"Bawa mereka ke ruangan itu!" perintah Daris lagi menunjuk sebuah ruangan yang masing-masing disekat oleh kain. Preman itu dengan patuh menuruti ucapan bos mereka. Memperlakukan mereka dengan kasar, tak peduli pria ataupun wanita. Hanya satu yang Daris inginkan yaitu kehancuran mereka semua.

In the year 841 after the great expansion, there is no greater thrill than MAC (Mass Acceleration Crafts) racing.

Ayr Lite, is one of the best MAC pilots in the galaxy. He is hard working, well mannered and a person of integrity thus he was nicknamed "The Gentleman" on his debut year, however the MAC championship has, for 6 years, always remained out of his reach turning his title into "The Defeated Gentleman".

At the end of each MAC Pro Circuit Season 70, the Gauss Relay team announced they would end their relationship with "The Gentleman" for the next season.

The press was going wild with the news, it was true that the Gentleman had not been able to achieve the championship, but it was no doubt he was one of the best pilots. Rumors were going wild on who his next sponsor would be.

The Gentleman had not expected to depend on others from the beginning. He created different business that could allow him to create his own team.

The preparations were ready, he needed a few key persons to help him manage everything. He had a plan to find the talent he needed. Everything was ready.

The preparation phase before the MAC Pro Circuit Season 41 was almost over, and no confirmation on who would sponsor the Gentleman, every big name on MAC racing had already announced their pilots.

On the last day for inscriptions a new team registered, Sweet Defeat.

In the year 841 after the great expansion, there is no greater thrill than MAC (Mass Acceleration Crafts) racing.

Ayr Lite, is one of the best MAC pilots in the galaxy. He is hard working, well mannered and a person of integrity thus he was nicknamed "The Gentleman" on his debut year, however the MAC championship has, for 6 years, always remained out of his reach, making many turn his title into "The Defeated Gentleman".

At the end of each MAC Pro Circuit Season 70, the Gauss Relay team announced they would end their relationship with "The Gentleman" for the next season. 

The press is going wild with the news, it was true that the Gentleman had not been able to achieve the championship, but it was no doubt he was one of the best pilots. What would the Ayr Lite do, Where would he go?.

A young pilot from the ascension league, faces an impasse. What is needed to become better, to reach the Pro Circuit, an opportunity presents, and perhaps and answer.

A retired pilot, is called by friend. A promise made in the past, a chance to return to the Pro Circuit. 

A inexperienced and young assistant to help share responsibilities way over the salary. 

The preparation phase for season 71 of the MAC Pro Circuit is about to begin, the complete list of teams for the season is revealed. The last team for the season, is a brand new team, in its roster however there is a very know name. Perhaps the only way to have the team you want, is to make it yourself. Will it be enough?.

Novis was confused by what he had just heard. Just the other day he had seen the club room completely packed. VSW was the most popular game in the world and the club had at least 50 members, but right now Alex and Scarlett were telling him they were the only members left.

"You saw the person leave right now, didn't you? everyone has been coming to me nonstop to quit." Alex explained.

"Do you know why?" Novis asked.

Alex clenched his fist before answering
"It's Mac, he's threatening everyone who is in the club or anyone who wants to join."

Novis felt bad, Scarlett had explained what was happening in the club. If Novis had never helped out in the first place then perhaps they still could have gone to the tournament. Mac clearly held a grudge against him and Scarlett and was punishing the club for it.

"Even if I was to join, including Scarlett that only makes three of us. We still wouldn't be able to join the tournament."

Alex remained silent. He knew Novis was right. Even if he could convince Novis to join the team would there be anyone else willing to join? There were very few people who would be willing to go against Mac and his gang.

Although Novis would have liked to help there was nothing he could do. Arthur had already beaten Mac. Another beating wasn't going to do anything.

With no other option left, Novis decided to leave the two of them and head home.

Alex currently felt so useless, his eyes started to water up. His dream was slowly fading away in front of him and there was nothing he could do.

"Don't worry Alex, I'm sure we will be able to find someone. I'll talk to my friends. Even if their complete beginners I'm sure we can do something to train them up in time." Scarlett said.

Just then, the clubrooms doors slid open and in walked a tall athletic blonde boy. It was Dan.
"Hi is this the VSW club room?" Dan asked.

Alex and Scarlett looked at each other and smiled.

****

Novis's mind was distracted by the situation at the VSW club. If perhaps he was stronger then he could guarantee the protection of the other students. He could do this with the help of Arthur but it felt wrong of him to rely on Arthurs help every time. 

When Novis arrived home, he went straight into his gaming capsule to play a few games. He had this pent-up energy that he needed to release.

As he went online, he selected the warrior Heros puer. Novis wanted to see how far he had come and hoped he would be able to improve his ranking.

Novis went ahead and selected the middle position. He wanted to focus on one on one battles to improve his fighting abilities. The first game went well. Novis defeated his opponent only using the Chain blade but his opponent was far too weak for him to learn anything.

He carried on pushing forward with his red army until eventually reaching the blue base and capturing the flag. Novis thought at this rate, he would be out of the bronze rankings in no time and people would no longer be able to look down on him.

The next match, again Novice selected mid, this time he decided to use the dual blades. Every game he wanted to practice using a different weapon to improve himself in battle. This game was similar to the last. Novis easily defeated his opponent. But as soon as he did, he heard his teammates urging him to come back to the base as soon as possible.

Before Novis could reach his base, the enemy team had captured the flag. Novis thought there was nothing he could do and was just unlucky that he had bad teammates.

Then the next match a similar thing happened. As soon as Novis was about to defeat his opponent, the player ran away behind his tower. Novis would then push forward and the player would come back all healed up. The person would keep repeating this until Novice heard the system message.

<Red Team losses>

Novis was starting to get annoyed, Novis continued to play the game but the matches ended up in the same pattern. Every time he would win a game, he would lose two games never allowing him to rank up.

Novis was getting frustrated, he would always overpower the person in mid but still would keep losing his games. Novis left the capsule and tried to think about what went wrong.

"Arthur do you know what I'm doing wrong?"

"Hmm. It seems like to me your focus on the opponent in front of you and not on the whole game."

"But I'm doing the same thing you did aren't I."

"Yes, but it seems like the teammates I would play with had a better understanding of the game. They reacted the battlefield well and gave instructions well. The players you are playing with are inexperienced, perhaps they need guidance."

Novis thought about what Arthur said, but Arthur wasn't able to help him much because when he played the game the players, he played along with were more skilful due to their rank being in gold. He needed the help of someone who had gone through the ranks before. From a lowly bronze tier to a high tier. 

Then it hit him, there was a person who had done that exact thing before. He was even living under the same roof as himself, his brother Bill.

Novis quickly stormed into his brother's room. Novis explained to Bill that he had a problem ranking up but didn't think it was his skill level. The two of them then decided to watch Novis's games together.

"To be honest you're not doing anything wrong, eventually you should rank up like this."

"What do you mean?"

"Well look at it this way, if both teams are playing with random players and there in the same rank as you. If you played 1000 games then it should eventually even out to a 50/50-win rate. If you truly don't belong in that tier range, then your skill level will tip the tables. How good you are will decide how often you win your matches. All you need is a higher win rate than 50% to rank up."

Novis understood what his brother meant. That if he was truly good at the game then eventually, he would rank up causing the balance between the teams to tip. But Novis wanted to get stronger, currently, he was playing against incredibly week people and wouldn't be able to play with stronger people for a while.

Bill saw that Novis didn't like his answer.
"There is another way, play with someone experienced. They can call the shots for you and tell your team what to do. If I was in your games, I would be bossing all the useless people around. The problem with Bronze 5 is that it's the lowest rank possible. Meaning there really is a big difference in people's skill level down there. There might be people who deserve to be ranked even lower than that but they can't get any lower. We call this elo hell."

"But I haven't played the game for long, I don't really know how to get out of this elo hell?"

"Then play with someone who does."

"Can I play with you?"

"Unfortunately, our ranks are too far apart, you can only team up with people two whole ranks higher than you. If you're in bronze you can play with a silver or gold at best."

Novis had gotten his answer but still didn't really know what he could do to improve his win rate. Arthur wasn't the best at tactics he was only good at coaching a fight.

Just as Novis was about to leave the room, his brother called out to him.
"Hey bro, if you really think you got better, how about a one on one," Bill asked.

________________________________________________________
Gaming terms. 
Elo Hell: Is a term used by players when they are unable to rank up, due to bad players causing you to lose the game.

Winner of #WPC100

An ordinary schoolboy, Novis Talen Stumbles upon an old sword while clearing his grandfather's dojo. From inside the sword came out a sprit named Arthur who dedicated his life to the sword. Together, Arthur wishes to find an unbeatable sword style, while Novis starts to gain interest in a VRMOBA game called Virtual Sword Warriors and walks down the road of Esports. 

UPDATES DAILY
If you like to see more then one chapter a day you can support by visiting below.

https://www.patreon.com/JSManga

Discord link https://discord.gg/huTJG43
Art work and more!

On the East side of the U.S, there is a city called Manila City aka Smashville due to its residents, which consists of gamers. The most popular game is Super Smash Bros Ultimate which a lot of people got into playing. Actually, Gaming became very popular and ever since Smash Ultimate came out, it was the #1 Game that's been sold worldwide. 


There's a kid named Lorenzo Rivera. He is the son of David Rivera who is one of the top players of the Elite Players of Smash. David is friends with Akihiro or Hiro for short. His main is Marth while David's main is Mario and Little Mac in a way. David's son Lorenzo was so interested in Little Mac as a kid. Every time his father would pick another character, he would cry because the pro gamer didn't choose the young Boxer from the Bronx. 

Before his father and his best friend left for Japan, David gave his son a grey hat with a black bill. Over the bill, it was Little Mac's symbol from the Smash Bros Series. His father's last words before he left was "Son. You have the potential to be one of if not THE greatest Smash Player of all time. I see it in you. Remember, It's not about winning, It's about sending a message. The Spirit of the player is the most important thing. There is no good or bad character; It's all in the player who uses them. Good luck my son and...goodbye." David hugged his son and left for Japan for important business. Ever since then, Lorenzo never took off the hat his father gave him. He wore it as a symbol of himself and who he was. It was that precious gift that his own father brought for him and he loved it. Ever since his father left, Ren lived with his mother and his younger sister. 


Ren begins his life in High School so his mom signed him up to a school called Manila City High School. Maria Rivera woke him up for his first day of school and drove him to school. "Have a nice day at school honey." His mother said as she gave him a kiss on his forehead. He gets a little shaky as he gets out of his mom's car and walks through the courtyard of Manila High.

The Gamer walks inside the school as he is a little nervous. He walked through the halls as a lot of the students there glanced at him. Ren is guided to the class he will be in. The teacher gets an email on her phone about the new student and sees him at the door. She lets him in and walks in. "Class. We have a new student today. Go ahead and introduce yourself dear." The teacher said softly. Ren introduces himself to the class. "H-hello… My name is Lorenzo Rivera but you can call me Ren." The gamer said nervously. The students just look at him. The Teen Mac player feels the stiff coldness from everyone's stare. Ren walks back to his seat and sits down as the first period starts. 

During break, Ren takes out his switch and plays Smash Ultimate. A random guy who looks like he's in the same grade walks up to the gamer. "Hey, Are you the new kid?" He asked. Ren nods. "I'm Emmanuel! You can call me E-Man. Nice to meet ya!" Ren pauses the game as he puts it down and shakes his hand. "I'm Ren. Nice to meet you too." 


"You like Smash bros?" Emmanuel asked. The gamer nods. "Who is your main?" "My Main is Little Mac." Ren said nervously. "Hey, We barely see Little Mac mains around this city. You should come with me after school to the school's gaming club." E-Man said. "Really?" The Gamer said as he got a shiver down his spine. "Sure man! Don't get nervous. You'll love the members there." Ren's friend said happily.


The school bell rang and it was time to leave school. Ren was packing his bag as he was deep in thought. Emmanuel met him outside his class and they both walked to the Gaming Club. "You're going to like these guys. They're really nice people and fun to have around." Emanuel explains. The two gamers arrive at the Gaming Club and E-Man opens the door for Ren. They both walked in and inside the gaming club, you see 8 people playing different games. "Hey guys! I have brought in a new member to the gaming club!" Emmanuel announced. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at E-Man. He put his arm around Ren and introduced him to the group. "This is Lorenzo Rivera. He's a gamer as well and he plays Smash Bros." Emmanuel explained. 

The members looked at him and then looked at each other. "Ren, these are the members of the School's Gaming club." Emmanuel says as he points to each member left to right. "Jason, Elizabeth but we call her Eli, Nathan, Natalie, Joseph, and Olivia. The president of this club is Chloe Johnson. The Co-Pres is Paula Tendo and she's the real deal. Paula is the best Smash player in the whole school." Ren's best friend mentioned. "Well before he can even join the club, he has to take the entry test." Jason said. "Yes. The test is of course a video game. Since you are a Smash player, Super Smash Bros is the game we are going to test you in. If you can beat us as in myself, Elizabeth, Joseph, Natalie, Nathan, Jason, and the Co-President in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, You will be an official member of the Gaming club." Olivia explained.  "Are you up to the challenge?" Jason asked the new kid. Emmanuel puts his hand on Ren's shoulder. "You got this dude. I believe in you." E-man whispered.

 The shy gamer looks at his friend and nods. "Alright. I accept the challenge." Ren said bravely. "Ok." Jason begins. "You will have one match with each of us. You will start with Olivia, then Eli, then Joseph, Natalie, Nathan, myself, and Paula. The people who haven't battled you yet or already fought you will watch you to see how you do against the next person. Do you understand?" Jason asked. Ren nodded as his friend handed him a Pro-Switch Controller. The Mac Main takes the controller as he is ready to battle. Olivia walks up to the tv as she sits down. The Gaming Club's switch is already set up. The Stage has already been chosen so Olivia and Ren chooses their character. Olivia chose Rosalina and Luma as Ren chose Little Mac. "Hmm…. Little Mac huh? We barely see players like that here at our school." Jason thought. "Let's see what he got." And so the Gaming Club's entry test begins. 



"The shelter of your heart."
"What, Gregg?"
He'd said it out loud. The Goddamn words. Right in front of Vanessa. In front of all them. The first time he'd laid eyes on Mac in four years and they popped right out of his mouth. His wife looked at him cockeyed, then, when Gregg said, "Nothing, sorry," Vanessa turned her attention to the matter at hand. 
Once a year, the Selfridges and Wyatts would meet, face to face, family in full to family in full, to show there was no remaining bad blood. Always in Sunshine Beach proper. Always on neutral ground. It was always cordial. Always civil. And everyone left with their body parts intact, despite the general consensus being that all in attendance need a long, hot shower to wash off the evening's stink of the rival family. It was about all anyone could stand, but it was necessary. A show of good faith. Once a year.
That was three months ago, yet here family contingents stood just outside the wrought iron gates of Freehold. On the one side, their backs to their own gate, the Wyatts greeted their guests openly. In the middle was Tracy Wyatt, head of the house and top of the food chain. She was flanked on both sides by her sisters, Astrid and Patience and they were in turn flanked by Tracy's husband, Derek and one of the Wyatt men, Robert or David. To Gregg, they all looked the same, but his attention was wrapped around the sight of his former lover and ultimate betrayer. Ten feet away from him, standing slightly behind her mother. 
"So, you're Charlotte," Gregg has said when they were introduced five years ago.
"Mac," she'd said, shaking out her long, wavy blonde hair. Then, she'd dropped a coy smile. "Gregg."
It was over before it began, they just didn't know it yet.
"We have business," Brandon said to Tracy.
Gregg tried to focus on the conversation. To back his father's play. It was him and Brandon and Vanessa and Uncle Ray. Each perking with psionic energy and ready for a fight. God, look at her. She was so feminine back then. At the same time innocent and precocious. A party girl with mommy and daddy issues. And what is it about daddy issues that makes a girl so good in the sack? Not that such existential questions were part of Gregg's repertoire back then. Nope, if he couldn't drink it, sniff it, fuck it- or, best of all, fuck it up- he wasn't interested. But, this was really interesting right here. She'd put on muscle. Still slender and taut, but it looked like she'd taken a few licks since he'd seen her last. And the tattoos. Her skin had been flawless. Sun kissed and tan from mornings surfing in Sunshine Beach. She looked like a road map of bad decisions. Then, why can't you stop staring at her? he thought. You know why. Murder.
"Business," Tracy said. "What would you like to talk about, Brandon?"
"You," Brandon said, but looked at Mac.
Tracy put a hand just above her breasts as if to say, "Little Ole Me?"
"For four years, Sunshine Beach had been a nice place, I'd say," Brandon said, ignoring the gesture. "Everyone's making money. Everyone's free to practice their beliefs. No bloodshed. No unchecked animosity. Wouldn't you agree?"
"The weather's been nice at least," Tracy said.
"Games," Brandon said shaking his head.
"Games," Tracy agreed.
"I've come here to your home, without weapons, without accusations, because of this good thing we have. Because of the agreement we've made."
"The truce," Tracy said.
"I didn't have to come here like this, Tracy. There were other ways discussed."
"I bet there were."
"I see," Brandon said. The frown that creased his lips seemed much more at home than the half-smile he approached with. "I want you to think very hard about what you say to me, Tracy Wyatt. Given our circumstances."
Tracy sighed as if bored. Gregg looked at his father and uncle then to his wife then finally to Mac. You had to come back. You just had to. If this talk goes south, I'm going to have to light you on fire, Girl. You must know that. And you came back anyway. The fuck is wrong with you?
But, he knew what was wrong with her. What she had to deal with. How her mind would turn on her. The things she would do. With no sense of consequences. Gregg couldn't be sure, but it looked like Mac was repeatedly tap, tap, tapping her thigh with her hand. Not a good sign if memory served.
Tracy, lowered her head and raised her eyes and said, "No."
"No?" Brandon said. His eyes widened in shock for just a second, then he regained his composure. 
"She stays."
Mac reached out to her mother, but pulled back.
"Are you saying you're willing to throw away everything we've built? The peace we have?"
"No," Tracy said. "I'm saying you're saying that."
Brandon clenched a fist. Gregg took a step forward, followed by his wife.
"That bitch has no right to be here," Vanessa said. "You promised."
Tracy ignored Vanessa, keeping her eyes on Brandon. "My daughter has come home. She needs her family. If your boy, Virgil, showed back up, would you throw him to the wolves, Brandon?"
"I'd keep the peace."
"So will I."
It stood like that for some time. The Wyatts. The Selfridges. Waiting. Trying not to itch. Trying not to blink. 
"Compromise," Ray Selfridge said, breaking the silence.
Brandon looked at his brother, eyes blazing. Ray took a step forward out of Brandon's direct eye contact. 
"I'm listening," Tracy said.
"As sheriff of Sunshine Beach," Ray said. "I'm charged with keeping the peace. Law and Order. There's gotta be something we both want."
Tracy smiled. Brandon did not.
"What are you proposing?" Tracy asked.
"Right now, there's a young man in the hospital. A Selfridge boy," Ray said. "You're daughter put him there."
Tracy snap-turned to Mac. Her smile evaporated. Even in the evening light, Gregg could see the color rise in her face. 
"You didn't know," Brandon said, the satisfaction at her ignorance evident in his slitted eyes.
Tracy's glare stayed on Mac for another few seconds then she turned back to her Selfridge counterpart. "My sister Astrid's potions are legendary. She will accompany you to your suffering kin and she will attend to his wounds. He'll be good as new."
"That would be kind of you," Ray said. "We'd-"
"That's not enough," Brandon interrupted.
"I'm afraid that's all you're going to get, Brandon. Unless you'd like to press the issue?"
Gregg felt the air go heavy. The force of it shoved him back. Vanessa and Ray likewise.
"Woman," Brandon said, "You forget how I treated you, last time we tussled?"
"Oh no, Brandon," Tracy said, they she winked and regain her smile. "I have not."
Brandon's milky white eye twitched. Tracy's gift.
This is happening, Gregg thought. This is fucking happening. Mac, Goddamn you.
"Then, maybe, we should-"
"Wait!" Mac said, stepping out in front of her mother. "What if…?"
"What if what?" Ray asked, desperately trying to de-escalate. 
"I didn't know he was a Selfridge. Either of them. Not that that's an excuse. So, what if you know, they could just knock me around for a while. Really get in there. Take their pound of flesh. Astrid's potion can always heal me after, but those two get to even the score. Would that satisfy you?"
The Selfridges looked at each other. Gregg looked at Mac. You don't want a piece of me. Not after what you did. Not after what we both did.
"Brandon?" Ray said.
The air grew lighter, if only just a little. Brandon said, "First you heal, Dash. Then, him and his sister get to take what's theirs out of that girl's hide. Cause she didn't know."
"And she stays," Tracy said.
"And she stays," Ray said. "Right?"
The two brothers stared at each other for a long time.
The air around Brandon tightened again, then he let it go. Without another word, he turned and started walking back to his truck. 
"Astrid," Tracy said and Astrid disappeared back through the gate toward the mansion.
"All right, then," Ray said. "We'll see her at the hospital tonight?"
"As soon as she can get there," Tracy said. 
"One of our boys'll be around for your daughter in the morning."
"Good night, Sheriff."
"Right," Ray said, turned and, taking Gregg and Vanessa by the arms, headed toward Brandon's truck.
Gregg stole a final glance at Mac, but let himself be led.
Out of earshot, Gregg said, "You can't be fucking serious, Uncle Ray. Letting her stay in Sunshine Beach. After what she did."
"Your daddy and I had a little talk, back there," Ray said inside of Gregg's head. "Let's get your cousin healed up. And after this business is concluded and the dust settles, we'll just go ahead and see which Wyatts stay in Sunshine Beach and which ones don't."
Then, they got in the truck and drove away.

It's been four years since the magical Wyatt family and the psionic Selfridge family called a truce to their centuries long war for Sunshine Beach. Now, these once rival supernatural bootleggers have found a peace and prosperity heretofore unknown throughout their acrimonious history. Everyone is making money. Everyone is free to practice their contrary spiritual beliefs without conflict. While all is not right with the world, it's pretty damn good. But, then Charlotte "Mac" Wyatt comes back town. Enigmatic, violent, sexually charged and mentally ill, Mac was a symbol of the world she left behind and her return a catalyst to bizarre, unstable future.

Gregg Selfridge thought the past was dead and buried. He'd put his wild years behind him, the drinking, the cheating, the fighting, but most of all his tumultuous, clandestine love affair with Mac Wyatt. Her exile was conditional of the truce. After the fire that nearly burned Sunshine Beach to the ground, the Wyatts and Selfridges saw just what their violence had wrought and struck a tentative accord. Instrumental in the blaze, Mac had to go. And to Gregg's way of thinking, thank God, cause she took their lies with her.

But, now that Mac has returned, the generational sins of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters will again come to light as old tensions, old grudges and old secrets threaten to reignite an inferno that could eat the Wyatts and Selfridges alive.

Welcome to the twisted world of Sunshine Beach.

Welcome to the Feud.

Chapter 27: Mac
“I don’t feel like going back to the school tonight. Let’s crash at Edge’s house and go back in the morning.”
Cutter made a face that indicated he didn’t love that plan, but he didn’t argue. Edge’s father had a mansion built into the mountains not too far away from the exclusive ski town where our school was located. Both Cutter and I had spent plenty of time in the modern, yet rustic monstrosity, but I doubted he’d been there since his falling out with his former best friend.
He reluctantly let me drag him to an all-night diner after the party broke up. I wasn’t ready to go back to my dorm. I wasn’t prepared to wrap my head around whatever the hell was going on between me and the Rockstar, and me and the Allstar. Unfortunately, Cutter was far more observant than his other half had ever been.
“So, which one are you trying to con into bed? The blond who you couldn’t stop staring at all night, or the jacked one with the dark hair who you couldn’t keep your hands off of? Don’t they share a room? Do you have any idea how fucking messy it’s going to get if they’re both interested in your dumbass? And how’s that going to play out when you dip on one or both of them like you always do?” I liked Cutter’s voice. It was surprisingly gentle considering how gruff and blunt his personality was.
I poked absently at my greasy food and bit back a frustrated sigh. “I was trying to con them into bed with each other. Somewhere along the way, that plan got royally screwed up, though.”
Cutter’s dark eyebrows arched upward. “Are they even gay? Were you trying to make two straight dudes hook up for your own amusement?” He shook his head, disgust stamped across his nearly perfect features. “That’s messed up even for you, Mac.”
I hummed a little sound of agreement and stopped pretending like I was going to eat. “Theo, the athlete, seems to be bi-sexual. Klein, the musician, I think he might lean a little closer to your end of the spectrum. I don’t think he’s fully demi-sexual, but he definitely doesn’t get led around by his dick. He’s a little more complicated than the average bear. He was so closed off and disinterested in everything until Theo started getting under his skin, and until I started messing with him.” I smirked at Cutter and tapped my fingers on the table. “Granted, I didn’t know any of that for sure when I started pushing them together. I just had a hunch. So, I guess I’m as screwed up as you think I am.” It had all started as fun and games when I was bored, but now it was decidedly something else.
Cutter swore under his breath and reached for the mug of coffee that was sitting in front of him. “The games you rich dicks like to play with everyone, you know they aren’t fun for anyone but you, right? And why do you keep saying I’m demi-sexual or whatever? Why do I need some label to explain how I am, or what I feel? Why can’t I just be?”
I shrugged. “Those games, we’re taught to play them from the moment we can speak. They become second nature. As for the label, think of it as the same thing as being a Libra or a Leo. Or when I say I’m a real-redhead and people automatically go ‘ahhhh’. It’s not a label for you but for others so they have a starting point to decide if they want to invest the time in trying to figure you out.”
He made a face. “Sounds like a warning label. Aside from that, don’t you care about the people who get hurt when they realize there’s no winning against you? Do you ever give any consideration to the lives you ruin and the damage you do while having your fun?” He sounded so bitter, and I couldn’t say I blamed him. Being confused about your feelings was rough. Realizing you were in love with your best friend a moment too late was even harsher. He had a lot to be resentful of, and he wasn’t wrong in how he viewed all the garbage Edge and I had pulled on others over the years.
I tapped my fingers even harder on the tabletop. It almost hurt, but the sting was good for getting my foggy head to focus. “Do you know why Edge could never see you as anything other than his best friend?”
Cutter stiffened and squared his shoulders. His expression was scary because it was a sore subject, but he still asked, “Why?”
I placed my hand flat on the table and leaned forward dramatically. “Because you were always walking behind him. You always let him lead and you just followed obediently. He had to look over his shoulder to see you, and guys like Rutledge Darby don’t look behind them. They expect people to follow. Bash showed up and refused to stand behind anyone. From day one, he was right in front of Edge, and now, he stands next to him in everything. Before, when Edge made a mess or got in trouble, you were there to clean up after him and to take the blame. Bash doesn’t do that. He makes Edge get his hands dirty by forcing him to clean up the messes together. His biggest appeal is that he keeps Edge accountable. No one else ever dared to do that before.”


Theo Sandoval doesn’t belong here, there, or anywhere.
Klein Warren doesn’t believe in a damn thing.
Malachi ‘Mac’ O’Shea isn’t interested in trying to behave.
One wants to be the best but can’t get past his meager beginnings.
One wants to be famous but can’t overcome his crippling fear.
One wants to be free from the heavy chains of his dangerous legacy but has no way out.
Three young men from very different backgrounds, whose paths would never normally cross, will ultimately end up shaping each other's futures. With little in common and a million unanswered questions about the growing feelings between them, it shouldn’t be an easy feat for the three boys to fall in love. However, the past has proven that anything is possible at Castle Pines, an elite, boys only private school tucked away high in the Colorado mountains that brought these very different boys together.
Somehow this unexpected trio makes learning all about love and sex look effortless... until cold, hard reality comes crashing in.
The truth is, some differences are just too big to overcome, and making the choice to walk away from what you’ve always known can be impossible.

The Allstar The Rockstar and The Gangstar  is created by Imogene Kash, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author



Mac leaned against the bar at Dangerous Curves, staring at the pool tables as his friends chatted around him. To a casual observer, he was intently watching the games; in reality, he was gazing at nothing at all. He was thinking, and thinking hard.
He'd been thinking hard all day, actually, ever since Mirrie had walked out of the café that morning. He'd let her go without a word  not wanting to push her or scare her  but that didn't mean that he had any intention of letting her go for good. He'd lost her once, and he wasn't letting that happen again. No goddamn way.
The question, of course, was how to stop that from happening again. She'd been right about her asshole father and brother being threats. Mac knew almost as well as Mirrie what could and almost definitely would happen to her  and to Mac  if The Fallen Angels found out that she'd come clean about everything. And no fucking way Mac was letting those animals get their hands on her again. He'd die himself before that was going to happen. And there was the problem: how was Mac going to convince Mirrie to be with him, and how was he going to keep them both safe? 
He took a long drink of beer, lowered the bottle, considering. It was odd, but Mac wasn't hesitating about being with her again. That part wasn't even up for consideration. She was his, and he was hers, and that's the way it was. No debate, no discussion, and there never had been. He was sure that they'd still be good together, even after all this time apart, and all the changes in their lives. Hell, he wanted to get to know this new Mirrie he needed to. He needed her. He'd been a fucking mess since she'd left him, and he knew it; he'd known it for a while.
So, OK, it was a bit of a risk to track her down and push her to be with him, but Mac wasn't a man to avoid risks worth taking. It was the main reason that he was the best consulting neurosurgeon in the state  maybe even the country  and why he had patients and their families calling him from every corner of the globe, and paying ridiculous amounts of money for private consultations. Doctor Shane MacIntyre was known for his crazy, fearless, and unorthodox approaches to treatment, and to both the delight and dismay of the medical field, more often than not, his wild ideas worked.
So, yeah, Mac was a risk-taker by nature. And Mirrie? Was a risk he'd take blindfolded and with his hands tied behind his back, as he jumped off a cliff backwards into shark-infested waters. The woman was worth it. She was everything. She always had been.
"Earth to Mac. Come in, Mac."
He blinked, startled. "Huh?"
He turned his head. Jax Hamill's dark green eyes were gazing at him with a combination of amusement and exasperation.
"What'd you say, man?" Mac asked.
"Oh, nothing much," Jax growled, looking all pissed off and intimidating-as-hell, as usual. "Just that I'm thinking about asking Sarah to marry me."
That caught Mac's attention. "For real?"
Jax sighed. 
"Uh, yeah, for real," Aidan Carter said from behind the bar. "He did buy the ring."
"Yeah?" Mac exclaimed.
"Yeah." Matt King' Kingston rolled his eyes. "He did just show it to us."
"What?" Mac glanced down at Jax's huge hand, saw the delicate box open in his palm. "Fuck off!"
"Yeah, so." Jax looked nervous, which was highly unusual for him, but he was determined to get this conversation back on track. "What do you guys think?"
"I think it's perfect," Aidan said.
"Yeah?" Jax stared down at the diamond ring, doubtful. "It's not too much?"
"Too much?" King said. "Like, too big?"
"Yeah." Jax stared at the ring some more. "Sarah's not big into materialistic shit, and doesn't care about spending my money I just wonder if maybe she'd want something smaller. Less flashy?"
All four men gazed down at the ring now, considering that. 
"Well," Aidan said, deliberately exaggerating his Texan drawl to sound warmer and more comforting. "I think she'll love it."
"You do?" Jax looked at his bartender hopefully. "She won't think it's vulgar?"
The other men blinked.
"Vulgar?" King echoed. "Where the hell'd you pick up that word?"
"From the woman at the ring store," Jax admitted. "She kinda freaked me out, actually, going on and on about finding the perfect ring for Sarah's personality, and values, and wardrobe. I mean, she lives in fucking jeans, and she's smart and strong, and adores her family, and she loves me despite all my bullshit. I mean, what kind of ring do you buy a woman like that? What kind?"
"Right," Aidan said, trying not to laugh at Jax's near-panic. God, the man was seconds away from a full-on breakdown, and it was so unlike him to lose his cool, it was almost shocking. It was also hilarious. "Well, I think you did real good."
"You do?"
"I do."
Jax turned to King, his silent plea evident.
"Me too, man," King said, his rough voice gentle. "I see no reason to freak out about the ring I think she'll think it's gorgeous."
Jax shifted his attention to Mac now, not without misgivings. Mac was one of his closest friends, sure, but he was also dismissive of anything even remotely approaching a romantic commitment. Mercilessly, he teased and tormented Jax about Sarah, and King about Naomi, and Aidan about Gabi, and as the last single man standing in the group, he seemed happy as hell to be that way. The thought of what Mac might have to say about an engagement and marriage made Jax tense up even before the other man had opened his mouth.
Mac stared at Jax, amazed and envious at what he'd found with Sarah. Jax, Curves' most notorious man-whore ever  except for Mac himself, maybe  was so in love with that woman, he was going to promise her forever. Mac was shocked to discover that all he wanted was the chance to offer that exact thing to Mirrie but at the moment, he had no fucking clue how to even get her to talk to him.
"Congratulations, man," Mac said gruffly, pushing aside his anger and loss. He stepped forward, and gave a surprised Jax a quick one-armed hug and slapped him on his broad back. "The ring is perfect, and you two are gonna be very happy together."
He stood back again, looked at his friends. They were staring at him like he'd just sprouted a second head.
"What?" Mac asked. "What's wrong with you guys?"
"Us?" King said. "What's wrong with you?"
"Me?" Mac blinked. "Uh, nothing. Why?"
"Why?" Jax said. "Because you just missed a prime fucking opportunity to laugh your ass off at me being pussy whipped, and stuck fucking the same woman for the rest of my life."
Mac drank some beer, said nothing.
"Yeah," Aidan said. "You never pass up the chance to ream the three of us for being idiot slaves to monogamy. So what gives?"
Mac shrugged. "Nothing." He flashed them a half-hearted grin. "Decided to give you boys a night off from my bullshit."
They stared at him some more, stunned.
"Who the fuck are you?" Aidan demanded. "We never get a night off from your bullshit."
"Never," King agreed.
"Ever," Aidan added.
"C'mon, guys." Mac shook his head. "Back off, OK? Gimme a break?"
"Why?" Jax got in on it now. "You dying or something?"
Mac stuck his hands in his jeans pockets, stayed silent.
"Mac?" Aidan's voice changed now as he dropped the joking tone. "You OK?"
"Sure."
The men stared at him harder, trying to read his body language. Mac was an irreverent, charming playboy most of the time about most everything, but right this second? He looked all tense and wound up. Clearly, something was on his mind.
"Mac?" Now King gave it a go. "What's going on, man? Is it something at work? You catch a really hard case?"
Mac sighed. 
"Come on," Jax said. "Talk to us, would you?"
Mac drank some more beer, thought about it. The idea to ask Aidan what he had on The Fallen Angels had been growing all day, and was now in his head full-bloom. Mac didn't know if Aidan would give up what he'd used against the MC to retrieve Gabi in one piece  but he knew he was going to try to find out. It may be his only chance to keep Mirrie safe, and get her back.
But King and Jax were also worth including in the conversation, Mac thought. King was a guy in charge of a pretty hardcore, kick-ass group of pros, and having a guy like that in his corner would never, ever hurt. And Jax? Well, the man wasn't ex-military, or even ex-law-enforcement the way that Aidan was, but he was smart and tough and loyal. He'd do anything to help a friend, and if Mac asked, Jax would move heaven and earth to have his back.
"Can we go somewhere more private?" Mac asked now, his voice low.
Without a word, Jax jerked his head towards his office. They all headed out of the main bar, past the groups of women undressing them with their heavily made-up eyes, down the hall. Jax unlocked the door, waved the guys in. There they all stood, arms crossed, looking at Mac.
"OK," Jax said in his husky voice. "Talk."
Mac turned to Aidan and said, without preamble, "I need to know what you have on The Fallen Angels."




Marysol James was raised in a small town in Canada and is still a small-town girl at heart. She's a cancer survivor, cinnamon bun lover, and hardcore caffeine addict.

Marysol crosses genres in her writing, happily and enthusiastically. To date, she's published 28 steamy, sexy, slinky Contemporary Erotic Romances spread over five different series, including the Amazon and iBooks best selling 'Unseen Enemy', 'Dangerous Curves', and 'Road Devils MC' series. Her books incorporate action and adventure, suspense, military elements, and some surprising plot twists and turns.

Besides her romances, Marysol also writes crisp, clever, Contemporary Literature. It can be dark and provocative at times and magical realism features heavily in her books. She loves moving between the worlds of magical realism and glorious romance, and she's grateful every day to be able to do both.

If you'd like to stay on top of her news, please visit her official author's website at www.marysoljames.com

Jax Hamill is a man who has changed his life – with lots of hard work and even more dumb luck. He’s left the hell of his younger and wilder days behind, and now he has a bar, a house, a truck, and a bike. Oh, and all the casual sex in a bar back room that a man like him may desire. Jax lives his carefree life for ‘now’, and keeps things ‘temporary’. At least he did…until she threw everything he thought in to question.

Sarah Matthews is a woman who would love to change her life in some ways. By default and sheer bad luck, she juggles a staggering number of responsibilities, both personal and professional. She’s single, stressed, and seriously in need of some fun. If only she could escape her overly-scheduled, vanilla life, and cut loose… just for a little while.

When Jax and Sarah decide to get together – just temporarily and just for fun – it changes both of their lives for the better. But when a man from Sarah’s past returns, it changes everything for the worse. In fact, it couldn’t be worse. As Sarah fights to come back to him, Jax is forced to confront the kind of person he was, who he is now, and the kind of man that he wants to be… both for Sarah, and for himself.


My name is Maximilian but my friends just call me Mac. Weird name I know. My parents let my grandparents name me, or they just got it form a show they were watching. I really can't tell if they were lying or just messing with me.

Anyway I'm your normal depressed, overweight college student. Tall but not to tall, long dark brown hair. I studied Games Development and wanted to go to university to get a degree because that's what it takes to get a job in the industry nowadays. Well that's what I wanted to do.

You see, do you ever have a time in your life when you just went through something so cliche you just have to stop to do a double take on what just happened. Well I'll tell you about how I got myself into this situation. 

It was my day off so I had the entire house to myself. I was still living with my parents at the time because it was cheaper and I needed to go to the shop to get something for lunch. Usually I have great luck in whatever I do like getting a headshot well shooting at a wall in a game or getting answers right when I didn't even try or not being in a robby when just wanted food. Unfortunately that last one came true. When I walked in the robby looked like it had just ended and the robber was running out of the shop with pockets full of money. He turned the condor and saw me! He pulled out his gun and aimed it at me!

Robber - Don't move! Your coming with me for insurance

As he said that we both heard sirens in the distance. He moved his hand in a way that told me to move forward and not talk. Then red and blue lights starts to show onto the buildings and were getting brighter. We were just running round a condor when I got ricocheted onto the ground. The last thing I saw was four wheels and two headlights covered in red before I blacked out.

When I came to, all I saw was darkness. And this is where we currently are. I think it's been around a couple of hours since I've been here. The only reason I haven't gone crazy is because I can go over my memories and I've started talking to myself. When I said that I saw a small ball of light in the distance.

Mac - Finally, since I died in a cliche way I hope this is what I am thinking this is going to be.

The light covered the entire surrounding areas. When it did I saw two things. An old white with a bread that touches the floor wearing a white cloak. The second figure is a roulette wheel with blank spaces. The man opened his mouth and an ear piercing noise almost made my eardrums burst.

??? - Welcome mortal! You have been randomly chosen to be reincarnate for the Gods entertainment! Yes mortal I am the

Mac - DO YOU HAVE TO SHOUT!!!

??? - … I was? Oh, sorry it's been a while since I have interacted while a mortal like yourself. Like I was saying I am the God of Entertainment. I have been given a task to made to reincarnate a mortal, of my choice, into another world and give him/her a chance to get a power beyond their imagination.

Mac - Ok, ok. So what is this power beyond my imagination you're going to give me.

GoE - You're not shocked or sad that I killed you?

Mac - Wait you killed me! I guess that was the truck-kun then.

GoE - Oh no. The thing that was meant to kill was a bullet to the back of the head by the robber.

Mac - … Oh… Guess my luck just ran out.

GoE - Ok. Let's get down to business. You will get three abilities of your choice. Aft

Mac  - Immortally, super intellege and psychic powers.

GoE - After I spin this roulette wheel that decides what type of abilities you get to choose from. And no, you can not pick those three abilities because like I said before this is for the Gods entertainment. So

Mac - So no common abilities or superpowers.

GoE - Exactly. Now to spin this thing.

The God pulled a lever that spinned the wheel. As it is spinning, the sections on the wheel started to be filled in. After about a minute had passed, the wheel spun and wasn't even close to stopping.

Mac - So, how long is this going to take.

GoE - About hour. You want a seat and something to eat while we wait.

Mac - Sure, and I would like to ask some questions on what kind of abilities I can get.

As I said that the GoE materialize two chairs and a table out of the space itself.

GoE - Sure you can. There are three main types of abilities you can get. The first type in a system. This system can be a level system, a shop or a quest system. Each one will require you to get a system slot on the wheel.  The second one is a passive ability. It's exactly as it sounds like, it will always be active. The third type is an active ability. This is one is when you have to activate it to use it.v So lets say you choose to generate fire, you will have to activate it before you can generate the fire. These all will take one of the ability slots.

Mac - Ok I get it. So I will need at least one of the three abilities to be a system slot to get a system and it is the same for the others. Well then what abilities can't I choose.

GoE - Before we go on to that I have to tell you that there are also two more opinions on the wheel. They are lucky, unlucky and normal. Lucky will merge all three abilities together to give them an overall power boost and if they are from the same universe, like if all three you choose are from Naruto, Bleach, etc, they will merge. While the unlucky will make the abilities worse overall. Normal will just be the abilities you choose and not get anything.

Mac - Welp. That changes everything I was going to choose from. Now can we talk about what abilities I can choose from.

GoE - Ok. This is going to be a long list so listen because I ain't gonna repeat myself. Immortally, super intellege, psychic powers, anything from Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball, God powers, Harry Potter….

This went on for a very very long time. Each time I thought what I was going to choose the GoE denailed me time and time again but then there was one series which I could choose from. The GoE kept talking and didn't stop until  we hear the wheel stop.

GoE - Okay let us see what you got. Aahh. You are lucky. You have a system slot, a passive slot, an active slot and you got lucky! … Wow this is the best arounder you could have gotten. So do you have the abilities you want to get or do you need more time.

Mac - No. I've got them. For the active ability I want to transform into any Pokemon. For the passive I want Pokemon type cores which I can use and develop. The system will be a Pokemart.

GoE - Well that's a first believe it or not. You can choose all of them and since you got a lucky, the cores will be empowered when you transform and will gain new effects as well. The Pokemart will give you points to spend over time or help someone. You will not be able to transform until you are 5 years old since empowered. The shop will open when you are born. Now to send you to your new home.

Mac - Wait you haven't said where I will be reincarnated.

GoE - Oh I didn't did I. It will be the marvel universe. Now off you go.

Next thing I knew the room went black and I fall unconscious.

Truck-kun strikes again! This is about a guy who loves Marvel and Pokemon. He gets a lucky chance to reincarnate and gets three wishes. But is he as lucky as he seems or is it just fate messing with him.

This is my first time writing anything and English is not not my first language.

Name: Logan Mac Tire (Mac Tire is the Gaelic word for wolf, translating to Son of the Countryside)
Titles: Pup (From his Foster Father), The Wolf Prince, The last Battle Born
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Height: 6ft 5inch
Physical Characteristics -
Hair: Black, perpetually untidy black hair
Eyes: Blue
Body: Very defined muscles with low body fat, Like a Gymnast
Family: Father (Unknown), Mother (Unknown), Foster Father - Micheal Goodluck (Died 2 years ago from natural causes.)
Personality: Lone wolf until he finds someone he likes (He will want attention from them), Brave (Borderline suicidal), Smart, Extremely loyal to those that he thinks deserve it, Very light Sadist, light Masochist.
Likes: Football (Soccer), Beautiful things (Mostly girls), Animals, Video Games, A good fight.
Dislikes: Perverts, People who threaten people he likes, Arrogance, Womanizers, Totrure, People who like causing pain just because they can, Peeping Toms.
Human Abilities: Master Hand to Hand Combatant, Master Swordsman, Master of Submission Techniques, Master Fighting Technician, Good Technician.
Sacred Gears: The Boosted Gear which holds the Heavenly Dragon Y Ddraig Goch (Also known as - Welsh Dragon, Dragon Goch, Red Dragon Emperor and Red Dragon Emperor of Domination). This Sacred Gear gives the host the ability to double their power every ten seconds.  (He is half human so is able to have sacred gear.)
Weapons: Anduril (Flame of the West), Anduril gives absolute control over fire.
Yokai Abilities: Logan is the last of a very powerful species of Yokai called 'Battle Born' They are a Yokai that was literally born for battle. They took the form of a wolf.
Can turn into a wolf, Can use Senjutsu, Very tough skin, Elemental resistance skin, God Killing Fangs, Enhanced Senses, Extremely sharp claws,
Backstory: Logan was found by a man named Micheal when he was young, this man raised him from the moment he found him to be a fighter, and so all his life he trained Logan to be the best he could possibly be before his passing.
Logan never knew his parents, all he was left with was a note with his name on it.
He first found out about the supernatural world when he was being robbed by some local delinquents, during the scuffle he manifested his sacred gear. And with that Draig went on to explain to Logan about his Battle Born Bloodline and the supernatural world. Since then he has been training with his Father in the day and Draig at night in order to control his natural abilities and his sacred gear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harem so far: Rias, Sona, Akeno, Tsubaki, Koneko, Yumi (Genderbend Kiba),
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logan Mac Tire Is just a guy that is trying to survive in the DxD Universe. He also happens to be this generations Red Dragon Emperor.

Paul Martinez had planned every detail of their Las Vegas wedding down to the cake so that Hope could enjoy the day without having to obsess about the details. She'd been working three days a week as a private-duty nurse on the mainland, commuting back and forth on the ferry. The arrangement had been working out well, but noticing how tired she'd been, he'd seen to the wedding details so the only thing she had to do was buy a dress and pack for her and Ethan, who was out of his mind with excitement about the trip.

Paul had shown him pictures of the Hoover Dam online, and he couldn't wait to see it for himself. One of the many things he loved about Ethan was his endless enthusiasm for anything that interested Paul. A man could get hooked on that kind of adoration coming from a boy who'd had more than his share of upheaval in his life. 

He'd love to adopt Ethan if that option became possible. That would depend on what happened when his father was released from prison, which was hopefully years in the future. They'd cross that bridge when they got to it, but in his mind, Ethan was already his son in every way that mattered. The two of them were inseparable, to the point that Hope worried endlessly that Ethan was annoying him. He repeatedly assured her that he loved every minute he got to spend with the boy who would soon be his stepson, and he was more than happy to take care of him when Hope was working on the mainland.

Paul couldn't imagine anything better than the way things had worked out for the three of them, though he wished his mother could still be at home and that Hope could still work as her nurse rather than having to commute for a job that was critical to her need to support herself. Selfishly, he wanted her at home with him. However, he respected her need to pay down the debt her ex-husband had left her with and to ensure that she was never again in the position she'd been in after her ex was charged with having sex with the girls he'd coached at their local high school.

Standing now in their suite that looked out over the Vegas Strip, Paul adjusted the cufflinks on his shirt and donned the gray suit coat he would wear to get married.

Married.

For a long time, he'd thought this day would never happen for him, but then Hope came to the island to work for them, and everything had changed. He'd made the mistake of fighting his growing feelings for her because she was their employee, and he'd worried his late father would've disapproved. But the more time he spent with Hope, the more it didn't matter what anyone thought. He was completely in love with her and couldn't wait to marry her, and Ethan, too.

Wearing a navy blue suit and a tie that he tugged at as if it were a noose, Alex came out of the adjoining room that he and Jenny were sharing. Paul was thrilled that his brother and sister-in-law had wanted to join them and that they'd be their witnesses, too. After their stop in Philadelphia to see Erin's dad, they'd arrived late that afternoon, in plenty of time for the seven o'clock ceremony.

"You clean up pretty well," Paul said to his brother.

"Likewise. You even managed to shave without cutting yourself."

"Fuck off," Paul said, laughing. The two of them had been needling each other their entire lives. Why should his wedding day be any different? "Even though you're a consistent pain in my ass, I'm glad you're here."

"So am I. Cost me a freaking fortune to book it last minute, so I'll be sending you the bill."

"Please do. I'll happily pay it."

"I'm just kidding. Money well spent."

"I should've thought to ask you sooner. Sorry that I didn't. I was so focused on making everything nice for Hope that I didn't think of it."

"No worries. We were fine with inviting ourselves." Alex made a big production out of straightening Paul's tie. "You ready for this?"

"You know it. Can't wait."

"She's awesome, and so is Ethan. You got it right, brother."

"I'm glad you approve."

"I do, and Mom and Dad would've loved her, too."

"I agree."

The bedroom door opened, and Hope came out wearing a sexy, form-fitting off-white dress that landed just above her knee and three-inch heels that did wondrous things for her already-exceptional legs. She'd spent the afternoon at the spa downstairs, and her hair had been done in an elaborate updo that left her future husband dazzled by the sight of her.

Paul couldn't seem to do anything but stare at the gorgeous woman who would become his wife in just over an hour. 

She ran her hands over the skirt of her dress in a move he recognized as nerves.

Alex nudged him out of the stupor and nodded toward Hope, telling him to go to her, to acknowledge her with more than just a greedy stare. He didn't need to be told twice. Crossing the room, circling the sofa and the seating area, he went over to her, taking her hands and stepping back for an up-close look.

"Is this okay?" she asked.

"Okay?" he asked with a laugh. "It's incredible. You are incredible."

The smile that stretched across her face indicated her relief at his approval. 

"Do I really get to marry this sexy, beautiful woman?"

"If you still want to."

It pained him to think that she'd question his commitment at this late date, but he understood. Life had conditioned her to be wary, and he was determined to change those expectations until all she knew was happiness and joy. Because he couldn't wait, he took a taste of her sweet lips and had to remind himself that not only did they have somewhere to be, but they also had an audience. 

There'd be plenty of time for more kissing later. For now, they had a wedding to get to.

The jovial group of five headed to the wedding venue Paul had chosen from the hundreds of options. It had been the classiest one he could find, and he'd opted for an outdoor ceremony in a gazebo. Despite the general cheesiness of Vegas, Hope loved everything about the place, from the music he'd chosen for them to the bouquet of white roses to the boutonnieres for the three "men." 

Ethan wore an adorable little suit and was bursting with excitement as Paul pinned the flower on his lapel. He looked up at Paul with adoration Paul would never grow tired of. "Thanks for bringing me."

"Where else would you be when your mom and I get married?"

Ethan shrugged. "Sometimes kids get left at home for stuff like this."

"Not my kids."

"I'm not really your, "

"Yes, you are." Paul squatted down to Ethan's level and put his hands on the boy's shoulders. "As of today, you're my son."

Ethan hurled himself into Paul's arms, probably crushing the white rose, but who cared about such things at a time like this. "Thank you."

"Aww, buddy, thank you. You and your mom are the best thing to ever happen to me." He held Ethan for another minute. "What do you say we go get married?"

Ethan nodded and pulled back from Paul, subtly wiping his eyes with his sleeve and nearly reducing Paul to tears in the process.

Alex did double duty, giving Hope away and serving with Ethan as Paul's best men while Jenny was Hope's matron of honor. They recited traditional vows, exchanged the rings they'd bought earlier in the day and shared a long, and according to Ethan, totally gross kiss. And then they were husband and wife, and Paul wanted to shout from the rooftops of the craziest place he'd ever been that this beautiful woman and her adorable son were now his family.

Life didn't get much better than this.

Just before midnight back at home on Gansett, Mac locked up after another fun gathering with family and friends. He loved the time they'd spent with their island clan during the holidays, but he was ready for some alone time with his lovely wife after a frustrating few days. With that in mind, he shut off the lights and headed upstairs.

Tonight was the night to finish what they'd started multiple times. Both kids were back to full health, and he'd made sure Maddie had a three-hour nap that afternoon so she would be ready to have friends over, among other things.

He looked in on both kids and saw they were sound asleep, Thomas snuggled up to his favorite bear and Hailey with her thumb in her mouth. Perfect. All systems go. In their room, he saw no sign of Maddie so he went into the adjoining bathroom through the open door.

Her silk-covered back was to him and her hair swept up in a messy bun, leaving her elegant neck exposed. He approached her, placed his hands on her hips and had started kissing that lovely stretch of skin when he noticed the thermometer in her mouth.

Groaning, he dropped his forehead to her shoulder, wishing he could get the message to his hard cock that it was game off, again. The poor guy had been through hell this week. "What's wrong?" She'd been fine all night, laughing and talking with their friends while serving as the ultimate hostess, as always.

The thermometer beeped, and she removed it from her mouth, giving it a passing glance. "I'm not sure. I started to feel woozy while I was getting changed. Hope I don't have what the kids had."

He wanted to moan, but this was no time to be selfish, or so he told his cock. "What's your temperature?"

She took another look at the thermometer. "Hmm, perfectly normal. That's odd."

Something about the way she said that had Mac taking a closer look at her. "Are you fucking with me?"

An inelegant snort of laughter spewed from her, and then she bent in half, crippled with laughter.

"Oh, this is war, Madeline. This is freaking war!" Mindful of her pregnancy, he was careful but insistent when he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, putting her on the bed. 

He looked down at her smiling face and the beautiful eyes that danced with mischief. "You think you're so funny, don't you?"

"Come on. You have to admit that was funny."

"I'll admit no such thing." It took everything he had to maintain a scowl when a smile was trying to bust out. "Your behavior lately has been terrible. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get me to spank you again."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, yes, I would."

A flush of heat moved from her chest to her face, and he went harder than stone at knowing the thought of being spanked turned her on. "I'm very sorry for messing with you, Mac. It'll never happen again."

He laughed out loud at that. "Yes, it will. You should take your punishment like a big girl."

"No, Mac, please don't."

"Is this one of those cases where no means yes? Feel free to nod in the affirmative."

The little vixen bit her lip and nodded. And in case he wasn't already so turned on he was about to explode, she raised her hips so he could feel the heat of her arousal against his cock. Fucking hell. She was going to be the absolute death of him. But oh what a way to go.

"Turn over, naughty girl, and take your punishment."

"I'm scared."

Though he knew her comment was part of the role-playing game, he couldn't bear the thought of her being afraid of him, even in jest. "You know I'd never hurt you, baby. Tell me you know that."

"I do, I know."

"Then turn over and take what's coming to you." He smiled and winked at her as he helped her into the position he wanted her in. God, yes, just like that, propped up on her elbows, her silk-covered, delicious ass raised for his pleasure and her golden eyes watching him warily over her shoulder. Could she be any hotter?

Mac made a slow production of raising her nightgown, letting his fingertips slide over the backs of her legs, making them quiver. He loved the way she reacted to his touch. He loved playing these games with her, and the way she teased him, even if he'd never admit that to her.

There were times, such as now, when he still couldn't believe that this was his life, that she was his life. How had he ever gotten so lucky as to find his perfect match? 

He nearly lost his shit when he saw that she was bare under the nightgown, further proof that she'd planned to have her wicked way with him. "Mmm," he said as he peppered her ass with kisses that had her squirming and panting.

"MacÉ"

"Shhh, let me have my fun." After days of frustration, he ought to be in an all-fired rush to have her, but now that she was laid out before him, he wanted to take his time, to savor her, to drive her as crazy as she made him.

"Come on."

He delivered a light spank to her left cheek, drawing a surprised gasp from her that nearly finished him right off. Christ have mercy. Biting his lip to give himself something to focus on other than his needy cock, he gave the right side the same treatment. He kept up a steady pattern, moving from left to right, rubbing each spot afterward to ramp up the effect for her.

Judging by the sounds she made, the scent of her arousal and the way her legs moved farther apart with every spank, his efforts were having the desired effect.

"Mac, pleaseÉ I've learned my lesson. I'll never torment you again."

That earned her another set of spanks. "Now you're lying to me, too? This is not good, Madeline. Not good at all."

She made a noise that was equal parts frustration, laughter and desire. 

"Tell me what you want."

"You know what I want."

"You have to say it." One of his favorite things was getting her to talk dirty, which she wouldn't do without his encouragement. 

"Mac! I want you to make love to me."

"You'll have to be more specific." He dragged two fingers down her backbone and into the crevice between her cheeks, where he found the abundant evidence of how much she loved their game. 

She dropped her head to her forearms. "I want you to make me come."

Mac could almost picture the bright red blush that would be flooding her cheeks and decided he wanted to see that. "Turn over." He helped her onto her back, and sure enough, the blush was every bit as spectacular as he'd expected. "How do you want me to make you come?" Pressing against her clit, he said, "With my fingers or my tongue or my cock?"

"Your choice."

"No, baby, it's lady's choice."

"Your cock."

"I didn't hear you."

"Mac! You did, too!"

Had he ever had more fun in his life than he did with her? No. Never. "Look me in the eye and tell me exactly what you want."

His adorable, sweet, sexy wife looked at him and said, "I want you to fuck me. Right now."

"Well, why didn't you just say so?"

She grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled hard enough to hurt. "Hurry up."

Amused by her desperation, he took himself in hand and pressed against her, teasing her for as long as he could stand it.

"I'm going to remember this, Mac."

"That's the whole idea."

She pressed against him, all but begging him to take her. "I'm not going to remember it in a good way. I'm going to remember it in a revenge-is-a-bitch-and-so-am-I way."

That made him laugh, hard. How could he not laugh? She was so damned cute. "You could never be a bitch, sweet Maddie."

"You don't think so? Keep it up, and you're going to see a whole other side of me."

"I love when you need me."

"Mac, honestly," she said with a deep sigh. "I always need you, and I always will."

His heart skipped a beat at the blatant honesty he saw in her expression and heard in her words. Pressing into her, he gave her what they both needed, the connection they lived for.

"Yes," she said on a long sigh. "Like that. Just like that."

All games were forgotten as the sublime pleasure took over. Everything faded away when he was with her like this, sick kids and holiday madness and pressure at work faded to nothingness, eclipsed entirely by his love for her.

Reaching beneath her, he cupped her ass, which was still warm from the spanking. She gasped in reaction, her inner muscles tightening as her fingers dug into the muscles of his back, all signs that she was close.

"Let me feel you, baby," he whispered gruffly in her ear, picking up the pace to take them both to the finish line.

Ahhh, fucking finally, he thought as they both came with cries that he muffled by kissing her with deep thrusts of his tongue. God forbid they should wake the kids. He softened the kiss to light touches of his lips on hers before dropping his forehead to hers as he tried to catch his breath.

"Oh my God, Mac. Just when I think we can't get any crazierÉ"

He huffed out a laugh. "It's you. You make me that way."

Her hands smoothed over his back, gliding through the dampness that had come from exertion. "I make you that way. Whatever you say."

"It's true. I've never been like this with anyone else."

"I hate to think of you doing this with anyone else."

He raised his head to look into her eyes. "I have never done anything like this with anyone but you. I've told you before, my whole life started the day you tried to run me over with your bike."

She smacked his shoulder. "You're rewriting history."

"Best day of my life," he said, kissing her. "But every day since then, even when you're mean to me, has been ever better."

"Even days when you're cock-blocked by sick kids?" 

Laughing, he said, "Even then. I love those kids and their mother with all my heart."

"We love you, too."

He gathered her into his arms and rolled to his side, bringing her with him. "I was kinda rough with you. You're okay?"

"You really have to ask?"

"Yeah, I really do."

"I'm fantastic. You may not believe it, but I get as frustrated as you do when we can't have this time alone together."

He tucked her head in under his chin and wrapped his leg around her hips. "Sleep right here with me. Just like this."

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be."



Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.

Share in the life of the McCarthy family as well as their many island friends in this much-loved sexy romance series.

Maid for Love and the Gansett Island Series are created by Marie Force, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

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