Riveted: Drawn Series Book 1

by M. A. Stone

  “I am shocked to say the least,” I muttered.

  “That’s understandable. And I am sorry if you felt that you were deceived. But it was necessary to do it not only to maintain my cover, but to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” she replied.

  “Well thanks for telling me. I guess I can’t hate you anymore,” I replied. Axel put his arm around me.

  Candi grabbed her purse and car keys.

  “I will see you later. Hope you both heal up,” she said walking to her car.

  "I am glad things worked out with Jack sis," he said after Candi had left.

  "I was not sure there for a while. I almost gave up hope there," I said.

  “Just don’t give up so easily alright? I gave up trying with Anna; I figured she had her family. I was wrong. If you listen to me about anything, let it be this,” he said softly.

  “I had no idea that you loved her that much Axel,” I said. He nodded.

  “She was a great person. You would have liked her. I tried to get her away from her family, but they had such control over her. In the end, she realized how poisonous they were and knew she was in too deep to get out. That’s why she gave me custody of Harley. To keep our daughter safe,” he said.

  “Can I see a picture of Harley?” I asked.

  He pulled his phone out, hit the screen a few times and then handed it to me. On the screen was a picture of a round cheeked little girl with short black curls and huge brown eyes. She was sitting in the grass, holding a stuffed bunny that looked well loved. She was so sweet.

  “She is beautiful. I can’t wait to meet her!” He smiled and took the phone from me.

  “I can’t wait to see her and hold her again,” he replied.

  We talked a bit more and then he went to work. I had an appointment with my doctor to get fitted for a walking cast. I was tired of the crutches. I threw on a sundress and went out to the front porch. Because I could not drive and Jack had to work, Dad was going to take me to the doctor. Dad pulled up on his Harley. He smiled and waved.

  “Hey princess. You look better. Well rested,” he said. He hugged me and nearly squeezed the breath out of me.

  “Hey Dad. Can we take my truck?” He looked at me seriously.

  “The cast is not really ideal for riding on your Harley. Could we need to leave now? I don’t want to be late,” I said quickly. He nodded and we climbed into my truck, Dad drove of course.

  After the doctor’s appointment, we grabbed some breakfast burritos from a local deli and drove to the park. Sitting down on a bench, I took a bite of my sandwich and sighed.

  “Alright, you have kept me in suspense long enough. What is going on?” he asked, studying my face.

  “I am pregnant,” I said quickly. He dropped his burrito in his lap and his jaw dropped. Then he grabbed me and hugged me.

  “I take it you are really happy,” I said. He laughed his deep Santa Clause laugh and hugged me again.

  “Does Jack know?”

  “He was there when I took the test. He is amazingly happy."

  “I am glad things are better. I know you were scared to tell him how you really felt about him. And I can relate to that. I was terrified to tell your Mom the same thing. I was afraid that she would never want to be with someone like me. I was worried that we were too different. She nearly kicked my ass when she found out.”

  “Really? Wow,” I replied.

  “You are more like me than you think. I guess you just needed to give Jack some time. But he loves you and you were able to work everything out. It will never be perfect, but love is the key my princess.”

  "Thank you so much Dad. You know Axel was always talking about how he and I lived this cycle. Things were okay, then they got terrible, then things calmed down a bit and so on and so on. But I think he had it wrong. Things are amazing and the tough times, just make all the amazing times worth it," I said. He nodded.

  "Your mother was amazing Bleu. But she always told me that love is such a gift. She always made me promise that if something happened to her, that I would not shut the door on love. That if it came into my life, I would welcome it. And I just shrugged it off as touchy feely shit. But I think she was right. Who knows, your old man may have some Casanova in him after all," he said with a smile.

  "Anything is possible Dad," I replied and he pulled me in for a hug.

  Chapter 17

  – One month later

  “Seriously? You want to pierce my Dad’s nipples??!!” I asked Chloe, incredibly stunned. She laughed and nodded her head.

  “I have no words Chloe. None,” I replied, biting into a carrot. We were seated on the couch near all the tattoo stations in the shop. Chloe and I were eating a quick lunch. I was sitting Indian style on the couch next her. Her little feet were tucked underneath her. She had just dropped the bombshell.

  “You are funny! It’s not a big deal Bleu,” she replied. Shaking my head, I took a sip of my soda.

  “Awful lot of caffeine today woman!” she commented. I frowned at her.

  “Stop avoiding the topic,” I said with a frown.

  “I find it humorous that you are so protective of your father,” she said, biting into an apple.

  “He is my Dad. Of course I am going to take care of him. My oldest brother certainly is not going to. And Axel has his own stuff to take care of,” I replied matter of fact.

  “I get that, but I think now that he is out of jail, that you should maybe let him do his own thing.”

  “I know. I am trying,” I replied.

  “Besides, save all the muttering for your little one,” she said. I put my hand on my belly and felt the flutter that was the baby. Jack finished up with his client, a short little woman with long hair. I stood up slowly so that I could take her money and make another appointment for her if I needed to.

  “Your ink came out great!” I told her, looking at her almost finished sleeve. She smiled.

  “Thanks. I think so too. Jack does great work!” she said as she handed me her money. Before she left, she made an appointment to finish up her sleeve. I turned as I felt someone tug on my hair. Axel shot me a playful smile and then placed his hand on my belly.

  “How’s my nephew doing?” he asked. Shaking my head I smiled.

  “How do you know you are having a nephew? For all you know, it could be a niece.”

  “Jack told me. He said you guys found out the other day,” he replied.

  “That blabber mouth!”

  “Who’s a blabber mouth?” asked Jack, coming up behind Axel...

  “Weren’t you the one who said to wait to tell everyone?” I asked. He grinned.

  “Baby, I could not help myself. I was too excited,” he said, rubbing my basketball sized belly and then kissing me.

  “Yeah okay. I still think you are a blabber mouth,” I replied.

  “I will show you what I can do with my mouth later,” he whispered in my ear. Butterflies filled my stomach and I giggled a bit. Axel shook his head and left.

  “It’s a deal baby,” said with a smile. He kissed me and went back to work. God I loved that man. Things were really going great; I admit that sometimes I waited anxiously for the other shoe to drop. But if it did, I was ready. And I had the full support of my family and friends. Life was good.

  Epilogue

  “Could you please stop wiggling? You look like a poodle hopping up and down like that!” said Axel with a frown. He was talking to me. We were in the airport, waiting for my Aunt Almeida’s plane to land. Jack was attempting to hold my hand, but my hopping, as Axel put it, was making it hard for him to hold onto me.

  “Besides, I cannot imagine that all that hopping is good for the baby,” he said. I was seven months pregnant and sometimes I wondered if I was having twins. But it was one little boy. It had been two months and Axel was finally getting his little girl back. Jack and I had bought a little three bedroom house near my Aunt Almeida’s and my Dad, well things had definitely changed with him. About a month ago, he took o
ff, saying he needed some time to clear his head. Jack had told me to leave him alone, and I did. But I was worried. I had also considered hiring Wolf to help me find my brother Beau. I was almost tempted to ask him to check up on my Dad, but I was guessing it would only drive him away. Even if he did not want to talk to us, I wanted to make sure he was okay. Oh and Jack and I eloped, it happened in Florida on the beach. I was a happy woman. Mrs. Jack Doyle had a nice ring to it! Carl had dropped the charges against me, right after he married that trifling bitch of an ex boss of mine. Whatever, I secretly hoped they gave one another herpes or something.

  “She is fine. You two are grown people and you still bicker like ten year olds,” said Chloe, laughing and shaking her head.

  “I don’t think they are ever going to grow up,” said Jack.

  “What is taking so long? The arrivals screen said the plane had landed fifteen minutes ago,” I whined.

  “Wow, patience is not a virtue of yours is it Mrs. Doyle?” commented Jack. I loved it when he called me that.

  “Get used to that man, patience was never her virtue,” remarked Axel. I poked him in his bicep. His head shot up as a little voice screeched.

  “Da!!!” said a little ball of energy, toddling toward him, her curls wiggling as she bounced. Axel crouched down and she threw herself into his arms. She giggled and he closed his eyes, squeezing her tight. He stood up with her in his arms. Her big brown eyes studied us and she gave me a huge smile. God she looked like my mom.

  “Wow, I guess no one missed me huh?” remarked my Aunt Almeida with a smile. She was wearing jeans and a white tank top. Her curly chestnut brown hair was tied up loosely and she wore zero makeup. . She came over and hugged me, placing her hand on my big belly and smiling.

  “I cannot wait to meet my new little nephew,” she said. I walked back over to my brother and smoothed Harley’s curls. She smiled again and held her arms out to me. Axel passed her over and she snuggled up to me and put her head on my shoulder and her thumb in her mouth. I smelled her baby scent, sunshine and flowers. Jack came over and put his hand on her back. Looking around, I smiled and felt warm inside as I realized all of my family was together. I was thinking about my Dad, and wishing he were here. Jack put his hand on my shoulder. He could read my expression I was guessing.

  “Leave it alone. Yeah I can see those wheels turning in your head Bleu. Remember we talked about this? Your Dad will be back, I know it,” he whispered. Frowning, I kissed my niece’s head.

  Aaron’s story to be continued in CAUGHT UP

  Acknowledgements

  Wow. I cannot believe how many people I want to thank. So many wonderful people have helped me along this road to completing this wonderful story.

  Thank you to Ms. Carolyn Trela, my junior high and high school English teacher. She read my earlier works and was always there with encouragement and advice.

  Thank you to Baltimore Street Tattoos, especially Ashley Brubaker. You helped me develop Chloe and a little bit of Bleu too…there’s a lot of you in them. You rock lady!

  Thank you to Jay Crownover and D.L. Roan. You two are my inspiration to think out of the box and not be afraid to let my characters get down and dirty.

  Thank you to Tony Means, Nicole Webster (My Boo) and Jodie Miller (Ethel). You guys are kick ass to start, but you hold a very special place in my heart for being brave enough to read my book before ANYONE else and giving me your honest opinion on it, regardless of if it pissed me off or not. I love you guys!!!

  Thank you my loonies: Kaci, Mandy, Lee and Lisa (aka #theChemist (aka #Mattsome), #FatLisa, #EvilEditor and #theLordAddicted.) You ladies have kept me sane-ish and have helped me out so much. You guys have pimped my book, talked to me about everything Drawn and really made my heart happy. I cannot thank you enough for reading, re-reading and re-re-reading my ARC for me. For forcing me to work and not read other authors’ books and for making me stick to a deadline (Lee). Mandy, thanks for letting me email you random sex scenes and helping me bring Jack back to where he needs to be. I love you ladies, I am so glad I met you all.

  Thank you to my family, ESPECIALLY my husband. Without you, this book would not be possible. No really. When my flash drive was broken by one of our hooligans, you swooped in and saved the day, and my manuscripts, while I had a nervous breakdown in the living room. You are amazing. You are awesome. SOOOO awesome!!! To my hooligans, you guys are above and beyond my best creations. You are amazing, beautiful and you inspire me every day. I love you all to pieces!

  To my Mom and Dad, thank you for never telling me that writing a book was out of my reach. Thank you to my Dad for sitting with me every night and reading to me, just you and I. I love you and thank you. To my Mom, you are an awesome, amazingly strong woman. I love you. Stop rolling your eyes Mom!

  Coming soon… Caught Up: Book 2 in the Drawn Series- Aaron’s story. Read on for a sneak peek

  CAUGHT UP- Book 2 –Drawn Series

  PROLOGUE

  I tried to run up the front porch steps but I was stopped by a police officer. There was an ambulance parked on the front lawn and yellow Caution tape everywhere. The police officer held me back a bit.

  “This is my house; I have to get in there!” I yelled, as I tried not to kick the ass of the uniform in front of me.

  “Daddy!!” a voice yelled. Behind my shoulder stood my daughter, tears on her face, holding onto the hand of her brother Axel. She ran to me and threw herself at me.

  “Bleu, princess, what happened my love?”I asked her kneeling down to her eye level. She sniffled and wiped her eyes, her cheeks dirty. Axel stood next to her sniffling then let her go and started to cling to me. I picked both of them up and walked over to the oak tree in the front of our yard. Before I could talk to them, my neighbor Blake walked over, and his face grim.

  “Blake what in the hell happened?!!” I yelled. He looked at his hands and then back up at me, tears in his eyes.

  “Aaron, it’s not good. It’s Abby,” he said, unable to finish.

  “What about my wife? What about her!!??” I yelled. Axel whimpered in my arms and I kissed the top of his head.

  “She’s…well the kids found her inside, it’s uh...not good. She was a mess Aaron,” he said. My vision grew hazy and I dropped to my knees, holding my children tight to me. Blake put his hand on my shoulder and I openly sobbed. My angel, my love, was dead. Looking up, I took a deep breath.

  “How bad Blake?” I asked. His eyes refused to make contact with mine.

  “They said she was stabbed. It’s awful Aaron. The kids ran over and we called the police,” he replied, his voice choked.

  “Where is Beau?” I asked, looking around for him wildly.

  “He is still at school. Michael is with him too, they had an away game tonight in WillowVale,” he replied. The information did not really process, but I nodded anyway.

  “Listen; let me take the kids to the house. The police need to talk to you anyways,” he said, again as he put his hand on my shoulder. I kissed Bleu and Axel. Bleu looked up at me and she touched my cheek with her hand.

  “It’s okay Daddy. I will watch Axel and play with Abs,” she said, kissing me. I kissed her back. She took Blake’s hand and never let go of her brother Axel’s. Axel looked back at me, his sock monkey clutched in his little hand.

  “Mr. Drawn?” said a voice behind me. Turning, there stood a tall man in dark dress pants, a blue dress shirt and a black tie. He ran a hand through his graying black hair and looked at me grimly.

  “Yes?” I said.

  “We have some questions for you,” he said.

  “When can I see my wife?” I said. I just wanted to hold her, tell her that I was there. She had to be alright. He looked down at the ground and then back up, as if he was struggling to give me an answer.

  “Sir, we are trying to find out some things. It did not look like anyone broke into the house. There was a sign of a struggle, but nothing to indicate a break in. Your wife was stabbed numerous times, and I don’
t think it’s a good idea to tell you every detail of the murder,” he responded in his no nonsense, clipped voice.

  “Murder? My Angel was murdered?? How? Why? I want to know. I need to know,” I replied, forcing myself to calm down, balling my hands into fists. I could feel tears streaming down my face, burning into my skin. She cannot be dead. No, it was a mistake.

  “I uh...no one told you what happened??” he asked. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head.

  “No. No one. I come home, to move back in with my wife, with my family and I find this here. Please. Tell me what happened?!” I cried.

  “Sir are you sure? We can go down to the station. We don’t have to do this here,” he said, putting his hand on my shoulder. I looked down at his hand like it was a poisonous snake.

  “Yes I am fucking sure. So tell me what in the FUCK happened to my wife before I lose my fucking mind!” I said through clenched teeth.

  “Your wife was stabbed over 25 times. She was nearly decapitated sir. Once we perform the autopsy, we will be able to determine if there was any sexual assault,” he said in one breath, softly. With a moan, I fell to my knees. My beautiful Angel. Her light blonde hair, her huge blue eyes, the quiet softness of her voice. I would never see or hear it again. Some monster took her away from me. What was I going to do?

  “Sir? Are you alright?” he asked, looking at me with concern. I looked up at him and then shook my head. Was he a fucking idiot? Of course I was not alright!

  “No Detective, I am never, EVER going to be alright,” I responded grimly. He nodded, looked at me and walked away. He went over to a uniformed police officer, they began to talk and then they looked over at me. All I could do was stare at my front door as they wheeled out a gurney with what looked like a body bag on. I closed my eyes and heard a high pitched scream, realizing after a few seconds, that it was me.