Evolution

By Zana King

Jasmine has had it rough and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier. It turns out her boyfriend is cheating on her and on the night she kicks him out, her life changes completely. She hits the jackpot of a multi-state lottery and has to watch her back day and night after several threats on her life. Nick, her best friend and his husband are the only ones she can rely on and they help her adapt to her new life. Well, that is until one unexpected night.

Kai and Zane are professional wrestlers who share a bond like no other. They are also on a mission to find the one woman who would complete them. Upon spotting Jasmine in the crowd during a show they knew she was the one for them. The one they had been waiting for who would change their lives forever.
But when her best friend disappears and she falls apart, they are reluctant to tell her the truth. Their secret could chase her away, and if they aren’t careful, they could lose her forever. Can they convince her to take a chance on them or will she run?

Warning-This book contains foul language, sexy wrestlers, dirty sex, MMF ménage and a happily ever after. If you don’t have open mind, this book is not for you. You have been warned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zana King
• Release date: Dec 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310359767

Zana King

Zana King is a stay at home mom of two teen boys and married to the love of her life. Their two German Shepherds take up a bit of her time as they seem to need more attention than the rest of her family. She is an avid reader of most genres of romance and loves getting wrapped up in a good book. When she isn't reading or working on her next book, you can find her playing in the woods with her family looking for gold.

Book preview

Evolution by Zana King

Evolution

Ternion

Book One

by Zana King

Revised/Reedited Version

© Copyright 2017 Zana King

Original © Copyright 2014 Zana King

All cover art and logo © Copyright 2014 by Hardline Images

All rights reserved.

Cover Design by Hardline Images

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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

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Dedication

To my family and friends for all the support they have given me.

Acknowledgements

Let me start by saying there is so much more to publishing a book than I’d thought. So, for all those authors out there, indie or not, my hat goes off to you!

Thank you to my wonderful husband for his unending patience with me. He has helped me along the way with all the techy things and even made my awesome cover.

I would also like to thank my kids for their help too. And no, they have not read it, nor will they ever.

My thanks are also sent out to my best friend of nineteen years, Ken. He has been my sounding board, my cheerleader, and my inspiration for Nick.

To my beta team: Penny, Ally, Ingrid, Jessa, Sarah, Mariangela, Alejandra, and Heidi. You guys rock and if wasn’t for your great feedback this book would’ve never been published. Thank you!!

Tanya, you have been incredible to work with and so helpful in many ways. I seriously don’t know if I could have done this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And last, but not least, a huge thank you to the fans that have supported a new, unknown author. I appreciate it more than you know.

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

-Ingrid Bergman

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Note from the Author

Books by Zana King

About the Author

Chapter One of Troika

Prologue

Ten years ago…

Are you sure you boys want to do this?

Mom, how many times do we have to go over this? It's been over twenty years and nothing yet. This will be good for us. Zane was trying his hardest not to let the whiney tone come through in his voice. He loved his mom dearly, but she always seemed to bring out the child in him. Maybe because she still treated him like one.

But do you really have to move away? Why can't you just keep taking your vacations like you have been?

Because it hasn't worked, Mom. Besides, this is a great opportunity for me and Kai. We'll be able to travel all over the world. Well, at least a lot of it, he amended.

Zane continued to pack his things. It was the last of the clothing he wanted to take with him, everything else had either been packed or they would buy it when they got there.

You know I just worry about you boys. I really do want you to be happy, but I'm going to miss you so much, his mom's voice was thick with emotion.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning to give her a hug. He felt bad he was hurting her, but this was something they couldn't turn down.

Zane wrapped his mom up in his arms and kissed the top of her head. We'll be fine, I promise. And we'll come back and visit. You know I can't go too long without my mom, he added to make her feel better.

She sniffed, pulled out of his arms, and smacked him in the chest. Don't try to appease me, his mom tried to sound authoritative, but failed when a chuckle escaped.

Oh. Hey, Mrs. Alexander, I didn't know you were here, Kai said as he appeared in the doorway to Zane's bedroom.

Will you knock that shit off? How many times have I told you to call me Sandy?

Kai laughed, You know I only do it to irritate you.

You two… she shook her finger at them both, you've always given me shit. Maybe I'll finally get a reprieve now that you guys are moving away, she smiled, letting them know she was teasing.

Don’t count on it. There are always visits and phone calls, Kai returned her smile then looked to Zane. Are you almost ready? We need to leave soon if we want to get our goodbyes in.

Give me ten minutes, Zane responded.

Perfect, I still have this last suitcase to pack. Kai held up a brand new black bag with wheels. I just got back from buying it. I have too many clothes and it wouldn't all fit in the smaller one I usually use. With that, Kai disappeared to his room to finish packing.

I'm only going to ask one more time. Are you sure? His mom looked at him with sad eyes.

Yes, Mom, I'm sure. She's out there somewhere, I can feel it. And we aren't going to find her here, trust me, we've looked.

I know, son, I just worry that you'll be found out. You're so much safer here.

Zane placed his last shirt into his suitcase and headed for his bathroom to grab his toiletries. I'm telling you, we have the perfect cover. You need to trust us on that.

It's not that I don't trust you…it's everyone else I don't trust.

"Yes, Mom, I know, but we'll be fine," he reiterated while walking back to his bag to drop in the last items.

Okay, fine. I can tell I won't be changing your mind. I'm going to get out of here so I can stop and get a few things for dinner before you guys come by to say goodbye.

All right. Do you want me to walk you out?

I think I can find the front door, but thank you. His mom reached up on tippy toes and kissed his cheek. See you in a little bit.

Zane ruffled her hair because he knew she hated it. I love you.

She growled at him, I love you too, you little shit.

He couldn't help but smirk at her retreating back. He was going to miss her.

Zane strolled over to his window. He wanted one more look at the view before they left. The sun was high in the sky, making the ocean glisten with sparkles. Several people were out playing in the sand, only further down the beach. No one was allowed on their part of beach without an invitation and people respected that.

He continued to stare out the window for several minutes until he felt Kai enter the room, but he still didn't turn around.

We are doing the right thing, aren't we? Zane almost whispered, afraid to admit he might be wrong.

Now you have doubts? This was your idea, Kai responded.

I know, but I've spent the last hour with my mom. You know how she is.

He felt a large hand clamp down on his shoulder. "Zane, I know you feel our mate out there,n because I do. It's like her soul is calling for us and I, for one, need to find her."

You're right, I do feel her and I want this as much as you do, it's just hard leaving home.

Leaving isn't easy for me either, but this is the best thing we can do to find her.

Chapter One

Beep… Beep… Beep…

Jasmine groaned and rolled over to shut off her alarm clock. Without opening her eyes, she smacked the off button and stretched. She loved being an accountant, but hated the nine to five hours. She had always been a night owl, preferring to go to bed around two or three o'clock in the morning. Weekends were the worst for her. Her body would readjust itself to her night hours and she would pay for it every Monday morning, it never failed. Remembering it was Friday, she pried her eyes open.

From what she could see through the blinds, it looked like another dark and dreary day. Spring in Western Washington was a crapshoot. It could be a downpour one minute and bright and sunny the next, but it looked like today wasn't going to deliver any sun. Another groan escaped her throat as she threw back the covers, sat up slowly, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

She turned her attention to the other side of the bed to see if Chad had finally come home last night, but it was empty once again. Anger filled her and she was instantly awake. No more drowsiness for her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, stood, and practically stomped her way to the closet to pick out her clothes before heading to the bathroom.

After a long, hot shower and her morning routine of hair and make-up, she was finally calming down. As she was slipping on her favorite pair of tennis shoes, the front door opened behind her and Chad walked in as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Where in the hell have you been? Jasmine scanned him from head to toe trying to find some evidence of what she hoped wasn't happening. He was still wearing his light blue jeans and purple polo shirt from the day before. She inhaled through her nose as he passed her to see if she could smell another woman's perfume. No evidence could be seen or smelled, at least from the short distance they were standing apart. Jasmine never could find any.

I've had enough of your badgering, Chad replied.

Are you serious? She scowled. "Let me get this right. So, because I'm concerned for your safety and whereabouts, I'm badgering you?" Jasmine's anger was bubbling back up to the surface.

Chad let out a long sigh. I don't want to fight with you anymore. I really am tired of it. He ran his hand through his already mussed hair.

For the last month or so, he had been taking off for hours at a time or all-nighters, like last night. He had offered her excuses of being with his friends, but her gut was telling her differently. No, you're right. I'm tired of fighting too, that's why I'm ending this. Right here, right now. I know you're fucking around on me, unfortunately I don't have any proof.

He sighed again. You're right, I met someone else and we have been seeing each other for a while, he paused and his features screwed up in anger. I'm just so sick of you. You're always on my case for something. 'Get a job', 'Clean up your mess', blah, blah, blah. She's so much better than you. She likes me not working so I can fuck her whenever she wants it. And she's hotter too. He smirked at her.

Her jaw flexed as she bit back the profanities she wanted to scream at him and her eyes narrowed into a glare. Jasmine was silent for a moment while she processed what she had already known deep down to be true. She smiled to herself as she looked over to the small table next to the front door then reached for her holstered handgun she had set down next to her purse when she put her shoes on. She looked over to Chad whose eyes went wide and his hands flew up into a surrender pose before she tucked the small .380 into the back of her waistband. She never would have hurt him, but the fear in his eyes made her feel like she had won the battle even though she had been the one to get hurt.

Freddy Wells, Jasmine's dad, was an outdoorsman and raised his daughter the same. They were always going out with his friends fishing, target shooting, camping, you name it. Except for hunting. Jasmine could not stomach hurting an animal. She could eat them. Hell, she had even helped her dad out one year at his friend’s butcher shop, making and packaging hamburger, steaks, and roasts out of the elk he had bagged, but there was no way she would shoot one. Freddy and his friends had teased her relentlessly, but she never changed her mind.

On her twenty-first birthday, her dad had insisted she get her concealed weapons permit and carry some form of a pistol. He even drove her to the sheriff's office to apply. She didn't mind one bit. She was comfortable with a weapon in her hand. Thankfully there had never been a reason to use it, but it was always better to be prepared.

Jasmine grabbed her purse strap, threw it up onto her shoulder, and looked directly into Chad's shit-brown eyes. Is she going to take care of you like I have been these last few months? She held up her hand to keep him from answering her. You know what, Chad? You're a fucking loser. You can't keep a job to save your life, and you depend on women to mommy you. Fucking grow up! She swung around, opened the door and walked out, but she wasn't done yet. Turning back around to shut the door, she added, I hope for her sake you can get her off, because you're not man enough for me. Hell, you never have been. Oh, and be out by the time I get home tonight. She shut the door before he could respond and almost skipped to her car.

It felt like the weight of the world fell off her shoulders. They had been together for close to two years now and things had started out great. He had slowly started treating her badly, but she would make excuses for him, not only to her friends, but in her own mind. He lost another job or he had a bad day, the list went on. Her best friend, Nick, kept trying to make her see how degraded the relationship had become, but she had hoped he would change, that he would hold on to a job for longer than a couple of months. It was what she knew, never realizing how unhappy she truly was with Chad. Sure, she'd had a bad feeling that he was up to something, but there was never any proof. When he would tell her he was with one of his friends, she would call that friend and he would corroborate Chad's story. And how he kept that other woman's smell off his clothes baffled her. She shrugged, deciding it was over now and just wanted to move on and forget about him.

Jasmine drove herself to her favorite convenience store to grab a snack and drink for later in the day. She walked in, picked out what she wanted, and headed for the counter. With her head bent down, digging through her purse for her wallet, she bumped into someone. Her head popped up to find a small man, a couple of inches taller than her five foot four frame, skinny with baggy jeans and a Star Trek t-shirt. Shaggy brown hair, glasses, and acne completed his look. I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going. She offered a small smile with her apology.

It's okay. He smiled timidly back and motioned for her to precede him to the counter. Remembering it was Friday, she purchased her usual multi-state lottery ticket along with her lunch and returned back to her car. She checked the clock on the dash as she turned the ignition over. Eight forty-six. Damn! Jasmine was hoping she'd have time to call Nick and inform him of her news. Instead she sent him a quick text asking him and his husband over for dinner that evening and backed out of her parking spot.

The day flew by and before she knew it, the awful, ear-piercing-bell-siren-dying-animal sounded at the warehouse across the street, signaling five o’clock. That damn thing went off at lunch too and never failed to send a shiver up her spine and make her teeth clench. It was like nails on a chalkboard. She didn't know if the speaker was broken or if they had just found the most god-awful sound to blare.

Jasmine raced home so she could search her kitchen for something to cook for dinner. She hated not being prepared when she had company over, but it was a spur of the moment decision to invite Nick and Robert to her house and she hadn't thought about what she was going to serve them.

She noted Chad's truck was gone when she pulled into the driveway and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She parked her car, shut it off, grabbed her purse, and headed for the door. She quickly noticed the front door was open, not quite latched shut. Jasmine hesitated for a moment trying to decide if she should call the police. Instead she pulled out her gun and gripped it with both hands before she pushed the door open with her foot. Her heart was beating in her throat. That bastard, she mumbled under her breath. She immediately knew Chad was responsible. The place was trashed. The big mirror that had hung above the fireplace was shattered on the floor amongst the overturned furniture and broken knickknacks.

Jasmine slowly made her way through the small one story house, turning lights on as she went. All she found was more disarray. Nobody was hiding in the closets or behind any open doors. She picked her way to the kitchen table and picked up an overturned chair. Flopping down, she started removing her shoes, and then thought better of it. There was way too much glass littering the floors. With a heavy sigh, she picked herself back up, forgetting all about the dinner she was supposed to be preparing, and got to work cleaning.

Thirty minutes later, with not much progress made, there was a knock at the door. Shit, Jasmine grumbled, remembering about Nick and Robert. Be right there, she called out while maneuvering through the living room to the door. She really didn't want to open it. The whole situation was just plain embarrassing. She should have listened to her instincts and Nick a long time ago and now she was going to hear it.

She had met Nick her freshman year of high school when some senior football players were trying to throw him into a trash can. Jasmine had stepped in, making them put him down, and they have been the best of friends ever since. They shared everything, including details of their sex life to what they had for dinner. But this she didn't want to share. Even though she knew they would understand, she was still ashamed she had allowed herself to be used and abused.

Jasmine slowly opened the door to find two handsome faces smiling at her. She tried to smile back and thought she did a good job controlling her features, but Nick knew her too well. What's wrong?

She pushed the door open wider keeping the smile plastered on her face like it wasn't a big deal. Chad. That’s all