Cross to Bear

By Katt Garcia

Every now and then, life throws a curveball that you just don't see coming. After working tirelessly to build a life for herself following her parents' death, Anna's world is turned upside down when she becomes a pawn in a battle for control of Philadelphia's most elusive crime family. In order to escape the situation alive, she must figure out who she can trust. Can she trust the people who pulled her into this situation in the first place, or will she have to learn to trust somebody new? It's a life or death decision that will determine her fate as she battles her way through someone else's fight that becomes her cross to bear.

Kent Malone thinks he's hit the jackpot when he first lays eyes on Anna. But his joy is short lived when he realizes that she is waist-deep in the drama of a crime family he's been investigating. Can he swallow his feelings and be a cop, or will he place himself in a dangerous situation from which there is no escape?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katt Garcia
• Release date: Nov 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311807052

Katt Garcia

My name is Katt Garcia and I am currently a stay at home mom and closet writer! I have a master's degree in forensic psychology...but my first love has always been crafting stories. I published one novel with Tate Publishing titled "Ready to Run". Since then, I have decided to give Smashwords a go! So please enjoy my work and drop me a line anytime...I love hearing from readers!

Book preview

Cross To Bear

Written by Katt Garcia

Published by Katt Garcia at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Katt Garcia

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Her head broke the surface of the water, sending splashes of water in every direction. The sun’s light reflected off the water, creating a luminous glow around her porcelain face. As if she needed it to personify an angel. She rung out her auburn hair and began to make her way to the side of the pool. Kent couldn’t be sure, but from where he stood he could almost swear that her eyes were a deep, vibrant green. She was beautiful, for sure. Hell, she’d already succeeded in stopping his heart and she wasn’t even aware of his presence. But that wasn’t why he couldn’t look away.

As she made her way out of the pool, the small group she was with trailed behind her. She wrapped her towel around herself, concealing the red bathing suit underneath. Most guys would have been disappointed to lose such a view, but Kent was perfectly content just to look at her face. He silently shook his head, bemused by the fact that his normally typical male mind was more fascinated with something about this woman other than her body.

Kent released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding as he watched her walk away from the pool and out the gate. He suddenly felt empty as she disappeared around the corner. It wasn’t her beauty that had him still unable to look away from the spot where she vanished. It was the fact that even though she was surrounded by people, admirers even; she had the look of a lost child unable to find her way home. He had this odd, almost whimsical feeling that she needed him. Then again, maybe it was just that he needed her to need him. More than anything, he wanted to matter to someone, to her. Though he couldn’t quite figure out why it was so important anyway.

His job required that he have the ability to read people. He didn’t know anything about this girl, but he felt like he knew her from the wistful, almost sad expression she wore. She had smiled at her friends and responded to them, but Kent had noticed that her smile never quite reached her eyes. A pretty girl like that should always have an ear-to-ear smile. Whoever managed to put that kind of smile on her face would hold all the power in the world. At that thought, he couldn’t stop the small smile from spreading across his face. Imagining what it would be like to be the object of her attention, to make her laugh, to lean in and brush those giggling lips with his as she-

Earth to Kent! Hellooo! Sure, just continue to ignore me like some love-sick puppy. Geez, we’re not in middle school anymore.

Kent snapped out of his musing to smile at his best friend. Sorry Tommy. He murmured with a smile. He and Tommy had been like brothers for years now. They met their first year in middle school and had become pretty much inseparable. Kent knew he could count on him for anything. They entered the academy at the same time and both began their law enforcement careers in the Philadelphia police department. Kent had made detective a few months ago at age 30. But Tommy was perfectly content in a uniform; the detective’s exam held no real interest for him. But then, why would it when that uniform seemed to work so well for him.

Tommy laughed. Dude, if you’d snap out of it and put your tongue back in your mouth, I might be able to help.

You know her?

Sure do.

Now Kent was getting nervous. He loved Tommy like a brother but everyone knew that he went through women faster than he went through socks. Although Tommy would never admit it, Kent would bet his next paycheck that the only reason he became a cop in the first place was to attract women with the uniform and occasionally fire the gun on his hip. The fact that his friend was as ripped as a bodybuilder didn’t hurt him in the women department either. Tommy sported a dark tan that never seemed to fade with dark brown hair grown out to his shoulders. The combination of the good tan and muscles seemed to render the local women unable to resist the six-foot-three package. He didn’t know how he would handle it if his mystery girl was one of Tommy’s many failed conquests. Kent was surprised by his own intensity. His mystery girl. Tommy must have noticed the change in his expression because he lifted his hands in surrender.

Relax, killer. It’s not like that.

Kent felt the tight feeling in his chest slowly loosen, allowing him to breathe normally once again. But he still wasn’t completely convinced. He wasn’t confident about his pale skin and blonde hair competing with Tommy. Kent and Tommy were about the same height, but Tommy always stood out. Kent had always considered himself to be pretty plain.

So who is she?

Her name is Anna. Anna Reid.

How do you know her? Kent couldn’t keep the strong note of apprehension out of his voice.

Our families are close. I sort of grew up with her. Tommy even had the nerve to look sheepish as he confessed his well-kept secret. We’ve gone to the same church for as long as I can remember.

So how come I’ve never met her? Kent asked as his eyes narrowed. He wasn’t much of a church goer himself, but he always had an open mind. Now he was starting to understand why Tommy never invited him. Using a church as a dating service, it was so Tommy.

Hey, I said it wasn’t like that. Not that I didn’t want it to be.

A distinction without a difference. Kent said wryly.

Tommy rolled his eyes, a common gesture for him. Seriously, I gave up a while ago. She doesn’t buy my nice guy routine anyway. But at least we’re friends now. I don’t worry about her doing me any sensitive damage anymore. He laughed.

Is she seeing anyone?

Not that I know of. But there’s definitely a line. She’s different than other women; you’ll have to do something out of the ordinary to catch her eye. Even I couldn’t do it; she just doesn’t seem interested in dating. There was that arrogance that was so typical Tommy. It was so like him to believe that just because she wasn’t interested in him, she must not date at all.

He quirked an eyebrow. I can be out of the ordinary. Kent snorted.

I hope so. Rumor has it that last night when she was at work some guy smacked her butt and he had a painful encounter with her boot. So there appears to be a fine line.

Kent’s smile spread to a full-out grin. So his mystery girl had a feisty streak.

Aw, crap. Tommy sighed in response to his sudden smile. You’re gonna drag me into your daydream, aren’t you?

Nah. Unlike you, I know how to be patient. This was sounding better and better, especially if he got to rattle Tommy a little bit while he was at it. Served him right for all the times he pulled Kent into his little adventures. Hmph, more like mud slides, he thought.

Dude, my grandma will disown me if I bring you around and it ends badly. Tommy added with more intensity than Kent had ever heard from him. He must actually be making an effort to look out for Anna. When he looked at Kent, Tommy’s forehead was scrunched and the tan on his face had gone slightly pink.

I think you’re confusing me with you, playboy. Kent couldn’t help but laugh. Besides, I mate for life. He added.

Tommy seemed satisfied with that despite himself and he sighed in a way that sounded very much like defeat. So I suppose you’ll be wanting an introduction?

Kent just flashed his friend a sheepish smile.

Okay, fine. I’m manning the barbeque at her grandpa’s birthday party tomorrow. You can help me out, I guess. He appeared more than a little reluctant; like he would rather have a tooth pulled than play matchmaker. Should have just kept his big fat mouth shut.

Sounds fun. I’m glad I have the weekend off. Kent smiled as he smacked his friend on the back.

You know you big shot detectives are always on call. He joked. But you actually have to help me. You’re not getting a free ride. Tommy warned.

Kent held his hands up in momentary defeat. There was no way he was letting this opportunity slip away. Alright, I promise.

Tommy seemed to ponder something before he let out an amused laugh.

What’s so funny?

I just can’t wait to see your reaction when you find out what she does for a living. He said, still laughing.

What does she do? Tommy was probably just yanking his chain, but it was working because now he was insanely curious. His friend knew him way too well. He might even lose sleep over this now. He didn’t think Tommy would set him up with a stripper or a drug dealer, but then again you never know.

Oh, no. You’re on your own. I’m just providing you with an introduction.

That’s messed up.

You’re a big boy, you’ll live.

Kent shook off the sudden annoyance, courtesy of Tommy. No matter, Anna Reid may not know it yet, but she’s the future Mrs. Kent Malone. He grinned.

Tommy snorted sarcastically. And so it begins, though I highly doubt she’ll agree. But just for fun, if she does happen to agree I’ll get myself ordained and marry the two of you myself. As much as Tommy loved his friend, he highly doubted he would be proven wrong on this one.

*****

Anna cringed as she wrestled to get her apartment door open. She yanked up on the doorknob and kicked the bottom of the door simultaneously. Finally, it popped open. Three calls to the landlord had yielded no results, so she had pretty much resigned herself to live with it. Innovation was one of her many more practical talents. She had lived in worse