Family Matters Book 3
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C.B. Rose
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In the bustling city of Reno, Nevada, Kyle Montero, a recovering addict and convicted felon, finds a fresh start helping his cousin run a new casino. Amidst the chaos of casino life, Kyle meets Jana Lynn Davis, a single mom escaping an abusive past. As they navigate their growing bond, they face threats from Jana's ex-husband and uncover dark secrets that could jeopardize their newfound happiness. With the support of family and friends, Kyle and Jana must confront their pasts to build a future together.
Chapter 1
Book Three: Matters of the Heart
Kyle Montero has spent a lifetime wrestling with his inner demons and self-doubt. Ever since he turned his back on his shadowy past, heâs been striving to make things right and rebuild his life. Jana Lynn Davis, a single mom, is attempting to piece her life back together after divorcing her abusive, controlling husband.
Will Kyle find love anew in Jana, or will his past rear its ugly head? Can Jana move forward with her new life and open her heart to Kyle, or does her ex-husband have other plans in store for her?
Kyle
I never imagined my life would turn out this way. Here I am, a 27-year-old, helping run my cousinâs latest casino in Reno, Nevada, a convicted felon and recovering addict.
Iâm not proud of my past. Who could be, considering all the things Iâve done? I had a wonderful girl, got caught up in my insecurities, fell in with the wrong crowd, and ended up hurting the one person I loved most.
When I discovered she had found love again with my cousin, who was like a brother to me, I spiraled further into my darkness and ended up colluding with some really bad people to hurt her even more.
Since Iâve been out and undergone rehabilitation and therapy, she and my family have forgiven me for my past mistakes, and weâve begun to repair our fractured relationship.
But I havenât forgiven myself yet. I still donât feel I deserve happiness after all the pain and sorrow Iâve caused.
My cousin, Xavier, thought I needed a change of scenery to get my life back on track, and honestly, I couldnât agree more. I love my cousin, and Iâm glad my ex, Cassie, found love again with him.
Their relationship is special, and I can see that heâs the better man for her.
Watching them together, the way they steal glances at each other when they think no oneâs looking, the way they can soothe each other with just a touch or a look, is something Iâve always yearned for.
I thought I had that with Cassie, but now I realize, my relationship with Cassie was meant to be nothing more than a close friendship.
I agreed to help oversee the construction of their new casino here in Reno, alongside my cousin, Austin, Xavierâs younger brother. I was excited about being here.
It was a new city where no one knew me, where I wasnât constantly reminded of my past.
I could start anew here and finally feel worthy of some happiness, or at the very least, figure out who I am and finally forgive myself for what Iâve done to my family.
What I knew for sure was that I needed to focus on myself first before getting involved with anyone else. How can I be good for someone else if I donât feel good about myself?
At least, that was my plan when I accepted Xavierâs offer.
But then, during our interviews for new staff, a petite, dark-haired beauty with the most captivating blue eyes Iâd ever seen walked into my life, making me rethink my goals.
Her and her 4-year-old mini-me, who was just as beautiful. The moment I saw them and they looked back at me with their big blue eyes, it stirred up feelings I thought were long dead.
Jana Lynn Davis, a petite, kind-hearted woman going through a tough divorce, walked into my life and turned it upside down.
Her daughter, Athena, stole my heart the moment she smiled up at me. Jana was interviewing for one of the head waitress positions at our casino.
We had all agreed to hire her even before we met her, just based on her application.
Then, on the day of her interview, when we saw her arguing with her jerk of a husband in the parking lot with her daughter hiding behind her, we all went into protector mode, especially me.
After a week of interviews, Austin and I returned to Las Vegas with Xavier and Ethan to pack our things.
We were going to come back to Reno and stay there to ensure the casino was ready for its grand opening.
Austin planned to stay during the week and return home to his pregnant wife, Chelsea, on the weekends.
As for me, I wasnât sure yet if this move was going to be permanent, but I packed all my belongings just in case.
My sister Ashlie, and her son Lucas, also came out here to help us. She has a degree in finance and Xavier had hired her to manage the casinoâs books.
I believe this move was as necessary for her as it was for me. Lucasâs dad had tragically died in a hit-and-run accident shortly after Lucas was born.
Sheâd been raising him alone, with the support of our dad and Lucasâs grandparents on his fatherâs side.
Her love life hadnât been particularly successful until she met Rodney Hutchinson, a cop with the Reno Police Department, just recently.
Theyâd met a year ago when she was here on a business trip. So, when Xavier offered her this job, she seized it, and honestly, I havenât seen my older sister this joyful in a long time.
Her son Lucas is an incredible kid. At just 12 years old, heâs already more mature than most guys my age. My sister has done a phenomenal job raising him to be a courteous, respectful, and responsible young man.
He never got to know his father personally, but my sister and his grandparents ensured he knew him through the stories they shared. I love having them around.
Ever since I got out of prison and started rehab, Ashlie has been my rock.
I donât think I could have made it this far without her. Depending on how things pan out with Rodney, I suspect her move to Reno might become permanent.
If I choose to stay here for good, at least Iâll have some family close by.
Chelsea has made a few trips to Reno with Austin. Sheâs in Marketing and has been assisting us with the Casinoâs advertising. She and Ashlie have been spending a lot of time with Jana.
Lucas and Athena have also formed a strong bond. He looks out for her like a big brother, much like how Damien, Xavierâs eldest son, is with his younger siblings.
Iâm grateful to them for welcoming Jana and Athena with open hearts. The divorce has been hard on them, and it doesnât seem like Jana has any family here to support her through this ordeal.
From the day Jana and I met, weâve been practically inseparable. When Iâm back in Las Vegas, we text and video chat daily.
When Iâm in Reno, weâre either working together at the casino or hanging out at home with Austin, my sister Ashlie, her son Lucas, and Chelsea when sheâs in town.
Iâd decided that despite my strong feelings for her, I didnât want to pursue anything beyond friendship for now.
Given her situation with her now ex-husband, and my own personal demons, I didnât want to rush things and potentially ruin what we had before it even began.
Besides, I had to consider Athenaâs feelings too. She was already dealing with so much due to her parentsâ divorce, I didnât want to add any more stress or trauma than necessary.
Sheâs such a sweet girl and all I want is to shield her from any more pain than what her father has already caused.
Jana and I have built a solid friendship over the past few months. Sheâs so easy to talk to and so much fun to be around. We have a lot in common.
We enjoy the same movies, have similar tastes in food, both love watching basketball and football, and we both prefer a quiet night in over a night out clubbing.
The trust between us is deep. So much so, that weâve opened up about our pasts. I told her everything about my past, and she shared about her troubled marriage.
We both agreed we have a lot to work through before we can consider a romantic relationship.
But that doesnât mean we donât acknowledge the chemistry between us and havenât indulged in playful and flirtatious banter from time to time.
Sheâs quickly become one of my closest friends, and I hope Iâm one of hers.
The construction of the casino is progressing well and on schedule. The staff we hired have been working hard to get everything set up inside. Weâve formed a strong bond with this team weâve brought on.
The casinoâs grand opening is in two weeks. Xavier and the rest of the family are flying up here next week to assist with the final preparations, including hosting a staff party two days before we open.
Weâve decided that our parents will stay in the suite above the casino while the rest of us stay at the rental house.
Since everyone is bringing their kids, it makes the most sense for us to stay here since it has a backyard and a swimming pool for the kids to enjoy.
Jana and I are busy setting up the bar area. Sheâs arranging the tablecloths and centerpieces while I stock the bar.
I canât help but pause and watch her as she moves around the room.
Iâm captivated by the way her ponytail bounces as she walks, the natural sway of her hips, and the meticulous way she drapes each tablecloth perfectly over the tables.
I canât help but fall deeper in love with her each day we spend together.
âThe tables are all set,â she announces as she approaches the bar.
I was busy stocking the shelves when she walked in. As I turned, I saw her meticulously arranging the napkins and snack dishes on the bar.
âLooks good.â I admired the beautifully set tables and gave her a warm smile. She paused, taking a moment to appreciate her handiwork.
âDoesnât it?â She giggled, turning back to face me. âNeed a hand back here?â
âNope, almost done.â I continued arranging the bottles as she took a seat, watching me. Austin and Chelsea joined us, settling on the barstools next to Jana.
âEverythingâs set.â Austin grinned, helping Chelsea onto her stool. âI think we can give the staff a break until we open next week.â
I surveyed the casino, a sense of satisfaction washing over me.
âSounds good.â I leaned against the bar, returning his smile.
âGreat, Iâll let them know,â he nodded. âHow about we all, including Ashlie and Rodney, celebrate with dinner and dancing tonight?â
âIâm in.â I grinned, and we all turned to Jana.
âSure, I just need to find a babysitter,â she replied, a hint of shyness in her voice.
âNo problem,â Ashlie chimed in, joining us. âRodneyâs parents are watching Lucas for me. They wonât mind watching Athena too.â
âAre you sure?â Jana looked at Ashlie, uncertainty in her eyes.
âAbsolutely. Theyâre already expecting her. Lucas is setting up their fort in the living room as we speak.â Ashlie laughed. âWhy donât you drop her off around six and we can head out from there?â
âOkay.â Jana smiled at her, checked her watch, and turned to us. âI need to pick her up from daycare. See you all tonight.â
She waved and headed towards the employee area. As soon as she was out of sight, Chelsea and Ashlie turned to me, smirks on their faces.
âWhy are you two looking at me like that?â
I sighed, knowing they were up to something. They exchanged a glance but remained silent. When they turned back to me, I couldnât help but laugh. âDid you two suddenly forget how to speak?â
âAre you okay with going out tonight?â Ashlie asked, barely suppressing a giggle.
âWhy wouldnât I be?â I retorted.
âJust checking.â She grinned. I stared at them, utterly confused. Why would they question my willingness to go out with them, Rodney, and Jana?
Weâve hung out before, but this would be the first time weâd be dancingâŠafter dinnerâŠjust the six of usâŠAustin and ChelseaâŠAshlie and RodneyâŠme andâŠOH SHIT!
Realization dawned on me, and my eyes widened.
âHeâs got it!â Austin laughed, pointing at me.
Chelsea and Ashlie joined in, laughing at my expense. I groaned, realizing theyâd tricked Jana and me into a date.
Theyâd been trying to get me to ask her out for months, but weâd both insisted on remaining friends.
I glared at the trio, hoping theyâd stop laughing, but it only made them laugh harder.
âDonât be like that, Kyle.â Ashlie patted my arm, still smiling. âYou two need this.â
âAnd how do you figure that?â I crossed my arms, scowling at her.
âWe know you two want to stay friends, but we also know youâre crazy about each other,â Chelsea interjected, defending their actions.
âThis way, you can spend time together without the pressure of a date.â
âThree couples going out for dinner and dancing sounds like a triple date to me,â I grumbled.
âNot if we donât call it a date.â Ashlie grinned mischievously. âAnd weâre not calling it a date, right Chels?â she asked, turning to Chelsea.
âOkay then,â Chelsea says, bumping fists with Ashlie. She gives a firm nod of approval. I glance over at Austin, whoâs just shaking his head at their antics.
âSeriously, itâs a fucking date, right?â I let out a groan.
âAbsolutely,â Austin chuckles. âAnd thereâs no escaping it. Not unless you want to face their wrath.â He gestures between Chelsea and Ashlie with a wave of his finger.
Chelsea and Ashlie are grinning at me, their faces glowing with the triumph of a bet won. I let out another groan, dragging my hand down my face. Jana is going to be so pissed.
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