Arms of Serenity (Rock Services) Read Online Free PDF

wifely duties and all that. I brought that clutch purse for you. It will go perfectly with the gown, and I left a surprise inside, just in case.”
    Following her out into the kitchen, Becca asked quickly before Anne could escape out of the apartment. “What surprise and what about shopping?”
    Anne turned the handle to the apartment door and slipped into the hallway. “Nope, you’re stuck with the dress. It’s for your own good. Just remember to embrace and enjoy.”
    Becca closed the door smiling and turned to grab the clutch off the table. What was Anne up to? Opening it, she found a new box of condoms. She closed the purse and laughed. “Incorrigible.”

Chapter Three
     
    Nick sat a table against a wall in the ballroom of the Queen Marie hotel. When his father had bought the old hotel, he had named it after his mother and given her the task of overseeing the renovations. She had seen its potential and worked to transform it from run-down to one of the most sought after and luxurious hotels in the city.
    Only five at the time, Nick had been young , but he could still remember that his parents were happy then. They held a partnership, both private and in business, built on respect and love.
    That all changed when Hollsten Holdings became more successful and profitable. With each purchase, his father became more obsessed with the company and his next dollar. He turned into the distant father that Nick could remember the most. The money and power had changed him, and that was one of the reasons Nick never wanted to follow in his footsteps. One of his biggest fears was turning into his father.
    Nick had done a damn good job at avoiding “his responsibility” as his father stated for most of his years at home. He smiled at the memory of his father’s face when he had walked into his office twelve years ago. Nick had told him he wasn’t going to get groomed to take over, didn’t want to be anything like him and that he was joining the Army. It was one of the few times that Nick could remember his father being speechless.
    Before his father could have answered, he had turned around, walked out the door and out of his father’s life. A few hours later he was on a plane to basic training and the start of his military career. He had never once regretted his decision … until Jack.
     
    Enough! Forcing the thoughts out of his head in frustration, he glanced at his watch. It was 10 o’clock. Was it too early to leave? Nick drained his beer and decided he had been there long enough. He had done the necessary smile and nods to everyone who had come along. Hell, he even made small-talk to some of the girls Victoria had introduced to him. She was obviously trying to hook him up with one of her friends. Nick grunted. The last thing he wanted or needed was a relationship.
    He was happy with no attachments. The nights that he had taken a woman home they were gone the next day. He was always honest about what he was looking for up-front. There were no promises, no strings, and no complications. He had enough shit floating and rambling around in his head. He didn’t need to add anything or anyone else into the mess that currently was his life.
    Nick got up and started weaving through the tables to find Brad and Victoria. He had enough time to give his well wishes, make his way to the club, and find someone to bring in the New Year. He smiled at the thought. The best way to end one year and start a new one was in bed with a warm, soft body.
    He nodded at those who were seated at tables and then started to make his way around the crowded dance floor. Scanning the area, he spotted Brad talking to the sound guy for the band. Nick walked up behind him to wait until he was done.
    Brad was talking loudly over the latest Dean Martin song that the lead singer was trying to cover. Nick chuckled. Victoria definitely had her own style, and Nick knew his metal-head cousin had nothing to do with the music selection.
    “Can you let the band