Copyright © 2016 by Ahren Sanders
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.
Editing: Kendra Gaither at Kendra’s Editing and Book Services
Cover Photo: Scott Hoover, Scott Hoover Photography
Cover Model: Keith Kirkwood
Cover Design: Melissa @MG BookCovers and Designs
Formatting: Erik Gevers
Table of Contents
Title Page
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Other Books
Prologue
Finn
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. This dumbass loser is responsible for all this madness?
“He’s a fucking junkie,” I hiss into the mic at my chest, watching the man in the other room pace while waving his gun in the air. He spins every few seconds, aiming the gun at anyone who whimpers. “He’s cagey. I can see his pupils from here. He’s coming down from a high.”
“He’s a goddamn wild card,” Robbie crawls up beside me and says into his own mic. “Totally your call, but I wouldn’t recommend storming in with the state of mind he’s in.”
There’s a crackle in our ears as the police lieutenant sounds through. “You boys see any of my men?”
“Affirmative, see the men rounding the building now. I’d be careful about that. This idiot’s already angry. Last thing we need to do is provoke him with a loaded gun and a room full of hostages.” Robbie tries again to reason with the highly pissed off officer outside.
“If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it. Now shut up and stand back. Let us do our jobs. Still don’t know why Hayes Security is even on the scene.”
Robbie and I roll our eyes, having heard this same statement at almost every situation we walk into. No one seems to want us around, but yet, here we are again.
“They’re here because your boss called me this morning. We run the security on this entire building, and seeing as this madman has captives in the bank, we thought it imperative we act fast. Lose the attitude, Lieutenant. I haven’t had enough coffee to deal with your ego this morning.” James Hayes, Robbie’s dad, my boss, and the owner of Hayes Security, cuts through the communications line, obviously irritated.
“Tell me about it. I was sitting down to enjoy a latte and donut when the call came in,” I joke, knowing it’s going to piss off any of the police listening.
“You think this is funny, Black?” Another voice I don’t recognize comes through.
“Actually, no, I don’t think this is funny. I think it’s boring. If y’all don’t mind, let’s get this show on the road. I have a statistics exam in a few hours.”
This earns a chuckle from Robbie and a few others listening in.
“Heads up, boys. I’ve got a call coming in. Stick with the plan. Only reason to move is to ensure safety of the hostages, got me?”
We confirm with James and watch the junkie holding the gun. The phone on one of the desks rings, and he jumps, waving the gun erratically. He points at the desk and shoots.
A woman nearest to him screams, and he kicks her in the stomach repeatedly, yelling at her to shut up. She starts to cry, and he whips her across the face. The security guard on duty makes a move, but the junkie is quick, aiming the gun at him.
That’s our sign. Robbie and I have an unspoken agreement; any kind of violence is unacceptable, but violence on women won’t be tolerated.
“James, he’s losing it. We’re doing this our way.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” someone asks.
“You got a read on the situation? We’ve got two men in place, waiting on the signal.” James ignores the questions firing at him and speaks directly to Robbie and me.
We give each other a nod, and Robbie moves quickly. “Give us sixty and send ‘em in.”
Lieutenant Happy starts cussing and threatens arrest if we don’t stand down. I think he spouts something about obstruction of justice, but I pull out my ear bud and move. Robbie slips through the door of the office we’re in unnoticed, and gets in place.
“Hey, dickhead!” I call out, and the man’s whole body goes solid. He looks around frantically but doesn’t spot me.
“You can’t see me, but I can see you. I’ll give you one chance to put the gun down and surrender.”
“Who the hell are you?”
“I’m a regular citizen who’s pissed you interrupted my morning with this pathetic attempt at a bank robbery.”
“Come out here!”
“You gonna put that gun down?”
“Fuck no!” He lifts the woman at his feet by the back of her sweater and shields himself, pointing the gun to her side.
What a fucking coward. Now he’s pissed me off.
“Okay, have it your way.” I look at my watch and see the timing is right. I’ve kept him stalled for almost forty-five seconds. Right on cue, Robbie takes a shot in the air, which scares the man enough to loosen his grip on the woman, and she drops back to the ground.
I step into the room, and he aims at me, firing off twice before Robbie shoots him in the leg. I drop and roll, wincing as I land on my side and feel the jab in my ribs. The police at the door swarm in and get to the man on the ground holding his leg.
“You okay?” Robbie offers me his hand, and I gladly take it, using his weight to help me up.
“Yeah, but I like internal security a hell of a lot better than this shit. I’m getting too old.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Good job, guys.” James comes up and pats us both on the back. “I’ll handle the police. Why don’t you two take the rest of the day off?”
“I’ll take you up on that.” I hand him all my communications equipment. “I thought the most dangerous thing on my agenda today was the interpretation of a statistical model. Not some gun-wielding druggie.”
“Hayes! Black!” a voice booms through the room.
“That’s my cue to go.” I duck and sneak out before I have to face the rant of yet another official that doesn’t like to be shown up by a security specialist.
Things like this don’t happen often, but when they do, James deals with the fallout. I don’t shy away from the face of danger, and anyone who thinks I should can kiss my ass.
The clock on the dashboard reads eight fo
rty-five am. Plenty of time to study before my real day starts.
Presley
I walk up the front porch of my childhood home and sigh in disappointment. There’s a creaking to my right, and I hang my head in exhaustion. This is not the way I hoped my night would end.
“Hey, Pres, how was your date?”
“Are you waiting up for me, Simon?”
“Nope, just enjoying a beer. Want one?” He points to the small cooler at his feet.
I grab one and join him on the porch swing. We sway back and forth in silence for a few minutes, him waiting me out.
“It sucked,” I tell him what he already knows. “I hoped this guy would be different.”
“Why would he be different when you keep picking the same guy in different clothing?”
“Simon!”
“No, really, the last three guys you’ve gone out with have the exact same pedigree but different names and different clothes. They’re all boring, somewhat self-centered, and way too reserved.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being reserved. I like reserved. It means they think before they act. Decision making skills are important in a relationship.”
He starts to choke and spits his beer out. I pat him on the back, and he shakes his head, trying to catch his breath.
“You realize you just explained your dating life as if you were picking out carpet. Completely emotionless.”
I try to argue, but it’s useless because he’s right.
“I guess I’m boring. I don’t need any high thrills. Stability is important.”
“Stability is safe, and you’ve played it safe forever.”
“Safe is responsible. You and Johnny are the spontaneous ones. You two live for the action. I’m perfectly content with ease.”
“Don’t do that, Presley. Don’t let it be enough for you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re better than that. You’re an amazing woman with so much to offer. I’m scared you’re wasting a chance at love by always playing the safety card. I’d like to see your face light up when the man of your dreams walks in and sends your heart soaring. Haven’t you ever heard of butterflies fluttering and all that shit?”
I sip my beer and look into the darkness. “It’s not going to happen for me.”
“Not if you keep picking your dates at ‘Geeks R Us’.”
“No, I mean, I’m not sure I’m equipped to handle anything but boring. This way there are no surprises.”
“Jesus, listen to you. Do you pencil in sex, too, just to make sure both of you free up the time?”
I wince in discomfort. One, it’s bad form to discuss your sex life with your brother. Two, he doesn’t know he perfectly described my sex life with my last boyfriend. He was more structured than I am and liked to know when I planned to stay the night. It was a part of his schedule. There wasn’t an impulsive bone in his body.
“I can see by your expression I hit a nerve, so don’t answer that question.”
“Simon, why are you riding my ass tonight?”
“Because you’re my baby sister, and for the last ten years, you’ve taken care of everyone else’s needs. I’m afraid you’ve bypassed too many of life’s spur of the moments. It’s time to reach for what you deserve.
“Also, think about Winnie. My little girl looks up to you with every ounce of devotion I know. Don’t teach her to be afraid. Teach her to take chances, live her life, and be the person Mom raised all of us to be.”
“What do you suggest I do?”
“Take a chance. Live in the moment. Jump in the deep end.”
“What happens if the deep end drowns me? At least now I have structure.”
“You’re not listening to me. You won’t drown because you’re too strong. Give yourself credit.”
I lean into him, putting my head on his shoulder. “I love when you come home to surprise us. When did you arrive?”
Instead of answering me, he shifts to the side and forces me to look up. “I’m sending someone to you. He’s a good man. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. He’ll take care of you. Forever, if you let him. I’m not going to promise life will be easy, but he’ll love you like you were put on this earth only for him. To say I trust him is an understatement, because I’m trusting him with you, my beautiful, golden baby sister.”
“Why are you talking like that?” Panic starts in as the sun rises.
Simon’s body slowly disappears as the light shines, blinding me.
“Simon!” I cry, reaching into the air. “Simon!”
I thrash and roll over, my room bathed in light. My head swims as I realize it was only a dream. I can’t shake the feeling of how real it seemed, and I fight to calm my heart. Every word he said replays in my mind. What did he mean he was sending me someone?
I prop up and look at the clock. Eight forty-five am…
Chapter 1
Finn
What the hell is she up to now? I think to myself, looking around the park for Ember. She’s not at the gazebo where she asked me to meet her so I check the time and take a seat, watching the people all around enjoying the early June weather.
There’s a group in the outer field with a cluster of dogs. Tennis balls and Frisbees fly through the air as each dog chases, catches, and then takes them back to their waiting owners. They look similar in breed, but I can’t tell from the distance.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Ember’s sweet voice rings out behind me.
I turn and smile at Robbie’s wife. Her long auburn hair is tied to the side in a large sparkling clip, and her bright blue eyes shine with her wide smile. She drops the bags she’s carrying on the bench then launches herself into my arms. I squeeze, returning her affection. Robbie Hayes hit the jackpot when he found Ember Walker—now Hayes. Not only is she an incredible person, she has the biggest heart of any woman I’ve ever known.
I couldn’t have picked a better person in the entire world to spend the rest of their life with my best friend.
“Good to see you, babe.”
“I missed you! We’ve been back from our honeymoon over a month. I told Robbie last night I was jealous he got to see you almost every day at work. I don’t care what’s on your calendar, you’re coming over for dinner this weekend!” She leans back, still holding on to my arms.
“I’ll be there.”
“Good.” She turns and starts unloading the bags she dropped earlier.
She sets up a small picnic, offers me a sandwich, and pats the bench for me to sit.
“So, Hero, tell me what’s been happening in your life.”
I shake my head at the ridiculous name she insists on using. For some insane reason, she labeled me a hero when Robbie told her about my part in saving his life in Iraq a few years ago. What she doesn’t understand is I still don’t feel like I did enough to help Robbie or save the men we lost in the roadside bomb that day. We’re Marines, and it’s in my bones to protect. Any of them would have done the same thing for me.
“You gotta stop calling me that.”
“Never. Get over it.” She wiggles her finger at me. “Always my Hero.”
“Tell me about Tahiti.” I change the subject, referring to her recent honeymoon.
“It was heavenly.” Her voice goes soft, and she looks at me with a new sparkle in her eye. “Everything was perfect—the weather, the food, the island. I didn’t want to leave, but Robbie promised we’d go back.”
“I’d bet he’s making those plans right now if it puts that look on your face. Fucker is lucky to have you.”
She blushes and tries to hide her face, which she does often.
“Enough about me. I want to know about you.”
“Simple. Working and school. Decided to take two courses this summer so I can finish in December.”
“You don’t want to talk about the fact that you were SHOT AT a few days ago in that bank robbery attempt downtown?”
Fucking Ro
bbie and his big mouth.
“Babe, it wasn’t that bad. The guy was a shaky motherfucker. He couldn’t hit me if he tried. I had it covered.”
“Says the guy who flinched when I hugged him. You can’t hide it from me. Robbie said you bruised your ribs when he shot at you. He could have killed you!” she yells.
“I’ve survived worse than a few bruised ribs, Ember. No junkie was going to get the honor of taking me out. Promise you, I had it under control, and I had Robbie. We make a good team.”
She looks at me skeptically then relaxes her shoulders.
“Since you’re such a badass, you’ll be taking a permanent position with Hayes Securities, right?” Her eyes turn sad and plead with me silently.
Good way to segue into a subject I’ve been avoiding with everyone.
Fucking Robbie again. He’s the only person I’ve told that I’m thinking of leaving Nashville for a while. Coming back after our accident, and discharging from the Marines, was the best plan at the time. I enrolled in school for my business degree and took part-time work with Hayes Security.
The work is interesting, and I’m good at it. But in the last few months, I’ve been itching to get away and see what other cities may have to offer.
It’s not that I don’t love my family and friends in Nashville, but recently, I’ve had a nagging feeling that there’s more out there for me.
“Ember—”
“Don’t answer that now. I’ll support every decision you make, but I can’t imagine not having you here. You’re special to me. To us.”
“How about we cross that bridge when we come to it. No decisions have been made.”
“Fair enough. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you here.”
She tries to say the last part quietly, but I hear every word.
While we eat, she fills me in on everything from her work and new clothing designs, to her crazy cousin and his partner. When we’re done, I lean back against the bench and look at her expectantly.
“So, I have an ulterior motive for asking you to meet me here today.” She plays with her wedding rings and gives me a guilty look.
“You don’t say?” I raise an eyebrow at her. “The fact that you asked me to come alone and not tell Robbie was my first clue.”
Finn Page 1
