​Coming Spring 2013
​
​Evan Arden is a hit man for a Chicago mob boss.  He lives his life day to day with the company of his dog, Odin.  He has to work hard to get back into his boss’s good graces, but the target proves to be difficult.  As demons of his past begin to haunt him, he seeks the comfort of sleep from an unlikely candidate, but will confiding in her be his undoing?​

Here is a quick little glimpse into the life of Evan Arden in Chicago, working as a hit man for a nasty crime lord.  He’s having difficulty sleeping these days, and looks for whatever comfort he can find.

Otherwise Occupied Teaser - Chapter 1:



“No one here cares what you’re wearing,” I told her.



Her eyes found mine.
 

“I look like a hooker,” she said quietly.
 

No shit.
 

“You are a hooker,” I said.  I waved my hand towards the two servers near the bar.  “They all know that.  They’d know that if I put you in a cocktail dress, flats, and one of those little old lady red hats, too.”
 

“How would they know?”
 

I laughed.
 

“Because you’re with me.”
 

I managed to get her to settle down a little after that, and she did eat part of her sandwich and polish off two martinis while we talked about the weather and the Chicago Fire soccer team. 

​

Mostly I talked – she didn’t seem to know shit about soccer.  I finished my beer, tossed cash onto the table, and led her by the hand to the elevators.  As soon as we stepped inside and the doors closed I could feel her tension mount again, so I leaned over close to her ear.
 

“Not going to hurt you,” I reminded her, and my lips pressed lightly against her neck, just below her ear.
 

Bridgett nodded slowly, but still jumped a bit when the elevator went ding, signifying my floor.
 

I led her out into the hallway and to my apartment door.  Her eyes widened a bit as Odin came up to sniff at her.  He could be a little intimidating, but since he didn’t bark much he didn’t often end up frightening anyone, and Bridgett was no exception.  I didn’t give them much of a chance to get to know each other as I grabbed two bottles of water from the kitchen counter and brought Bridgett to my bedroom.
 

My foot connected with the edge of the door, blocking Odin from the show as it slammed shut.  I could hear him snuffle at the crack before he gave up and moved away.  Placing the water bottles on the nightstand, I sat down on the edge of the king sized bed and started to untie my boots.
 

“Those look like army boots,” Bridgett observed.  “A friend of mine went into the army.  Are you in the army?”
 

“No,” I said.  “Ex Marine.  Don’t you know what ARMY stands for?”
 

“Um…no.”
 

“Ain’t Ready for the Marines Yet.”