Excerpt & Giveaway! Impossible Promise (Unchecked #1) by Sybil Bartel

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Three years ago, Layna Blair listened in horror over a telephone line as her parents were murdered. When the killer said she was next, Layna panicked and made a deadly deal—his secret in exchange for her life. She’s paid the price every day since, becoming a prisoner in plain sight.

Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson offers Layna a way out—her freedom, his rules, no questions asked—and she takes it, despite knowing what her keepers do to people who get too close. She doesn’t know Blaze is fighting his own demons or that beneath his warrior façade is a man on the verge of breaking.

Embarking on a wild revenge mission with Blaze and his smooth-talking best friend, Talon, is not what Layna signed on for. But attempting to run when Blaze has made no secret he intends to make her his is a reckless mistake. With the killer closing in, it’s up to Blaze to save them all—and to Layna to realize that she’s risked the one thing she can’t afford to lose.

Book one of two

The seat beside me dipped and a strong, warm arm tucked behind my shoulders. I opened my eyes to Buck’s serious expression as he looked down at me.

The wind whipped my hair and Buck brushed strands away from my face. “You doing okay?”

Not really. “Yeah.” I brought my knees up and curled into him.

“You’re lying.”

I bristled but quickly realized Buck and I had so little time together, every second counted. And if I couldn’t be honest with him, we had no future. I traced the lines of his jaw with my fingers and sighed. “I took it as a relative question. I’m okay because I feel totally detached, like it’s happening to someone else. I don’t know if that’s because I’ve handed the live grenade to you and washed my hands of it or if I’ve hit some arbitrary wall and I just can’t process any more emotion. All I know? I’m more upset about you leaving than what’s going down tonight. Which—on one level—is really messed up. I’ve involved three strangers in my personal vendetta for justice, without any regard for the law or their safety.” 

“First, you didn’t hand me the grenade, I volunteered. And I made you a promise—your freedom, my rules. You let me worry about the details. Second, we aren’t strangers, we’re your friends.”

“You know I have no concept of that, right? I’ve existed in isolation for years. It’s like you’re lecturing to me about astrophysics. I neither understand nor relate to it.”

Buck smiled. “You’ll get used to it.”

“Like you get used to a stray dog that follows you home, or like you get used to a bad haircut?” Because there was a difference.

Buck threw his head back and laughed. “The shit you say sometimes, Christ. Don’t ever filter.” He stroked my cheek and his eyes softened. “But I get it. It’s the stray dog. You didn’t feed it, you don’t understand why it chose you, but it did. So you leave out some crumbs, you eventually pet it and next thing you know, you’ve opened your door and that dog is following you everywhere…” A dark heat passed across his expression. “And you love him for it.”

I didn’t know how it’d happened, but he was right. “I love you.”

“I’m your stray,” he whispered.

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but really, any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

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Release Day Blitz! Salvage, Book One by Tiffany Aleman

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S

tereotypical trailer trash. That’s how people saw me. I’m Karmen Butler, the girl everyone teased, tortured, pranked—bullied.

A

fter graduating high school, I left my shithole of a town behind with no intentions of ever returning. My dreams were within my grasp. Or so I thought…

L

uck. That’s what was on his side. Brayden Stephens was on top of the world and the biggest prick of all. At least that’s how I remember him. Then he lost it all. His vices took over and now he’s a washed-up has-been with a cocky smirk and arrogant attitude.

V

alued. That was how he made me feel. One night changed everything for us. In an instant I was lost to his touch, his voice. Everything about him captivated me.

A

gainst my better judgment, I let him in. I let him see the real me. Since he’d walked into my office, he’d been trying to redeem himself of his past mistakes.

G

limpses of a love and life I’d never known before were all he had given me. Now he’s done it, the one thing he said he wouldn’t. He’s broken me. AGAIN.

E

xcuses are what I was fed. The truth restrained him, bound him to his past, and now, I’m left to deal with the aftermath.

Is there anything left to SALVAGE?

I don’t know…

You tell me.

Karmen stands next to the kitchen table looking at something. In just a towel, I walk past her towards the coffee pot. As I pour my steaming cup of Holy goodness, she says, “Well…I’m just going to come out and say it, okay?”

I turn around, one hand clutches the end of my towel to hold it in place. My eyes find hers over the rim of my coffee cup. I nod as I blow on the steaming liquid. I watch as she focuses in on my lips, so I purposely blow a little harder.

She drops her eyes and looks down at her fingers, concentrating on picking at the red nail polish on her nails. “I want us to be friends not just at work but out of work too,” she blurts out.

At this I laugh.

Her head snaps up and she glares daggers at me from across the few feet separating us. “Is it so funny to think of us being friends?” The sharp tone of her voice tells me she really thinks that I wouldn’t want to be friends with her. I do. But I want more, much more.

“No, Karmen.”

“Then why laugh at me?”

“Well, I kind of already thought we were friends.” I shrug. “And after that kiss, maybe even a little more.”

I watch as her body sags in relief, and hope begins to build that maybe she might want more, too. “Brayden, I already told you we cannot go there.”

“Well seeing as we already did ‘go there,' I don’t see what the problem is. You kissed me, Karmen. I know you felt what I felt in that kiss.” I place my mug on the counter, my coffee is forgotten as I take a step in her direction. My tone drops to one of seduction. Like yesterday, I pull her back under my spell. “You can’t tell me you didn’t feel the fire.” Another step. “The heat.” I drop my voice another octave as I close the distance between us. My face closes in on hers. Instead of claiming her lips like I want, I skim the tip of my nose along her jaw, up her neck in agonizingly slow strokes, before growling in her ear, “The hunger.” I look down, her chest rises and falls in rapid breaths that fan out against my own neck. Blood rages through my veins like an addict getting the first hit of the rush they so much crave. My hand lands on her back. I pull her flush against my body, the towel separates my skin from touching hers. The contact forces an erotic groan past those luscious lips I’m dying to kiss again. “Things could be so good between us. Even now, I can feel the tremble of your body against mine.” I nip at her earlobe and murmur, “The way your heavy breaths hit my neck, I can feel how hard your nipples are. They’re begging to be sucked, right? Do you want me to touch you? Put you out of your misery?” I groan, and she nods her head like the wanton woman she is. Slowly, I glide my hand up along her side, and with the briefest of touches I let my thumb graze across her tight nipple. She whimpers and I add, “You want me and I want you.” Absentmindedly, she nods her head vigorously, and at that moment I know I’ve got her. I pull back to see her eyes closed, her lips slightly parted. “But since you only want to be friends then that’s what we’ll be.”

I know as soon as my words sink in. Karmen’s eyes pop open and she gasps in shock. I tilt my head to the side and stare back at her. 

“You’re an ass,” she snaps, flustered.

“Maybe. But I proved my point. We’ll be friends.” I drop my hands from around her waist and step away from her. “I’m giving you what you want. I’m a very giving man.” I grin at her and wink. “You should remember that.” I grip the towel tighter, to keep from reaching out to her. My feet carry me towards my room to get dressed, but her parting words halt my movements.

“That kiss didn’t mean anything,” she says nonchalantly.

I look back at her over my shoulder, and my grin turns into a full-blown smile. “You keep telling yourself that, babe. Your body doesn’t lie. It didn’t lie yesterday when your hands were fisted in my shirt, and it didn’t lie a second ago when you were putty in my hands.”

I don’t give her a chance to refute what I’ve said. We both know I’m right. I’ll play her friends card. But just like a spark eventually becomes a flame, that flame will sooner or later turn into an inferno. I’m betting whatever this is between us will be ablaze in no time. 

Tiffany is a mother of two and married to wonderful man. She is lover off anything that has to do with the outdoors. When she's not writing, she's spending time at the beach with her family and friends. Tiffany published her first novel in May of 2008 and hasn't seemed to stop writing ever since. She loves to read and lose herself in the imaginary world of the written word.

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Book Blitz! Sun-Kissed Summer by Marta Brown

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Summer can change everything.

For shy, bookish Katie Quinn, it just might after an accidental mix-up at the airport on the way to visit her grandparents for the summer leaves her stuck with the wrong suitcase. One full of short shorts, high heels, and absolutely nothing she would normally dare to wear. Until she realizes her newfound look has garnered the attention of Key West’s biggest hottie, Brad-freaking-Garrison, and might just give her the one thing she’s always dreamed of—an epic summer romance.

A romance her summertime best friend only wishes he could give her. But for Oliver, getting Katie to see him as more than just some dumb jock isn’t going to be easy after he agrees to compete against Brad in a kite-surfing competition. And if Brad has any say in it, the prize is Katie herself.

With more than just a contest on the line and a friendship at stake, will this be the summer Katie finds her footing, even if it is in someone else’s shoes? Will Oliver finally get the courage to tell Katie how he really feels and get out of the friend-zone for good? Or, like a kite in a hurricane, will everything they’ve ever hoped for be lost in the storm?

With a quick look at the clock on my nightstand, I let out a groan at the ridiculous hour, toss off the covers, and slip out of bed. Thankful for the pair of sleep shorts I found last night that actually manage to cover both cheeks, I stomp down the hall to the top of the stairs. 

“So, when you said last night you’d pick me up at six…” I trail off with crossed arms, despite Oliver’s cheery morning smile and what looks to be two cups of coffee. 

“DP, baby.” He lifts the steaming cup in my direction, giving it a small shake back and forth, like a taunt.

“DP? As in, date practice?” I ask, arching a brow as I trudge down the stairs and snatch the hot coffee from his grip. “You know, six pm would probably be a more fitting time to practice for say, a date. Don’t you think?”

Oliver takes a long sip of his drink while holding back a laugh. “Under normal circumstances, I would say yes, but we have nearly seventeen years to make up for in just one day.”

My cheeks catch fire at the reminder of how inexperienced I am, leaving me to wonder how in the world some silly, fake date is going to help when I’m so obviously beyond help at this point anyway. 

“You know what? I change my mind. I’m going back to bed.” Turning, I manage to take a single step before Oliver’s large, muscular arms wrap around my waist and pull me back against his chest. 

“Oh no, you don’t,” he says, humor lacing every word as he loosens his hold just enough so I’m able to twist around and face him—the small cups of coffee providing the only space between our two bodies. “I have big plans for us today. But, first things first. We have dawn patrol.”

Oh. DP stands for dawn patrol. Wait. What the heck is that?

The look on my face must tip him off to the fact I have no idea what he’s talking about because before I can ask, he shakes his head and laughs. “Dawn patrol is what we call an early morning kite-surfing session. And if we want a chance at winning the contest next week, we need practice. And you know what they say, don’t you?” Oliver grins as he lets the arm that is wrapped around my waist fall to his side before taking a small step back.

“Uh…no. What do they say?” I ask, slightly out of breath and strangely disappointed by the sudden amount of space between us. 

“Easy.” He winks. “Practice makes perfect.” 

Biting my lip, I don’t know if he’s talking about dating, kite surfing, or both. But by the way my heart is beating double time, I’m starting to think Oliver might just be the perfect guy to practice with either way.

Marta Brown grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a teenager when Doc Martens, Pearl Jam and flannel were the norm and Dylan loved Kelly forever. (Beverly Hills, 90210 shout out!)

She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.

When she's not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she's watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.

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Diana's Shelf: Book of the Month - June & July - featuring Juliet Braddock, Jessica Park, Jettie Woodruff, Rachel Van Dyken, David Levithan & Belle Aurora

Hi there! :) Here are my recommendations for June and July, along with some of my favorite quotes. 

~June~

On the 3rd place is Willing Captive by Belle Aurora

(Author note: This is NOT a dark romance.)

Delilah “Lily” Flynn is used to her drab existence. Lily’s been living it for twenty two years. 

Her boring life is suddenly turned on its head when she’s rudely kidnapped from her bedroom.

Or so she thinks.

Nox Taylor is far too high up in his field to be assigned a babysitting job. 

There’s nothing more he wants than to complete his mission so he can be rid of the smartass tomboy, Lily.

Day after day, Nox watches Lily and her strange ways. She’s unlike any woman he’s ever met. 

Getting close to the girl is purely for her own protection…right?

Lily never imagined she’d make her first real friends in captivity. 

What lengths would she go through to keep them?

**This is a stand alone novel and is unrelated to Friend-Zoned**

Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

My Thoughts: Willing Captive is the kind of book that leaves you wanting more of it. 

Delilah has always been living a boring life – not being able to go out or have a social life because her father’s job might put her and her family to harm taught her that it’s safer not to take any risks. 

However, when she’s kidnapped by some strangers from her own bedroom, she begins to seriously question her safety. Soon, she learns that she’s been sent away because of the threats her father has been receiving and she’s being protected by a specialized team who will ensure her well-being. All of this would be a child’s play if the leader, Nox, wouldn’t be so bossy and soo good-looking. For Nox, Lilly isn’t like any woman he has ever encountered. 

This book has everything I was looking for: it is very well written, it has an original plot, lovable characters and plenty of humor to keep anyone entertained.

“Do you love me?”

Without hesitation, he answers, “More than anything in my life.”

On the 2nd place is Black Rain by Jettie Woodruff

This is a story about me, about who I am, about how I got to be me, and about the people who helped mold me in to Makayla Carlie. 

There comes a time when life’s disappointments start to add up. When you can’t cry one more tear. When you can’t feel that surge of panic one more time, or when you can’t pray for one more day. You wonder, are we humans having a spiritual experience, or are we spirits having a human experience? What does it all mean? Do we all have a purpose? People said I was a hero—that I could persevere through anything I put my mind to. How could I be a hero when I never got a choice? Nobody asked me. 

I did what I hope anyone reading this would do. While one life was taken too soon, another needed to live, really live. She needed to be the center of somebody’s universe. I was that universe. Just like the Pea under the mattress, I felt her. 

Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Drama

My Thoughts: Makayla is a teenager who just lost her mother, the only real family she had so, with nothing to keep her there anymore, she decides she would leave for another city as soon as the opportunity arrives. 

Luckily, she stumbles upon Blake, a rich, stubborn man, who’s desperately looking for a babysitter for his little girl, London. Pea has been neglected since she has been born and needs unconditional love and, while Mikki had the perfect childhood, she no longer has somebody to care for. Both of them find in each other that missing piece, the one who'll be able to understand without judgement.
Such an emotional story about finding a reason to go on. The story of a girl who, emotionally, is not a child anymore. I highly recommend it!

"Mikki?"

"Yeah, baby?" 

"I think she gave you up so you could find me." 

That right there was why I did everything that I did. My heart filled with pride. Maybe she was right. Maybe Pea needed me more than I needed my mother. Maybe my mom knew that.

On the 1st place is Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.

Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.

Genre: Romance, Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary

My Thoughts: Flat-Out Celeste is the second installment in the Flat-Out Love series, and it tells the story of Celeste, who now struggles with being a ‘normal’ teenager, having a social life and making friends. For her, these things are far more complicated than one can expect. 

While deciding on which university to go to, she meets Justin, a sweet, curious boy who wants to know absolutely everything and who’s exactly what Celeste needs in order to gain confidence in herself. For once, she has finally found someone who understands her and who is willing to show her that the world isn’t as complicated as she thought. 

The dynamic in their relationship was perfectly written. This is the perfect book for those who want something different, a sweet and, both, funny and emotional story.

“You have taught me that I am allowed to like myself as I am, at whatever stage I am in. I can change, I can stay the same, or I can be whoever it is that is right for me; but I can be satisfied. No, more than that. I can be proud. I can celebrate. That is what I am going to do.” 

~July~

On the 3rd place is Every Day by David Levithan

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day. 

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Fantasy

My Thoughts: David Levithan’s Every Day is a fascinating and emotional story that addresses the readers the following question: is it possible to fall in love and stay in love with someone's soul? 

A has never had a life that he could call his own; ever since he can remember, he had lived different lives which he took great care in leaving undisturbed. 

Everything changes when, one day, he wakes up in Justin’s body and meets his girlfriend, Rhiannon. For the first time, A has found a good reason to wish to stay. But is a relationship between them possible when absolutely nothing is certain? 

The author’s idea was truly brilliant and his words touched my soul deeply. I highly recommend it! 

“When first love ends, most people eventually know there will be more to come. They are not through with love. Love is not through with them. It will never be the same as the first, but it will be better in different ways.”

On the 2nd place is The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken

My name is Milo Caro and I have a confession to make.

I’ve been in love with Colton Mathews since I was five. He should have known that sharing a cookie with a sugar obsessed little monster would do the trick–it sealed his fate. So really, the fact that he’s sporting a black eye, a limp, almost got ran over by a car, and was nearly responsible for another person’s death? Right. HIs fault. Not mine. 

I made a pact with myself–this weekend would be different. I’d come home for my brothers wedding, smile, and Colton would naturally melt into my arms, we’d get married have five kids, live in a house by the river, and get a dog named scratch (clearly I’ve thought this through).

What really happened? I punched my brother in the face, Colton kissed me and apologized, I lied about having a boyfriend, oh and everyone wants to meet the mystery man. 

They say laughter always comes before insanity–ha, ha. All I wanted was my brother’s best friend…instead I’m sitting in prison. 

Let this be a lesson to you all…life rarely happens the way you want it to. 

Damn cookie.

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult,

My Thoughts: I don’t think I have ever laughed so much as I did while reading The Consequence of Loving Colton.

Milo has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Colton, since she was 5. Over the years, though, they became distant. 

The weekend her older brother is getting married, Milo can’t avoid Colton anymore and she makes up her mind – she will seduce him, helped by her best friend, Max.

While the plan is supposed to be simple, it takes many twists and turns and the other characters make it even more hilarious. One thing that I appreciated was that every character had its own role in the story and no one was left on the outside. 

This is another great book written by the talented Rachel Van Dyken and I am so glad I had the chance to read it. I cannot wait for the next volume!

“Milo bought a goldfish once,” Max felt the need to pipe up. “She was drunk. She loved that fish,” He snorted. “I ate it.”

On the 1st place is Weakened by Juliet Braddock

Against the glittering backdrop of New York City, budding theatrical publicist Maxine Kirk, fresh off the bus from a small Pennsylvania town, stumbles into the arms of her beloved teenage crush, unleashing desires that she never imagined. 

Enter Drew McKenzie, a rising star on Broadway with dashing looks and talent to match, who masquerades behind the characters he portrays. 

Instantly, Maxine finds herself lured into Drew’s high society world only to uncover a complicated man beneath the glitz and glamour of his public persona. As soon as the curtain falls, Drew sheds his stage costumes to reveal a daring Dominant side. 

Titillated by his enigmatic life, Maxine clamors to discover a surreptitious and possibly perilous affair with Drew, all the while questioning her own preconceived notions on romance. 

Secrets surface, revealing haunting truths that test both Maxine and Drew of their own intentions. But in this high-stakes game of trust, only the strongest survive. 

Genre:  Romance, Erotica, BDSM, Adult

My Thoughts: Weakened is the first book in the amazing Manhattan Bound Series and tells the story of Maxine Kirk, who moves to New York to work as a publicist. 

Shortly after she moves in with her best friend, Ben, she finally gets to meet her biggest crush, the enigmatic Drew McKenzie. Granted, that meeting is not exactly what Maxine had envisioned, but the strong connection between them cannot be denied or ignored.

Caught up in a whole new world, Maxine discovers Drew’s darker but definitely sexy side and realizes there's a side of herself she never knew existed. But, in order to build a relationship, both of them have to conquer their pasts and trust each other. 

Juliet Braddock’s writing style is SO GOOD that I couldn’t get enough, even after I finished the second book. It has met all my expectations and the story she’s created has made it among my all time favorites. There aren’t many books that I can describe as ‘flawless’, but this one was just that. 

Aaand I found my new book boyfriend *wink, wink*. 

Check our reviews HERE and see Mikky's blog post to find out more about Wrapped, the second installment in the Manhattan Bound Series.

“There’s something about you, Maxine,” he said. “Something sweet… something pure… but something complex that I haven’t yet figured out. And I like you.”

Excerpt & Giveaway! Cadillac Payback by Aj Elmore

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An old Cadillac and a gun are all she has left of her brother. Three men stand ready to follow her into the darkest pits of hell to avenge him. The Cadillac leads them down a swamp road lined with ghosts, consequence and the tangled web of business and pleasure, into the underbelly of New Orleans crime as she fights for vengeance for her brother.

Joshua was just a rookie, a kid caught up in a drug ring. It’s fun and dangerous, all easy, until it kills his best friend and drags what’s left of his companions into a war. All he knows is he would walk into hell with her, and she might ask before it’s over…

Isaiah thought he’d seen everything—but watching Charlie die tore the world apart. The regime is changing, and with the new leader come more questions than answers. He was Charlie’s right hand, but what will he be to her?

Frederick came up on the streets, learned fast and hard and dirty. His past has always been a sticking point for the group, but one person has never questioned him, and he’ll do anything for her…

Maria never wanted to take over Charlie’s operation. But with her brother dead, and vengeance the only thing she has left, she makes her first decision: drag Charlie’s killers down.

It might just be her last.

Smoke hangs heavy against the ceiling, so thick it seems to breathe itself into being; so animate I'm sure I can see the ripples of my heartbeat in it. I watch it curl around lazy ceiling fan blades in the current created by the door opening, then closing. 

The smoke and the fans are the only things that move in the room. The voices have died around me. I'm so drunk, but the speed balances my inebriation, so that the temper that might usually rise is content to slither coldly in my gut. 

Charlie, if your spirit lingers, guide my hand, and bless the bullet; if it flies, it does to honor you. 

I make a slow sigh as I cross myself, a dramatic play, I admit, as my guests and my boys are frozen to their roots; as I make them all wait. I've never been much for my family's Catholic heritage, but if any prayer has ever mattered, it's this one. 

Expectancy shuttles between me and my untimely interruption. My guests are to my left as I face the door, all of them seated in a line behind eclectic, retro tables. Joshua, Isaiah, and Jack are to my right, also seated. I had just taken the floor to speak, when Noah crept inside. Now, Noah has resumed his guard post, with his barrel trained on the driver outside, and Frederick stands rigid with his beautiful piece of a gun held steadily on his only mortal enemy. Oh, how quickly momentum can change. 

Charlie, if you have moved on, from your place in heaven please look away. My actions are only mine. 

I drop my eyes to the door, to Derrik, the Jester as he's known in dirtier circles. There is sweat on my skin, but my gaze is so very cold. I hook my fingers on Charlie's gun without looking at it, and it drags on the table as I pick it up. The sound creates turbulence in the suspense. Its weight becomes more familiar every time I hold it, and I wonder if I'd feel anything if I put a slug in the Jester's gut right now. I point the chrome .40 at him, just to see if my nerves stir. All eyes on me. Still nothing. 

So I say, “You are not welcome here. You know that.”

My brother used to say that the secret to owning the moment was to find the right vibes and surf them. I don't know if “right” is a good adjective, but it feels like some higher power guides my movements just now. I take slow steps closer, and Derrik's hands inch a little further in the air. The automatic toothy smile on his lips falters as he finds himself staring down my barrel. I wonder if he recognizes Charlie's gun.

Aj is a beach migrant, and part-time muse. She enjoys the exploration of genres vast, and the search for untold worlds. A writer-for-fun since childhood, she has also been known to be a super hero, a gun slinger, and occasionally, a waitress. She lives on an island, has a bachelor's degree in journalism and some tattoos. She is most easily found at the water's edge.

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