Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3)
Page 1
Book Three in the Helios Chronicles
HELIOS
Renewed
By
T.M. Witko
Copyright All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2017
ISBN (eBook): 978-0-9981134-8-7
ISBN (paperback): 978-0-9994146-0-6
Tampa, Florida
Copyright © 2017 Winyan Press, LLC
Cover Art © Alex Marin
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to all those out there who enjoy your romance with a little angst on the side.
PREFACE
I would like to take a moment to thank all of my friends and family that have encouraged me to write over the years. Your support means the world to me.
To my partner in crime, Mindy Marin, thank you for all that you do; not only for our company, but also for what you do for me as a friend. Love you so much!
To our Winyan Press illustrator, Alex Marin, seriously, dude I love your art and you are pretty awesome yourself. What you have done with my covers and bringing my Helios to life has been nothing short of amazing.
To my long time editor, Amanda Rash, thank you for everything you have done for me on this writing journey. I can’t imagine doing this without you by my side. You are the best and I love you!
To my lovely friend Corinne, my maske’ from across the pond, whether we talk daily or not, you will always hold a special place in my heart. No distance could take that away. To Tamara, thank you for always encouraging me to write and pushing my stories on anyone who would listen… LOL, love you girl! To my amazing fandom friends: Brenda, Rachelle, Leeanne, Tamara, Amanda, Corinne, Michele and Carrie. You ladies have served as my Helios Reading Group, affectionately known as my Helios h00rs. From the beginning, your input and support has been invaluable. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And Brenda, yes, I know that you are STILL the original Helios h00r and that you called dibs on him a very long time ago.
A fun thing happened recently. I was at a private show for Bobby Long and he noticed Helios Awakened on the shelf. I had signed them for a friend and we just put it aside for the show. He picked it up so I went on to tell him how his music had inspired the series and then I showed him the ‘thank you’ I had written. He was totally touched that I had done that. His new album should be out this year, go check him out. He’s wonderful!
Okay, now that the pleasantries are done, let’s get to the nitty gritty of this particular book. This is the final ‘book’ in a series of three books that chronicle the life and times of Andrew ‘Helios’ Harrison and Madison Nicole Ellis as they traverse the difficulties of loving one another in a complicated world that throws unbelievable obstacles in their way.
In book one, we watched them fall madly and deeply in love with one another. It wasn’t easy with court and the possibility of being sent back to prison looming in the way, but they did. At the end of book one, they decided to move to New York. In book two, we went to New York City where Andrew and Madison try to start their new life together. We were introduced to a whole new cast of characters. Of course, our faves from California were still present but now we had some New Yorkers to add to the mix, some of which are not very pleasant.
In book three, we will pick up with life back in California. Everything seems to be on track for both Madison and Andrew. That is until some unsettled business threatens to wreak havoc in their lives. Old enemies resurface and all hell breaks loose on our favorite couple as they battle for more than their love, but their lives as well.
So, are you ready to find out what comes next in Andrew and Madison’s journey? Come along, let’s get this party started!
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Winyan Press, LLC would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions on Helios Renewed.
Leeanne Lemaster, Proofreader
Alex Marin, Graphic Artist/Illustrator
Amanda Rash, Copy Editor
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
1 Help Needed
2 Little Things
3 Birthday
4 People Are Strange
5 Thankful
6 Better With You
7 Hard To Say Goodbye
8 Announcement
9 Secrets Revealed
10 A Bitter Cold
11 Corso’s
12 Keep Your Enemies Close
13 Into The Fire
14 At Ease
15 Old Ghosts
16 Art And Life
17 Through The Fire
18 Confrontation
19 Limbo
20 Hollow Inside
21 Something’s Gotta Give
22 Grand Jury
23 Help You Mend
24 Defeated
25 Standoff
26Truth Or Consequences
27 Recovery Road
28 Phoenix Rising
29 Visitation Day
30Homecoming
31Hope Eternal
32Back In The Saddle
33 Change Happens
34 The Best Day
35All Of Me
36Karma Is A …
37 Overjoyed
AUTHOR NOTE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONTACT INFORMATION
1 Help Needed
July
Andrew pulled his Harley behind the shop. He was the first to arrive, which was typically the case, especially since little Ellie was born three months ago. Jayden wasn’t getting much sleep and had asked if Andrew could help him by opening the shop. That was the least Andrew felt he could do to support his friend. He clicked the engine off and pocketed his keys before unlocking the back door. He began flicking lights on one at a time as he did an initial sweep of the premises, making sure everything was as it should be.
They had spent a great deal of time contemplating how they wanted their shop designed and were happy with the results. It was a typical garage with a large bay in the middle and three openings to the front and rear where bikes could enter and leave. The waiting area was to the right of the bay and set up with a half windowed partition, comfortable seating, and all the current trade magazines one could want. There was a small television and coffee maker as well. Down the hall were two similar offices. One had the name Jayden Bennett on the door and Andrew Harrison was on the other. He grinned slightly as he approached his office. He would never tire of seeing his name on there. Stepping inside, he took off his leather jacket and hung it on the hook behind his door.
He looked around and smiled. Although he didn’t need a desk, he had one. He had never told Jayden or Madison this, but he always felt a sense of belonging and importance knowing he had an actual office equipped with an actual desk. A place to work should he need to. He knew it wasn't much, but as he sat down and ran his hand over the desk calendar, he felt calm and happy. Opening a trade magazine, Andrew highlighted some of the equipment he thought they might need and wondered if they had the funds to purchase some of it. He and Jayden had decided early on that Jayden would handle the books, but they soon realized that that wasn’t the best option. In spite of the fact that his dad was an accountant, Jayden was terrible with numbers. Finally, they decided to enlist Madison’s help. So now, with Liam’s consent, she came in twice a month to go over the books. Andrew recognized the absurdity of Madison, whose
primary accounts were big money businesses, taking on their small shop, but she had a fit thinking someone else would be working with them. Andrew heard his phone buzzing and dug it out to see he had a new text.
J: Running late but I’m on my way
A: No prob, gonna start on the Henderson bike.
J: Cool, thanks man. I’ll make it up to you
A: Pick up some donuts and we’re even
J: Sounds like a good deal to me
Andrew laughed as he set the phone down. Glancing around his office, his eyes stopped at the picture on the wall. It was one of his drawings. Madison had teased him that she wanted him to draw her posing like one of those pinup girls in those bike photos, so he did. She was sitting on his Harley, wearing his leather jacket and a pair of jeans with leather boots that went up to her knees. Her head was tilted back slightly as the wind blew her hair wildly. It was one of Andrew’s favorite drawings of her. At least one he could actually display.
He got up to head into the bay. It had been a few months since the wedding and everything had gotten back to normal. They had been to the lake a few times and were planning another trip there this weekend. Except this time they were camping. Jayden and Callie were finally going to spend a night away from Ellie and both seemed nervous about it. As he approached the bay, he sighed. They had four bikes there with just him and Jayden working on them. They needed to find someone quick. He clicked on the local radio station and Thirty Seconds to Mars blared out of the speakers. Andrew slipped on his coveralls and immediately got to work on the 2011 Suzuki M109R.
Not long after, Jayden entered the garage with a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme, Andrew’s one indulgence. The two friends chatted briefly before getting to work. Both were lost in their own projects, trying desperately to get the bikes finished before the weekend. When they heard the telltale ring indicating someone had walked into the shop, they both glanced at each other. They quickly did a round of rock/paper/scissor, which Andrew won. He chuckled and went back to his work as Jayden stood.
“You always win, you know that, right?”
“Go answer the door, loser,” Andrew laughed as he motioned his hand in a shooing manner towards the door.
Jayden flipped him off with a grin and then ran his hands along his coveralls before exiting the bay. He was still chuckling as he entered the waiting area to see a huge man standing there. He was African American with a bald head and a fierceness that spoke volumes. Jayden peered around him and didn’t see a motorcycle parked out front.
“Can I help you?” Jayden asked hesitantly.
“I’d like to speak with Andrew Harrison,” the man replied in a deep voice.
“He’s working. Can I ask what this is about?” Jayden inquired, his need to protect Andrew emerging.
The man grinned. “Tell him Jamal would like a word with him.”
Jayden nodded and turned. The name sounded familiar to him but he wasn’t sure why. He hurriedly approached Andrew, who looked up. Andrew was about to say something sarcastic when he saw the panic on Jayden’s face. He stood up. His mind and body alert for whatever was happening.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s a guy named Jamal out there. He’s a big black dude.”
Andrew furrowed his brows. “My old P.O.?”
“That’s why the name sounded familiar.”
“Why would he want to see me? Shit! They can’t revoke what the judge did, can they?”
Jayden immediately started shaking his head. “No way, they cleared you.”
Andrew glanced over his shoulder towards the waiting room. “Alright, umm, I’ll go see what he wants.”
“Do you want me to call my dad?”
Andrew shook his head. “No, I didn’t do anything.” He turned back to Jayden. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Andrew ran his hand nervously through his hair. He knew he had done nothing to warrant a visit from his probation officer. He breathed out, his ex-probation officer. He was perplexed by the situation and being perplexed often frightened him. Usually, when things did not go according to plan, some form of chaos would ensue, a chaos that often left him in ruins. He stepped inside the waiting room and saw the familiar face.
“Harrison,” Jamal said simply.
“Jamal,” Andrew replied, quickly getting into his old pattern of interactions.
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“Sure, let’s go to my office.”
Jamal smiled and nodded as he followed Andrew down a hall, passing one office before entering the other. Andrew motioned for him to have a seat while he in turn sat behind his desk. He continued to tell himself over and over that he had done nothing wrong.
“Well, this is a bit of a turn,” Jamal laughed.
“What do you mean?”
“You behind a desk and me in front of it,” he replied.
Andrew smiled. That was true. Andrew was a model citizen, paid his taxes and abided by the law. He did nothing to possibly warrant being arrested or even considered in the minds of police officials. The Andrew that had been a parolee was not who he was any longer. He leaned back in his chair and stared at Jamal. This man that had so much authority in his life for so long was now sitting in his office, not the other way around. He suddenly felt very confident.
“Why are you here, Jamal?”
Jamal smiled once again. “I have this kid that I’m overseeing. He’s twenty, was locked up for a drug charge. He’s clean now. He said he’s worked as a mechanic before and I thought maybe you all could use some help.”
“Has he worked on bikes before?”
“He said he could fix anything.” Jamal smirked. “But, you know cons, y’all are cocky like that.”
Andrew rolled his eyes. “Well, some of us can back it up.”
Jamal let out a booming laugh. “That is true. Will you give him a shot? I figured you of all people would know how important it is to get a fresh start and,” he ran his massive hand over his bald dome. “I thought maybe you’d be a good influence on him.”
Andrew watched him for a moment. His immediate response was to tell him no way but he quickly quelled that thought. Jamal was right. He did know what it felt like to be judged because of past mistakes. He had lost hope long ago and regained it only a few years back with the help of some amazing friends and family. He nodded slightly and saw a smile form on the normally stoic man’s face.
“Well, I have to talk it over with Jayden, but um, yeah, have him come by. I won’t make any promises, though.”
“Thanks, Harrison,” Jamal said, rising from his chair. He glanced at the photo on the wall. “Did you do that one?”
“Yes.”
Jamal shook his head and turned to him. “You got some talent, Harrison. You really do.”
Andrew chuckled lightly. “Thanks.”
“So this kids name is Connor. He’s clever and a little hyper, but I drug test twice a week and he isn’t using, so I think he’s ADHD or something.”
Andrew laughed. “So he’s gonna be like a bouncing little kid around me?”
“Maybe,” Jamal snorted. “Keep up the good work, Harrison,” he said as he walked out the door.
Andrew strolled back into the bay to find Jayden impatiently waiting for him. “It’s cool. He wanted to see if we could use some help. I guess one of his parolees is a mechanic and he thought of me. I told him to send him over but that I wouldn’t make any guarantees that he would get hired. Is that alright?”
Jayden breathed out a sigh of relief. “Hell yeah, that’s alright. We could definitely use the help.”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
“Damn, I’ll tell ya what. That freaked me out a bit. I couldn’t figure out why your old PO was in here.”
Andrew nodded. “It freaked me out too.” He looked at the bikes in the bay and then back at Jayden.
“Should we call Madison and find out what we could offer this kid if we decide to hire him?”
“That’s a
good idea, Andrew.”
“Okay, I’ll go call her and then jump back on the Suzuki. I’m almost done with her.”
Jayden nodded and walked back to the Toyota he was working on. They really could use the help. They had so much to do and he hated that Andrew was taking on most of the load. He smiled at the idea that they might have the opportunity to help someone out. No one had given Andrew a chance, judging him solely on his past. As he sat down next to the bike, he felt confident that they would not make that same mistake.
~*~
Madison walked down the hall towards her office. She gave a head nod to Jaimie, the receptionist, who was answering the phone. Madison liked her a lot. She had been with Mr. Bennett from the very beginning and you could tell. She seemed to know what he needed before he even asked for it. Madison picked up the messages that Jaimie was holding up for her and headed to her office. Opening the door, a smile formed on her face. She loved her job. She loved working with Liam and she loved that he trusted her whole heartedly. They had spent many days talking about the things he had done in Texas. He talked at great length about the companies he had worked for and how he had built his business up. He also had revealed that there was a small part of him that really missed the excitement of traveling to see clients.
Madison found that the more time she spent with Liam, the more she respected and admired him. She could see how Elias had fallen in love with him. He had a charming way of interacting with people. He made them feel special and important, as if whatever their needs were, he would do his best to help them get it. From the very beginning of her work with him, he had a way of helping her broaden her perceptions of the market and what she could do to help her clients’ businesses grow. The way he saw their work was different than any other accountant she had ever worked for. She still remembered sitting down with him on her first day with the company. He had told her that day his philosophy about accounting. He had told her that it was more than helping their clients manage their money; it was about helping them learn ways they could use their money to grow personally as well as professionally. It was something that had stayed with her and guided her in the work she now did.