Craving Shannon

by E. D. Brady

  “I watched her die,” Chad recalled.

  Charles shook his head. “No, you didn’t,” he replied with a rueful expression.

  “I…I went to her funeral,” Chad said, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand.

  “Empty casket,” Charles mumbled. You were so distraught that you never bothered to wonder why it was a closed casket ceremony. I don’t think you even considered who’d made all the arrangements.”

  “Why…why didn’t you tell me this?” he asked in a small voice. “I died along with her. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We had our reasons,” Charles answered.

  “Did you do this?” Chad questioned, glaring at the older man. “Did you hide her up here?”

  Charles nodded.

  “I need to hear it,” Chad said flatly through clenched teeth. “I need to hear what you did. Everything!”

  Charles let out a deep sigh. “The night it happened, your mother and I were having dinner nearby when Alex called us to relay the bad news.”

  “How did Alex know?” Chad interrupted.

  “You spoke with him before getting into the ambulance.”

  “I have no memory of that,” Chad replied in a stunned voice.

  “I’m not surprised. You were devastated,” Charles said. “Anyway, your mom and I arrived at Lenox Hill a few minutes after you. As it turns out, I have an acquaintance that is a leading surgeon there. I called him from my cell and he agreed immediately to oversee Shannon’s treatment.”

  “What did he do?” Chad questioned.

  Charles shook his head. “Nothing out of the ordinary. As bad as her wound looked, the bullet passed back out without damaging any major organs. It was evident as soon as they took the dress off that she was in no immediate danger.”

  “I saw her face, Dad,” Chad yelled. “She was pure white, there was no color left, and she was so still…”

  “She went into severe shock,” Charles explained. “And then she passed out. Her mind shut down to protect itself from the horror of being shot by strangers.”

  Chad ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head.

  “I can understand why you thought she was critical,” Charles said. “Not only did you think it, so did the doctors when she was first rolled in, and also the FBI agents. When Alex filled me in on the details of Allison Jenkins’ death and her husband’s involvement with the Cartel, I knew immediately what Shannon was up against. It dawned on me that we could use the mistaken severity of her wound to our advantage. I had my friend keep her status secret while I made a few phone calls, called in a few favors. Within twelve hours, Shannon Walsh was officially dead and Allyssa Mathers was alive and well, complete with social security number, driver’s license and passport.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Chad said, feeling his temper starting to flare.

  “We didn’t know how much the Cartel knew, if they knew about your relationship. We couldn’t take any chances in case they were watching you. We needed you to be convincing during the funeral. I know how terrible you suffered, Son, but understand, we were trying to keep not only Shannon safe, but also you.”

  Chad nodded reluctantly. Regardless of his pain and anger, he saw the logic in his father’s words.

  “We were going to tell you eventually, once we thought things had died down.”

  “So why didn’t you?” Chad asked in an anxious voice. He noticed his father and Shannon share a look before his father answered.

  “I came up here on a regular basis to check on her. About six weeks ago, I told her I thought it was time.”

  “Time for what?” Chad asked in a hesitant tone.

  “Time that you knew.”

  “So why didn’t you—”

  “I told him not to tell you,” Shannon admitted.

  Chad felt his body stiffen. Why would she want to keep that from him? Why wouldn’t she want to see him? Did she not want him anymore? He turned to look into her face apprehensively. “Why?” he demanded.

  Her lip quivered. “I was ashamed of my life. I had already gotten you mixed up in my white trash drama. I thought you’d be better off without me.”

  Chad stared at her blankly for a second or two. “I love you,” he said in a disbelieving tone. “I have suffered pain unimaginable without you. How could you do that to me?”

  “I’m so sorry,” she cried.

  Chad picked her up off his lap and set her on the couch. He walked over to the mantel, leaned both hands on it and hung his head between his arms. “How could you, Shannon?” he asked through gritted teeth, not bothering to look in her direction.

  “I’m sorry,” she said again.

  Chad turned to face her, anger coursing through him. “I told you I loved you!” he yelled. “Why would you doubt me?”

  Shannon put her hand up to her mouth and cringed.

  “Go easy, Son,” Charles butted in. “She was very concerned for your safety. She really did labor under the delusion that you would be happier without her. Plus, she’s been through her fair share of heartache. She was just as devastated as you were by the separation. I called her earlier today to tell her that enough was enough. I wasn’t going to stand by and watch you both suffer any longer. I think I finally convinced her that she was being foolish.”

  Chad glared at Shannon. Then, as quickly as it came, the anger evaporated, and he was left with the astonishing reality that she was really there, that she was really alive.

  He rushed over to her and pulled her into his arms once more. He held on to her tightly, silently rejoicing in the feel of her perfect body in his arms once again.

  “I’m so sorry,” she cried into his shoulder.

  “Silly girl,” he whispered into her ear. “You silly, beautiful girl.”

  Charles cleared his throat again. “I’m going to head back home,” he announced, looking a little uncomfortable with his third wheel status. “Give your mother and me a call when you’ve made plans.”

  “What do you mean?” Chad asked.

  “I’m leaving you here for the time being,” Charles announced.

  “No,” Chad responded, shaking his head. “I don’t need to make plans; I’m taking Shannon home right away.”

  Charles glared at his only child incredulously. “This is serious, Chad,” he stressed. “Shannon is dead. She has to remain so. There is no going back for her.”

  “I’m not living without her,” Chad argued.

  “I realized that,” Charles countered. “You’re going to have to start over with Allyssa here. Here or somewhere else, but not Manhattan, at least not for a while.”

  He knew his father was right. The life he had was over; it had to be for Shannon’s sake, for love’s sake.

  Within four weeks, Chad had given in his notice at work, which was somewhat amusing considering he hadn’t shown up there for over three months. The only reason he was still on the payroll was due to the Bazarov deal. He put his apartment on the market and found a five-bedroom house on two acres of land in Scranton.

  On the very last day of April, he sat facing a beautiful young woman in his new favorite restaurant.

  He reached inside his pocket and played with a certain little black box.

  When the waiter cleared their table, Chad got down on his knees in the midst of the crowded restaurant. Then, pulling the black box out of his pocket, he begged Allyssa Mathers to be his wife.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Allyssa kissed her husband on the nose and jumped up. “Come on,” she coaxed. “Let’s go eat.”

  “Okay,” he agreed. He hopped off the bed, stood up and picked his pants off the floor. “Oh, yeah, there’s something I forgot to tell you,” he said as he slid his legs into his pants. “Alex called before. He and Julie are coming up next weekend.”

  “Are they bringing the kids?” Allyssa asked.

  “I guess so,” Chad replied.

  “Good,” she responded. “What about Derek and Sofia?”

  “Derek’s no
t sure if they can make it.” He noticed his wife pout slightly. “It’s okay. We’re all going to be together next month for my sixtieth birthday cruise.” He rolled his eyes at the prospect of hitting such a milestone.

  “True,” she mumbled, nodding. She pulled her new dress up to her chest then turned her back to her husband. “Can you zip me up?” she asked.

  He brushed her hair out of the way and felt an electric current as his hand slid over her shoulder. He pulled up her zipper then kissed the back of her neck. “Thank you,” he murmured against her skin.

  “For what?” she questioned.

  “For agreeing to marry me all those years ago,” he responded, “for loving me.”

  She turned to face him and gazed up into his eyes. “That was never a choice,” she uttered. “Loving you is just who I am.”

  He let his eyes fall down over her beautiful body. “Y’know,” he began, his tongue grazing his lip, “you look so good in that dress that I’m thinking maybe we don’t need to go eat right away. I have the room for the whole night.”

  “Seriously?” she screeched. “We just had sex for three straight hours. You couldn’t possibly want to again.”

  He shrugged his shoulders and smirked.

  “You’re too much,” she said, laughing.

  “You see, that’s the problem right there,” he stated, “You’re not. You never have been. Heaven knows I’ve been trying my damnedest to get my fill of you for the past twenty-five years. I just can’t seem to get enough of your gorgeous body, but I think tonight might be the night.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

  “Now?” she asked, giggling. “Tonight of all nights could be the one…”

  “Maybe…” he answered impishly.

  “What’s so different about tonight?” she asked, going along with his silliness.

  “There’s no difference, it’s just that I figure sooner or later…”

  “Sooner or later, what,” she probed, narrowing her eyes, “you’ll get bored of me?”

  “Never!” he vowed. “I will never get bored, but maybe I’ll stop craving you constantly. I have a sneaking suspicion that one more time tonight just might do the trick.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” she questioned.

  “Well then, Sweet Girl,” he said, looking down at her adoringly, “I’ll know exactly what I’ll be doing for the next twenty-five years.”

  About the Author

  Originally from Forest Hills, New York, E. D. Brady is a wife and mother of two, living in a small town outside Raleigh, NC. Since childhood, she dreamt of writing stories and spent countless hours entertaining her friends by making up romantic tales for them. Giving up the Manhattan business world has allowed her the time to finally put pen to paper.

  E. D. Brady is also the author of Romantic Fantasy ‘The Vistira Trilogy.’

  Visit her at http://www.edbrady.net

  Thank you so much for reading!

  If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review here: http://amzn.com/B00PV0CR5U

  Remembered (The Vistira Trilogy: Book 1)

  Emily's past is a mystery. Left abandoned on the steps of a police precinct as a young girl, she is unaware of the love she left behind in another world. When she seeks hypnotherapy to deal with haunting dreams of a handsome stranger, she is thrown into memories of being kidnapped and almost murdered.

  Kellus's heart is torn apart by the strange and devastating disappearance of the only woman he would ever love. A secret kept from him as a child turns out to be the catalyst in a devious plot to control the world of Vistira. But first, the power-hungry Dinora, aided by the traitorous Lionel, needed to eliminate the one woman who could prevent them from bending Kellus to their will.

  With the help of their family, the young couple must find a way back to one another and end the threat posed by their enemies, not only for their own sakes, but also for the safety of their entire world.

  Remembered (The Vistira Trilogy: Book 1)

  http://amzn.com/B00AP83YGO

  In the UK

  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AP83YGO

  Reclaimed (the Vistira Trilogy: Book 2)

  With Lionel gone, Dinora's ambitions escalate towards a bloody war that only Annie may have the power to prevent.

  Annie and Kellus set out to find the one object that may thwart Dinora's schemes. Along the way, they are reunited with an old friend, but Annie worries that they will not make it home in time to take on the forces that threaten the lives of their family and everyone they know. As the danger builds, only one element can save them, but will their love be strong enough to endure the ultimate test?

  Reclaimed (The Vistira Trilogy: Book 2)

  http://amzn.com/B00APOHMDO

  In the UK

  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00APOHMDO

  Returned (The Vistira Trilogy: Book 3)

  Brooke Bradcore is unaware that she is part of a catastrophic chain of events that have been set in motion.

  With her recent engagement leaving her less than thrilled, she becomes involved in a steamy affair with a handsome man she meets on the subway. But when this man and his friends kidnap her, she realizes that her whole life has been a lie. She is forced to rely on her captors to help her navigate the destruction thrust upon them. Together, they must save not one, but two worlds.

  Returned (The Vistira Trilogy: Book 3)

  http://amzn.com/B00AQ9RLEI

  In the UK

  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AQ9RLEI