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

by Fernandez, Michelle

  “You don’t want it?” Booker asked.

  “I think it was a beautiful piece, that’s all.”

  “But you like it.”

  “Just because I like it doesn’t mean I’m going to buy it.” Chloe moved to the exit.

  “Then I’ll buy it for you.” Booker’s phone rang. Shit. Lincoln. “I have to take this. It’s Lincoln.”

  “You’re not buying it,” Chloe insisted. “Understood?”

  “You’re being a brat.”

  “Yes, I know… Now take your call.” Chloe kissed his cheek. “I’ll be next door. I saw a sundress in the window I want to try on. Maybe I’ll buy that one.”

  Booker nodded with a smirk on his face. “I’ll meet you there.” He forced himself away from Chloe and watched her enter the other store. He swiped the green icon. “Your timing is impeccable, stupid ass.”

  “Well, hello to you too, sweet cheeks,” Lincoln teased. “For the record, I’d rather watch paint dry than shadow this douche-canoe. Anyway, he booked a charter. He’s on his way to you.”

  “When?”

  “His flight leaves in a couple of hours and he got a room at The Atlantis. Tyco is tracking his cell phone and credit cards. We’ll know his every move.” Lincoln’s irritated voice sounded through the line. “Why am I watching this fucker again?”

  “He’s Chloe’s ex-boyfriend. A possible threat and I don’t like him.”

  “You don’t like him?” Lincoln asked. “You fell for her, didn’t you, asshole?”

  “Fuck you, Linc.”

  “You’re not my type, pretty boy… So?” Lincoln would continue to nag, like a damn gnat, till Booker gave in. “I’m waiting.”

  What could he say? She was his heartbeat, the lifeline he had been searching for. But Booker wasn’t about to let Lincoln know that.

  “Is Jensen coming alone?” he asked.

  “Nice way to avoid my question. He’s got a woman with him. Tyco is running facial recognition. Most likely a roll in the hay.”

  “Keep me posted. I want to know every move he makes. This prick is not to come near Chloe. If I see him, so help me god, I will beat the living shit out of him, cut up him into pieces and hide his body parts all over this goddamn island.”

  “Slow down, Popeye. I really think you need to explain yourself.”

  “Linc, she’s my responsibility. I will protect her at all costs. And that’s all the explanation you need.”

  “Fine. You want to play it that way—I’ll be seeing you soon. I’ll text you once I’ve landed. Lincoln out.”

  “Hello. Excuse me,” Chloe signaled, trying to get the attention of the sales clerk engrossed in her cell phone rather than the customers roaming the boutique. Chloe walked up to the young lady leaning over the counter. She looked at the employee’s name badge pinned to her blouse.

  Chloe let out a cough. “Jenny…do you have this in a size four?” she asked, holding a purple sundress with pink and yellow tropical flowers.

  Jenny looked up at Chloe, then at the sundress. With a nervous smile, the young lady tucked her phone in her back pocket. “Um…sorry. I think so. I will have to check in the back. Give me a sec.” Jenny disappeared to the back of the store.

  Chloe circled a rack, riffling through more dresses.

  Not my color. Too short. This one’s nice.

  By the time Jenny came back with the size-four dress, Chloe had four more dresses and a couple of blouses draped over her arm.

  “Did you want me to start a dressing room for you, ma’am?”

  “Yes, that would be wonderful…also, do you have this in black? I only see an orange and pink one out here.”

  “We just might. We got a shipment this morning. It will take me some time to go through the boxes. I can doublecheck.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Be right back.” Jenny smiled and scooped up the dresses from Chloe’s arm and retreated again to the back of the store.

  A ding sounded from Chloe’s cell. Ryland.

  How are you feeling?

  Better. Went to lunch with Julian.

  Will you be able to meet us for drinks later?

  I think so. So much to tell you.

  Like?

  He was married.

  What? Holy hell. What else?

  Long story. She died years ago.

  Damn. Now what’s up with you two?

  I’m letting my hair down.

  It’s about time. We are next to board the plane. Tell me more tonight.

  Don’t splat on the ground.

  Not funny.

  LOL. See you later.

  Laters.

  Chloe tucked her phone back in her purse. Phoebe had planned dinner and dancing for Chloe’s birthday in a few days. This was the perfect time to shop for an outfit now that Chloe’s spirits were lifted. The silver lining finally peeked over its horizon with Julian opening up about his past.

  As comfortable as she was, a dozen thoughts dwelled in her mind. Knowing more about his naval career, his friend, Lincoln, and what made Julian who he was, warmed her heart. Julian opening up about his wife was also a step forward and it explained why he’d been so distant the past couple of days. Definitely two steps forward…

  But there was one piece still missing. She couldn’t place his face and where she’d seen him before. It seemed within her reach yet so far away. For now, she was going to accept this breakthrough and hope the more time she spent with Julian, something would click. It had to, everything else was.

  Chloe hummed to the lyrical melody she sang in the Jeep on the way to town. Seeing Julian’s smile, dimples and all, made her heart skip. Singing softly, Chloe swept through another rack of blouses while she waited for Jenny to return. Somethin' unexpected has come over me… I got my heart, my soul and mind… Hm-mm… Her heart thundered in her chest, butterflies swarmed in her belly and an emotional tingle curled down her spine.

  Am I in love?

  Chloe tugged on her lip, thinking how foolish that sounded. It was asinine when it took her months to figure out if she loved Luke and even at the end of that relationship, she still wasn’t sure she’d truly loved him.

  Fumbling through the clearance bins, a sudden chill seeped into her bones and the hairs on her arms stiffened. The stench of cigarettes filled the air. A familiar smell; it suffocated her nostrils. Her instincts whispered to leave the store. Her steps faltered when she bumped into a wall of a man.

  “Excuse me,” she apologized, trying to skirt around him.

  Chloe jolted as a rough hand yanked at her arm, holding tight. “Don’t turn around and don’t make a fucking sound.” His low, evil voice. “Feel this?” A gun. Chloe swallowed. “You’re going to be a good little girl and we’re going to walk out of this store nice and quiet. Don’t try anything stupid,” he murmured dryly. “My boss has been waiting for you.”

  But Chloe stilled. Oh my god. Oh my god.

  “Drop. Everything.”

  She dropped her purse and shopping bag, took a deep breath. Then came a flash: her attacker’s gaunt face, brought to life. The knife, the stench of his breath, those harrowing eyes.

  Is this that man?

  Chloe wanted to see his face—maybe something would trigger her memory from that morning’s attack. Piece it all together as one.

  Inching their way toward the door, Chloe tried to glance at the full-length mirrors scattered throughout the store. But with the tight hold the asshole had, her eyes only got a quick glimpse of his ball cap and sunglasses covering his face.

  Chloe wanted to scream, even sent a silent prayer, a plea for help. The other shoppers had no clue what was happening, too busy shuffling through the clearance racks.

  Petrified, her heart stuttered, and her insides tightened. The bile crept up her throat as she choked back a sob.

  “Shh…it’ll be over soon.”

  Chloe searched anxiously for the meaning behind his words. “Wh-who are you?” Tears assaulted her eyes, blurring her vision as she t
ried to rationalize with the asshole jabbing the hard metal against her ribs.

  Chloe winced, biting back the pain. Her hands shook and her feet felt like boulders with every step forward. “What do you want from me?”

  “Shut up, bitch…no more talking.” Her stomach heaved at his awful breath. “You’ve been a bad girl and my boss is very disappointed.” His fingers dug deeper into her bicep. His nose touched her earlobe. “Open the door nice and slow. Once outside, move to the right. There will be a black delivery van where my partner is waiting for us.”

  Oh. Fucking. Hell.

  I’m dead.

  Chloe reached for the handle and eased the door open. This was a time to step up and she needed to get a grip. Because once she stepped outside the store and into the crowd, Julian would lose sight of her. Now Chloe knew she loved him. She wished she could have told him so.

  But it was too late for that.

  The thought of not seeing him, her friends and Dad shattered her.

  Ronda Rousey. She remembered the MMA moves Julian showed her. She had to be brave, shove her fear aside. But this asshole had a gun.

  Now what?

  Julian didn’t show her any moves against an armed captor. If Chloe kicked or punched him, he could easily pull the trigger. But would the asshole risk it in public? This was a chance she was willing to take.

  Fight or flight.

  The humidity hit her face and the roar of tourists flooded the small town. Chloe stepped out onto the busy sidewalk. With every step the gunman took, Chloe did the same.

  She was scared shitless when she saw the back of the black van parked in the alley about fifty yards ahead. Blood surged through her body, her heart racing to keep up.

  Fuck! Think, Chlo, think.

  Just ahead, a group of Asian tourists wearing bright green shirts with the same logo on it were approaching them. The perfect diversion. Chloe sucked in a breath and counted backwards from ten.

  Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…

  Now!

  She threw herself into the Asian man who was waving his yellow flag. Her captor’s grip slackened as Chloe tumbled over, holding on to the Asian man. The tourists gathered around as she forced him to roll on top of her, a protective barrier between herself and the asshole holding the gun. Chloe held the unsuspecting man for dear life, as tight as she could. Her human shield.

  “You bitch,” her would-be captor hissed. “You’ll pay for this.”

  Sweat formed over Chloe’s temples, the world spinning around her. A ceaseless ring struck her ears. The rumble of people muted, voices fading in and out.

  Then, only darkness.

  “You’re next… There’s a black van…”

  “There’s no such thing as a hunky, secret-undercover agent who will come to my rescue.”

  “My boss has been waiting for you… It’ll be over soon…”

  “Do you need to be rescued?”

  “You’ve been a bad girl and my boss is very disappointed. You’ll pay for that, bitch.”

  “Hi. I’m Chloe Channing.”

  “I like your babbling.”

  “Sounds like you may need someone to give you a foot massage.”

  “Booker… it’s just Booker… Booker… it’s just Booker…”

  Chloe lurched awake and bolted upright to an unfamiliar room. Feeling disoriented and consumed by fear she rubbed her eyes to clear her vision.

  The last thing she remembered was the asshole lodging a gun in her back. Her heart raced as she scanned the bedroom.

  What is this place? I gotta get outta here.

  She turned on the lamp next to the bed. At the corner of the room lay her Converses and her duffle bag that was once in her bedroom closet. Why is that here?

  Chloe shuffled out of bed, slipped on her shoes and opened the duffle, taking quick inventory. Shirts, shorts, jeans, panties, bra, toothbrush. Someone had obviously packed for her. But who? And where was she going?

  Looked like her kidnappers were taking her on a very long trip.

  Voices came from the other side of the door. She pressed her ear against the wood.

  Two men.

  Footsteps echoed, coming closer.

  Desperate and anxious, this time she was ready.

  The door opened and Chloe threw an uppercut to the man’s jaw and kicked him in his groin. The man tumbled to the floor, hands between his legs.

  “Fuck,” he grumbled.

  Chloe seized the opportunity to escape since he was down for a minute, or ten. She ran down the hall and collided into a hard chest and muscular arms that wrapped around her body.

  “Let me go, asshole!” she yelled, wiggling out of his grasp. “Get off me.”

  “Doc, calm down.”

  Chloe looked up. A hand curved at the base of her neck, the other at the small of her back. Their eyes met.

  “It’s me. You’re safe.” Julian rubbed her back, pulling her in to him.

  “I didn’t know where I was. The guy in there…” She pointed to the bedroom. “Who was that?” Her breathing evened as she tried to settle her confusion.

  “Lincoln.”

  “Holy fuck, woman,” Lincoln yelped, wobbling down the hall. “Did Booker teach you how to hit like that?”

  “Booker?” Chloe spun back to Julian.

  Julian closed his eyes and pressed his lips together.

  The Hoover Dam had cracked wide open and the memories flooded Chloe’s thoughts. “Do you need to be rescued? It’s just Booker… Booker… just Booker…”

  Julian was Booker.

  Booker was Julian.

  The flashes, images and dreams that had pestered her mind had all collided. Anger and anxiety balled up and all the missing pieces had finally fallen into place. Chloe leaned against the wall, hand pressed over her stomach, feeling nauseated. She squeezed her eyes shut.

  It was as if she were sent back in time, two years ago at the gala fundraiser. The scene replayed in her head.

  Red and gold décor.

  Holiday music in the background.

  Beautiful gowns and bowties all around.

  Waiters carrying champagne flutes.

  Laughter and chatter filled the air.

  The vision of Mom as she gracefully rubbed elbows with the elite, pecked cheek to cheek and flattered all the guests. Chloe followed suit as Mom introduced her to every eligible bachelor in attendance.

  Dad stood closely, displeased with Mom’s matchmaking scheme. Chloe was his princess, after all.

  “No one will ever be good enough for you, Pumpkin,” Dad whispered, but loud enough for Mom to hear.

  “Frank, that’s why you’re here. One cough for yes, two coughs for no.” Mom winked. “Remember?”

  “My sweet Sarah, everyone will think I have a cold. It will be two coughs every time.”

  “Okay you two.” Chloe scooped her arm in the crook of Mom’s elbow. “I know how to find my own man.”

  “Well, dear. Can you please hurry?” Mom chided. “Your future husband is here… I feel it. You need to get me some grandchildren soon.”

  Chloe’s eyes veered to the ceiling as she rolled them. “If it’s meant to be, Mom…it’ll happen.”

  The evening’s event wasn’t about finding her Mr. Right, it was about the children and the women. But, to humor Mom and satisfy her matchmaking, Chloe played along.

  Some of the men were too consumed with their careers, their money, looking for someone to wrinkle their sheets, needed a trophy wife, too young, too old, too boring. But after the umpteenth suitor Mom pawned off to dance with Chloe, not only were her feet throbbing, none of the men had sparked any interest.

  Chloe’s first love, of course, were her patients, the children. There was no doubt in her mind she wanted a family of her own and was going to be the best mother she could possibly be when it was her time. But the children she cared for at the hospital were the ones that pulled on her heart strings. The crying, hurt and sick children were her wo
unded angels and she was their healer. Every day she took care of a child, it was the most gratifying feeling.

  Chloe snaked a flute from a passing waiter’s tray and downed all the bubbly champagne to take the edge off. She needed the respite from Mom’s endless introductions.

  Chloe exited the ballroom and it took her but a second to notice the attractive specimen standing at the check-in desk. She surveyed his broad shoulders and tight ass in his tailored black slacks.

  Sophisticated. Drool-worthy.

  She got a glimpse of his profile, chiseled jaw, dark chocolate hair with the adorable messy-spiked look and his megawatt smile that flaunted sexy-as-hell dimples. She could barely manage to pull away from his gorgeous face.

  Hello, sexy suitor.

  It was impossible to resist his gravity pull. The man exuded a raw power, owning his surroundings. There was darkness and mystery she wanted to uncover. Chloe’s heels clicked forward, straight to where he stood. She surveyed his hands.

  No wedding ring: check.

  She leaned against the table, played with the heel of her shoe and mumbled to herself, desperate to steal the man’s attention.

  He let out a cough.

  Got his attention: check.

  She peered at him through her lashes, gave her best flirty smile. The air was electric, making every hair stand on her hypertensive skin. Their eyes locked and his penetrating gaze commanded her attention. Her breath hitched seeing him up close and personal.

  Her perfect Adonis was all she could think of. The man looked like a model fit for the cover of GQ magazine. The scent of his clean, crisp cologne carried to her.

  Smells good, too? Check, check.

  Chloe’s thighs throbbed and a slick sensation pooled in her panties. Butterflies swarmed in her tummy. There was an instantaneous chemistry that couldn’t be ignored.