Alpha passion collection, p.1
Alpha Passion Collection, page 1
ALPHA PASSION
A STEAMY BAD BOY Romance Collection
By:
Scott Wylder
Contents:
Also By Scott Wylder
Book 1: Good Guy Gone Bad
Book 2: One Day In Vegas
Book 3: Temptations
Book 4: Kitchen Heat
Copyright © 2018 by Scott Wylder
All rights reserved.
http://www.scottwylderauthor.com/
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited, and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
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Good Guy Gone Bad
Kitchen Heat
One Day in Vegas
Temptations
Alpha Passion BOX SET
The Bad Boy Biker
The Black Mountain Bikers Series
Benefits of Friendship
Falling for the Dragon
Trigger Happy
Hard Miles Ahead
She Got the Jack
Color Me Hot
The Black Mountain Bikers Series Book 1-3
Sinful Series
Paolo’s Pride
Evan’s Envy
Gavin’s Greed
Sinful Series BOX SET
Book 1: Good Guy Gone Bad
By:
Scott Wylder
Table of Contents:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Copyright © 2017 by Scott Wylder
All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited, and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
Chapter One
Hannah was furious. It was just like Jane to drop her at the last minute. Why did she believe her no-good cousin would pitch up this time? Stupid. Just stupid. Muttering angrily to herself, she zipped up her jacket and crossed her arms as she began to walk home. Given, her apartment was only a 20-minute walk from the bar she worked at, but it was a walk she would rather not make at 2:43am in high-heels.
It was the third weekend of the month, but even then, it had been quieter than usual at the bar. Quiet was not a good thing when you worked off tips and the generosity of drunken strangers. You needed it to be busy. The busier the better. She hadn’t even made $70 in last night’s shift, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. She was behind on her rent, and she needed the money.
Her heels echoed loudly on the cobbled path of the quiet street, and Hannah sighed. She wished she’d remembered to pack a pair of flats this time. After a few more blocks, her aching feet couldn’t take it any longer and she slipped her shoes into her bag. She’d just have to brave the last half-mile or so barefoot.
Hannah could hear what sounded like men’s voices in the distance, but didn’t think too much of it. She was used to the sound of the odd drunkard talking loudly to himself on a Friday night. Her mind drifted to the upcoming events of the weekend. She had convinced her friend to let her display some of her artwork in her store. With any luck, it would catch the eye of a well-to-do art connoisseur who would whisk her off to New York to showcase her paintings amongst the finest. She could sell them for thousands of dollars, and never have to worry about money again. She smiled.
Her fantasy was sharply interrupted as she turned the corner and walked right into a sour-smelling man in a disheveled leather coat.
He grabbed her roughly by the shoulder and narrowed his eyes. “What d’ya think ya doing,” he barked, “spying on matters that ain’t none of ya business?”
“I wasn’t-”
“Shut up. Nobody asked ya.”
“I wasn’t spying. Let me go, asshole.”
He grabbed her throat and her eyes widened. She suddenly realized she was surrounded, and she was in a lot more trouble than she had thought.
“What do we do with her?” a nervous-sounding voice spoke up.
“Shut up, Liam. You weren’t even supposed to be here.”
“I know, but when Killer finds out about this, he won’t be happy. I just think-”
“When Killer finds out… about what?”
Hannah gulped. She slowly turned her head to where the booming voice had come from. A large clean-shaven man was standing a few yards away, lighting a cigarette.
“Uh, nothing, Killer, just this girl… we found her spying.”
“Spying, you say?” he let out a low laugh, and began to walk closer. “Those that know me, they know I’m an easy guy. I don’t ask for much. But if there’s one thing I don’t like… it’s people STICKING THEIR NOSES IN MY FUCKING BUSINESS.” he roared.
The sour-smelling man her let go and pushed her towards the imposing figure in front of her. “Such a shame,” he said softly, curling his fingers around her soft red hair. “Such a pretty little thing. What a waste.”
“Let her go, George.”
Killer turned around sharply. “Duane. What a pleasant surprise.”
“Let her go.”
He chuckled. “Or what?”
“She has nothing to do with you, or your… business.”
“Oh, but she does. You see, she was spying on matters that really don’t concern her. And you know how I despise spies.” Killer spat the words out like a bad taste in his mouth.
“I hardly think she was spying. It looks to me like she was simply caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time.” The stranger slowly opened his hand, and something glimmered in his palm.
Killer’s expression changed. “Where did you get that?” he said softly.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hannah could see one of the men urgently patting his pockets. The edge of her mouth curled into a slight smile. Who was this man?
“Give me the girl.”
“You shouldn’t have that, Duane. You’re messing with things that are no business of yours.”
“Oh, I think they’re my business.” He winked at Hannah. “Or else… I could make them my business.”
She took advantage of Killer’s lack of attention, and without thinking, ran straight towards the stranger.
“Get behind me,” he whispered. He didn’t have to ask twice.
“Give me the pendant, Duane!”
“Fine. You want it so bad, here it is.” Duane threw the glimmering object into the air, grabbed Hannah’s hand and ran. An expensive black car was parked just up the block, seemingly waiting for him. He pushed her into the back seat and climbed in quickly after her. The driver pulled off without a word.
“Where are your shoes?”
“Huh?”
He smiled, pointing at her feet. “Your shoes. Where are they?”
“I… oh. I took them off.”
“Why?”
She looked at him, confused. They had just escaped a gang of seemingly dangerous men, and he was asking about her shoes? Hannah closed her eyes, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Her head was spinning. She could hear Duane rummaging around under the seat for something, and didn’t want to know what it was.
Without warning, she felt a sharp pain in her foot and opened her eyes. Duane was leaning over her with a jagged piece of glass in his hand.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I thought it would be best to take that out quickly. It’s less painful that way.”
She looked down, and for the first time, realized that she had cut her foot. There was blood all over the suede seat and carpet of the car. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped as she saw the concern in his deep brown eyes as he looked at her.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry about the carpet.”
He laughed. “It’s just a carpet, darling.” He rested his hand lightly on her arm, and her heart stopped. “My name’s Duane.”
“Hannah. Where are we?”
“Not far from your apartment, don’t worry. We took a more scenic route to avoid those idiots back there.”
“Who was that? Who were they, I mean?”
“George? Oh, he’s my brother.”
“Huh? Your what?”
“Yeah. It’s a long story. Here we are.”
She looked up, and was surprised to see that they were already at her building.
“Are you okay to walk upstairs?”
She nodded.
He smiled warmly and got out to open the door for her. “Okay then. Goodbye.”
She stood and watched as the car drove away. “Thank you…” she said as the taillights blinked out of sight.
Chapter Two
Hannah sat on the carpet outside her apartment with her back against the door. Her injured foot had been so well bandaged that it wasn’t even hurting her anymore. Who was he? Duane… What a sexy name. She didn’t know what would have happened to her if he hadn’t arrived. With a name like Killer, anything was possible. She shivered.
How did Duane know where she lived?
“Hannah?”
She was roused from her thoughts by the building manager. He was a kind old man, and part of the reason she stayed there. He had been friends with her father, and always did what he could to help her out.
“Why are you sitting outside, dear?”
“Oh, um, I lost my keys. I think they were in my bag, and I don’t really know where my bag is.”
“Sounds like you had a rough night.” He winked at her.
“Yeah, but not in a good way.” She sighed.
“Oh, well, I’m sorry to hear that. Just wait right there and I’ll get you your spare set of keys, okay? I’d invite you over for tea, but you don’t look in any condition to walk.”
She smiled. “Thanks, Jones. I appreciate it.”
The old man was gone for a while, and returned with a cup of tea. He handed it to her with his shaky hands, and she reached out with a thankful nod. He always knew how to make her feel better.
“Did you bring me the spare keys?”
“Oh, crud. I knew there was something I forgot.”
She smiled as she took a sip of her tea and watched him walk away again.
***
“Hello?”
“Hannah?”
She groaned. It was Jane.
“I don’t really feel like talking to you right now.”
“Listen, I’m sorry about last night.”
Hannah hung up the phone and sank back into her chair. It rang again.
“Hannah, listen. I really am sorry. I was with my boyfriend and we just kinda lost track of time.”
She hung up. The phone rang again.
“Do you have any idea what happened to me last night, Jane?”
“Hannah? I need you to come in tonight.” It was her boss.
“Jeff, I can’t work tonight. It’s not my shift and I already have plans,” she lied.
“Well, I need you to come in. Melinda is off sick and Chanelle is having her baby.”
“Jeff, I can’t.”
There was a long pause.
“If you can’t work tonight, just start looking for another job. I’ll find someone I can rely on.”
Hannah sighed. “I’ll be there.” She hung up. She did need the money, especially since she had lost the small amount she made the night before. Duane. She wondered if she would ever see him again. His strong arms and deep brown eyes were the last thing on her mind as she gradually drifted into a welcome sleep.
Chapter Three
The bar was busier than the night before, but not by much. With the adrenaline long having worn off, her injured foot was making it difficult for her to work. It was times like these that she wished for a desk job. She wished that things had been different, that her father hadn’t died and that she’d had the chance to go to college. She’d wanted to study biochemistry. She’d always been told she was smart. Fat lot of good that did her now, she thought as she hobbled over to the counter with a rum and coke.
“Excuse me, ma’am?”
“Just give me a second,” she snapped. Couldn’t the bloke see she was busy?
She looked up and a familiar face greeted her eyes. His eyes sparkled and he looked slightly amused.
“I’m sorry to have bothered you.” He smiled.
“No, I… I didn’t realize it was you.”
“How is your foot?”
Before she could answer, a female voice sounded from beside him. “Do you two know each other?”
Hannah noticed a woman sitting next to him. She had a strikingly irritating voice.
“Of course. She works here. It’s not my first time coming here.” He winked at Hannah.
“But you asked about her foot.”
“Can’t you see the poor woman is limping? Why don’t you go behind the bar and help her out? They appear to be a little short-staffed tonight.”
The woman crossed her arms. “Why would I help her? I don’t work here. Besides, my mother always told me that a lady like me shouldn’t be doing manual labor.”
Hannah looked at her. “You have something in your teeth.”
Horrified, the woman grabbed her purse and rushed to the ladies’ room.
“Don’t worry about her, Hannah.” He looked at her and smiled gently.
“Who is she?”
“My fiancée.” He spat the word out with disgust.
“Oh. Cool.” She tried in vain to hide her disappointment.
The woman sashayed back to the bar, looking around as if wondering why nobody was noticing her. “There was nothing in my teeth, barmaid. I don’t know what you’re playing at, but it’s not going to work.”
“What is she talking about?”
“Haven’t the foggiest,” Duane replied with a puzzled expression.
Hannah turned around quickly so that she wouldn’t see her laughing.
“We need to go. I have a big event tomorrow, remember? I need to get my beauty sleep.”
“You sure do,” Duane muttered under his breath as they got up to leave. He turned to say goodbye but Hannah had busied herself pouring another drink. She bit her lip to keep back the tears as she looked up to watch him leave. How could it be that the first man ever to stir any emotion within her was engaged to marry someone else?
***
Hannah sat on a crate in the back room as Jeff did the stock-take and tallied up the tills. Her foot was throbbing and had swollen noticeably. She grimaced. She would have to ask Jeff to give her a lift back to her apartment.
“What happened tonight, Hannah? Every time I looked at you, you were leaning against the bar or sitting down. Did you do any work tonight?”
“I’m sorry, Jeff. I hurt my foot last night, and-”
“I’m sorry, but that’s just not good enough. You’re going to have to get your act together if you want to keep your job here. Why do you think I hire women to work behind the bar? Your job is to show boobs and get them spending as much as possible, not hobbling around and chatting up your friends.”
Her heart sank. He must have seen her talking to Duane.
“Could you give me a lift home tonight?”
Her question caught him off-guard. “Are you serious? Are you even listening to what I’m telling you here? This is a serious conversation, Hannah. I can’t keep letting you off with a warning. This is a business.”
She looked at the ground and there was silence.
“Your till is short.”
“What?”
“I said your till is short. You need to pay in $63.”
Without a word, she handed him the money. She only had $24.50 left, and was on the verge of a breakdown. When she saw Duane waiting outside for her, her face crumpled and she fell apart.
“Shhh, honey. It’s okay.” He wrapped his arms around her and cradled her gently against his chest. “You have nothing to worry about, okay? Look at me. I’m here.”
His words offered little consolation. He was engaged. Engaged.
“Look at me, sweetie.” He tipped her chin up and looked into her deep green eyes. “Nothing in the world should make you feel like that. Nothing, okay?” He brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “Come, I’ll take you home. Actually, you know what? Let me take you somewhere better. I don’t think you should be alone tonight.”
He helped her into the back seat of the car, and she lay down with her head on his lap. Her breathing slowed and she was gradually feeling better. He ran his fingers through her hair, and she was soon sound asleep.
Chapter Four
Hannah opened her eyes as the car pulled into a gravel parking bay. She slowly sat up and looked around her. They must have driven for at least four hours, as the sun was beginning to come up.
“We’re here,” Duane said gently.
