Zero's Chance (Book 4)

By Rynn Royale

Note: This title was originally released under the pen name Rebecca Thein.
Readers: The Unrelenting Passion Series is a collection of romance stories featuring M/F, M/M, and everything in between because love has no boundaries.
This series can be read as standalone stories.
The book is not for anyone under the age of 18.

BLURB
The first thing I noticed about the man guarding the cake at my brother’s wedding reception was his skill with a makeup brush—how he accentuated his eyes with glitter.

Those eyes.

They beckoned, yet when I accepted their invitation, the man behind them turned away. Hmmm...intriguing. Who is he? Why is he here? Uncovering the stranger’s secrets might spell trouble, but I’m willing to take a Chance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rynn Royale
• Release date: Nov 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005186319

Rynn Royale

I am a native Californian and can’t imagine living anywhere else. So naturally, I use many of my state’s beautiful locales as the backdrop in my novels.What do I do when I’m not writing? You can find me in the garden, taking a hike, being crafty, and spending time with my family, and of course reading.I believe love is love, and I write about all forms of love between consenting adults. Rainbows are beautiful, as is the love my characters find in their stories.

Book preview

Officiate 1

†

Zero

I stood in front of the mirror. How the hell does anyone tie these? I’m aware every man should know how to knot a tie, but I can’t get it to look right since I rarely wear one. I don’t want to admit I’m frustrated and ready to say fuck it, but I am. Would anyone care or notice if I went without a tie?

Let me help you, Krystal offered as she stepped into the bathroom.

I turned to see her smiling. Thanks. I was ready to rip the damn thing off.

She worked her magic and soon had my tie perfectly knotted. There ya go. Handsome as ever. She patted my chest before she left the bathroom.

I retrieved my cuff links to finish off my attire, and if I say so myself, I was playing the part the way Brody asked me to. It was vital to Brody that I was the one to officiate his nuptials. I was stepping in to honor our father, who would be with us today in spirit.

I’m not the marrying type, but anything is possible since Brody used to tell me the same thing. And now here he is, hitching himself for life. I laughed at that thought. I would have bet every penny I had that I’d never see this day.

And maybe I won’t. He still has time to back out and run. But I know my brother, and that won’t happen if he’s still breathing. I’ve never seen him so happy and content. Whatever Rachel had, Brody was drawn to it. For myself, I’ll stick with Krystal. We have an understanding and enjoy fucking with no strings attached. Therefore, we are definitely not exclusive or even an item.

I left my room and found Krystal placing her clothes into her suitcase. I should be back next month. Same time and place?

You know it. When she arrives in town, Krystal uses my place to crash. I love that she doesn’t live close by because I like my freedom, and I know if she were near, I’d never get to enjoy other people. Well, I could, but I’d choose to spend my time with her. She makes me laugh and is aggressive in bed. It was the one time I gave up control because I soon found out she’d take me on quite the ride when I did.

Okay, I’m outta here. She kissed me, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door.

I glanced at my phone to see how much time I had. Brody would kick my ass if I were late, and I’d have to let him. I mean, it is his wedding, so he’d have a right to beat the shit out of me.

I might sound like I’m complaining, but I’m thrilled Brody asked me to officiate for Rachel and him. She understood and accepted my brother and what he did for a career. That gave me hope that there might be someone out there for me. Wait, let me retract that. I am happy with my life just the way it is.

On one level, I’ll admit I want what Brody has, but then there’s the fact I enjoy variety. I doubt I could ever be monogamous. I’ve never tried because I have a wandering eye.

Enough wasting time. I have to get on the road. You never know how traffic will be in San Francisco, especially if Critical Mass decides today is the day they hold a rally and ride through the city.

* * *

Brody

Calm down. He’ll be here soon, my sister Polly assured me.

And if he’s not? I don’t want Rachel to think I got cold feet.

She won’t. I’ll text Calder. Polly’s fingers were flying over her phone. Now, you need to relax.

I just want everything to be perfect. I can’t fuck this up. I paced the small room.

Polly stepped up to me and grabbed my hands. You know, I’ve never seen you anxious. This is a new side of you.

I laughed because she was right. I rarely got worried about anything except my woman. Loving and protecting her is my one true calling.

The door opened, and in walked my brother. Damnit, Darrel, what took you so long?

Krystal stopped by last night. And I got a late start this morning, he offered as his excuse.

Polly glared at our brother. God, you two and your sexcapades. When are you just going to settle down with her already? Polly asked. She kept pushing Darrel to get real with someone. My sister loved that I’d found Rachel. Now she was urging our brother to follow in my footsteps.

Oh, that’s never happening. I like her, but we don’t have that type of relationship.

Polly just shook her head and picked up a glass of water. I had wine, but she said she needed a clear head. I’m going to check in on Rachel. And I’ll send Calder and Spence over here.

Are we about ready to get this show on the road? Darrel asked.

We are. Just as soon as my groomsmen get here. I put my suit coat on, and as I looked in the mirror, Spence, Rachel’s brother, and Calder, her best friend, walked in.

Let’s rock-n-roll before Rachel has a panic attack, Calder suggested.

She’s having a panic attack? my voice rose.

Calm down, stud. I’m kidding. She’s fine.

I shoved his shoulder. Don’t do that again, I warned. All Calder did in response was laugh.

* * *

Zero (aka Darrel)

That was cutting it close. I made it to the venue with fifteen minutes to spare.

I could see my brother was about two seconds from yelling at me, but he held his composure.

Calder, Spence, and I sandwiched Brody between us as we headed to take our places at the altar.

I saw our mom sitting in the front row. I nodded to her when we entered, and she smiled. Mom worried about us daily, but she was also our biggest supporter. Seeing her smiling and not with the concerned look I frequently witnessed warmed my heart.

Our mom loved Rachel and couldn’t wait for grandchildren. Inside, I chuckled because we thought Polly would be the one married with kids, not Brody or myself. Our lifestyle made commitment difficult but not impossible.

Initially, Brody and Rachel had discussed getting married at the bar Calder owned because that was where they met. But then she found a small church registered as a historical site. Brody told me the moment she stepped inside the venue, she turned to him and said, We have to get married here! So they placed a deposit on the first available date.

I have to admit, this is a charming, quaint church to be married in. I smiled, knowing I was now an integral part of their special day.

What sold Rachel on this place was that they allowed guest officiants like me. It was important to Brody that I was the person who legally joined them as one. And I was honored he trusted me to respect his wishes.

I’m the man that is ordinarily hiding. But here I was at the forefront, feeling quite exposed. Although knowing everyone in attendance was our loved ones eased my anxiety.

The music started, and Polly walked through the doors, followed by Sheila, Rachel’s friend. Polly was beaming confidently, and Sheila walked in like a runway model.

Everyone stood as Rachel appeared in the doorway. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her. She was a gorgeous woman, but today she looked like an angel. The sunlight cascaded through the windows, causing an ethereal aura around her. She was stunning. And if I thought she was gorgeous, I can definitely imagine what Brody was thinking. Or maybe I shouldn’t try because I already knew what he thought when it came to Rachel.

I took a moment to witness his expression. His eyes told me I was right.

Once Rachel stood at the altar facing Brody, I began. I wanted to recite things from traditional vows and some I would ad-lib. But everything I shared was true and from my heart.

There were laughs as I spoke and tears of joy. I was surprised that what I wrote and shared would be deeply felt by Brody. I even saw my tough brother shed a tear.

When I said you may kiss your bride, I should have also rented them a room. Their passion for each other was hard to contain. I noticed my mom looked away. I guess their somewhat intimate kiss made her uncomfortable. But for me, it was hot. Yes, he’s my brother, but I could admit when something was a turn-on.

Now I wished Krystal was my plus one. Or maybe not. I wouldn’t be able to socialize with everyone at the reception if I felt I needed to stay by her side.

We filed out of the church and made our way to the reception. I felt so much pride. Brody and I had been through a lot trying to protect Rachel, and we kept her safe. Everyone mingled as we waited for the newlyweds to make their formal entrance as husband and wife.

Calder approached me and hugged me. Zero, this is my husband, Devon.

Nice to meet you. I shook his hand. Brody had clarified that I was to be introduced as Zero. When Devon left to get his husband a glass of champagne, Calder introduced me to his father, Declan. I noticed his mother seemed to favor her right side. I went to hug her, but his father put up his hand to stop me.

Sorry, Evan, I had surgery. I’m a bit sore, Julia explained.

Oh? I leaned over and kissed her cheek.

I think it’s important I tell you before you get confused. Darrel is my birth name, but that man on paper is dead. So now I’m known as Evan. My family and close friends know my birth name, and even they call me Zero or Evan, except today. For some reason, they kept slipping and calling me Darrel. It happens when I’m with my siblings. We go back to our childhood.

And I was going to ask you to save a dance for me, I said.

Next time, Julia offered. I’ll just take a seat and enjoy the day.

The man I now knew as Calder’s father, Declan, pulled out a chair for her. I needed to ask Brody to fill me in on what the hell was going on. Julia never sat still from what I knew about her. And who was this man that seemed to appear out of nowhere? I’m sure there is an interesting story there.

I need to go do my brotherly duties. I shook Declan’s hand before heading to the bar to grab a drink. Now that I no longer had to worry about being up in front of everyone, I could relax and enjoy the day’s festivities.

Rachel and Brody walked in, and everyone broke out in cheers. We all held up our champagne glasses as Brody spun Rachel around, leaned her back, and kissed her. If I were to speculate, this would happen throughout the entire reception.

I sat at the bridal party’s table next to my brother. We were facing everyone, and I could see the impressive three-tiered cake and a swan ice sculpture in the back of the room. But what caught my attention was the guy standing next to the cake.

I would need to gather information about him. Who’s that? I whispered to Brody.

I think he’s in charge of the cake and created the ice sculpture.

Why is he just standing there?

Maybe to ensure no one knocks the cake off the table, Brody laughed.

That was not my fault. That guy pushed me into the table. I would never live down the time I sent a cake crashing to the floor. An older kid thought I was interested in his girlfriend. However, he was the person who intrigued me, not her. Guess he was jealous or uncomfortable. Either way, he was pissed off.

Just stay away from the cake. Brody bumped shoulders with me.

I’ll do my best, but no guarantees.

I scanned the room and noticed the guy protecting the cake looking in my direction, but he turned away when our eyes met. Caught. So, he was interested. This night might end up better than I thought.

Time to see what he was all about. I headed toward him, a man on a mission. Hey, I greeted.

Hi. He crossed his arms.

So, do you always protect the cake?

Only when I’m asked to. He rocked from one foot to the next.

I focused on his eyes. My brother thinks I’ll dump his cake on the floor.

Don’t know. My dad said not to let anyone near the cake, so can you step back. He’d positioned himself in front of the cake, blocking me from getting close to it.

I took two steps forward toward him. I wanted to see if he smelled as good as he looked.

Wow. You don’t know personal space, do you?

I know what I like. And I wanted to check out your makeup. I could see it from across the room.

He smiled. Really? Do you like it now that you see it close-up?

Yes, it brings out the color in your eyes. Is your side job makeup artist?

Nope. Just something I enjoy playing with.

It had been a long time since I’d found a man worth pursuing, and there was something deliciously attractive about this man. And he was tempting me to have a taste. If I could drag him home right now, I would.

Maybe after your cake-watching duty, we can get to know each other.

I have a boyfriend, so not happening.

Well, isn’t that a shame? I meant that.

Plus, even if I was single, you’re not my type. He tried to act annoyed.

"Yeah? Too bad because you are my type." I turned to walk away. I wasn’t into wasting my time on someone not interested in anything more than sneaking a peek at me.

Enjoy the rest of the reception, he called out as he unfolded his arms and went about his job of protecting the cake.

Soon I found out he wasn’t there to solely protect the cake. He was also the DJ. Guess that was one reason he was in full makeup. It seemed to match his persona at the turntable.

Once the cake was cut, he went into DJ mode. That swift change in his attitude made me think of everything I could do with him because he had moves that rivaled Calder’s. And everyone knew Calder could dance. I caught him once again watching me. I smiled at him, and this time he nodded. So, there was a chance.

As the night progressed, I made the rounds, talking with everyone. Sheila and I danced a few times, but she always found her way back to Dempsey, her roommate and Rachel’s co-worker. There seemed to be something going on between them. I picked that up because it’s my job to notice small tells, like when Dempsey raised an eyebrow at her, and she immediately shimmied over to him.

They were fun to watch. Pretending they were nothing more than friends.

I was aware of the pair of dark, penetrating eyes searching for me throughout the entire reception. So, DJ boy could pretend I wasn’t his type, but his body language gave him away. He kept his chest facing me unless I looked toward him, and then he’d swiftly turned away.

Brody and Rachel danced with everyone all night. Then, at midnight, when the reception ended and they left on their honeymoon, I went home alone.

Searching 2

†

Zero

Traffic was light as I headed across the Golden Gate Bridge back to Sausalito. I’d be home in no time. Then what? Dream about the man that drew me to him because he challenged me?

I needed to find out how Rachel found him or, more importantly, where he worked. Because I might need to order a cake for one, delivered to me in person by him. Then he can stand there sexy as ever and guard my cake. Or option two, which I preferred, lick the frosting off him.

Maybe Calder knew where this man worked or his name. If I had a place to start, I could dig and find out more about him. Brody had told me Calder assisted Rachel by interviewing the people to hire for the celebration. So, starting with Calder would be step one.

Arriving home, I parked in my dedicated space. I grabbed my things from the trunk before I walked down the pier toward my sanctuary, which was a houseboat. It was so peaceful at the marina. The gentle sway of my home and the sound of waves slapping against it always relaxed me.

The few people besides