Excerpt
#2
It was hard for
Dominic to imagine Brianna friendless. Her voice was desperate and he realized
she must be lonely. He wanted to be the one to fill that void. “Brianna, I know
we each want a real marriage, and we’re hoping we can make this work—that we
can be happy. But before we can have a marriage and truly be in love with one
another, we need to be friends. Sometimes great love develops through
friendship.”
She
hugged Dominic. “Why did you take this job?” she cried. “You’re such a nice
guy—you’re nothing like him. How can you do it? How can you work for him?”
Dominic
almost lost his train of thought with her arms wrapped tightly around him. He
smelled her sweet perfume and felt the warmth of her body. He held her tight, not
wanting to let go. “So far he seems nice. We get along, although he’s a little
bossy at times.”
“He’s
a monster,” Brianna said. “He somehow managed to have me drugged with GHB.”
Dominic flinched.
The last time they spoke, Salazar suggested Dominic give her something to
loosen her up. “What’s GHB?” he asked, afraid of the answer.
“The
date rape drug. It’s the only thing. A glass of wine wouldn’t make me drunk,
and it sure as heck wouldn’t make me forget what happened. The way you describe
my behavior is consistent with someone who has been given GHB. And the room—it
was all romantic and neither one of us did that. It was my father.”
What
dad would do that? “It doesn’t make any sense,” Dominic said, not wanting to
believe her.
Brianna’s
body shook. “In case you haven’t figured it out, Salazar isn’t your typical
father. He lives in a different world than what you’re used to. Salazar’s life
is centered on family—and his drug empire is part of that family. To him, blood
is what binds. Now that he has chosen you as his successor, our marriage will
tie us, but you won’t be bound until you’ve produced a child.”
Dominic
shuddered. Things were starting to look different now. When he first met
Brianna, she talked about love and fate. Now she spoke of ties and being bound.
The entire situation seemed surreal. Thinking back to the nightclub, Dominic
wondered if the bodyguard had slipped the GHB into Brianna’s glass of wine. He
had the perfect opportunity when he brushed up against Dominic.
“My father
has done worse,” Brianna said. “A lot worse. He should know by now that he
doesn’t have to stoop to such measures. All he has to do is tell me what he
wants, and I’ll do it. I thought we were past the games.”
Excerpt
#3
So, this was the
elusive Matt from her firm. His lips curled into a smile, and she knew this man
was trouble. Brianna carefully stood, trying to appear self-assured and in
control. “Yes, I’m Brianna LeBlanc. And you are?” She decided to play with him
a bit—attempt to take his confidence
down a notch or two.
“Matt Fueller,”
he responded.
“Yes, Steve
mentioned you would be valuable in assisting me on the case.”
Matt’s smile
faded and he cocked his head. “Assisting you? I thought Steve put me in charge,
and you’re the paralegal assisting me.”
Arrogant
bastard. “You are quite mistaken,” Brianna said. “I’m handling the case, not
you. If you care to help, you’re more than welcome. But I’m in charge. This is
my case, and this is my client. Are we clear?” She would not let this man walk
all over her. She needed to remain in control.
“So you’re not a
paralegal?”
Brianna couldn’t
tell if he was making fun of her or not. She squared her shoulders and replied,
“No, are you?” She was sure her face was bright red.
Matt was about
to respond when their names were called and a correctional officer escorted
them to a private room. When they entered, they found Hector sitting at a
table, his hands and feet bound.
Not wanting to
give Matt the opportunity to take charge, Brianna said, “Hello, Hector. You may
recall my name is Brianna LeBlanc. This is Matt Fueller. We’re here from Eric
Smith and Associates, and we’ll be representing you.” She took a seat across
from him. Matt slid onto the seat next to her.
Hector sneered
at Brianna, his eyes roaming over her body and stopping at her chest.
Brianna wanted
to remain professional since Matt was in the room. “I spoke with the
prosecution this morning,” she said. “They’re seeking the maximum—twenty years.
I want to go over your arrest to make sure we can’t get you off on a
technicality.”
Hector licked
his lips suggestively. Brianna focused on her notepad, unable to look at the
crude man.
“Why don’t you
tell us everything you remember about your arrest,” Brianna said.
Hector gave no
indication he was going to respond.
“Mr. Esteban,
you understand English don’t you?” Brianna asked.
“My English is
just as good as yours,” Hector leered. “But I’m not really all that interested
in talking about my arrest with you. Why don’t you come a little closer so I
can smell you?” He leaned forward with a lecherous smile.
“Excuse me?”
Brianna scooted her chair back. “I’m your attorney, not your eye candy. I need
for you to work with me here.”
“I am more than
willing to work with you, but if you really want to help me, then come a little
closer.” Hector’s eyes darted to Matt.
Brianna had the
distinct feeling that if Matt weren’t next to her, Hector would somehow find a
way to rape her. Glancing down, she made sure his feet here still locked in the
chains and secured to the table.
Trying to appear
confident, Brianna cleared her throat and said, “Mr. Esteban, I don’t have time
for this. Your arraignment is less than two weeks away. Don’t you want to get
off?”
“I know that you
will get me off. I have no doubt you will.” Hector laughed as he gyrated his
pelvis.
“Hector, get a grip,” Matt said. “I’ve
done her and she isn’t worth it. It’s like fucking a brick wall. She’s nice to
look at, but that’s it.” Brianna’s face went flaming red. Matt continued, “Has Phillip
talked to you?”
About the Author:
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she finally married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.
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