After the whole incident at the warehouse, Cara’s father gave me his blessing. I might not be a Wind Dragon like Rhett, and he might not know me that well, but I would do anything for his daughter, and I think he saw that. He respects me for how I handled everything, and it’s nice to have her parents’ approval.
I doubt I have Rhett’s approval, but he has not shown up at our door starting any shit. He loves Cara enough to let her be happy. I know they still talk and get together with Clover. I respect that friendship.
“Well, I for one am happy that you decided to stay in town,” Clover says, smiling at us all in turn. She lifts her wineglass. “To friendships, new and old.”
“To family,” Cara adds, and we all clink glasses.
To true love, I think in my head.
The greatest blessing.
* * *
Acknowledgments
A big thank-you to Carina Press for working with me on this new series!
Thank you to Kimberly Brower, my amazing agent, for having my back in all things. We make a great team, always have and always will.
Brenda Travers—Thank you so much for all that you do to help promote me. I am so grateful. You go above and beyond and I appreciate you so much.
Tenielle—Baby sister, I don’t know where I’d be without you. You are my rock. Thanks for all you do for me and the boys, we all adore you and appreciate you. I might be older, but you inspire me every day. When I grow up, I want to be like you.
Sasha—Baby sister, do you know one of the things that I love about you? You are you. You don’t care what anyone else thinks, you stay true to yourself and I am so proud of you. Tahj reminds me of you in that way. Never change. I love you.
Christian—Thank you for always being there for me, and for accepting me just the way I am. Thank you for trying to understand me. We are so different, opposites in every way, but I think that’s the balance that we both need. I always tell you how lucky you are to have me in your life, but the truth is I’m pretty damn lucky myself. I appreciate all you do for me and the boys. I love you.
Mum and Dad—Thank you for always being there for me and the boys no matter what. And thank you, Mum, for making reading such an important part of our childhood. I love you both!
Natty—My bestie soul mate, thank you for being you. For knowing me so well, and loving me anyway. I hope Mila sees this book one day and knows her Aunty Chanty loves her so much!
Sasha Jaya & Aunty Starlyn—I love you both so much! You are the meaning of family.
Ari—Thank you for still being there for me, helping me with my website and anything else that pops up. You are one of the best humans I’ve ever known.
To my three sons, my biggest supporters, thank you for being so understanding, loving and helpful. I’m so proud of the men you are all slowly becoming, and I love you all so very much. I hope that watching me work hard every day and following my dreams inspires you all to do the same. Nothing makes me happier than being your Mama.
And Chookie—No, I love you more.
And to my readers, thank you for loving my words. I hope this book is no exception.
About the Author
New York Times, Amazon and USA TODAY bestselling author Chantal Fernando is thirty-four years old and lives in Western Australia.
Lover of all things romance, Chantal is the author of the bestselling books Dragon’s Lair, Maybe This Time and many more.
When not reading, writing or daydreaming, she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.
For more information on books by Chantal Fernando, please visit her website at www.authorchantalfernando.com.
New York Times bestselling author
Chantal Fernando brings you Fast & Fury: A sexy new series fully loaded with intense emotions and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Read on for an excerpt from
Custom Built by Chantal Fernando,
out from Carina Press!
Chapter One
“I’m sorry, Bronte,” Nadia says, shoulders hunching. “You know how much the business has been struggling for months, and now it’s barely making enough money for me to cover my own ass, never mind have an employee. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her, forcing a smile, even though I feel like crying. I mean, I knew this was coming. I’ve worked as an assistant for Nadia’s private investigator firm for years now, and I know how hard this decision must be for her. We had spoken about it a few months ago, and to be honest I’m surprised she has kept me on for this long.
However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. I need this job, and I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do without it. I don’t have any other qualifications, and I can’t afford to go back to college to finish my teaching degree. And I don’t even want to talk about health insurance. Thank God I had my second surgery several months ago. I can’t even fathom what I will do if the abnormal cells come back.
I know how bad times are for Nadia, though, with us getting less and less work with every passing month. I’d spent this week cleaning and rearranging the office because I didn’t have much else to do.
I see Nadia more like family than my boss, but I know that she has to do what’s best for her. I understand that—it’s just going to be a shit time for me right now.
“I’ll pack up my things,” I say, and swallow hard, looking at my desk. I pick up the picture of me and my dad, both of us smiling, his arms wrapped around me. It was taken last year at Christmas, my red lipstick all over his cheek where I had kissed him. Dad has always been my rock, and I know he’d help me if I need it, but I’m too old to be running to my daddy. I need to sort this all out myself and find a new job as soon as possible, before my savings dry up and put me in deeper shit.
“I’m really sorry,” Nadia repeats, her voice cracking.
I put the photo frame down and turn to give her a hug. “It will be fine, it’s not the end of the world. I’ll find another job, and hopefully business will pick up for you and you can keep this place running.”
This might not be what I need right now, a kick when I’m down, already stressed out over my health issues, but you can’t control what curveballs life decides to throw you.
No matter what happens, I know I’ll be okay. When one door closes, another one opens, right?
I comfort Nadia, I gather my things, and I leave.
I woke up this morning employed and fairly optimistic, and now I’m going home without a job and no idea where my next paycheck is going to come from.
Life can be a bitch sometimes, can’t it?