Silver Fox

Book 5 in the Silver Brothers Securities Family Saga

She was the woman of my dreams and nightmares.

Laura Young had everything I desired in a woman: intelligence, beauty, and strength. We clicked the night we met, but the independent cop left me the next day without a word.

Two years later, she arrested me, and this time, I wasn’t going to let her off the hook.

He was the man I feared and desired.

James Silver was the best one night stand I ever had. But when his pregnant girlfriend showed up the next morning, I fled. With more secret than one.

Two years later, fate gave us a second chance. I just needed to find the right time to tell him about his son. How hard could that be? Harder than I expected, as it turned out…

Note: Silver Fox is the fifth novel in the Silver Brothers Securities Family Saga. This book be read as a standalone novel. Intended for mature audiences with a guaranteed happily-ever-after for the couple.

Silver Brothers Securities

Silver Fox sneak peek.

Chapter 1: Laura

“Hands up!”

His shoulders jerked as he startled. 

“NYPD. Step away from the tree and put your hands up.”

He lifted his hands in slow motion, palms flat to the front and stance wide. 

“Hurry up.” 

“You’ve got the wrong man, officer.” His deep voice stirred fuzzy memories, but I pushed past the tingling at the back of my mind. I was going to cuff this co-conspirator, no matter what.

“Don’t fucking move.” I stepped closer. As his arms rose, his hoodie lifted above his belt, exposing a weapon. “Is that gun behind your back registered?”

I removed the gun from behind the belt, noting his ass looked even tighter than three years ago.

“You’re under arrest for breaking and entering. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

“Breaking and entering? At least make up something believable. I don’t break in.”

The cuffs clicked along with my memory.

Oh, my God. That voice.

The dread that someone wanted to complicate my life ran through my veins.

“Fox.” His name slipped from my tongue. 

“Laura? Laura, is that you?”

His head turned with a snap of the neck and my body went limp. The one man I’d been avoiding for two years was now standing less than a breath away from me. And the best plan my brain could come up with was to take him to the station. If they locked him away for possession, I could kill two birds with one stone: score my bust and disappear. The plan flew through my mind like a stray bullet, until the smell of him invaded my lungs, and the bullet settled near my heart.

“Fox?” His name curled along my tongue. I hadn’t spoken his real name ever, but I certainly held it close to my heart. “I mean, James? Is that you? What the fuck?”

He stood still, as if he shared my shock.

“You’re reading my mind. Uncuff me.” He twisted sideways.

“I can’t. I already read your rights.”

“You mean, you mumbled my rights.”

“Shut up. You’re under arrest. What are you doing here?” I asked him.

“If I’m under arrest, I believe I get a phone call before I answer your questions, officer.”

He was right. And I already knew what he was doing here. My two-way radio confirmed that back-up had arrived for Allie. She was getting a ride with a colleague.

“Looks like we’re ready to go.”

“Laura, take off the cuffs. I’m not the guy you’re looking for.”

“I beg to differ.” He caught onto my hushed breath, and I’d realized my mistake. The spark in his eye lit my blood on fire, and I swallowed to clear the rushing heat. It didn’t work. I doubted anything would work when his smoldering eyes did their magic. Although the crazy morning we’d spent in Colorado seemed long ago, every minute had stayed fresh in my mind.

“If you run the number on the gun, it’s registered to Fox Silver. Take the damn cuffs off, Laura.”

His lifted tone drew me out of my daze.

“Ninety-eight percent of criminals try to persuade an officer to remove their cuffs. That’s criminal. You’re under arrest, and you’re coming with me to the station.”

“You’re making a mistake. I’ll be out of the station before you fill out the paperwork.”

Backup arrived for Allie, and I directed them inside before I turned back to James.

“Wonderful. Then you won’t mind if you come along after all.”

“I don’t have time for this, Laura. I’m a busy father with obligations who’s trying to catch a criminal.”

His fatherhood was why I’d left without saying goodbye—and the woman who’d interrupted our stay with her pregnant belly. I wasn’t about to compete with the mother of his child, and I wouldn’t let my son be seconds, either. My only other choice was disappearing.

“Laura? Are you even listening to me? There’s somewhere I need to be, and if I don’t leave right now, I’ll miss the appointment.”

“All right. We can leave right now. In my cruiser.”

“Oh, great. I would really appreciate a ride—”

“I meant you in the back of my cruiser.”

“You’re really gonna do this?” He closed his eyes and took in a calming breath. 

A pinch of regret loomed in my chest. “I’m just doing my job.”

“Your job?’ Anger flamed in his bright eyes. “For fuck’s sake, Laura. You were a nutcracker three years ago.”

Fury steamed out of my ears.

“Well, then, I guess this nutcracker just got her bust.”

I opened the back door and pushed against his heavy body, but he resisted, turning my way. The corner of his mouth lifted, and a dimple sank into his cheek.

Damn.

“Will you not embarrass me and let me ride shotgun?”

My heart hammered in my chest, constricting my lungs. A tingling sensation scattered over my skin, reacting to his dangerously sexy tone.

“Rules are rules, Mr. Silver. Suspects ride from the back. I mean, in the back.”

Fuck, neither one sounded innocent.

He smirked.

“Get in.” I gripped his bulging arm and nudged his mass of muscles inside. Jesus, was he ever strong! I gathered my wits and pulled away from the curb. 

“So, what happened to you in Colorado?” he asked.

A better question was, why was the sky blue and his girlfriend pregnant? Why did he seduce me when he had a family, and why did I let him?

Play dumb.

“What do you mean, what happened in Colorado?”

I pushed on the gas, throwing him into the back seat. He groaned, and I checked the rearview mirror as he sat closer to the partition between us.

“I mean, why did you leave?” The deep tone rumbled through his chest, and a memory of his beautiful torso flashed through my mind. I cranked the window open for some air.

“There was an avalanche. The mountains got dangerous, and…” I stopped along with the car, waiting for the pedestrians to pass. “And I went to see my sick friend.”

I started rolling again.

“And you didn’t call?”

I pushed on the brake, and his face pressed against the wired divider. At this pace we’d never get to the station, but I wasn’t about to explain how I despised love triangles and players.

“Look, I had a good time in Colorado, but as you can see, I’m more than a nutcracker now.”

“Right—you’re a cop who’s busting a guy for nothing. Significant improvement.”

Was that sarcasm in his voice? I checked the rearview mirror as he rolled his eyes.

“You know nothing about me, Silver. I’m great at my job.”

Eighty percent of relationships started with lies; except we had no relationship. I had been good at my job until Mrs. Brewers took another child to babysit. Foxy caught one bug after another, forcing me to cut back on my hours.

“You’re definitely great at running,” he mumbled, and sat back in his seat. I was not about to get into this with him while on the job. Any woman in my shoes would have done the same. I said nothing else until we arrived at the precinct and I put him in a room for booking. I had just signed off on the paperwork when Sargent Dwight called me over to his desk.

“The gun is registered. Mr. Silver’s lawyer says you should have checked before booking him for possession.”

“He got a lawyer?”

“The Silvers always lawyer up. You would have known that if you followed protocol, which you didn’t. I don’t want to demote you, Young, but—”

“Demote me? Sir, I know I’ve been off my game the past couple of months, but I can do my job.”

He loosened the tie around his neck.

“You’re a good cop, Laura, and I need you here, but you will need to apologize to Mr. Silver.”

“So he’s walking?”

“Your bust is a no bust. What do you want me to hold him on?”

Good genes, bright blue eyes, and a body to die for? I shrugged instead.

“I haven’t seen you slip like this before. Is something going on at home?”

Did three stacks of laundry, a sink full of dishes, and a sick two-year-old count?

“Foxy’s puking again. He’s getting all kinds of germs when Mrs. Brewers brings on new kids, so I’m looking for a new sitter, and I’m… I’m sorry about the gun. I won’t slip again, sir.”

“All right. Go pay your dues and make sure the lawyers are off our back.”

“Yes, sir.”

I turned and saw him standing by the main desk. He was leaning forward, resting his elbow on the counter, charming the secretary. The overgrown beard was new, but it matched his long lashes. If it weren’t for the darker circles underneath his eyes, I’d argue he looked hotter than the night we met. His gaze lifted and caught my stare.

I fixed my shoulders back, lifted my head, mustered my confidence, and straightened my spine, taking calculated steps to the front.

“Hey,” I said. “I’m sorry about the power trip. I shouldn’t have arrested you.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t press charges if you have dinner with me.”

“What?”

“I thought we could catch up.”

“Dinner?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I don’t think my boyfriend would appreciate that.”

“So you’re not single? You’re seeing someone?”

“Yes.”

Sometimes my lies came out so beautifully. How could I deny the talent? Besides, didn’t he have a family to worry about? 

The disappointment in his eyes stopped my next breath. I didn’t expect the sudden clench around my heart, either. The precinct door opened, and I thanked the lord for some air. 

We turned to the entry at the same time. A blonde bombshell was pacing down the hall like it was a catwalk. 

It was her. The woman from Colorado.

Her long, flowing dress clung to her delicate curves, and her hair fluttered in the draft. Her earrings matched the diamond tips in her long nails, and the purse matched her shoes. I rarely noticed such details, but it was hard not to notice hers.

“There you are, Fox. I can’t believe they impounded your Bentley. We’re running late, and I have the car running, but I’m going to sue whoever is responsible for this.”

That would be me. I normally didn’t stoop to begging, but I would if it meant I’d keep this job. 

She hooked her arm underneath his, but he peeled her clingy fingers off one by one. What was her name again?

“Thanks for coming, Tiffany.” 

Right. Tiffany.

“Ms. Tiffany, I’m sorry for keeping Mr. Silver so long—”

“You’re the one who did this?” She eyed my badge. “Officer Young?”

“Yes,” I turned to James. I’d rather swallow my pride here than have Tiffany sue me. “I should have never arrested you. I’m sorry.”

His chin lifted, and he winked. “My offer stands, Officer Young. We have a lot to talk about. Have dinner with me.”

Tiffany took hold of his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Come on, Fox. We don’t want to be late.”

He stopped, retreated a few steps, and pointed with his finger like he was giving a lecture. “The gun is not the only thing you were wrong about, Laura.”

Sergeant Dwight came up from behind me. “I left my wife’s homemade cough drops on your desk. I hope your little boy feels better soon, Laura.”

My lashes flipped full open while James’s eyes tightened at the corners.

“Ahem, thank you. I’ve got to go.”

I darted to the back room and waited until James Silver, aka Fox Silver, aka my son’s secret father, had left with his baby mama.