The Broken Road

by Melissa Huie

  “Shut the hell up, bitch. Don’t worry, Reggie. I’ll take care of her,” Dominic said, an evil grin spreading on his fat, ugly face.

  “Like hell you will.” Rat tat tat tat.

  Dominic’s facial expression didn’t change as he collapsed, like it was frozen in ice. He dropped listlessly to the floor. The only thing that changed was the three perfectly round holes in the side of his head.

  As soon as the shots rang out, Reggie whipped around his gun and pointed it toward the deadly shadow where the shots came from. I didn’t think. I reacted. Before I could even fathom the thought, Kate’s gun was in my hand. I pointed the gun at Reggie and fired. The recoil pushed me back, but I barely noticed. I couldn’t stop firing. This needed to be over. I needed it over. Screams filled the room.

  “Megan! Megan! STOP! He’s dead. It’s okay. Stop!” someone shouted. I could barely hear over the ringing in my ears and the screams that were still echoing in the room. My screams. I turned my gaze to the voice. Tommy stood beside me with his hands out, reaching for the gun. My hands quaked, and my body started to heave. Tommy bent down to me. Terror and fear filled his face.

  “Tommy?” I asked helplessly. The chaos that had erupted after Reggie went down was beyond deafening. Tommy gathered me in his arms and carried me outside. Once I was placed on the ledge of the ambulance, I broke down. My body shook violently. I didn’t know what to feel. Relief, shock, fear, guilt all washed over me. I couldn’t form a coherent sentence. I just listened to him whisper to me that everything was going to be okay.

  “Where’s Mom?” I cried out frantically as I wrestled my way out of his arms.

  His arms tightened around me and softly said, “She’s fine. Rick has her safe and they are waiting for us at the hospital.”

  I nodded, then tears formed in my eyes when I thought of the bloody mess inside. “Kate. Oh my God! Kate! Is she okay?”

  Tommy shook his head sadly. “I don’t know. She’s in really bad shape, Megs.” My heart broke and the tears became sobs. Kate, a woman that I had despised based simply on my own insecurities and ignorance, had become a good friend. A friend who saved my life, whose own now hung in the balance. I will never be able to thank her properly.

  Tommy put me in the ambulance and sent me on my way. He had to stay behind to write up the report and go over evidence, but he promised to stop by. Although I knew the threat was gone, I wished that he had come with me. I didn’t know how to process everything that had happened.

  * * *

  My Kevlar vest came off in the ambulance. When I arrived at the county hospital Mom rushed over and grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face. “Thank the Lord that you’re okay! We saw the accident and Rick turned us around and we went another way. I wanted to come back to you,” she said frantically, her hands running over my face and arms.

  “Mom, I’m okay,” I whispered. She hurried alongside the gurney as they pushed me into the emergency room. A gentle-looking elderly nurse was waiting for me, a clipboard in hand. Another nurse ushered my mother beyond the curtain, stating that they needed to check me out and that she had forms to fill out. The nurse helped me out of my bloodstained clothes and into a thin gown.

  A fetal heart rate monitor immediately went around my waist. The galloping thump of the baby’s heart raised my spirits. Aside from a bruised rib and cuts in my hand from the glass, I was alright. I was safe. My baby was safe. My family was safe. The only thing missing is Shane. As much as my heart was broken, I couldn’t cry. I wasn’t ready. My head told me he was dead, but my heart wouldn’t let me believe it. When I see his body, when I see him laid out in the casket, that is when I will believe it. But until then, I will hold on to the mere sliver of hope that he made it. I had too much to process. I needed to separate everything that had happened. I needed to deal with the profound emotion of putting a bullet in someone’s body, of killing someone. I needed to deal with the insanity that had encompassed my life for the last month. I needed to heal.

  My mom came back in, sliding the curtain behind her. “How are you doing, baby cakes?” she asked gently, pushing back a lock of my hair.

  I gave a plaintive cry. “Mom, I want to go home. Take me home.”

  Epilogue

  OCTOBER IS MY FAVORITE time of the year. The sting of the summer heat makes way for cooler temperatures. The leaves change color. Apples are plentiful and pumpkin spice flavored pastries and drinks make their way into the stores.

  After leaving the hospital with a clean bill of health back in July, Rick drove the dogs, my mother, and me back to her house where we were met by Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen. The cartel had been losing its footing in the drug trade for a while and the death of Reggie sparked a drug war between them. The possibility of someone coming after me was slim and the threat had diminished enough that our protection detail was no longer required. But that didn’t stop Kyle, Adrian, Ryan, and the rest of the guys from watching over us. It stayed that way for about two weeks, when Mom pushed everyone out. I stayed with her for a month as I tried to mentally heal. But staying with my mother, as much as I love her, was stifling. I felt constricted, so Penny and I moved back home. The first thing I did was open the windows. The house had been closed up for two months and it was time to do some airing out.

  Letting everything air out also meant filling in Adrian and the rest of the guys on the truth of Eric’s and Shane’s deaths. The shock was mine when Adrian pulled me aside and told me what he knew.

  “Megs. I was the only one who knew what was going on. I helped Tommy out by giving the feds permission to wiretap the garage, where a lot of deals went down. I was trying to help Shane and Eric. I knew Shane wanted to straighten his life out, and I hoped that if Eric got busted, it would scare him straight. But it didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” Adrian said sadly. I could see this giant monster of a man starting to crumble.

  I threw my arms around him and whispered. “I don’t blame you. Does Rachel understand?”

  “No. She left me as soon as I told her. I doubt she’ll ever forgive me.” Another casualty of this mess, the repercussions of which will go on for a long time.

  I didn’t go back to work until mid-September. I needed time to mentally prepare myself. I didn’t deal with things very well in the beginning. A lot of sleepless nights, nightmares and paranoia. My roller-coaster emotions exploded against the unpredictability of my pregnancy hormones and I was a mess. At the advice of my mom and Kyle, I started seeing a therapist, someone I could vent to without hurting anyone’s feelings. Someone who could help me work through and explain the wide range of emotions that I felt. Someone who would listen without judgment.

  I slowly came back. I felt more and more like a normal person as time went on. My mom went with me to doctor appointments and shopped with me for the nursery. She was there when the sonogram technician said, “You’re having a girl.” Her name is Katie Louise Turner. No doubt about that.

  Nights were the hardest. As the baby grew and she began keeping me up at night with the kicking and the dancing on my bladder, I thought of Shane. I thought of him missing this. He didn’t get to feel her first kick. He wasn’t there when we got the sonogram. He wasn’t there to help pick out the perfect lavender and pink for her bedroom. But I knew that he was with us in spirit.

  Kate’s condition improved gradually. After a month at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, she transferred to a hospital closer to her home base in Florida. Kate eventually recovered enough to go back to work, albeit in a desk job position. She hated not being in the thick of the madness and was eager to be medically cleared for field duty. We kept in contact through Facebook and Skype. She was a great help to me and my state of mind. I confided in her and she understood the issues and turmoil the situation caused.

  Tommy stuck around and helped me heal as well. After all, this was part of his job. I could never understand how he dealt with such things on a regular basis. When I asked him about it, he said dryly, “Meg, this is not an eve
ryday occurrence. I’m mostly doing wiretaps and surveillance. Gun fights? Not as often as you might think.”

  After everything settled down, he took some time off. He helped me put together the nursery and paint the walls. Tommy was there for me, more than any other time in our relationship. It felt good to have someone know and understand what I was going through. But then, Tommy took it a step too far. One night, we were sitting on the couch watching an old movie when I felt Katie kick for the first time. Elated, I grabbed Tommy’s hand. I held it over my stomach as the little bump kicked again. He looked at me with such amazement.

  “Megs . . . I know I’m not her father, but I could be her daddy. You don’t have to do this alone. I could make you both so happy,” Tommy whispered. I barely heard him over the loud beating of my heart. I knew what it took for him to utter those words. However, my feelings for Shane were still too strong. Shane was her daddy; I couldn’t allow anyone else to fill that role.

  “Tommy, as much as I appreciate everything you have done, and as close as we have become, I have to say no. You’re a part of her family, of our family. We wouldn’t be here without you. But, I can’t admit that Shane’s gone. I even refused to have a memorial service because I can’t grasp it. Shane’s her Daddy and I never want to take that away from her,” I said, as gently as I could.

  The sadness in his eyes pained me, but I couldn’t let him go any further. Soon after that, he stopped coming around as often. The bureau had him going back and forth between Florida and New York. We still talk everyday, but our conversations are strained. I turned to other family members for support. I started talking to people more. I joined Jen for dinner and played with Lauren. She was tickled that I was having a baby. Although in her little three-year-old mind, she was confused about Shane not being there. Jen explained it to her, but Lauren still brought it up from time to time.

  Kyle and Sarah’s wedding was held on a beautiful Saturday at a historic mill located in Savage Mill, Maryland. The ceremony and reception were amazing. No detail had been left out. Sarah was as excited as I was about my pregnancy, and she picked out a new beautiful cranberry gown with an empire waist that obliged my protruding belly. I was so excited for her. The love that radiated between Kyle and Sarah was infectious, but soul crushing at the same time. I missed Shane so much. The pain of losing him crashed down on me at the reception, and so I begged off early and went home.

  At two in the morning, the dancing queen in my belly decided that my bladder was her favorite dance spot. After several trips to the bathroom, she was still wiggling, as if trying to get comfortable. I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts kept drifting to Shane. A truck’s engine downshifted to just an idle in front of the house. Because of the previous events, I peeked outside as my paranoia took hold. A black SUV idled in front of my neighbor’s house as a man got out. I assumed that it was my neighbor’s husband just getting home from a night out. I climbed back into bed.

  With my belly, it was difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Suddenly, I heard a noise downstairs. Penny, the useful guard dog that she is, started barking excitedly.

  BANG BANG BANG.

  What the hell? A familiar grip of fear clenched my stomach, but I forced myself to relax. There hadn’t been any sign of Reggie’s crew lately, and with Halloween in two weeks I was sure it was just teenagers acting stupid. I threw my cotton bathrobe over my T-shirt and shorts, grabbed my brother’s baseball bat and, as stealthily as I could for a woman who was six months pregnant, crept down the stairs. I peered through the kitchen window and didn’t see anything, only rain. Curiosity burned through me. I knew it was stupid, but I opened the door to check outside. Nothing. Trembling, I walked down the driveway just as the squeal of tires on wet pavement pierced the night. Tears mixed with rain as disappointment engulfed me. I had hoped—no, prayed—that Shane would be waiting for me.

  But he wasn’t, and now I was soaking wet, watching brake lights fade in the distance. I hung my head and walked up the driveway. A shadow emerged from the carport. I could barely see through the rain, but the light from the carport was enough to shine on those beautiful hazel eyes.

  My stomach flew into knots and my heart swelled. I let out the breath I had been holding for God only knew how long and whispered the name I’d been dying to say. “Shane.”

  I couldn’t have done this without the support of my family and friends.

  Brian—you were at the end of my broken road. Thank you for your love, your support, and your encouragement. I am so lucky to have found such an understanding and loving husband. I love you so much.

  To my Booktrope Team – Carla, Terri, and Robin – Thank you!! Thank you for your patience, your hard work, your humor. You’re amazing. You’re freaking rock stars. xoxo

  Fallon and Jason—this book wouldn’t have happened without the two of you pushing me. Your suggestions and your input were always right on point. Thank you for reading all my rough drafts, the odd ball plot outlines, and helping me with my writer’s block. I am so grateful to have you helping me. This story would not have gotten this far without you both. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  William and James – Thank you SO much for letting me use that badass image and for supporting me! It was great working with you both. Next time I’m in AZ, drinks are on me.

  To all my family, friends, M&M mommas, co-workers and strangers who let me drone on and on and on about the book—thank you for listening and being interested (or at least pretending to care!!!). I love you all.

  And finally—to all my readers. Thank you for your love, your support, your enthusiasm! This is all for you!

  About the Author

  Melissa grew up in Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay, where her favorite memories took place near the water. Now she lives near Washington, D.C. with her family, dog, and a lot of fish. In between the chaos of laundry, chasing after her three children and trying not to burn dinner, Melissa continues to find her escape by feeding her addiction of reading and writing about love, suspense, and humor.

  Melissa loves to hear from readers! She can be contacted at:

  Email—melissa@melissahuie.com

  Website—www.melissahuie.com

  Twitter—www.twitter.com/melissahuie

  Facebook—www.facebook.com/melissadhuie

  Goodreads—www.goodreads.com/melissa_huie

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