Catching the Captain

CONTENTS 1. Rori 2. Kaiden 3. Rori 4. Kaiden 5. Rori 6. Kaiden 7. Rori 8. Kaiden 9. Rori 10. Kaiden 11. Rori 12. Kaiden 13. Rori 14. Kaiden 15. Rori 16. Kaiden 17. Rori 18. Kaiden 19. Rori 20. Kaiden 21. Rori 22. Kaiden 23. Rori Wanting The Winger Chapter One Acknowledgments About the Author Copyright © 2023 by Jacob Chance All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. This novel is a work of fiction. While reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to people either living or deceased, business establishments, events or locales is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are only used for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Cover design by Black Widow Designs Edited and Proofread by Ink Machine Editing This book contains mature content. CATCHING THE CAPTAIN JACOB CHANCE CHAPTER 1 RORI My eyes flick to the clock on the mantel. Ten more minutes and I’m out of here. I wish my family could find a way to be on their best behavior for my niece’s eighth birthday party, but that’s not the case with the Russos. Maybe it’s something rooted in our Italian genes that makes my oldest sister Valentina and my mom still treat me like a child. But I’m twenty-two for fuck’s sake. I’m a college graduate and I live in an apartment paid for by yours truly. Thank God for my sister Stella. She’s the only one who seems to understand how capable I am. My niece Claudia kneels beside me, perching her chin on my shoulder. “Auntie Rori, can I do your hair?” “Don’t you have more presents to open?” I ask. “Nope, I’m all done.” Dammit. Even though I was hoping to make my escape, I can’t turn down Claudia. She’s incredibly sweet and loving, despite having my shrew of a sister for a mother. “Sure. But nothing elaborate. I need to head home in a few minutes.” Claudia’s eyes light up with excitement. “Okay. I’ll do buns. I can do those fast.” She skips off and returns a minute later holding a small canvas bag. “Why don’t you sit in the chair and I’ll stay on the floor in front of you?” I suggest. “Good idea.” She slips behind me, dropping onto the cushioned seat of the armchair. I hear her rummaging through her bag of supplies, and I smile. She loves to style my hair whenever she gets a chance. I feel the tip of the bristles at the top of my head before they slide all the way down my dark brown locks to the middle of my back. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the soothing sensation of Claudia brushing through every strand of my hair. “Aurora, have you met any nice men lately?” my mom asks. I’ve been expecting this question. It’s standard every time I visit my childhood home. “Nope.” Hopefully my short answer will be enough to satisfy her. “Why not?” she presses. Guess not. “I’ve been working a lot.” “When are you going to get a real job, Aurora?” Valentina chimes in. My eyes snap open and narrow in her direction. “Waitressing is a real job.” “Pfft, okay. It’s a job, but a dead end one,” she adds. What the hell is her problem? I never say anything about her life choices. I lift my shoulders in a careless shrug. “There are plenty of people who make a living from waitressing. It’s honest work.” “What’s the purpose of going to college for four years if you’re not using your degree?” My mom jumps back into the conversation. “We paid a lot for your education.” “We’ve had this discussion more than once, Mom. I’ll remind you again, most of my college was paid for with the scholarships I busted my butt to earn. Plus, I’ve already explained to you both, I’m looking for a job with a sports firm but have yet to find one.” Grrr. It’s so frustrating to feel like you’re never heard by the people who are supposed to love you most. “I guess you should’ve chosen a degree with more opportunities, then,” Valentina says with the know-it-all air she’s so good at giving off. Speaking of frustrating. “I don’t remember Rori asking you,” Stella jumps in, defending me. “What she does for work is no one’s business but her own. We should all focus on ourselves.” “You always rush to her defense,” Valentina fires back. “Poor little Aurora can’t fight her own battles.” Her expression is mocking. “I can fight them just fine. But I shouldn’t have to defend my life choices. I don’t make you defend yours,” I state calmly. I’m not going to get fired up over her ignorance. This is how she always behaves, and I don’t see her changing. “What’s there to defend?” she asks. I’m not about to remind her she’s married to a living doormat. She walks all over him and he lets her. She takes his kindness for granted, and one of these days, I’m convinced he’s going to leave her. But first he’d have to grow a new pair of balls since he handed his over to her on their wedding day. Ignoring her question, I focus on Claudia’s small fingers gently manipulating my hair. She finishes one side and moves on to the other. I dislike her witnessing how insensitive her mother can be. Hopefully she’s not paying attention. Dominic, my