Wild Crown Read online

  Wild Crown

  Tyson Wild Book Eleven

  Tripp Ellis

  Contents

  Welcome

  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

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Author’s Note

  Tyson Wild

  Max Mars

  Connect With Me

  Copyright © 2020 by Tripp Ellis

  All rights reserved. Worldwide.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents, except for incidental references to public figures, products, or services, are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental, and not intended to refer to any living person or to disparage any company’s products or services. All characters engaging in sexual activity are above the age of consent.

  No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, uploaded, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter devised, without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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  1

  It was the moment Jack Donovan had been waiting for his entire life. Gorgeous girls scampered about backstage in skimpy, yet classy, bikinis. There were no T-back thongs flossing tight cheeks. No gratuitous revelations of side or under-boob bulging from microscopic fabric. All the bikini tops were padded, so no perkiness showed through. In essence, none of the things that Jack found most gratifying about bikinis. Still, he was in seventh heaven.

  Taut fabric clung to delightful curves. Tall stilettos clacked against the floor backstage, accentuating toned calf muscles. JD tried to contain his enthusiasm, but his wide eyes flicked about, taking in the sumptuous sights.

  This was only the second time in recent memory that I’d seen him wearing a complete suit. His usual attire consisted of a T-shirt, a Hawaiian shirt, a pair of cargo shorts, and checkered Vans. But today, he looked rather presentable with his hair pulled back in a slick ponytail. He seemed to be taking this whole judging thing seriously. Well, as seriously as Jack could take anything.

  There was enough hairspray lingering in the air that if you struck a match, the ballroom might explode. Makeup artists put the finishing touches on stunning faces that they had painted to perfection. Not a hair was out of place. The false lashes were long and full. The eyeshadow was rich and vibrant with metallic flakes that sparkled under the lights. Noses, cheeks, and jaw lines were contoured. What would take a plastic surgeon a scalpel and months of recovery, these make-up artists could accomplish with an airbrush within hours—though it would be temporary. But temporary was all that mattered. These girls just needed to look gorgeous for the next several hours, then they could wash it off and start all over again the next day.

  The before-and-after transformations were nothing short of amazing. Some of these girls you wouldn’t even recognize without makeup.

  The bikinis were sprayed with adhesive to make sure they stayed in place. There would be no wardrobe malfunctions at this event.

  This was it—the preliminary swimsuit competition.

  There would be several rounds of preliminary competitions, including an interview portion and an evening gown competition. The main event would occur later with a selection of semifinalists making it to the second round to determine who would become the reigning Miss Coconut Key.

  The ballroom of the Seven Seas was packed with eager audience members. Camera crews covered the event from multiple angles, streaming it live on the Internet. The ballroom had been transformed into a spectacular arena that would host the most stunning beauties on the planet. A long runway split the middle of the crowd like a landing strip with running lights on the sides. Spotlights slashed the air and illuminated the stage. LED screens on the stage provided an ever-changing backdrop. To the left side of the stage was the announcers' booth where the two co-hosts would introduce the girls and comment on the preliminaries.

  Front row, center stage, was a table for the selection committee. JD and I were two of seven judges scoring the competition. We didn’t know the first thing about judging beauty contests, but the criteria seemed rather obvious.

  Crystal Connors, the pageant director, walked by with a dapper man, wearing a tuxedo.

  “Are you ready?” JD asked Crystal.

  The stunning blonde with perfect posture looked slightly frazzled. “I think so,” Crystal said. “Controlled chaos.” She forced a smile. “Have you two met Doctor Fantastic?”

  She introduced us to the handsome man with dark hair, dark eyes, and a square jaw line.

  We shook hands.

  “Dominic Fantazio,” he said.

  “We call him Doctor Fantastic because his work is amazing!” Crystal said.

  He smiled and feigned humility.

  “He’s done work on quite a few of our contestants, though you probably wouldn’t be able to tell. His work is so transparent and natural.”

  “Thank you, Crystal,” he said.

  “He’s one of the sponsors of the pageant, and we recommend him to all the girls,” Crystal said.

  A contestant standing nearby overheard the conversation. “I can vouch for him. He did my tits, and I love them. They’re so natural, see,” she said arching out her chest, displaying what was, indeed, a beautiful enhancement.

  “Go ahead, feel them. I don’t mind,” she said.

  Jack’s eyes widened.

  She grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. “Go ahead. Squeeze them!”

  Jack looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He didn’t know what to do for a moment. I mean, he knew what to do, but it was just a little awkward.

  Jack fondled the merchandise for a moment, trying to maintain a professional demeanor. He checked for softness and buoyancy, then removed his hands before it went on for too long. He glanced to Doctor Fantastic and said, “Very nice work, indeed.”

  The girl smiled and spun around, scurrying to get in line for the event.

  Jack muttered to me, “I think we’re in the wrong line of work.” Then he asked the doctor, “How long does it take to get a medical license?”

  Doctor Fantastic chuckled, “A long time.”

  Jack snapped his fingers and grimaced, “Damn. I’d probably be dead by the time I got out of med school.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Crystal and Doctor Fantastic continued their journey backstage, wishing the contestants well and checking on last-minute details.
/>   We watched the chaos for another moment before taking our seats with the selection committee. The other judges were made up mostly of former contestants, TV hosts, fashion designers, and a CEO of a cosmetic company.

  The music began, and bass thumped through massive speakers. The lights swirled, and the backdrop of LED screens lit up with the logo of Miss Coconut Key. Excitement was in the air as Crystal Connors took the stage to a massive round of applause. She had a perfect smile, and her white teeth glimmered under the spotlights. She held a wireless microphone in one hand and waved to the crowd with the other. Like all the pageant contestants, her blonde hair was coiffed to perfection. Her makeup flawless.

  “Good evening, and welcome to the 10th annual Miss Coconut Key Pageant!”

  The arena erupted with cheers and applause.

  “I’m Crystal Connors, your pageant director.”

  She paused for more applause.

  “We have a wonderful event planned for you. Behind that stage, the most beautiful women in the world are ready to dazzle you. This evening’s preliminary competition will begin shortly. First, I would like to introduce our two co-hosts, former Miss Coconut Key, Jessica Sinclair, and designer to the stars, Jonah Jacobs.

  More applause filled the ballroom.

  The two co-hosts entered the stage with beaming smiles, waving at the crowd. Jessica was a brunette, wearing a white sequined dress that sparkled under the lights. Jonah wore a black tuxedo with ultra skinny pants. They joined Crystal at the end of the runway.

  Their image appeared on the monitors at the back of the stage.

  “I’d just like to say we are so honored to be here and be a part of this wonderful pageant,” Jessica said. “It has changed my life. And I am forever grateful to Crystal for the opportunity she has given me.”

  Crystal bowed, humbly.

  "I'm just here for the free drinks and the sparkly evening gowns,” Jonah said in a sassy tone.

  The ballroom erupted with laughter.

  "I may not have a crown, but I am royalty," he said with a grin.

  There were more laughs.

  "You certainly are that," Crystal said.

  "In all seriousness, thank you,” Jonah said. “It is an honor to be here, and I am so humbled. This pageant is unlike any other in the world, and backstage we have 34 of the most beautiful girls in the galaxy. You judges are going to have a hard time."

  "Let's give it up for our selection committee," Crystal said.

  Applause and whistles filled the ballroom, and all eyes turned to the table of judges.

  We nodded, smiled, and waved.

  "Well, let's get down to business,” Crystal said. "You all came to see these ladies in action, so let's get this party started!"

  The music blasted, and fireworks exploded on the LED screens.

  Crystal strutted down the runway and exited the stage while Jessica and Jonah made their way to the announcers' booth.

  "First up this evening," Jessica said, "we have Willow Rose!"

  There were more cheers and applause as a beautiful strawberry-blonde with shoulder length hair strutted to the stage. She was a breathtaking girl next-door. Clear, creamy skin, sparkling blue eyes, pillowy lips, and a classic body that looked like she didn't have to work for it. Her bright smile lit up the stage, and her hips swayed from side to side as her heels clacked against the shiny black runway. She waved to the crowd.

  "Willow is an education major, and she aims to have a career teaching disabled children," Jessica continued. "She hopes to spread her mission of caring, generosity, and empathy to all those she encounters."

  There was another round of generous applause as Willow strutted around the stage.

  “She can spread her generosity and compassion all over me," JD muttered in my ear.

  I rolled my eyes. "Stay focused, JD."

  "Believe me. She has my full attention."

  "Give a warm round of applause for our next contestant, Taylor Lexington!" Jonah said, dragging out her last name like he was announcing a boxer into the ring.

  Willow left the stage, passing by the sultry brunette. Taylor was everything Willow wasn’t. She had dark hair, smokey eyes, tanned skin, and a sensual body that had seen countless hours in the gym. She filled out her bikini in mesmerizing ways. She was the kind of woman that men left their wives for. Her eyes smoldered with naughtiness. She strutted across the stage with confidence.

  Then catastrophe struck.

  The audience sucked in a collective gasp.

  2

  You could hear the crack over the pumping music. The 4-inch stiletto heel snapped. Taylor’s ankle twisted, and she smacked the stage. Her skin squeaked against the shiny surface like sneakers on a basketball court.

  Jaws dropped, and eyes widened.

  Taylor maintained a smile through it all.

  She pushed off the ground, kicked off her shoes, and continued strutting down the runway on her tiptoes like nothing had happened.

  The moisturizer on her thighs left a smudge on the stage which could very well cause complications for others as the night wore on.

  The audience burst into applause at Taylor’s determination and unflappable will.

  "Taylor is majoring in kinesiology and hopes to be a physical therapist," Jessica said. "She feels that helping people live a full and pain-free life is one of the highest callings."

  Taylor sauntered to the end of the runway, waved, smiled, then spun around and marched back. Her hips swayed from side to side, showing off her toned glutes. She scooped up her broken heels along the way, then exited the stage.

  "Not only is she beautiful, she's got brains," Jessica said, announcing the next contestant. "Brooklyn Chase has recently graduated medical school and has started her residency at Coconut Key General Hospital. She hopes to be a trauma surgeon and save lives.”

  Brooklyn strutted onto the stage with a sultry grin and a sparkle in her blue eyes. She had auburn hair, creamy skin, and a body that warranted further examination.

  "Something tells me that with Dr. Chase in the ER, there will be a lot more visitors," Jessica said.

  "Do you think she would give me mouth-to-mouth if I pretend to have a heart attack?" JD asked.

  My eyes followed Dr. Chase’s enticing curves as she sauntered up and down the stage. Damn, she looked good!

  I was sure that after too much of this, smoke would pour out of JD’s ears. His brain would short-circuit from the overload of pleasurable stimuli. Hell, I was about to fry a logic board.

  We each had an iPad where we could enter our scores. I don't think I was doing a very good job judging because I wanted to give all of them the highest marks.

  "As one of Coconut Key's finest, Denise Elliot is helping make the streets safer for our residents and tourists," Jonah said.

  Denise sauntered onto the stage like a goddess. Her hips swayed from side to side, and her perky assets bounced. Her shimmering red hair looked like flickering flames under the lights, and her emerald eyes sparkled. The old men in the audience didn't need pacemakers when Denise was on stage. She’d make any man’s pulse pound. I felt my heartbeat increase, and I swallowed hard.

  "With a deputy like Denise, I'm sure the county jail is full," Jonah said.

  "Impartial," JD muttered in my ear.

  Screw impartial, I gave Denise a perfect score. I wanted to go back and lower the other girl’s scores just to give Denise a higher one, but I didn't do that. I had assured her that there would be no conflict of interest with JD and I as judges, but clearly there was. How could I possibly separate my feelings for her and be objective?

  She was absolutely gorgeous.

  "If I were you, I would think about quitting the department," JD said.

  I looked at him like he was crazy.

  "Then you might be able to actually date her," he said. "You'd be a fool to let that one slip away."

  "We're just friends," I said.

  "No. You and I are just friends. You and her… that somethi
ng else entirely. She ain’t gonna stay single forever, just saying."

  I watched Denise strut offstage and tried to pretend JD didn't know what the hell he was talking about.

  "Our next contestant is a political science major and plans on attending law school. She wants to focus on entertainment law and become an attorney to the stars. Please welcome to the stage Skylar Van Doorn!"

  The audience erupted with applause louder than anything previously heard. People launched from their seats, giving a standing ovation.

  Skylar was the odds-on favorite to win the pageant.

  Everybody knew it.

  She’d previously been crowned Miss Teen Coconut Key and had won several other pageants. She was a striking beauty, but the stage remained empty.

  Jonah announced her one more time, just in case she missed her cue. “Please, welcome to the stage, Miss Skylar Van Doorn!”

  There was more applause which faded quickly when Skylar didn't take the stage.

  Enthusiasm turned to concern.

  There was a gap on the runway.

  There was never supposed to be a gap on the runway.

  This was a live broadcast. This kind of delay was unacceptable.

  A look of confusion twisted on Jonah's face. He pushed the earbud deeper into his ear as he listened intently. I figured that Crystal Connors was probably whispering something into his ear over the comm line.