QUIVER (QUAKE Book 2) (11 page)

      He’s up and on his feet just as fast as I’d put him down and we’re moving slowly in a tight circle, each searching for an opening. He’s favoring his wrist and I can see by the look in his eyes that most of his confidence is gone now. His plan to approach sleeping victims and face no resistance is no longer an option. He lunges forward, attempting a double leg takedown in desperation, as I slide back and sprawl out of reach, dropping an elbow straight down into the base of his neck. He’s disoriented, on all fours, and screams when I stomp on one of his ankles, turning it sideways and doing some real damage.

      I’m kicking him a second time directly in the face, as he lays on his side holding his ankle, when Janny suddenly appears at the door. She looks shocked to see what’s happening, but quickly recognizes Zack. Her reaction is immediate and I have to jump in between them to stop her from joining the fight.

     
“Goddamn it, Janny. Get inside, lock the door and call the police.”
I yell at her while I carry her back inside. She struggles to get free and launch herself over my shoulder to get to him.

      I drop her down inside the door and suddenly see that her eyes are wide open staring directly behind me. “Kyle.” She screams out but it’s too late.

      Zack has noticed my distraction and is taking full advantage. He lowers his shoulder and dives forward, spearing me in the small of my back and slamming me into the wall beside the door.

      By the time I recover he’s in the doorway, gripping Janny’s hair in one hand and his knife in the other. He’s barely able to stand on his injured ankle and Janny is giving him all he can handle, as she struggles to free herself by scratching at his eyes and taking away chunks of flesh in the process. I’m through with this asshole and everything he’s done to her.

      As he raises the knife overhead to swing down at Janny, I step in and force her free by grabbing his injured wrist. She falls free onto the floor as I use the momentum of his swing to bury the knife in his stomach up to the hilt. He staggers back to the top of the stairwell trying to speak, while looking down at the knife and running his fingers over the handle. Blood starts to run out of the corner of his mouth as he stares at me in disbelief. I walk straight over and kick him in the chest, sending him tumbling down the flight of stairs. He stops with his body contorted in an unnatural position on the landing below.

      I wait and watch for movement. There is none.             

      Janny slumps against my weary body with a sob. I wrap my arms around her and try to calm my breathing down, but the adrenaline is still there – still racing through my veins. I’m not a religious guy by any means, but I find myself sending up a silent prayer to the big guy upstairs, thankful we’re both okay.

      “Is he dead?” she asks. Her voice is muffled against my blood-splattered chest. Her thin arms cling to me like she’s never going to let me go, and I never want her to.

      “Yeah. I don’t think anyone can survive a knife wound like that to the abdomen.”

      Three hours later, after answering too many questions from the police and being checked out by an EMT, Janny and I are finally back inside her apartment. By the time the police arrived Zack was gone, but if the large pool of blood on the landing is any indication, he won’t be alive for long.

    Once we’re back in the apartment I strip my jeans off and throw them in the trash. They’re covered with stains from Zack’s blood. The cut on my stomach is deep enough to leave a scar and will always be a reminder of how precious each day I have with Janny is.

    
Why does life keep testing us? Aren’t we grateful enough for the love we share?

      I look forward to the day when we can just enjoy being together and settle into the monotony of being a couple. Boring sounds pretty fucking good right now.

      We both take quick showers and I throw on a t-shirt and basketball shorts I had left here last weekend. Janny sits on the couch staring straight ahead, lost in her thoughts. I take the space next to her and place my hand on her thigh. “What are you thinking about, baby?”

      She turns and meets my eyes. “I want to go home.” I raise my eyebrow in question. “I want to go home to Boston; to our place.” I squeeze her leg and smile at her.

      “Let’s go.”

Janny

Four weeks later

     
“Baby, have you seen my phone?” Kyle calls from the bedroom. I shake my head and smile. I know exactly where it is.

      “Did you look on your desk?” He walks into the kitchen. I’m seated at the table having my morning coffee. I smile mischievously at him when I think about what took place on his desk last night. “On second thought, you better look on the floor. I think we cleared your desk off.” He smirks at me, puffs his chest out and puts his hands on his hips, posing like superman. I giggle. I love how much he makes me laugh. Since his surgery he’s not as stoic. He’s so much lighter without the imminent threat of death hanging over him all the time. He’s still the same in all the most important ways though. He can make me tremble with the simplest touch and he makes me feel loved every single day.

***

      Kyle made dinner plans at a restaurant I’ve been wanting to go to. I’m all dressed and ready for him, waiting by the door. He walks toward me and stops right next to me. I look up at him and uncertainty flickers in his eyes.

      “What’s wrong?” I ask.

      He smiles. “Nothing, absolutely nothing. With you in my life, everything is right. I never imagined I’d ever get to experience what it’s like to love someone as much as I love you.” He caresses my cheek with his fingertips. “You’re in my every thought, my every breath. Every single second of my life with you is the perfect gift and there’s nothing else I could possibly want.”

      He drops down to one knee in front of me.
Oh my God.
My knees go weak and my body quakes with nerves and excitement.

      “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time now. Last time I took you out for a nice dinner things didn’t go quite the way I planned. This time I’m not taking any chances. I’m asking you right here, right now. Janny, will you marry me?”

      I nod my head. I can’t speak for a moment. I can’t believe this is happening.

      “Yes,” I finally whisper. Tears roll down my cheeks when he pushes the ring on my finger.

      The name of the restaurant he takes me to is Quiver.
It’s not the first time he’s driven me to quiver
. I smile and think about what’s sure to happen when we return home.

      He pours us each a glass of champagne and passes one to me. The glass looks so tiny in his large hand. Those hands are strong; strong enough to snap someone’s neck and they make me feel safe.

      “Here’s to our future and all the great things we have to look forward to.” I tap my glass against his and take a sip.

      He reaches for my hand and holds it gently in his. “I love you, Janny.”

      “I love you too.” I sip on my champagne and picture our future. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us.

    
We’re going to get our happily ever after.

***

     
Oh how sweet. They’re celebrating. When she lifts her hand to pick up her champagne I notice the diamond on her finger. Goddammit. This is not how this was all supposed to play out. She’s supposed to be mine now and he’s supposed to be six feet under. Six feet under like he sent my dad. Six feet under like he almost sent me. He grossly underestimated my will to live. I have to make him suffer. He deserves to pay for my father’s death. He may not have actually pulled the trigger; that was his partner, but I know if he hadn’t been provoked, my father never would have shot Kyle.

      I look down at my phone and study the picture displayed there. I smile while I take in the long, shiny dark hair and the golden brown eyes staring back at me. I’ve come to realize I’ve got a thing for brunettes, especially ones named Kenna.

      She’s never set eyes on me; she has no idea I exist...but she will.

      Soon there will be no secrets between us.

The End

This is an unedited sample of DELVE, Kenna’s book which will be releasing in November. This sample is subject to change.

Prologue

      Kenna McKenzie was only eighteen years old when we met for the first time. She had an innate sensuality about her in the way she tossed her long, shiny black hair over her shoulder and confidently met my eyes. Her golden gaze burned me with its intensity while she slowly studied my face like she’d be quizzed on each feature later. I remember crossing my arms over my chest and flashing her a smirk.

      Little girl, you don’t want to play with fire – you might get burned.

      She didn’t seem intimidated by my tall stature, or my tattoo-covered arms. She unabashedly looked me over from head to toe and I liked her confidence. It was attractive, it was sexy. My dark brown eyes stared right back at her, before they slowly traveled from her head, down over the enticing curves of her breasts to her tiny waist and long, bare legs, perfectly revealed by the jean cutoff shorts she was wearing. Fuck. Those legs – all that smooth golden skin. I could picture them wrapped around my hips as I thrust into her over and over, deeper and deeper. I could picture all the things I wanted to do to her; to do with her, but she was too young and my best friend Kyle’s baby sister. I couldn’t let things go where I wanted them to. I couldn’t corrupt her – taint her with my darkness. I knew it could never happen – would never happen…

Except it did.

Chapter One

Derek

     
“Hey man, welcome back. How’s Janny doing?” I lean against the door frame of Kyle’s office. He and his fiancée just got back from a much needed vacation. Janny was stalked by someone from Kyle’s police officer past while she was living in NY for an internship with an advertising firm. The situation got out of control and ended with an altercation. Fortunately, it ended poorly for the stalker and Kyle made it out pretty much unscathed.

      “She’s doing as well as can be expected. She’s skittish and she’s struggling with anxiety from the whole ordeal, but my girl’s a fighter. She’ll be okay.” He flashes a smile at me. He and Janny have a special relationship. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen two people so in love. I know they were meant for each other and after all they’ve both been through they deserve the happily ever after--if such a thing exists.

      “Did you get the report I sent you on the Maxwell case?” I ask.

      “Yes, I did. How much longer does she want us to follow her son? We told her he has a drug problem. Put the kid in rehab.” He grimaces. “Get the kid some help, before it’s too late.”

      I nod my head. “I agree. His addiction will only get worse, the more time passes.”

      “Hey, I was thinking I’d take Janny out on Saturday night and I’m going to invite some friends. She hasn’t seen Elle or Josh since we got engaged. Are you up for it?” He taps his pen against his desk while he waits for my answer.

      “Yeah, I can do that. Where are we going and what time?”

      “This coming Friday night, eight o’clock at Quake.” He drops his head and jots a few words on a piece of scrap paper.

      “Sure, I’ll be there dude. I hope it takes her mind off all that’s happened.” I move away from the door jamb. “I’ll see you later. I have some shit to take care of and then I’m heading out for the night.”    

      “Ok sounds good, man. See you tomorrow.” His focus immediately returns to his computer. I take a step back and turn, walking down the hallway. My mind is occupied with thoughts of the last time we were all at Quake. It was about six months ago and the night I met Janny for the first time. I spent most of the night staring across the table at Kenna Mc Kenzie’s alluring face imaging what her naked body would look like tied to my bed. I know nothing could be sexier than having her under my control.

      As much as the idea held appeal, I didn’t get to take her home and have my way with her that night. Even though the pressure of her foot against my leg had my dick hard for hours and I never moved away. 

      Kyle and Janny left early and Josh and Elle went to the bar to get drinks, leaving us alone at the table. The silence between us felt awkward and tangible--thick enough to cut with a fucking knife. There was enough sexual tension flowing between us to jumpstart a dead car battery. At one point she licked her glossy, red lips and I had to grip the edge of the table with both hands to stop myself from grabbing her and tugging her over to me. I knew if that happened I’d never be able to let her go until my cock had been buried inside her mouth and her pussy enough times to satisfy me.

      “How’s work?” I asked, to break up the uncomfortable tension between us.

      She arched one black, brow at me. “Do you really care?” she asked looking bored. The flat expression on her face had me wanting to show her how fucking exciting I could be, but instead I called it a night. Why should I subject myself to more of her attitude when I could go find some easy pussy that wasn’t stamped with the word Taboo? Besides, nothing could ever happen between us and I needed to stop wasting my time imaging it could.

***

      Friday night arrives and I find myself regretting telling Kyle I’d meet them at Quake. Seeing Kenna is the last thing I want to do tonight. I had a shitty day and listening to her wiseass remarks is the last fucking thing I need. She better watch herself, my patience is running low. I can’t be held responsible for what happens if she pushes me. She might find herself facing the big bad wolf and I’m all for eating her. I’ll fucking devour her. Once she rides my tongue she’ll never forget it and if she’s lucky enough to ride my cock--fucking life changing.

      When I walk into Quake I notice the overwhelming smell of perfume and body odor permeating the air. I grimace and scan the room with narrowed eyes. First and foremost, I’m looking for any signs of trouble or anyone who looks suspicious. Once I deem the space safe. I move forward and search the area for Kyle and Janny. I find them at the back of the room at the same table they sat at the last time we were here. It’s close in proximity to the rear exit and I figured Kyle would choose it for that reason, not to mention the sentimental value. He’s turned into a romantic sap since he went and fell in love. I never thought I’d see the day, but I don’t begrudge him his happiness. He’s been through a lot.

      Haven’t we all.

      As I approach the table they’re seated at, Kyle stands and shakes my outstretched hand. He thumps me on the back with his other as if we haven’t seen each other in weeks, instead of only earlier today at work.

      Janny stands and I pull her into my arms, squeezing her tight. She’s the reason my best friend is still alive. If it wasn’t for her, I’m not sure he would’ve found the will to survive the stroke he suffered and brain surgery he had as a result. When I step back from our embrace I notice Kenna seated in the same place as last time and ironically, I end up once again across from her. She avoids looking at me, her eyes darting around the room.

      “Hi Kenna.” I say with my lips twisted into a smirk. She glances at me before looking away.

      “Hi.” She acts disinterested, but I can see the pulse in her neck racing. She can pretend she’s unaffected by me, but I know better. She keeps her head turned to the side, allowing me to study her profile. The curve of her forehead is subtle above her black arched brows. Her golden brown eyes are large and almond shaped. They’re surrounded by thick black lashes that curve. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such long eyelashes before. Not that I pay attention to that stuff, at least not with other women. With Kenna I seem to notice it all. She’s always on my radar when we’re in the nearby vicinity of each other. When I haven’t seen her for a while, I wonder what she’s doing. Who she’s keeping company with. Who she’s fucking. The thought of someone else’s hands on her sexy as fuck body drives me insane. The thought of some dude’s dick inside her can send me over the edge. I have to keep myself from thinking about those things. I have no control over what she does.

      “Are you still living in Cambridge?” I ask.

      She flicks her eyes to mine and then lowers them to my lips. I feel a punch of need in my gut when I think about her lips and wonder what they’d feel like against mine. Would they feel the same as they did when we kissed so long ago?

Other books by the author:

QUAKE on Amazon