Holiday on Ice

By Heather C. Myers

Before private investigator Mika Chalmers can go on a holiday vacation with her boyfriend and NHL player, Eric Foresburg, a client comes into her office, desperate for help. His son is missing, and only she can help.

It looks like Eric will have to wait, especially when she discovers that the son in question is none other than Alexander Beech.

His father wants him to reclaim his position as Alpha of the Viper Motorcycle Club before Beech is challenged by a rival gang for territory. Beech wants absolutely nothing to do with his father and his past, but his past doesn’t seem to care. The gang demands an answer, and Mika is kidnapped in order to get one. Mika must escape from the Viper's grasp before she becomes a pawn and lures Beech to what very well could be his death.

Ring in the holidays with a series with the chemistry of Bones and the unpredictable mystery of Castle written by a USA Today Best Selling Author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather C. Myers
• Release date: Oct 2, 2021

Heather C. Myers

Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 25 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real.I recently signed with Anchor Group Publishing, which will see two of my series being published this year. I've self-published over 15 books, with more on the way, so I'm familiar with both a hybrid-traditional publishing method as well as self-publishing.I don't speak in third person (normally) nor do I wear glasses (except when I'm feeling particularly mischievous). I'm lucky to have found my soul mate at the ripe old age of 22, even though he frustrates me on purpose to get a reaction out of me. We live near Disneyland, have two rambunctious female puppies, and have a beautiful baby girl. He has two amazing boys, and has gotten me hooked on Smallville, watching soccer (okay, okay FOOTBALL - FC Barcelona, baby!), and Cancun Juice.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Detective Alexander Beech didn’t belong in my apartment, and yet, his presence here felt as natural as breathing. Maybe I should go.

He looked between Eric and me, his brown eyes resting on me longer than he probably needed to. From his position in my apartment, it almost felt as though he was trying to find his place here. Catsey slid between his legs, circling him, her tail flicking out, almost as though she was saying that he belonged to her. I nearly chuckled. If the tension wasn’t as heavy, I probably would have. As much as I appreciated Beech’s concern, I nodded my head once, telling him I would be okay. He didn’t have to worry about me. I can see myself out.

Nonsense.

I knew walking him out would not be a popular decision with Eric. Even though my focus was on Beech, I could feel his icy glare following me and Beech to the door the entire way. I ignored it. To be honest, I didn’t particularly care what Eric was feeling right now. I just wanted to make sure Beech was okay. If he hadn’t gotten into the office when he had…

I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about it. Luckily, Beech was looking ahead so I didn’t have to explain myself to him.

He opened the door and stepped outside. I opened my mouth, ready to thank him, ready to tell him just how much I appreciated everything he had done for me, when he turned around. His eyes, usually filled with mischief and a hint of arrogance, were suddenly serious, and his gaze went across my face, down to my neck.

I swallowed, trying to ignore the intensity of his gaze. Beech was a lot of things, but guarded was one of the top things he seemed to be an expert at, and he was an expert at many things. I didn’t know anything about him other than the fact that he was the best detective at the Irvine Police Department and he wasn’t a huge fan of sports up until recently, when Chief Donna Hughes told me he used to be part of a motorcycle club when he was younger, young enough where his court records were sealed. I didn’t understand why she knew that about him and still hired him as a detective right out of the academy, but she seemed to think he wanted nothing to do with that life anymore to the point where I would never have thought he would even be associated with something like that. I still wanted to ask him about it, to get some sort of clarification about it, but so much had happened and it hadn’t been a priority.

I might have done it now but Eric was here, and there was no way I was having that sort of conversation with Beech in front of Eric.

Thank you, I said.

I needed to get the words off of my chest. They had been weighing on my chest like anchors, dragging me into the depths of the ocean. I didn’t know why they were difficult to force out of my mouth. Probably because telling him those two words would mean accepting that something bad had happened to me to the point where I needed help. And admitting I needed help was more difficult than it probably should be. Regardless, Beech needed to hear it. He needed to know just how much everything he had done meant to me. I didn’t want to think what would have happened if he hadn’t gotten there.

You never have to thank me for protecting you, Chalmers. His voice came out low, probably so Eric wouldn’t overhear. I’ll always be there for you whenever you need me. No matter what.

I nodded once, looking away. I didn’t want to need him. I didn’t want to need anyone. But I couldn’t stop my heart from jumping at his words. They gave me a thrill I wasn’t expecting and didn’t want to think about. Needing someone meant relying on them and relying on someone wasn’t something I wanted to do. I relied on Eric for the duration of our relationship and just when I thought we were at the point where we were serious, where we had just moved in together, he ripped the carpet out from under me.

How’s your hand? I shifted my weight and gestured at his hand. I ignored his kind words. They meant more to me than I wanted to think about, especially with Eric lingering nearby.

I’ve dealt with worse, he said, dropping his gaze to his hand. He curled his fingers to make a gentle fist before flexing them slightly. His lips curled into a frown but he didn’t wince, at least not outwardly. Mika, I… He let his voice trail off and he looked away. He clenched his jaw so hard it popped.

I furrowed my brow. I wasn’t sure why he was upset. I didn’t think I had done anything to him, and Eric hadn’t said anything terribly offensive yet.

I’m sorry, okay? He looked back at me, his eyes nearly black. There was anger in them, a slow, burning fury that I somehow knew wasn’t directed at me. I just wasn’t quite sure why he was as upset as he was. I’m sorry about everything. I… He swallowed, his Adam’s Apple bobbing up and down. I’m responsible –

You’re not, I said quickly, my voice firm. I was acutely aware of Eric’s presence. I knew he wasn’t trying to listen in on our conversation, but he also was present, waiting for me. If I took too long, he might start to wonder and I didn’t want him to ruin this moment between me and Beech. Don’t even go there, Beech. Don’t.

But if I hadn’t thrown that stupid party or insisted you apply for the job, it never would have happened, he said. I’m always going to regret what happened to you. I’m always going to blame myself.

Well, I hope you don’t, I said. I wanted to sound firm. I wanted to tell him he was being ridiculous but he didn’t seem to be in the mood to listen. Because if you do, you’re always going to look at me like I’m the victim. And it would kill me if you did that.

Beech opened his mouth. Something flickered across his face but I couldn’t tell what. Before he could say anything, his eyes flickered over my shoulder and his entire demeanor changed. He swallowed, not because he was afraid of anything, not because he was intimidated. It almost seemed like he was resigned about something.

I’ll see you later, he said. We can talk then.

With that, he opened the door and let himself out. I didn’t have to turn around to know that Eric was there, watching me. I could feel his eyes burn holes in the back of my head, and I shifted my weight, trying to prepare myself for dealing with him. I told him I wanted to talk to him, especially considering all that had happened and everything I felt had changed between us, at least on my end, but suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed and wait for a different time.

Mika, he said. What happened? And don’t tell me nothing.

I took in a breath, reminded that Eric didn’t know. It felt strange. Beech knew. I knew. Wasn’t that all that mattered?

However, Eric deserved to know. Eric deserved the same closure I received. Just because he had been overprotective and suggested things I didn’t agree with, didn’t mean he didn’t. Just because my feelings changed, didn’t mean his had.

I told him everything. Somehow, during my story, we made our way to the couch. Catsey jumped on my lap, as though she could sense I needed some moral support. I sounded like a robot. I stated facts, exactly as they happened. I didn’t talk about how I felt or what I was thinking in the moment. I didn’t want to get caught up in that. I told him exactly what he needed to hear to understand what had happened. But the emotion behind it, I kept to myself. I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like I wanted to keep things from him. He literally left St. Louis to be with me, to offer me support. The old Eric would never have done that. This Eric was trying. This Eric was attempting to be better than the old Eric. I had to give him credit for that, even if I didn’t understand why I was hesitating in telling him the truth.

And you said Beech stopped him? Eric asked, his voice crisp, cold. I could see anger flaring, but he wasn’t the type to react quickly and then cool down like me. He simmered. His fire was more like dry ice, so cold it burned.

Beech beat the shit out of him, I said. Without him… I let my voice trail off, unsure how to finish the sentence.

There was a moment of silence. I tried to figure out if it was awkward or not before realizing it didn’t matter. Whatever this feeling was, it was, and it didn’t matter if it was awkward or not because I knew I didn’t want it. This feeling was not something I wanted for myself. In fact, I didn’t want any part of it. I didn’t want any part of him.

I don’t think this is working out. The words slipped out easier than I thought they would have. Once I said them, the burden I was carrying suddenly fell off my shoulders and it was a little easier for me to breathe. I caught Eric’s eye and made sure to look at him directly so he would know I meant what I said.

Mika, he began. You can’t be serious.

Of course, I’m serious, I said, one arm across my chest so my hand could hold my upper arm. I just think that we need to stop doing what we’re doing Eric. We need to be honest with ourselves. This isn’t working.

Mika. He stepped forward and then stopped, giving me some space. He looked away, chewing his bottom lip. I knew he wanted to respect me, but he also wanted to hold me. I ignored the twinge of guilt that floated through my body, stuffing it back down in my gut. You’ve been through a lot lately. You’re emotional and scared and suffered a huge trauma that you barely remember. Are you sure that this is what you really want?

I opened my mouth, turned around, ready to tell Eric that this was what I wanted and the fact that he would hint otherwise was frustrating. I didn’t appreciate him attempting to gaslight me.

Look, the holidays are coming up, he pointed out. I know Christmas is your favorite. I didn’t want to tell you until your birthday, but the thirtieth is far from now, and Thanksgiving can be distracting. But I want us to get away for the holidays. I think you need to get away from this place. I think you need to just forget what happened, just for a little bit.

Forget what happened? What, so I could be distracted by red and green lights, a Christmas tree, and shiny presents wrapped with ribbon? If only a fat man in a red suit could use that Christmas miracle magic and just make me forget about everything. If only it could be that easy.

Eric, I don’t think –

The words came out even though they didn’t want to, like brushing fruit snacks from my teeth. Even so, Eric still managed to find a way to interrupt me, to not see what was truly going on. Either he was that bad at reading me or he was in denial.

I should say no. I should tell him that some Christmas vacation wasn’t going to actually work.

But I didn’t.

Please, Meeks, he said in that soft-spoken voice. For a glimmer of a moment, Eric’s eyes were warm and welcoming, like melted snow rather than ice. My stomach tumbled. How could I say no to him? I really want to try to make this work.

I pressed my lips together. My shoulders sagged forward. Fine.

I headed for my room and shut the door. I didn’t want to think about any of this. Not right now. Not ever.

Chapter 2

I should have said no. I should have told Eric I didn’t want to get away, that the thought of leaving to travel somewhere romantic for the holidays left my gut twisting up like barbed wire. As I went to my office the next morning, I couldn’t help but think of all the ways I could have ended things. I was so close. I had finally gotten the words out. And it didn’t matter. Eric managed to use his skill at getting me to do whatever he wanted to try this one last time.

But why would I try if my heart wasn’t in it?

I gripped my steering wheel harder than it already was and curled errant hair behind my ear. I shook my head, muttering nonsense even I didn’t understand as I pulled into a parking spot.

If you don’t want to go, you should tell him, I said. Before he buys tickets. Before he does any of that.

God, I was chicken shit. I cared about Eric. I even loved him at one point. But it was like my heart shut the door on any possibilities with him the second he broke up with me. It was like it had remembered the pain and insecurity I felt after that moment and didn’t want to have to endure it again. My heart was throwing up a buffer and I was basically handing Eric the power to tear it down so I could hurt again.

Deep down, I knew this wasn’t going to work. So, what the fuck was I doing?

I got out of the car, the overcast sky hiding my shadow I would normally see in the nearly-empty parking spot. Irvine had lots of grass and lots of trees, even in business areas. It was something they prided themselves on. It was something I really enjoyed. People tended to write suburbs off as cookie cutter and the same, and I understood that to a point. But there was something to be said for clean streets,