Family First Always: The Hardcore Series, #12

By Jessika Klide

Siri and Aurei begin a family. 

Mia brings devastating news from Italy.

Is Siri's baby his only child? 

Family first always!

 

 

"Bravo ? to an amazingly unique series that will always hold a special place in my heart!" —DS Promotions

 

"You won't be disappointed in this series… very few series do I keep on my kindle(saving space) but this one series is in my No. 1 space… it's that special… you will laugh, cry, enjoy being a strong woman right along with Siri, and that's within the first chapter..and the celebrate with Siri, her Alpha male in his strong male role with a gentle heart for her and family… it's worth your time, & cost to read this series." —Sandy Hamilton

 

"This book took us full circle as Aurei reflected on the last model he photographed in Italy before he met Siri. As I read it, I thought back to my initial thoughts about Aurei and realized how much he had changed, so much so, that I had forgotten how he was before he met the love of his life. This book really brought Siri and Aurei's love story to completion in the best way." Goodreads Review

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessika Klide
• Release date: Jan 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201394578

Jessika Klide

"Everyone has secrets!" Jessika Klide burst onto the romance scene in 2014 with her debut novel Untouchable. It steadily rose to the top of Amazon's erotic romance list and made her a favorite among fans. Jessika wrote five full-length novels. Once the series was complete, she was encouraged to continue the hot love story between Maximus Aurelius Moore and Siri Wright. Published as Siri’s Saga, The Series, a continuing steamy romance series, she hopes an even broader audience will be reached and her devoted fans will wear 'happy faces'. Jessika describes herself this way. "Jessika Klide is my pen name. I'm from LA ... Lower Alabama. The Deep South. My mind is extremely sensuous, some call that slutty, so it's just better to use a pen name. Trust me on this! ;)" Whether it's Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, military men make her swoon. Her alpha male hunks are heroes that fall for her confident, smart, and oh so sexy heroines. She is fun and flirty like the heroines she writes. She believes lust and love form perfect unions and the stars do align for true love

Book preview

Chapter

One

THE FARM IN LIVE OAK, AL

AUREI

I 'd feel better if you rode in a golf car.

"I am not riding in a golf car." My wild thang tosses her mane of hair as she pulls on her Dos Gringos boots.

Not wanting to argue but feeling overprotective of her and the baby, I attempt to dissuade her, Siri, are you sure? If you get thrown….

She stands, looking every bit like the cowgirl she grew up as, and firmly assures me. I'm sure.

I cock an eyebrow to no avail.

She puts her hands on her hips, tilts her head, and explains why she is correct and why I need to let it go … at least this time. Aurelius Moore, if I don't ride, everyone here will be suspicious why not. This is not the time, nor the place, to announce we're having a baby. The news will keep. She folds her arms under her boobs. We will NOT tell anyone we're pregnant yet. It would be incredibly insensitive to Ann's situation. Are you forgetting that the trigger that started Bee's spiraling out of control was the miscarriage?

The look on my face must have confirmed that I didn't think of that because she opens her arms and walks over to hug me. Husband, I will be fine. The baby will be fine. He or she is just a small spec of cells right now. I promise to ride like a pregnant woman protecting her precious cargo. Okay, Sugar Bare?

I hug her close and kiss the top of her hair.

There's a soft knock on our bedroom door, and Angel rises and trots over as Ann asks, Aurei, can I come in?

I look down at Siri, and her eyes are big as saucers. She whispers, Oh, lord. I hope she didn't hear us. Then she punches me, No more talk about you know who until I say so.

I kiss her head again and whisper, as Angel wags her tail, waiting by the door to greet her aunt, Yes, Mama Bear. Then I answer Ann, Of course, come in.

The door eases open. Ann walks in, ruffles Angel's fur, then closes the door.

Siri rests her arm around my waist, and I drape mine over her shoulders as Ann enters, stops, takes a deep breath, then says, I know this isn't the right time, but I have to decide before we go to the creek. My thoughts are all over the place.

Siri's arm slips away as she offers the loveseat in the corner for Ann to sit on. Let's sit down.

We follow her over, and Ann sits on the edge of the loveseat. Siri sits in the armchair while Angel lies next to her, and I stand.

Ann clears her throat, then looks up at me, then at Siri. I have come to terms with what Bee did. She pauses, looking down at her hands. Her betrayal is as much an issue as her suicide. I feel like I've lost more than my wife. I've lost trust.

I glance at Siri. She's on the verge of tears. She looks down at her hands to avoid eye contact and takes a deep breath.

Ann continues, I feel like I need time alone to process all this and get my head right. I'm thinking about going to Vegas immediately after the funeral. She sighs, But I don't want to appear ungrateful for the family's support, but I can't breathe surrounded by…. All her shit and all her bullshit! She shakes her head. I'm suffocating.

Understood, I respond.

She looks at Siri and asks, Am I being selfish?

Siri nods, Yes, Ann, you are. She reaches for Ann's hand. but you're allowed to be. Your heart is not only broken but your soul has been ripped. You have to do what you have to do to heal. If that means making a clean break from here, so be it.

Siri pats Ann's hand while she hangs her head. Her shoulders rounded in sorrow. I feel disoriented by the shock of her betrayal. I need to come to terms with that before I can sort through her physical stuff and move forward with my life. And I can't do that with everyone hovering around me. She looks up with a determined-to-get-through-this expression. I need space to breathe.

Understood. I nod again. You can stay at Red Rock as long as you need to.

She shakes her head, No. I need to be alone. Siri, if the offer still stands, I would rather stay at Lioness Towers?

Of course, it does. No problem. You take as long as you need.

Thank you. Then she looks at me.

Her expression is so strained my heart tightens, and a lump forms in my throat. I ask, How immediately after the funeral? Tonight? Tomorrow?

This afternoon.

Affirmative, I tell her as I pull my phone from my pants pocket. I'll let Morris know to have the jet ready.

She stands, and Siri rises with her. That won't be necessary. Crockett said I could hitch a ride with them if I decided to go. I'll let him know that I do.

Oh! I'm surprised.

She tries to smile to reassure me. I want to tour his setup too. Maybe I can do something with his team to help other victims of trafficking.

Siri adds, Therapy.

Exactly, she agrees.

I open my arms, and she walks in for a hug. Good thinking, baby sister.

Yep. She says.

As soon as she's out the door, I send a text to Crockett to confirm Ann will, in fact, be able to hitch a ride home with his team.

Not long after I hit send, he responds, Affirmative, and then there's another soft knock on our bedroom door. It's Piper. She asks, Siri, can I speak to you for a second?

Siri shrugs her shoulders at my inquisitive look, unaware of what's up. Sure, hon, come on in.

Piper’s long, auburn hair is pulled into a tight bun, and the hairstyle accentuates her good looks.

She enters quietly and smirks at my being on the phone. He lives on that thing, she tells Siri. Then she gets straight to the reason she's here. Dirk and I are flying back with the Coq Blockers team. I just wanted to share a spot of good news.

I stop texting to listen.

My green card was approved before all this went down, and I'm applying to become a US Citizen.

Siri launches into her best friend’s arms with a muted squeal, saying, "Oh,