The Betrayed Series: Ultimate Omnibus Collection

by Carolyn McCray

  “Oh, he’s there alright,” Bunny said, although Rebecca wasn’t quite sure what she meant.

  They made it to the roof’s landing when an entire wall tumbled down. Brandt shoved Rebecca out of the way as it crashed against the steps. Rebar stuck out like the Disciples’ daggers. He was helping her climb over them when a section of roof collapsed right on top of him.

  Brandt screamed. Brandt screamed. She’d seen him shot, stabbed, and he’d never let out a peep. What the hell had happened that he screamed?

  His lower half was covered in rubble.

  “Go on,” he said.

  “Yeah, right,” Rebecca said. “Prenner!”

  The point man hurried back, helping her lift the rubble as the building shook and swayed around them. They could see sky above them. Screw the roof, they were the roof now.

  Finally, they got a slab of wall off of Brandt’s legs. One foot was pointed in the wrong direction. No wonder he’d cried out.

  He tried to rise, but his right knee buckled under him. Rebecca threw his arm over her shoulder. Prenner did the same, pulling Brandt up to his feet.

  The door seemed a long way off, though. Then she heard something above her.

  “Get in!” Lopez yelled.

  He was in some kind of man-powered, well, “flight apparatus” was the closest thing she could call it. Lopez was pedaling like mad as the wings flapped up and down.

  “What the fuck?” Brandt said.

  “It’s Bangkok,” Lopez reminded them. “Roll with it.”

  Rebecca tried to help Brandt into the seat next to Lopez.

  “What’s wrong?” Lopez asked.

  “His knee is blown.”

  “Well, we need someone who can pedal,” Lopez informed her.

  Prenner hopped in beside him and started pedaling.

  “Grab hold!” Lopez yelled as the building beneath them collapsed inward.

  * * *

  Nearly blinded in pain, Brandt grabbed a hold of the strut, as the floor was no longer the floor. The building was gone. Just gone. Rebecca was dangling next to him. He really needed to take her on a real honeymoon.

  Despite both Lopez and Prenner pedaling a hundred miles a minute, they were losing altitude. Then the plume of smoke hit, giving them a little air under their wings. They sailed out over Bangkok. They sailed over the police at the front door. They tried to shoot, but Davidson backed them off. When the police got into their cars to give chase, they found that Davidson had shot out their tires.

  On their own, they flew over the streets of Bangkok. And no one noticed. Really? A two-man, bike-propelled flying apparatus with two people dangling from the struts, and barely anyone looked up, and if they did, they simply looked back down. No craning of necks or pointing of fingers.

  This really was Bangkok.

  Losing altitude, they coasted toward the airport. Brandt seriously doubted they had clearance, but given their “apparatus,” he doubted they needed it.

  Soon, their feet were barely above the tarmac.

  “I’m going to try to land us,” Lopez said. “But you might want to be ready to run.”

  Brandt didn’t think he could run, even if he tried. After all the missions, he was taken down by a knee injury. It was just dumb.

  Rebecca dropped off first. Bracing for the pain, Brandt let go, as well. His knee, which had always behaved before, just couldn’t hold him up. Crumpling to the tarmac, Brandt cringed. Rebecca rushed over.

  “Don’t move it,” she insisted, dropping down beside him.

  They watched the “flying apparatus” bounce once on its wheels, then roll onto the tarmac. Still peddling, Lopez brought the “apparatus” around to them.

  “Was that so steampunk, or what?” he said, grinning ear to ear.

  Brandt wasn’t even sure what that was, but he nodded. It had worked, and that was all Brandt cared about.

  Lopez hopped out. “Okay, I am going to find something that isn’t leg powered and get us out of Thailand.”

  Brandt liked that idea best. Stark shoved the flash drive they had collected into the small tablet he was carrying. “Sending now.”

  “Got it,” Bunny said. “And yes, these are the Disciples’ records. We should be able to track down their safe houses with this information.”

  Gingerly trying to rise, that news made the injury worth it. If Rebecca and he ever hoped to have a “normal” life, the Disciples had to be taken down.

  Forever.

  EPILOGUE

  ══════════════════

  Rebecca walked down the tidy hallway of the Camp Zama US Army hospital in Japan. Lopez had flown them here from Thailand, since it was the closest military hospital in the area. Levont was already in surgery for his broken leg, and Brandt should have the results back soon from the MRI of his knee.

  In her hands, she carried a gift for him. Not stupid balloons, or even candy. Nope, she brought him beef jerky. And not that wimpy, sweet Teriyaki jerky, either. Nope, this was heavily peppered. Nice and hot jerky, just like he liked it.

  She knew how worried he was about the injury. And if peppered jerky couldn’t cheer him up, nothing else could, except possibly her news.

  Rebecca walked into Brandt’s room to find him lying back, with his swollen knee propped up. Between the brace, you could see the damage. Black and blue didn’t even begin to describe it. There were purples and yellows and greens. The entire color spectrum was represented in his flesh. She had known it was bad given how ginger he was on that leg, but she hadn’t known it was that bad. No wonder he was so worried about when he could return to the team.

  “Here ya go,” she said, tossing the jerky to him.

  He caught it mid-air with a grin. “Peppered, right?”

  “Yes, He-Man, peppered,” Rebecca said, then turned to a more serious topic. “Get the results back?”

  Brandt shrugged, which was never good. It was like his shoulders were trying to shuffle away the bad news. “Blown ACL with a meniscal tear. A few surgeries and physical therapy and I should be as good as new.”

  She doubted that. Football players seldom recovered from an injury that severe, and they weren’t throwing around grenades and such.

  “Stupid, isn’t it?” Brandt asked.

  “What?”

  “Levont is tortured for two weeks and will be out in the field in 6 weeks. I’ll be lucky to be back in 6 months.”

  She walked up to his bedside and took his hand. “About that.”

  “Oh, I don’t like this already.”

  “Bunny says that there is a position open with Homeland Security in San Francisco.” Brandt went to speak, but she put a finger over his lips. “Before you say ‘no,’ feel this.” She put his hand over her abdomen.

  “Is it that weird gas thing you’ve been having?”

  “No!” Rebecca smacked him in the arm. “I know that I’m not showing as much as Maria, but…”

  Brandt’s hand slid over her belly. “You mean… you mean you’re pregnant?”

  Looking into his eyes, she nodded. “Yes.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her from the floor. Then he tried to spin her around, but his knee wasn’t quite up to the task, and they fell back onto the bed. “San Francisco it is!”

  They kissed until the door burst open and Lopez, Davidson, and Prenner walked in.

  “Did I hear ‘pregnant’?” Lopez asked.

  “Yes, you did,” Rebecca replied.

  “I thought you had a certain glow,” Davidson said, giving her a hug.

  “Congratulations,” Prenner offered, as well.

  “And we’re sure it’s Brandt’s this time, right?” Lopez joked.

  Rebecca punched him in the arm. “Yes!”

  “Too soon?” Lopez asked with a broad grin.

  “Forever plus a day would be too soon,” Rebecca countered, given the fact that Lopez had allowed Brandt to marry another woman when the baby had, in fact, been the corporal’s.
<
br />   But all of that angst and torment was over. She and Brandt were married and about to start their family. The only slight twinge of regret was Vakasa, the little girl who had sacrificed herself to save Rebecca. She knew that Vakasa would have loved to have had a little brother or sister.

  Rebecca put her hand to her belly, thinking of the life growing inside. No matter a boy or a girl, the child would be named Vakasa.

  “Hey, is that beef jerky?” Lopez asked.

  The magical moment was shattered by the men tearing open the bag and digging in like a bunch of Neanderthals.

  Over the men, her eyes met Brandt’s. With a smile, he laughed. “At least we’re ready for kids.”

  As Lopez elbowed Davidson for some jerky, Rebecca knew he was right. They were ready for the next chapter in their lives. One that didn’t involve the Disciples and RPGs.

  # # #

  Afterword

  Thank you so much for reading the entire Betrayed collection! Hopefully you were as thrilled to read it as I was to write it.

  If you did enjoy the collection I would ask a favor of you and have you go back to Amazon and leave a review. Indie authors live and die by their reivews!

  Do you love Davidson, Bunny and Lopez? Well, then you 'll be thriller to know that the second cycle of the Betrayed series will star them in Caught which should be out later this year. In the meanwhile, check out the next section for more great thrillers!

  Other Works by Carolyn McCray

  The Robin Hood Hacker Series – Carolyn’s action packed techno-thriller series

  Praise for the Robin Hook Hacker Series…

  “Encrypted by Carolyn McCray is a fast paced, hair-raising thriller with a cast of fascinating characters. The heroine, Ronnie, has Laura Croft's moves, Sherlock Holmes' intellect and Indiana Jones' charm.”

  Charlotte

  Amazon Reviewer

  “From the moment I started reading this book, I was in awe. Encrypted is action packed from the first sentence. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. From hackers, special agents, to the plague, you won't be able to put this one down until the end!”

  The Book Goddess

  Amazon Reviewer

  “I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. The author definitely told a unique story that left me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for what's coming next.”

  E. Smith

  Amazon Reviewer

  “Could not put it down, Kept me up until 4:00 AM once. Just when you think you have it figured out as to what happens next you discover you are wrong. Cannot wait for book 2 in the trilogy, Cipher, due out late this year.”

  J. Benson

  Amazon Reviewer

  * * *

  Moonrush – Carolyn’s pulse-pounding space thriller

  It's 2049 and it's not gold the prospectors are looking for, it's “Star Diamonds.” And these precious gems aren't in California but up on the moon!

  Join Jarod and his team of treasure hunters, Rogues Incorporated, as they dodge a nefarious competitor, crazed moon-panning prospectors, and even their own government for the ultimate “motherlode.”

  Praise for MoonRush…

  “Reading this book after taking finals at school was like taking a much needed vacation…to Outer Space! All the characters are so developed and unique and the plot twists and turns make this book rank so high on my list that I'm writing a review about it. Something that I don't normally do. So buy this book and get ready for some quality entertainment from some witty innovative writers! “

  Lisa Thurman

  Amazon Reviewer

  “This was a fast-paced adventure with entertaining characters and an engrossing plot. Reading Moonrush was like watching a great blockbuster summer movie except that I could enjoy it while on the beach. Won't disappoint.”

  BookLover1960

  Amazon Reviewer

  “This book played out like an action packed adventure movie in my head. You know, an action packed adventure movie with a plot, and characters that you can really relate to, and care about. It's filled with everything from science fiction to teenage angst, and nerd humor. All of the elements of a great story are there, and that's what makes it so much fun.”

  DudeMcMan

  Amazon Reviewer

  To purchase Moonrush on Amazon, click here.

  * * *

  Fated – #1 Historical Romance set in ancient Rome

  Torn Apart by History

  Bound for Eternity

  If you enjoyed the historical aspects of 30 Pieces of Silver, I might suggest you try my latest historical paranormal romance, Fated. And yes, I know I just said historical paranormal romance and most of the guys out there cringed and went to scroll past. However, just like 30 Pieces of Silver, Fated defies classification and has equally glowing reviews from men and women alike.

  Set in ancient Rome, Fated is told from the perspective of Brutus in the months leading up to Caesar’s assassination. Fated has the feel HBO’s Rome—only with a unique McCray twist.

  But don’t believe me. Here are just a few of the early reviews for Fated…

  Praise for Fated…

  “From Carolyn McCray comes a historical romance that will leave you hoping that for once, fate will be kind. You will be gripped from the first page to the last, caught in a love that spans eons and an ancient political intrigue whose consequence still reverberates today. This is truly a masterpiece that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.”

  Emma Gilbertson

  Reviewer

  The Writer Bites Back

  “I was enthralled by this book—enthralled by the time period, the romance, the characters, and the historical events unfolding… Kudos, Ms. McCray!”

  Tessa Blue

  @TessaBlue

  Author of Children of the Lost Moon

  “Fated is full of suspense. It does not let go… As usual, Ms. McCray’s style and writing are brilliant.”

  M. Koleva

  To purchase or sample Fated on Amazon, simply click here.

  * * *

  Plain Jane – A Patterson–style thriller with a dash of Hannibal

  If you enjoyed the twists and turns of 30 Pieces of Silver, you might want to try Harbinger’s first novel the #1 Bestselling (Police Procedurals and Hard–Boiled Mysteries)…

  In the words of New York Times best–selling author, James Rollins (Altar of Eden and Bloodline)…

  “Wickedly macabre and blisteringly paced, Plain Jane marks the debut of a thriller for the new millennium. Brash, funny, terrifying, and shocking, here is a story best enjoyed with all the lights on. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

  More praise for Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware.

  “This book is so creepy. I made the mistake of starting in one night before bed. Not only did the story line keep me turning pages, it freaked me out to the point that I didn’t want to turn off my light.”

  The Book Goddess

  Book Reviewer

  “This one had me flipping pages until 2 in the morning. I knew when I saw the quote from James Rollins (one of my favorites) that I would get at least my money’s worth out of the book, but I had NO idea what laid in store for me.”

  Mimi – Novel Ideas

  The purchase or sample Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware simply click here.

  About the Author

  Carolyn McCray

  Carolyn has had a long and extremely interesting road to become a bestseller.

  When she head to veterinary school those many years ago she had no idea decades later she would be writing controversial historical thrillers, gut wrenching mysteries and roller coaster-style action/adventure tales!

  Born in San Francisco and raised in the beautiful Napa Valley, Carolyn always had an overactive imagination. As a child you could usually find her dragging the neighborhood children out to the haunted barn to make her Nancy Drew-style audio tapes. Oh and did she mention, there was an entire life-sized recreation of the nativity scene
in the rafters? Yeah, that wasn’t just a little creepy.

  Which of course was great practice for writing such blockbusters as Plain Jane: A Patterson-style thriller with a dash of Hannibal and 30 Pieces of Silver: An Extremely Controversial Historical Thriller.

  With over 250,000 books sold, Carolyn now lives on a beautiful lake in the Pacific Northwest where the fog rolls in over the water, snuffing out all signs of life around her. Yep, she still loves the creepy!

  Contact Information

  Carolyn McCray can be found just about everywhere social media exists (and some that are just in her head).

  craftycmc@aol.com

  Twitter

  Facebook

  Acknowledgments

  So many people contribute to any book that it is hard to list them all. However, I intend to try!

  This book would never have come into existence without, of course, Jim. Ever cool. Ever there.

  Ben, who faithfully edited the manuscript through its many, many, many incarnations.

  Dee Dee, who has believed in me for so long it is almost impossible to remember a time without her. #andnothatsnotadissonyourage

  Carrie, my editor, who knows of my love for sentence fragments and run-on sentences, yet who still patiently edits them to the point where they are readable!

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, places, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Betrayed – The Omnibus Collection

  An Off Our Meds Project/published by arrangement with the author

  FIRST EDITION

  Copyright 2013 by Carolyn McCray

  All rights reserved

  Kindle Edition

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Any inquiries can be made to:

  3524 South Star Lake Rd

  Auburn, WA 98001