Brian: Starke Private Security, #4

By Kate Stone

After losing what little my father left me, I don't know where to turn.

A chance encounter, saving a guy in an alley, leads me to her - the answer to all my needs. Funny thing is, I'm what she needs, too.

I vow to protect her from everyone except myself because I'm falling hard and can't live without her. I can be everything she needs, I just have to prove it to her

***

Brian, the fourth book in Kate Stone's Starke Private Security series, is an instalove romance with an alpha male who will do anything to protect his woman...and make her his. Of course these two have a happy ending, with no cheating and no cliffhanger. Books in the Starke Private Security series can be read in any order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Stone
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201435356

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Monica

By the time I finished doing some long-neglected paperwork and paid my sales tax, it was dark outside and I realized I was the only one left in the strip mall.

I hated being the last one in the center. It wasn’t as though I thought I was going to be abducted and sent overseas, which seemed to be a prevalent concern with my mother, for reasons she never quite made clear to me but it was still worrying.

I knew there had been a few incidents in the area in the past couple months that made me a little wary.

I locked up the shop, had my key in hand, ready to insert it into the car lock and head on home. My car had an electronic fob that would have allowed me to unlock it as I approached – but I discovered electronic fobs laundry machines made for an unfortunate combination.

When I put the key in the lock, I had a hard time getting it to turn. It was jammed and I struggled with it for a few seconds before I heard an engine revving.

Blindingly bright headlights came on and I realized there had been a lone van parked a short distance away. I hadn’t seen it since it was in a section of the parking lot with no working lights.

I put my hand up to block the light and the next thing I knew, the car raced toward me. I flung myself out of the way and as it narrowly missed me, I was able to see it was a dark color, but nothing else.

My legs gave out and I sank to the ground, heart pounding. I didn’t know what to make of what had just happened. On the one hand, I told myself it might have been teenagers looking to put a scare into someone. On the other hand, it felt much more threatening…

As I left the parking lot, I debated whether or not to call my business partner, Cassie.

Cassie Stone was a fantastic business partner, but when it came to our friendship, she was more emotional than me — and she tended to  come up with some of the weirdest conspiracy theories I'd ever heard.

In the end, though, I knew I needed to tell her what had happened and I dialed her number.

Hey, she said, answering the call. What's up? Did you get caught up on the paperwork? Believe me, I would have stayed and helped you, but you know how much I suck at paperwork.

I laughed, shaking my head. Yes, I know...and yes, I finished all of it.

Are you home, having a glass of wine, then?

I sighed. Actually, no. Look, there's something I'm going to tell you, but I don't want you to get all bent out of shape over it, okay? I need you to keep a level head and not jump to any conclusions. Agreed?

There was a long pause before she said, Monica, what's going on?

Okay, this is probably nothing, but when I left the shop, there was someone in the parking lot and — well, I couldn't unlock my door right away and the next thing I knew, someone in a van nearly ran me down.

Shit! Are you all right?

Yes. I'm fine. I'm just a little rattled, that's all. You know, it's really probably nothing, but I thought I'd let you know.

How can you say it was nothing? You and I both know who it was.

Cassie, I asked you not to jump to any conclusions, okay? I didn't get a good look at the driver. It might have been some kids or someone who maybe had a little too much to drink and wasn't in the best shape to be driving.

Okay, how much do you want to strain credibility? It was 'You-Know-Who,' Monica. You need to get over here right away.

I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. The last thing I wanted to do was to spend the night listening to her crazy ideas about someone trying to kill me. No. What I need is to go home and have a glass of wine and take a nice, relaxing bath.

Monica, I'm not kidding. You need to get over here right away. I know I let my imagination run away with me sometimes, but let's be honest— if it was the person we're both thinking about, the last place you need is to be at your apartment.

Even though I knew Cassie was over-reacting, a small part of me thought there might be the tiniest chance she was right.

Fine. I'll come by your place — but only because I know it'll make you feel better, I said. I'll be there in a few minutes.

*****

The moment I knocked on Cassie's door, she flung it open and pulled me into a tight bear hug. I waited for a few seconds, then patted her on the back and said, It's good to see you, too.

Come into the living room. I've got the wine already poured and you can tell me everything.

Cassie's apartment was just like Cassie — neat and organized. I watched her sit down on the couch, her crystal blue eyes locked onto me. There was a tight frown on her normally very relaxed face.

Okay, I said, after sipping my wine, I'm sure there's nothing here for me to be worried about but it caught me off-guard and rattled me.

Someone tried to run you down, she stated. Am I right?

"No.