Fallon's Revenge (Fated Lives Series Book 4)

by Kelly Moore

  “The Gunner team has sacrificed their lives for thousands, including women like your wife.” I kiss his cheek. “I’m so proud of all of you.”

  He turns and walks away, but not without glancing over his shoulder. I smile then walk back into the darkness of the night.

  Chapter 8

  Sean

  “Where’s Fallon?” I ask, rushing in the cottage door.

  “She went out. On a date, I think.” Ems pats the cushion next to her on the couch.

  “There’s no time.” I rush by her into my bedroom and start packing a bag. Then it dawns on me what she said. “She’s on a date?” I poke my head into the living room. I can tell she’s saying something because she has a habit of talking with her hands. “You know I can’t hear you,” I say loudly, I think.

  “Yes.” She stands, her five-foot-three frame coming toward me. “You sound like a jealous man.”

  “That’s not it at all, and you know it. Of all days to decide to move on, this is not it. We have to get out of here.”

  “If you’re leaving, I’m coming with you.”

  I place my hands on either side of her shoulders. She’s got pure fire in her eyes. “You can’t, and I won’t let you.”

  “I wasn’t asking,” she says. Her determination is seated in her brows. She may be small, but she’s mighty.

  “This is exactly why I didn’t want to get involved with anyone.”

  “Too late for that,” she quips. “You couldn’t resist me, and you know it.” Her fierceness turns into a sweet smile.

  “That may be true, but you’re staying here.” I’m not wavering as I walk away. I feel her grip on my upper back as she walks around me to face me.

  “I love you, Sean Rebel, and I’m more than capable of making my own decisions.”

  “I love you, too, and that’s exactly why I’m leaving. Fallon told you all about Nina. She’ll kill anyone that gets involved with us.”

  “I’ll take my chances.” She looks toward the living room as if she heard a noise. I walk out, and Fallon is coming through the door.

  “Thank god you’ve come to your senses. You were on a date? We need to get out of here.”

  She lays her purse on the couch, then stands directly in front of me. “I talked to Theo.”

  “What? I thought you said…”

  “I literally ran into him on accident. There was no getting away from him.”

  “Even more reason we need to leave.” Her eyes are saying something her words aren’t. One thing about being deaf is I’ve learned a lot about body language, and the truth is always in the eyes. It’s a good skill to have when it comes to women. “What are you not telling me?”

  She takes my hand, leads me to the couch, and we sit. I watch her carefully as she gathers her thoughts.

  “Did something happen back home?” I ask, and she looks up at me.

  “Derrick was in an accident.” Her lip starts to quiver, and I know it’s not good.

  “Is he…?” I can’t say the words.

  “He’s alive, but he’s not the same man.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask. Ember sits on the arm of the couch next to me and places her hand on my shoulder.

  “According to Theo, about a year ago, he saw Nina and took off after her. He wrecked and suffered severe brain trauma.”

  “We have to go home.” I stand. “I have to see him.”

  Fallon pulls me back down. “Let me finish. Physically he’s okay other than Theo says he uses a cane to walk.”

  “But…”

  “He lost a good portion of his memory. He doesn’t recall any of his time in the service.”

  “He doesn’t remember being a SEAL?” As I say it, pain fills her face. “He doesn’t know you.” The words slide off my tongue slowly as I put the pieces together.

  He doesn’t remember Fallon.

  He’ll never understand Lily is his daughter.

  Theo, Thorn…none of them.

  Nina.

  Shit.

  She could walk back into his life, and he’d let her.

  Maybe…

  Maybe that’s the plan.

  He’d finally get his revenge.

  I square my body with hers. “Is Theo sure? He could be faking it to get to Nina.”

  “He says he doesn’t remember any of them except Lawson. He’s the only one he knew prior to that time. Derrick bought land in Oregon. Lawson has a place on the same property and keeps an eye on him.”

  “Then he’d remember me.”

  “Yes, but he’d recall a brother that could hear. He wouldn’t understand what happened to you or the association with Nina.”

  “I don’t give a fuck! I’m going home!” I bolt off the couch.

  My tiny ball of fire cuts me off by blocking my path. Fallon moves around both of us so I can see her. “Nina is still out there. You know her rules. If anyone is going back, it’s me. I need you to take care of Lily. You’ll have to relocate. You can’t tell anyone where you are.” Her lip quivers. “Not even me.”

  “If you go, I go,” Ember says. “I can help take care of both of you.”

  “I don’t need anyone to take care of me!” My words are harsh. “What I need is to go see my brother. This has gone on long enough.”

  “Please. I have to do this, and I can’t if you don’t help me with Lily. Nina won’t kill me.”

  “That’s bullshit, and you know it. How many times has she tried?”

  “Think about it. If she really wanted me dead, I’d be lying in a grave beside Josie. Besides, things are different now.”

  “How? How are they different?” I know I’m yelling.

  “Lily has changed her.”

  I step up close to her. “Don’t you think for one minute that Nina wouldn’t take her from you.”

  Her gaze falls to the floor. “You’re probably right. She’s my sister, and she’s pure evil.”

  I lift her chin to look into her watery hazel eyes. “I’m sorry. I know how much you want her to be the kind of sister like Josie was. She will never be that. She’s a narcissistic sociopath. You can’t fix Nina by trying to love her. It doesn’t work that way, no matter how much you want it to.”

  She places her hand over her heart. “I know that in here. But even after all this time, I can’t wrap my head around it.”

  I want to protect her like she did me right after I was injured. I know if she’d have left me behind, I wouldn’t have healed like I have and learned to live independently, much less own a bar again. She didn’t let me crawl in a hole and die. She pushed me every day when I wanted to feel sorry for myself. Fallon taught me a new language and how to get around my disability. In fact, she insisted I never think of it that way. She said it was an opportunity to see the world and people differently. Every day, I’ve seen it. I wouldn’t have survived without her. I’ll do whatever she needs.

  “Okay,” I finally say after a long moment. “I know you need to go to him. It will take everything in me to let you go. I know she’s still out there…watching…waiting to pounce. She will kill you, given a chance.”

  “Then I have to be smarter than her. I’ve learned to fight physically and mentally. It’s the one thing my sister has taught me. I know how to get around unseen to be a ghost in a crowd of people.”

  “From everyone but her. She knows the game better than any of us.”

  “I think she’s watching him. He’s been out of rehab for four months. That’s about the time we quit hearing from her. She’s distracted by him. If I’m ever going to be able to move without her knowing it, now’s the time. But I can’t do this without you. You’re the only two people in the world I trust with my daughter. If something happens to me, I know you’ll protect her with your life.” Her tears start to flow. “You know how to access the money without being traced. Lily will want for nothing.”

  “Except her parents.” I choke on my own words.

  “You’ll have to fill that void for her. I’m tired of run
ning.”

  “I’ll do whatever you need. But I want you to listen to me. There’s a chance that my brother is playing her game. If he fakes amnesia, he can draw her out.”

  “I don’t know. Theo told me how badly injured he was. He almost died.”

  “I know it’s far-fetched and wishful thinking, but keep it in the back of your mind. Be safe.” I kiss her forehead.

  “Thank you.” She wraps her arms around my waist.

  “If anyone can jar my brother’s memory, it will be you.”

  “God, I hope so. He needs to know his beautiful daughter,” she says, looking up at me.

  “I will guard her with my life.”

  “We will,” Ember adds.

  “I’ll work out the details and leave in a week. That will give you time to devise a plan to disappear without a trace.”

  “I’ll find a way to let you know where we are without leaving signs for Nina.”

  “No. I can’t risk it. I’d rather live without Lily than give Nina any inkling as to where she is after I resurface.”

  I can see her heart is breaking into a million little sharp pieces. She loves Lily enough to let her go. She’s a lot stronger than I am. Fuck, I think she’s stronger than the men on the SEAL team. It’s hard to believe she’s the same frightened, innocent woman that walked into the bar all those years ago. Sometimes I’ve wondered why she stuck around. Her life has been nothing but turmoil since the day she met my brother. She’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to him, but I’m not sure that’s worked the other way around for her. She truly loves him and their little girl. I want to feel the same way about Ember. I find that I’ve held myself back, afraid it will all end tomorrow.

  Ember is sweet. She’s right; I couldn’t resist her. I think it’s her strength that drew me to her. She’s a force to be reckoned with for sure, but her love and kindness toward Lily is what attracted me to her. She’s been through a lot, yet she’s remained untainted by hate. I admire her as much as I do Fallon. The only difference is I’m completely head over heels in love with her. It’s about damn time I show her.

  Chapter 9

  Rebel

  “Hey, man! You in here?” Lawson’s voice echoes through my house.

  “I should teach you to bite him.” I ruffle the top of Bullet’s head. He’s a Rottweiler who’s nothing more than an oversized puppy at one year old. Lawson bought him for me when we first moved here. I think he thought I was lonely. Truth be told, I was, and this dog has become my best friend. I’ve taught him lots of tricks besides having him in K9 training. I take him twice a week. He’s fierce, but at home, all he wants to do is sniff everything in sight and play.

  “Yeah, I’m in the library!” I answer.

  Lawson walks into the room and immediately covers himself. He’s learned its Bullet’s way of greeting him to put his big wet nose in Lawson’s crotch.

  “Hey, buddy.” He scratches Bullet with his free hand. “What are you two doing in here?”

  “Research.” I take my reading glasses off, folding them on top of the book.

  “Ah, a new project?”

  “Yeah, one that entails how to get a grown man not to be my babysitter.”

  “You love me being here and you know it.” He sits in one of the leather chairs, and chuckles.

  “I rather enjoy my privacy.” I fold my hands in my lap.

  “I’m just going to choose to ignore your normal crankiness. I came by to see if you want to take the bikes out. It’s a beautiful day for a ride.”

  “No.”

  “Come on, it’ll be good for you. When’s the last time you left this place other than to take Bullet to training?”

  The dog barks.

  I stand and grab my cane. “You go. I’ve got work to do.”

  “Work? I haven’t seen you work in months,” he scoffs.

  “Well, it’s about time I do. You keep telling me I was some goddamn superhero. I’ll go get my cape.” I hobble out of the room.

  “Ha ha, very funny. Seriously, I could call Commander Lukas. I’m sure he can find something for you to do.” He follows me into the kitchen.

  “What makes you think this Commander Lukas would want a broken-down man? I know you’ve told me that I was the captain of the Gunners, but even if I remembered it, they’d kick me out for the shape I’m in.” I take down a bottle of bourbon.

  “You were always good at planning missions and could master any computer system.”

  “So you keep reminding me.” I fill two glasses, handing him one.

  “I don’t like that you’re drinking again.” He stares at my glass.

  “And I don’t like that you nag me.” I gulp down the brown, silky liquid.

  “You’re lucky I’m a loyal friend, or I’d leave your ass here to rot.”

  Bullet takes off toward the front door, barking. I limp to the door and swing it open. My house sits on top of a hillside, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

  “I don’t see anything, boy.” He sits at my side.

  “He barks at his shadow,” Lawson says as he walks outside. “If you’re not going for a ride, I’m driving the bike into town. Do you need anything?”

  “Another bottle of bourbon.”

  “That’s not happening. Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? Honor is cooking.” He smiles.

  “The last time your girlfriend cooked, she damn near burned all the food.” I laugh.

  “She’s a soldier, not a chef, but she’s been taking classes.”

  “Fine. I’ll come over later.”

  I shut the door. “He’s a pain in the ass,” I mutter to Bullet. “Don’t worry, I believe you. I know she’s out there watching me.” I’ve sensed her presence for weeks. I go back to the library. Sitting in my comfy chair, I open my book. “Recovering from Brain Traumas.” I’ve recovered more than anyone knows. The physical part has been much harder. It’s the mental waiting game I hate.

  When I woke up from being in a coma, I could barely speak, and my vision was so fuzzy I couldn’t tell who was in the room. Dr. Ruth cleared everyone out, and I heard every word she said to me. If I ever wanted an opportunity to catch Nina, now was the time. She advised me to fake amnesia. To tell them I had no recollection from being in the military. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I hated seeing the pain on my team member’s faces. I’ve almost given in several times, needing to tell them, then Fallon’s face would flash before me. I’m doing this for her. To get her back. I wish I could say it now and make it really clear to her how much I love her and don’t want to live the rest of my life without her in it. There is no one else for me. I want to wake up next to her so badly that it hurts to breathe. I’ve lost everything else. This is my last chance to go down this road with her. To find her, to keep her, and make her my wife once and for all.

  I pinch my eyes closed to see her as if in a dream. Her brunette hair lays in ringlets on my pillow. Long lashes rest gently on her cheeks, rendering me harder than hell. I’m a greedy, selfish bastard wanting to wake her with my body hovering over hers. Her soft breath would tickle against my neck, making my ache for her rise even more. As much as I want to touch her, I don’t. She’ll wake, and my vision of her in my bed will be gone. I could stare at her, willing her to be real, but I can’t resist reaching out, stopping a mere quarter of an inch from her face. Her chest rises, and my gaze dips to the swell of her breast. Taut nipples pucker in my white t-shirt she’s wearing. I lick my lips as they twitch for a taste. One taste. I lower my head.

  “Fuck!” She disappears every damn time.

  I will draw Nina out if it’s the last thing I do. I’m sure of it. I can feel her watching me. Bullet knows she’s there too. The thought disgusts me, but I’m willing to let her get close to me, so she’ll lead me to Fallon. I’ll get her back, and my life.

  A knock on the door has Bullet racing. “I swear it better not be Lawson again,” I grumble as I make my way to the door.

  “Captain,�
�� Thorn says as I open it. Lauryn is tucked into his side.

  “I’ve told you not to call me that.” I swing the door open wide.

  “I need your help with a mission,” he says as he makes himself comfortable on the couch.

  “Why are you asking me? I’ve told you I don’t know anything about being a SEAL.”

  “Maybe if you’d try, it would jar your memory. I really could use your help.” Lauryn sits next to him.

  My SEAL mind is always working, and I could use a distraction while I wait for Nina. I take the chair across from them. “Shoot, but I have no idea how I can help you.”

  “There’s a new trafficking organization that’s come to life.”

  Fucking Nina. “What does that have to do with me?”

  “You’ve taken down one of the biggest ones in the world. The supposed leader is targeting young, single women by logging on to a dating site. They’ve hired the men to swipe left and meet them. They kidnap them once they set up a meeting place.”

  I want to know the name of the organization, but I don’t dare ask.

  “The dating app is called, I Double Dog Dare You,” Lauryn says.

  Not Nina’s style. Lauryn knew I’d know that by the name. “I’m not sure what you want me to do.”

  “Tell me how I find the leader.”

  He doesn’t need me for that. He knows how to do his research. Is he testing me? Does he suspect I have my memory?

  Lauryn starts coughing. “Baby, could you get me a glass of water?” she asks Thorn.

  He stands and goes into the kitchen.

  “He has no idea. He just wants you to get your memory back. He thinks if you get involved, it will trigger something,” she says softly.

  “Nina is here. I can feel it.” I keep my voice low.

  “She’ll show herself when she’s ready.”

  Thorn comes back in the room with a glass, handing it to Lauryn.

  “Thank you,” she says sweetly.

  “Are you two ever getting married,” I ask, changing the subject.

  “I did that once. It didn’t work out so well,” he says as he sits next to Lauryn, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.