OverPowered

by Camaron, Chelsea

  I had even gone to work at a coffee shop during the day because she didn’t need help at home anymore. While I wanted to be there for her every need, it was a challenge letting go of that. When you’ve seen someone you love come that close to dying, you want to do everything and treat them like glass so they don’t break again.

  Her doctors told all of us that Mom had to get back to doing things around the house, and learning that she was capable was a huge hurdle for me. Nothing too strenuous as her strength was coming back, but everyday things, wiping down the table, folding laundry, those kinds of things. Not putting in a sink or anything like that.

  I was still trying to come to terms with it. Even at work, my phone stayed in my apron just in case Mom called and needed something.

  She was getting stronger each day. Seeing her and my father smiling more was worth everything I’d gone through. Even knowing what would happen, I’d do it all over again just to see this.

  Being the woman of grace she was, my mom even managed to be kind to Lisa when she called. Apparently, Garrett took their agreement very seriously. According to Lisa, she wasn’t supposed to share anything about her bone marrow donation or Garrett’s role in making it happen. Since she broke the terms, Garrett was ruining her life—her words. If you asked me, he wasn’t ruining her life. I felt he was being kind in not ending her. Again, Lisa wasn’t calling because she cared about my mom. No, she called because in order to get her belongings from the house, she had to get one of us to go to Garrett on her behalf.

  I had to admit it made my mom feel like she had power over something in her life for the first time in a long time. And my mom being the woman she was gave her sister the gift of getting her belongings. After which Lisa made it clear she wanted nothing to do with us. I promise, none of us were losing any sleep over the loss of her in our lives.

  The reflection in my mirror was pissing me off. How hard was it to put your hair in a ponytail without all those stupid little bumps everywhere? Apparently for me, hard. Flipping my head over I combed and fussed with it. My shift started soon, and I needed to get a move on.

  My mom came into my room. Her smile was bright as always, but there was something dancing in her eyes. I secured the tie looping it around several times, hoping it would stay put during my shit.

  “Enissa,” she greeted, and I smiled. Just hearing my name from her was a gift. One so precious that I savored each time it came from her lips.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She walked up to me, her hands coming to my arms and holding me in place gently. “I love you, and I want you to know you are welcome to stay here, but if you want to go back to living on your own, you can. We’re okay.”

  My jaw fell to the floor. She completely baffled me. It took a minute for me to speak. “Garrett took care of medical bills but, Mom, I don’t want you to go to work in the public around the germs. Dad’s working, but you need me. What if?”

  She threw up a hand, silencing me. Moms tended to have this power. One move and bam, us kids complied. “The house is paid off. The second and third mortgage too. The line of credit as well. All of it had been paid before you ever came home. At the time we didn’t know it was Garrett, of course. We thought it was…” She trailed off, coughed a touch, then continued. I knew exactly what she was thinking—Beacon. “You left, and those same drivers came and took your father and I to stay somewhere else. While I was in the hospital and the months of treatment, the house was paid for and everything had been repaired. You’ve seen all the upgrades and fixes. Granted, none of us knew who was behind it when it happened, but now we do. I know you moved in to help us. What I’m sayin’ is I love you. I appreciate you. But it’s time for you to live life for you.”

  He paid off their house.

  The extra mortgages.

  All the debts.

  Fixed up their home so they wouldn’t have to. I was still in awe of all the changes to our family home. Truthfully, I didn’t know how to process everything Garrett had done for my family. Even if his reasons had nothing to do with us and were part of some revenge plan, the blessings were abundant for my mother, my father, and for me.

  Had them staying away from here while the repairs were done and paid for that as well.

  Garrett and I didn’t talk about what he did for my parents often because frankly, the man was shy about compliments. To the point he was almost uncomfortable, and that wasn’t something I wanted to do to him. We agreed we wanted a fresh start and future together which meant not holding onto the craziness of our past.

  But this, I had to talk to him. This was too much. I had no idea about all of this.

  “I’m living a good life, Mom.”

  She sighed. “Yes, you are, but you could have more, and I want you to have more.”

  I had the money in my account from Garrett when I first came home and still hadn’t touched any of it. Instead, it was drawing interest in the bond. With that, I guess I could get a place of my own.

  Somehow that didn’t sit well inside of me, though. That money was Garrett’s.

  “I’ll let you get ready for work. I just wanted you to know you didn’t have to stay here, and the days of you having to bail out your mom and dad are over. I’m so sorry you ever had to.”

  Tears filled her eyes and mine. “Mom, you’re everything to me.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “Just hate you takin’ care of me. I’m your mom. That’s my job.”

  I went over and hugged her tight. When she left my room, I didn’t finish getting ready for work. Instead, I called Garrett.

  “Kitten,” he answered on the second ring.

  “You didn’t tell me,” I began immediately.

  There was a rustling on the other end. “Excuse me, I’ll return in just a minute.”

  Oh my God! I didn’t think about his work. He was an attorney and a very busy man. Garrett didn’t really talk much about his work because of the confidentiality of it all, but I knew he had some high-power clients. And here I was calling in the middle of the day interrupting.

  “Never mind; we can talk about it later,” I said quickly, wanting to get off the phone so he could do his job.

  “No, kitten, we will talk now.”

  I moved to sit on my bed, feeling like an idiot. “Garrett, you have work, and I have to get to work.”

  “So don’t go to work and come to my office,” he challenged.

  I hopped up from my seat and began pacing. “What! I can’t do that.”

  “Sure you can. Quit your job, move in with me, and make art. I’ll have the guest room turned into a studio, or I’ll buy you a studio.”

  This was too much. People didn’t make these kinds of decisions over a phone call. Did they? “Garrett! I like my job.” Which was true. It was nice seeing people smile and know I did something to provoke it.

  “Yes, but you love art,” he countered.

  No wonder he was an attorney. He bounced back way too fast for my taste. “You have a comeback for everything, don’t you?”

  “Move in with me, and I’ll shut up.”

  Always negotiating.

  “Garrett, I called because I didn’t know you paid off my parents’ house, and you had them staying elsewhere.”

  He sighed. “Kitten, didn’t mean to not tell you. Just didn’t figure it was relevant. Needed to keep Beacon away from your folks. Sent your mom to Chicago for treatment. Took care of the bills because Beacon’s power over them came from money. Kitten, I make a fuck ton of money. You got a family full of good hearts. I gave them a little good in life.”

  My heart swelled and threatened to burst from my chest. “Garrett Monroe, you have a good heart.”

  “Only because it’s filled with you. Now tell me you’ll move in with me. Kitten, you got all the power, and you’re killin’ me makin’ me wait.”

  I laughed. “Garrett, you can’t say those things when I’m not there to kiss you.”

  “Tell me you’ll move in with me, and I promise yo
u the anticipation of my kiss will be worth the wait when I kiss every inch of your body.”

  My mom’s illness taught me life was far too short not to take chances.

  “Then, Garrett Monroe, I guess I’ll see you at home tonight when I get off work.”

  He laughed, and it was music to my ears. “Well, Enissa Mitchell, this is step one in our life mediation plan. Be prepared because the next step I change your last name and, baby, you should know that shit is coming sooner rather than later.”

  I sighed with a smile on my face.

  This was Garrett. No holding back.

  When tomorrow wasn’t promised, I cherished living each moment I had with him.

  Epilogue

  Garrett

  Six Months Later

  The meeting was done, and this meant I was more than ready to get out of town. Enissa was with Laurel, Aspen, and Torryn doing whatever it was they loved to do once a month at the spa. I didn’t give a shit. She came home each time and told me I gave a better massage, but she enjoyed the facial and getting her hair done. They all seemed to get along. I loved that Enissa had friendships with the women in my brothers’ lives. It mattered because we were a family unit.

  Today Ellen Sue was with them as they got pampered. Then Ellen Sue would be traveling with Enissa and I to the Virgin Islands, back to the beach. I looked forward to taking Enissa there with no secrets or agendas between us. I also had the ring waiting to slip on her finger, with her parents’ permission to propose.

  I had covered all my bases, so now I simply needed to finish this meeting and get the fuck out of here.

  Reaching in my pocket, I retrieved the lighter. Tossing it to the desk, suddenly my life felt lighter.

  “We’ve come a long fuckin’ way,” Onyx said, staring at the metal box.

  Paxton looked at the token of our past. “Never thought we’d make it this far, but damn life is fuckin’ good.”

  Dane smirked. “We forged our path in fire.”

  We all nodded.

  “Spent too many years having no power,” I stated as I thought back on everything we overcame.

  “Never again,” we all muttered in unison.

  Dane picked up the lighter and took it to the safe. “The past is behind us, fellas. And together we’re gonna make the future so much better than we ever imagined.”

  With my family and Enissa, I absolutely agreed.

  Life was fucking good.

  And it had not a single thing to do with the money in my bank account or the power I had in business.

  Everything was the best it had ever been because Enissa took a chance on loving a man like me.

  I would never take her for granted.

  She may have been his, but I was keeping her for mine.

  Always.

  Power Chain: Anti-Hero Game

  Power Chain: Anti-Hero Game (Power Chain Prequel)

  Get your copy: HERE for FREE

  PowerHouse: Anti-Hero Game (Power Chain Book One) — Released Feb 20th

  Get your copy: HERE

  Power Player: Anti-Hero Game (Power Chain Book Two) – Released May 15

  Get your copy: HERE

  Powerless: Anti-Hero Game (Power Chain Book Three) – Released Aug 7

  Get your copy: HERE

  Overpowered: Anti-Hero Game (Power Chain Book Four) – Releasing Dec 31: Here

  Even puppets need masters. Especially her.

  She was his.

  I wanted her for mine.

  She thought she was in charge.

  I was a puppet master in control of everything and everyone.

  She was innocent.

  I was all things dark and dirty.

  I am Garrett Monroe.

  I’ve never been overpowered or underestimated by anyone in the underworld of my business.

  She has to learn he can’t save her from me – no one can. I never let go of something I claim …

  Including her.

  About Chelsea Camaron

  Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Camaron is a small town Carolina girl with a big imagination. She’s a wife and mom, chasing her dreams. She writes contemporary romance, erotic suspense, and psychological thrillers. She loves to write about blue-collar men who have real problems with a fictional twist. From mechanics to bikers to oil riggers to smokejumpers, bar owners, and beyond she loves a strong hero who works hard and plays harder.

  Chelsea can be found on social media at:

  Website

  Newsletter

  Reader Group

  Email: chelseacamaron@gmail.com

  About Ryan Michele

  Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author Ryan Michele found her passion in bringing fictional characters to life. She loves being in an imaginative world where anything is possible, and she has a knack for special twists readers don’t see coming.

  She writes MC, Contemporary, Erotic, Paranormal, New Adult, Inspirational, and other romance-based genres. Whether it’s bikers, wolf-shifters, mafia, etc., Ryan spends her time making sure her heroes are strong and her heroines match them at every turn.

  When she isn’t writing, Ryan is a mom and wife living in rural Illinois and reading by her pond in the warm sun.

  Come find me:

  Website

  Newsletter

  Sinners Reader Group

  Email: ryanmicheleauthor@gmail.com

  Other Books by Chelsea Camaron

  Love and Repair Series:

  Crash and Burn

  Restore My Heart

  Salvaged

  Full Throttle

  Beyond Repair

  Stalled

  Box Set Available

  Hellions Ride Series:

  One Ride

  Forever Ride

  Merciless Ride

  Eternal Ride

  Innocent Ride

  Simple Ride

  Heated Ride

  Ride with Me (Hellions MC and Ravage MC Duel with Ryan Michele)

  Originals Ride

  Final Ride

  Take a ride with the Hellions MC FREE here!

  Hellions Ride On Series:

  Hellions Ride On

  Born to It

  Bastard in It

  Bleed for It

  Bold from It

  Broken by It

  Brazen being It

  Better because of It

  Roughneck Series:

  Maverick

  Heath

  Lance

  Wendol

  Reese

  Devil’s Due MC Series:

  Serving My Soldier

  Crossover

  In The Red

  Below The Line

  Close The Tab

  Day Of Reckoning

  Paid In Full

  Bottom Line

  Almanza Crime Family Duet

  Cartel Bitch

  Cartel Queen

  Thriller Series:

  Stay

  Seeking Solace: Angelina’s Restoration

  Claiming Retribution: Fallyn’s Revenge

  Stand Alone Reads:

  Romance – Moments In Time Anthology

  Mother Trucker

  Panty Snatcher

  Beer Goggles Anthology

  Santa, Bring Me a Biker!

  The following series are co-written

  The Fire Inside Series:

  (co-written by Theresa Marguerite Hewitt)

  Kale

  Regulators MC Series:

  (co-written by Jessie Lane)

  Ice

  Hammer

  Coal

  Summer of Sin Series:

  (co-written with Ripp Baker, Daryl Banner, Angelica Chase, MJ Fields, MX King)

  Original Sin

  Caldwell Brothers Series:

  (co-written by USA Today Bestselling Author MJ Fields)

  Hendrix

  Morrison

  Jagger

  Stand Alone Romance:

  (co-written with USA
Today Bestselling Author MJ Fields)

  Visibly Broken

  Use Me

  Ruthless Rebels MC Series:

  (co-written with Ryan Michele)

  Shamed

  Scorned

  Scarred

  Schooled

  Box Set Available

  Power Chain Series:

  (co-written with Ryan Michele)

  Power Chain FREE ebook

  PowerHouse

  Power Player

  Powerless

  Other Books by Ryan Michele

  www.authorryanmichele.com/books

  Ravage MC Series

  Ravage Me

  Seduce Me

  Consume Me

  Inflame Me

  Captivate Me

  Ravage MC Shorts

  Ravage MC Box Set

  Bound by Ravage: A Taste of the Ravage MC

  Ravage MC Bound Series

  Bound by Family

  Bound by Desire

  Bound by Vengeance

  Bound by Affliction

  Bound by Destiny

  Bound by Wreckage

  Bound by Destruction

  Ravage MC Rebellion Series

  Connected in Pain (Crow & Rylynn Book 1)

  Fueled in Fire (Crow & Rylynn Book 2)

  Sealed in Strength (Crow & Rylynn Book 3)

  Connected in Code (Wrong Way & Hayden Book 4)

  Power Chain: Anti-Hero Game

  Power Chain

  PowerHouse

  Power Player

  PowerLess

  Overpowered

  Vipers Creed MC

  Crossover

  Challenged

  Conquering

  Ruthless Rebels MC