedge of wood on the fire and stood. Seth moved to his brother’s back, standing next to the twins, as Silas tugged his grey T-shirt over his head. He caught a slight hitch in his brother’s actions and realized the tattoo must hurt like hell. None of them made a sound as they studied the artwork inked on his brother’s back.

The sudden silence seemed to unnerve Silas, and he began to offer unneeded explanations. “It’s swollen and stuff—”

“Whoa.” Seth murmured, not needing any explanation.

“It’s awesome.” Sam laid his palm to the right of the emblem, careful not to touch the raw skin.

“Sweet,” Sawyer agreed then added his hand, on the left side of Silas’s back.

“Does it hurt?” Seth couldn’t resist the urge to join in, touching the area below the design.

“So bad,” Silas confirmed.

“I’m still doing it. Next year. The minute I turn eighteen.” Seth had never spoken truer words. He wanted this pattern. Bad. It was perfect. “Exactly like this.”

“Me too,” Sam chimed in. “The compass design is fucking great. And the ranch brand is perfect. It matches the one we use.”

“I didn’t know Snake had this kind of shit in him. The shading is so cool. It looks 3D.” Sawyer’s hand shook on Silas’s back. “I want one now. Like yours. But without the fancy N.”

“You’re only fifteen,” Silas barked. “Wait a while and make sure it’s what you really want.”

“I know what I want.”

“Things don’t always happen like you expect, Sawyer.” Silas sighed and Seth wondered what had altered in his brother’s life. Then, he considered the adjustments facing him in the immediate future. The difference was, while Seth was a bit anxious about the move, he embraced the idea, excited by the prospect. Silas didn’t seem to feel the same joy in venturing out of Compton Pass.

“Is that why you’re leaving?” The high pitch of Sam’s question told Seth his younger brothers were taking Silas’s departure hard as well.

“Yeah.” Seth knew that was the only answer his older brother would give them.

“Well, some people might flip flop around. Not me. Not going to change my mind.” Sawyer’s words were strong, self-assured. He’d always been the most determined to prove himself despite being the baby of the group. Maybe because of it. “I’m joining the Coast Guard. Gonna see the world.”

“What!” Silas pivoted to stare at their kid brother, and Seth wondered at the vehemence in his tone. “You’ve been watching too many freaking commercials. Your place is here, on the ranch.”

“No, it isn’t,” the teenager whispered.

Seth nodded in agreement. Sawyer was right to dream of the world beyond their property line. They’d lived like crown princes for all of their young lives, regarded with a fair bit of jealousy and even a bit of awe by their neighbors and the other kids in school. JD Compton was the uncrowned ruler of the area. In addition to owning a fair bit of the land in Compton Pass, the town was named for Seth’s great-great grandfather and JD served as chairman on the town council. Very few decisions were made in this area that didn’t have JD’s seal of approval. Problem was, Seth knew there was a hell of a lot more to this world than Compass Ranch and he was aching to strike out and make a stand, build a life with his own hands, rather than riding in the shade provided by his father’s very large shadow.

“You’re not planning to stay?” Silas’s forehead creased with disbelief. “None of you?”

The look of outright betrayal on his brother’s face tweaked Seth’s already stretched nerves. “Don’t look at us like that! I figured you’d understand. I need to get the hell out of here. Find my own place. Same as you.” His secret desire fell from his lips, and he was helpless to hold back. “Not Alaska though, I hate winter. You’re crazy to take on all that snow. Somewhere warm. Maybe I’ll head down south.” He withheld the information regarding Kirkland’s invitation. He remembered Silas’s tattoo and the image of his future became clear. “Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. A fancy S instead of an N on my compass, bro.”

“What? No!” Silas threw his arms up in frustration. “It’s not like that. I mean—”

“We understand, Si.” Sam smiled and nodded. “I’d like to go to college. Earn a degree. Find a real job. Something where I don’t have to dirty my hands to rake in cash. I’m going to have fancy clothes, a slick apartment and a kickass car. I’ll party every night with the hottest girls in the city.”

Seth grinned. He wasn’t the only one with dreams bigger than Compton Pass. His brothers understood. They yearned for the same things.

Silas turned to Sawyer and Seth read the unspoken question, the lingering concern on his lips. Who would stay at Compass Ranch? A slight pang of guilt penetrated Seth’s conscience, but he batted it away.

“Oh, no.” Sawyer shook his head as he kicked a rock when Silas turned to him. “Don’t give me that look. I told you, I’m not getting stuck here. Fuck that. You think someone should hang around, then stay put. It ain’t too late to cancel your plane ticket.”

“I-I can’t,” Silas said.

Seth understood his brother’s feeling. Some undeniable lure was tearing them away from this place, something stronger than all of them.

“And neither can we.” Seth hated the look of desolation on his older brother’s face. He slugged Silas’s shoulder, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. He didn’t want Silas’s last night to be weighted down with such heavy discussion. There was plenty of time to figure out what would come next. Seth still had a year until graduation, and the twins were only fifteen. Three years was a long time for a young man to change his mind. Maybe one or both of their little brothers would come to realize they didn’t have to leave. Regardless of that, they didn’t need to worry about any of that right now. He chuckled as he thought of a surefire way to make them all smile. “Come on, start the dogs. I’m starving. Jake slipped me a couple Playboys for doing his chores last weekend so he could bang Missy Trelane.”

“Nice! Me first.” Sam squeaked a head start for Seth’s backpack as Sawyer launched himself after his twin.

Seth laughed as he watched them wrestle and call each other names. Yep, he thought, there’s still plenty of time.

Sneak Peek Week Day Four

Jayne and I have *almost* finished Eastern Ambitions, which means it’s time to turn our attention to the last book in the series, Western Ties (Compass Brothers). I’m sort of dreading the writing of this book as much as I’m looking forward to it. There are some very emotional scenes planned.

Excerpt from Western Ties:

“Stop worrying, Julie. I’m a big girl and I know what I’m doing.” Leah Hollister looked around the crowded room and felt a shiver of anticipation, laced with equal parts of excitement and nervousness.

Her best friend, Julie, glanced toward the door for the thousandth time since they arrived at the private play party. She and Julie had been college roommates. After graduation, Leah had gone home toCompton Pass,Wyoming, to teach twenty-four unruly Kindergarteners, while Julie returned to her hometown ofLos Angeles.

A few months earlier, Julie had called to say she’d fallen in love. Leah had been shocked to learn that Julie’s new boyfriend was also a Dom who’d introduced her to his lifestyle.

“Bill will be here soon,” Leah said. “He’s the one who suggested we come early, remember? He wouldn’t send us into a dangerous situation. These people are his friends.”

Julie nodded. “I know we’re safe. I’d just feel better if he were here to make sure you, I mean we, don’t break some rule of the house or something.”

Leah laughed loudly. “You had it right the first time. You think I’m going to fuck this up.”

Julie sighed. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Leah rolled her eyes. “Oh my God. We’re not really gonna have this conversation again, are we?”

“I just want to know that you’re going to take this seriously. These parties aren’t games, Leah. They aren’t jokes. The host of the party has rules that he expects us to follow.”

Leah observed the partygoers as Julie spoke. She knew exactly what was expected of her. It was the reason she’d come, though she’d never admit the truth behind her desire to attend to Julie. The reason her friendship with the woman had lasted beyond their freshmen year was because Julie never delved too deeply into Leah’s past. Never pestered her for answers she’d never give.

“I know what’s expected of me, Julie. You don’t have to worry.”

Julie studied Leah’s attire and shook her head. “Have to admit I’m still surprised to see you dressed like that. When you called to say you were coming to visit and to ask if Bill and I would take you to these play parties, I sort of anticipated you’d swing the other way.”

Leah feigned hurt. “What? You don’t see me as a sweet little submissive girl?”

Julie snorted and a couple standing close to them glanced over. Leah wanted to tell them to mind their own damn business, but caught herself just in time. Maybe Julie was right to be concerned.

“I definitely didn’t see you choosing the sub role. It’s one of the reasons I’m so concerned about Bill not being here. If you talk to any of these men, the way you talk to—”

“Leah?” a familiar male voice behind her said.

Leah closed her eyes and prayed she’d imagined it. There was no way. No possible way—

“Leah Hollister?”

She sighed. Fuck. What were the chances?

Turning, she realized her night wasn’t going to turn out the way she’d planned. She should have saved her money. Should have stayed in CompassPass. She was screwed.

“Sawyer,” she said, not bothering with the pretense of being happy to see him. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Sneak Peak AND New Release!

Another book on my Writing To Do list include A Wild Irish Christmas. I miss the Collins family, so I’m revisiting them. Don’t be surprised if Sunday makes a big appearance in this one!

Excerpt (you ready for this? I have one line written in that document and it’s being spoken by Pop):

“Holy mother of sweet divine Jerusalem.”

LMAO–that’s it! All I have! Off to a booming start, right?

Actually, I’m toying with the idea of modeling this after A Christmas Carol. Just have to work it all out in my head.

AND since today’s offering is so lame, I’ll give you something A LOT cooler. Our very dear, Anne Rainey has a NEW release coming out today from Kensington. Don’t forget to click over to Queen of the Night reviews to enter a contest to win a copy of Anne’s new book!

When Fear Crosses The Line

At first, the mysterious emails are flattering. But soon, Gracie Baron can’t deny she has a stalker—and it’s clear she needs protection…

Into Pure Pleasure

P.I. Wade Harrison admits that his friend’s luscious assistant, Gracie, has been tantalizing him for months. So Wade jumps at the chance to offer her the personal protection she needs, free of charge. The only catch is, Gracie must agree to obey his orders—no questions asked.

The Answer Is Yes

Once Wade has Gracie alone, he isn’t shy about letting her know what he wants. His fantasies involve erotic toys and a very willing partner—and that’s just for starters. Gracie doesn’t know what she wants, but Wade is hot and restless—and surrendering to his desires may be exactly what she needs…

Praise for Anne Rainey’s Body Rush

“Deliciously naughty, smokin’ hot…read if you dare!” –Janice Maynard

“With red-hot sex, hot and heavy BDSM, and three alpha males to make this book almost dangerous. You will not be disappointed!” –Coffee Time Romance, 4 Cups

“Supremely sexy and beautifully emotional, Anne Rainey’s writing is intensely relevant for today’s woman.” –Lucy Monroe

Please Order this book from:
Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com, indieBound.org, borders.com, or your favorite retailer.

Sneak Peek Week Day Two

White Knight (sequel to Black Jack) is definitely coming. I’ve had lots of people asking for Travis’s story and I intend to write it as soon as I finish up Because You Love Me. I’m hoping I can wait that long. Travis’s whole story is in my head and it’s screaming to be told. I’ve finally met his heroine and I love her! Hope you will too.

Excerpt:

Prologue

Travis Knight walked away from the one-way window in his office, the actions of the performers on the stage no longer filling that empty place inside him. Tonight’s fantasy involved a harem girl captured by a dominant sheik. The talented actors—his best friends—had never failed to capture his attention and enflame his imagination, but tonight the show left him cold.

Dropping onto the couch by the wall, he rubbed a weary hand over his face, his gaze traveling from one end of the room to the next. His desk was an experiment in disorderly conduct, papers stacked high, covering every horizontal inch of oak surface on the antique furnishing. He’d picked the desk up at an auction, the overly large piece appealing to him at the time. It was a desk that bespoke of power and purpose, two attributes he’d worked hard to maintain throughout his life. Like the piles of shit teetering precariously atop it, he suspected all his hard won control was about to topple as well.

His gaze moved to the walls, lined with bookshelves, overflowing with countless novels. An avid reader, his tastes ran the gamut from horror to poetry. Books—like the fetish fantasies enacted in his club—allowed him a brief escape from reality. Glancing at the table beside him, he studied the dust gathering on the cover of the last book he’d attempted to read. He hadn’t picked it up in weeks, the words failing to pull him out of his stupor, his depression.

Darkness had finally descended and Travis was helpless to hold it at bay. He was too fucking tired of the fight. Enough was enough. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and succumbed to it, letting the madness flow through him. Clenching his fists, he considered his next move. It was clear he couldn’t remain in this club, couldn’t escape the demons roaming.

He’d leave Scoundrels to Emma. Give it to her and Jack as an engagement gift. He knew their happiness and love shouldn’t leave him with this ache in his gut, but he couldn’t shake it. It was selfishness, pure and simple. He could admit that shortcoming. It’s not like he was proud of it. He wasn’t. Even so, that didn’t make it go away.

His friends had only just found each other after years of standing right in each other’s faces. Love had a funny way of showing up in moments when you least expected it. At least that’s what Emma said. Travis had never felt the emotion. Not once. He grimaced and rubbed his side. Fucking ache was back again. He was fucked up—no two ways about it. Thinking about love shouldn’t cause physical pangs. Jesus.

Reaching beside him, he picked up the glass of whiskey he’d poured earlier and downed it in one long drink. Slowly, he breathed in and out, letting the booze take off the edge. When it failed to take effect, he reached for the bottle and poured another glass. And then another. And another. Only when the tumbler fell from his hand, bouncing on the plush carpet without breaking, did he feel the numb peace take over.

The club had closed, the office illuminated only by the flickering security screens that showed him an empty bar, a dark stage, quiet nothingness.

Always nothing. His eyes drifted shut on that thought.

Nothing.

I have nothing.

I am nothing.

So…whatcha think of the opening?

Sneak Peek Week

As many of you know, I’m a high school librarian in my “other” life. As a result, I have my summers OFF! It allows me an opportunity to lay down some serious words, something I can’t do during the school year. This summer I have lots of writing plans and I thought I’d share them with you along with some VERY rough (aka not edited) snippets. I’m dubbing this Sneak Peek Week and each day I’ll share bits and pieces of my works in progress.

Because You Love Me  - This sequel to Because of You will be a romantic suspense story involving Caleb’s brothers, the twins, Matt and Mark and the woman they fall in love with, Bridget. Oh yeah, let the red hot menage writing commence! I’m about a quarter of the way through this story and I’m actually enjoying the suspense aspects as much as the romance/sex! That never happens. I’m sharing the opening of the story today.

Excerpt:

Prologue

Bridget Warner ducked down behind the boxes and wondered how in the hell she got here. Slowly she peered around the shipping crate that was currently hiding her. She was armed with nothing more than a mini-recorder, her car keys, cell phone and a tube of cherry Chapstick. If things went down badly, she was screwed.

One of these days she was going to take lessons at the shooting range and get her permit to carry a concealed weapon. Sometimes she thought she was the only journalist inNew York Citywho wasn’t packing heat. Her mind whirled over the information she was about to receive. The Honorable Judge Lucian Thompson was on the take. He was as crooked as they came and she was about to get rock-solid proof. She imagined the implications her front-page story would have on the city’s court system. How many guilty criminals had Thompson sent back out on the streets simply to fill his own pocket?

The editor-in-chief of her newspaper was going to freak out when she presented him with this article. She grinned in excited anticipation. This was the kind of story—the kind of break—every reporter hoped to receive in their lives. She pictured herself as a young Woodward or Bernstein—except, of course, she had a rocking manicure and hot pink Converse tennis shoes.

Her informant was a friend from college. Lyle had lived in the same apartment complex as her during their senior year. He’d asked her out a few times, but finally gave up when she convinced him they were better off as friends. She genuinely liked Lyle, but they had absolutely nothing in common—he was into mysteries and Sudoku, while she was a romantic comedies and shopping kind of girl. One night after too much red wine, they’d even confessed that neither of them was sexually attracted to the other.

After graduation, she’d landed a job at the New York Reporter, while Lyle had been hired as a network specialist for the city court system. She’d teased him after he’d landed the job that she was glad he’d learned to use his computer skills for good rather than evil. She had no doubt Lyle could hack his way into any computer system if he put his mind to it. Considering that fact, Bridget worried about the means he’d used to discover the information he was about to share with her.

A door opened at the far end of the abandoned warehouse. She’d laughed when Lyle had given her directions to the place for “the drop,” as he called it. Her friend was far too fond of Tom Clancy novels and she knew for a fact, he had every episode of Criminal Minds saved on his DVR. She started to rise, but recalled Lyle’s warning. “Count to one hundred before you expose yourself. I want to make sure no one’s followed me.”

She’d rolled her eyes when he’d issued that directive, but given the creepy surroundings and the nervous butterflies in her stomach, it suddenly didn’t seem like such a bad idea. Crouching lower, she slowly began to count in her head. She hadn’t made it to thirty when the doors of the warehouse opened again. Peering from behind the crate, she watched as two men came into the large room. Lyle, who’d been standing in the middle of the room, whirled around at their appearance.

Bridget’s heart raced faster as pure, sheer terror coursed through her. Lyle said he would come alone and he’d insisted she do the same. Given her friend’s nervous stance, she knew these men hadn’t been invited to the party.

“What a surprise to run into you here, Lyle?”

Fuck. Her breathing picked up when she recognized Judge Thompson’s voice. This was bad. Very, very bad. She sank lower to the ground, her back pressed against the rough crate. She forced herself to think. There had to be something she could do to protect her friend.

“Judge Thompson.” Lyle’s voice was steady and Bridget’s respect for her geeky friend went up several notches. “Didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“Didn’t you?” The judge’s question was laced with malice. “Surely you didn’t think your computer tampering would go unnoticed.”

“Tampering?”

Bridget’s breathing accelerated and her hands shook as she reached into her pocket. Pulling out her cell phone and her mini-recorder, she struggled to hit the red dot. Perhaps she could capture the judge saying something incriminating, something she could use to barter for hers and Lyle’s freedom, thought she wasn’t holding her breath the device would pick up much. She was too far away.

Quietly placing the recorder on the ground, she turned her attention to her cell, dialing 911. The operator’s voice sounded unbearably loud in the warehouse and Bridget froze. There was no way she could speak to the person on the other end without being discovered.

Lyle and the judge continued to speak, but Bridget found it difficult to make out their words as blood coursed through her body, pounding in her ears like a bass drum. The operator spoke again. Bridget was paralyzed with fear. She had to do something, say something, but she was too terrified to speak, even in a whisper.

As she peered around the crate, Bridget’s stomach plummeted to her feet. The judge had pulled out a gun. The men were still speaking and by their comfortable stance, she knew her presence was unknown. The judge and his partner were completely focused on Lyle.

“Who are you meeting here?” the judge asked.

Lyle put his hands out nonchalantly. “I’m not meeting anyone. Just taking a little nightly stroll.”

The judge’s henchman threw a punch at Lyle’s face. Bridget heard the cracking of bones and suspected he’d broken Lyle’s nose. Lyle made no move to defend himself or to fight back. He simply raised his hands to his nose, trying to stem the flow of blood.

Bridget was distracted when the 911 operator spoke once more. She needed to act, needed to do something before Lyle was hurt even worse. Keeping her eyes on the men in the center of the room, she lightly whispered the address to the warehouse. The operator attempted to ask more questions, but Bridget had already spoken more than she dared. None of the men had heard her whispers and it gave her foolish hope. Perhaps the police would arrive in time. Perhaps they’d burst in with guns drawn to capture the villains and save them.

“Give me the flash drive.” The judge held an outstretched palm toward Lyle, the other hand still pointing the gun steadily in Lyle’s direction.

“Flash drive?”

“Don’t be any more stupid than you already have. I know what you have in your possession. You can give it to me now and try to beg for your pathetic, meaningless life or I can take it off your dead body. Either way works for me.”

“Either way sounds like a death sentence for me.”

If Bridget hadn’t felt like beating the shit out of Lyle for his cavalier attitude, she would have cheered on his bravery. He wasn’t cowering or pleading. He was incredible.

As the seconds passed, Bridget prayed the night’s silence would be broken by approaching sirens. None came.

“Give it to me,” the judge demanded.

Lyle shook his head. “You didn’t think I’d actually bring it here, did you?”

Bridget prayed that was true. If Lyle didn’t have what they wanted, surely that bought them more time.

The judge looked at his accomplice, jerking his head toward Lyle. “Check his pockets.”

Lyle didn’t put up a fight as the bruiser began searching his pockets. Bridget closed her eyes and released a silent curse when the man pulled a flash drive out of Lyle’s right pocket.

“Surely you don’t think that’s the only copy I’ve made.” Lyle’s voice rang out across the vast space, his words clear and welcome.

Yes, Bridget mouthed. Keep them guessing…and talking. Where the fuck were the police?

The judge shrugged as if unconcerned. A malicious smile covered his face and Bridget knew things were about to go as bad as they possibly could. The scene began to unfold in slow motion as the judge lifted his hand and fired one shot directly into the center of Lyle’s chest. There was no warning, no time for Lyle to run or dodge. One minute he was standing there, the next he was laying on the floor in a puddle of blood.

Bridget sat stunned, motionless. It was as if time simply stood still. She didn’t breathe. Her heart didn’t beat. An ice cold numbness consumed her.

The judge’s voice broke the spell. “Search the rest of the warehouse. Make sure no one else is here.”

She was dead. Glancing around, she realized she’d placed herself in the worst possible position for escape. She was hiding along a far wall and the only way to the lone door at the front of the building was by crossing the vast space where the judge stood, where Lyle lay inert on the floor.

Distant sirens pierced the night and all three living occupants jerked. The judge’s henchman gave up his search and the two of them hastily escaped. The sound of a car doors slamming, an engine starting, and pealing tires on the pavement told her they’d be long gone before theCalvaryarrived.

Bridget picked up her mini-recorder and phone, then rose from her hiding spot. She forced her legs to support her. As if treading through waist-deep mud, she fought her way to the center of the floor. She knew what she’d find there, knew what she’d see. Lyle had been dead the second the judge pulled the trigger, his life extinguished in the blink of an eye.

When she reached her friend, she dropped to her knees by his side. His lifeless eyes were still open, a slight look of surprise covering his frozen features. She studied his face, memorizing it, imprinting it in her mind and on her heart. She’d let him down. He’d trusted her with the information he’d uncovered. Only her. And she’d failed him.

Picking up his hand, she held it gently in hers.

“I’m sorry, Lyle,” she whispered. “So sorry.”

The sirens grew louder, cars pulling up outside the warehouse. She didn’t rise to meet the police. Instead, she remained with Lyle and let them come to her. They entered with their weapons drawn and approached cautiously. Once they determined she wasn’t a threat, they took stock of the scene and called for a coroner.

Calmly, she answered all of their four thousand, two hundred and twenty-two questions. She saw the look of surprise on all the cops’ faces when she named Judge Thompson as the murderer. Finally, a million years later, they let her leave—with a police escort.

Climbing the stairs to her apartment with the rookie cop shadowing her assent, Bridget made a silent vow to her friend. The judge would pay for tonight’s crime as well as all the others. She wouldn’t rest until justice had been served…for Lyle.

What do you think?