Proposal from Hell: Heaven on Hell Island Universe, #2

By Shea Swain

Brielle St. James, star of a popular reality show, just might enjoy the spotlight and attention a little too much. She makes no excuses about who she is, what she likes, or what she feels she deserves. A man who wants to be with her will bend because Brielle refuses to, not even a little. Especially if that man happens to be a deadly, gorgeous, anal-retentive, bodyguard, whose smile makes her want to act totally out of character and do whatever he asks.

 

Justin Jian guarded the princess of reality television as a favor to a friend. But he already had an almost irrational urge to protect her at all costs, spurred by the haunted look in her eyes on their first encounter. He also had an almost irrational desire for her; and though he vowed it would never be sated, somehow Brielle forced her way under his armor. The result was a night of volcanic passion, but the next morning Brielle's smart and sassy mouth quickly washed away any thoughts of a future together.

 

Years pass and Brielle's star has faded a bit, but her desperation to get it back exposes her to some unsavory people. After she is kidnapped and secreted to a foreign country, Justin runs headfirst into Hell, with rescue on his mind. He seems ready to risk it all for Brielle, but can she convince herself that he means more than the fame she covets?

 

Proposal from Hell is book two in the Heaven on Hell Island Universe

If you want to fully enjoy the experience of this world, you should read Heaven on Hell Island.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shea Swain
• Release date: Jun 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393237907

Shea Swain

Shea is a woman in love with the idea of love so it’s no wonder she writes Romance Novels. The East Coast native is a romantic to her core and reads and watches anything with a love story. She especially likes binging on Romance TV around Christmas time. She enjoys meeting people and chatting, collecting Barbie dolls, toys, anime, and is addicted to The Sims games. Shea also loves music and has mentioned that she writes better when she has movie scores playing as white noise in the background. This new and exciting author writes Adult Romance in the sub-genres of Contemporary, New Adult, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, and Erotica. Head on over to my website www.Sheaswainwrites.com for Upcoming Releases, Character Dream-casting, And sign up for my Newsletter http://bit.ly/1JaAmmf THANK YOU and Please consider leaving a review!

Book preview

Prologue

Night Club

––––––––

Justin/24yrs old

Brielle/22yrs old

Him

Justin crossed his arms over his chest. He stared at the man who he once worked for, an old friend of his father’s, and his friend...sort of. Why me? Justin questioned as he frowned. He was certain the confusion he felt was written all over his face, but in case it wasn’t...

Let me see if I have this right, Justin said, his words dripping with sarcasm. You want me to protect a pop princess? To be her bodyguard?

Talbert raised his hand and held up a finger. Now wait, Jian, he said, calling Justin by his last name as he leaned forward then rested his elbows on his desk. Think of it as a much-needed break while you help out a very petrified young lady. Your father said you were due for a rest. He suggested you personally.

Justin shook his head in disbelief. "Why not offer this job to Ferdinand. He owes you and he like this kind of work."

Sighing, Talbot stood. Ferdinand isn’t you. I want the best, he said. Just meet with them. That’s all I’m asking.

Justin narrowed his eyes as he stared at Talbot. A veteran who served in the special forces with Justin’s father, Talbot was now a businessman. Everything was worked like a deal to him and Justin knew this situation was no different. Talbot must have some kind of arrangement with this woman or her father, as an incentive to pimp him and his extensive skills out. What kind of arrangement? That was the question.

Except, Justin didn’t care.

He checked the time on his device, then watched as Talbot walked away from the desk. He had a few minutes to spare for the man out of respect for his father, but what he proposed was insulting and a waste of his time. There was no way he was taking on a babysitting job, and that’s exactly what this was.

Talbot opened his office door and called out a name. Justin stood and turned in the direction of the door. A few seconds later, a man walked through the open door and greeted Talbot. He was dressed well, held his head high, and looked Justin straight in the eyes as he approached.

Mr. Jian, the man held out his hand, I’m Malcolm St. James.

Justin shook Mr. St. James’ hand while committing the man’s name to memory and openly appraising him. Mr. St. James’ hand was rough and calloused, but his nails were well cared for and his suit was custom-tailored and looked very expensive. Overall, Mr. St. James looked wealthy but seemed the type who didn’t shy away from hard work.

I understand you are a busy man so I don’t want to waste your time. My daughter needs a competent, experienced, disciplined person to protect her. Money is no object.

Justin appreciated the way the man got straight to it but...

Nice to meet you, Mr. St. James, he said. I understand how important your daughter’s safety is to you and I thank you for your consideration, but I was explaining to Talbot that I am not a bodyguard. Justin felt the pressure of Mr. St. James’ grip tightened before the man released his hold. He watched as Mr. St. James looked to Talbot while opening his mouth in an O shape. Justin continued, I am sorry that I can’t help you.

Not interested in hearing the two men hash out details for an alternative bodyguard, Justin excused himself with a slight bow to both men then he exited the office, closing the door behind him.

Mr. Jian, Talbot’s receptionist said from behind her desk, should I have your vehicle brought around?

Thank you, Mrs. Billows, he said with a nod.

Justin didn’t break his stride as he exited the reception area and stepped into the hallway. He was halfway down the length of the hall, heading toward the elevators when he dodged a woman who almost ran into him as she was exiting the restroom.

The young woman yelped as she jumped back, losing her footing. Justin reached out, grabbed her by her upper arm, and steadied her. What took him by surprise was the fear he saw burning in her wide glossy eyes as she stared up at him. He felt the shudder that ran through her slight frame, so he immediately let his hand fall away from her arm.

Excuse me, he said. For the first time in his life, Justin tried to make himself look unassuming and small, which was hard to do for him, being slightly over six foot two.

I’m sorry, she sniffed as she lowered her head and rushed toward Talbot’s office. Please excuse me. She glanced at him over her shoulder before continuing down the hall.

Is that her, the petrified young woman?

Justin stood there, following the young woman with his eyes. There was something about her, a vulnerability that seemed to call out to him. He was still standing there, deep in thought, long after the door to Talbot’s reception area closed behind her. Then he shook his head to clear his thoughts and went on his way.

Later that same day

Justin stood in the shadows, waiting for his target to pass. Moore was a hard man to pin down, but he was religious about one thing, jogging. Justin knew the man was into fitness and followed the latest articles on the subject. Like the ones that suggested it may be better to run at night due to our body temperature being at its highest.

Justin ran at night as well.

A single set of footfalls echoed off the paved trail and into the quiet night before Moore came into view. Standing behind a large tree, Justin knew the man didn’t see him as he ran by. After Moore passed, Justin stepped from behind the tree and started to jog in the same direction, making no attempts to hide his presence.

Alerted that he had company now, Moore glanced over his shoulder. The man’s eyes widened as he came to a stop. Moore turned around as Justin slowed but continued to close the distance between them.

Justin figured Moore was thinking through possible escape routes in case he got the opportunity to avoid this reunion. Hopefully, Justin’s hard stare conveyed that he wouldn’t get that chance. And just like that, uncertainty left Moore’s eyes, replaced with acceptance, and the killer Justin knew the man was smiled.

I didn’t expect them to send you,

Who else would they send? Justin asked as he adjusted the black baseball cap on his head so that his face was visible. He was the best and had been since he started years ago.

Well..., Moore said as his lips spread into a tight line, "there is this young upstart. I hear he is as good as you are now at just seventeen.

What? Chaos doesn’t recruit that young. Justin thought he was the exception.

Moore took a step forward. They call him Ares.

To conceal that the information of the young agent was news to him, or that he was concerned that Chaos would once again recruit someone so young, Justin grinned.

So, you knew? Moore shook his head and let out a deadpan chuckle. You’ve changed old friend, and so has the agency.

Change is necessary, Eros

I suppose it is, Apollo. Moore moved closer. You could report that you didn’t find me tonight, for old time’s sake. He doesn’t keep tabs on you as he does with the others. He will believe you.

Profit over Peace, Eros, Justin said as he pulled his blade from its hidden sheath that rested on his lower back under his shirt. That is unforgivable, old friend.

So, friendship be damned? Moore slid his hand down inside his sweats, then revealed a similar blade.

Justin’s response was to rush forward. He raised the blade in a wide arc above his head as if he was going to plunge it into Moore’s chest. Moore reacted the way Justin anticipated, by raising his arm to block the attack. Only, Justin pivoted then spun around Moore at the last moment. Behind his target, Justin dropped the knife he held in his right hand. At the same time, he swept up with his left hand, caught the blade, and jabbed it upward into the back of Moore’s skull before his old friend even realized he was breathing his last breath.

Twisting the blade before pulling the knife free, Justin caught Moore before he fell to the pavement, wiped his blade on the man’s shirt, then sheathed his blade behind his back. He dragged the body off the path and behind a tree, stripped it of all valuables, then ripped Moore’s shirt and slipped off one of the man’s shoes. As Justin walked away, he purposely dropped a few items out of Moore’s wallet then placed what was left, along with the black gloves he wore, inside a plastic bag he had folded in his pouch pocket.

Justin pulled out a burner phone and dialed the number from memory as he walked back to the vehicle he was using. When the line was answered, he said, What time do you close?

Uh, the caller said, sounding confused, It’s an all-night Express-N-Shop, man.

Thank you, Justin said then placed the burner phone in the bag with Moore’s things. He slipped the bag into his sweatshirt pouch and started to jog as he adjusted his ball cap on his head. He passed a couple, seemingly out for a walk, before he reached his vehicle.

It was unfortunate the couple’s night may be ruined if they come across Moore’s body but there was nothing he could do about that.

Before he pushed the ignition button inside the car, Justin sighed. The young woman he saw at Talbot’s office earlier was still on his mind, and that was odd.

You’re making a mistake, he told himself.

But the truth was, Justin knew the moment he saw the woman that he didn’t want to see her harmed.

He put the shift into gear and drove until he crossed Ohio’s state line then pulled off on the side of the road. He pulled his personal cell phone from under the seat, inserted the battery, and dialed.

You’ll do it then? Talbot asked. His excitement was apparent.

Why aren’t you asleep, old man? It’s 11 pm.

I was waiting for your call. Listen, thanks, Jian.

What is your relationship with the girl? Justin asked.

You’ve never asked that before.

What is your connection to the girl?

Talbot sighed. Fine, he said with a huff. Brielle is my niece, my sister’s girl.

An odd sense of relief filled Justin. He didn’t think Talbot would be interested in someone so young no matter how beautiful she was, but he needed to be sure. Why he needed to be sure, he didn’t want to think about it; he didn’t get involved in emotionally charged gigs, he just concentrated on doing his job. Hell, he couldn’t recall a job where he felt any emotions toward the primary. But he had never seen the level of vulnerability he saw in her, just from that brief encounter.

Send me the information.

Chapter 1

The night before the Survivors Ball

for the Bleu and Chris dinner

––––––––

Two years later

Justin/26yrs old

Brielle/24yrs old

Him

Justin glanced over his shoulder then turned his head forward as he adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket with a jerk of his hand. The guy drooling all over Brielle was a loser of the highest caliber. Yet, the miscreant had her attention.

This woman, he thought as he did a visual sweep of the room.

The crowd always congregated in specific areas like the bar, the center of the dance floor, and the area in front of the VIP section, just a flight of stairs down from where he stood. Justin kept his eyes on the crowd and his ears focused on Brielle’s conversation.

He detested the club scene and everything about it. The headache-inducing noise this crowd called music and the unfocused people were the worst types of torture. Yet, he kept accepting assignments to protect Brielle, knowing how her horde picked at his long-practiced calm.

Brielle laughed.

Justin blinked. Her laugh reminded him of a congested nose breather suppressing muffled laughter through a flute. He fought the cringe that this particular laugh of hers usually triggered in him.

Come on, baby, let’s get out of here.

My man won’t like me leaving with you, Brielle said with the same nasal giggle.

She is going to be the death of me, Justin said to himself.

Your man won’t know if you don’t tell him, the guy said.

The sound of Brielle letting out a high pitch Oh followed by innocent giggling had Justin digging his nails into his palms. Tightening his jaw, Justin shifted from one foot to the other.

"Not my man. My, her tone lifted, man," Brielle corrected the guy.

No doubt she is pointing at me now. Justin refused to acknowledge her comment with a glance over his shoulder, but she was right. The fucktard wasn’t taking her anywhere.

Him? the guy asked. Your bodyguard? Sweetheart, he’s paid to protect you. Not to cockblock.

Who even says that anymore? Cockblock.

Who says cockblock anymore? Brielle asked.

This time when she laughed it was genuine, a light harmonious sound that always set off a tickling sensation in Justin’s belly.

Anyways, I have a thing tomorrow so, I’m going to have to decline your invitation, Francis.

Francis...? For fuck’s sake.

Justin fought hard to contain a sigh. That he was so irritated tonight didn’t escape him. Yet, he knew the reason for his unrest wasn’t something he could remedy at the moment. So, he had to do his best to maintain his usual professional demeanor.

Fuck, Brielle! Francis yelled.

What sounded like a bottle slamming hard on some surface finally had Justin sighing out loud. He turned around and pinned Brielle’s acquaintance with a raised brow.

What? Francis stood, looking at Justin with alcohol-fueled courage blazing in his brown eyes. You think you can take me?

Justin removed his earpiece then took a step forward, but Brielle jumped up and raced to cut him off. Before she could plant herself in from of him, Justin took hold of her forearm, applying a little pressure. He moved her aside and behind him before he released her arm and continued to stare at Francis with a look in his eyes that begged the fucker to jump.

Because yeah...he wanted Francis to jump.

You don’t want to do this, Brielle said. She pressed her front to Justin’s back and spread her fingers over his left bicep.

This woman is going to be the death of me, he repeated in his head as he tried to ignore the way her breasts felt, pressed against his back.

Yeah, rent-a-cop, Francis said, puffing up his brawny chest.

Francis’ form was indeed impressive compared to Justin’s, which was comprised of sleek finely tuned muscle; an onlooker might think this was an uneven match.

They would be correct.

I was talking to you, Frank, Brielle said.

Francis looked to Brielle, then to her hand that was holding on to Justin’s arm. He looked back up and Justin met his gaze. Whatever it was he saw in Justin’s eyes; it caused Francis’ chest to deflate a little as he lifted the expensive champagne bottle off the table then flopped down on the plush semi-circular sectional.

Go on home then, Francis sneered as he rolled his eyes. Miss out on the best night of your life.

Doubtful, Justin said, with no nuance. He kept his eyes on Francis as he gave Brielle a slight push toward the stairs. She was halfway down before he turned and descended to meet her at the VIP rope where a bouncer stood.

Whatever man, Francis called out.

Justin, Brielle said as the bouncer lifted the black velvet rope.

But Justin wasn’t in the mood for her anger or explanation. Whichever she was planning to dish out was silenced when he took her hand and pulled her through the crowd to the rear of the club.

Her

Brielle glanced over at Justin again then back at her hands she had folded in her lap. His expression, brows knitted inward and eyes narrowed to crinkled slits, hadn’t changed since they left the club. He usually appeared indifferent but today Justin was projecting hard as fuck. Brielle always felt that eyes were the key to measuring most men. Reading Justin’s eyes wasn’t foolproof but it was the only way she saw flickers of emotion in him from time to time.

Right now, his hooded dark eyes were telling her to keep quiet. It wasn’t as if she was going to listen though. Brielle swept her gaze over at Justin again. She pushed her shoulders back, twisted her lips, and crossed her legs before asking, What is your damage? She waited for him to respond.

...and waited some more.

The nerve, she thought as she raised her brow.

Is he ignoring me? Me!

With a powerful need to give Justin a piece of her mind, Brielle pursed her lips to do just that, but the vehicle came to a stop.

You can call it a night, Alex, Justin said to her driver. When the valet opened the door, Justin stepped out of the car and reached back for her hand without looking to see if she’d take his.

"Pft." Stunned into silence, Brielle gazed at his hand for several seconds. She looked up at him but he didn’t even turn around to regard her. It was as if he knew she would take his hand. Before she inched her hand into his large palm, Brielle frowned in annoyance. That frown was instantly subdued by the jolt of electricity that shifted through her from the harmless contact with him.

Justin wrapped his fingers around her hand and gave her a slight tug. He seldom touched her, but when he did... She steeled herself, prepared to shake off the feelings she got during those rare times.

Still bewildered by her odd response to his touch, Brielle furrowed her brows. She eased her way out of the car and allowed him to lead her past the doorman and lobby attendant as he headed straight for the elevators. He wasn’t dragging her, but the steady tap of her heels on the polished floor signaled that she wouldn’t be allowed any time for her usual small talk session with the building’s staff in the lobby.

Inside the large elevator, Justin stood in front of her, slightly to her right. He placed his left thumb on a small security screen, and when the green light flashed, he pressed a security code on the elevator keypad for her floor then looked up as the elevator ascended.

Should I say something? Brielle asked herself.

She enjoyed drama but never cared for public spats. In general, she hated all PDRs (public displays of rage). This even though she was encouraged by her agent and producer to wild-out as often as possible to keep her name in the entertainment news.

The ting of the elevator signaled to them that the second level security measure was needed to access her penthouse.

Brielle watched Justin place his thumb on the small panel screen again before the elevator doors opened to her foyer. She didn’t get two steps inside her condo before Justin dropped her hand and spun around to face her. The look on his stunning face, the way his strong jaw flexed, and the heat in his haunting deep-set dark eyes sent a shiver through her entire body as she backed away from him until she was flat against the closed elevator doors.

Why?

Why what? Brielle murmured. It was an automatic response that she didn’t even consider before replying. She was still mesmerized by his beauty, drinking it in.

Why do you play with them? Those idiots who you, they, and I know aren’t worth a damn minute of your time? he asked as he raked his penetrating gaze over every inch of her face as if he was searching for the answer. Why do you play with them?

Wait, what? Brielle blinked her eyes and snapped back to normal. Glowering, she couldn’t believe he was questioning her. The fact that she allowed him to back her into a corner was even more unbelievable. She measured the space between them. There were a foot and a half, maybe two.

It’s none of your damn business, she said with a lift of her chin as she used the space between them to sidestep him. But before she was able to pass him, Justin took hold of her arm, pulled her back, and pressed her against the wall.

There was little to no space between them now. He was so close to her that she swore she felt the tension that coiled in his hard-lean body vibrating through in hers.

Justin leaned his face closer to hers, his lips close to her jaw and his breath caressing her skin. Everything you do is my business, Xiǎozi.

The word he said after business was foreign to her. It was a word she didn’t know, but the way he said it, breathed it on her bare neck, made its meaning so damn sexy that Brielle felt the fight in her melt as her body went limp. She closed her eyes to block out the heat she saw in his and how it was affecting her.

Him

What are you doing, Jian? Justin could feel, could almost hear the alarm bells going off in his head, but he also knew he didn’t care. The years of listening to those losers talk to Brielle about what they wanted to do to her and what she was missing had worn him down. Justin knew that he was more than qualified to give her the best night of her life. He knew that idiot couldn’t do it.

Stop it.

Think.

But the scent coming off her skin as he fixed his eyes on its smoothness was so tantalizing; Justin had to squeeze his eyes shut.

Think, he reminded himself, but he...

Justin sighed then wet his lips by sweeping his tongue over them. Why do you have to smell so nice?

Resist her. You are a fucking professional, Jian, he told himself. This is why you are so good at what you do.

You’re one to talk, she said breathily.

Shit. If he wasn’t so close to her, he doubted he would have heard her weak and shaky whispered response. But hearing her words and feeling her small hand pressed against his chest... Relax, nothing bad is gonna happen, Justin told himself to silence his sensible thoughts. Then, for the first time in a very long time, he reacted without careful measure.

He struck, dragging his tongue over the pulse point of her neck. Her reaction, a gasp then a groan, spurred him to run his teeth over the exposed skin of her neck and gently nip her.

Brielle stiffened. Realizing what he’d done, Justin closed his eyes briefly, then he leaned back, raised his head, and stared into Brielle’s chestnut eyes. He wasn’t ready to stop, and she didn’t look like she wanted him to.

Monitoring her expression, he slowly moved his hand upward from the outside of her thinly covered leg but stopped where the thigh-high stocking ended. She shivered beneath his touch and her eyes widened, but she didn’t move or push his hand away. She exhibited no visible or verbal objections.

But...she made no moves of her own.

Maybe she’s intimidated by me. He’d never touched her in this way, never given her any indication that he wanted to; though, he wondered more than once what those

Reviews for Proposal from Hell

[DesRay B · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a ride!!! This book had me enthralled from the beginning to the end! Loved the characters and the action-packed storyline. Cannot wait for the next book!