Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2)

by Ann, Lora

  Chapter Three

  “Where’d he go?” Keeley sat up frantic.

  Lacey attempted to calm her down. “I’m sure he’ll be back.” There was no containing her ire with Tar, and Keeley didn’t miss it.

  She leveled a look at her sister. What wasn’t Lacey telling her? “Why is he here?”

  The question earned her a dumbstruck expression. “Why wouldn’t he be?” Seriously, Keeley was beyond clueless at times.

  Keeley’s turn to bewilderment. “Um…he left me. You know that, right?”

  She nodded, “Of course I do.”

  Yeah, because no way would her husband fail to fill her in. E was a good man. Keeley was still trying to wrap her brain around him being the one to rescue her. Tar was correct. She was forcing herself to sleep as much as possible. There was no desire in her to face what happened the other night. But if Tar was there, didn’t that mean something? She couldn’t let herself go there and shifted her focus to her brother-in-law. “Is E close by?”

  Lacey bent to hug her sister, so grateful she was okay. Tears brimmed as she whispered around hiccups of emotion, “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

  Keeley stroked Lacey’s hair, fighting her own tidal wave of feelings. “Can’t seem to die no matter how hard I try.”

  Neither sister saw E step into the room, but they sure heard him when he bellowed, “Try that shit again, Keeley Kincaid, and I promise you there will be hell to pay.”

  Her eyes darted down and away with a contrite, “I’m sorry.”

  “No. You really aren’t.” His arms were folded over the expanse of his muscled chest. “I’ve had it with your oh-woe-is-me game.”

  “Even!” Lacey spun around. “That’s enough.”

  He leveled a look at his wife that made Keeley push back in her bed. “We’ll talk when we get home.”

  “The hell we’ll wait. Start talking now!” Lacey did not back down as she went toe to toe with her formidable husband.

  He moved fast as lightning and tossed Lacey over his shoulder. E placed his wife outside of her sister’s room and shut the door in her beautiful, furious face. With a turn of the lock, all they heard was Lacey’s angry voice. “Even Strand, so help me.”

  A ghost of a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. Keeley didn’t miss it when those quicksilver eyes lit on her. Oh, he was pissed. “I know you’re going through hell. I get your dealing with a lot of shit. I understand the battle you’re in with those fucking demons. But you listen to me…” He got right in her face and continued, “You ever scare the shit out of me or your beloved sister like that again, I’ll have you locked up and throw away the key. We clear?”

  Keeley registered what was wrong. E was afraid for her. The dam broke. She began to sob uncontrollably, reaching for the brother she’d come to love. He held her close. His voice tight as he confessed, “I didn’t know how to save you. You are my sister. And I had no clue how to help you.”

  A perturbed nurse stood inside the room, key in hand. “Sir, please refrain from locking the door and disrupting this floor.” She turned on her heel and marched out, leaving Lacey in her wake.

  Lacey took in the scene before her. Every ounce of anger drained in an instant. What she saw was family. She joined her husband and sister while they cried together with relief, gratitude. But something more was there, an unspoken love that bound them together.

  Tar knew Keeley was in the best hands possible when he peeked into the room. His gut told him he should just go and not say anything to Keeley. He turned, his steps eating up the hallway.

  Always trust your gut.

  *****

  Mitch didn’t agree with Tar’s decision and let him know so. “Keeley deserves an explanation.”

  “Better this way,” came the gruff reply.

  “My ass! You took the pussy’s way out and you know it.”

  That earned him an up close and personal. Tar growled, “Don’t you even pretend to understand how I’m feeling right now. I did what I felt was best for her recovery.”

  Mitch wasn’t backing down. His best friend was wrong—so, so wrong. “You broke her fucking heart in that street. She barely made it out ALIVE!” he roared back. “Now you go and do it to her again. Hell, I don’t know why I bother,” shoving Tar out of his way, “she’ll succeed in killing herself this time. Mark my words!”

  Tar moved back in his face. “What ‘bout my pain? Or am I not supposed to feel anything? My heart shouldn’t be ripped to shreds? Oh, I see, I should just excuse her actions and forget how she betrayed my love for her,” he growled through a clenched jaw.

  Mitch shouldered him out of the way. “Is this about Keeley? Or Lisa?” he snarled.

  “Fuck you!”

  The aircraft began to move, forcing both men to take their seats. Tar was swallowing down his anger at Mitch. He was heartbroken over what Keeley did and not completely sure he could move past it. But he still loved her. There was the crux. He sat there in deep contemplation as Mitch’s words began to rattle around in his head. Would Keeley take her own life? He knew the answer to that. “Stop the plane!” he frantically howled out while undoing his seatbelt.

  One of the pilots called back, “Sorry, man, we’ve been cleared for takeoff.”

  “Mitch?” Tar stared at the only man who could force them to abort.

  Mitch gave the command but was shocked when told, “Sorry, Sir. We’re under orders. Sit down and buckle up. Now.”

  Tar barely got his ass in the seat before the plane began to rumble down the runway. What did he do? How could he have done this to the woman he loved? He’d never forgive himself if she succeeded at killing herself. Good God, he’d taken an already screwed situation and sent it into clusterfuck. Reality slammed his gut like a wrecking ball. He barely opened the airsickness bag in time before vomiting.

  Mitch was already on the air phone trying to get answers. He got his ass chewed out for questioning orders. When all was said and done, he understood the why’s…but damn. He scrubbed his face, once he ended the call, and went to tell Tar. “I’m sorry,” he offered with a clasp to his friend’s shoulder.

  The haunted gaze that met his buckled his knees. “I’ve not only failed her, Mitch. I signed her death certificate.” A panged moan followed those last five words.

  Mitch fought for control of his own emotions. “She’s strong. Give her some credit.”

  Tar’s head bowed. Both men knew what it looked like when you thought all was lost. Then it hit Tar, he could fly back after the rest of the team landed in Los Angeles. “I’ll fly straight back. She’s in good hands.”

  A lump crowded Mitch’s throat. “No. You won’t.”

  “Come again?”

  “Fuuuuuck,” he exhaled. “There’s a new threat.” Tar leveled a look at him. One Mitch fully understood. Swallowing past the dread, he continued, “Lisa and Cole are in grave danger.”

  “Chase?”

  “They may have a lead there; we’ll know more soon.”

  “Wait.” Tar stood along with Mitch. “I thought I was helping find Chase?”

  “You’re too closely related. Plus, they feel your family ties will help you keep your sister-in-law and nephew safe.”

  “That’s horseshit!” Tar rumbled. “I should be out in the field.”

  Mitch didn’t disagree but his hands were tied. “Sorry, man.”

  Tar grabbed a piece of paper and pen, beginning to write. He might not be great with words but Keeley needed to know he hadn’t given up on her. He was still processing if there would ever be a them again.

  The flight was short, and they’d already landed before Tar could regain any form of composure. The team filed off the aircraft as Tar met Mitch on the tarmac and handed the note over. “Please, get this to Keeley. I don’t know how, but she must have it as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll make it happen, bro.”

  “I know you will. I owe you one, Mitch.”

  “Nah. Let’s find your brother, return
all safely to their lives so you can get back to your woman.”

  Tar raked his hair. “Doubt she’ll have me after this.”

  “I think she might surprise you,” Mitch declared before assembling the team and handing out orders.

  *****

  Keeley curled up in the fetal position and sobbed. He left her, again. How much more could a heart take before it was shattered beyond repair? She acknowledged to herself it was deserved. She broke his heart. Tar was too good for her, and he simply realized it. She beat her chest convinced that any fragment left behind needed to be removed.

  A nurse watched in concern from the doorway. She read the patient’s chart and knew Miss Kincaid was being moved the next day to a private psychiatric hospital, which meant someone with money cared for this girl. With caution she approached the wailing woman, who seemed to be more child at that moment. But when Keeley’s sable gaze met hers, she knew better. A survivor stared back at her. One fighting like hell. How could she help? Sitting in front of her, she offered, “Sometimes I find it helps to write out all that stuff boiling to the surface.”

  Keeley wiped her face with her arm. “Yeah, I’ve done that before.”

  The nurse reached into her pocket and pulled out a small spiral notebook and pen. “Please don’t hurt yourself with this,” she said, handing them over and earning her furrowed brows. “The pen…”

  “Can be used as a weapon,” Keeley finished for her. “I’m in enough pain to keep that demon satiated.”

  “I see that. Want to talk about it?”

  “Simple really. I lied to the man who loved me. He decided deception wasn’t something he could live with. So he left,” Keeley’s voice caught on the emotional agony those words brought. God, it really was satisfying the cravings. What did that make her?

  “Lost beyond help,” came the whisper of a familiar companion. “You’re unforgivable. Tar has made that very clear.” Keeley winced from the torture the demon spoke into her.

  The nurse studied her, knowing she was in some kind of fierce battle. She might not be able to save this girl but she could offer respite. “I think this man realized how important it is for you to love yourself, to find your self-worth. Those who truly love you don’t just stop when you hurt them.”

  Keeley’s gaze locked on hers. “Some sins only fade. And no matter how much they love you, they can’t let you hurt them again.”

  “So don’t. Find your strength in the flames. It’s there. I see it in you.”

  “I don’t have what it takes.”

  “That’s crap!” She stood up.

  Who the hell was this woman to think she knew a thing about her? Keeley huffed, “You don’t know anything.”

  “Possibly. But then, maybe I do know a thing or two.” She turned and walked out, leaving Keeley staring down at the pen in her hand.

  “Would be so easy,” the demon purred, “to jam it right here.” His fingernail raking along her tender neck.

  She closed her eyes, searching for the will to live. Keeley could hear Tar’s voice in her head, “Fight.”

  “No,” she breathed and grabbed the pen. She began to write, pouring out her soul onto the paper as tears blurred her vision and snot leaked. Keeley finished writing, exhausted. She returned to the tight ball she’d been in earlier and cried herself to sleep.

  *****

  The demon paced. He was losing her. Light was keeping him from what was his. He’d have to work harder at deceiving her, finding this new kind of pain was actually weakening him. Her addiction was fully fed.

  Stupid fuck, they were playing on the same team!

  Yet, he hissed, there was no loyalty in hell. It was, after all, all about, me…me…me. This was why humans were such easy prey. Their selfish nature made them prime targets. Just meant it was time to turn up the heat on Keeley. He’d break her beyond repair. And that was one of the biggest lies ever told. But she’d never figure that out. He would make sure of it.

  *****

  The next morning Lacey sat beside her sister on the cold hard floor, appalled to see her curled up in the corner. She promptly placed Keeley’s head in her lap, softly stroking her hair. Could she save her twin? E had told her more than once that in order to heal one must shatter completely. God, Keeley had hit bottom more times than any one person ever should. Wasn’t that enough? How could she possibly break more? Eventually a person had to truly be broken, right? She didn’t know the answers to these questions as tears fell onto Keeley’s hospital johnny.

  The bandages were gone around her head. Only a small one remained where the actual incision was made underneath her hair at the base of her skull. Seemed so trivial, but Lacey was thankful Keeley didn’t have a shaved spot, or ended up completely bald. She felt movement under her hand signaling that Keeley was waking up. “Hey, it’s me. No need to worry,” she crooned like a mother to her sick child.

  Keeley tested her limbs. The position she’d fallen asleep in made her stiff and uncomfortable. Or, maybe that was the floor. Not the brightest of locations to cry yourself to sleep, she thought. Lacey moved her hand so Keeley could stretch out. “Crap. Remind me the next time I have a meltdown to do so in a bed.”

  “I’m so sorry. I wish there was a way to take this from you.”

  Keeley scoffed, “You’re not my mother, Lace. You’re my sister. It’s not your fight.”

  “What the hell, Kee?” Her exasperated expression saying more than her words. “Just because I’m not Mom doesn’t mean I don’t give a damn.” She clasped her shoulders and gave a little shake. “I love you. And if you think I like seeing you suffer, you’re seriously delusional.”

  There was no controlling the laugher. Keeley couldn’t help it. The irony of calling her ‘delusional’ just before she checked into a mental hospital was funny on sooooo many levels. “Oh, don’t look at me that way,” she chastised Lacey for the sternness in her eyes.

  “I’m trying to understand what it is you find so hilarious.” Lacey’s hands were waving around for emphasis.

  Keeley stilled them and sincerely pointed out, “I’m agreeing to let your husband put me in the looney bin. Surely you see the humor behind what you said.”

  “What I…” Her eyes widened. “Oh, fuck.” She covered her mouth to hide the gasp. How could she have been so insensitive? Lacey eyed her, thankful she maintained her sense of humor even in this stressful situation. “I don’t want you to go. Does that help at all?”

  “Ah, Lacey,” hugging her tight, “E’s right, it’s the best place for me to get help.”

  “Doesn’t mean I hafta like it,” Lacey sighed.

  “Well, it’s not as if I’m actually looking forward to it. But I can’t do this on my own.”

  Lacey pulled back and locked her gaze on Keeley’s. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “For admitting I’m a nut job.” Keeley’s face revealed she was only half joking.

  “No, silly. For knowing you need others to help you fight. That the battle isn’t yours alone.”

  “Oh no, don’t start the church-y talk. Puh-leeze.”

  Lacey couldn’t help but smile. “The fact you call it such says you know I’m right.”

  “Whatev.” Keeley walked across the room searching for some space. Wasn’t that she really had issues with the Big Guy, per se, just didn’t like all the Kumbaya talk. And well, she’d definitely fallen from grace, making her more uncomfortable standing there with her good girl sister.

  Lacey wasn’t taking the dismissal with a grain of salt. She marched right over to Keeley and held her by the shoulders, holding eye contact, she said, “You are loved. You are worth it. I’m not giving up on you.”

  “Neither am I,” came a deep, resonating voice from the doorway.

  Tears were streaking down Keeley and Lacey’s faces as E joined the sisters and enveloped them in a big hug. Keeley could hardly speak but managed a whispered, “Thank you.”

  “What family is all about, Kee,” E answered with a tight voi
ce, revealing his own emotions.

  A few minutes passed before a nurse walked in. “Everything okay in here?”

  Keeley answered, “Yes,” then recognized her from the night before. “Thank you for last night.”

  “Anytime.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a white envelope. “This is for you.” Keeley took what was handed to her, trepidation pumping through her veins. The nurse grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I’m rooting for you.”

  Keeley’s eyes widened. “Why?”

  “Because the good fight is always worth it.”

  Too many emotions flooded Keeley at once. She didn’t want to fail all these people. Lacey sensed her sister’s distress and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “You’re stronger than you think you are, Kee. Just wait. You’ll see.”

  E confirmed, “You’re a warrior.”

  Keeley wasn’t convinced of that but knew she wanted to try. That had to be a step in the right direction. At least she hoped so for all their sake.

  Chapter Four

  Tar’s nerves were frayed. He didn’t do sit and wait well. The thought of what Chase could be enduring sent him into all kinds of furious. His own time as a POW festering to the surface of his sanity. Torture of any kind was horrific in and of itself, but the real pain and suffering came with the state one found themselves in day after day, night after night. If the captor was up to date on their mental and emotional torture tactics, a person found themselves screwed in more ways than they could ever imagine. His brother had two weak spots: Lisa and Cole. They could break him so easily. He had information on powerful kingpins and more than one influential person behind the sex slave trade. God damn the people who had him because if Tar got his hands on any of them, there’d be no grace. Only mercy he’d show would be a swift death.

  “Tarius,” Lisa interrupted his thoughts of retribution. He heard the fear laced in his name and turned toward her. “Wh-wh-at can we do?”

  He closed his eyes and found the SEAL in him. By the time his gaze met hers, he was in that place of duty. Personal feelings got a man killed if he didn’t guard them carefully. “Exactly what you’re doing,” he answered, noticing the detached tone in his voice.