Flynn: Brothers of Mercy House, #1

By Lara Norman

A parentless child trying to find purpose in a broken life.

Growing up as the oldest boy in a group home, Flynn Redford tried his best to protect his foster brothers. Since aging out of the system, he's wandered aimlessly, only focused on work and one night stands.

Rookie detective Bristowe Hill runs into Flynn while on the job, and a misunderstanding sets them off on the wrong path. With everything he's experienced, it's clear he harbors a deep distrust for anyone in uniform. Can Bristowe convince Flynn to stop running from the past?

*The six boys living at Mercy House foster home have spent years supporting each other through struggles and heartache. When hope and disappointment go hand in hand, they know they can rely on the family they've created. What happens when they're old enough to forge their own paths?*

*Each book may be read as a standalone and prominently features characters from the other books.*

• Language: English
• Publisher: LPN Publishing
• Release date: Feb 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215974414

Lara Norman

Lara used to scribble her fictional characters down on legal pads in high school, and then not show them to anyone. In recent years, she started posting her work in public forums for feedback, which gave her the courage to publish professionally.  She needs copious amounts of coffee and chocolate to survive. She enjoys eavesdropping on the character conversations in her head, which she has been assured doesn’t make her crazy. She always gets the best ideas while in the shower, driving, or about to fall asleep. Though she’s a Florida girl at heart, Lara currently resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband of twenty years and their three children, where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age fifteen.

Book preview

Chapter One

Another workday was over; another day of his life gone with nothing significant to show for it. Pulling into the lot at Surly Bird's, Flynn Redford cursed at how many cars were already there. He preferred to miss the evening rush, but he'd been stuck working late. His steel toe boots sloshed through a puddle that simply never dried up as he crossed the length of the pitted lot to the front door.

The bartender recognized him, giving him a nod and pulling his favorite beer from the tap. Scraping back a stool, Flynn dropped his tired body down and sighed.

That sounded heartfelt.

He took a second to accept the beer, sip it, and relish the first icy taste before turning his head halfway toward the woman on his left. She was a knockout, no doubt about it. Piles of dark hair spilled out around the bun she tried to tame it in, sultry red lips pouting in his direction. Huge tits spilled out of a deep cut sapphire crop top, especially when she leaned on the bar.

He hadn't been looking to get laid, but . . . Did it?

Large chocolate eyes framed with heavy makeup blinked at him. Mm. It sure did.

Now, Flynn was used to women flirting with him. There were simply good genes running through his veins; the only decent thing his parents had given him. But it wasn't typical for a woman to start in on him the second he sat down. That's life.

This one touched his forearm, running her fingernails along his snake tattoo. Want help with that?

Snorting, he went back to his beer and the ball game showing on the TV over the bar. Something about her rubbed him the wrong way. I don't think I do.

Really, sugar?

Her overeagerness nagged at the back of his brain. Was she that hard up? Yeah, really. I'm trying to decompress after work with a beer. That's all.

Mmm, I thought maybe you'd prefer to decompress with a companion.

He had to admit, her voice was sexy, whiskey poured over gravel with a hint of smoke. Her mouth was full, her earthy scent enticing. And there was no denying the way she continued to stroke his arm sent shivers straight to his happy soldier.

And if I were? Flynn faced her, the full effect of her seduction actually punching him in the gut. You offering?

The curve of her mouth lifted. Have I piqued your interest?

As relentless as you are, yeah, maybe you have. He tilted his head to squint at her. Goddamn, she was gorgeous.

Her darkly lined eyes widened. Where would you like to take this?

"Well, sugar, I thought you had some ideas. You were pushing awfully hard."

Strong fingers tightened on his arm. "I wouldn't mind you pushing awfully hard."

Christ, what a terrible line. It's now or never, doll. What've you got?

Your car big enough?

His laugh was loud, even for a crowded bar. I know it's a one night stand, but we've got more class than that, don't we?

Then your place will have to do. She stood, shoving back strands of escaping hair and adjusting her top so more of her cleavage showed. Any minute, and he'd have to catch his drool.

You hiding a disillusioned husband at home? he asked, sliding off the barstool and dropping cash to cover his drink.

No.

Course, you can't exactly prove that. Even if he was five minutes from a fuck and duck, he figured he could be gentleman enough to hold the door open for her. Since his car was around the back of the building in the full parking lot, they had a bit of walking to do. Dark had begun to encroach, and one of the lights along the side wall was busted.

Flynn was a bit surprised when the woman pushed him against the bricks with a well-hidden strength he hadn't known she possessed.

I didn't realize you were that needy, doll. Why didn't you say so?

Framing her face in his hands, he dipped his head to run his lips along her cheek to her mouth. She shifted, dodging the kiss and grabbing his waist. Thinking she was acting coy, he reached down and cupped her pussy over the seam of her jeans. Her sexy moan was his reward for the bold move.

You're the one who started this, doll. As he plucked pins out of her bun, his words were lost somewhere in her hair. Running his palms down her back, he felt something tucked into her waistband. Just before she twisted away, he yanked the object into the air. Muted light glinted off silver handcuffs. Kinky.

Hand them back, she whispered, eyes wide and frozen.

Okay, but . . . Sure, the idea of imminent sex with this beautiful woman had fogged his brain, but the effects quickly lifted. Holding his hand above her head, he let the cuffs dangle from his fingertips. You're a cop? The words were quietly spoken and full of derision.

Look, sir—

He leaned in close, his words a deep pulse between them. I don't have to pay for sex, doll. Never have, never will.

Maybe it was petty, but he dropped the handcuffs on the asphalt as he strode away.

His cock wept in hearty remorse.

It wasn't the first time he'd been five seconds from getting arrested. Dollface back there might be shocked to the core if she got a look at his rap sheet. All of it was old, and all of it was an act of desperation by a parentless child. Criminal mischief had never been enough to send him to Rikers, but solicitation of a prostitute sure would fuck up his night.

As he cranked his car, he felt his blood pressure rise. Who the fuck did she think she was, trying to trap working men into that shit? Minding their goddamn business at the end of a long day, knocking back a beer or two, and there she comes. With a body built for sinning, no straight man would turn her down. Flynn wondered how many would reach the point where they just needed to get in her pants and agreed to anything she asked out of desperation.

Her shadow was still visible by the wall when he pulled out of the lot's back entrance. He'd spent more time with cops than the average person—one who wasn't related to any, at least. Whether they were arresting his parents, delivering him to Child Protective Services, or hauling him downtown to question him about shit gone wrong, he'd spent too much time in their company to ever trust one. They never said what they meant or meant what they said. Always using doublespeak to trick him into ratting out his buddies. The idea of fucking one left a bad taste in his mouth.

Before reaching the end of the second block, he'd already turned the wheel to go back. When Flynn stalked through the door a second time, it was with a purpose.

Hey, Sully.

The bartender looked up, his brows raised. Thought you left.

I did. Nodding at Sully, Flynn pointed his thumb over his shoulder. With that one.

Smokin' hot gypsy woman? The corner of Sully's mouth lifted. She knee you in the balls or somethin'?

Leaning close, Flynn said, Turns out, she's five-o.

Sully froze. Say what?

We didn't get as far as her asking for payment so she could bust me, but that don't mean it won't happen to someone else.

Not in my bar.

Flynn thumped the scarred wooden bartop. Exactly.

With a scowl on his wide, pock-marked face, Sully lumbered around the end of the counter. Hey, you!

The hot chick didn't even look surprised when she glanced up at the former heavyweight champion of Palmer High. With a defiant chin, she looked Sully directly in the eyes as he spoke to the patron she flirted with.

She's a hooker, Mac. The other man scrambled back in his chair, turning it over as he stood.

Actually, I'm not.

Flynn watched with a sardonic grin as she rose gracefully, the hair he’d mussed falling around her shoulders like a dark cloud. Mac made a mad dash for the men’s room.

She continued, But I can see I'm not welcome here. As though nothing had happened, she made her way to the door with her head held high.

She's a goddamn cop, looking to trap one of us into a solicitation charge. There was a collective grumble, but no dramatic gasps. Flynn wasn't sure what he'd hoped for, but he needed them to know she wasn't trustworthy. Steer clear if you see her anywhere else.

I don't want to see your face back in here, Sully said.

As her cheeks flushed red, she retreated. Flynn followed, blocking her exit with his