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Bane
Copyright © 2015 by K. Mayer Enterprises, Inc.
Cover Designer: Lisa Jay
Interior Designer: JT Formatting
Editor: Nichole Strauss with Perfectly Publishable
ISBN-13: 978-1-942910-06-0
All rights reserved.
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One – Bane
Chapter Two – Bane
Chapter Three – Bane
Chapter Four – Bane
Chapter Five – Bane
Chapter Six – Maren
Chapter Seven – Bane
Chapter Eight – Maren
Chapter Nine – Bane
Chapter Ten – Maren
Chapter Eleven – Bane
Chapter Twelve – Maren
Chapter Thirteen – Bane
Chapter Fourteen – Maren
Chapter Fifteen – Bane
Chapter Sixteen – Maren
Chapter Seventeen – Bane
Chapter Eighteen – Maren
Chapter Nineteen – Bane
Chapter Twenty – Maren
Chapter Twenty-One – Bane
Chapter Twenty-Two – Maren
Chapter Twenty-Three – Bane
Chapter Twenty-Four – Maren
Chapter Twenty-Five – Bane
Chapter Twenty- Six – Maren
Chapter Twenty-Seven – Bane
Chapter Twenty- Eight – Maren
Chapter Twenty-Nine – Bane
Chapter Thirty – Maren
Excerpt from Trust Me
Excerpt from Dissipate
Thank You
Other Books by Kristin Mayer
Six Years Ago
I WAS DONE. Finished. Out.
For the past seven years, I belonged to a division of the government that wasn’t on the books. I operated alone. There was a mission: I either failed or succeeded. If I failed, that meant I was dead.
After all the shit I’d seen, done, caused—I had survived. It was a fucking miracle.
I was the best at what I did, but there were times I saw my life flash before my eyes. But when you’re the government’s covert assassin, what else was there to expect. If I was captured, I didn’t exist. If I died, I didn’t exist. If I succeeded, I was assigned my next mission.
The plane wheels screeched as I touched down in Alaska. Finally, I was where I wanted to be.
At times, I wasn’t sure I knew who I was anymore. My identity was erased from the system long ago. For the last three months, I’d been working on getting released from the program. It was a slow process with how deep I was in with Black Division.
Those suits knew I wouldn’t share anything I’d done. Hell, half the time I wanted to forget. After three months of debriefing, the government let me out. Of course, there was an underlying threat.
If we so much as suspect you’ve betrayed this country, consider yourself dead, Mr. Bradley.
Yeah, nothing else was new. I wasn’t an idiot. I knew I’d be monitored for years to come, but they wouldn’t find anything.
In all the dark bullshit that swirled around me, there was one person who kept me grounded over the last two years … Jasmine. She saved my soul before it would have been lost completely to the animal beckoning to take over within me. Finally, I was going to spend the rest of my life with her.
The cabin of the plane dinged and the pilot came on to thank us for flying. Who the fuck cared? All the passengers wanted the same thing—to get off. The only thing I wanted was to see my girl.
Jasmine, the love of my life, waited for me at the front of the airport. I carried only a duffel bag. That was all I’d wanted from my previous life. Everything else I set fire to and tried to forget it. There was nothing good about my past besides her.
The last time I’d seen Jasmine had been a little over six months ago on my last furlough. I always flew her to different places to meet to maximize our time together, but the last time, I’d come here and fell in love with Alaska. Yeah, the winters were shitty, but it was isolated and away from the fuckedupness in the world. There was a true peace. Maybe I’d heal enough to be worthy of Jasmine.
Jasmine knew me as Bane Bradley. On the fly, I’d used it when we met at a local bar two years ago in New York. It stuck. And now, it would be my name for the rest of my life. I liked it.
The government hadn’t even known about that name. All the names of my previous identities blended together, morphing into one. My mother called me bastard my entire childhood. That name was also fitting for the shit I’d done. Sometimes a person became a product of where they came from.
The cold air hit my face, and I debarked from the plane at the small airport. It was almost time to see my girl—Jasmine.
I was here. I was home. Home. The word lightened the load as I practically sprinted to the front of the airport. Over the phone yesterday, Jasmine said she had some news for me. Her voice shook minutely, which meant she was nervous. When I’d asked, do you still want me to come? The resounding yes was all I needed. We’d make it through anything else.
Until yesterday, when I’d been released, we hadn’t talked since I’d last visited. But the moment I heard her sweet voice on the end of the line, I knew she still loved me. Jasmine knew I worked for a secret agency, although she thought about it more along the lines of James Bond type shit.
Nothing was further from the truth.
But, it kept her from asking questions and that was all that mattered, which, in turn kept Jasmine safe. As of that moment, all the other shit was in the past and didn’t matter.
A secret smile formed as I thought what I had planned for us. Getting somewhere private was priority—another reason I insisted on Jasmine picking me up at the front versus coming in.
Outside the airport sat the love of my life in her old, tan four-wheel-drive SUV. Another bitter gust of wind hit me, but I made it to the vehicle in record time. As soon as I got in, her subtle vanilla scent greeted me. Oh how I missed that smell.
Jasmine leaned over. Our lips touched as she whispered against mine. “Hey, baby.”
All the countless lie detector tests, questioning, and debriefing were worth it in that moment. First, I had to taste her. As I cupped her face, her soft skin was a soothing balm against my callous palms.
Her lips formed to mine. My tongue sought entry in her mouth, and she opened to me, intensifying the kiss. That sweet little moan had my cock as
hard as a rock. We needed to get out of here before I took her in the parking lot. As soon as we got somewhere, I was sinking deep within her—for hours on end.
A car honked behind us. Jasmine giggled and whispered against my lips, “Are you ready to go home?”
“Yeah, baby. Take me home.”
Home. There was that word again.
I’d never had a home. Ever. There was no way the shithole I’d grown up in could be considered a home. As soon as I turned eighteen, I enlisted in the marines. Within two years, I was recruited to the Black Division. Life expectancy in the program was three years. I’d lasted seven fucking long years.
As Jasmine drove, I couldn’t take my eyes off her honey-blonde hair and dark-chestnut eyes. She had a body made for worshiping that was hidden underneath her oversized thick coat. I was never going to have to let her go.
Glancing my way, she asked with a knowing smile, “What are you looking at?”
“You. It’s always you. I’m sorry it took me so fucking long to get home to you.”
Her hand came out and held mine. “You made it. That’s all that matters. And, you’re here for good?”
“I am.” A tinge of guilt raced through me. There had been several times through the last two years where I’d stood her up because I was on a mission in some hellhole. It was a miracle she’d stayed with me through it all.
While we were apart, I called as often as I could, but sometimes it was weeks before she heard from me. I craved to hear her voice like an addiction. Honestly, it was a miracle I got to date her. When you signed up to be an operative, there were no ties to the world. However, I’d disclosed our relationship as soon as it became one. After intensive monitoring and background checks, Black Division was satisfied and gave me the all clear to continue the relationship.
Driving to the small apartment complex in town, Jasmine parked. I’d only been here once, but with my photographic memory, I knew where we were. Jogging to Jasmine’s side of the truck, I grabbed the keys out of the ignition and cradled her in my arms. The squeal of delight rang through me. I spun us around, earning peals of laughter. I had my girl in my arms, and I was going to spend the rest of my life cherishing her.
As we walked to the door, I kissed her slow. With my right hand, I managed to unlock the door while never taking my mouth from hers. I needed to know this was real and not a dream. Over the last year, I’d dreamed of being with Jasmine and having a child. Time would give me both.
I wanted it all—the white fence, the wife, the kids … everything. And for the first time in my life, I believed I deserved it.
The door closed with a loud thud as I kicked it. The atmosphere intensified as I plunged deeper into her mouth. A small moan of acceptance came from Jasmine as she held me firmly to her.
The next stop was the bedroom.
“Bane—”
Cutting her off, I murmured, “Later.”
If she pushed me away, I’d stop. But right now, I needed her to know this wasn’t a dream. Jasmine was here and pliant in my arms. It was tempting to fuck her hard in the living room, but the first time home, I was going to make love to her. Savor her. Adore her.
Sitting her down, I pushed the coat off her shoulders. Jasmine grabbed the hem of my shirt and together we took it off. A finger trailed down my abdomen eliciting a shiver.
“I missed this. I missed you.” Jasmine’s words fueled me as I reclaimed her mouth.
My cock ached to sink into that perfect pussy of hers. Going to her stomach to take off her shirt, I touched the soft skin. Jasmine’s abdomen wasn’t flat but had a bump to it. I took a step back. My eyes shot to hers.
Was she?
Both of her hands came up and caressed her stomach. “I wanted to talk to you first before we had sex. But then, we got in the moment.” A beautiful flush crept on her cheeks. “Bane, I’m pregnant.”
I nearly staggered back. Jasmine was pregnant. My girl was pregnant. With a baby. We hadn’t been together for almost six months. Fuck, I wasn’t sure how this worked. The baby had to be mine. Our baby.
She took a step closer. “Bane, it’s yours. We’re having a baby. I’m six months along. There was no way to contact you. I wanted to tell you in person.”
My hand shook as I touched her stomach. “We’re having a baby.”
The dream was becoming reality. A child. Jasmine as my wife. It was all real.
An unknowing feeling of love toward someone I’d never met flowed through me. I was connected to this little person already, and I’d known about her for less than a minute. It was a girl. I knew it.
Sinking to my knees, I kissed her stomach where our child grew. Instead of causing death, I’d helped create a life. If my soul was too damaged, I knew I’d never be given the responsibility to be a father. Maybe this was the world telling me I deserved to be happy.
Jasmine’s hands came out and touched my shaved head. “Yes, the last time we saw each other. I found out about two and half months ago. It’s a girl.”
“We’re having a baby girl.” I swallowed hard as I remembered the little girl in pigtails on the swing from my dream. I couldn’t stop giving little kisses to her stomach. My rough palms caressed as I whispered to our daughter, “I love you, little girl, with my whole heart. I will love you and protect you, little one. Always.”
Glancing up to Jasmine, a tear came down her face.
What if she isn’t ready to have a baby? What if she isn’t happy about this?
Standing, I cupped her face. “Are you okay with this?”
She sniffled. “I love the thought of having your child. I was worried you would think I cheated on you. I’ve been so nervous.”
“Never, baby. This is a miracle. Our miracle.”
Bringing Jasmine to me, I felt her soft body meld to mine. I smiled against her lips as the baby bump touched my stomach.
I was going to be a dad.
“I’m going to take you to bed and make love to the mother of my child.”
“I want you, Bane.” As she spoke her breathy reply, I walked her back to the mattress.
From this moment on, I’d never be the same.
ON THE BED, I watched Jasmine sleep with her hair fanned out around her face. Peace. That was an odd feeling for me, but I had it. Finally. Through all the mayhem and destruction I caused in nearly every country of the world, I’d found a form of forgiveness through the child growing in Jasmine’s stomach. I couldn’t stop touching her.
Almost everyone I’d killed was a motherfucker. Knowing that was the only thing that kept me from completely losing myself to the darkness that tried to drown me.
In all the years I’d been part of the Black Division, I ended the life of five innocent people on accident. They were called casualties of war. I called it murder. That burden would be on me forever. The faces of the innocent haunted me when I closed my eyes. The motto of the agency—their deaths had been a sacrifice to the greater good. Bullshit. Everyone deserved a chance at life.
Those innocents had been someone’s child and the regret of what I’d done hit me harder than before.
I am so sorry. So very sorry for the sins of my past. I will spend every day for the rest of my life trying to make up for it.
Whoever I mentally spoke to, I hoped they heard my promise.
Thinking back to the night I’d met Jasmine, I’d been at a bar drowning my sins away with alcohol. I’d killed my fifth innocent person and was on leave. Who would have thought that night would change my life forever?
For the next three weeks, I was off until my next assignment for who-the-hell-knows how long to some forsaken shithole. All I planned to do was drink, fuck, and sleep. Simple.
The bartender approached and I slid my glass to him. “Another one.”
Bourbon, of any kind, was my drink of choice. As long as it was amber and got me fucked up—I didn’t care. Numb was numb and that’s all that mattered.
New York was a good place to take a three-week hiatus. The city ne
ver slept and there was pussy galore. The stool next to me moved and I glanced that way. I always wanted to know everything that was going on around me. It was part of who I was now. Outside of the Black Division, I was a ghost.
A beautiful blonde that I could fuck into next week, if given the chance, sat alternating glances between her watch and the door to the bar.
She looked my way. “Excuse me. Is this the original Finnegan’s everyone talks about? I’m meeting my girlfriend here and she’s late.”
For all that was holy, she had the voice of a goddess that would sound amazing screaming my name while I fucked her into oblivion.
The bartender sat my glass down and took an order from the girl. She liked girlie cocktails as she ordered a Cosmo. I brought my glass up in salute to the girl with the mile-long legs beside me. “The one and only original Finnegan’s.”
Fuck, I had no clue, but it sounded good if that meant she would stay.
“Oh, good.” The gorgeous girl let her shoulders relax. “I’m from Alaska, so this big city is a bit intimating.”
I took a small sip of the liquid heaven. “What brought you to New York?”
“I’ve always wanted to see the world. I’ve been saving up to come here for years. My friend from New Jersey is meeting me here to catch up while I’m in town.”
Here was to hoping little Miss Alaska was at the wrong bar.
That first night we’d met there was no sex. Instead, I’d gotten her number and taken her on a proper date the following night. Shocked the hell out of me. I had to work five long days to get between her legs. The wait was worth it. The moment I sunk inside her for the first time, I was gone. Changed forever.
My life was perfect.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I sipped on my coffee while Jasmine finished eating the breakfast I’d cooked for her. I didn’t care for breakfast. Maybe it was from all those years of waking up starving with my mom, only to be denied. I took another sip, letting the warmth of the liquid keep me from going to that dark, cold place called my childhood.
I loved seeing Jasmine’s healthy appetite as she nourished our unborn child. Testing the waters, I threw a thought out there. “I thought we could look for a house today.”
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