Rise (The Phoenix Series Book 1)

by M. K. Cunningham

  Laughing softly at the back of my head, “Greer, I’m just fine. Are you ok though?”

  He was still fiddling with my back, waiting for a response that I didn’t know how to answer. I needed to be strong for everybody but how could I in this state of mind that I was in.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” He waited. “You can tell me anything.” At some point, while I was spaced out, thinking about my state of mine, Thane had leaned up on his elbow, and his mouth was inches from my ear.

  “I’m not who you think I am.”

  My mind wandered. I didn’t know want I wanted to tell him, but I did want to say something to him. Deep down, my heart ached. This man meant so much to me, has done so much for me but I was afraid of what he would think of me if I told him the whole truth.

  Thane waited patiently, not wanting to say anything. Maybe in fear that if he did, I would stop talking, who knows. He did, however, continue to take his soft, masculine hands and rub my back without hesitation.

  “Three years ago…” If I was going to tell him, I needed to start from the beginning. Why was this so hard?

  “Someone I loved deeply died, he was murdered.” My heart was racing, and my body slowly began to stutter at the image that was playing out in my head. “He was murdered because he tried to free us from a life of danger, crime, hate…you name it.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that Greer, truly but if you’re not ready to talk about this, I’m not going to push the subject.”

  I didn’t look back at him. I didn’t want to see sympathy in his eyes, that’s not why I am telling him this. Instead, I proceed to look ahead of me, looking at the sheer white curtains blowing in the wind from the window being slightly cracked open.

  “Jerry was pissed. He’d lost his best fighter and needed a replacement.”

  I started to become light headed. I hadn’t realized I was breathing so hard and grabbing the side of the mattress enough to have white knuckles.

  “Greer, you don’t have to explain yourself. If this is too much, you can stop.” I could hear the panic in his voice.

  I needed to explain this, especially to him. I had attacked him last night, and he needed to know why. Not that it was an excellent excuse to do it, but still. This conversation wasn’t going to be easy, hell it was going to be far from it, but he needed to hear it.

  “I’d seen…” a sob escaped my throat. “I’d seen Drew murdered, right in front of me, not even ten feet from me.”

  Thane placed his hand on my side and flipped me over to rest my head against his bare chest. He held me tight, not saying a single word.

  “We were at a gas station, waiting for Summer to pick us up. We’d escape the compound in the middle of the night.” I paused, the next set of words would break me even more. “I was on a pay phone, talking with Summer, trying to figure out where she was. The next thing I know, I hear a couple vehicle tires coming to a screeching halt.” A few tears escaped my eyes, but I was able to keep the sobbing away. “Jerry found out somehow, and his men were standing in front of Drew, guns drawn. He had no way of defending himself, we had nothing but the clothes on our backs and some change.” I was sobbing now. I don’t know how Thane would be able to hear the next words coming out of my mouth. “They shot him so many times, right in front of me. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t understand what just happened.”

  Thane held me tighter and tighter with every second that passed.

  My breathing had calmed down along with the sobbing. So, I continued.

  “They left him there, in the parking lot. Dead. As they were getting back into the vehicles, one of them stopped and realized who I was. Part of me wanted to run, but I knew I wouldn’t make it far. Instead, I dropped to my knees and left Summer hanging on the other end, she was screaming through the phone, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying.”

  Letting out a rush of air, I moved my head slightly to look up into Thane’s eyes. “I wanted to die.” I released my stare and placed my head back on his chest slowly.

  Thane’s chest was moving up and down faster than it had before. I could tell those last words affected him.

  “The man who spotted me had his gun pointed in my direction, ready to shoot until Jerry’s voice came over the phone's speaker. He wanted me alive. He had plans for me. A couple of his men came in my direction and dragged me back to the vehicles. The whole time, I stared at Drew, wishing I was with him.” Sighing, “Eventually, Jerry held me hostage for about three months. Within that time, he managed to corrupt the camera’s video footage that was outside the gas station and it showed me, the gun, and Drew’s dead body. My prints were left all over the gun.”

  Tilting my chin up, to stare into his gorgeous green eyes, “What made them let you go?”

  “Death. I was on the brink of death and when they realized that, they removed me from the compound. I literally had no energy to move a single muscle in my body, and I could feel my breathing slow down day by day. Jerry doesn’t like when people die on his property, gets harder to cover up his messes.”

  Instead, they would throw you into the back of a cargo van and drive many miles out of their way and toss you in a ditch like you were nothing. At least that is what they did to me. I had no intentions of telling him any details. I wanted to spare him that much. As long as he knew the basics, that was enough for me. It was becoming easier to talk to Thane about my life which scared me a little. I wanted nothing between us and I was determined to get it all out, minus the details.

  “The day they moved me, I was found hours later by Easton. At that time, he was in med school and heading home when he found me in the ditch. I had gone to school with him, he knew of me, but that was about it. He took me home, knowing that I had a warrant out for my arrest, and helped me.” Looking at Thane, I had a smile on my face. “Just like you. He knew Summer was my best friend and she had been looking for me, he found her and brought her back.”

  Out of nowhere, “She looked horrible. You couldn’t even recognize her unless you knew certain things about her. She looked like a skeleton with the way her ribs, spine, hip, and collarbone was protruding out of her.” Sniffles came from Summer before she continued. “The only way I knew it was her was because when I had gotten to Easton’s place, the first words out of her mouth were, “You catch that damn skunk yet?” Laughing before continuing, “that and her tattoos.”

  Summer was laughing and crying at the same time which made me do the same. Thane didn’t know the story behind the skunk, but I sense seeing us laugh made him laugh as well. She made her way from the doorway to the edge of the bed. I released my hold on Thane and went to Summer to hug her.

  “I’m so sorry about last night. I don’t know what came over me.”

  Summer wouldn’t let me go. Just then, I realized why. This is the first time I’ve ever hugged her. She was now crying uncontrollably.

  Still holding me, “I do. Ever since Jerry has crept back into your life, you’ve been in survival mode Greer. He’s gotten under your skin because now…” Looking to Thane, “You have another reason to worry.” Looking back into my eyes, “You’re afraid of what Jerry will do to Thane.”

  chapter ten

  thane

  S eeing the way Summer and Greer care about each other makes my heart ache. I know, at this very moment, I have to make sure Greer stays safe. Safe from law enforcement because Captain Salter has no intention of hearing Greer’s side of the story or even investigating further into it, and safe from anyone willing to harm her. If things keep going the way they are, she will be caught. The department is on her tail, and someone is feeding them information.

  Bouncing onto the bed, crawling my way to the headboard, “Hey, penny for your thoughts?”

  She caught me by surprise. I had spaced out, thinking about her and how to keep her safe and didn’t realize Summer was no longer in the room.

  “Where’d Summer go?”

  Stopping just in front of me, now sitting on her legs and looking at
me. “She left. Knowing I’m in the right state of mind now, she was ok with leaving me.” Pausing, waiting for me to respond, “So, penny for your thoughts? Surely you weren’t thinking about my best friend.”

  I smiled at her, she had taken my line that I’ve asked her so many times within the last few weeks. Looking at her, seeing how happy she is at this very moment, I didn’t want to bother her with anything negative. I want to see her stay in this mood for as long as I can make it happen. I’d tell her about me another time.

  Staring into those gorgeous eyes, I take my hand and lightly sweep it down her arm, leaving goosebumps following in its tracks. “Just how happy you are right now. I love seeing that smile and carefree spirit to you.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.

  Biting her lip, she finishes her journey my way. Greer takes her head and lays it on my shoulder and cuddles up next to me in bed. Sweeping my fingers over her back, once again causing goose bumps, “What do you want to do today?

  She looked up at me and smiled her gorgeous smile. Gripping the hair on each side of my head, she pulled me forward and pressed her lips to mine. I opened my mouth, slightly, to welcome her tongue, and she did just that. Electric bursts shot through my body, straight to my dick, I was hard for her. Smack! She broke the connection between us as she pulled away and scurried off the bed, disappearing into the hallway.

  I knew what she was up to or, so I thought. Jumping out of bed, “Marco!” I waited at the top of the steps to hear where she might be.

  “Polo!” Greer’s voice came from somewhere downstairs. Slowly, and not so quietly, I make my way down my creaking steps. Calling out to her again as I get to the bottom, “Marco!” Again, I wait.

  To my left, I hear her whisper, “Polo!” Her voice came from the kitchen.

  Walking into the kitchen, there she is. Leaning against the sink that overlooks the woods. Her eyes, god those eyes. The sun is shining through the window, and around her, she is stunning. Dressed in my oversized white shirt that hangs off one shoulder and stops just below her black lacy thong. Her long, burgundy hair is swept to one side and her makeup from last night looks like it hasn’t been smeared at all.

  Looking at me with a devious gleam in her eyes, “hey.” That’s all she says, and that’s all it takes for me to make my way to her.

  Walking to her, faster than usual, I reach out and place both of my hands on each side of her face and crash my lips to hers. This kiss, it’s not just any kiss. I pour my heart and soul into it. This kiss has meaning.

  Greer kisses me back with the same amount of force. From the very first time I laid eyes on her, there has always been something between us that pulls us together. Some electrical energy. I’ve craved this since.

  Breaking our kiss, I look into her eyes, not saying anything. Her eyes are heavy and full of meaning. Placing my hands on her ass, I lift her up and plant her on the edge of the counter. She brings her arms up and drapes them around my shoulders, threading her fingers through my hair at the back of my neck. Tilting her head, I place my lips on the side of her chin and trail small kisses until I reach the shoulder that is bare and opened for me.

  Greer untwines her fingers from my strands of hair and lays her palms flat on my back. With each kiss I give her, the more aroused she becomes. She digs her nails into the curve of my back and spreads her legs to welcome me between them. I take her invitation and slide closer to her. Greer’s arousal is increasing the more kisses I place on her skin. She slides her hands from my back, over my shoulders, and down my chest. Her hands make their way to each side of my hips. Slowly, she slides her hands into my gray sweatpants and boxers, cupping my ass and squeezing. My dick is full-on hard now, bulging from my pants to the point it’s becoming painful.

  Lifting her up, once again, I take her over to my kitchen table and spread her out. Leaning over her, I proceed from her shoulder and deepen my kisses so that she can feel them through her shirt. As I make my way to her nipple, I stop there and savor that moment. They are so hard and puckered through her shirt you can see every detail to them. Taking my hand, I cup her breast and place my lips on her nipple, sucking and tugging with my mouth. As I withdraw from her, I can see her dark areolas visible through her shirt.

  Panting, she slowly places her legs on my hips, showing me that she is becoming more aroused by the second. Not moving my head but looking up at her, I slid my hand up her white cotton shirt and lift it over her breast. Lowering my mouth while still looking at her, I deepened my kiss on her nipple. She moans. God, that sweet, sweet sound. Every stroke of my tongue sends her body into overdrive, showing me, I pleased her.

  Her eyes grow heavy, and she peeks at me through squinted eyes. Placing her hands on my head, she tightens her grip and strands of my hair fall out of my rubber band.

  We say nothing and let our bodies do the talking. I travel down to her navel, then to her hip bone and trail pecks of kisses to her toes. Greer is now sitting up on both of her elbows, looking at me with a mischievous smirk on her lips. She has moisture forming all over her, telling me she is beyond aroused.

  Placing my lips on her ankle, I begin to deepen the kisses again. As I get to her thighs, she slowly lowers herself onto her back and places her hands on my head, tugging at my hair. Slowly I reach her slit and stroke my tongue through her folds. Pulling on my hair harder, she closes her eyes and let out softs moan as I continue to eat her out until she is fully satisfied.

  ***

  Laying in my bed, I’m fully awake as Greer sleeps in my arms. I don’t want to move, afraid that I’ll wake her up, so I just lay there, admiring her. The lower half of her body is covered up in my white sheets, the other half is wrapped around me. Her long slender leg is sticking out, showing a couple scars on her thigh. Everything in me wants to take all her pain away…if only I could.

  Making my way to her abdomen, I notice the black and white phoenix tattoo. It’s gorgeous. I’ve seen it multiple times but have never really studied it until now. They are beautiful birds with so much meaning. Part of me wonders if one of its interpretations is why Greer got it in the first place.

  Gazing from her abdomen to the rest of her body. It is entirely healed from the incident in the woods, all that remains is the light pink scar opposite her phoenix tattoo. She seems at peace, sleeping in my arms. Before she would wake up screaming and sweating from a nightmare, now, as long as I’m beside her, she doesn’t seem to have them. Kind of like I’m her anchor.

  I have the urge to reach out and touch her, but I don’t. My hand comes inches from her face before I pause. She must have sensed something because she woke up, looking at me, smiling.

  Rubbing her back, lightly, “Go back to sleep, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  She lifts her hand to my cheek and slowly rubs my beard, “I’d rather not, being here, awake with you, is much better.”

  Leaning down, I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her passionately. Lightly stroking her thigh that she has draped across me, “Tell me about…” Sliding my hand from her thigh to her abdomen, pointing to the black and white phoenix tattoo, “this tattoo.”

  Looking down at her stomach, she begins, “This tattoo means a lot to me.” Touching it, she continues. “The three stages of the Phoenix represent my life. The rebirth starts with the burning. It represents what I once was, the weak girl I used to be. The dying stage, also known as the ashes, represents myself separating from my old ways. Finally, the rising. It represents the resurrection of a new me, the fighter who is no longer weak.” Pausing for a moment, “I like to think that the rebirth happens all the time. Every day I wake up, I’m stronger, more put together.”

  I just stare at her, in awe. She is stronger than she knows.

  Still looking at the Phoenix, “Honestly, I haven’t felt this good in a long time.” Looking into my eyes, “I like to think that you are a big part of that.”

  I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. I never want to let her go.

 
; My chin rests on the top of her head, still holding her, “Nobody is ever going to hurt you again. I’ll make sure of that.”

  Talking into my chest, “I feel like my heart was put on ice for the last three years, but I can feel it melting. You’ve shocked it back to life.” She is now looking at me with moisture in her eyes.

  My heart skips and true emotions cloud my mind. Happiness…and fear. When Greer finds out who I am, it will break her, and I don’t know if she can or will come back from that. Telling her who I truly am may cause that ice to form again, and that’s the last thing I want.

  Rubbing my thumb against her eyes, “Greer, please…do not cry.”

  Sniffling, “Don’t worry, it’s happy tears, not sad ones.” She begins to slightly laugh to stifle her sniffles.

  Hesitating, “Greer, we haven’t been completely honest with each other.” Pausing because I don’t know how to tell her I’m a cop. “I…”

  Putting her finger over my mouth before I could get out the rest of my sentence. “Thane, I know I haven’t, and I’m sorry for that. My past is nasty, and I don’t like to talk about it for various reasons. One being, it hurts…badly. Two, I have trust issues.” I knew from the beginning she had trust issues, she was not afraid to tell me that. Hell, she gave me a false name at first.

  Once again, I stayed quiet when I know I should still be speaking up. The longer I prolong the enviable, the worse it will be.

  Greer would not look at me. Her eyes were shooting all around the room but never once met my eyes, “It started with my childhood. My dad wasn’t the father of the year, ever. He took his anger out on my mom until the day she left him. He never touched me, my mom always stopped it before it got that far. She was his own personal punching bag.”

  Sighing, “When I turned sixteen, I learned to defend myself. I told myself that I would never end up in my mom’s situation. I started fighting to make ends meet. My mom had left my dad by then and was struggling to pay bills and put food on the table.” Laughing at herself, “I got the living shit beat out of me for almost a year. I knew the basics but not enough to make money. Mom was so pissed the first night I came home with two black eyes and a broken pinkie.” In a horizontal view, she lifts her right hand to show me the still broken finger.