Protector (The Brannock Siblings, #4)

By Jessica Wilde

Isabelle Brannock was adored by her children in every possible way. Her ability to love reflects in each of them and to this day, they remember the never ending happiness she and their father, Liam, shared. However, life wasn't always beautiful and their magnificent mother kept her dark secrets buried away so her children would always remember that family is the most important thing.
Liam Brannock has watched his children find that same happiness he knew so well and, as a father, he couldn't be prouder. Knowing that the struggles each of them endured were worth the sacrifices they made to find the love of their lives, he finally feels content with revealing the secrets Isabelle worked so hard to keep.
Liam tells his children the story of how he met their mother and the secrets they never suspected would be possible for a woman who lived each day showing her children that love conquers all.
For readers 18+ due to sexual content.
Note to readers:
This is Liam and Isabelle's story as well as updates on Ash, Con, and Gus.
This cannot be read as a standalone.
Series Order:
Book 1 - Leverage
Book 2 - Conned
Book 3 - Missing
Book 4 - Protector

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Wilde
• Release date: Jul 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310030772

Jessica Wilde

J. Wilde loves a good romance. Happily ever after and a few good laughs are a must. A little suspense doesn’t hurt either. She resides in Utah with her family and a couple of spoiled pups. When she finds a moment for herself, she is reading or writing. J. Wilde has written several novels and has many more to come. While she is currently exploring other genres, romance will always own a special place in her books.

Book preview

Protector

By: Jessica Wilde

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2015 Jessica Wilde

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means without written consent from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

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 are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover photo from Shutterstock.com

Cover design by Jessica Wilde

ISBN-13: 978-1514699454

Other titles by Jessica Wilde

Every One of Me

Our Time

The Brannock Siblings Series

Leverage (The Brannock Siblings, #1)

Conned (The Brannock Siblings, #2)

Missing (The Brannock Siblings, #3)

Rise & Fall Series

Ricochet (Rise & Fall, #1)

For Dad,

Liam Brannock was inspired by you.

Every day I'm grateful to have you as my father.

I love you with all my heart.

For the readers that have been with me since Lucas and Ash,

The readers that have welcomed the Brannock family as their own.

This one is for you.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Other titles by Jessica Wilde

Prologue

Liam

Izzy, my love. I wish you could see this.

Liam couldn't take his eyes away from his children. All six of them.

Aislinn was glowing in the white dress she had deemed as 'perfection' and the noticeable bump over her abdomen had been rubbed and poked about a thousand times already. Lucas looked like he was about to devour her every time she stepped into his line of vision. It would normally be something that would cause Liam to see red, but now, he just rolled his eyes. The two would be popping out the majority of his grandchildren with the way they were always pawing at each other.

Conall and Emily were inseparable. His oldest son didn't have the ability to not touch his girlfriend and that was alright with him. It reminded him of the way it had been with his Izzy the first months of their lives together. Being without her was always painful. Still was.

Emily beamed at Con every time he looked at her. They fit well together. He was strong and silent with a wild side that was only meant to be seen by the people he trusted most; his family and the woman he loved more than life. Emily had helped him open up, but Liam was positive she never wanted him to change. His stoic manner was definitely not unappreciated.

Liam was anxious to see the look on Emily's face when Con popped the question tonight. He had cleared it with Ash and Luke, not wanting to take the attention from them on their special day, and Ash had about burst with happiness.

Conall looked his way and Liam nodded. His boy was nervous, but it wouldn't stop him. Emily was his forever.

He moved his steady gaze to the dance floor where Fergus was swinging around a giggling Aidy. The little girl had become the brightest light in the Brannock's home over the last week. He had been relieved that Lily agreed to come and stay with them for a while, just to get away. Her boyfriend, Chad, accompanied her and it was satisfying to have a full house once again. The last week was a party filled with long nights reminiscing and plenty of Tullamore Dew to go around.

Gus lifted Aidy into his arms and kissed her loudly on the cheek. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back before letting out a string of giggles when he spun her around. When the song ended and a slower one began, he let the little one run back to the other children attending the reception, his eyes stayed on her until he was certain she was surrounded by people who would watch over her.

The little fire in her eyes hadn't faded and Liam knew how lucky they were that little Aidy wasn't suffering from what happened to her. Being taken by a lunatic had made her wary, but it didn't stop her from smiling and making everyone around her roar with laughter. Lily was one of the most loving mothers Liam had ever seen. They would be just fine.

Then there was Aiden. The beautiful, fiery red head that had stolen his youngest son's heart. She was perfect for him, made for him. He only wished that his son hadn't been the asshole he admitted to being for the first few months they'd known each other.

Everything happens for a reason.

Their relationship was full of passion, but it was the strength they gave each other that had been the foundation. She never faltered when he needed her. His job wasn't the easiest and it was difficult not to bring that home, but he was good at it. After getting Aidy back and discovering what happened to Donny Marks so long ago, he was more determined than ever to make sure he and his department did whatever it took. He was dedicated and the pride in Aiden's eyes made Liam all the more confident that their life together would be beautiful.

She'd taken all the wedding pictures with the help of her sister and Ash had refused to let her take any once the reception started. It was difficult to hold her camera, but Aiden was determined to give her future sister-in-law the pictures she wanted. Luke suggested handing the camera off to Lily who had been happy to oblige. With some prodding, Aiden gave in.

Gus moved across the dance floor until he found his stunning fiancé who was chatting with Luke's mother.

It was a huge shock to see the woman show up at the ceremony and Luke hadn't wanted to hope. Ash had gone behind his back and invited her, saying that his mother wanted to be a part of his life, she just didn't know how. She lost herself when she lost his father, something Ash continued to try and explain to her now husband. Seeing Luke warily embrace the woman who had abandoned him so long ago was a good sign. Liam had a feeling that the next few months would be difficult for the man that had become such a huge part of his beautiful family. With a child on the way, a wife that could test the patience of a saint, and a mother who suddenly made an appearance after years of disappointment, Lucas Shade was going to have his hands full.

When Gus made it to Aiden's side, she excused herself and let him pull her to a stand. It had only been two weeks since she was released from the hospital and the movement in her arm was still painful. The jagged scar over her collar bone was visible with the dress she wore. The stitches had been removed, but it still looked red and raw and would for a long time.

Gus pulled her onto the dance floor and started swaying to the slow song blaring over the speakers. Aiden smiled up at him and subtly adjusted her dress, self conscious about her injury. Gus bent his head and kissed the raised skin until she relaxed. Once it was forgotten, the couple held each other close and she laughed at whatever it was Gus was whispering to her.

Liam felt peace. His family was whole and healthy. His children had found the love that Isabelle prayed would come to them.

Isabelle.

God, he missed her.

Every day was harder than the last, but every day he felt her near and every day he loved her more. Seeing her in every single one of his children was a relief. She'd been the joy of their lives and he worshipped her.

They had a rough start, but it was worth the pain. Worth the fight.

Fergus had asked him for more details about the man that hurt his mother so long ago, but Liam hadn't been ready to tell his son more. It was a dark time for him and his Izzy, but it was necessary to reach the love and happiness they lived for so many years since.

See your children, my love. They live every day with you in their hearts. Thank you for teaching them what love means, what family means, he said under his breath as he watched Gus and Aiden join Ash and Luke at the side of the stage.

It was time.

Liam stood from his seat and went to join his children as they witnessed another joyful event this day.

Oh Daddy, he looks so nervous, Ash whispered.

"I know, my beauty. He should be nervous."

She playfully smacked his shoulder with a giggle before Luke pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely. His hand rested protectively over their unborn child. A girl. Isabelle Mairenn Shade. Lucas cried the day they found out, but no one else knew about that. Not even Aislinn. He had gone to Liam the minute he and Ash returned from the doctor, and broke down in front of him. Lucas had adored Isabelle and it was just as hard on him to lose her. She'd given him a life he never could have had without her.

When his tears dried up, Luke had said, We'll raise her the same way Isabelle would have. We'll make sure she knows who her grandmother was and how much she loved us all.

Liam had cried with him, and after Luke left.

Oh, God. He looks like he's going to faint, Aiden muttered with an anxious expression.

Good, Gus chuckled.

Luke laughed right along with him.

Aiden elbowed Gus in the ribs, making him bend over with an 'oof'. That's not very nice. He's your brother. Don't tell me you weren't scared when you asked me.

I wasn't, he replied innocently.

"Then why did you ask me right after the nurse drugged me?"

Gus smiled wickedly and leaned in to kiss her, Because I was terrified you'd say no. I would have spent the rest of my life on my knees trying to convince you to say yes. It was the easiest way, Baby.

She scowled, but it didn't hold any power. In the next second, she kissed him sweetly and patted his cheek. You're good.

I learned from the best, Gus replied with a jerk of his head toward Liam. "Watching him deal with my mother was the smartest thing we ever did as kids. I learned all the tricks."

Aiden looked over at Liam with a loving smile before she stepped forward and kissed his cheek.

"Ah, my little fire, he doesn't know all my tricks, but those cannot be taught. He will have to learn them on his own."

She beamed at the now familiar nick name he'd given her. It was quite fitting seeing as how she was never lacking sass and always causing trouble right along with Gus.

The music stopped and all eyes turned to the stage where Conall was holding the microphone with one hand and his other was buried in the pocket of his tux.

I wanted to congratulate Ash and Luke on this special day, Conall said confidently. You two deserve the best and I wish you a wonderful life together with many years of laughter and happiness. Ash, he called, searching her out in the crowd until he found her next to the stage. I love you, kid.

Aislinn smiled with tears in her eyes and blew her brother a kiss.

I, umm… he cleared his throat nervously and shifted on his feet. I wanted to ask a very special woman a very important question. Emily, will you come up here, please?

Emily, who was on the other side of the stage snuggling with Aidy on her lap, looked up in surprise before standing and making her way to the stage. Her blonde hair glistened in the lights and the flush on her cheeks made her glow.

When she reached Conall's side, he took her hand and kissed her palm. Then he dropped down on one knee and pulled out the tiny box that had been burning a hole in his pocket for the last two months.

Emily. I loved you before I ever heard you speak. I loved you more when you smiled at me for the first time and lost the rest of my heart when you drunk kissed me in my father's backyard.

The crowd laughed, Gus and Luke gave each other high fives and Ash loudly said, You're welcome!

Emily already had tears in her beautiful green eyes.

I know I'm hard to talk to sometimes, but I swear to you I'm always listening. You're my better half and without you, I'll never be whole. Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?

Silence.

You could hear a pin drop as Emily gazed down at Conall with so much unwavering love.

Yes! she cried. Yes!

His smile was like nothing Liam had ever seen before. He slipped the diamond ring he had stressed over onto her finger and lifted her in his arms with a hungry kiss. She held his face in her hands and kissed him back vigorously.

Cat calls sounded from the back of the reception hall and applause exploded as the couple easily forgot about all the people around them.

Liam felt a sting in his nose as tears threatened. Seeing his children so happy… it was what he and Isabelle always wanted.

It was only an hour later that the crowd began to thin and Liam found himself back at one of the tables with his family. Emily was in Conall's lap, Luke and Ash were pressed close together, and Gus and Aiden were laughing about whatever story it was they were remembering. Lily had gone back to the house with Chad and a sleeping Aidy only minutes before.

I wish mom was here, Ash sighed. She would have loved this.

Liam smiled, a warm tingle running through his blood. She's here, my beauty. She's always here.

Will you tell us about her, Liam? Aiden asked quietly. How did you two meet?

Every pair of eyes landed on him, waiting anxiously for the story he'd only ever given vague details about, at Izzy's request. The memory of the first time he ever laid eyes on his Isabelle was one he would never forget.

Gus was the only one that knew the few dark details Izzy hadn't wanted to share with her children until they were ready. Not because she felt it was a weakness, but because she hadn't wanted to taint their lives with darkness. But the things they went through together made their love for each other that much stronger.

Was it the time now?

Go ahead, my love. Let them know our story. Help them understand why my love for them will never falter, even in death.

He closed his eyes, the whisper of her voice in his mind. He wanted to hold her, just one more time. He would. One day.

The first time I saw Isabelle Moore was the first time I realized that love isn't just a feeling… it's an action. She was exquisite…

Chapter 1

Isabelle

Come on, Isabelle. You can do this.

Isabelle Moore shook her head and sighed. She was finally resorting to talking to herself and if her Mom and Dad were listening, they wouldn't have to wonder if she was losing her mind anymore.

She already had.

Just do it. Open the door and talk to them like the adult that you are.

But she couldn't do it. No matter how many times she attempted to, it just never happened. She loved her parents and even though they were ignorant most of the time she knew they loved her, too. It's just that Christopher had always gotten to them first and planted the seed in their minds. Her mental turmoil was now the only thing they saw. Something she was attempting to rectify right now, if she could just force herself to walk into the room where her parents always ate lunch together.

A murmur filtered through the door and she gasped. The sound of that voice was familiar, but it couldn't be. There was no possible way he could have made it here before her.

Isabelle took a deep breath and wrapped her hand around the doorknob for the seventh time in the last ninety seconds. She pushed slowly and the sounds from the room gradually became clearer, the swinging door didn't let out so much as a squeak.

The posh style of her father's office always made her want to snicker. The room was horrifying. Everything was too big, too dark, and way too expensive. An office should allow for concentration and efficiency. Much like the rest of their house, this office dwarfed anyone and everyone who stood in it.

Except for the man currently throwing her a very pointed look.

No. Please, God. No!

Christopher Hampton, her 'boyfriend' of five long, tortuous months was sitting across from her father's favorite chair with her mother artificially beaming next to him.

Christopher could have been an actor in more ways than one. His bright green eyes complimented the dark blonde hair that always fell over his forehead. The slicked back style he had kept since he was a teenager never lasted past three in the afternoon, but she always thought he was better looking when it was messy and unkempt, which was rare these days. Women fawned over him, swooned over him, went into heat over him. Hollywood would have treasured him if he wasn't bent on power.

His noble face was always saturated with confidence. She couldn't remember ever seeing him uncomfortable. That slimy smile that used to make her stomach flutter was only used when he knew he was about to get what he wanted. Other than that, emotion was never genuine when it came to Christopher Hampton. He demanded the worst kind of respect with just a look and God only knew if the man had ever felt a morsel of sympathy for anyone.

She vaguely remembered how tall he had been when she was just a child. Throughout his life, he continued to gradually tower over everyone around him. The point was, he stuck out in a room with his height, his looks, his presence. It was disgusting. Christopher was handsome, regal, and charming. Always had been, but once his true colors came out, it felt like he pulled a mask over that face every day. He was a snake. A cockroach. The bane of her very existence.

And God help her, but she couldn't get away from him.

She tried, but he was relentless and her parents were, again, very ignorant when it came to her and their need to get her married to an older man that would tie her family together with the elite.

Elite was just a fancy word for assholes.

She felt the barest of grins tug at her lips and wished for her parents to read her mind just this once. They would be scandalized.

Ah, Isabelle, perfect timing. The sound of her father's sweet voice didn't help today. In fact, it made Isabelle more nervous than ever. He sounded resigned and almost as if he felt sorry for her.

But why would he feel sorry for his only daughter when he could so effortlessly give her to a man he didn't truly know? It baffled her that the father who believed in integrity and loyalty her whole life, gave it up so easily for a few more dollars.

And that was all he would get from this deal, as far