by Aliyah Burke
Fracture
Copyright © 2014 Aliyah Burke
Cover Art © Covers by K Designs
Sensual Romance Publishing Logo © MMJ Designs
Editor: Jessica Bimberg
ISBN: 9781310806308
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher or author. The unauthorized replication or allocation of any copyrighted work is illegal. File sharing is an international crime, prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice and the United States Border Patrol, Division of Cyber Crimes, in partnership with Interpol. Copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by up to five years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 per reported instance, and seizure of computers.
This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.
Published by: Sensual Romance Publishing at Smashwords Publishing
Fracture
By
Aliyah Burke
Dedication
To those who give of themselves to help others in need. You’re angels.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Additional Books By Aliyah Burke
About The Author
Chapter One
“Copy that, dispatch. I’m slowing down to check it out now.” Vicki Boshay ended the call and slowed her cop car to make the easy turn into the park. She loved her job. The full moon shone above, but what was odd was the fog, thicker than normal. Her headlights struggled to cut a clear path through it.
Even so, they highlighted a darkened truck as her turn swung them over the vehicle. “All’s quiet from outward appearances,” she informed Tim, who was running dispatch tonight. Pulling up behind the rusted beater, she scanned around her while inputting the license plate number in her computer.
“Daniel Ellery? That’s not making sense; Dan’s been dead for five years now.” She ran it again to make sure she’d not made a mistake. Same reply came up on the screen. “Now, that’s just weird. Tim?”
“Yes, Vicki?”
“This vehicle is registered to Daniel Ellery. I’m going to check it out and before you ask, yes, I ran it twice. Everything is up to date on it, and we both know Daniel’s been dead and buried for a few years now.”
“Be careful, Vicki. I’ll let the sheriff know.”
“Will do.”
Clouds began to cover the moon, and the fog grew thicker than pea soup. Opening her door, she stepped out. She clicked on her MagLite, the LED cutting easily through the gathering fog.
“Hello?” she called out, approaching slowly. “Is anyone there? CFPD.”
Behind her, the red and blue lights from her car faded a bit. She checked the bed. Rusted holes on the wheel wells and a few spots by the tailgate were the only things she found, along with a pair of relatively new boots. Stepping up to the driver’s door, she shone the light in the rolled up window. Nobody was there, and other than remnants of fast food eating, nothing else jumped out at her.
She made her way around to the hood and checked it for heat. Cool to the touch, so it had been there a while. This park was the farthest from Cottonwood Falls, a good thirty miles out, but her department still patrolled it. Reaching up for the mike on her shoulder, she informed Tim of what she’d discovered, or lack of.
Vicki widened her search just a bit and did a few laps around the truck, calling out to see if anyone was there. After her unsuccessful attempts, she strode back to her patrol car and slipped behind the wheel.
“Heading back in, Tim.”
“See you in a few.”
She put the car in gear and drove on. Small town life fit her perfectly. She’d done the larger city living and had hated it with a passion she still wasn’t able to put into words. Her headlights gave her a five-foot view from the hood of her car. Even so, when she saw the silhouette, the shock of seeing someone before her hit her.
“What the hell is someone doing walking out here? And at this time of night?” Two in the morning was typically the time when nothing went on.
She hit her cherry bar lights, and the figure slowed, angling toward the road. Male. Six-four, about two-thirty-five. A large pack was slung over his left shoulder. His face was hidden by a ball cap he’d pulled down over his eyes. What she could see of him was harsh, a firm mouth that didn’t appear to have smiled in ages.
She lowered the window and pulled up next to him. “Can I help you? Offer you a ride into town?”
“No, thanks.” His low voice plucked at her like a guitarist picks his strings. Deliberate.
He turned away and resumed walking.
She edged along, as well. “I’m not done talking to you yet. May I see some identification, please? Is that your truck back there in the parking lot of Tourin Park?”
Everything about him went rigid, and she settled her hand on her service weapon, ensuring not to change her expression.
“Yes, it’s my truck.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small rectangle of plastic. His movements slow as if he knew she was jumpy. Or he knew the routine.
She maneuvered ahead of him and got off the road. Light in hand and the other lingering on the butt of her pistol, she neared him. “Can you explain why it’s registered to a man who’s been dead for five years?”
His hat continued to hide his eyes, but she had no doubt he was sizing her up. He reached out and handed his ID to her. “Sure. Daniel was my brother.”
Those words barely registered as she read the name on the card. Chase Aaron Ellery.
“Chase,” she said. “Haven’t seen you around these parts in a while.” Not even for your brother’s funeral. He took back his card.
“Haven’t been back until now. Can I go now?” The hint of impatience in his tone grated on her nerves.
“Why don’t you let me give you a ride back to town. I’m assuming that’s where you’re headed.”
“No, thanks. I’ve spent enough time in the back of police cars, and I’m sure not entertaining another Boshay by allowing them to put me into one. I’ll walk, if it’s all the same to you.”
She couldn’t ignore the anger that tinged his words that time. Vicki understood his comments. She’d been the rich girl. Him—wrong side of the tracks.
“So ride in the front. Christ, Chase, we used to go to school together. Let me give you a ride. It’s way to dangerous to be walking out here in this fog, and you still have another fifteen miles to town.” She put steel behind her words. “Get in.”
The defiant set to his chin increased before he stepped forward, allowing her to see his facial features. Damn. Chase Ellery had gone and got himself all growed up. The boy had become one hell of a man.
Harsh. Cold. Angry. Still had those incredible cerulean blue eyes, however, that she recalled from school. Right now, they were focused on her.
Chase walked by to the passenger seat and climbed in. She closed her eyes before breathing deeply and getting behind the wheel.
“You have a room at the hotel?” She put the car in gear and shut off the flashing lights.
“Need one?”
“Nope.”
She ground her jaw. “Where are you staying that you’d like me to drop you off?”
“Home. If you go to that side of the tracks.”
Another dig. Also well deserved. Didn’t stop her from gritting her teeth. “Not a problem.” She called in to Tim and informed him she was headed out to the old Ellery place. Then, she focused on the road and anything but the masculine scent filling her nose.
The tension grew with each passing mile until it stifled her. If it affected Chase, she had no way of knowing, for he didn’t show it. Hell, the man didn’t show anything at all. He sat on his side of the vehicle, bag between his legs on the floorboard, and didn’t move. He could have been marble for all the moving he did.
She slowed and rolled over the tracks, taking her to the portion of Cottonwood Falls she’d never visited until she’d donned the uniform.
Chase continued his Oscar-award winning portrayal of a Greek statue. She pulled up before the singlewide trailer. He hopped out and slammed the door behind him. She lowered the window.
“Mr. Ellery,” she called out. He stiffened but stopped. “Vance’s Auto Repair, which used to be Devon’s Towing, is still in business. I’d recommend you call him to take a look at your truck. Welcome home.”
She drove away, uneasy by the rioting emotions within her.
☼
Chase paused before the steps. He peered behind him at the retreating patrol car. Vicki Boshay. Never guessed she’d put on a uniform. Thought she’d be wed to some uppity rich guy with the expected one boy and one girl by now.
A light snapped on to his right seconds before a screen door squeaked.
“That you snooping around, Chase Ellery, like you ain’t got the sense God gave a gnat?”
Since he’d begun heading to Cottonwood Falls, this was his first smile. “Yes, Mrs. Candace.”
“Come over here so I can see you proper.”
He listened without a second thought, leaving the shadows that served him so well. Candace Mallery didn’t look a day older than when she’d driven him to the bus station the next town over so he could escape this one. All those years ago. Her nut brown skin, smooth and wrinkle free. She had a crocheted shawl around her shoulders.
He held her gaze for all of ten seconds before she opened her arms. His bag fell forgotten to the porch as he was engulfed by the woman who’d treated him like a son. The scent of warm gingerbread filled his nose, taking him back to many meals eating around her table with her daughter.
“I’ve missed you.” Her statement held no reprimand, just straightforward honesty.
“I’ve missed you, too. Sarah told me about Jason. I’m sorry.”
She kissed his cheek. “He chose his life.” She stepped back. “You look exhausted.”
“Long trip,” he said with a lopsided grin.
“Uh huh.” She opened her screen door and waited.
“I’m fine sleeping over there.”
“That place ain’t fit for anyone right now. You’ll sleep here, and after breakfast, we’ll get to cleaning.”
“It’s not—”
One black eyebrow rose. “You’re acting like this is up for negotiation.” She snapped her fingers and pointed inside.
Chase swiped his bag and entered. More memories covered him in a deluge. While updates had been done, it was still home. The only one he’d ever known. The place next door had merely been his address.
She left him in the doorway to Jason’s old room with a kiss. “Sleep as late as you want.” Then, she was gone.
His body clamored for the bed, and he obliged it. Stripped to his boxers, he slid between the cool sheets and allowed himself to relax.
The smells of bacon, biscuits, and eggs woke him. Sunlight streamed in the window. He sat up and scratched his chest. I didn’t dream.
After a quick shower, he pulled out his last clean set of clothes and donned them. Barefoot, he padded along the polished floor to the linoleum kitchen.
“Sit.”
He listened as he took in the large array of food. Despite wanting to protest her serving him, he kept his mouth shut except to say thank you. She joined him and curled her hands around the mug of coffee before her.
“Tell me what you’ve been up to.”
So, he complied and talked as he filled up on the best food he’d had since he left this place. Chase helped her clean up then went next door to the trailer he’d come back to. Digging in his pocket for the key, he unlocked it and swung open the door. Stale air smacked him in the face, and he frowned. The floor was filthy. Then again, so was the rest of the singlewide. He walked through and opened all the windows to help the stench escape.
He tried to locate a phone book but was unsuccessful, so he headed back over to Candace’s house. When she called for him to enter, he did.
“That bad?” she asked when he walked in the kitchen.
“Worse,” he said. “May I use your phone book?”
“Under the phone. Don’t you have a cellular device?”
“Dead.”
“Are you charging it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She grunted, and he went to look up the number for the garage. When the pickup of his broken down truck had been all arranged, he hung up. A noise behind him had him turning around. Mrs. Candace stood there a leather jacket in her hands.
“Here.” She held out the item.
“What’s this for?” He accepted the black leather from her.
“You and Jason were similar in size. Use it. And come with me.”
He accompanied her to the small garage beside the house. It was new; she’d not had it when he’d lived next door. She opened it up and walked in. When she stood beside it, she gestured for him to remove the tarp. Yanking off a cover, he found himself facing a motorcycle.
“I reckon you can drive one of these things?”
He could. “I can’t use that, Mrs. Candace.”
She frowned. “Why not? He’s not coming back for it. I won’t use it, and Sarah has her own. You need something to get around while your truck is being fixed. Take it.”
He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “You’re too good to me, Mrs. Candace. I love you. Are you sure you don’t want to ride on it? I’ll take you.”
She smacked him in the arm. “A woman my age doesn’t need to be straddling something like that.”
“You haven’t aged a bit. Come on. Come for a ride with me.”
“No.”
He batted his lashes at her. “Please?”
“Chase Ellery, I’m far too old to be on one.”
He slipped the jacket around her shoulders then straddled the bike and turned the key. It rumbled to life with ease. With a grin, he crooked his finger at her. Even when she shook her head, he did it again.
Chase balanced on it and kicked up the stand then rolled it to her. “Come on.”
“I’m not getting on that thing.”
“Just put your leg over and hold on to my waist. We’ll take a short ride. You’ll love it.”
“All that sweet talking may work on younger women, Chase, but not me.”
“Imagine how shocked Sarah will be when you tell her you went riding on one.” He beckoned to her again. “Just a short ride.”
She smacked him in the arm as she shoved on the jacket and swung her leg over.
“Hold on to me, Mrs. Candace.”
“What will people say?”
He revved the engine and laughed. “That I am out riding with not only the most beautiful woman in Cottonwood Falls but the world, and I’m one lucky bastard.” Chase got them going before she could change her mind.
Chapter Two
Vicki did a double take and pivoted on the soles of her shoes to follow the passing motorcycle with her gaze. “Was that Mrs. Mallery on the back of that bike?” she asked her lunch companion. I never thought I’d see the day when that woman got on a motorcycle.
“Looked like her,” Toby replied. “Who was that driving?”
“Chase Ellery.”
A grunt. “He’s been away a long time.”
She faced her friend, eyebrows up in amazement. “Really? You’re going to talk about being gone so long?”
He grinned. “This isn’t about me. And, how did you know it was him?”
She finished her drink to buy herself time. “I had him in my cop car last night.”
Toby paused, fries almost to his mouth, and raised his brow. “Did you now?”
“Mind out of the gutter, perv. I gave him a ride to town. His truck broke down.” Even as her mouth delivered the information to Toby, her mind happily skipped down the road she didn’t need it to traverse. Being in Chase’s— No way, I won’t do this.
“I see that look in your eye. You want to fuck him.”
“Toby,” she said, glaring at him.
“Was I not supposed to speak so bluntly?”
“Don’t you have your own sex life to think about?”
“I do, thank you. Mellie and I have a great sex life. If you were getting some, you may be happier.”
She scowled. “I’d be happier if you would drop the subject.”
His grin was unrepentant. “I’m sure you would.”
“Have you and the good doc set a date?” She prayed he would take the bait and change topics. Thankfully, at the mention of his fiancée, he swiftly latched onto it.
“Not yet. With her father still suffering from the chemo, she is staying focused on helping as much as she can, as well as running the clinic.”
“I understand. Is Dr. Glazer any better?” I need to stop by and see him.
Worry leached into Toby’s gaze. “No,” he said, sobering. “The cancer has spread.”
“Damn it.” She stretched out her legs. “I’d hoped he was improving.”
“We all did, but this is a very aggressive strain. It’s starting to weigh on her.”
She squeezed his arm. “She’s very lucky to have you in her corner, Toby. Give her my best.” She stood. “I have to go. Are you okay?”
Toby gave her a grin. “Fine here. Meet again soon, yes?”
