“It’s because you always come up and put your nose right at the collarbone area here before kissing my shoulder. I love it when you do that. It’s something that let’s me know you are you and still interested. Why would I have my hair impeding something I enjoy just as much as you do when you execute it? It makes me and has always made me feel as if I’m yours and yours alone. You used to be subtle about the ‘sniff’ to my collar before we became an us. I used to get chills whenever you would enter the room. The hairs ...”
“The hairs on your arm would stand like a form of alarm system.”
She nods then smiles when I walk over and sniff her collarbone.
“I thought doing this would seem weird to you.”
“On the contrarty, mon frere. It sooths, yet ignites this primal urge within me. it’s like you’re scenthing me or something. I’m embedded in the memory of your senses as you are etched in mine.”
“It’s like that for me. I love it when you bury your head in my chest.”
“Exactly. I love the smell of your skin.”
“I know what you mean. It is a beautiful scent. Your skin, not mine.”
Second Epilogue
New Orleans, Louisiana – The Moreau Sisters home, mini palace
Zoie
3 months old
F
or the first time ever, I’m getting ready to meet the women who molded and shaped the life of Travis Mason Dennis. I’m getting to sit down with all three of the women who mattered the most to this man until I came along. I’ve met his mother and even heard Aunt Addy’s voice on the phone. Today, I get to put faces to Ingrid, Adelaide, and Cherie’s names. I have to admit I’m a tad bit nervous and a little bit jittery about the prospect of this meeting.
“Calm down, Tress. They are mostly harmless until you bit or leap first. I would advise against that because all three of those females lost the majority of their screws a long time ago.
“Gardes don ,” a beautiful ivory-skinned woman with long, dark hair stated as she exited the front of the house.
“Look at that,” Trevor translates for me. I smile politely and wait for the introductions to begin.
“L'enfant prodigue rentre à la maison (the prodigal child has returned home),” Trevor’s mother screeches as she goes running to him.
”Elle est magnifique! Garde-la pour cette raison seule, Mase. Je vois où vos bébés obtiennent leurs regards. (She is gorgeous! Keep her for that reason alone, Mase. I see where your babies get their looks.)” the dark-haired beauty says as they all greet one another.
”Aunt Addy just said ... ” Trevor begins to explain and I shake my head.
”Merci, mais j'ai compris chaque mot qu'elle vient de dire (Thank you, but I understood every word she just said), ” I state and all who are standing before me how open mouths for a moment as they realize I understand and speak French.
“I’ve been referred to as the evil sadistic bitch spawned directly from hell. It made me happy. I went off to bake cookies and shit. They went on to get shit-faced and word vomit their guts out at the local bar. No skin off my back. I wasn’t the one who was upset by my actions or statements.”
I am practically bubbling over inside. I can’t believe this. Dealing with the individuals I deal with on a daily basis, I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to shock me all while making me love her.
I do believe I just fell in love with this woman. Trevor, babe, I’m sorry to tell you that I’m leaving you for your aunt.”
Trevor’s laugh fills the room and I’m taken aback for a moment. How long has it been since the last time I heard him laugh? He’s smiled when discussing things with the pregnancy and our parenthood, but a full belly aching laugh hasn’t expelled from his lips since probably before all of this mess started.
New Character: Zander
Atlanta, Georgia – Corp Workout Facility
Zander
6 months later
I
think I may have discovered who the heavy hitter is; the one pulling all of the strings in the background.”
“Please do keep us in suspense. You know how that does wonders for my bad mood.”
“Right. Sorry, T.L. A name or ‘call sign’ keeps popping up in our records, state records ...”
“Everywhere,” Deck impatiently supplies, causing me to smirk.
We’re the same in that right. I don’t have time for idle chatter and want the nuts and bolts of things as quickly as they can possibly be given to me.
“All right, Boy Wonder 2.0. What’s the news?”
“Not you too,” I hear him grumble, but he clears his throat and continues when he sees the looks Deck and I are giving him. “Indominus.”
“Indominus? Like in Indominus Rex? What the hell kind of name is that?”
“Not right now little brother. Not the fucking time or place.”
Drew mumbles something under his breath. When I look in his direction, he shuts that shit down. Ballistic chuckles then comes to stand behind myself and his son, Deckard. There was once a time when I couldn’t have handled having this man at my back. Today, I don’t mind it at all. Knowing he’s there, let’s me know no other fucker is back there trying to end my life.
“The kind of name that has grown men quivering and gives the most hardened killer nightmares. It’s most definitely his name. Yes, it is a him . I know because I’ve been hunting that sadistic bastard myself.”
I look at Deck and he simply throws his hands up in the air as a response.
How the hell does he do it? This man has to teach me this skill?
As if reading my mind, Decks shakes his head before speaking, “Don’t even bother asking. He’s going to give you some bullshit, snarky ass answer that’s going to just have you scratching your head even more.”
Looking at Mr. Ballistic, he smiles, and I know what Deck has said is the truth. Shaking my own head, I smirk then give BW2 my attention.
“Tell us what you know,” I advise Davis.
It takes almost half an hour for him to get through all that he’d discovered. Yet, we still knew little of nothing.
Who the fuck are you? Why don’t we know anything about you?
“I don’t know about you, Cobra, but I want to take the mystery out of that damn name.”
“It’s like you’re reading my fucking mind, Collins. Glad to know we’re on the same page.”
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The Characters
Zoie Watson – Friend, Max
Trevor Dennis
Ziaire Watson - Brother
Lucian Watson – Brother
Sheridan Watson - Brother
Senator Gregory (Brass) Watson – father
Stephanie Watson – mother
Rebecca Maxine Robbins (Max)
Deckard Camden
Raymond Jackson Camden (Ballistic)
Charise Walker – Friend, Max
Oliver Wilkins (Ollie) – Deck’s cousin
Yasmeen Carter – Friend
Andrew Collins – Friend, Deck
Tammy Reynolds
Neal Palmer
Special appearance from Hell’s Harlem:
Greyson Mercer
Eve
Catch
Tray
The Playlist
“Echame La Culpa” by Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato
“Alone by Your Side” by J’san
“Paris” by Maple Syrup
“Where Is the Love?” by Black Eyed Peas
“Holla Back Girl” by Gwen Stefani
“Marry You”
by Bruno Mars
“Beautiful Trauma” by Pink
“Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken” by Pink
“What About Us” by Pink
“She is” Ne-Yo feat. Tim McGraw
“Secrets” by Pink
“I’m Still Here” from Jem and The Holograms soundtrack
“Say It First” by Sam Smith
“Palace” by Sam Smith
“He’s Gone Away” by Kathleen Battles
“Love So Soft” Kelly Clarkson
“Nocturnes: C sharp minor Op. posthumous” by Frederic Chopin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelsey Elise Sparrow, author of romance, MC, and fantasy novels. Imagination takes flight and romance is free to breathe. Something sinister is always lurking in the corner to snuff out the beauty. Join her on the journey. She sees the world as one big opportunity to grow, discover, and learn. The worlds she creates are based upon dreams and imaginings that take the reader on a journey unlike any other. “Imagination takes flight” isn’t just her tagline, it is her way of living. Follow her on social media to discover where her imagination will take you.
Lover of all things beautiful. Fanatic of Chris Hemsworth and Benedict Cumberbatch. Book in hand, purse, bag, and on phone ... always makes her day along with her world a better place. This author calls Texas her home, loves sweet tea and fantasy worlds. She is also a big kid. *KES
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The Links:
Website: http://kelseyelisesparrow.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelseyesparrow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelseyesparrow
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelsey-elise-sparrow
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6TXUr1HzEaJPOVLkYz3nWQ
The Stories:
Inked to the Max
Paper Lipstick (Intro), Maximum Velocity
Whiskey Sweet Novels
Whiskey’s One True Wish, Broken Promises, Hot Cross Buns - TBA
Properties of Magic
A Witch’s Last Hope - TBA
Anthology
Naughty Knights
Stand Alones
Kentucky Running
Acknowledgments
It’s always a difficult task to recall all the names of those who had a hand in the development of a work. I never want to forget anyone, so I make it easier on myself and say thank you to each set of eyes who read this work then gave me feedback. I’m grateful for the Sparrows who keep me entertained and remain supportive throughout this journey. To every reader, you are the reason I write. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have a purpose beyond penning novels for myself. Thank you to each and every one of you. I hope you enjoyed what you read and will come back to see what’s next.
☺Kelsey
Thanks for reading! Please add a short review and let me know what you thought!
Thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you enjoyed what you read. Words could never truly express what it is that I feel when I see a post about my work on any of the social media sights. Every review posted has my heart growing a little more. Writing then self-publishing started out as a passing thought. I didn’t know if this would be embraced or if people would ever care about each of these individuals. I love knowing that the Marauders are adored by others as much as I adore them. Each character’s story completely shreds me, but knowing they are there for one another helps me to push forward.
I hope that you see a little of yourself in these characters and will take a moment to see what some of the teens of our nations and others have to endure. These are fictional characters, but there are plenty of young teens that actually live some of the situations. Most don’t have a Mrs. Putnam or Julian to take care of them. So many give up because they don’t think anyone cares. I wanted to let them know that they are not alone and it will get better. Please don’t give up. I didn’t.
Real life is truer than fiction. Here’s hoping that it will forever mean there is a beacon of hope for one that is lost. I am a Sparrow allowing my imagination to take flight, are you? *KES
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Also by Kelsey Elise Sparrow
A Stephanie Daniels Novel
An Author's Tale
A Whiskey Sweet Novel
Hot Cross Buns (Coming Soon)
Whiskey's One True Wish
Inked to the Max
Maximum Velocity (Coming Soon)
Paper Lipstick
Properties of Magic
A Witch's Last Hope (Coming Soon)
The Norton Sisters
Nyema
Standalone
Kentucky Running: A Road to Dallas
Naughty Knights
Maximum Velocity Page 9