1. Sinclair

The dashboard clockglares at me, its glowing digits reminding me I'm late. I navigate the quiet streets of Midnight Falls, Texas, the engine's hum a constant reminder of the time slipping away. I'm tempted to use my siren, but that would really get the town gossip machine whirling, and I don't have time or patience to deal with nosy residents.

The last-minute call set me back more than I had hoped—a minor incident at the edge of town took longer to resolve than it should have. Being the town sheriff doesn't come with an off-switch, even on your birthday.

I finally pull up to Sterling's house, the warm, inviting light spilling out onto the driveway. As I step out of my patrol car, I hear faint laughter and conversation coming from inside, a sharp contrast to the solitude of the ride over. I take a deep breath, forcing the tension from my shoulders. It's been a long day, but having dinner with my family is a beacon of normalcy at the end of my chaotic shift.

As I approach the door, it swings open, revealing Sullivan, my younger brother, with a broad grin on his face. "Look who finally decided to join us! Happy birthday, Sin!"

I step inside, greeted by a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" from Sterling, my older brother, Ginni, his wife, and Adam, his assistant. Their smiles are genuine, the warmth in their eyes a welcome change from the stern faces I've been dealing with all day.

"Sorry I'm late, everyone," I say, reaching for the glass of whiskey my younger brother is handing me. "Town keeps me on my toes."

"Better late than never," Sterling says, clapping me on the back. "Come on, we saved your seat."

Ginni guides me to the table, which is laden with an impressive spread. The aroma of roasted chicken and homemade mashed potatoes makes my stomach rumble, reminding me that I haven't eaten since breakfast. I take my place next to Sullivan and look across the table at Adam, feeling an immediate sense of dread at the self-satisfied smirk on his face.

"Happy birthday, Sinclair," Ginni says, refilling my suddenly empty glass. "We're going to start with the presents since you never know when you'll get called away to another emergency."

It's been happening more and more lately. The cartel is trying to make a move into a town a few miles away, and the authorities in the surrounding areas are banding together to fight their intrusion.

"I'm fucking old." I shake my head. "You don't need to give me presents."

Sterling laughs. "We figured you could use a pick-me-up. Besides, it's not every day the town sheriff gets a night off."

Adam looks particularly eager, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Let's just say we've got something special planned for you. You're gonna love it." I'll fucking bet. Calling my brother's assistant flamboyant would be an understatement. He's dressed in his usual uniform of slim dress trousers and a silky button-up shirt. Today's colors are black pants and a turquoise shirt. With his clean-shaven face, jet-black hair slicked back, and his round, black-framed glasses, he looks all of fifteen.

Ginni hands me a neatly wrapped box and I smile at her. "You didn't have to."

"Of course, I did." She smiles back. Inside, I find a beautifully crafted leather-bound journal. "For those nights when you need to put your thoughts somewhere other than a police report," she says with a soft smile. My older brother lucked out when he met her on a blind date.

"Thank you. This is perfect." I'm genuinely touched. I can already see myself jotting down notes and reflections, a quiet refuge from the turmoil of my job. I'm not surprised my sister-in-law came up with the perfect present for me. I'm tempted to hug her just to piss off my possessive older brother, but I resist the urge.

Next, it's Sullivan's turn. He gives me an envelope and rubs his hands together, watching as I open it. Inside, I find a gift certificate to a high-end restaurant in Silver Spoon Falls, a very wealthy little town a few miles from here. "A little incentive to take a night off now and then," he says with a wink. "And you can always take your younger brother if you need someone to go with you."

"Thanks, Sullivan. I'll definitely put this to good use," I reply, mentally rolling my eyes. Leave it to the little shit to buy me a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant.

Then, all eyes turn to Adam. He hands me a somewhat bulky envelope with a guilty grin. "This one's a tad bit unconventional, but hear me out. Sterling and I are doing this out of necessity."

I open the envelope to find a stunning brochure for a resort in Barbados. The little shit fucking booked me a week-long, all-inclusive stay at the resort. "A tad bit unconventional?" I say, raising an eyebrow and glancing around the table.

Adam sighs dramatically. "Yeah, you work too hard. You need a break, and this is the perfect way to get it. The mayor has already agreed to your time off, and Sullivan needs a vacation, too, so he's going with you." It doesn't really sound like much of a vacation if I'm keeping my younger brother out of trouble the entire time.

"I need the time away to recover from the last few months." Sullivan fake shudders. "Sterling has been riding my ass nonstop to get this new ride finished."

"You need someone to keep you on track, asshole," Sterling growls to our younger brother. "You changed the goddamn design so many times, we almost missed the deadline."

Our family has been in Midnight, Texas, for generations. In fact, the small town got its name from our family. Midnight Industries, our family company, owns the largest chain of haunted houses, ghost tours, and costume companies in the United States. Sterling is the CEO, Sullivan designs and builds the rides, and Ginni helps with marketing.

Growing up, I realized the "Halloween" gene had skipped me. While Sullivan and Sterling loved working with our grandfather at Midnight Industries, I was more interested in sports. I excelled at football and received a scholarship to Florida State.

My first semester of college taught me two things—I hate sand, and I wasn't interested in professional sports. Out of boredom, I stumbled into a lecture on campus about careers in law enforcement given by an FBI agent.

Fascinated, I changed my major to Criminal Justice and quit the football team. After graduating, I joined the police department in Houston and moved my way up to homicide detective within a few years, but I always felt out of place in the big city. I missed my hometown and family. When the town's long-time sheriff retired a few years ago, I ran for the position and won in a landslide.

The room falls silent as I debate accepting the gift. My initial reaction is to decline. A week away from the job? From everything? But a little voice in the back of my mind keeps insisting I take them up on the offer. As I look at their hopeful faces, I realize I'm about to fold like a cheap suit. I do need a break—perhaps more than I've allowed myself to admit.

"The real reason we all went in on the vacation is we're fucking tired of dealing with your surly ass," Sterling interjects before I'm able to accept their gift. "We're hoping you come back in a better mood."

I flip off my older brother before turning to his assistant. "Thank you, Adam. All of you," I say, accepting my fate. "This is... unexpected, but I think it's exactly what I need."

Sullivan raises his glass. "To Sinclair—the best sheriff we could ask for, a damn good brother, and I'm hoping the best fucking wing man on earth."

"Fuck me," I mutter under my breath, already regretting my decision.

We all clink glasses before digging into the delicious meal Ginni prepared, and I finally allow myself to relax, to be in the moment. Though the job is demanding and relentless, tonight I'm taking a break from the stress with my family.

The refreshing scentof the ocean greets us as we step through the hotel room door. "Adam might be a pain in the ass, but he damn well knows how to pick a resort." Sullivan glances around the two-bedroom suite in awe.

I nod my head, agreeing with him as my eyes sweep across the room, taking in the luxurious furnishings and modern decor. The large windows let in an abundance of natural light, illuminating the elegant living area and well-equipped kitchen. The centerpiece, however, is the balcony.

I stride toward it, opening the sliding glass door to let in the warm sea breeze. The view is nothing short of breathtaking; the vast, shimmering expanse of the beach stretches out before us, the gentle waves lapping rhythmically at the shore.

I tip the bellman and shut the door behind him before turning back to Sullivan. "I'm going to change and hit the beach."

"I'll do the same." He grabs his suitcase and smirks at me. "We can check out all the single ladies and fight for dibs."

I roll my eyes and step into the first bedroom. "You can have all of them." The one thing I don't need in my life right now is a complication, and women come with "complication" written across their foreheads.

After pulling on my swim trunks, I grab my towel and the book I"ve been trying to finish, the one that"s been taunting me from the bedside table for days. Today feels like the perfect day to finally get through it.

I step out onto the balcony, and the salty breeze grazes my skin. Before my brother realizes I'm leaving without him, I trot down the staircase that leads to the beach, each step filled with anticipation.

The sand feels hot beneath my feet, and I regret not wearing my sandals. I navigate through a sprinkling of beachgoers to find a spot near the water but not too close—just far enough to avoid the tidal reach.

I grab an empty lounger and settle down. The rhythmic sound of the waves sets a peaceful background as I open my book. As the hot Caribbean sun soaks into my skin, I lose myself in the pages, escaping into the world of the story.

I must be thoroughly engrossed because I don"t notice Sullivan until he"s standing over me, casting a shadow over my book. "Really, asshole? You couldn"t have waited for me?" he grumbles, his voice tinged with annoyance.

I look up at him, squinting against the sun. He"s standing there with his hands on his hips like an impatient child. "Oops," I say with an unapologetic grin. "The beach was calling my name. Besides, I figured you"d want to wander your way through the bar before finding your way out here."

He rolls his eyes, dropping his belongings onto the sand next to mine. "I thought we were going to check out the bar together," he points out, flopping down on the empty lounger beside me.

I sit up, reaching into my beach bag to hand him the sunscreen. "Put this shit on. I don't fucking want to have to take care of your whiny ass when you get sunburned."

"Asshole," he mumbles under his breath. While applying the lotion, his complaints continue, a litany of his displeasure with me. Eventually, his voice becomes background noise, blending with the crash of waves and the distant chatter of other beachgoers.

Needing a break from his steady stream of grievances, I get to my feet and tuck my book away. "I"m going for a swim," I announce, stepping away before he can object. The water looks inviting, a beautiful shimmer under the bright sun.

I wade into the surf, the cool water lapping at my ankles, then my knees, and finally my waist. I push off my feet and immerse myself fully, feeling the warmth of the sun contrast with the bracing touch of the waves. Once I'm far enough out, I float on my back, letting the ocean carry me.

Out here, away from the shore, it's tranquil. I can still hear Sullivan's distant mumbling, but it's muffled, reduced to a hum by the water and the distance. I close my eyes and let the water cradle me, the sun warming my face.

In the water's gentle embrace, I let myself drift, eyes closed and mind clear. The Caribbean heat is a perfect counter to the water"s cool caress. Time seems to stretch, and for a few moments, everything is perfectly still.

Suddenly, a powerful surge disrupts the calm, and I feel myself lifted and tossed by a massive wave. Panic seizes me as I"m pulled under, the world flipping as the water engulfs me. I twist and turn, disoriented, struggling to figure out which way is up.

I kick my legs and thrash my arms, fighting to find the surface, but the current is ruthless, dragging me deeper into its aqua depths. As my lungs begin to burn, I feel the pressure building in my chest. Fucking hell. I'm going to goddamn die on the vacation I didn't really want to come on. I tell myself to stay calm, but fear cuts through my thoughts.

I look around desperately for any glimmer of light, any sign of the surface, but everything is a swirling blur of bright blue and bubbles. It"s like I"m caught in an endless, spinning tunnel, with the water pressing in around me.

I keep pushing, kicking harder, but the wave"s grip is relentless. My muscles ache from the effort, and my lungs scream for air. My strength wanes as desperation flows through me.

Just when I think I can"t hold on any longer, I catch a glimpse of brightness, a small hint of sunlight filtering through the water. With every ounce of energy I have left, I propel myself toward it, my arms reaching, straining.

The water seems to be fighting me, pulling me down as I try to swim to the surface. But I don"t give up. I can"t give up, even as my energy evaporates. Out of nowhere, soft arms wrap around me and tug hard. My goddamn guardian angel is bruising a rib.

We break the surface together, gasping, choking. As I cough and sputter, my chest heaves, filling my lungs with much-needed air. The sunlight is blinding, but I blink several times. Goddamn. I'm fucking dead. I have to be because the perfection before me doesn't exist on earth.

"Are you okay?" she asks as we both kick our way toward the shore.

I shake my head since my near-death experience stole my ability to speak.

We stumble onto the shore, and I look over to find my dumbass brother snoring on the lounger. Fucker would've felt bad if I'd died.

I drop down onto the hot sand and take several deep breaths, trying to bring my breathing under control. When I look up and see her emerging from the water, all the blood in my body rushes straight for my cock. She has a presence that commands attention, and I'm instantly captivated. Her curvy figure moves with a natural grace, each step leaving a delicate imprint on the wet sand.

Her long, curly hair is soaked, cascading down her back in mesmerizing chestnut waves, glistening with droplets of ocean water that catch the sunlight. Her heart-shaped face is framed perfectly by those wild, wet curls, enhancing her striking features.

But it"s her eyes that truly draw me in. Big and green, they seem almost otherworldly, reflecting the vastness of the ocean behind her. Once I get enough oxygen to my brain that it can function, I'll figure out all the secrets she's hiding behind those stunning bright eyes. There's a depth in them, a story I can"t quite read, but I'm fucking eager to learn.

She kneels next to me, and it's like the world around us fades away. At this moment, it"s as though the entire beach exists just for the two of us.