Thorn's Redemption (Fated Lives Series Book 3)

by Kelly Moore

  “…hard…winds too…emergency…” static.

  “Shit.” I reach over and grab the landline. There’s a dial tone for a split second before it goes dead along with the lights. Theo’s flashlight clicks on. “There’s nothing we can do but sit and wait. I’ll keep trying to get Honor, but until this storm dies down, I don’t think we’ll be in contact with any of them.”

  Tate slings the door open. “You two okay in here?”

  “Do any of you know how to knock?”

  She ignores me and sits beside Theo and shines his light on the journal. “The other birth certificate belonged to Nina’s sister.”

  “Did you find a name?” Theo asks.

  “According to what she wrote, her parents never bothered to name the baby. Nina called her Rella.”

  “Damn. That’s cold,” I say.

  “There’s more.” Tate swallows hard. “Nina gave the baby away. She was digging in a dumpster to get something to eat, outside a fire station. She had laid the baby down on the ground when she got in the dumpster. Nina hid when a fireman came out the door. He saw the baby and picked her up. Nina didn’t stop him. She never saw her sister again.”

  “No wonder she’s so screwed up.” Theo jerks the book from her hand. “If she’s from Forks, we should be able to find this firehouse. Maybe someone will remember the baby.”

  “It’s worth a shot. I’ll head that way in the morning after I’ve connected with either Honor or Rebel.”

  They both get off the bed and walk over to the door. Theo stops and turns around, smiling. “You knew her.” He looks like he discovered a secret.

  “Knew who?” I ask.

  “Dr. Ruth. Now I get it.” He grins.

  Tate tugs him out by the ear. “Come on, lover boy. Leave him alone before he kills you in your sleep.”

  Chapter 6

  Rebel

  The pilot made an emergency landing on an empty strip of highway on the coast of Oregon. He routed us west to try to fly around the back end of the storm, but the winds shifted, forcing us to land. I attempt to reach Thorn as soon as we’re outside the plane.

  “Thorn, do you copy?” Nothing. “Beckham.” Silence.

  “We need to keep moving, sir.” Remington holds his hat down to keep the rain from dripping on his face.

  We head toward the downtown area of Astoria. Every building is dark, and the small-town streets are empty.

  “In here.” Remington shoulders open the door to a movie theater. The pilot follows him inside, and I do the same. The power flickers on, and the entryway lights up. Movie posters and life-size cardboard characters line the walls.

  “The final Avengers movie.” Remington stands beside the life-size cut out of Ironman. “I’ve been wanting to see this movie.”

  “If you can run a projector, now’s your chance. It looks like we’ll be here until the storm has blown over.”

  “My uncle owned a theater about the size of this place back home in Florida.” He hops over the half door to the concession stand. “I even know how to make popcorn.” He turns on the machine.

  I walk around the theater, continuing to try to reach any of my team members. I only hope that Thorn found something at the port that will lead us to Fallon. I know she’s tough, but she’s injured, and she has to be frightened. Maybe she took her to wherever she’s keeping Sean. He’d die to keep her safe. I push open the doors to the seating area of the movie and sit in the back row. A few minutes later, the movie screen lights up. The pilot and Remington join me with their hands full of popcorn and drinks. They sit in the row in front of me.

  “Do you want some popcorn?” Remington asks.

  “No. I’m good, but I’ll take a drink.”

  He hands me a soda. With Fallon gone, I can’t stomach the thought of food. I raise my leg and pull off my walking boot. My foot aches and is swollen from running on it. It hasn’t fully healed from being broken.

  I close my eyes for a brief moment, picturing Fallon here with me. She loves a good action film as much as the guys do. I’d give anything for her to be here safe with me. When this is all over with, and Nina is dead, I’m marrying her and taking her away on a real honeymoon. She deserves it for all she’s been through. Honestly, I’m not sure why’s she stuck around. Her life has been nothing but chaos since we met. I’m lucky she loves me. Maybe I’ll give up being a SEAL and settle down into a normal life. It’d be nice to have a few rug rats running around. Let’s just hope they look like her and not my ugly mug. I run my hand down the deep scar on my face, and then I remember Nina’s words about Sean. I’ve brought him nothing but trouble too. He’s a good man and the best brother I could’ve ever asked for. I have to find him before it’s too late.

  I can’t just sit here and watch a movie while god knows what’s happening to my family and the others. I put my boot back on and high tail it out of the theater.

  “Honor! Damn it, answer me!” I growl.

  “I can barely hear you, but I’m here, sir.”

  “We had to land. The storm was too rough. We’re in Astoria. As soon as the weather clears, we’ll get back in the air.”

  “Sir, I got a satellite visual with confirmation of Nina and three others chartering a yacht on the coast in Cannon Beach. They’re anchored out waiting for the storm to slow down.”

  “Damn, that’s not far from here. Send me their location. We’ll head out now. Any word from Thorn?”

  “Theo called Fiona. The port was empty, but they found a journal that belongs to Nina. Tate is digging into it.”

  “If they reach out again, tell them to do whatever it takes to get our people back. Follow where Nina takes them.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  “How are things there?”

  “We’re holding down the fort, so to speak. Lawson and Fiona are tucked away. Mad Dog refuses to sleep. He’s beating himself up over Fallon. Williams is trying to calm him down.”

  “I’ll talk to him when I get back. Keep me posted on the satellite feed and if the yacht takes out to deeper water.” I disconnect. At least I know Fallon is alive and not too far out of reach. I run back into the movie. “Get your gear. We’re moving,” I bark at Remington.

  “What about the storm? We can’t get back in the air.” He shoves a handful of popcorn in his mouth as he climbs over the seat.

  “We’ll be on foot. No need for you to follow,” I tell the pilot.

  I open the theater door to a gust of wind and rain. “We need to head south.”

  “Screw this.” Remington runs by me to an old pickup truck deserted in the parking lot. He yanks the door hard, and it opens. He gets inside and kneels down under the steering wheel, and a few seconds later the engine sputters to life. “Get in!” he yells over the sound of the pounding rain. He hops behind the wheel, and I climb in the passenger side, throwing my bag in the middle along with his.

  “I hope this piece of crap runs.”

  “I’ve never met an engine that didn’t like me.” He chuckles and forces it into gear. “I can take any motor apart and put it back together blindfolded. That’s why I’m so good with explosives. Same principle. You just have to know what drives them.”

  “Turn left here. Head to Cannon Beach.”

  The rain is coming down so hard the wipers can’t keep up. We’re moving, but it’s at a snail's pace.

  “So, the woman that Nina kidnapped, she’s your girlfriend?” he asks while focusing on the road.

  “Fiance.”

  “I had one of those once. She couldn’t handle a SEAL’S life.”

  “Sounds like a familiar song.” I often think Fallon will get a belly full and leave.

  “No offense, sir, but I don’t know too many women who can handle this life.”

  “I’m not so sure they should have to.” Maybe freeing Fallon from the likes of me is a better option than marrying her. “You said you’re from Florida?”

  “I moved there when I was ten years old.”

  “What made
you decide to join the military?”

  “All the war movies my uncle used to play for us when the crowds went home. I wanted to be just like them.”

  “A boy playing army.” I chuckle.

  “Yeah, but I love what I do and wouldn’t give it up for anyone.”

  “You and Thorn sound like you could be brothers.”

  “Most the brothers I’ve met feel the same way. Why don’t you get a little shut-eye while I drive.”

  “Sleeping is not on the agenda.”

  Chapter 7

  Nina

  “I’ve never had guests on this magnificent floating machine before.” I sit on the crisp white sofa filled with colorful throw pillows that boast different kinds of sea urchins on them.

  “I wouldn’t define the people you kidnapped as guests.” Fallon scoots close to Sean, who’s still heavily sedated. Maxim had to drag him in here.

  “Don’t be silly, you’re my guest.” I brush out my wet hair.

  “Will you untie me so I can look at him?” She holds out her hands.

  “He’s fine. Nothing a shower, and a few stitches won’t cure.” I wave my hand at her.

  “I promise not to try to get away.” She keeps her hands up.

  “Maxim, undo her hands, but don’t take your eyes off her,” I instruct him.

  He snatches a knife from his pocket and cuts her loose. She gets up and tries to get Sean to sit. “Hey, it’s Fallon. Sean, can you hear me?” She lifts his eyelid. “What did you give him?”

  “Just a little milk.” I laugh. “He’s been a very bad boy.”

  “May I have a washcloth to clean his face?” She’s inspecting his wound.

  I raise a shoulder at Maxim. “Give her one.” He hands me his gun while he goes to find a washcloth.

  The captain of my yacht enters the room. “Ma’am, the water is still too rough for us to leave.”

  “Keep the engine’s idling and the slightest break in the weather you need to head north.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he responds and leaves the room.

  Maxim comes back in, handing Fallon a plush white washcloth and takes his weapon back.

  She takes it from him and walks over to the sink, getting it wet. She returns and holds Sean’s head up with one hand and cleans the blood off the side of his face.

  “How sweet. Does Derrick know how much you care for his brother? Maybe you chose the wrong man.”

  “He’s family.”

  “Not yet. You can walk away. All Derrick will ever bring you is a life of danger.”

  “You’re the only danger to me.”

  “Pity, you’re so naive. You’ll never be able to satisfy a man like Derrick.” I get up and open the thick dark curtains and watch the storm rolling across the water, creating white peaks, causing the yacht to sway back and forth.

  “You seem to think you know him. You weren’t together very long, and it was under false pretense. You have no idea who he is or what he’s capable of now.”

  “I know he couldn’t save your adopted sister.”

  “Her death was your fault, not his.”

  “I’m curious. Did you ever want to meet your real parents?”

  “My adoptive parents were my real parents. They loved me and gave me a good home and a great life.”

  “Not everyone can be as lucky as you, if luck is what you want to call it.”

  She rinses out the cloth and starts again. “Do you have any family?”

  “We’ve all come from someone.” I shrug.

  “You don’t act like a woman that was shown much love.”

  “Not everyone is capable of love, and not everyone should have children.”

  “Your parents didn’t love you?” She sits on the arm of the couch with the blood-tinged cloth in her hand.

  “I’m sure in their own way, they did.”

  “Where are they?”

  “Gone. Why all the questions? Are you trying to psychoanalyze me?”

  “Something or someone has made you into a monster.”

  “Funny, I don’t see myself as you proclaim. I’m a woman that knows what she wants and how to get it.”

  “By kidnapping innocent people, selling them to the highest bidder, or for their body parts? In my book, that makes you worse than a monster.”

  “A mythical creature, but far be it from what you portray me as.” I snort. “People are a means to an end for me. Imagine how happy the recipients are that receive an organ that will save their life.”

  “At the cost of another human being. That makes them as sick as you are.”

  I walk over to her and jerk her head back. “You’re a weak fool that doesn’t deserve what I’ve given you.”

  “Given me?”

  “That’s a story for another day.” I let go of her hair. “Get them out of here,” I snap at Maxim. “And tie her back up.”

  He tugs her by the arm to stand and ties her. “I’ll lock her up and be back for him.” He angles his head at Sean.

  He leads her down the stairs, and Sean stirs. “Fallon,” he slurs.

  “Are you going to be a good boy, or do I need to drug you again?” I run my hand down the uninjured side of his face. His head falls forward. “You really are quite handsome. You’d make a nice plaything for me, but I think you should belong to your brother’s girlfriend.”

  “Fallon,” he says again.

  Maxim returns and hovers over him.

  “Is she secure?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take this one to her, but before you do, give him some more sleepy-time medicine. I don’t want to have to deal with him tonight.”

  He hoists Sean up and drags him away.

  I call down to the chef to bring me a plate of food as I walk over to the bar and pour myself a glass of expensive wine. I take the bottle with me and sit out on the covered deck to enjoy the sight of the black clouds rolling over the land. The rain is finally slowing, but the wind is still strong, causing the yacht to rock. I take out my phone and text Derrick.

  “I know you’re out there, hunting me. Sweet Fallon’s clock is ticking, but the others have less time. If you don’t get to them soon, you’ll never see them again.” I hit send and wait for a response.

  “You’re my target,” he sends back.

  “As much as I’d love to see you again, you really should focus on the other woman in your life. I’ll give you a hint. If I drink, I die. If I eat, I’m fine.” Send.

  “What the hell kind of clue is that?”

  “Want a little more? A group of men kill me so that I don’t spark. If you find where they live, you’ll see the light.”

  “I’m tired of your games.”

  “Come on, handsome, you like the challenge.” I hit send and hang up. That should keep him busy.

  The chef brings my food out to me. “See to it that our guests get a plate.” I shoo him off.

  I’m not an idiot. I know Derrick will never love me, but I can offer him so much more than love, which doesn’t mean anything. He’s always pushed me, and he’s one determined man. I like that. He’s been the only man that’s held my interest beyond a few weeks. I’ll buy him. Everyone can be bought for the right amount of money, even Cinderella being held captive downstairs. I polish off my glass of wine and food. I wander downstairs and stop at my guest's room. I unlock the door, and Fallon is curled up next to Sean.

  “Wouldn’t Derrick love this picture.” She sits up. “Take his clothes off,” I order.

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Remove his clothes.”

  “I’m not taking his clothes off.”

  “What’s the matter, haven’t you seen a man’s junk before? Don’t tell me you’re a virgin.” I laugh.

  She bites her lip.

  “You really are pathetic. I don’t know what Derrick sees in you.”

  “I’m not letting you bait me.” She sits and crosses her arms over her chest.

  “In the end, he’ll pick me. You weren’t raised
to be a strong, powerful woman, and that’s what he needs.” I slam the door and retire to my room for the night. I never sleep more than a couple hours at a time. Before I turn in, I call the captain. “The storm will be ending soon. I want us out ahead of it. Get the engines going and pull out of here now.”

  Chapter 8

  Thorn

  “I know the answer to her riddle,” I tell Rebel over the radio. “It’s a fire station. Tate’s been reading Nina’s journal. It’s all about her childhood. We’re headed there now. She’s from Forks, which is only four hours out.”

  “What else did you find?”

  “She had or has a sister. She gave her away.”

  “Oh my god,” Tate says. “She killed her own mother,” she reads out of the journal.

  “What did she say?” Rebel asks.

  Tate links into the conversation. “Her mother was a junkie, and Nina gave her an overdose because she told her she was too stupid to go to college.”

  “She’s more evil than I thought,” Rebel responds.

  “According to this journal, Nina had a really rough upbringing. I think she was protecting her sister from the same fate.”

  “Nina doesn’t have a protective bone in her body. She’s a total narcissist.”

  “I think at one time she did. Maybe this was the changing point in her life,” Tate says.

  “I’ve chartered a boat. I’m going after Nina, but you have to find Lauryn and your ex-wife. She says they are running out of time.”

  “Eden, her name is Eden.” I don’t know why I felt the need to clarify it. “Honor, are you on the horn?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you get us a chopper so we can get there quicker now that the storm has subsided?”

  “I’ll pinpoint your location and send one in your direction. I located the fire station, but it’s not the one you want because it’s operational. She can’t be holding them there. I located an abandoned one that was operational during the time frame that Nina would’ve lived in Forks.”