Boned: A Stepbrother Romance (Mandarin Connection Book 4) Read online

Loundstrad Timber Holdings had absorbed the loss of some of its key people, but it apparently was too big to fail, thought Kim.

  Kim skimmed the email, her eyes growing wider with every line.

  This was impossible!

  If it were true, it would be the biggest story of the decade! Maybe even the century!

  She noticed there was a phone number attached, and decided to give this “Kevin Mitchum” person a call.

  It was probably just a hoax, or a prank from Brian.

  He was still asshole enough to her to try to pull off something like this.

  She pulled out her cell phone, and dialed up the number.

  The phone rang, and then a man answered.

  “Yes? This is Kevin?” she heard.

  He sounded a bit like Randall, yet different.

  The voice reminded her of cigars and fine dining for some weird reason.

  It was refined, yet masculine in a soothing way.

  “Mr. Mitchum? This is Kim Wilder. You don’t know me, I think. I was a friend of your brother?” she said. “I mean, I suppose Randall is, or was, your brother?”

  Oh, God, I sound pretty lame, she thought.

  “I’m sorry about Randall, Mr. Mitchum,” she said, trying to recover.

  “I liked him. He saved my life,” she said.

  “Miss Wilder, it’s quite all right. My brother told me a few things about you and Mr. Cox. He admired your journalistic integrity, and also your support of the cause of the People,” said Kevin.

  “Call me Kevin,” he added.

  “Kevin, I just opened your email,” said Kim.

  “Is this a joke?” she asked.

  “I wish it were. I’d prefer that we not discuss it over an insecure phone line. Can we meet to discuss this? I will be in your area tomorrow, on business,” he said.

  “Yes, I have an open schedule, tomorrow. I understand your concern about keeping this private, for the moment. Brian is filming another episode of ‘Haunted’, so he’ll be tied up,” she said.

  “Splendid, then we can meet at noon for lunch?” he asked.

  “That would be lovely,” she replied.

  They set up the details, and then she rung off.

  Kim Wilder went back to her coffee and emails, not realizing that she’d just made the biggest mistake of her entire life.

  —————

  EPILOGUE

  The man stared out the bars of his prison cell, waiting.

  He knew that his freedom was but moments away.

  The planning had been meticulous.

  Now it was all about the timing.

  He heard the race of automobile engines.

  There was a screech of tires, then rending metal.

  A loud thud, possibly an explosion of some kind.

  Suddenly, there were the sounds of shouting, and then shots being fired.

  A few minutes later, he heard the buzz of the electric lock, and watched as two men strode into the corridor.

  They walked down to his cell.

  “Please come with us, sir,” said the taller man.

  He was pushing a wheelchair.

  Placing the chair’s brakes on, he walked over to the cell, and grabbed the cell door bars.

  He shoved the cell door back along its tracks, and the metal grated and whined as it slid along the wall.

  The second man, who carried a shotgun, was looking around quickly.

  “Let’s move it, Bruce!” he said to the first.

  Bruce, nonplussed, took his time retrieving the wheelchair.

  “We have plenty of time,” he said.

  “Sir?” he gestured to the man in the cell, indicating that he should sit.

  The former prisoner walked out of his cell, and then sat in the chair.

  “Please excuse this, but…” said Bruce.

  He took something out of his backpack.

  It was a bulletproof tarp.

  He covered the seated man with the tarp.

  “Let’s go, Bart” he told the armed man.

  “Elvis is leaving the building!” Bart said into his headset.

  Bruce wheeled him out, to the sounds of incoming helicopter blades.

  The raced outside, and the aircraft was hovering overhead, then began to descend.

  He followed its progress, and saw his freedom touch down in the center of the prison yard.

  As soon as it had landed on the ground, two men leapt out from either side, aiming their machineguns and ripping off short bursts at the prison guards.

  Another explosion rocked the yard.

  Then, two more.

  Then there was more shouting, and another volley of gunfire.

  He was pushed up a short ramp, and onto the chopper.

  “Go! Go! Go!” shouted Bart, the man with the shotgun.

  The four men came on board, and the whirring blades spun up.

  The helo lifted off.

  He could see cars racing off from the area, and there were some men running after them, firing ineffectively.

  Several bodies were lying on the ground, all of them apparently, prison guards.

  Smoke roiled from broken windows, and fires could be seen in the guard shack and towers.

  He heard the alarm sirens finally going off, drifting away as they were soon miles from the prison, gathering speed.

  The old man grinned, and to the other men in the helicopter with him, it looked like a prehistoric lizard had come to life.

  Harlon Calloway was back.

  And he was out for blood.

  —————

  THE END

  OF

  BONED

  But there is more on the way!

  Coming Soon:

  Boned2

  The Adventure Continues

  Rachel and Bone are joined by Karl and travel the globe, seeking clues to the Mandarin Connection! While they are at sea, Rachel considers her feelings for the Jaeger brothers.

  While she knows she and Bone are soul-mates, Stephan’s revelations and her growing affection for Karl create a new situation. She is ready to make a momentous decision when disaster strikes!

  Read more of the exciting three-part tale from Stephanie Brother that pits three brothers against each other for the love of their stepsister!

  Due out in April 2017!

  Boned3

  The Final Chapters

  Rachel and Karl meet the Ghent family as the events chronicled in “Haunted”, “Fraud” and “Addiction” come together in a tremendous climax!

  Double and triple crosses, betrayal and tragedy are interwoven with exuberating joy, unbelievable heartbreak and the hottest sex ever put to the written word!

  Read the astounding conclusion to this exciting three-part tale from Stephanie Brother that pits the Jaeger stepbrothers against each other for the love of their stepsister!

  Who will win her heart?

  OR – will something magical and wonderful happen to her?

  Due out in July 2017!

  Other Titles:

  HugeX4

  SPECIAL BONUS EXCERPT ONE:

  Haunted: A Stepbrother Romance

  Brian Cox is an alpha male reality show producer, ladies man, and Kim Wilder’s secret love.

  When Kim was just eight, Brian’s father had married her mother. Their parents had a rocky marriage, and it finally culminated in a dramatic event that tore them asunder.

  Brian’s father was a man fighting many inner demons. One night, in a drunken rage, he forcefully ejected Brian from their home.

  What happened to them the next day meant that Brian and Kim would be apart for the next twelve years.

  Kim became a successful journalist, with a video blog she started called “The Wilder Thing”. One day, she gets an invite to be on the top-rated reality television show, “Haunted”.

  Brian Cox is now the notorious bad boy producer of the show, which has become hugely successful and made him famous.

  Kim can’t wait to see him again, but isn’t
sure of her feelings because of how things ended between them.

  Brian’s escapades are plastered across the tabloids - he always has a beautiful glamour gal on his arm whenever he’s caught out on the town.

  Kim hopes that seeing Brian again help her let go of the painful memories of the night they parted.

  Of course, nothing ever goes as planned!

  During a meeting of sponsors for the show, an unexpected event causes both of them to reevaluate their old relationship.

  A romantic turn takes both of them by surprise with its intensity.

  Toss in a hint of mystery and danger, and suddenly the game is afoot!

  Can they discover the hidden secrets behind Indian Wells State Park?

  How will their long-buried feelings for each other affect their professional relationship?

  Kim is determined not to risk her heart on Brian…but she is finding that being close to him is mesmerizing and intoxicating.

  A man used to always getting what he wants, Brian finds that he is becoming infatuated with Kim. What he gets is more than he ever expected!

  HAUNTED is a stepbrother romance novella with no cliffhangers, and a very satisfying happy ending.

  No cliffhangers.

  HEA guaranteed.

  –––––––––––––––––-

  KIM

  I really can’t believe that after all these years I’m finally going to see my stepbrother again. Brian is a really lucky bastard, that’s for sure. He’s the head of his own production company; internationally famous; producer of one of the highest rated faux-documentary shows in the world.

  Brian Cox is also enormously handsome, rich and a prick. Oh, that’s not just MY opinion. He’s legendary about how much a perfectionist he is. More than one actor or crew have left in tears, including some pretty burly men.

  Oh, and Brian is a real hard ass.

  He’s got the way with the ladies, as well.

  That bastard.

  That smug, arrogant, cocky, magnificent bastard.

  I’d love a chance to take him down a peg.

  And to go down on his peg, but that’s just naughty talk.

  After all, he’s my fucking stepbrother. Emphasis on stepbrother, not fucking…unfortunately.

  God! Just listen to me!

  You think I was some lovesick schoolgirl, after the Captain of the football team, for Chrissakes!

  Once, a long time ago, I might have had a chance – but not anymore.

  Not after what happened that night.

  I remember that last fateful day, when he fought his father about the way I was being treated.

  He got a black eye for me from the old bastard.

  Brian fought him because he called me a slut. The old shit pushed me into a door, and knocked the wind out of me.

  Brian, barely eighteen at the time, slugged that creep so hard the breath whooshed out of him.

  But, the old son of a bitch was used to getting into fights.

  He sucker-punched Brian, nearly knocking him out, and then threw him through the front door. Thankfully, it was open.

  Brian got up, took a look at all of us staring at him, and then turned and walked away. I think he might have been crying.

  He left, and I haven’t seen him in twelve long years.

  Mom and I moved out shortly after.

  I have no idea or interest in what happened to my step-dad.

  I hope he’s rotting in a jail cell somewhere.

  Or rotting in Hell.

  *****

  Over the years, one tabloid or another would give a glimpse of Brian. Some scurrilous piece about whom he just dumped, or what lovely woman had the pleasure of hanging on his muscled arm at the Awards shows.

  I’ve followed most of the women whom Brian has had.

  (And, who hasn’t? They are constantly plastered all over the gossip rags and trades!)

  He’s bedded some of the most famous and beautiful women in the world - and dumped them.

  Later, they’ll always confide in the talk-show hosts or gossip rags that it was they who had caused the breakup. Brian was just too good for them, or they had been too hard to handle, or whatever the contrived reason would be.

  But I know the truth.

  Brian is an alpha. He just takes what he wants, and gives you as much as you can handle.

  Nothing more, nothing less.

  He’s at least honest about it. Not one of his lovers ever has a bad word about him, but you can see the hurt in their eyes.

  Stupid bitches.

  They thought THEY were the one, this time.

  The one who would ‘fix’ him and make him theirs forever.

  Only, Brian doesn’t need fixed.

  He’s perfect.

  To hear him tell it, he’s God’s gift to women, with a bullet.

  And, sad to say, the fucker is apparently right about that, too!

  He’s every woman’s fantasy man.

  Handsome.

  Talented.

  Rich.

  And, of course, awesome in bed.

  He really is.

  Perfect.

  I know.

  *****

  We’ve got a meeting in ten minutes, and here I am, still worrying I’ll look fat, or ugly, or that there’s spinach in my teeth.

  You’d think I was on a date with Adonis, or at least George Clooney, the way I am acting.

  And, how did I get so wet so fast?

  I’d better jump in the ladies and take care of that, fast!

  This is just exactly what I didn’t want to happen today.

  Fuck.

  Click here to continue reading “Haunted”.

  B01AUYDBOW

  SPECIAL BONUS EXCERPT TWO:

  Billionaire Stepbrother - Addiction - The Complete Series

  Kady and Brett Were in Love – Unfortunately, So Were Their Parents!

  Kady watched as her mother married the father of her soul mate, all the while wishing it were she and the muscled and athletic man standing with her at the altar taking their own vows.

  She knew that Brett secretly felt the same for her – she was sure of it! On the rare times they had seen each other before this fateful day, Kady couldn’t help her taboo lust for Brett’s hard, lean body. She ached to drown in his beautiful blue eyes, and feel his passion as he possessed her voluptuous curves.

  But now, he was going to be forever unavailable to her!

  Her need fought against her strong will…and her emotions were winning over against sound judgment!

  She looked over at Brett, who stood staring at her, and the tears began streaming down her face!

  She suddenly bolted from the altar, and ran out of the church!

  Their dreams of happiness were being crushed forever!

  OR WERE THEY?

  When Brett’s sudden business success propels him to the upper echelons of the rich and famous, things take a decidedly unusual turn. When she and Brett are thrust into a web of lies and deceit, Kady finds her heart won’t let her abandon her forbidden desires.

  Will their love be dashed upon the rocks of unforgiving tradition? Can she and her man emerge victorious?

  Follow the passionate, romantic and VERY HOT adventures of these two different couples, as their worlds are suddenly turned upside down, and as they struggle to come to terms with what is right, wrong, forbidden or even possible!

  Billionaire Stepbrother - Addiction - The Complete Series is a stepbrother romance novella with no cliffhangers, and a very satisfying happy ending.

  –––––––––––––––––-

  Kady was on the rebound, having weathered a disastrous relationship with a fellow classmate named Jeff, who was one of the Varsity golf team players. She had caught him cheating on her with another member of the Varsity golf team, whose name was Juan Rodriguez.

  She was more amused than disgusted or surprised. She always had a pretty good gaydar, and it surprised her that Jeff had been so attentive
to her needs. She chalked it up to experience, and decided she just wanted a night to decompress.

  On a whim, she called Brett, since he was in the same vicinity. His new offices were located in a trendy area of the city, near the riverfront. There were many fine eating and drinking establishments along the river walk. Perhaps she’d get lucky, and find a nice young man to tickle her fancy…or fuck her righteously. She chuckled a bit at that thought. She’d been pretty plain vanilla in her last couple of relationships, always holding herself back a tiny bit. She wasn’t really sure why, and it never occurred to her that she was aching for Brett to be her lover.

  Kady walked around the shops, killing time while waiting for Brett to arrive. They had agreed to an Italian joint that had great pizza and cold beer.

  She couldn’t drink, of course, but there would be plenty of college aged guys who might find a bit of Dutch courage, and ask her to go home with them.

  Kady found she was unusually aroused by the thought, but did not even connect her state with Brett’s arrival. He saw her and waved, and they walked to the restaurant.

  Brett’s sudden fame had not translated to recognition and being known by the frat crowd, but the owners of the various establishments knew full well who was loaded and who deserved special attention. Neither Brett nor Kady found it unusual to be seated at the finest seats in the house within seconds of having entered. They were so caught up in each other’s attentions, they were oblivious to the ballet and choreographed situation in which they were the center attraction.

  As they ordered a white pizza, with basil and sun-dried tomatoes, water glasses magically appeared, filled with San Pellegrino. A slice of lemon was in each marvelous goblet, and then fresh baked bread with bruschetta graced their table. They talked and ate, giggling at their shared stories about their parents.

  The waiters moved precisely into position at the most beneficial time, removing or adding an item as was needed. It was perfectly orchestrated to provide the ultimate dining experience.

  Kady said, through a mouthful of pizza, that she was only slightly pissed about Jeff and Juan.

  “What’s that?” asked Brett.

  “Oh, you know,” she said archly. “All the good ones are either taken or gay!”

  They both laughed at that.

  “Or your step-relation,” she added, whimsically.

  Brett almost choked on his food. He coughed and manfully washed it down with some water, trying mightily to not seem so taken aback.