Till I Found You: The Broken Hero Series—Book One

by Fernandez, Michelle

“Arrogant, egotistical, and he really does thinks he’s God’s gift to women. He needs to eat some humble pie. But he’s a good agent. I’ll give him that.”

  Booker laughed. “He’s been through some shit. I really don’t see him settling with a woman anytime soon. He loves variety, as sick as that sounds.”

  “He told me about his cheating ex-wife. Sucks. But I guess that kind of hurt can change a person.”

  “A person’s past can define someone’s future,” Booker added.

  “Yes, but my father always told me that your future is what you make of it. There is destiny and then there is your destiny. Japanese proverb, I’m guessing.”

  “Sounds like a fortune cookie to me.” Booker envisioned Rocky rolling her eyes. She and her father never saw eye to eye, especially with her becoming a sniper for the Marines. Had Rocky even told her father she was with the security firm?

  “We have choices, Booker. I don’t judge. Linc chose to be who he is. Just as I made my choices and the same goes for you.”

  “You don’t judge me for taking this case?”

  “No, I get it. You met her a couple years ago and I assume you like her. I’ve gotten to know her on a personal level. She’s an amazing woman. Sacrificing her time to work on this charity foundation. It’s admirable. She’s got a wonderful heart and I can see why you’re attracted to her and want to protect her.”

  “That’s funny you say that.”

  “Why is that?”

  “When I met her, it was, well… I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. Ever felt an inexplicable pull to a person, and they don’t even know it’s happening?”

  “I can’t say I have.”

  Booker threaded his hair back, looked over his shoulder for a quick glance at Chloe. “I just hope once this case is done, she’ll give me a chance.”

  “You’re a good guy. If you let her see who you really are, it’ll be hook, line and sinker. I really believe that.”

  Booker chuckled. “I hope you’re right. It’s just that I have rules, a code. She’s a client, I have my orders. I don’t cross that line.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with blurring the lines,” Rocky affirmed. “There’s a loophole, you know?”

  “Loophole?”

  “Chloe doesn’t know why you’re really there. Be yourself for a change. Let her know the real you. Don’t be Booker the agent. Be Julian.”

  Booker sighed. “Be that as it may, I have a job to do.”

  “You can do your job and still be you.”

  “Listen, I gotta go. Thanks for getting the intel, Rocky.”

  “You got it. I’ll call you as soon as I get a hit.”

  They hung up.

  Booker pocketed his phone, stealing another glance in her direction. The three women were laughing like schoolgirls. He needed Chloe to tell him about the postcards, the photo and that prick Jensen, but how?

  He had to be delicate in his approach or it would be a shitstorm mission he would lose along with Chloe.

  Booker stared at the horizon where the ocean met an endless sky. Birds flew in formation toward the setting sun.

  He thought of nothing and everything.

  Then Chloe.

  His chest pulsed with irritation when he thought of that bastard, Luke Jensen. Was it jealousy? It was something alright, uncontrollable and annoying. This Luke Jensen had her.

  Assclown fucked it up! His loss and hopefully my gain.

  Booker grabbed the toolbox and leaped off the boat onto the deck. He saw Chloe finally alone lying on the chaise reading a magazine.

  “Hey,” Booker called out to her.

  “Hey back.” She shoved the magazine behind her back, then lowered her sunglasses off her face and looked up at him.

  “You got a sec?” He fingered his hair back as he moved closer.

  Chloe gestured warmly to the lounge beside her. “Have a seat,” she said, straightening her shoulders. She grabbed her cover-up and pulled it over her waist and legs.

  He set the toolbox down next to his feet and sat on the chair. “First, I want to apologize.”

  “Apologize? For what?” Chloe’s brows furrowed.

  “For being forward last night. I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.” Booker leaned on his knees.

  His dark eyes met Chloe’s, examining her sun-kissed expression. Wind gently breezed her hair, carrying her scent of coconut and peach. Chloe’s body was calling to him. The way the sun glistened her oily skin accentuating her smoothness. Staring at her perfect golden-tanned skin was giving him that funny feeling below his belt again.

  Booker’s eyes locked on Chloe’s ever-changing blue ones. There was a look that called to him, a silent cry for help. Was he reading it all wrong?

  “I’m fine. You didn’t make me feel uncomfortable at all.” She bit her lip.

  “Well, that’s good.”

  “So, anything else on your mind?” Her eyes gently looked into Booker’s.

  “I know you probably have plans with your girlfriends…but I wasn’t kidding when I said I want to take you out to dinner.”

  “I’d love to have dinner with you, Julian.” The corners of her mouth turned into a smile. “It’s just dinner, right?”

  “Right. Just dinner.” Booker held her turquoise eyes, same as the color of the ocean before them.

  “Listen, my friend Ryland just arrived, and we planned on going to the new club downtown. The Atlas? I’m not telling you this so you can drive us there… I wanted to know if you would like to join us?” Chloe swiped her hair behind her ears.

  It took all his willpower to hold himself together. She hypnotized him with her smile and profound beauty, and she didn’t even know it. Self-control is what he needed especially when his heart began to race as he gazed at her face. He felt like a fourteen-year-old with a crush.

  “I’m not a dancing kind of guy.”

  “Well, maybe tonight you’ll change your mind.”

  Booker shrugged, relenting to her irresistibly cute-as-hell smile. “Sure, why not?”

  Classy not trashy. Chloe barely recognized the woman in the mirror. Ryland and Phoebe had a field day with Chloe’s makeup. It was heavier than she normally wore, but she loved it. Smoky gray eyeshadow accentuated her blue eyes, blush highlighted her cheeks and taupe shimmer gloss plumped her lips. Gold hoop earrings, bracelets and a necklace finished the ensemble.

  Chloe straightened her stubborn waves to fall like a thick silky curtain. She cringed as she slipped into the strappy high heels she’d bought just for this occasion.

  Is this really me?

  She smoothed out the too-short, emerald-green dress. A low-scooped neckline barely held by spaghetti straps suggested ample cleavage and an even-lower scoop exposed her smooth back. Phoebe insisted on this dress, saying it would grab Julian’s attention and hold it to her.

  ‘He won’t be able to keep his hands off you,’ her friend had told her.

  “Oooo–girlfriend!” Ryland walked into Chloe’s room. “Now if that doesn’t call for Julian, then I don’t know what will.”

  “Hot damn, Chlo,” Phoebe bellowed behind Ryland. “There is no way he could resist you.”

  Chloe laughed at their response, her self-esteem boosted.

  “Thanks. And you ladies look amazing.” Chloe smiled, smoothing her hair behind her shoulders. “I can’t believe I invited him to come.”

  “Well, if you didn’t, I was going to.” Phoebe gave a cunning smile. “I’m winning this bet. And, hon…Julian is going to have you on your back sooner than later.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Chloe retorted.

  “Wait, there’s a bet?” Ryland asked, her hand on her jutted hip.

  “Julian is going to pick the lock on that chastity belt so Chloe can finally get laid.”

  Ryland’s eyes grew wide. “I want in on this bet too!”

  “Not a fat chance,” Chloe assured them.

  “Not a fat chance you will be winning this bet.” Phoebe laughed. �
��C’mon, I’m ready to get this show on the road and have me some C.P.R time with my girls.”

  Phoebe left the two women in the room. Her heels clacked on the wooden staircase as Phoebe descended.

  “Ry? Remember that…C.P.R?” Chloe was looking at her friend’s reflection through the mirror.

  “How can I forget? Chloe-Phoebe-Ryland time!”

  Chloe wrapped her arms around Ryland. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I’ve missed you, Chlo-bug.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Ry-Ry. And I’m glad you’re coming back home.” Chloe pulled back and met Ryland’s eyes.

  “Me too.” Ryland pushed a hair back behind Chloe’s ear, softly smiling. “It’s been a freakin’ whirlwind since I got here. I never really got to ask you…how are you?”

  Chloe titled her head, confused. “I’m fine. Why?”

  “I mean, how are you doing? Your mom, your attack, the breakup with Luke?” Ryland’s concerned voice almost sounded motherly. “I know we’ve talked but Phoebe’s filled me in… Luke and then the nightmares? I just want to hear it from you.”

  Chloe took a deep breath and looked into her friend’s violet-blue eyes. Ryland Marie O’Hare, her friend since birth. Ryland wasn’t as outspoken as Phoebe, but she knew how to get her point across. Ryland was the mother hen. A patient listener, giving advice, and the buffer between Phoebe and Chloe when they disagreed.

  A memory tickled Chloe’s mind, remembering when Phoebe and Chloe got into a quarrel and didn’t talk for a couple days. Ryland tricked them into a sleepover, not knowing the other would be there. It was a good balance between the three and Chloe wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “I’m fine…really. It was a rough at first. Things are better. My kids at the hospital and the upcoming charity gala have been keeping me busy.” Chloe didn’t want to rehash all the details of the past year.

  “Busy is good. I-I’m sorry I wasn’t with you after your attack. I feel like a horrible friend.”

  “Oh my god, you’re not horrible.” Chloe placed her hands on Ryland’s shoulders. “Remember that time when I had the chicken pox?”

  Ryland nodded. “Mmm-hmm.”

  “And you came over and brought chicken noodle soup, thinking it would be the cure for it?” Both ladies laughed. “And you put Calamine lotion all over my body and taped mittens to my wrist?”

  “Oh god…I never told Mom and Dad I took the bus to come and see you.” Ryland’s mouth curved up into a smile. “Instead of my parents punishing me for not letting them know, I got the freakin’ pox.”

  They laughed again, harder this time. “Ry…that was one of many countless times you’ve been there for me.”

  “But your attack…I should’ve hopped on a plane and got my ass over to see you.”

  “Well, you’re here now. Let’s not rehash anything. I’m ready to go dancing. How about you?”

  “With Julian?”

  The sound of his name made Chloe’s heart thunder and the butterflies had taken flight in her stomach, making her nervous. She couldn’t help the smile that spread to her cheeks. “I hope he’ll be there.”

  “He’ll show…and can I offer you this piece of advice?” Ryland’s voice was soft and enduring. “Phoebe’s right, ya know. You need to let your hair down. I know you’re saving yourself or making an excuse because we’re only here for a few weeks. But sweetie, if it feels right…don’t let him go. Trust me, I made a big mistake letting Jacob go and I regret it.”

  “I don’t know what it is about him… I do like him, though.” Chloe raised a brow and twisted her lips. “I feel like I’ve met him before.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “He looks so familiar to me.” Chloe scratched her head. “I can’t place him.”

  “Maybe he has one of those faces,” Ryland suggested as she checked her makeup one more time.

  “Julian’s face is not one of those faces.” Chloe’s world turned and tilted on its axis picturing his chocolate eyes, deep-set dimples and delicious lips. A man who reduced her to a puddle of stirred emotions. “I hate that I’ve lost some of these bits and pieces of my memory.”

  “Did you ask him?” Ryland prompted, tilting her head.

  “Sorta…well, not really.” Chloe half-shrugged.

  “Ask him. It’s that simple.” Ryland looked at her watch and grabbed Chloe’s hand. “Let’s go. Sam and Sage are waiting and Feebs will tell him to leave our asses here.”

  It was time to let loose, to forget the hurt and betrayal caused by Luke, to put aside the anxiety of those suspicious postcards and photo that had arrived days before she left for this trip. It was time to take charge of her life again and be the confident woman she once was.

  The low thumps poured through the subwoofers and vibrated Chloe’s body. Criss-crossing rays of light in the dark trendy club. The featuring DJ, Fantasia, stood center stage. She wore a thin strap of fluorescent green material covering her breasts and hips, her skin radiated as the lights flickered on her glittered body. Fantasia bopped her head to the beats, bracing the headphone earpad between her head and shoulder as her fingers played with dials and knobs. Up above, dancers in floating cages took part in the beating symphony.

  Dancing bodies overcrowded the floor to almost max capacity; couples gyrated and waved their hands in the air. Men on the sidelines, beers in hand, gawked at the women flaunting in their tight dresses barely covering their assets. Chloe held her friends’ hands as Ryland and Phoebe scuttled between the crowd of people toward the bar. The bartenders busily served drinks from the endless glass shelves housing exotic bottles from all corners of the world.

  The last time the three ladies were out on the town was Ryland’s farewell party for her promotion in Switzerland. Drinks had poured until last call, and Chloe had a feeling tonight’s would too.

  First order of business, to have their ritual toast before the night began. They ordered two shots each, filled with Jack Daniels, Johnny Walker and Jim Beam. Their ritual cheer to the Three Wisemen.

  “Here’s to Jimmy who loved us, Johnny who lost us and the lucky Jack who got to meet us!” they chanted in unison, clinking their glasses. Chloe winced after tossing the liquid back, feeling the burn as it numbed the back of her throat.

  “One more shot, ladies,” Ryland said, holding her glass in the air. “I’ve really missed you guys.”

  “Don’t get sappy on me,” Phoebe chided. “This is supposed to be a fun night. To heartaches and hangovers.”

  “Awww. Ry loves us.” Chloe raised her glass, her arms around Ryland. “To heartaches and hangovers.”

  “Cheers, my bitches!” Phoebe raised her glass, winked and tossed the liquid back.

  “God, this is so disgusting,” Ryland shouted over the music. “Why’d we start drinking this shit?”

  Chloe’s mind returned to their third year in college and a much-needed trip during winter break after finals. Chloe and Phoebe had flown to Ryland’s massive family home in Utah where they spent an entire week with Ryland, her parents and three brothers. Chloe had learned to ski and sprained her ankle. Even back then, Phoebe and Ryland schemed for Chloe and Jax, Ryland’s youngest brother, with their failed matchmaking skills. Although Jax was a wonderful man, there was no connection between him and Chloe.

  “It was the night we went on that ski trip to Utah with your family. After I sprained my ankle, Jax carried me to the bar. We were cold as hell and the bartender made this shot for us to warm us up and maybe to ease the pain in my ankle. I think we all got too warm having about a dozen of those because I don’t remember the rest of that night.”

  Phoebe’s mouth dropped open, wide eyes looked at Ryland, then laughed. “Holy shit! I can’t believe you remembered that, Chlo.”

  “I guess I do.” Chloe shrugged, flashing a smile. She was stunned at the memory, yet pleased. “It was one of the best trips we’ve taken.”

  “Well, we’re going to make memories on this trip.” Ryland grabbed both thei
r hands. “Come on, let’s dance.”

  The crowd thickened on the dancefloor. Bodies pulsated when Fantasia played a beat from Jay-Z. Holding Ryland’s hand for support, Chloe forced a smile as she struggled in her four-inch heels.

  She glanced to her right, at Phoebe’s body in motion, hip to hip with a tall, dark and broad-shouldered man. Phoebe knew how to pick ’em, and chances were she would be having a night cap with her dance partner.

  Chloe looked to her left, where Sam and Sage barely moved, lips connected, their hands stroking each other’s backs. She was pleased Phoebe and Sage were getting along well. She could see Sam really loved Sage and his happiness was all that mattered.

  A copper-haired man politely tapped Ryland’s shoulder and spoke in her ear. Ryland nodded with a beaming smile. She gestured to Chloe that she would be dancing with her mystery man.

  Buzzed from four shots of the Three Wisemen and several Embassy Cocktails, Chloe didn’t mind dancing alone.

  She felt sexy, relaxed. She was in her own world, owning it.

  The next song from Bruno Mars flooded the atmosphere with a collective roar. Liquid courage pulsed through her veins, compelling Chloe to twirl her hands in the air, feeling free, liberated. She closed her eyes, swayed her head and hips to the tempo.

  Chloe opened her eyes and glanced over at her two best friends. Their bodies flirtatiously moved against their male companions, as they smiled and laughed with them. Those women never ceased to amaze Chloe. They were stunningly gorgeous, and it never failed they would have at least a handful of phone numbers by the end of the night.

  Just like old times.

  A tingle jolted up Chloe’s spine. She scanned the people around her and froze when she caught Julian leaning against the edge of the bar. Their eyes met and he flashed a smile. With his intense gaze, heat radiated down Chloe’s spine as if he were undressing her. Desire electrified her insides and her heart pounded in her ears, drowning out Fantasia’s beats.

  Chloe sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, drinking in his six-foot-plus form. He was alluring, mysterious, exuding a confidence she found sexy as hell. His dark eyes never departed from hers, watching her every move. Sculpted cheekbones and that squared stubbled jawline left her wondering what his mouth would taste like.