by Rhonda Lott
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
PAST SINS
(West Haven Series, book 3)
Rhonda Lott
Copyright © 2017 Rhonda Lott
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the Author.
Author’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
EPILOUGE
CHAPTER ONE
The air was sucked out of the room. At least it was for Gabriella Avila. He strolled through the door of the bar stealing her attention, and breath as usual. Elliot Fuller, he showed up in town about three years ago, took over the old auto repair shop and stole her heart. By stealing, she meant he’d knocked the cobwebs off that rusty muscle and kick started it back to life.
She and Elliot were friends of a sort. He talked to her about five minutes each time he came in, that was five minutes more than he gave anyone else, so that was the basis of her thinking them friends. Stupid of her, she knew, but her heart wanted it to be true. Gabby caught his eye and smiled, Elliot nodded and headed to the back.
The bar was half full and Gabby knew that in the next hour it would be jumping. Friday night brought in the biggest crowd. Being that she served a hot meal, great beer and was the only night spot in town helped to keep her busy most nights all year round.
The Pack Um in Bar and Grill was her Dad’s place. When he passed away, he left it to her and her sister Natasha. After Natasha died of pancreatic cancer two years ago, she became the owner.
It had been hard to return home after being gone for over thirteen years. The deaths of her only family felt like a nightmare, but the good people of West Haven held her together. West Haven now felt like home again.
Her regular bartender Jamison was doing fine now taking drink orders, but soon she would have to lend a hand. Cassie and Pauline, her waitresses were making their rounds. Cassie, Gabby’s newest server was her friend Raven’s sister. The young woman was working part time waiting to start college in the spring.
Elliot stopped to help Cassie with a heavy tray of drinks. Gabby smiled to herself. He didn’t even acknowledge the thanks Cassie sent his way, just like the quiet man to do something nice and not want thanks for it. He nodded at the girl and sat at his table.
A customer got up to leave, avoiding people and keeping his head down. The blond man dressed in black from head to toe was leaving.
This was the second or third time Gabby had noticed him in the bar. He never talked to anyone. He sat in the back nursing one beer all night each time he came in. The guy was a strange character. Yeah, people passed through West Haven all the time, but this guy stuck around.
He didn’t bother anyone and yet Gabby got a strange feeling in her stomach each time he came in. Like a dark energy filled the place.
She shook off her moment of eeriness and headed towards Elliot. His dark eyes followed her progress across the room. Every time he looked at her Gabby felt herself grow warm all over. Attraction towards the man was a bold and insistent throb inside her. Oh hell, the good looking mechanic caused all kinds of heat to flood her and it was damn irritating.
His eyes took in everything, she knew he sat with his back to the wall for a reason, and that he knew exactly where each person was in the bar. As if he was hyper aware of everything, all the time. You couldn’t tell it from his cool expression. Gabby had to hide a grin, because she might be the only person who knew that little bit of insight about him.
“Hey good-looking, where’s the missus?” She asked, giving him a wicked smile. She couldn’t help teasing him.
“Cut that shit out. Sit down.”
“Seriously, I can sit next to you tonight? Last time I did, Allison called me a bitch and made a scene.” Gabby took the seat across from him.
“Allison doesn’t control who I talk to or who my friends are Gabby.”
“Where is she?”
“Why do you ask?” He arched one dark brow.
“Damn it Elliot, the two of you have been in here every night for the past two months.” She shrugged. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
“Right, curious.” He downed some of his beer. “I’m not talking about Allison, period. So if that’s all you wanted to know, you’re out of luck.”
“That’s not all I wanted to say, smart ass. I wanted to thank you for helping me the other day.” Gabby said.
Two weeks ago, Gabriella was to go to his shop for a tune up. When she didn’t show, he came looking for her. Gabby had been knocked out by a killer who’d abducted her nephew Chris. The guy was killed and Chris was rescued. Elliot had stayed with her until the paramedics showed up. He even stuck by her side in the ER.
Elliot reached over and touched her hand. His calloused fingers felt rough and warm, rubbing slowly across her skin.
“You scared the hell out of me that’s for sure.” He told her.
The movement of his fingers across her hand caused a current of electricity to travel up her arm. She could feel the fine hairs on her skin standing on end.
“I know I’m not the one to ask this but…”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Gabby, you’re full of questions tonight. Listen, Sweetheart, I had a long day and I’m just looking to nurse this beer, then head on home.” Elliot pulled his hand away.
Gabby grabbed his big hand back in hers and looked him in the eyes. “Just one more little question, then I’ll go.”
“Alright Gabby-girl. Shoot.” He chuckled.
Now that the moment was at hand, Gabby couldn’t find the words. She wanted to know how he felt about her, but he was all dark looks and solitude, definitely not in the mood for company. She leaned back in her chair and bit the side of her lip. Her courage fading as the seconds ticked past.
“I um. I think that we're becoming friends. I care for you and wanted to ask how you felt about me. I mean you come in and we talk almost every night that you’re not with Allison. So, would you say we’re friends?”
Elliot’s face went blank and his eyes frosty. He pulled himself back as far away from her as possible. Well, that answered that question.
“Gabby, I…” He started, avoiding eye contact.
She jerked up out the chair, her face hot as fire. Where was a bucket of ice when a girl needed on
e? Gabby took a few steps back. Her heart felt like it was about to explode from the pain of it all.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. That was beyond juvenile. Do you like me? Check yes or no. What are we kids? Ugh, I’m sorry. Forget I asked.”
“No, I’m the one that’s sorry Gabby.” Elliot said softly. His big body hunched in slightly.
Gabby turned to leave, then looked back. Elliot wore a strange expression, but she was too embarrassed to try and figure it out. Gabby had to get away from Elliot before she did something unthinkable, like cry. That would be the icing on the lovely cake of humiliation she was eating right then.
She made her way back to the bar, her heart heavy as a cinder block in her chest. Well, papa always said if you want to know something ask. He never said the answer might destroy you.
Jamison glanced her way, a deep frown on his face. He looked like an older, tough as nails biker dude. He was more like an uncle to her than an employee, since he’d worked the bar for as long as she could remember.
Gabby gave him a reassuring smile even though her insides were shredded. She would work out the night as usual and then head to her apartment above the bar and have herself a well-deserved pity party. So the man of her dreams didn’t even want to be her friend. She tried to shake off the embarrassment and disappointment. It wasn’t the end of the world. Was it? Stupid heart of hers, latching on to a man who didn’t want shit to do with her.
**
Were they friends?
She wanted to know his feelings. A rush of guilt clutched deep into Elliot’s gut. The same deeper than bone guilt that assailed him daily over how royally he’d fucked up his life. He was guilty because he lied every time he pretended that Gabby didn’t mean the world to him.
He had to play the hard as hell role and keep her at a distance, when all he wanted to do was get close. Getting close to her would be another huge mistake.
Elliot’s shoulders sagged on a sigh. He was not the man for a beautiful, loving woman like Gabriella. Shit, he wasn’t fit for any woman.
Allison was a fuck buddy, nothing more. She knew it and played her part accordingly. There was no love connection with them, just two people sating a physical need. Even that was quickly losing its excitement.
Gabby leaned over the counter listening to an order from Pauline. Her incredibly, black fall of thick hair swung forward covering his view of her face. Elliot closed his eyes and there she was. He had her memorized. Warm brown skin, beautiful full lips and sparkling dark eyes that settled his soul. She was the picture of forever that calmed him in his nightmares.
If he were a good man, a decent man, Elliot would cross the room and take what, in his heart, he knew was his. Unfortunately, he wasn’t that man.
Elliot tapped his glass on the table as his eyes scanned the bar. West Haven was his haven from the life he’d left behind.
People smiled and laughed, talked about the mundane things that filled their days. They didn’t have a clue how the real world worked. At any given time men and women of power were moving people around like pieces on a chest board.
He once worked for one such individual, deceived and used as the instrument of change. He was the person who moved through the darkness, eliminating threats to his country. He was the reason these very people enjoyed their freedom.
At least, protecting people was what he thought he was doing at the time. In truth, he was nothing more than a killer for hire, a killer without a cause.
Elliot pushed his glass away and stood. No use sitting there all night with nothing but his regrets floating through his head.
He was about to take a step towards the door when his senses sparked to life and a strange sort of change in the atmosphere caused a buzzing in his head. There was a threat near. This couldn’t be happening, not now, not here, not again.
Slowly he turned towards the bar. A man stood about three feet away from Gabby, who was pouring drinks and chatting with a customer. The man was just standing there watching her.
He was dressed all in black and had his blond hair tied back in a thick ponytail. Elliot started towards the guy, something telling him that Gabby needed him and that this dude needed to die.
Before he could take two steps, the man pulled out a handgun and opened fire. Elliot’s heart stopped as he watched Gabby’s body disappear behind the counter. Life stilled for a fraction of a second, everything in his field of sight turned blood red. Awoken from his slumber, The Death Bringer, arose within him and roared a furious inhuman scream.
**
Stunned silence filled the room. The bullets meant for Gabby’s head shattered the mirror behind her, raining glass down onto her back. Gabby had bent over to pick up a glass that had fallen to the floor, when shots rang out. One second slower and she’d be a dead woman. The darkly dressed stranger from earlier pulled the trigger, pop, pop, pop and bullets peppered the wall. Chunks of dry wall hit the floor where she hunkered under the bar.
What in the hell was happening. Confused and scared out of her mind, Gabby was fully ready to make a mad dash for the door, but could she make it out from behind the bar without getting shot. No, she wasn’t about to give the man a clear shot at her. She scooted in as far under the counter as humanly possible.
The shooter had to be on some serious drugs to open fire in a room full of people for no apparent reason. For the life of her she had the impression he was aiming at her head. That must have been the work of her overactive imagination.
The shocked silence was split by the sounds of screams and shouting, but one scream rose above it all. The sound of fury and pain in that scream washed over her. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, but that scream even in its primal intensity bolstered her. It felt like hope.
“Son of a bitch.” A male roar split the air, Elliot’s voice.
Pop, another shot resounded through the room.
“Gabriella?” Elliot called for her.
His handsome face, constricted with anger and desperation, appeared over the top of the bar. Gabby sat up shaking on the inside, light headed and still not ready to leave the shelter of the bar. Her mind not quite catching up with what had just happened. Gabby blinked up at Elliot, his dark eyes searched her face, there was a tick pulsing at his clenched jaw. Gabby thanked God, they were both unharmed.
“You alright sweetheart?” He rushed out.
“Yeah, I moved just in time. My God Elliot, he was trying to kill me. What the fuck?” Gabby knew she was screaming, but what could she do, her body was on adrenaline overload and there was no coming down.
Elliot came around the bar, his boots crunching across the glass. He helped her up and pulled her tight into his embrace. Elliot was warm and hard against her, his strength seeping in and taking away some of her fear.
He rubbed his hands up and down her spine and Gabby wrapped her arms around him, holding on with a desperation that stunned her. At that moment, she didn’t care that he’d rejected her friendship earlier, she felt safe and protected in his arms. It felt as if he truly cared.
Reluctantly, she pulled herself away and looked around the bar, it was empty except for her waitresses, Jamison, and Deputy Mitch who was handcuffing the shooter.
“How did Mitch get here so fast?”
“He was walking in when shit hit the fan.”
“Mitch comes in every night to see Cassie. Thank God he was able to stop that maniac.” She said.
Elliot only grunted, pulling her into his side. His strong arms more holding her up than embracing her at this point.
“Why did he do this? Was he trying to hold us up?”
Gabby looked up at Elliot. Her mind spinning trying to come up with an answer for the madness. What she saw in his expression chilled her.
Mitch walked over to them dragging the cuffed guy by the arm.
“You gonna have to close down for the night Gabby. I’m taking this guy to lock up, but Carter and I’ll be back to talk to everybody. So keep the staff here, and I’m sorry this s
hit happened.”
Carter Reynolds was West Haven’s sheriff and a good friend. Gabby was certain he would figure this all out. Mitch started towards the door and the shooter turned his head back to them. A grin dripping with malice pulled his lips apart and his eyes locked onto Elliot.
Gabby quickly looked up at Elliot. He knew this guy, she could read it on his face. Shock and horror filled her. The man she’d secretly given her heart to, knew the man who had just unloaded a clip of bullets at her head.
CHAPTER TWO
Main Street was busy, well as busy as it ever is in a town of 3001 people. The buzz about the shooting at her bar was running its course. If she was asked one more time how she was handling things, she would burst.
The town folk meant well, but she was at her wits end worrying about the connection between Elliot and the shooter. A shooter who was whisked away by the FBI early the next morning, with Sheriff Reynolds giving the agents a loud and long cussing out.
The involvement of the FBI only left her more confused than ever. A fugitive of such high caliber, randomly shooting up a bar in sleepy little West Haven?
A fugitive that shared a pointed look of recognition with Elliot.
Gabby was so much in her head that her walk across the street to Elliot’s shop was done in a fog of muddled thoughts and apprehension. She was anxious to question him about the shooter, and yet there was a persistent fear that the man she thought she was coming to know wasn’t what she built him up to be. Gabby stood at the work bay entrance not sure what the hell she would say to him. Answers were what she needed. In reality, like it or not, she simply longed to see his face.
The sound of metal moving against metal vibrated through the shop. There were two cars in the shop, one car lifted up on a platform and Elliot was under it, concentrating hard and turning a wrench. She watched as his thick muscles bulged with each turn of his wrist. He looked mighty good in his work clothes, smudged with grease and oil here and there. As if he felt her there, Elliot turned his face her way and his body went rigid. His eyes riveted to hers and Gabby was at a loss of breath, a loss for words, struck dumb by his penetrating gaze.
