The first thing that Rebel Ink was so gracious to accept and publish for me was a short story that would eventually become the prequel to a series. It’s called The Bystander and is available now at ARe and at our gracious host today””CTR. Kenton Korvel is a reporter who’s saved by one Joel McNathy, police officer””I’m so happy to be working now on the series that will continue this couple’s relationship.
The Bystander:
All Kenton Korvel really wanted was to put his attackers in jail. But when he encounters the bias of the Chicago police force, Kenton realizes that the people sworn to protect him could honestly care less about the crime given the nature of his attacker’s hate. When Kenton’s hero, a man who wears the same uniform but doesn’t share his colleagues prejudice, promises to return and help Kenton sort through the madness of seeking justice, Kenton gets more than he bargained for. In a short love story between a big city journalist and the detective behind the shield, don’t underestimate the power of a man way above the law but far beneath the silky black sheets of Kenton Korvel’s bed.
Please enjoy this excerpt:
Kenton knew the officer’s name by heart. Joel McNathy. Even though many of the lesser details from the night of the beating were merely a blur, Kenton’s training as a journalist had kicked in and of course, the gorgeous police officer’s name and face was among the first details Kenton memorized. Besides, there was no way Kenton could ever forget a person like Joel. Standing six feet four with muscular arms, Kenton could only image what Joel sported beneath the rest of his uniform.
“Nice collection you have here.” Joel said with a lift in his voice as he looked over the set of awards Kenton had earned in the field of cutting edge journalism. Saving Kenton from the hate crime had been the highlight of Joel’s career to date. Of course he’d done other admirable work while on the job, but for reasons Joel couldn’t quite explain, he had feelings for Kenton that surpassed just doing another human a good turn.
“So did you find the guys?” Kenton stammered, handing Joel a vodka neat in a Waterford crystal rocks glass.
“I found their hiding spot, but at this point I’m only a bystander.”
“Come again?” Kenton asked, confused.
Stepping away from the beveled glass display case and walking toward the sofa, Joel sat his glass down on the coffee table before grabbing a seat on the richly colored, Italian leather sofa. “The Chicago police force is made up largely of prejudice.” Joel offered, taking a sip of the strong liquid while watching Kenton. “While the boss would persecute the men if we’d caught them red handed, your case isn’t one he’s willing to waste resources on.” You said you were on assignment at a gay bar, right? But what’s to say you had to be gay to have been given the assignment?”
Shaking his head, Kenton knew where the conversation was going. “Nothing. The Tribune does that to reporters all the time. They pick the stories, decide the angle and then we journalists have to oblige or we get our asses handed to us.”
Joel thought of the discrimination Kenton faced on a daily basis and grimaced. “Have you checked into worker’s compensation for your injuries? That might be a start.” Joel spied the dark bruises that outlined Kenton’s jaw line and hung under his eyes. “How are you feeling?” Joel asked, unable to look at Kenton without feeling desire for the man pool low is his belly. “Do you need someone to tend to those?” Joel inquired as he ran his hand the length of Kenton’s neck.
The Bystander can be purchased at www.allromanceebooks.com and at www.coffeetimeromance.com .
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