Текст книги "In a Bad Way"
Автор книги: Karin Tabke
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 23 (всего у книги 23 страниц)
Epilogue
Four weeks later
“She’s beautiful,” Izzy whispered, leaning into Flynn as they stood.
He smiled down at her, his fingertips brushing pink strands of her bangs from her adoring eyes. It was a simple gesture, but a reverent one. Flynn said more with that gentle touch than any words could ever convey. “You’re right,” he smiled, “You are.”
Nudging him with her elbow, she inclined her head toward the beaming bride as she walked down the aisle on Simon’s arm.
“The bride.”
“I only have eyes for you.”
Izzy rolled her eyes. But his answer pleased her.
Since the night they’d met, when the boys had tried giving the groom one last chance of freedom, her life had changed irrevocably.
The fairy tale continued.
Her Prince Charming was dressed in a sharp black suit, crisp white shirt, and pink paisley tie. His new favorite color. He wore it often. He smelled clean and fresh like the ocean that roared softly in the background. His handsome face and loving eyes focused solely on her. He had not let her out of his sight since that terrible night she had learned her sister’s fate.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Liar. A shadow just passed across your face.”
“I was thinking of Alex.”
Squeezing her hand, he nodded. He understood. She worried about her sister a lot.
When Simon and the bride approached the handsome groom and the very pregnant smiling matron of honor, Izzy sighed. It was all so perfect.
Jack and Stevie, whom she had met several times over the last month along with Simon and his lovely wife Kat, seemed to have it all. They had embraced her with warm friendship, the guys teasing her about turning Flynn into a flamingo because of his newfound love of Pink.
All her worries that the ladies would look down their noses at her evaporated the first time she met Kat and Stevie at a small, intimate, spa day bridal shower in the city. She was shocked by the invitation, knowing it was only because she and Flynn were a couple that she was included.
“Go, Isa,” Flynn had encouraged her. “Stevie is a pistol and Kat’s the sweetest genius you’ll ever meet.”
Izzy knew that if she were going to really be a part of Flynn’s life, she would have to get over her issues with his friend’s wives.
When she walked into the glamorous spa, she was shown to a private dressing room where she was served champagne and given a silk-lined robe to change into.
Ten minutes later, Izzy was escorted into a lovely room with fountains and the laughter of several women who were stretched out on massage tables, drinking champagne. Except Kat, who reclined in a big fluffy chair, sipping water, her feet up on a padded ottoman.
“Isadora!” Kat chirped happily. “I’m so glad you joined us. Hop on a table, the massages here are wonderful.”
As she did, Stevie raised her champagne glass and smiled. “I’m happy you’re here.” Then she introduced her to the four other ladies, and just like that, Izzy became one of the girls.
Now she stood beside the man of her dreams at a lovely coastal wedding, surrounded by the men and women he worked with, feeling like she belonged.
As they sat at the minister’s command, Flynn’s fingers wove between hers. They couldn’t get enough of each other. Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually.
They were so into each other, they started apart when the minister cheerfully proclaimed, “I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
The guest list was small, maybe forty, but the cheers that went up sounded as if hundreds were in attendance.
Jack bent Stevie over his arm, and kissed her long and hard. So long and hard, the guys started drumming on the back of the chairs, calling for them to get a room. Izzy laughed at their revelry. When the newly married couple broke apart and Stevie fanned herself with both hands and rolled her eyes, the cheers were even louder.
Following the happy couple into the solarium where the reception was being held, they heard a familiar voice. Izzy turned to see Justin and Maddox striding toward them. Both men looked exceptionally handsome in their dark suits. Justin was as tall as Flynn, with dark brown hair and brooding dark eyes, while Maddox, God help the woman he fell in love with, was equally as tall, surfer blond with mischievous hazel eyes. But there was an edge to him that could not be denied.
They all had it—Jack, Simon, Flynn, Justin, and Maddox. That unique command presence. They were leaders, not followers. Protectors. There was no doubt that no matter where they were or what they were doing, they would destroy any threat to the ones they loved.
Izzy felt supremely safe. Humbled and special that she was part of this elite group of human beings.
“I know it’s a day to celebrate,” Justin started, “but I wanted to tell you that I got a call from the lab right before the ceremony. We got a CODIS hit on the guy who broke into your house, Iz.” He glanced at Flynn.
Flynn’s arm tightened around her waist. “Who is it?” he asked. “What kind of priors?”
“Jerome Michael Larson. B and E mostly, loosely affiliated with an outlaw MC, up north. We’ve got an BOLF out on him now.”
“Kidnapping is quite a jump from breaking and entering,” Flynn said.
“We’re thinking the same thing,” Maddox replied.
Izzy stood silent for a moment, processing the information. “So there’s no connection to Boris or Bushnik?”
Justin shook his head. “There doesn’t appear to be, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t.”
Izzy suddenly felt nervous. “If there’s no connection, then this was something else?”
Flynn’s arm tightened around her. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions, Isa.” He looked at Justin. “I’m betting there’s a link between Larson and the senator.”
Izzy gasped. “What are you saying, Flynn?”
“What I’ve been thinking for a while now. Alex’s disappearance is tied to your old man. Sorlov may have had something on him, I don’t know. But I knew the night Larson broke into your house that it wasn’t connected to the Russians.”
Izzy looked at all three men. “Can’t you force my father to speak to you?”
“No, not unless we arrest him, and even then he’ll lawyer up.”
It had infuriated Izzy that when Justin and then Maddox had gone to speak to him several weeks ago in an official capacity, they were instructed to contact his attorney.
Izzy had convinced the guys to allow her to try on a personal level. She was turned away at the door. When she tried again several days later, this time at his local office, she was slapped with a restraining order the following day.
What was her father hiding and why?
“Can you bring a picture up of Larson?” Flynn asked Justin.
“Sure.” He pulled the cell phone of his pocket and tapped the screen a few times and then showed it to Izzy and Flynn.
Izzy’s stomach buzzed. The man in his early thirties had dark hair, a nasty scar that ran from his chin through his bottom lip, and from the mug shot, every inch of visible exposed skin was tattooed.
“Miro said the man who bought Jasmyn was dark haired, scarred and tattooed. Larson is too,” she said looking at Justin who nodded.
“I made that connection as well. We’re looking under every rock for this guy. We’ll get him.”
“He’ll surface, Iz,” Maddox said. “We’ll be waiting when he does.”
This Larson guy was the link to Alex. In her heart of hearts, she knew Alex was alive, and for the first time since that horrible night a month ago, Izzy felt hopeful that they would be soon be reunited.
Flynn caressed her cheek then kissed the tip of her nose. “There’s nothing we can do right now. So let’s go in and celebrate with the bride and groom.”
“Drinks on us,” Maddox said, slapping Justin on the shoulder and propelling him forward, toward the booze.
Izzy wanted to do something. The “being patient” part of this process drove her crazy. Flynn was right, though. There was nothing to be done at that moment. It was time to kick back and celebrate.
“Do you think Larson will tell us where Alex is?” she asked.
“I think once we find him, we’ll have enough leverage to make him talk. Then we’ll follow the bread crumbs.”
Hugging her to him, Flynn kissed the top of her head. “We’ll find Alex, Isa. I swear on my life, we’ll find her.”
“I know you will,” she said. “I know you will.” Emotion swelled in her chest. She loved this man. So much it hurt.
“I love you, Flynn,” she said softly. “Promise me we’ll grow old together?”
He chuckled and kissed the top of her head again before moving her so that he could look in her eyes. The breeze blew her hair gently around her face and he automatically brushed it away from her eyes.
“Old and gray and wrinkly.”
Izzy smiled as she imagined them just like that.
“I’m still going to spank that sweet ass of yours.”
The breeze carried her laughter out to the ocean, where the sun edged toward the horizon. Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, Flynn smiled at her and said, “How does ‘Mrs. Flynn Ryker’ sound to you?”
Izzy laughed harder and said, “I was just going to ask you the same question!”
Flynn picked her up and hugged her tightly to him. “God damn woman, I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said as their lips met and they melded into one, just as the sun committed to the sea.
Tune in April 2016, for THE HARD WAY, where Alex’s fate will be revealed…
Available April 2016 THE HARD WAY, where Alex’s fate will be revealed…
Introducing you to Lucifer’s Legion MC, The Hard Way, book one in the Lucifer’s Legion MC series available now for pre-order!
“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” ~ Nelson Mandela
So begins the saga of the outlaw motorcycle club, Lucifer’s Legion.
Alexandra Chastain fights for her life when she is sold off to the highest bidder by the Russian mob. She fights for her soul when the notorious Legion boss, Hunter, the man who bought and paid for her, refuses to relinquish her.
Pre-order today!
Did you miss Simon and Kat’s story? The Chronicles of Katrina is now available in a complete edition:
THE DARE
Dr. Katrina Winslow has always known who she is: an elite scientist, a certifiable genius and ultra-reserved when it comes to love and relationships. So when a simple game of truth or dare offers the cool doctor the opportunity to shed her lab coat and glasses and put on a pair of sexy stilettos, she accepts the dare. But will shedding her inhibitions fulfill her every desire and help her discover if she can be truly daring or will it cost her everything?
Two men, one a sexy stranger, and a night of no holds barred passion.
DOUBLE DARE
Since The Dare that changed her life, Dr. Katrina Winslow has hooked up, broken up, hooked up again, and run like hell, but her drama’s just getting started. Not only does she lose her job, but unpredictable and sexy-as-hell cop Simon insists they have fantasies left to explore.
Will the prim and proper scientist resist the sexy cop? Or will she allow Simon to strip her bare and guide her closer and closer to what she truly desires?
THE TRUTH
Since meeting the enigmatic Simon, Katrina’s life has been one roller coaster ride after another. Deep down, she’s certain the man who rocks her world in bed just might be the one to save her career and earn her love. But with not just one but two women pulling him away, Kat fears the man with all the answers will never give her the most important one–that he’s hers and hers alone.
THE CONSEQUENCE
They have been dared and doubled-dared, and they’ve flirted with the truth, but as Kat and Simon tumble deeper into their sexual odyssey, their love for one another blooms magnificent and fierce. Soon their love is threatened but Kat’s certain nothing can tear them apart. Then duty calls and Simon’s betrayal is revealed.
Will Kat run again or will she finally stand and fight for her man?
The Chronicles of Katrina, Bad Boys of Bay Book One
Catch up with bad boy, Special Agent Jack Thornton in Breaking Bad, book two in Karin Tabke’s latest hot cop series: Bad Boys of the Bay.
Detective Stevie Cavanaugh is one tough cookie…with a sexy but vulnerable secret…
Law enforcement royalty, Stevie Cavanaugh’s fate was determined before she was born: follow her father’s lead, retiring only after becoming Sheriff. But as capable and strong as she is, one man dared to awaken her dark sensuality, only to leave her aching for more. Now he’s back, the baddest cop in the whole damn town, distracting her from the most important case of her career—capturing the Cain killer.
For Special Agent Jack Thornton, like Stevie, police work is in his blood. So is Stevie, the woman he left behind after just one perfect night. Now he’s forced to work with her to catch a killer. Only he wants more of Stevie, too.
According to Stevie, she’s not interested. But Jack knows her deepest darkest sexual secret—that while she’s a woman used to giving command, she also takes great pleasure in submitting—to him. Despite how things ended seven years prior, Jack is determined to take Stevie to the next level.
When the fire between them becomes an inferno, they’ll both savor the burn…
Enjoyed Kat and Simon’s adventures? Don’t miss the Christmas Chronicles short story:
An old enemy plays Grinch to Simon and Kat’s first Christmas together
Watch gonna do when he comes for you…
Sergeant Vaden Holbrook and widow Olivia Connor’s chemistry is off the charts hot, but incredible sex isn’t enough for Olivia. She wants it all.
Vaden Holbrook has met his carnal match in Olivia Connor. He wants her all to himself but knows that can’t be. Not when he finds himself at the center of an IA that could ruin them both.
Will Vaden’s inability to commit push her into the arms of another man? Or can he overcome his past to become the man Olivia needs, the man he wants to be?
If you like sexy hot cops, BAD TO THE BONE is for you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
National bestselling, award-winning author Karin Tabke isn’t just another author with steamy stories to tell, but a cop’s wife who has ‘seen it all and heard it all.’ Some of the hottest stories come from behind the wall of law enforcement rather than in front. Married to a street cop, now a Private Investigator, Karin is intimate with both and proves it with her provocative tales of hot cops.
CONNECT WITH KARIN ONLINE:
Official Website:
Karintabke.com
Karin’s Facebook Page
Follow Karin on Twitter:
@KarinTabke
Goodreads:
Karin Tabke
Subscribe to Karin’s Newsletter
DISCOVER OTHER TITLES BY
KARIN TABKE:
Bad Boys of the Bay
The Chronicles of Katrina (Book One)
The Dare
Double Dare
The Truth
The Consequence
The Chronicles of Katrina (Complete series, Books 1-4)
Breaking Bad (Book Two)
Dare Me Again (Novella Three)
In a Bad Way (Book Four)
Bad to the Bone (Novella Five)
Coming Soon
Lucifer’s Legion MC
The Hard Way
Blood Moon Rising Trilogy
Blood Law
Bloodright
Blood Vow
Blood Sword Legacy
Master of Surrender
Master of Torment
Master of Craving
A Knight to Remember (Novella)
Hot Cops
Hot Cops Boxed Set
Good Girl Gone Bad
Skin
Jaded
Have Yourself a Naughty Little Santa
Wanted
Sworn to Love
L.O.S.T.
Writing as Karin Harlow
Enemy Lover
Enemy Mine
Rebel Yell
Rebel Rose
