First to Bid
Unraveled, Book 2
Marie Johnston
LE Publishing
First to Bid
Copyright 2018 as Highest Bidder by Marie Johnston
Editing by Razor Sharp Editing
Cover Art by Secret Identity Graphics
2nd Edition proofing by My Brother’s Editor and Double Author Services
The characters, places, and events in this story are fictional. Any similarities to real people, places, or events are coincidental and unintentional.
Created with Vellum
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Marie Johnston
Chapter 1
Flynn
I whistled as I maneuvered my extended-cab Chevy pickup into a parking spot at the edge of the lot. I killed the engine and jumped out. My gaze snagged on my black wingtips and the yellow lines on the pavement a few feet away. I might have taken up three, maybe four, parking spots with my crooked parking job. I briefly considered getting back in and rearranging it, but less chance at door dings this way, and I was parked at the end. Fewer chances of making it difficult for other drivers to maneuver around me and this lot was only full around Christmas and during special promotional events. It’d be fine, but people might assume I’m a dick for the park job.
With a shrug, I strode toward the comic book store.
If I wanted to hang out with my best friend Wes, I had to kick it with the fanboys who flocked to Arcadia. Wes’s wife, Mara owned the comic book and gaming shop, and Arcadia had become a second home to me. But browsing through the latest releases wasn’t what I was here for today. Mara was sponsoring the first annual Bachelors for Dollars fundraiser, and I had been the first recruit.
I reached the glass door and held it open for an attractive woman breezing out. She was in the middle of putting on her sunglasses and paused when she caught sight of me. I flashed her a grin. She flushed and rushed out with a quick “thanks.”
I eyed the sashay of her hips in the gauzy dress she wore. Dayum. If that was the type of woman who would be bidding on me, well…maybe Wes wouldn’t owe me as much as I had let on. Next year they might have bachelorettes. Then I’d have to sit out and do some bidding—for charity’s sake, of course.
Inside the store, my eyes didn’t need any time to adjust. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the store kept the space bright and airy, giving it the illusion of way more square footage than it had. But the size was still admirable, enough to organize comic books, host gaming days, and even hold small conventions. I should know. I’d built it, had been involved in its construction since its inception.
Scanning the place, I spotted Mara in the corner chatting with a woman a few inches taller than her with sandy-brown hair in double ponytails and jean shorts hitched up by suspenders. A gaudy tote hung off her shoulder.
The woman had a nice ass. My gaze lingered a moment before the giant Ws on her tote grabbed my attention. A Wonder Woman fan. I could respect her taste. Aside from her atrocious style, I envied her clothing. The mercury crawled higher each day as we headed into summer, and while my suit was the best money could buy, a suit jacket was never my first choice once the snow melted.
But clients expected this level of professionalism before entrusting me with millions of dollars. Because they sure didn’t expect me to be the one swinging the hammer, so the jackets, ties, and uncomfortable shoes were there to stay. Only four more days until the weekend—and clothes I wouldn’t sweat in. I needed it to be Friday already.
“Hey, Flynn.” Chris, the co-owner of the store, stocked a wall of dice in all different shapes and colors. Just like I dress to impress future clients, Chris dressed for his job—a Batman shirt and worn blue jeans. His hair was a half-inch short of being shaggy and he looked like he was barely thirty, but Mara said he has a kid who’s a teenager.
“Chris, how’s the building holding up?” I asked him the same thing every time. Every structure I build had an unspoken warranty. Any work attributed to me and my firm got my full backing.
“Great. That little leak you repaired in the sunroof last week never stood a chance.”
“Thanks for telling me.”
Chris gave me a knowing nod. Mara would’ve hired someone to take care of the problem. She thought she was taking advantage of me. She was wrong. Getting my hands dirty was like a special treat.
I found Wes restocking the newest Doctor Strange comics. “What the hell, dude? Doesn’t Mara hire people to do that?” No one would know that a guy worth a cool billion was sorting their comics.
Wes arched a dark brow. “Mara asked me to pull your order, fucker. I figured it’d be just as easy to put the whole box out while I was at it. Besides, she’s busy with the lady she’s organizing the fundraiser with, so it’s either this or stand around looking like a creeper.”
I snickered. Wes couldn’t creep if he tried. He was more likely to get asked for an autograph again by little kids who thought he was Clark Kent. No glasses, but Wes’s slicked black hair and piercing blue eyes were straight out of the DC universe.
I sorted through the pile of comics. “So, did you get my pulls? Doctor Strange and Justice League?”
Wes slapped my hand away. “Yes. Perks of being friends with the boss. Your stack is in the back and I already charged your card.”
Sweet. At least I’d have some reading material until a generous lady bought me for the week. Hitting the clubs wasn’t the same without my wingman. Without Wes to BS with until I caught a
