by Kelly Moore
Fallon’s Revenge
Fated Lives Series
Kelly Moore
Edited by
Kerry Genova
Fallon’s Revenge
Copyright © 2020 by Kelly Moore
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
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
About the Author
Also by Kelly Moore
Chapter 1
Theo
One year before the last book ended.
* * *
“I can’t believe this day is finally here.” I tug on my black satin bow tie.
“Let me do this.” Rebel straightens it and slaps me on the shoulder. “Why didn’t you wear your military uniform?”
“Because my soon-to-be wife wanted to see her good-looking guy in a tuxedo.” His grin is slight as I admire myself in the mirror. “Thanks for being my best man.” I shrug my jacket over my shoulders, maneuvering my mechanical arm in the sleeve.
“What else was I going to do today?” he teases.
I finish settling my jacket on my body, and my gaze eases up to his. “This has to be hard for you.” I know how much he still misses Fallon and feels cheated out of a life with her.
I see the ache roll around in his eyes and the firming of his jaw as he holds it together. “Not at all, brother. I couldn’t be happier seeing my best friend tying the knot to such a sweet lady. She’s been through a lot of shit in her life, and she deserves the love of a good man.”
“She sure does.” We both turn to Lawson’s voice. He stops in front of me and shoves his hands deep into his pockets. “This is the part where I warn you to never hurt my daughter.” His facial expression is serious, but I see a glint in his eyes.
I scowl before I realize he’s joshing with me. “I, um…wait, you’re kidding with me, right?”
Lawson pulls me in for a hard hug. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to her, man. I know you’ll love and protect her with your life like you already have.”
“With you training her, I don’t think she needs me for protection anymore. She can kick some serious ass.”
He draws back to look at me “Don’t you forget it.” He winks this time, slapping me on the cheek.
I clear my throat. “I want you to know that I will spend the rest of my life making her happy.”
“She is happy.” Lawson drops his hands to his side.
“I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished. Most women wouldn’t have survived the nightmare she’s lived through.”
“She wouldn’t have done any of that without you by her side. You saved her. You’ve stood by her on many a bad day. You encouraged her to go to school and make something of herself. More importantly to me, you’ve had the patience of Job.”
I’ve only shared with Rebel that we’ve not had sex yet. She wanted to wait until we were married. When she gave herself freely to a man, she wanted it to be the man she’d marry. I can understand after her ordeal. She told me she will never have sex with another person again. I’ve respected her decision, but I’ve had blue balls for a long time.
“You know about that, huh?” I say in a whisper, tilting my gaze downward.
Lawson squats to look in my eyes. “Hey,” he says, and I glance up. “I love you for it.”
“Alright, enough of the mushy shit. You’re starting to sound like a bunch of women.” Rebel chuckles.
“Does that mean I get to call you Dad?” I laugh.
“Not on your life.” Lawson presses a finger to my chest.
Thorn fills the doorway with his body. “It’s time,” he barks.
I focus in the mirror one last time to see the face of a man that will forever change after this day. I can’t wait to permanently take Fiona as my wife. My soul mate. I pat my tux pocket to make sure I have my vows I wrote safely tucked into my pocket.
In the reflection of the mirror, I see Dr. Ruth wrap herself into Thorn’s side.
I clear my throat. “Do you think that Doctor Ruth and I could have a minute together?”
Thorn arches a dark brow. “You want time alone with my woman?” His tone is dryer than the desert.
“I need her professional advice on a matter.” I turn to face him.
She flattens her hand on his white shirt and kisses his jaw. “It’s okay. This won’t take but a minute. I’ll meet you in the church.”
He grunts but gives in to her. “You have five minutes.” He points in my direction and exits the room with Rebel and Lawson behind him.
Dr. Ruth waits for them to clear the room and quietly shuts the door. “This has to do with your honeymoon night, doesn’t it?” She walks toward me.
“I…” I shuffle my feet. “What if…” I blow out a breath.
She places her hands on my shoulders. “You will be fine. Fiona loves you, and she’s ready for this.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“You know I can’t tell you what’s said between the two of us.”
I feel my entire body slump.
“But what I can tell you is that I know if she wasn’t ready, she wouldn’t have been the one to pop the question.” She lifts my chin. “How many times did you ask her and she said no?”
I count in my head. “Three.”
“That should tell you something. All the other times, she wasn’t willing to completely let go of her past. She’s worked hard to move on, and this is her final step.”
“I don’t want to hurt her.” The words slip out.
“You mean physically?” She tilts her head to the side. “You won’t hurt her.”
“What if when I touch her, it triggers memories of every man that’s laid a hand on her.”
“I’ve given her coping skills. She knows how to use them. Besides, I don’t think that’s likely to happen. She loves you and trusts you more than anyone in this world. Have faith in her. You know how far she’s come.”
“Thank you. I don’t think either one of us would’ve recovered from the things we’ve been through if it weren’t for you.” I place a quick kiss on her cheek.
“I gave you the tools. You two did the rest.”
She straightens my tie. “Now, we’d better go before Thorn storms through the door.”
I hold out my elbow, and she drapes her hand over my forearm. “I don’t know what you see in him. He’s like a grumpy old man.” I’m really only kidding. He’s a good guy.
She giggles. “I guess he can be, but he’s the love of my life, and I’ll put up with his grunting and groaning.”
I open the door, and Thorn is larger than life at the end of the hallway, glaring in our direction. His gaze lands on where her hand is touching my arm, and I laugh.
“I didn’t realize you were the jealous type.�
�
“I’m not. I don’t want her hands on anyone but me.” He grumbles and takes her from me.
“I think that is the definition of jealously.” I chuckle.
“Get your ass downstairs and find your own woman.”
Dr. Ruth playfully swats him on the ass. “Be nice and stop acting like a caveman.” She winks over her shoulder at me.
I follow them down and walk the aisle of the church filled with red canna lilies and twinkling white lights. The pews are sparsely filled with friends and family. Fiona wanted simple elegance but not a crowd of people. Rebel is already standing at the altar alongside the minister Fiona chose. I make it up to the altar and do an about-face. I see the Gunner team and think how far we’ve all come.
Commander Lukas stands tall in the back. Mad Dog is sandwiched between Honor and Tate. Remington and Williams are pointing at a pretty blonde across the aisle. Thorn sits in the front row and smiles up at me.
The only two people missing are Hazel and Sean. An ache builds in my gut, and I can’t imagine what Rebel must be feeling. I cast my gaze over at him, and his squared chin is jutted in the air.
“They’d both be so happy for you,” he whispers.
Before I can respond, the music starts to play on the speakers. Dr. Ruth looks beautiful in her silky red gown. She holds a bouquet of white flowers in her hands as she heads in my direction. I watch Thorn light up like a man in love. Her eyes lock with his, and she smiles. I chuckle to myself when I see him adjust his crotch. She stops when she’s to the right of the altar and faces the guests.
Fiona and Lawson appear in the doorway, and the song changes to the wedding march. I can’t take my eyes off Fiona. She’s gorgeous. Her white dress drapes over one shoulder with sequins flowing over the top part of her gown. The bottom part flares out like a bell when she walks. Her red hair is off to one side in ringlets of curls with tiny white flowers entwined in it.
Her gaze doesn’t leave mine until she turns to stare at her father. Lawson’s face shows how proud he is to be in this moment with her. The daughter he never thought he’d find, much less usher down the aisle on her wedding day.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be giving you away to this honorable man.” You can hear the smile in his voice, and a tear slides down Fiona’s face.
“I’m so glad that you are my father. You’ve been so loving, kind, and patient with me. You didn’t force yourself into my life. You eased your way, and for that, I’m thankful.” She rises on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek, and he snorts back his tears.
It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. Lawson, this big, bad fighter, reduced to tears by a tiny, fierce redhead.
He angles toward me and shakes my hand. “I’m giving you my one and only daughter. Take care of her.”
“I plan on it.” He turns around and walks over to the first pew and sits. I take Fiona’s hand, and she steps up beside me.
The smile in her eyes makes me the happiest man in the world. I block everything else out but her. I’m lost in every part of her, thinking about how much I love this woman.
When I finally hear the preacher’s voice, he tells Fiona it’s time for our vows.
She hands her flowers to Dr. Ruth and positions her body toward me. She takes both of my hands in hers.
“I quit believing in fairy tales a long time ago. I was convinced there was no magic for me. No white knight or Prince Charming. Only frogs and the big bad wolf with sharp fangs.” Her voice quivers. “Then one day, that all changed for me. Magic filled the air, and you walked into my life.” She giggles. “Well, not really walked in. You took me kicking and screaming. But it didn’t take me long to realize that knights in shining armor do exist.” She releases one of my hands and places hers on my face. “You’ve filled me with more love than I ever knew existed. You saved me from a nightmare I thought would never end. Then you did what no man would’ve ever done for me.”
I choke on my question. “What was that?”
“You set me free. You gave me time to heal and find my place in this world. When I wanted to cling to you, you told me I needed space. Not that you did, but that I did, and I’m so thankful for that. You’ve supported my choices. You’ve let me curl up in a corner and bawl my eyes out when I needed to, then you encouraged me to go on. You didn’t run when you saw the ugly side of me. You held me and made me feel beautiful, all without ever thinking about your own feelings. I love you beyond measure, Theo Drake. I want nothing more than to be your wife for the rest of my life.”
Her words drive straight into my heart. My face is drenched from my tears, and I can’t find my words. The preacher says it’s my turn, but I’m speechless. When I don’t respond, Rebel’s large hand reaches around and pulls my written vows out of my pocket. He nudges me with his elbow and places my vows in my hand.
I can do nothing but stare at it. The tears filling my eyes prevent me from seeing the words I had written.
“You know what you want to say to her. You don’t have to read it.” Rebel’s voice is low in my ear.
I shove the paper in my pocket and lick away the dryness of my lips. “I’m not a knight in shining armor like you proclaim. I’m simply a man that is madly in love with you. You are the bravest person I know. That’s saying a lot with the likes of the men I hang around with. Their bravery can’t even be measured to yours. The fact that you would let me in after everything that’s happened to you speaks volumes.” I clear my throat. “And to set the record straight, it was you that saved me from a life of loneliness and not really ever knowing what it meant to truly love another person and to know what sacrifices I was willing to make for another human being. It’s you that taught me how to love and to be patient. You are my princess, and you deserve all the magic this world has to hold. I’m only thankful that you have deemed me your Prince Charming and not another toad.”
She laughs, and I draw her into my arms. “I love you, Fiona, and I always will.” I kiss her hard.
“I’d say it’s time to kiss the bride, but these two have already taken it out of my hands.” The preacher chuckles.
I release her, and we place our wedding rings in their rightful place then turn to face our friends and family. “I’m the luckiest man alive today.” I draw her hand to my lips and kiss her diamond ring.
After we walk the aisle together as man and wife, each member of my team stops to congratulate us. We all head out to Sean’s bar. Rebel insisted the reception be held there because Sean would want it that way, and I believe he’s right. I know this is the last place he saw Sean and Fallon. Maybe it makes him feel closer to them.
Fallon and Sean being here is the only thing that would’ve made this day completely perfect.
We dance, eat cake, make toasts, and it’s finally time for my wife’s present. God, that sounds good. I twirl her around on the dance floor one more time. “Fiona Drake. I have one more surprise for you.” I softly kiss her lips.
“What’s that, husband of mine?” She melts in my arms.
“We aren’t leaving for our honeymoon destination until tomorrow, so I got us a place I think you’re really going to like.”
“You know I don’t care where we stay as long as I’m with you,” she purrs.
“Have you told her yet?” Lawson’s voice is loud as he slaps me on the shoulder.
“Told me what?” Fiona asks.
“I was going to show her rather than tell her.” I scowl at him for ruining my moment. “Is this how it’s always going to be? You butting in at the perfect moment?”
“I’m sorry, Theo. I’m excited for the two of you.”
Now I feel bad. He did help me with the surprise. “It’s okay. Why don’t we show her together?”
“That’s a great idea,” he says, all too happy.
“That’s a really bad idea,” Rebel chimes in. “Let them have the night alone. You can go over in the morning before they leave.”
“Oh…you two…I can’t think about my daughte
r having sex.” He places his hand over his mouth.
“Dad!” Fiona snorts.
Tears well in Lawson’s eyes. “I think that’s the first time you’ve called me Dad.”
She steps on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek. “I know you love me, but I’d really like the night alone with my husband.”
“You’re right.”
I wrap my arms around her from behind. “I like the sound of husband coming from your lips.”
“I think it’s time we all call it a night!” Rebel yells.
A limo is waiting for us in front of the bar. I open the door, and Fiona climbs in the back. I turn to say something, and her hand reaches out and pulls me inside. Rebel slams the door, laughing.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” She pulls at my tie.
“Home.” I know she thinks that means back to our apartment at headquarters.
I give the address to the driver, and he slowly makes his way through town.
“This isn’t the way home.” Fiona looks out the window.
“It’s the way to our new home.” I snuggle her into my side.
“You bought a house?”
“I bought us a home with the help of Lawson. He made the down payment as a wedding gift.”
“Really? I never thought I’d have a place to call home.”
“I know you didn’t.” I kiss the side of her head, and she watches where we’re going.
The limo stops on the outskirts of town and pulls into a small neighborhood. The driver parks outside a modern-style dark gray home with silver panels as accents.
I get out and hold the door open. “This is beautiful.” She rushes toward the front door, but I grab her hand to stop her.
