Lady Guardians: Persuade Me Read online

  Persuade Me

  Lady Guardians

  Reana Malori

  Contents

  Introduction

  1. Ebony

  2. Cole

  3. Ebony

  4. Cole

  5. Ebony

  6. Ebony

  7. Cole

  8. Ebony

  9. Ebony

  10. Cole

  11. Cole

  Thank You!

  Curvalicious by Celeste Granger

  Additional LG Chapters

  Let’s Stay in Touch!

  Books by Reana

  Heaven on Earth

  Wicked Nights

  About the Author

  Lady Guardians: Persuade Me © copyright 2019 Reana Malori

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Created with Vellum

  Introduction

  Lady Guardians: Persuade Me

  Sometimes good and evil must coexist to bring about the reckoning.

  Ebony - I've never begged for anything. Until the day I begged him to save my life.

  Fear was not a word I used. Failure had never been an option. Even as life threw me curveballs on a regular basis, I powered through. My job as a police officer drove me to do better, be better than anyone else, and to protect those who needed my help. My position as President of the Fairfax Chapter of Lady Guardians instilled a sense of sisterhood and passion for my community. I’m proud of the person I’ve become and have no regrets about the life I’ve lived. Well, except one—and it happens to be the man hovering over my body as I bleed out on my front lawn.

  Cole - Life on the other side wasn't all it was cracked up to be, but my forgiveness will be found in the unlikeliest of places.

  The day I came home to find my beautiful neighbor on the verge of death, my world shifted. She'd seen me when all I wanted to do was hide, not allowing me to wallow in my guilt and memories. The things I'd seen in combat scarred me for life, changing me into someone I hardly recognized. But it didn't matter to her. Now someone had hurt her. The woman I desired from afar, even as I knew it was best that I stayed on my side of the street. I was no good for her. For anyone. But someone had tried to harm her, and that just wouldn't do at all.

  1

  Ebony

  Pain radiated through her body as she realized she’d been shot. Her face was wet from the steady flow of tears falling from her eyes. Ebony lay in the front yard of her home as her life seeped out into the grass. Eyes wide, but blurry from pain, she tried to focus on the sights and sounds around her. The sky above her was a gorgeous light blue, with small clouds floating by, breaking up the view. The only thing she heard around her was the whizzing of vehicles as they drove down the street.

  A low keening noise sounded in the silence. It was like an animal in distress. Ebony’s ears picked up the wail, but it seemed to be muffled, far away. As she tried to move her lips to call out, to yell for someone to call 9-1-1, she realized the sound was coming from her. Fear coursed through her mind, and wetness continued to fall from her eyes.

  It couldn’t end this way.

  There was too much still left to do.

  It wasn’t her time to die.

  She had people who loved her. People who wanted her to live. She’d be damned if her last breath would be taken like this. Lying in a pool of her blood. Alone.

  Digging her fingers into the ground as she twisted in pain, she felt the fresh dirt under her nails. Wouldn’t it be some bullshit if these were the last moments of her life? A seasoned police officer with more than a decade of service under her belt, it was almost embarrassing that she’d been caught off-guard this way.

  When the sound of the weapon firing met her ears, she’d pulled her weapon from its holster, ready to respond to the threat. No matter how fast she was, it had already been too late. Hot lead filled her body, the heat slicing through her soft flesh.

  The shock came first. Then the pain.

  Falling to the ground, she’d tried to fight the convoluted thoughts going through her mind. During her years of being a cop, she’d come across her fair share of criminals, thugs, and murderers. Hell, she’d even been shot before and lived to tell the tale. Those times, she’d been actively engaged, ready to risk her life to bring down her target. Injury or death had been an expected outcome.

  Today was not one of those situations. There was no preparation for this. Ebony hadn’t been going after a criminal or harassing a potential suspect. No, this time, she’d been coming home after finishing up a long ass shift. She’d been working extra hours on a case dealing with human trafficking, and something about it was getting to her. Things weren’t adding up. She was missing something, and that shit bothered her.

  Bone tired and ready to crash for the next two days, she wasn’t focused on her surroundings. Her mind was prepared to shut down, even if only for a few hours. She’d been thinking long and hard about a hot shower, and a cold beer. Ebony had let her guard down for only a few moments, which she knew never to do.

  Within seconds, her world was thrown off its axis.

  Now she lay in the dirt and grass in front of her home, her safe space, with a bullet inside her body. Moving her head to the side, she noticed the blood pooling on top of her clothing, the dark red liquid seeping into the grass.

  Wincing from the pain of shifting her body, Ebony “Diamond” Thompson, tried to think of a way out of this. She wasn’t going out without a fight. The voice of Deuce, the Vice President of the Lady Guardians, entered her mind, and she almost smiled at the thought of her friend.

  Deuce would pull out these sayings from her time in the Marine Corps that would throw everyone for a loop. They’d be sitting around the club, shooting the shit, and having a drink, doing nothing much. Then BAM! Deuce would pull out one of her favorite sayings. Ebony’s favorite was, ‘Blood makes the grass grow, Marines make the blood flow. Kill! Kill! Kill!’

  Ebony could feel a small chuckle bubble through her as she thought about her longtime friend and partner in crime. Deuce would kick her ass if she died this way. Ebony tried to roll over, but a sharp pain clawed its way through her chest. Falling back down, she let out a deep breath.

  Well, if she died on her lawn, her grass would be nice and green. At least according to Deuce and the US Marine Corps. Her homeowner’s association would appreciate that. They were a bunch of prudes who had nothing else better to do but get in other people’s business.

  Deuce would probably kill everyone in her path when she found out what happened to Ebony. Even after knowing her for ten years, Ebony still held onto a healthy dose of fear for her best friend. Laughing a little at the thought of Deuce’s small five-foot-six-inch frame going all Marine Corps revenge killer, she groaned as the pain intensified inside her body. Wincing, she fought to control the need to close her eyes and wait for the inevitable.

  Fuck this shit. She needed to fight.

&nbsp
; “Help me,” she whispered. Her voice was low and where she lay was shielded by the hedges on each side of her yard. It was mid-afternoon, so not many people in her lovely, middle-class neighborhood were at home. She didn’t expect anyone would have heard the shot. Even if they did hear the sound, they might not have realized what it was.

  Feeling herself getting weaker by the minute, she tried to pull her cell phone from her pocket. “Help me,” she prayed to whoever was listening.

  Sobs tore from her body as she accepted what was happening. Someone wanted her dead. They’d learned where she lived. Waited until she was alone, with her guard down. The motherfucker shot her. And she had no idea who it could be.

  Her list of enemies was too long to think about, and her mind was too garbled to think clearly. She’d put a lot of motherfuckers behind bars over the years. Even had a few complaints filed against her for excessive force, but none of those charges stuck. It wasn’t her fault some men were bitch ass pansies who couldn’t take getting their ass kicked by a woman.

  She wasn’t worried about finding the perpetrator—not much anyway. Her brothers and sisters in blue would find out who did this to her. Hell, Deuce would probably find the shooter before they did.

  If only she could tell her friend thank you for all the times she’d had her back. For all the ways she’d supported Ebony in her role as President of their Lady Guardians chapter.

  Ebony’s vision began to fade. Blackness converged on the edges of her eyes. She was going into shock from blood loss. She couldn’t even feel the pain anymore. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. Her life would slip away as if she were falling asleep.

  For thirty-three years, she’d lived a life that others would envy. Had two amazing parents who’d loved and supported her without question. The career she’d dreamed of, catching the bad guys and making the streets better. And rode a badass motorcycle daily. Who wouldn’t want a life like that?

  Her only regret was that she was going to die alone. No husband. Not even an ex-husband. No boyfriend who’d miss her if she didn’t call him to check-in and share their days. Children hadn’t been in the plan for her, especially with her career choice. The dangers were too many. She didn’t want to risk not coming home one night and leaving her child on their own, their only parent dead at the hands of a criminal.

  If she’d had a long-time boyfriend or husband, maybe it would have been different. But she didn’t. There were only her mother and her little sister. Her father had passed away from a massive heart attack six months after she’d graduated from the Police Academy.

  For months, he kept repeating how proud he was of her. He’d brag to all his friends that his daughter, his princess, was at the top of her graduating class. Six months after she’d walked across that platform, he’d gone to work one day, and never made it back home.

  Her breath was shallow as she felt her heartbeat slowing down. The only good thing about this situation was that she’d get to see her father again. They could look down on her mother and sister and make sure they were doing okay. Protect them from up high, just as they’d both protected them while on this earth.

  With one last surge of energy, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket. The small device in her hands, she managed to press the nine- and the one- before it fell from her fingers.

  “I’m sorry, momma,” she tried to say, but the words came out mumbled.

  “Hey!”

  A loud voice called out to her, but she had no energy to respond. Relief flooded her body when she heard someone running in her direction.

  “Ebony! Can you hear me? Fuck!” She heard fumbling before he spoke again. “Yeah, we need an ambulance. My neighbor’s been shot. She’s a police officer. I don’t know how long she’s been out here. I just got home.” He paused. “Okay, let me check. Hold on.”

  She felt his hands on her body. She was about to die, and all she could think about was how good his touch felt. As soon as he’d spoken above her, she’d recognized his voice. The fine ass guy across the street. Cole. The one whose look was so intense, she felt butterflies in her stomach every time they crossed paths.

  There was something about him that pulled her closer, made her want to know him better. But she hadn’t been willing to put herself out there, so she refrained approaching him. There were so many reasons not to go down that path. Hot naked sex was all well and good, but it would be rude to kick the guy out of her bed once she had her fill, only to see him every morning when she left for work.

  Plus, there was also the possibility that even if she approached him, it wouldn’t turn out the way she wanted. What if he rejected her? What if she wasn’t his type? Maybe he already had a woman who made his toes girl and fucked him until he was weak in the knees. Even with all those negative thoughts, it didn’t mean he didn’t fill her dreams at night. Because he sure as fuck did. And when she woke up, her pussy would be wet and the gasp still on her lips from the phantom dick that had been giving it to her for hours as she slept.

  It didn’t matter if she’d pictured his large, pale body between her dark legs. Or his rough beard scratching against the soft skin of her inner thighs as his mouth devoured her pussy. And let’s not forget her silent wish that he had a thick, fat dick to slide inside her body, every thrust making her moan with need and desire.

  No. None of that mattered. Why? Because she’d been too chicken-shit to say anything to him.

  Lying here with her life fading away, she wished she’d gone after what she wanted. Who cares if she crashed and burned? At least she would have made an attempt. With the way he eyeballed her whenever she stepped outside of her house, she didn’t think he would’ve pushed her away.

  “Can you talk? Ebony! Sweetheart, open your eyes for me.” His rough voice called out to her. The tone strained with something akin to fear.

  She tried to respond. Oh, how she tried to say something—do something—but her throat was clogged from her tears and lids were too heavy to lift. Ebony fought against the darkness threatening to take her away. Consolidating all her strength into the one movement, she focused her gaze on the man hovering above her.

  “Hey, Beautiful. There you are. Keep those gorgeous browns open for me. Can you do that? An ambulance is on the way, but I need you to stay with me. Okay?” Taking off his shirt, he rolled it up and placed it under her head. “Who did this to you?” At her silence, he continued. “Ebony, talk to me. Is this related to your job?”

  Licking her lips, she managed to squeak out a response, “Don’t…know.”

  “It’s okay. I’m here. I can hear the sirens now.” Her eyes began to close again, but his hand cradled her face. “Stay with me. Open those eyes for me, sweetheart. Just a little bit longer.” Looking up from her, he began speaking to others who’d started crowding around.

  “Yes, the ambulance was called. They’ll be here soon. No, I don’t know what happened. Just move back a little.”

  Of course, while she lay here hoping someone would come to help her, not a person was in sight. Now that her hunky, drop-dead sexy neighbor had shown up, everyone had come out of the woodworks. Figures.

  Turning his green gaze back to her, he stared at her face as if memorizing her features. Ebony marveled at just how good looking he was. Dark hair covered his head and face, giving him a rough edge. She could tell, even beneath it all, that his chin was firm, strong. His lips were perfectly shaped, with just enough thickness to make kissing him an absolute pleasure.

  His upper body was broad, his chest and arms sculpted with muscles on top of muscles. Cole was much taller than her as well, at least six feet four inches. For her, standing five feet ten inches in socks, he was the perfect height. She’d pictured herself climbing him like a spider-monkey a few times. If only she’d had the chance to get a taste of him before meeting her maker. Shit was just unfair.

  Smiling down at her, he spoke again, “They’re pulling up now. Keep those eyes on me a little longer.”

  Ebony struggled a bit. Being
strong was all well and good, but she didn’t want to be in that ambulance alone. Not today. Today, she needed someone by her side. Cole had just been selected for the job.

  As if reading her mind, he rubbed a hand down her arm. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. Hell,” he gave a low laugh, “I’d wanted to know you better but not like this.” Glancing over his shoulder, he waved his hand in the air. “All right, sweetheart, I need to let the paramedics take care of you. Don’t worry. I’m only stepping back for a minute.”

  Cole moved away to allow the professionals to step closer. She wanted to hold his hand, pull him back to her. Ebony didn’t want to let him go. It was the first time in her life she needed someone to be there for her.

  “Cole,” she managed to whisper. “Please. Don’t go.”

  2

  Cole

  Fury rolled through Cole’s blood. When he’d come home from the airport, he’d been ready to relax in front of the television with a cold beer. He’d been dreaming of falling asleep in his bed for the first time in two weeks.

  For the past sixteen days, he’d been on a job watching over a man who thought he was a one-person army who didn’t need a babysitter. His words, not Cole’s. Fucking idiot. It was always the ones with too much money, and not enough common sense.

  This wasn’t the first time he’d been put on a task to protect someone who didn’t feel they needed it. However, it was the first time he’d been ready to risk it all to plant his fist in the client’s face. It had been the assignment from hell. No wonder the guy’s parents were willing to pay triple their usual fee. They knew their son was a spoiled brat. Considering the kid was twenty-seven and still living in his parents’ pool house when he had the whole world at his feet just pissed Cole off even more.