WITH ME IN SEATTLE
BUNDLE TWO
Kristen Proby
WITH ME IN SEATTLE
BUNDLE TWO
Kristen Proby
Copyright © 2015 by Kristen Proby
Safe With Me
Tied With Me
Playing With Fire
Breathe With Me
Forever With Me
Bonus Material
All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.
ISBN: 978-1-63350-012-9
Table of Contents
Safe With Me
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
A Safe With Me Halloween
Tied With Me
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Succulent Sweets Shenanigans
Playing With Fire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Breathe With Me
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Body Shots in Vegas
Forever With Me
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Shoes for Alecia
More From Kristen Proby
Safe With Me
Book Five in the With Me In Seattle Series
By
Kristen Proby
SAFE WITH ME
Book Five in the With Me In Seattle Series
Kristen Proby
Copyright © 2013 by Kristen Proby
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.
Cover Art:
Photographer: Molly Claridge of Be Still Photography
Graphic Artist: Renae Porter
Models: Michael Wilson and Steph Buzzell
Prologue
“Why do we have to go to Daddy’s house?” Maddie asks from the back seat of my SUV. Her small arms are crossed over her chest, holding her dolly tightly against her, her face scrunched in a scowl.
“Because it’s Thanksgiving,” I reply patiently. “Your daddy wants to see you for the holiday.”
“I don’t want to go,” Josie joins in, mirroring her twin sister’s pose, and I sigh deeply, scrubbing my hands over my face as I wait for the light to turn green.
“It’s only until Saturday,” I remind them, while doing my best to ignore the pit in my stomach. I don’t want them to go either. Their dad only sees them on holidays or their birthday, if he shows up at all. Of course they don’t want to go stay with him.
They don’t know him.
As I pull up to Jeff’s small house in a suburb of Chicago, three men hurry out of his front door and jump into a dark SUV parked in the circular driveway. Just before they pull off, one of the men glances back at us.
I cut the engine and frown as I watch the vehicle take off at a fast clip down the street. My flags are red and flying all over the place in my head.
I glance back at the girls. “Stay here for a second while I go make sure your dad is ready for you, okay?”
They both just frown at me, their dark brown eyes looking all forlorn and sad, and I frown back at them. “Stop being sad. Your dad loves you guys. You’ll have fun.”
They just shrug as I step out of the car and walk up to his front door. I glance over my shoulder, curious who was in that SUV. They could be co-workers of Jeff’s, but if that’s the case, I’m not leaving the girls with him.
Jeff is an undercover cop, and the people he works with are unsavory, to say the least.
I knock on the door, but there is no answer, and the house is still. I knock again and sigh deeply. If he’s standing the girls up, again, I will kick his ass.
When there is still no answer, I try the knob and frown when the door opens easily. This is not Jeff’s usual M.O. He always locks the doors, even when he’s home.
“Jeff?” I call out as I walk inside, but there is no answer, and the smell of something hot and metallic fills my nostrils.
I move into the living room and stop dead in my tracks. Jeff is lying on the floor, his eyes wide open,
mouth gaping, and a trickle of blood seeps from the single gunshot wound in his forehead.
Oh dear God.
My first thought is to run to him, to make sure he’s okay, but I wasn’t a cop’s wife for five years for nothing, and I have my babies in the car.
I run back to the car, start the engine, throw it in gear and peel out of the driveway, heading in the opposite direction the SUV went earlier.
Jeff is dead!
“Mommy, I thought we were going to Daddy’s house.” Maddie has turned in her seat, trying to see out the rear window.
“Sit down, Mads,” I order more harshly than I should, my eyes also pinned behind us.
I have to call the police.
“Where is Daddy?” Josie asks.
Both girls are watching me carefully, and I know my shaking hands and sharp voice are scaring them, so I do my best to look and sound calm.
I’m sure it’s not working.
“He had something come up with work,” I lie and check the rearview for the hundredth time.
“Okay,” Maddie replies and hugs her dolly close.
Shit, what am I going to do?
I pull into a gas station, grab my phone and step out of the car so the girls can’t hear my conversation.
Jeff’s partner answers on the second ring.
“Why are you calling this number?”
“Jeff’s dead,” I respond immediately. “I just found him in his house. I’m calling 911 but wanted to give you a heads-up first.”
“Son of a bitch,” he mutters. “Did you witness anything?”
“I saw them leaving the house, but no, I didn’t see them shoot him. I didn’t even think to get the license plate number of the car. It’s a dark SUV.”
“That’s no help, Bryn.” His voice is sad and frustrated. Sully worked with Jeff for more than ten years.
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t touch anything.”
“I’ll call it in. We will need an official statement. You know the drill.”
I nod and then realize he can’t see me. I’m shaking. It’s hard to breathe.
“I think I’m going to leave town, Sul.”
He sighs and clears his throat. “Where are you going?”
“Home. Seattle. My family is there. My cousin’s brother-in-law is a cop with Seattle PD. Matt Montgomery. Can I give my statement to him?”
“I’m gonna need to get your statement before you leave. You know I can’t let you go without it.” It sounds like he’s pulling his phone away from his face. “Bryn, hold on.”
I pace by the car as I wait for Sully to come back. Jesus, is this really happening? Do I have time to go home and get some of the girls’ things? I’ve wanted to move back to Seattle for years, but never dreamed it would be under these circumstances.
Suddenly, Sully is back on the line.
“I think it’s a good idea that you go, Bryn. I can’t tell you who that was, but you were seen at Jeff’s house by the wrong people. Take the girls and get out of town. If you lie low, you should be fine, but I want you gone.”
Fuck. Jeff, what have you gotten me into?
“What about my statement?” My voice sounds stronger than I feel.
“I’ll meet you someplace with one of the other cops to get a statement. But I don’t want you going back to your place. I’ll take care of your stuff in a few days.”
I scrub my hand through my hair and glance into the car to find the girls watching me.
“Okay, I have to get some things for me and the girls.” I rattle off the location of the nearest discount department store and hear Sully sigh over the phone.
“Be careful. And text me Montgomery’s number.”
“Okay.”
The line goes dead as I hop back into my car and smile reassuringly at the girls, who are watching me with wide, scared eyes.
Kids are so much smarter than adults give them credit for.
I scramble in my purse for my phone and text Stacy’s husband, Isaac. The Montgomerys will know what to do.
With shaking fingers I type: Plz call me when ur alone.
I dig in my purse again to make sure I have my wallet and all my necessities, and realization hits that I definitely can’t go back to our house to collect our things.
My phone rings, Isaac’s name on the caller ID, and I answer it quickly.
“Isaac.”
“Bryn? What’s wrong?”
“I can’t go into detail because the girls are in the car with me, but I have to come to Seattle right now.”
“Bryn, slow down. Are you hurt?”
“No, we’re all fine, but I don’t think we’re safe.”
“What do you mean?” His voice has taken on a hard edge, and it steadies me.
“I just saw something I shouldn’t have. I’ll explain when I get there. I just wanted to let you know that I’m driving home.” I glance back to find the girls watching me with wide, somber eyes.
“You’re driving?” he asks incredulously. “It’s almost December, Bryn. The roads are going to be horrible.”
“I know. I’ll take my time. I’m going to have to stop at night for the girls anyway. It could take me a week to get there.”
“I don’t like this,” he responds grimly.
“Me either.” As the shock catches up with me, tears run unchecked down my cheeks.
“We’ll be here, Bryn. Call me every day to let me know where you are. I’m going to talk to Matt.”
“I’m going to need to talk to Matt as soon as I get there, Isaac. And a detective from Chicago should be calling him any time.”
“Are you in trouble?” Isaac’s voice is calm and cold, and I know he’s thinking the worst.
“Not like you’re thinking, but it’s bad.”
“Drive safely. Keep me informed.”
“Okay,” I agree, hang up and pull into a Walmart parking lot. “Come on, girls, we need to grab a few things.”
“Are we going to see Grandma and Grandpa in Seattle?” Josie asks.
They’re so damn smart.
“Yes, sweetie, so we need to get some things to take with us.”
“Yay, we get to see Grandma and Grandpa!” Maddie dances beside me as we walk into the store to buy necessities such as toothbrushes and underwear.
The girls have a few days’ worth of clothes packed with us, but all I have is my purse.
Maybe some hair dye for me.
I also pull my cell phone apart and throw it in the trash, adding a new cell to my list of things to buy.
I guess we’re going back to Seattle sooner than I expected.
Chapter One
Bang! Bang! Bang!
My alarm shouldn’t be going off yet.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I wake with a start to the sound of someone trying to beat my door down, and my heart slams into overdrive.
I jump from the bed, not bothering to throw anything on over my skimpy tank and panties and search madly for a weapon of any kind.
“Mommy?” Maddie asks sleepily from her bedroom doorway.
“Go back to bed, Mads.” I usher her back into the bedroom and give her my best smile, which feels more like a grimace.
“Someone’s at the door,” Josie informs me and pulls her baby doll into her small arms.
“I know. I’m going to go answer it. Stay in your room.” My voice is stern as I shut their door behind me and race down the stairs to the living room.
All of the blinds are still closed, so I can’t see outside.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I grab the screwdriver I was using yesterday to put a set of shelves together and open the door just a crack.
“Who is it?” I ask warily.
“Bryn, it’s just Caleb and me,” Matt Montgomery answers, his handsome face grim.
I step back and open the door wide, sighing in relief.
“You scared the hell out of me!”
“What are you doing with the screwdriver?” Matt asks and props hi
s hands on his hips just as his younger brother, Caleb, scowls at me.
“It’s my weapon,” I tell them both and raise my chin stubbornly.
“Right.” Caleb steps forward and plucks the screwdriver out of my hand. “It’s very effective.”
“I could have stabbed you if you were a bad guy.” I step back and push my hair off my face. “Why are you here at six in the damn morning?”
“Maybe you should put some clothes on,” Matt suggests, and I squeal as I realize that I’m practically naked.
“Shit!”
“Mommy, you’re not supposed to say that,” Josie speaks up from the bottom steps of the staircase. “Maddie! Matt and Caleb are here!”
“Go put something on, sweetheart. We’ll get the girls breakfast.” Matt smiles at my girls and hugs them both, but Caleb is still quiet, watching me with sober blue eyes.
“Why are you here?” I ask them both again.
“We’ll talk about that, too,” Caleb assures me, and finally offers me a half smile, showing off the dimples in both of his cheeks as he lets his eyes wander down my half-naked body.
This man makes me quiver inside. Since I came home more than a year ago and got caught up in this big, loving family, Caleb has given me a permanent case of wet panties. Having him carry my drunk ass into the house after Jules’ bachelorette party last year sealed the deal.
Even in my inebriated state, my body was on full hum while in his arms.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmur and run up the stairs, around the girls, trying not to think about the fact that both hot-as-hell Montgomery men just got a prime view of my mostly naked ass. This is the most skin any man has seen of mine in close to five years.
Pathetic.
I can hear the girls loudly talking to the guys as I rush to pull on a hoodie and yoga pants, pull my hair up in a haphazard bun, and saunter back down the stairs.
“We are having Cocoa Puffs for breakfast,” Maddie informs me.
“Okay, but have a banana with that.”
“Oh man!” Josie complains.
“You know the rule. You can have sugar cereal if you have fruit, too.” I kiss both of their heads as I walk past them to fill the coffeemaker with water.
Matt grabs bananas and peels them for the kids. “You didn’t tell me about this rule,” he informs them with a mock glare.
“We didn’t know about it,” Maddie lies, trying to hold in a laugh.