Fighting Secrets
Unbreakable Series: Book 2
D.R. Bohannon
Bohannon Publishing
Copyright © 2021 D.R. Bohannon
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 9781234567890
ISBN-10: 1477123456
Cover design by: Art Painter
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309
Printed in the United States of America
Fighting Secrets
Hope and love. Two simple words that have a big meaning. Both can help you overcome your deepest fears. Believing in yourself is a must to get anywhere in life.
In times of hardship, we look to our loved ones to give us strength. To help pick us up when we are down. At some point in time, you have to learn to pick yourself up. If you become your own hero, you’ll be a hero to others. Trust your instincts and follow your heart. Always stand up for what’s right, even if it isn’t the easy thing to do.
The world is a scary place and while many turn a blind eye, others fight for what’s right because of the small ember of hope burning in us all.
Chapter 1
Janet, my agent, follows me off the plane and into the airport. My life as a celebrity is about to go back into full swing. I take a deep breath before walking in front of the crowd. Screams become louder, the camera flashes brighter. Returning to L.A., my current home, after a summer away, has been more eventful than actually staying here. My home is in Kentucky with my parents and two older brothers, Sam and Alex.
My history in the love department is not a good one. I was beaten and used. My ex-boyfriend, Jason, made it seem as if I needed him in order to be successful as an actress. He also enjoyed drilling the fact that he loved me more than any other guy ever could into my head. That couldn't have been further from the truth. The truth is, he was the one who needed me to be successful. My career was doing wonderfully without him in my life.
This summer I took off. I was looking to unwind and relax. Janet booked us a stay in Illinois in a quaint little town.
When we reach the airport lobby, I'm instantly surrounded by media personnel. I smile, listening to every photographer's request to pose for them. When I'm focused forward, they yell my name, asking me to turn right or left. When I'm left, they want me to look forward or to the right. I try to accommodate all their wishes. I pause in every direction for a few seconds. Buttterflies tickle inside my stomach. not because of the paparazzi, but being in the airport reminds me of the day I met Tyler. His jet black hair, kind brown eyes, tan skin, and well-defined body wasa welcomed sight. I wasn't looking for anyone, but Tyler was put in my life for a reason. I could feel it the very first day we met, and the feeling has only intensified over this past summer.
I feel Janet's hand on my arm and know it's time to move on. My bodygaurds move in around us to escort use to the car waiting just outside the airport entrance. It's sort of strange to come back to all this hype after being secluded for a while. Crowds are a part of my life and I have to get used to them again.
"We love you." Fans yell, "You're awesome!"
"Thanks." I smile. "I love you guys, too." I try to keep my reputation kind, even though sometimes I wish they would just leave me alone. The crowd stretches through the entire airport and out to the limo outside. I keep a smile on my face and wave as we make our way outside.
Once outside the airport, one bodygaurd opens the door to the limo. I climb in first and scoot to the other side. Janet slides in after me. The guard closes the door behind her. The voices outside become muffled. I press my index finger to my temple, trying to relieve the headache that has appeared. It's probaby my nerves mixed with stress. The car pulls onto the busy streets of L.A. I close my eyes to keep the sun out and try to rest on the way to my apartment. Janet is busy doing her manager duties, figuring out my schedule. I don't even have to look or ask. I know how she is.
The car comes to a stop in front of my apartment building. It is located inside a gated area, so I don't have to worry about crowds or my prvacy as much. I rub my sleepy eyes and open the limo door. Janet has already pulled my bags from the trunk of the car. She stands, smiling at me. I give her a slight smile as we head towards my room. I follow her from the car, to the lobby, and up the stairs to my door. We remain silent until I get inside.
"Home at last," I say. Although I don't feel at home here anymore. I'd much rather be with Tyler or in Kentucky with my family. I try to sound happy enough so Janet won't ask questions.
"Are you going to be okay?" Janet asks. As my mom's best friend and a second mom to me, I know she wants reassurance that I will be fine.
I force a smile. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Janet pats my shoulder. "I know how you are."
I tend to worry and overthing things. It's something I continue to work on.
"I'll be fine." I sigh. "Really."
She stares at me for a few seconds longer before leaning in for a hug. I hug her back, hoping she doesn't see how lonely I'm afraid I'm going to feel when she leaves. She releases me and waves before closing the door behind her. That same alone feeling I felt on the plane doubles in intesity. I know I'll be okay. I've been alone many times, but I've gotten spoiled by the amount of attention Tyler gave me. It's hard to go from all of that to nothing. None. Just me. Alone.
I raise my shirt enough to look at my heart-shaped birthmark just above my hip. I run my finger over it, remembering Tyler's touch. Many people have birthmarks, but I keep mine hidden from the world. When I was a child, my mother told me it was important to keep it a secret. I never questioned why. I used to be ashamed of it and looked at it as a defect and an imperfection. Tyler changed that. He sees it not as an imperfection, but as something beautiful. I rememebr the first time he saw my birthmark. It looks like a heart, he said, while running his fingers over it. His voice sounded amused. I was lying on his couch after taking a beating from my ex-boyfriend, Jason, who did a wonderful job of stalking me. Tyler was healing my broken ribs and bruised face. All of which was courteous of Jason. Jealousy and the need to be in control drove him over the edge in the end.
To say Tyler is gifted with power is an understatement. He has the unique gift to heal not only himself, but people and animals as well. Because Tyler is a Shaman, he has an overwhelming urge to help. Some people see his healing powers as a weakness. He also has the incredible ability as a shapeshifter. All of this adds to his uniqueness in my eyes.
After getting out of an abusive relationship with Jason, I didn't want to fall in love with anyone again. But upon meeting Tyler, my life has changed. Changed in ways I couldn't have imagined. Tyler has shown me what true love is. Above that, he has shown me another world.
A knock comes from my door. The sound brings me back to reality and out of my head. Did Janet forget something? I open the door and feel an immediate smile emerge. Tyler.
Tyler smiles slightly but seems to be distracted with something going on outside. Maybe it's because he doesn't like big cities and L.A. is definitely out of his comfort zone.
I throw my arms around his neck. "What are you doing here?"
"I told you I couldn't stay away from long," he says, wrapping his arms around my waist. He plants a friendly kiss on my lips.
"How long are you
staying?" I ask, stepping back.
"As long as I'm needed." Tyler looks down the hall of the apartment building. "Are you going to invite me in?" He seems suspicious. I feel my smile fading. Why is he acting so strange?
"Of course," I say, leading him in. He sits on the couch and pats the seat next to him. I knew he would come, but I didn't think it would be this soon. Not that I'm complaining. He is always welcome here. I sit beside him with my hands on my knees.
"Are you happy, Kentucky?" he sighs.
I don't know hwat to make of the question. I wonder if I should be worried. I try to push the negative thoughts out of my mind. "I'm happy. Happy I found you. Happy you showed me a new world." I smile.
"Are you sure my world isn't too weird for you?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
"Weird is better than boring. It's full of adventure, and to think it all started on a summer's night." Another one of my favorite nights with Tyler was before I knew he was a shapeshifter. An Eagle who I named, Mr. Eagle, would visit me outside my room window at the Inn we were staying at. I thought it was strange how he kept coming back, but decided he was just a friendly bird. Later I found out Tyler had been Mr. Eagle. I admit I felt odd about it at first.
"Can I ask you another question?" Tyler frowns.
"Since when do you need to ask permission?" I ask.
"This is kind of a private matter, so that's why I'm asking."
"Okay?" I don't know what he wouldn't know about me by now. His eyes continue searching. He glances at the windows.
"You birthmark," Tyler raises my shirt just enough to see it near my left hip. He runs his fingers over it just as he did before. I take his hand in mine.
"I was born with it. My mom said I was specail because an angel had kissed me." I pause, "Do you not want me now that I'm damaged goods?" I joke but see his eyes turn a little worried. "Is there something wrong?"
Tyler shakes his head, "No, not with you... there's just something I should tell you." His lips tighten, forming a straight line. Now he has my complete attention. I feel myself becoming jittery.
"What is it, Tyler?" His actions are putting my nerves on edge.
"Remember the story I told you about the gypsy woman and my grandfather?"
"How could I forget? The woman was ill and your grandfather healed her." He told me the story right before showing me his Shaman gift that was passed down to him from his grandfather, a Chief. Tyler had healed a sprained ankle I had given myself. Being clumsy is a specialty of mine.
"Yes. She could also tell the future."
I nod. He hadn't told me that before. But it's common knowledge that Gypsies are said to have such a gift.
Tyler slides his hand into mine. "There's more to the story,” he continues. “She told my grandfather that his grandson, meaning me, would meet a girl who needs to be protected, for she holds the key necessary to overcome hardships that lie ahead.”
I shake my head. “That doesn’t mean it’s me.” Not that it would thrill me with him protecting another girl, but this message just doesn’t seem like I’m the girl that was spoken of.
“Kris, let me finish.” His voice is stern. I know he’s trying to get a point across. “She said I would fall for her and wouldn’t be able to keep away. I would know her by the birthmark in the shape of a heart near her hip, given to her by angels, for she possesses a special gift.” I feel goosebumps arise. I shiver.
“Tyler, I’m just an actress.” I shrug. “Acting is my gift.”
“You have many beautiful gifts, acting being one.” He squeezes my hand. “Kris, I believe you to be the girl the gypsy woman spoke of. I have never in my life felt the pull I felt the first time we met. That pull has been a constant in my life ever since. It is a feeling I can’t explain, but I know you feel it too.” His eyes continue to stare deep inside of mine. “The gypsy told my grandfather I would need to protect you and teach you how to defend yourself both mentally and physically.”
“Learn to defend myself? Why?”
“Jason didn’t just stumble upon you, Kris. I believe you were and still are being watched.”
“I’m always being watched.” I cross my arms in front of me. “That is nothing new to me.”
“No, not in that way. Not by your fans.” Tyler pulls a wrinkled yellow-tinged folded piece of paper from his back pocket. “I found this years ago at my grandfather’s house,” he says, handing the paper to me.
I unfold the paper and try to make out the words on the page.
Grandson,
Your gifts alone will not be enough to save the people you love, let alone this world. Find the girl with the heart-shaped birthmark and teach her Arrowhead’s ways. The true ways. I know Arrowhead is a troubled place since the new leader took over but, it will keep you hidden until you both are ready. Be there for her, help her find herself. Many will be against you, but the few that stand with you will be great. The love you two will have for one another isn’t just fated, it is pure. Love is the ultimate healer. The story I told you when you were a young boy is not a Tall Tale, as you might have believed.–Grandfather
I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
Tyler takes the paper from my hands and folds it back up to fit in his pocket. “There has been talk of a secret government agency. They are planning something that would change the way we live life now. They are the hardships that lie ahead. You are the key.”
I want to believe he’s joking, but his serious expression and hard eyes show me he’s not. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants, hoping to calm the shakiness. It doesn’t work.
“I’m some kind of key?” The thought is overwhelming. If I really was some kind of key, why wouldn’t I have known before now?
“Yes. There is evidence Jason was working for the secret agency. He wasn’t just trying to get you to come back with him. He was going to take you to the agency to have you removed as a foreseen problem. He was going to let them kill you, Kris.”
I wish Tyler would stop staring at the windows because it’s making me more nervous. “What about my family?”
“Sarah has gone with Kyle to get them and take them to safety.” It makes me feel better my two best friends are helping my family. Sarah is Tyler’s cousin and a sister to me that I never had. Kyle has been my best friend since we were young and even lived with my family and me for a while.
“This is ridiculous.” My breathing has become rapid. “Why didn’t you say something before I came all the way back here?”
“They were watching, Kris. I don’t have very much more time to explain.” Tyler stands and takes my hand. “We have to go.”
I tug on his arm, stopping him for a second. “Stay with me always?” I ask.
He smiles. “Always and forevermore.” He kisses my forehead and helps me stand. Before I can wrap my mind around all of this, he has me out of my apartment door.
I don’t know where we’re going, but I know I can’t stay here. I trust what Tyler says, although I don’t understand. He leads me down the apartment building stairs and into the lobby. He peers outside, assessing the situation before we walk out. Things seem normal to me. I wish I knew what it is he is looking out for. I follow his gaze to a black motorcycle sitting right outside the door. He pulls me forward towards it.
Tyler throws a leg over, straddling the bike. “Get on,” he says, starting it up. I can’t believe he is serious. Of all the different transportation we could use, he wants me to ride on this? I tell myself it will be all right. He isn’t going to do anything that would put me in danger. I take a deep breath and get on behind him, wrap my arms around his chest, and hold on tight.
“Where are we going?” I ask over the engine revving up.
“Underground,” Tyler says, as the bike moves forward.
“Why are we going underground?” I yell.
Tyler shakes his head at me and guns the throttle of the motorcycle. I want to know more about what’s going on, but it’s a wasted breath in all of this commotion since I
wouldn’t be able to hear him, anyway. Tyler continues down the busy streets, zooming in and out of traffic. He moves so fast I’m afraid we may collide with another vehicle. I pinch my eyes closed to keep myself from becoming too afraid. I trust we will get to where ever we are going in one piece.
Fighting Secrets: Unbreakable Series, Book 2 Page 1
