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

by Fernandez, Michelle

  Julian wondered what she was thinking, hoped she trusted him that he would keep her safe from whomever was after her. It had been a few days and Chloe had told him she was missing her friends being cooped up at the safe house.

  So, Julian broke protocol. It was risky, but he knew it would make her happy. He had Lincoln pick up Phoebe and Ryland in the morning so they could spend the day with Chloe.

  The trio’s laughter could be heard through the glass and it warmed his heart knowing how much she loved her friends and they loved her.

  Before Lincoln picked them up, Julian had discussed with Phoebe the importance of it being just her and Ryland coming to visit. He couldn’t risk the exposure to Chloe’s safety and had her friends blindfolded on their way to the safe house.

  When they arrived, Phoebe didn’t waste any time giving Julian an earful of her berating and scaring the shit out of her and Ryland. But after a few calmed moments, Chloe had told her friends being in the safe house was the best thing Julian could do while the kidnappers were being hunted.

  “So those are Chloe’s friends, huh?” Lincoln jutted his chin toward the women on the porch.

  “Yup. That’s all Chloe talks about. I had to let her see them.”

  “They’re hot…especially the brunette.”

  Julian stifled a laugh. “You interested in Phoebe?”

  “Nah, she’s got a mouth. Too feisty for me.” Lincoln scratched the top of his head. “You know that chick did not keep her mouth shut, saying we were a bunch of Neanderthals, keeping them from Chloe?”

  “Yeah, that’s her. Chloe said Phoebe’s bark is bigger than her bite.”

  “Damn, would love for her to bite me, with no teeth of course.” Lincoln’s shit-eating grin turned up.

  Julian choked on his coffee. “Always thinking with the head below the belt…besides, you’re probably not her type.”

  “Fuck you, dude. Why not? I’ve got charm that can melt any woman’s panties off with just one look.” Lincoln pulled a small bag of Skittles from the grocery bag of goodies the women had brought with them.

  “She was with Sam at one point and was also engaged to some high-class corporate guy. Had money behind his name.”

  “A gold-digger?”

  “Nah, she doesn’t come across that way. Phoebe has a solid career. From what Chloe told me, she’s been burned and not into settling.”

  “A challenge? She’s my kind of lady.”

  “You’re no saint, Linc. So don’t even think about it.”

  “You’re very protective of Chloe’s friend.” Lincoln raised a brow. “I take it you broke your rule.”

  “None of your business, Linc.”

  “She got under your skin…and your tighty-whities.” Lincoln chuckled. “Seriously, I’m happy for you, man.”

  “I’ve got to keep her safe and need to figure out who the hell wants her.”

  “And what’s the deal with Ryland?” Lincoln popped a few Skittles in his mouth.

  “She wasn’t around much the last several years. Went to UCLA, got a job in Switzerland, now she’s moving back to San Francisco. Sounds like she’s going to be bunking with Chloe and Phoebe.” Julian put his empty coffee mug in the sink.

  “Did you tell her yet?”

  Julian scrunched his eyebrows and shifted his stare from Chloe to Lincoln.

  “Did you tell her how Ambs died?”

  “She knows enough…doesn’t need to know the details. She doesn’t need to know I fucked up.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you, it wasn’t your fault. You had no idea—”

  “Look, I know that asshole followed us to get to Amber. I don’t need to relive this shit again. Can you just drop it?”

  Lincoln’s arms raised in surrender. “Sorry, man. Just thought—”

  “You thought wrong. No need to resurrect the past.” Julian pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just thinking about what I’ve done to the Shelton family is enough shit I can handle in this lifetime.”

  After Amber’s death, Julian investigated the shooter’s background. Turned out the shooter was the brother of Kent Shelton, a fellow SEAL and Julian’s teammate. On his last deployment prior to Amber’s death, Julian was in charge of the team’s mission and his responsibility to ensure his men’s safety and that everything went according to plan. Julian studied the blueprints of the compound and the underground tunnels.

  It was a simple rescue. At least, so they thought.

  “Kent shouldn’t have died. That was my fault,” Julian muttered between gritted teeth.

  “Again with taking the blame. Booker, I was there, you selfish prick. Smitty and I had his six. Shell wanted to be a hero…radio connection was bad in those tunnels, something we didn’t anticipate. He wanted to go left when we were supposed to go right and meet up with you. If it’s anyone’s fault, it was mine. Blame me, I let him go the other way and who would’ve thought the little boy would fool us, making us think he was a prisoner too…until that little fucker put a bullet in Shell’s throat.”

  “I should have predicted there would be children soldiers.”

  “Look, we knew what we were doing. Smitty shot that kid…and instead of carrying three dead bodies, it was only one.”

  “We should’ve stayed together,” Julian bit back. “I fucked up that call.”

  “Can you please just shut the fuck up and stop being a pussy? It could’ve happened to any one of us. Shell was our brother and didn’t deserve to die.” Lincoln rubbed his face with his hand. “I’ve come to terms with it and you should too. Who knew Shell’s brother would’ve sought you out for revenge?”

  “Revenge? It’s like a fucking curse,” Julian spit out. “Sounds like history is repeating itself with Chloe.” His gaze locked on the woman he loved. “I can’t lose her.”

  “And you won’t. I’ve got your six, man. We’re going to find this bastard and put a bullet in their throat.”

  Silence stretched between the two men standing in the kitchen. Then Julian’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out. Tyco.

  Julian and Lincoln walked into the bedroom so the ladies couldn’t hear.

  “Hey Tyke, you’re on speaker with me and Linc. What do you got?”

  “Good news. Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Larry and Dwight Folsom. We got those dumbasses,” Tyco’s confident voice came through the line.

  “What do you mean?” Julian asked.

  “They were picked up by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. They were stopped for a traffic violation and of course the van was stolen and taken into custody.”

  “No shit… Are they talking?” Lincoln spoke up.

  “Nope. Their mouths are tighter than a mosquito’s pussy.”

  Julian choked on a laugh. “A what?”

  “Ah, you know what I mean. They’re being flown to Miami where they’re wanted for violating their parole.”

  “I’m assuming that’s the good news. What’s the bad?” Julian asked.

  “So far, there is nothing that shows they’re connected to Chloe. I spoke to Mr. Channing and he doesn’t have a clue who the Folsom brothers are except they have a rap sheet longer than Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding guest list.”

  “We need to find out who hired them. That’s the connection. Someone doesn’t just up and want to go through all this bullshit…killing Mrs. Channing, attack Chloe and then to follow her all the way here to fuck up their kidnapping attempt on her,” Lincoln said just before shoving the rest of the Skittles in his mouth.

  “I agree. All we can assume is the unsub’s got some vendetta against the Channings… or maybe me?” Julian said. He wondered if there was a connection just like Kent’s brother.

  Would someone be that obsessed with me to plot this whole thing?

  “With you?” Tyco asked. “What makes you think this shit has something to do with you?”

  Lincoln glared at Julian. “Tyke, don’t listen to Booker…he’s just trying to cover his bases.” Lincoln mouthe
d to Julian so Tyco couldn’t hear, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  Julian perked up at the sound of the women’s laughter roaring through the hall. “Never mind I said anything…what else?”

  “Well, these bozos are from Miami so definitely a long shot for any connection between the Channings and you. Their flights were paid cash as well as the shitty hotel they were staying at, but I promise to pull a rabbit trick and get back to you.”

  “What about Jensen?”

  “Nothing. The guy’s taking a vacation and hasn’t left the resort. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

  “No such thing,” Julian retorted. “Who was the female he’s with?”

  “Some nurse, a Reyna Donovan…” Tyco tapered. “The one Jensen had cheated with—”

  “Yeah, I remember. Okay, keep us posted.”

  “Will do. Tyco out.”

  Julian shoved his cell phone back in his pocket.

  “Man, seriously? Do you think Chloe’s attacker has anything to do with you?” Lincoln threw away the red candy wrapper in the small tin trash can.

  “Hell, I don’t know. What do you think? You got any other ideas?”

  “If that were the case, don’t you think this asshole would’ve gone after your mom and Fabi? I would have to give credit to the unsub…luring you in on this case and to plot it this good to get to you if it were a vendetta against you. But seriously, I don’t think so.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I know I’m stretching.”

  “Hell yeah, you are.” Lincoln looked down at his watch. “I gotta take the ladies back home, it’s getting late.”

  “Alright.” Julian brushed his hair back and his hand cupped the back of his neck. “I’m taking Chloe out tonight.”

  “You think that’s a good idea?”

  “I’m not stupid, Linc. The plans I made are secluded and safe. Besides, you heard it yourself. Those bastards are in custody and half the danger is dissolved.”

  “You want me to have your six? You won’t know I’m there.”

  “No need. I will be fine. Thanks anyway.”

  “Where are you taking me?” Chloe asked, fidgeting in the passenger seat.

  “If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” Julian gazed over at Chloe as he breathed in the salted air.

  With the top off the Jeep, her hair whipped around her beautiful face. The turquoise spaghetti-strapped dress showed off her supple skin. The twinkle in her eyes shimmered like the stars above as he held her hand and the other steered to get to their destination.

  They arrived at an impressive mansion where a gray-haired man greeted them at the front door. They followed the old man to the back of the house and through French doors to the picturesque garden with a view of the ocean’s cove.

  “Julian, oh my goodness, it’s beautiful here.” Chloe’s eyes lit up, awe in her voice. She placed her hands over her mouth as she walked a few steps down the stoned pathway ahead of him.

  Julian thanked the man and he left them both alone to wander the gardens. Julian grabbed her hand before Chloe took another step. He loved how her soft hand felt in his. So tiny and delicate. Linking her fingers with his, he pulled Chloe to him.

  “I love that smile of yours.” Julian got lost in her eyes as he leaned in and kissed her gently. He tightened his arms around her waist as he pressed Chloe’s body to his. “I can’t lose you,” Julian whispered in her ear.

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be more aware. Besides, I have you to protect me, right?”

  There was so much guilt and fear that consumed him. The guilt of a fallen sailor and Amber’s murderer. Now the fear of someone wanting to hurt Chloe for their own vengeance and history repeating itself. Would God be that cruel to punish Julian again and again?

  The first for losing his father, Amber dying in his arms, then a fallen sailor, letting Kent’s wife and children down and after all that, take Chloe away too? Or maybe it was Satan himself laughing it up, lurking and waiting to snatch everything good from Julian as a fucked-up joke for his own jollies.

  These reoccurring nightmares that kept Julian up at night and the image of Chloe dying in his arms scared the shit out of him.

  “Julian?” Chloe touched his face. “Did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes, every word.” Julian was snapped out of his daze. “I was just remembering something, that’s all.” He kissed her nose. “I will always protect you, Doc.”

  They continued their stroll through the gardens, fingers entwined.

  “Thanks for letting my friends come over today. Lincoln told Phoebe how that wasn’t protocol and very risky.”

  “You missed them. And Phoebe was blowing up my phone demanding to see you.”

  “That’s Feebs, so persistent. Ryland is heading back to San Francisco tomorrow morning, so the timing was perfect.”

  “Heading back? Why?”

  “Ry got a call from her brother. Their mom was in the hospital. Linda wanted all her children to be with her. I’m worried about them.”

  “Well, as soon as the coast is clear, I will take you to see Mrs. O’Hare.”

  As the sun descended, they beheld the sculptures and took in the exquisite landscape and the architectural details.

  “I thought this was private property and tours were no longer allowed here,” Chloe said.

  “I called in a few favors. I knew you were getting restless being cooped up in the house. Thought you might want a change of scenery.”

  They came to a pillared gazebo that faced the sunset just over the alcove water view. There were two chairs and a white linen-covered table with two silver domes on it.

  “What’s this?” Chloe asked in amazement, covering her mouth with both hands.

  “Dinner for two.” Julian pulled a chair out for her. Chloe sat down, he scooted her in, and he walked to the other side and sat across from her.

  There was a free-standing silver bucket with a bottle on ice next to him. He poured the liquid into their glasses.

  “Let’s make a toast…to lasting firsts.”

  “To lasting firsts.” Chloe sipped the liquid. “Sparkling cider?”

  “I need both of us sober until this is all over,” Julian cautioned. “I can’t afford to be off guard.”

  “But you had alcohol at the club, remember?”

  “Yes. A sip and to blend in. I babied that drink and then your one disgusting shot.” Julian raised his glass. “This is what we’ll have to settle for from now on, okay?”

  Julian didn’t want to let Chloe know the unnerved feeling of being watched back at the club over a week ago. And with everything unfolding, it was only a matter of time the ticking timebomb, the one person who hired Larry and Dwight, would finally explode.

  “So, what’s for dinner?” Chloe asked, trying to peek.

  Julian smiled, securing the handle. “Before I lift this, it’s nothing fancy…but I know it’s your favorite.” Then he lifted the silver dome.

  “Margherita pizza! I haven’t eaten pizza since I left home.”

  After about an hour of eating and talking more about their childhood, Julian was ready to take Chloe on her next surprise.

  “Speaking of childhood memories… You ready for dessert?” Julian stood with his hand extended. Chloe nodded and placed her hand in his.

  He drove for several miles and killed the engine in front of a small cottage with a wraparound porch. The yellow door was dimly lit by low-hanging flower-shaped lampshades. Two rocking chairs, a swinging bench, and sunflowers decorated the porch.

  After a few knocks on the wooden door a smiling, spunky woman wearing an apron stained with pastel colors greeted them.

  “Julian! Welcome, welcome, please come in,” she said, patting her braided black hair wrapped in a bun at the top of her head. A whiff of sweet sugary aroma escaped from inside the cottage. “You’re just in time.” The woman extended her arm, inviting them into the open space.

  Chloe’s smiling eyes
met Julian’s. “What is this place?”

  Julian placed his hand at the small of Chloe’s back, leading her in. The wood floors creaked as they walked across to a stainless-steel countertop. A glass case lit up various colors and flavors of ice cream just on the other side of it.

  “Another favor I called in with an old family friend. Izzy meet Chloe. Chloe, Izzy.”

  The woman embraced Chloe.

  “Oh child, this man must love you very much to call and ask me to stay open just for you and a private lesson on how to make ice cream…but not just any ice cream. This is Izzy’s special recipe and I only do this for very special guests.” Izzy walked to the other side of the counter, pulled out a menu showing the different flavors of ice cream.

  “Izzy and my mom go way back,” Julian said.

  “Yes, Bella and I were childhood friends.” Izzy wiped her hands on her apron. “Now, I want you to pick a flavor of your choice and you, my dear, will get to see how it is made. But, before I show you, you must promise that it will be our little secret.”

  Julian hugged Chloe from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Izzy’s ice cream is famous for a reason. She’ll make it for us, but Izzy will still keep the one ingredient a secret which makes her ice cream the best in the world.”

  “A lady never reveals her secrets,” Izzy said, winking at Chloe. “So, what will it be, dear?”

  “Chocolate hazelnut, please.”

  “Make that two, Izzy.”

  Chloe watched and listened while Izzy narrated every action as she mixed the ingredients together, whipping up the milk, cream, eggs and sugar at different stages until it became custard-like. Izzy poured the mixture into a silver rectangular aluminum tin.

  Of course, it had to freeze for at least three hours.

  But the woman was prepared and had a tub already made in the freezer for them, since apparently Julian had gotten intel from Phoebe about Chloe’s favorite ice cream. Izzy scooped a large round serving on a cone for her and Julian.

  “This is very delicious, Izzy,” Chloe said, licking the sides of the cold concoction. “Julian, you were right. The best ice cream I’ve ever tasted.”