The Darkest Danger (Shattered Series Book 2)

by Chloe D. Ashton

  But, her fear only mounted as Matt forced her to the door, and she could no longer control her emotions as he kicked it opened. Her sobs left her as he led her onto the porch.

  Distraught, weeping, she watched as Jarrod approached.

  “Please, don’t hurt him,” she pleaded, throwing Matt a desperate look. “I’ll do anything that you ask---”

  “Don’t beg, Olivia,” Matt said dryly, and didn’t take his eyes off Jarrod. “It’s rather unbecoming of you.”

  Crying softly, she fell silent, realizing that there wasn’t any reasoning with him.

  As Jarrod neared the porch, she fought to breathe.

  Would she actually have to stand here and watch him die?

  “Stop right there,” Matt ordered, holding her firmly. “Drop the suitcase on the ground, now!”

  “Take it easy, Addison,” Jarrod murmured, but complied, and kept his eyes steady on them as he did so.

  “I don’t want to take it easy, damn it,” Matt snapped unkindly. “Open the case slowly and show me what you have. One wrong move and I’ll splatter this bitch’s brains all over this place.”

  Jarrod squatted down before opening the case. “It’s all here---$10,000,000,” he said, displaying the stack of green backs that’d been carefully packed in the case. His expression was unreadable as he looked at his nemesis. “And you asked for your ride out of here.”

  “Tell Gaston I need a ride out of here and fast. I’m done playing with you two fools,” he spat, and then sneered. “Oh, and one more thing, I think that it’s only proper that I allow the two of you to say goodbye. Your love story is so grand, you know.”

  “Addison, you have your money. Just let Olivia go,” Jarrod said, tensing while trying to stall him. “If you want to kill me, go ahead.”

  “No,” she broke in, shaking her head, and her desperation was palpable. “That can’t happen. I can’t lose you.”

  “Even in the end, she doesn’t have the good sense to bargain for her own life,” Matt said with disgust, digging the gun into her temple, and then cocked the hammer back. “It’s over, Sabatino. Say bye bye bitch--”

  Everything seemed to happen in both fast and slow motion. As the bullet hit Matt squarely in the chest, she cried out before falling to the ground. All dressed in black and protective gear, the snipers swarmed out from their hiding places and moved in fast.

  Her mind was confused and dazed as she was lifted from the ground, and by whom, she didn’t know.

  “Jarrod!” she screamed, looking around, crazed, and struggled against the officer’s gentle hold. “Where’s Jarrod?”

  “It’s okay, ma’am,” the officer soothed. “It’s over.”

  “Please, I need to see Jarrod,” she pleaded, sobbing, and distraught. “Please take me to him.”

  “Olivia!”

  Gasping, she turned towards the desperate cry, and at the sight of Jarrod bawling unashamedly as he charged towards her, was enough to do her in.

  She didn’t breathe again until he swept her up in his arms. Broken, devastated, they held onto each other as they sank to the ground.

  ***

  Three weeks passed.

  They were spent with her visiting her dying uncle, attending grief counseling, and delving into her past. Back at Widow’s Pointe, they’d settled back into some form of normalcy. Yet, still, in the dark hours of the night, sometimes, she’d wake up screaming and Jarrod fought to chase her demons away.

  But, today, things seemed right with the world, she smiled, carrying the glasses of punch on the tray, for today they were celebrating Meghan’s eighth birthday. She swerved before giggling as the unruly girls ran around her and then headed for the bar. After placing it down, she turned around.

  Having a pool party had been a brilliant idea, she smiled again, and her heart turned over at the sight of Meghan’s mega-watt smile as she played in the pool with her friends.

  “You okay?” Rosa asked, once reaching the counter with a tray of food. “You looked as if you were a thousand miles away.”

  “I suppose I was,” she sighed with a contented smile. “I was just thinking about how happy Meghan is.”

  Rosa patted her hand. “It’s all because of you and Jarrod. Her happiness is due to the both of you.” Then, her concern turned to her. “What about you?”

  Her brows knitted with a confused frown. “What about me?”

  “I know that you’ve been attending counseling and everything. How’s that going?”

  “Some of my memories are more vivid than others,” she admitted. “But, I’m remembering the most important things. Jarrod and I paid my uncle a visit last week, and I wish that I could say that he was getting better. But, it’d be wrong.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Rosa said, squeezing her hand. “God is in control of his destiny now. He will handle it to his greatest abilities.”

  “I know,” she agreed. “I’m also worried about Jarrod. Since everything happened with Matt, he’s been holding back.” Her face flamed red. “He hasn’t made love to me in weeks.”

  Rosa had her own embarrassed flush. “I certainly wouldn’t worry about him not wanting you. I’ve seen the way that he looks at you, and heaven knows that I’ve heard the two of you making enough sounds and racket around this house when you go at it.”

  She couldn’t stay her helpless giggles. “I know that we aren’t that loud.”

  “Pssst,” Rosa said playfully, raising a brow. “Trust me you are.”

  “Where is Jarrod anyway?” she asked, smiling as she passed a glass of punch to one of Meghan’s friends.

  “When I left the kitchen earlier, he was on his way to the study.”

  She wiped her hands on the hand towel. “Do you think that you can handle things here for a few minutes while I go and find him?”

  Rosa nodded. “Take your time. Besides, the other ladies will be around to help out. Now, go.”

  “Thank you, you’re a Godsend,” she said, hugging her fast.

  As Rosa had proposed, he was in the study. His back was turned to the door as she entered, and his thoughts were evidently heavy as he stared out the window. Like usual, the very sight of him thrilled her, she thought, appreciating how well the blank tank top and white board shorts fit his body.

  “Hey,” Jarrod murmured, whirling around to face her. But, still, he didn’t move away from the window. “Has all the excitement downstairs done you in?”

  Watching him, she twisted the lock. “I was hoping that I’d find my own brand of excitement up here, and you’re just the man to give it to me.”

  “Is that so?” he asked huskily. “Maybe we should find out.”

  A dangerous gleam shone in his eyes as she crossed the room. With her every step, she dropped an article of clothing. First, the wrap came off, the bikini top came next, and the bikini bottoms followed. By the time she reached him behind the desk, she was completely nude.

  Grabbing hold of him, she pulled him in for a deep kiss, and didn’t allow him the opportunity to think of anything else but her.

  Their kiss ignited fire, and all the weeks of their suppressed desire burst free. Breathing harshly, he whipped the tank top over his head before removing the rest and then grabbed hold of her again. They both gasped in pleasure at the feel of their naked flesh, and the heat between them was hotter than the flaming Georgian sun. Tangling his hands in her thick long tresses, he kissed her hard, so much so that she lost her breath. But, she met each thrust of his tongue with an eagerness that couldn’t be staved.

  She held onto him as he placed her on the desk, and he cursed under his breath while shoving paperwork and other items to the floor.

  As he stepped closer to her, she opened her thighs in invitation, and she dispelled a deep moan as he entered her. “Jarrod,” she gasped, breathing against his nape. “Please make love to me.”

  He drove into her hard.

  She rode his every thrust.

  Soon, their harsh breathing and breathless cr
ies filled the study. Their pace was fast and frantic, yet, they still couldn’t get enough.

  She begged and pleaded.

  He fought to appease.

  Along the sensual horizon, they found the paradise that waited. They both cried out in ecstasy as they claimed it.

  When they came back to themselves, he lifted her in his arms. She stared at him lovingly as he crossed the room. As he took a seat on the leather sofa, he pulled her naked form onto his lap.

  “Wow, that was wonderful,” she murmured, rubbing a finger across his lip. “It always amazes me that I only want you more as time passes.”

  “I totally agree,” he said huskily, nipping the tender digit with gentleness as it grazed his bottom lip. “I’ll never stop wanting you nor will I ever get enough.”

  “Then why haven’t you made love to me until now?” she whispered, trying not to let her hurt show.

  “Baby, I wanted to give you time. I didn’t want to rush you into things. With all the stuff that happened with Addison, I didn’t want to add to your troubles.”

  “You could never add to my troubles,” she said shyly. “You’re everything to me.”

  “And you are everything to me.”

  He pulled her close, only to kiss her with a tenderness that made her melt.

  She smiled into his eyes. “I love you.”

  “And I love you,” he murmured, and his green eyes simmered with something else.

  “Tell me what’s wrong,” she implored, and her voice softened. “I know that something his. You’ve been hiding out and avoiding me all day, it seems.”

  He stared deeply into her eyes. “I’ve just been trying to figure things out.”

  She caressed his face gently. “Like what?”

  “I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you that I want to spend my life with you,” he said huskily. “Not a day, not six weeks, but a lifetime. I know that I’m fucked up in a lot of ways. But, the one honest thing that I can offer you is my abiding love.”

  Her heart flip-flopped. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “I’m saying that I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife.” He framed her face in his large hands. “So, now, I’m asking you, Ms. Olivia Lange, will you be my wife and continue this unprecedented and unpredictable journey with me?”

  “Yes!” she squealed, hurling herself at him. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  “Fuck yeah,” he grinned roguishly. “I’m finally getting the girl.” Then, his green gazed simmered with fire. “Why don’t we celebrate the good news?”

  “Why don’t we?” she whispered.

  Breathless, she moved in for the kiss.

  A half-hour later, giddy, they both returned to the pool side. Jarrod took a careful perch in one of the lounge chairs and conversed with the sole male who’d attended. As she rolled the birthday cake close to the counter, she caught Rosa’s eyes. Across the way, she mouthed silently, ‘we’re getting married’, and she could tell that the woman was elated.

  She returned her attention to the task at hand. “Come on everybody, it’s time for the birthday cake.”

  Smiling, she watched as the horde of young girls raced for the oblong table, and of course, Meghan was leading the charge. Their chatter and bubbly behaviors were infectious and she found herself enjoying them all.

  Once they were all seated with Meghan sitting at the head of the table, Jarrod joined her side, and they all sang the birthday song. The flames of the lit candles seemed to sway as she placed on the table before Meghan.

  “Go ahead, Poppet, make a wish,” Jarrod murmured, squatting down beside her, and smiled.

  Meghan looked at her father shyly and then looked at her. “While I make my wish, will you both hold my hand?”

  “Sure,” they both agreed simultaneously.

  Standing on opposites sides of Meghan, they clasped her tiny hand in theirs. Closing her eyes tight, Meghan filled her mouth with air and blew the candles out, and everyone clapped as she did so.

  The occasion was joyful, and their moods were light. When cake, punch, chips, and other goodies had been consumed by the crowd, they moved to the presents. With each one, they clapped and cheered when the birthday prize was revealed.

  Standing side by side, they watched together as Meghan opened the last gift.

  She gave him a gentle nudge. “Jarrod, let’s tell her now.”

  “Great minds think alike, don’t they?” he grinned wolfishly. “I just had the same idea.”

  Clasping her hand in his, he pulled along with him as he moved to Meghan’s side. “Excuse me, everyone,” Jarrod said, looking at the crowd. “We have a very personal gift to give to Meghan, and I hope that she likes it.”

  “But, Daddy, you don’t have no big ‘ol box,” Meghan murmured, looking up at him wide-eyed, and then looked at her confusedly. “Livvy doesn’t have nothing in her hand either.”

  “Poppet, we’re seriously going to have to work on those double negatives that you’re using,” he teased with a wink, and then squatted down beside her. “Maybe you can help me out. How can I possibly put Olivia in a big ‘ol box like you’re proposing?”

  “Why are you putting Livvy in a box?” Meghan frowned, and then, her eyes rounded big with pure hope. “Is Livvy my present? Is she going to stay with us forever?”

  Smiling tearfully, she hugged Meghan to her as kneeled down. “What your father is trying to tell you is this. We’re getting married.”

  “Yes!” Meghan squealed, raising her thin arms in the air triumphantly. “My birthday wish came true after all!”

  Together, all of three of them embraced.

  Amidst the applause, her eyes clung to his.

  And they both understood one thing.

  Perhaps, there was such a thing as happily ever after.

  Author’s Note

  Indeed, love does make the world go around, and it’s the motivating drive behind my characters and stories. I’ve always been an avid reader, spending endless hours getting lost in the fictional world of heroes, heroines, villains, and such. My love of reading, naturally, transcended into my own writing craft, and it’s a journey that I eagerly want my readers to take. I always enjoy hearing my readers’ thoughts about my stories. So feel free to leave comments on any of my social media outlets!

  Happy reading!

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  Coming Soon

  The next exciting novel by Chloe D. Ashton….

  Haunted Whispers

  Chloe D. Ashton

  When twenty-four year old graduate student, Allie Grayson answered the “Nanny Wanted” ad, she never anticipated being interviewed by an eight-year old child. Immediately, entranced and intrigued by the unusual circumstances, she takes the assignment and is whisked away to the southern hillsides of Willingham Road. But, Willingham Road is brewing with dangerous secrets, and when she arrives there, she’s more than surprised to learn that her mysterious charge is thirty-year old Jasper Kane. Upon their chance meeting, she’s drawn to him like a moth to a burning flame, and sensual feelings are awakened within her that are unimaginable. Jasper Kane is an enigma that she’s determined to unravel, and their dangerous attraction leads to an intriguing adventure. But soon, it transcends into a living nightmare. For what horrible secrets has she stumbled upon? Will it destroy her life, or will she discover hidden truths about herself?

  Other available titles

  by Chloe D. Ashton

  Forbidden Sacrifice: A Saga

  4 Novels in one book!!!

  The fury of hell has followed the dr
agon prince straight to Earth. Exiled from his fiery dragon world to escape execution, Daemonicus is thrust onto Earth for his very survival. Now, a century later, he walks the streets and undergrounds of Atlanta as enigmatic private investigator, Daemon Caldwell. Wielding a bloodline and ancestral fire of dragon and vampire, the dark prince has a sole purpose: claim a human bride as the sacrificial penance to save his kind. Only then can he defeat the white dragon lord and reclaim the throne. So, when he plays savior for a woman in desperate need of his help, the last thing he needs or wants is to become emotionally involved. But, when he lays eyes on his broken angel, all his plans are thrown awry. Once again, fate is the deceiver as he’s forced to face his forbidden desires and redemption.

  A dark world has claimed Daniela Jamison since her tragic accident, and it becomes even more unsettling when she’s targeted by an obsessed madman. But, amidst the danger, she crosses path with the dark, brooding Daemon Caldwell. Instantly, he awakens her forbidden fantasies and wicked desires, and she’s helpless to turn away from them. As the stakes are raised, she is determined to break down his defenses and win his heart. But, can she withstand the astounding truth when she uncovers his deadly secret and intent? Or will she take the biggest gamble of all with her heart?

  Available on amazon.com!

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015BP9K5E?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

  Or purchase the novels in the Forbidden Sacrifice Saga series separately:

  Novel 1- Bare Innocence

  Novel 2- Cruel Wanting

  Novel 3- Chained

  Novel 4- Freed: The Finale

  The Pawn

  A Novel

  A horrible accident leaves amnesiac Olivia Lange trapped in a world of oblivion. When she awakens to a strange world at Laramie Rock with no memory, she’s intrigued once she meets the man who claims to be her fiancé. Dangerous, sexy, and mysterious, her Italian billionaire lover exists in a world of hidden secrets, and she’s immediately drawn to him. Once he snares her heart, she becomes entangled in his wicked web of deceit, pleasure, and pain.