Nathan
“So you’re just ignoring it, Bryer?” I know I sound like an asshole, but I continue as she watches me.
“Ignoring it won’t make it go away. How’d he find you?” I continue, unable to stop myself knowing I’m making it worse.
“Let me handle it. I’ll make it go away, fast.”
As I watch, her gaze follows me pacing back and forth.
“Nathan, you seriously want me to face the man who destroyed me?” she says for the tenth time.
“Just tell him to fuck off, and put an end to it.” I plead.
“I won’t,” she warned.
“What are you waiting for?” I ask, again. Now crossing my arms over my chest, foolishly thinking I’m putting my foot down.
“I won’t give him that, or any part of me.”
If I was honest with myself, I’d admit it’s fear. The last thing I want is for her to have anything to do with that prick. It’s a logical response to this fucked-up situation. Protect what’s mine.
“Nathan, try to focus on us. Once he realizes I won’t respond, he’ll leave us alone. Trust me, you don’t want to get caught in his evil clutches.”
Scoffing. “Could’ve fooled me, seems the loser is relentless, but then again, he’s a fucking lawyer.” Everything about this tells me there’s a storm brewing and I want to stop it before it hits.
“Work with me, woman.” That look just told me to zip it.
“You done?” she scolds.
“Sorry, babe, my frustration is getting the best of me.” Irritation clearly written on my face.
“Our house.” She smiles, slowly walking towards me.
“Our house, our life, our love.” Reaching up to kiss me, she presses her body against the entire length of me.
“I want to protect you,” I say as her body is humming in silent need.
“You are.”
Am I supposed to pretend he’s not a threat? Impossible. I’ll beef up security if I have to. If I’m not there, someone else will be.
“Don’t you have to work?’ she asks, evidently putting an end to this, once again.
“I have a meeting with Clayton today. I’ll drive you in.”
“That won’t be necessary,” she insists.
“Bryer, allow me some fucking peace, will you?” I beg.
“By all means, if that’s what you need, drive.”
The drive is silent.
“Well, this just keeps getting better,” I say, walking in the office, noticing Clayton pushing his Chinese food around in the Styrofoam container while staring off into space, obviously forgetting I was coming.
“What?” He finally comes back to earth.
“A woman?” I question. “It’s always a woman,” I say again, hoping for acknowledgment.
“Yes well, No. Fuck, Nathan I don’t know,” he spits out.
“Well, just so I’m clear.” I sarcastically answer.
“Let it go,” he says, shaking his head.
“Why are you here?” he asks
“We had a meeting.” I remind him, like he’s lost his mind.
“Oh.” Lacking interest of any kind.
“OH? Where the fuck are you, Clayton? Because we can do this another time, when I actually have you here.” He turns with a smirk.
“Really, Nathan? Don’t compare drama queens here, you have been losing your shit ever since Bryer’s ex contacted her.” He bravely throws in my face. “Not to mention all the other shit,” he adds.
“You must be fucking fearless to pick a fight with me today, Clayton. Let’s try to keep the pissing contest in check and get down to business.” Not really meaning to sound like such a dick. But uncaring that I am.
“So how is the new guy working out?” I ask, getting to the subject at hand.
“Graham? He’s fine, all the ladies like him so that’s a plus.”
Although curiosity is getting the better of me, I wonder about his foul mood. Then again, talking about feelings is not what we do.
“Good, thanks for taking care of everything,” I say.
“Graham is like you, Nathan, well, a lot younger, but hands-on training, a good personality, minus the flirting.” He shrugs.
“I never flirted.” I turn for a stare down.
“Ah, yeah you did,” he continues.
“What the fuck ever, Clayton?” I say, knowing he’s probably right, but I’ll never admit it. Clayton holds the man whore title, I was never that bad.
And he’s back to me. “How’s everything? I mean, I don’t even know what subject to approach first, your father, Bryer, or the ex?” Clayton says, completely serious.
Wanting to address our non-feeling pack, but it flows out faster than I can stop it. “I don’t know, Clayton, I’ve been tied up in knots ever since Bryer’s’ ex called her and continues to call. It’s killing me,” I say aloud for the first time ever.
“Bryer just keeps ignoring his calls. I see her phone light up with his name on the screen, and I want to reach through it and beat the shit out of him.”
Clayton’s brows lift in surprise. “Have you been keeping all that inside? Because it felt like you just puked all over me.” Pushing his meal away.
“Something like that,” I answer.
“Bryer has made it clear, she will handle it, while it eats at me every day,” I confess. “She’s moving forward, like he doesn’t exist, and I know there’s a lot more to the story than she’s told me.” Shaking my head in frustration. I wager my own territorial issues come before anything else, all mine. As childish as that may sound, I’m ready to fight.
“Nathan, you can’t control this, as much as you want to. I know Bryer will reach out to you when she needs you.”
“Sure, Oprah, I shouldn’t keep my feelings all bottled up.” I smile and hope this is the end of the conversation. And when Clayton turns to his computer, I know it is.
“Hey,” Clayton speaks, after about an hour of complete silence.
I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.
“Let’s take the new guy out tonight, make him one of the pack. He just moved here, he doesn’t know anyone.”
Clayton sounds way too enthusiastic, but I weigh the options. Truthfully I would rather be in Bryer’s arms or between her thighs, than with these two idiots. “Ok.” I surprise myself.
“Great, I’ll tell him we are on for tonight.”
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SURVIVING EDEN
Prologue
I was seven, and she was five. The very last words I’d ever hear from her was my name on her lips, as she screamed it helplessly. It echoed in my head and squeezed my heart as our car plummeted over the edge of darkness, freefalling into the unknown.
Gravity, or the lack of, lasted only for a few moments before what felt like a brick wall hit. The cold water rushed in faster than my mind could comprehend.
Everything in the front seat was still. Motionless. My parents’ silence was disturbing as I tried to put the pieces together.
The water was rising. Her blue eyes were wide, aching for me, her big brother, to save her, save us. I remember taking my last breath as the water covered my head. Panic had yet to set in.
Confused by the sudden, silent crash of my window, I remember an arm pulling me out with great force as I continued to inhale the water. Then the grip dug in deeper as my arm went numb, and I eventually just surrendered to the black. All I remember thinking was:
Madison… Forgive me.
Chapter One
Theo
Today
The g-force slamming me violently into my seat gives me complete control. It’s exactly what I need, and the power I crave. I knew this car, the BMW X6 G-power Typhoon S, was mine the instant I saw it. I’m not seeking approval from anyone, and I never will.
The flashy red gloss gets unwanted attention, sure, but then again, I can control that, too.
The car’s screen suddenly lights up. “Dr. Grant.”
My voice activates it and I answer. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I have an urgent call of a personal nature.”
I immediately feel my body tense. It could be anything, I reassure myself, but a million different scenarios race through my mind.
“I’ll be in the office in ten,” I say, ending the call.
Miss Knight understands my need for solitude, yet her words stay with me as I pull into my private space. I button my jacket and straighten my tie out of habit. The elevator takes me to the top floor, where the first thing I see is Miss Knight waiting. Uncomfortable with her unusual greeting, I notice her eyes won’t meet mine.
What the hell?
“Shall we?” I ask, extending my arm toward my office, assuming privacy is necessary. “Have a seat.”
I sit behind my desk, lean back, and look into her eyes, waiting.
“Doctor,” she begins nervously, obviously navigating her words very carefully.
“I don’t know how to tell you this, sir.”
We stare at each other for a long moment. I’m growing impatient by the second, trying desperately to conceal my emotions.
“Go on, Kimberly.” I purposely use her first name to try and calm her worried look.
“Your friend, Dr. Barnett, and his wife, they were in a horrific plane crash, sir.” Her brows knit in a frown, and her eyes are filled with a sorrow I can no longer meet with mine.
“No one survived.” Her eyes swim with tears as I take in her words. I try to push the feelings away. Cold thoughts rush in, as if a storm is abruptly hovering over me. I watch her scrutinize my reaction, or lack thereof.
“What happened?” I battle my way back to the moment.
“I don’t have all the details yet. I only received the message because we share the same private airline representative. She called with the news this morning. I’m deeply sorry, sir. I know you were close.”
Yes, we were close.
I pause to process. “I just saw him last week.” My frown deepens with the memory of our last day together on the tennis court. He kicked my ass. Then preceded to give me a hard time about it.
“Didn’t they have a daughter?” It occurs to me out of the blue. I have never met her, and she was always off to school somewhere.
“She wasn’t with them.”
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Acknowledgements
Honoring the Fierce Women in my life.
Added Touches, a heart filled thank you for being a constant support. From the very beginning, with profound loyalty and character you stood by me, held my hand, guided me through the world of literature.
You have an astonishing capacity for creativity, composing a vision of originality on my behalf. Filled with determination, skill and a wealth of knowledge and genuine resourcefulness, you molded and groomed me into a better version of myself.
Trust, faith and inspiration.
I stepped into your vision of light, and I knew nothing would ever be the same. Together we soar, we create, we discover collectively the narrative of our own journey.
NIK, a warm thank you to Officer Nicole Rizzo, who contributes experiences of her journey through the murky waters of life, at times clear and focused some days dark and cloudy.
Yet, with a firm grip you lead with strength and bravery. You are not afraid of the edges clouded by compassion and understanding, it only inspires the rich layers hidden beneath the surface.
You will stand, you will fight, and you will win because life is not in vain, life is magnified in your presence.
Pride in the value of tradition, family, and loyalty is insurmountable, measured only by how love is returned. I know this, because we are practically sisters.
SAM, a warm beautiful thank you to Samantha Maginn, Artist extraordinaire who contributes her creative gifts and knowledge. A unique, gentle soul, soaring through life leaving whimsical joy in her wake.
Looking at life through a kaleidoscope, seeing colors and magical shapes in every secret corner of life. Your inspired perception of the world we live in, is filled with peace and harmony. Your creative mind has a beauty all its own.
Sacrifices made, in the name of love, freedom and devotion. Loving a soldier who stands on the shoulders of the fallen. Standing side by side with a heart of gold, shouting life has meaning if you search for it. You are who people inspire to be.
Aim high and fulfill your dreams, Goddess Kuan Yin I guiding you.
JEN a warm beautiful thank you to Jennifer Vonarx for her contribution in the psychiatric field. Your resilience and determination to aim above the stars reaching incredible heights, accomplishing academical goals in your field, a master in Social Work.
You’re first breath, we were heart to heart, face to face as we stood as one, questioning the universe together. Strong and confident, you challenged me, pushed me down snow topped mountain’s, holding my hand down black run in sight. You wore the armor that Y lifted me, supported me, guided me through
Whose laughter had the ability to chase the monsters, part the skies above and reach into heaven and touch the hand of God.
You are no ordinary woman. Bound by blood, we are sisters.
And finally, to the readers:
Exposed, I write. Expressing visible words on the blank sheet of paper. Willing to share, baring my soul for all to judge or be loved. The risk, worth the wager.
The stories will be told, the plots will thicken, the narrative will grow, the scenarios revealed.
Creativity take courage.
Virginia Wine.
Surviving the Storm (Surviving Series Book 2) Page 22