The Bullet Makes The Man: Spine chilling, Salacious, Romance

By Zelia Cox

Life for Raygan O’Conner as a single mother in Calabasas has been very trying over the years. With the loss of her parents when she was only 17 and then the tragic death of her twin brother 3 years ago she has felt very alone. Her brother’s death still remains unsolved which means Raygan has not had any closure.

One cold rainy night her path crosses with a man she has been fantasizing about for the past year. Trey Nichols is a powerful man known for his ruthless reputation as a ‘gun for hire’. Raygan is torn between believing the rumors about Trey, or finding out for herself who he really is.

Trey has an extremely dark past that he keeps hidden deep down in his sub conscious. He suffers from chronic PTSD and chooses to rather ‘numb’ his emotions than deal with them. His emotionless state makes him the ultimate killing machine. But can Raygan help Trey feel true emotions again without risking her own life, or the life of her child, knowing that Trey’s mental instability is the most dangerous thing about him?

Raygan and Trey embark on an emotional journey so dangerous yet so addictive. Raygan being so innocent to the world Trey lives in, finds herself in situations that haunt her mentally and physically. With an attempt already been made on her life and insurmountable evidence stacking up against Trey in the murder of her brother she is flung into the middle of a conflicting emotional battle. Trey’s dark internal demons start to surface, but is Raygan powerful enough to fight them, on a physical level? Is her love and devotion for Trey strong enough for the truth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zelia Cox
• Release date: Jul 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9780620715393

Zelia Cox

Author Bio – Zelia CoxAs I sit here in front of my computer writing this bio about myself, I realise that there is nothing much to say. I am a single mom, who has had to fight life’s curve balls every day of every year which does not render me a hero or one of life success stories, it just renders me as one of the MILLIONS of other single moms out there doing the same thing. Survive.When a child comes into your life, regardless of the circumstance you find yourself, you change, and you change for the better.I rebelled at a very young age, and put my parents through hell. When my Dad passed, I lost my ‘rock’ my ‘life line’, but you know what made it possible for me to carry on? My daughter.I never was ever lucky in the love department. Always being attracted to the wrong type. Still am, to this day. I was told recently that it’s because I don’t see myself as deserving of any better. That could be so true.My mother once told me that the guy I am looking for is impossible to find. But why can’t I find a guy who is as dangerous as all hell, yet so committed to me and my child and would stop at nothing to protect us. I guess life doesn’t work that way, it’s either one or the other.I have lived my whole life always trying to please others or making sure the opinions of me that others had was all positive. I’ve lived a life of solitude. I am happy with who I am and I am happy with the life choices I have made. Most of all, I am so proud of the person my daughter has become.

Book preview

Chapter One

As the rain poured down on that cold and windy Tuesday afternoon in Calabasas, California, I made my way through the car park at the gym barely to the front door. Drenched and looking a little worse for wear, I hurried through the turn-style to the bathrooms to change. I knew I only had forty minutes because my 4-year-old daughter, Emma, was at home with my sitter, Becka. It had not been easy being a single mom in Calabasas, especially with no family to lean on. To actually get forty minutes to go to the gym was an absolute God-send. Leaving the change room, I found myself thinking,

Please let there be a treadmill open, please let there be a treadmill open, and it was as if the universe had responded.

‘Raygan, Raygan.’ I hear my name being shouted out.

Lucy, my best friend and godmother to Emma had thankfully kept a treadmill for me.

As I climb on the treadmill next to Lucy, so began the interrogation on my life.

‘Raygan, did you ever call Brian back?’

‘Who is Brian?’ I asked, knowing exactly who she was talking about.

‘Oh, don’t play coy. We met him on Saturday night. He was so into you.’

‘No, my friend, the only thing he was into was getting into my pants.’

‘AND?’ replied Lucy ‘The problem being what?’

‘You make me laugh, Lucy,’ was all I could say, so embarrassed as I could tell the people in front of us had heard the conversation.

As Lucy was going on and on about how my life pretty much sucked right now, and the fact that it had been almost two years since my last sexual experience, all I could think of is how the hell these people could treadmill for any longer than ten minutes because, quite frankly, I was finished. But I could not stop now, oh no, I was the last one on, meaning everyone on the treadmills saw me get on last so if I were to stop now I would look like a lazy ass. A lazy twenty-something-year-old ass. And as usual, my thoughts then went to the idea that maybe I had not locked my car door when I ran in from the rain. As I looked down at the treadmill timer to see I had only been running for thirteen minutes, I glance sideways to the gym reception counter, and there he is. Trey Nichols, leaning over the reception counter. His arms are so tanned and so defined. I can see a tattoo peeking out of the sleeve of his blue Polo golf shirt. My heart instantly starts beating through my chest. I am not entirely sure if it was due to the fat burner I had consumed or it was due to the fact that the man I had been secretly fantasizing about for over a year now was actually only a few feet away from me. I knew now that I needed to get my behind running hard and fast and hopefully, I don’t get thrown off the treadmill. Lucy must have picked up on the instant change in stride and once she spotted him, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.

‘Look who it is, Raygan…..Gorgeous- Mysterious- Dangerous- Mr Trey Nichols in the flesh. Do you realize this is the closest you have ever been to him? Come on, let’s go over there and introduce ourselves, why not? Perfect opportunity to get you through that um dry spell’

‘Lucy, I am begging you, PLEASE do not embarrass me,’ I breathlessly responded.

‘Is he still seeing Carin Wells?’ Lucy asked, very interested.

‘I don’t keep up to date with his relationship status, Lucy. The only thing I do know is that he is very involved with his business.’

They were a total mystery. Rumors had circulated that they were into everything from drugs to assassinations. Personally, I think that people have way too much time on their hands to come up with this stuff.

‘And what business is that, Raygan? We have all heard the rumors, but no one knows for sure.’

‘I know even less than you, Lucy, and quite honestly, I don’t care.’

But I did care, a little too much for someone I knew nothing about. For someone who was totally out of my league. Life was so unfair.

With perspiration now pouring off of me, I glance down at the timer to see that the intense conversation I had just had with Lucy had consumed twenty minutes. All in all, not a bad run, thirty-five minutes. That was my cue to leave as I had Emma at home. After giving Lucy a hard goodbye pinch on the arm I made my way off the treadmill walking very slowly as my legs were all over the place, right past reception where I repeated over and over: ‘DO NOT LOOK UP! DO NOT LOOK UP!’

But, I did look up. I looked up straight into those ocean blue eyes. It was a definite three-second eye hold; I even saw the corner of his lips move into a smile.

Snap out of it, Raygan! I quickly looked away, just in time to miss walking straight into the water fountain. As I had a quick shower, I mulled over the fact that, yes, he definitely had a ‘way’ about him. Dangerous yes, but nice dangerous.

The rain had stopped now, and as I walked to my car, I got the feeling I was being watched. It was a strange feeling but one I had grown accustomed to. I quickly got into my car and locked the doors. I had experienced that same feeling a few times over the past three years, but then I realized how paranoid I was being, and decided to rather think about Trey again. I smiled the entire car ride home. I went to sleep that night fantasizing about him. I was drawn to the idea that in a parallel existence Trey and I could be together.

It was barely 6am and my phone had not stopped ringing. Very sleepy and still smiling I answered.

‘Ray, Ray, are you awake?’

‘Lucy, what is going on? Are you OK? What happened?’

‘Raygan O’Conner, you will never believe the information I have for you. Are you awake?’

‘Yes, Lucy. I don’t have a choice!’ I shouted.

‘Natasha and I were at the Martini Bar last night, Ray, and mistakenly eaves-dropped on a conversation next to us. OK, maybe not so mistakenly, maybe intentionally.’ Lucy was now giggling.

‘Lucy, is this going to take long?’

‘Raygan, it seems that Carin and Trey are no longer an item. I would go so far as to say that they were never that serious. It seems his interest lies elsewhere and not with her. I did hear he has quite a temper, Ray, so I’m not sure he would be the right guy for you. Are you listening to me, Raygan?’

‘Yes, I’m here,’ I responded, my mind now racing.

‘Lucy, I am a single mother. A person like Trey Nichols would never look at me, let alone want to date me anyway,’ I stated, almost heart-broken.

The reality of the situation was that it would never happen. Not in this life time.

‘Raygan O’Conner, Trey Nichols would be the luckiest man alive to have you in his life.’

‘Lucy, I’ve got to go. Thank you for the info…. Kisses’ I anxiously disconnected the call. I was too scared Lucy would feel my grin through the phone.

Wednesdays are always such a bitch at work, especially when you work for a media house and you are the assistant to Morticia. Wednesdays always started off with the weekly meeting where everyone bull shits the sales projections and a whole lot of bogus appointments are made up just to fill diaries. But there we were, working to make ends meet. During mid-meeting, our big boss Stan Levens entered the room with an announcement. Supposed big news, and now coming from him, I can assure you that it was not bogus.

‘I am here today to inform my A-Team of a potential new corporate client, and if we play our cards right, we will acquire the biggest account this company has ever had. Brian and Chadd will head up the initial presentation, but in the interim, I will need you, Raygan, to go over there today to drop off our company portfolio with year-end financials. Actually, Raygan, you have been personally requested.’ Stan said, raising an eyebrow.

‘No problem, Sir,’ I respond, ‘and where exactly am I going?’

‘Nichols International!’

It was at that moment that I felt my coffee cup fall out my hand, and the room seemed to be closing in on me.

‘Raygan, Raygan!’ I heard Stan shouting.

‘Are you OK?’

I actually wasn’t OK. It felt like a bomb had gone off in my head. I felt like I was about to throw up. I made my way to the bathroom to splash water on my face, and by the time I got back to the meeting, assuring all that I was fine, the way forward had already been discussed. I was to deliver our documents to the infamous Nichols International at 3pm. I would be meeting with Mary who was Mr. Nichols’s (Mr-drop-dead-gorgeous-dangerous-could-probably-kill-you-with-his-bare-hands) assistant.

I only had 3 words……… ‘WHAT THE FUCK?’

I was so tempted to phone Lucy for some advice, but Lucy’s advice most certainly would involve making a trip past a clothing boutique for a very revealing shirt and pants that were way too skinny. So I decided to wing it on my own. What’s the big deal anyway? I’m meeting the assistant; Trey won’t even be there.

Nichols International was a supreme building. It was something out of the movies. It was very near to Malibu, which gave me the time to calm myself down in the car. There was a very heavy security presence both inside and outside. As I drove up to the first gate, my heart started to pound. My hands felt clammy. I introduced myself and was ushered through to the second gate. Security was so tight, I felt like I was crossing the border over into Pakistan. Once through the second gate a guard on foot ushered me to my parking. If I did not know where I was, just by looking around the car park, I would have guessed a VW and Mercedes dealership. Six black Golf GTIs, all modified with bulletproof glass and reinforced steel, all with the blue lights on the front dashboard. Then on the other side two ML 650 AMG’s clearly modified and one SLK AMG. All black. I definitely got the ‘military’ or ‘private contractor’ vibe. Or maybe I just wanted it to be that, I thought, giggling to myself. Even the security guards looked like they came straight out of a Men’s Health magazine.

‘Miss Raygan O’Conner,’ Mary said politely. She was an elderly lady, somewhat of a mother figure, which struck me as odd. I don’t know why that struck me as odd.

‘Can I get you some tea or coffee while you wait?’

Wait for what? was my immediate thought.

‘Just water would be lovely, thank you,’ I responded while reaching in my bag looking for my Xanax.

I honestly cannot remember how long it had been since I felt this nervous. My gut was telling me one thing but mentally I was trying to prove it wrong. Am I meeting with Trey?

The Xanax most certainly did not help. I could feel my face lose color. I quickly got directions to the lady’s room and got there just in time. I was most certainly going to pass out. I quickly splashed water on my face and held onto the basin very tightly. Once the dizzy spell passed and the blackness in my head faded, I let go of the basin only to look up into the mirror to see who standing behind me?

‘Holy crap!’… Yes, I said that out loud.

‘Raygan O’Conner, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,’ he said in the sexiest British accent.

I knew he was from the UK, but come on, surely one starts to lose the accent?

‘Trey, um Mr. Nichols, Sir, I am so sorry. Please accept my apology, today is just not a good day for me. I have left all the documents with Mary and should you have any questions please feel free to contact my office.’

Feeling like I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole, and flushed with embarrassment, I picked up my bag and politely squeezed past him. It wasn’t as easy as it looked as his presence kind of filled the small bathroom space. I made it past the small gap between him and the door, and, oh my goodness, did he smell good! It was a paralyzing smell. I felt my hormones racing as he gently grabbed my arm.

‘Are you sure you are OK? Can I get my driver to take you back to your office? Leave your car here and I will have it delivered to you later.’

‘No, no, no, I am good,’ I replied making sure to put as much distance between us as possible.

I ran as fast as I could to my car. I did not understand what was happening to me. He had totally thrown me off balance. In my head I had always just pictured him as a fantasy, but now being this close to him, smelling him, kicked it all into reality and I was not sure how to handle it. I found myself holding the place on my arm that he had grabbed.

By the time I arrived back at the office, there on my desk was the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I had ever seen. Yellow roses. My favorite.

The card attached read ‘Hope you are feeling better. Pick you up at 7pm. Trey.’

Pick me up at 7pm I thought to myself. Really? Pick me up from where? Work? Home? How would he even know where I lived? It is not like I had plans, but even if I did, I would probably cancel them. OMG, Trey Nichols wants to take me out. I re-read the note three times just to make sure it was from Trey. A nauseating feeling started coming over me. Was this really happening?

I immediately called Lucy to ask if she could babysit Emma for the night. When I told her the reason she was over the moon.

‘You are shitting me,’ was her response.

‘I think he feels sorry for me because I almost passed out in his bathroom,’ I replied.

‘WHAT??’

‘Lucy, I will explain it all later.’

‘OK, Ray, I will be at your house at 6pm. Clearly you need my expertise with wardrobe.’

The rest of the day flew by. I was still in the dark as to where I was being picked up, so at 5pm I left to go home. Who in their right mind stays at work until 7pm anyway. I managed to shower and get ready by the time Lucy arrived. As usual, Lucy made a few adjustments to what I was wearing, and by few adjustments I mean I went from jeans and a crop top with a blazer into a formal black little number with heels. Emma was very excited to be spending the evening with Lucy, which put my mind at ease.

‘Lucy, NO Game of Thrones.’

‘Oh come on, Ray, Emma loves it,’ Lucy replied giving me the wink.

‘I still don’t know how he knows where we live.’

‘Raygan, the man knows everything. He kills people for a living. Rumor or not, just be careful.’

‘That’s it,’ I replied. ‘I’m canceling this date.’

‘Oh, don’t be so dramatic. What is the worst that can happen?’ Lucy chuckled.

And at that moment, the Black Mercedes ML AMG pulled into my driveway. I instantly felt that sick feeling in my stomach. There was no backing out now.

‘Ooooooohhhhhhhhh,’ was Lucy’s response. ‘That is SO gangster.’

And with that there was a knock at the door. My legs were frozen. Lucy had to physically push me toward the door. As I opened the door, to my surprise it was not Trey, but an equally gorgeous VERY well-built young man. He was sporting a very neat short haircut, very army looking.

‘Miss O’Conner, my name is Sean and I will be driving you to the Nichols residence.’

The way this guy was built, Lucy had to ask the question:

‘Are you a driver or a bodyguard?’

‘I am whatever the boss needs me to be,’ he replied.

Chapter Two

Silence filled the car as I kept trying to picture the Nichols house. I had only ever seen pictures of the mansions in Calabasas, or just driven past, but never been inside one. And there it was. A huge mansion, surrounded by a twelve-foot wall. You could not see the actual house from the road until you were at the gate. A security house was situated just inside the gate. Two armed guards guarded the perimeter of the house constantly, which was honestly a little intimidating. Oh well, I thought, what the hell.

Before the car even stopped, Trey was at my door. As he opened the door, my heart literally dropped. He resembled a god. And there was that smell again. It made the hair on my arms stand up. By this stage I was almost certain that Paco Rabane One Million was ingrained into his bloodstream.

‘Thank you, Sean’ I managed to say without choking.

‘You look amazing, Raygan’ Trey said as he took my hand in his.

I felt electricity. This is how Charlie must have felt when he arrived at the chocolate factory. We walked hand in hand to the front door, which felt so natural. I knew nothing about this man, but felt so comfortable with him. The house was breathtaking. I had never seen anything like it.

‘Glass of champagne?’

‘Yes, please,’ I replied.

Taking a sip, I realized this was the real deal of champagne, and not sparkling wine that I was accustomed to.

‘Trey, your house is amazing.’

‘Good, then let me give you the tour’.

All of