Broken (Broken Trilogy Book 1)

by Drake, J. L.

  “Why is your heart racing?” he whispers in my neck. Crap.

  “Bad dream. I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “You didn’t.” He rolls on his back, pulling me into his side so my head rests on his chest.

  “You haven’t slept?” I feel terrible.

  “What were you dreaming about?”

  I sigh as he dodges my question.

  “I remember another time I saw The American. He was outside my condo watching me.”

  Cole doesn’t say anything he just stares at the ceiling. What I wouldn’t give to know what he is thinking. When I can’t take the silence anymore, I roll on his stomach and straddle him. The only light is from the full moon so it’s hard to read his expression. I trace paths down his stomach with my fingertips…it flexes when he folds his arms behind his head. I know he is upset with me but I haven’t had time to really think since I passed out after our shower encounter. I shiver when I remember the feeling of him inside of me. I push my weight on top of my knees to get the angle right then I sink down before he has a chance to stop me.

  “Savannah!” He jolts forward grabbing my hips, “Fuckkkk.”

  I shift my body around adjusting to his size. He lays back down as I start a slow, lazy pace.

  His hands pressed over his face as he sucks in a deep breath, he gasps, “Christ, woman!” He grabs me, holding me still as he flicks his hips up trying to get deeper, faster.

  I push his hands away smiling. I am in control this time.

  He shakes his head, groaning, as I set the pace, again running my hands down his front, stopping in all the right places. Payback is going to be fun.

  I pull him almost all the way out, but only take him back an inch.

  He hisses out a puff of air.

  I pull up again and slam down knowing I could barely take much more.

  Suddenly I am on my back and my legs are being hiked up over his shoulders, he pushes into me, taking me hard. My eyes close and I smile. I love how dominating he is in bed. Ha! He’s dominating outside the bedroom too. I do love how I got him to this point, knowing he would take over.

  “Look at me, baby.”

  I open my eyes—he’s inches above me, his eyes showing me how worried he is. “Right here is where you belong,” he says as he slams hard, making his point and taking me over the edge.

  I’m lost in a sea of colors as I scream out his name, my orgasms coming in waves.

  He covers my mouth to muffle my screams as I feel him quiver, finding his bliss right after mine. He flops down, resting his head on my stomach as I run my fingers through his damp hair. “I want to do that to you every morning,” he says as he kisses me above my belly button right before he rolls off, pulling me back onto his chest. “Next time I want to take it slow, make it last for hours.”

  I don’t have any words for the way I feel, so instead I lean up, kissing him once on under his chin.

  I wake again at seven. This time Cole doesn’t budge when I slip out of bed. I pull the blankets over him making sure he’s warm before I jump in for a quick shower. I manage to get dressed without waking the poor guy.

  “Good morning,” Abigail says, handing me a cup of coffee. “You get any sleep?”

  “A little.” I sigh feeling a bit sore; two times with Cole and I should be sitting on a donut ring. “Cole is still sleeping. He’s really tired. Can you make sure no one wakes him?”

  “Of course. And Frank arrived twenty minutes ago. He’s outside with Daniel if you want to speak with him.”

  “Yes, I do, thanks.”

  She comes around the island, giving me a hug. “Please don’t leave us, we all love you,” she sniffs, letting me go.

  My eyes prickle. “I love you too, Abigail.” And I do…wow I really do care a lot for this woman.

  I pull on my coat and boots and head out. It’s lightly snowing as I make my way over to Frank and Daniel at the stables.

  “Good morning,” I say, coming up behind them.

  “Hello, Savannah,” Frank says. “Have you made your decision?”

  Daniel takes off his knit hat slipping it over my head then grants me a Logan smile. “I’ll see you indoors.”

  ***

  Cole opens his eyes, feeling like something is off. His hand quickly does a swipe of the bed and he jumps when he notices she’s gone. Shit! It was quarter to eight, and Frank was arriving at six thirty. He flips down the panel on the wall, enters the code, and races toward his bedroom. He needs to get some clothes.

  Running down the stairs and into the kitchen he finds his father and Abigail looking worried.

  “Where is she?”

  “Out by the stables,” Abigail says. “They’ve been talking for over an hour.”

  Cole moves over to the window and spots them. Savannah has her back to the house; Frank is nodding his head.

  “Why didn’t someone wake me?” he asks trying to think clearly.

  “Savi wanted you to sleep.”

  Of course she did. He flops himself on a stool, thinking he can barely remember the last time he slept past seven am.

  “There’s nothing you can do, but wait,” Daniel says from behind him. “Looks like they’ll be a while…go have a shower you look like hell.”

  After taking his Dad's advice and grabbing a brief shower he joins them back at the kitchen table. His mother hands him a plate of bacon and eggs. He rubs his head, this is killing him.

  “How did she seem last night?” his mother asks, sitting across from him.

  “Confused. I can tell she doesn’t want to go.”

  “She doesn’t,” Keith states, joining them. “She told me when we were walking out of the woods. She asked what if I don’t want to leave, what happens then?”

  Cole sags into his seat.

  “She’s leaving because we’re all in danger,” Daniel says into his coffee mug. “She cares about us that much that she’s willing to risk her own life just to make we’re all right. She’s a pretty amazing woman.”

  “We’re always in danger,” Keith huffs. “Never stopped us before.”

  The front door opens and they all stop talking. Savannah comes around the corner first, looking frozen.

  Cole quickly pours her a cup of coffee. “You didn’t wake me,” he whispers, handing it to her.

  “You needed to sleep,” she says reaching out and squeezing his arm—her fingers are like ice. Just as she takes the mug Frank enters the room.

  “Well, your girl puts up one hell of a fight,” he says, pulling off his hat and sitting at the table. “I’m mentally fried!”

  Cole leans back holding onto the island his stomach bottoming out again.

  Frank makes a show of checking his watch saying, “I have to run into town. I’ll be back this evening with my men to transfer Agent York back to Washington.”

  Savannah steps forward, shaking his hand. “Thank you.”

  Everyone is quiet even after they hear him leave all eyes have shifted to her.

  “Well,” she sighs, “I guess you’re stuck with me.”

  Cole sags into the counter as everyone jumps and hugs her…it feels like his feet are welded to the floor.

  She turns and pushes up on her toes, whispering into his shoulder, “I didn’t want to leave this house, these guys, or you.”

  The corners of his mouth go up as he leans down. “I wouldn’t let you even if you tried.”

  She turns her head toward him. They were so close he can feel her warm breath on his cheek. Cole glances around. Seeing everyone is busy he leans in, giving her a light peck on her lips.

  She tilts her head, surprised, but grants him a smile that reaches her eyes. He’s fallen.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I push the cart slowly through the aisle.

  “Okay, so silver and gold?” Abigail asks me as we enter the third Christmas store in a row.

  Since I decided for a second time to stay at the house, I thought it was about time to decorate.

  Abigail and J
une normally do a Christmas tree, but that’s about it. Not this year…if I’m staying, then we are decorating just like Lynn and I did back in NY. Winter wonderland.

  “And red,” I add as Abigail holds up a package of white sparkly snowflakes. “Now those are prefect, how many in a package?”

  “Umm, twelve—oh, look, gold ones too.”

  “Perfect! Grab three of each.”

  She laughs, dropping them into the cart.

  “So do you know how Melanie and Mark are doing?”

  Abigail holds up some thick red ribbon, I nod while grabbing boxes of ornaments and a red velvet tree skirt. “They’re doing really well actually.” She beams. “He’s even talking to me about her now. He wants to invite her to the light show in town when we all attend.”

  “Wow, kind of like meeting the family officially…again!” We break out laughing.

  After three more stores I am more than impressed with what we got. Paul shakes his head each time we came out with a cart full from each place.

  “I’ll take you to Zack’s once I know you’re settled,” he says. “I’ll take off over to the grocery store to save some time.”

  “Okay…” I hesitate giving him my list.

  “What?”

  “Just don’t substitute things.”

  He smirks at me—we’ve been down this road before. “When it says—”

  “I know.” He snatches the list out of my hand. “When it says sharp cheese don’t get medium cheese. Oh, I remember.” He chuckles, waving me into the SUV.

  Zack is more than happy to see us. Our impromptu shopping trip didn’t allow us to give him a heads up that we were coming and he falls all over himself with glee as Adam, remembering last time, sat us by the fireplace.

  “Ladies! What an unexpected pleasure,” Zack says warmly. “Are you in town to do a little shopping?”

  “Savannah wants to spread some Christmas cheer through the house so we needed to buy some decorations,” Abigail informs him, smiling as she removes her coat.

  “I think we bought the town,” I joke.

  “Well isn’t that fun!” He snaps his fingers at Adam. “A bottle of my personal favorite.” Adam rushes off toward the back. “You two sit back and let Zack take care of you.”

  I smile that seems to be his line with us. I am more than willing—he always makes the best food.

  “Can I ask you something personal?” Abigail takes a sip of her water

  “Sure.”

  “Who taught you how to play the piano?”

  I clear my throat feeling the lump that comes whenever anyone mentions the subject. “My mother.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Why’s that?

  She thinks for a moment. “You have a lot of emotion when you play. Tell me about her?”

  “She was wonderful.” I shrug, then seeing she’s really interested, continue. “She was the kind of mother that would drop anything and play with you. She taught me how to bake, how to ride a bike, how to sing.” I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. “She’s the singer in the family; I just play the piano.”

  “What about your—” she starts, turning red and fanning herself.

  “Abby?” I start looking around.

  “No, look at me,” she says. “We’re just talking.”

  “Yes, that’s what we are doing.” I laugh, puzzled. Then I realize what’s putting her into a state.

  “Hello, Savannah, Abigail, you both look lovely today.”

  “Thanks, you too,” I say. “What are you up to today Doctor Roberts?” I eye Abby, whose face is finally starting to go back to her normal shade.

  “I had to pick up some packages then decided to have a bite of lunch.”

  “Please say you’ll join us,” I ask as Abigail’s eyes widen.

  “Thank you that sounds nice.”

  Adam rushes a chair over for him—he must have been watching us.

  “It can get lonely eating every meal by yourself,” he admits, settling in and glancing at Abigail who has yet to say anything. “That’s a lovely blouse, Abigail, it makes you shine.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles coyly. “And I see you’re wearing your red tie.”

  This time it is Doc Robert’s face that blushes. “Yes, well, it is my favorite,” he whispers.

  My jaw nearly drops when I realize what they must be referring to last summer’s romance.

  “So, Doctor Roberts, do you have any plans tomorrow night?” I ask, feeling badly that I’m breaking up their moment, but I am about to grant them another.

  “I do believe I am free.”

  “Wonderful. Please join us for dinner. It’s Abigail’s night off—” She looks at me puzzled— “And I am in charge of cooking. Her sister, June, is in town and I understand that you’ve never met.”

  “You have a night off?” He smiles at Abigail. “Well, how can I refuse?”

  I have to press my lips together so not to yelp with joy! “Well that’s great, be there for five?”

  He nods and I see Abigail trying not to smile.

  “Can you excuse me a minute? I need to use the restroom.” I decide these two could use a little private time.

  I head for the restroom but get sidetracked by a newspaper sitting on the bar top. I glance at the cover then begin reading the local news about the light festival. A chiming noise outside has me looking out the window as I notice someone across the street; there is something familiar, but then he is gone. I freeze in place. Pushing the newspaper away from me I squint, but it’s bright out with the snow. The moment I think I see him a trolley comes by and he hops on turning so his back is to me. I open the front door stepping outside. My mind is racing, his outfit blue coat, red hat, blue coat, red hat. Continuing down the narrow, snow-filled sidewalk I round the corner and see the man getting off at a bakery. I hurry across the street so quickly a car has to slam on its brakes. The driver shouts at me but nothing is registering in my urgency to follow this man. I slip into the bakery looking around at all the faces then I see a blue coat draped over a chair but the guy isn’t there. “Umm, did you see the man who owns this jacket? Did you see what he looks like?” I ask the couple at the table next to the coat, they both shrug, shaking their heads. I turn to two women behind the cash register. “Where is the man who owns that jacket? Has he ordered yet? What does he look like?” I repeat urgently.

  “Umm,” the young women stumbles, “I-I’m not sure, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry, just think, where is he?” I nearly shout at her. The whole place is looking at me when the bathroom door opens and a man comes out checking his belt.

  “That’s him,” the girl at the table calls out.

  “It that your blue jacket?” I ask the man.

  “Yes,” he answers. Oh God. I rub my head. What the hell was that, Savi? Talk about freaking out, I shake my head feeling stupid.

  “I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.” I start toward the door but look back at him.

  “Excuse me,” I call back out to him, “are you wearing a red hat today?”

  “No, green.” He holds it up.

  My stomach drops when I look at his jacket again. It’s different, it’s a pea jacket. The other guy’s was a ski jacket. Shit…I push the door open as someone steps in front of me. I hold the door for them but they don’t move. I look up and see Paul peering down at me. Oh, shit…

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I’m sorry, I thought—” I shake my head. I don’t want to say I think I saw Jose Jorge. I’ll sound crazy and they’ll probably add an extra hour to Doctor Roberts’s sessions. “I’m sorry.”

  “You are damn lucky I found you when I did. Cole is—”

  “You called Cole?” I snap. “I’ve been gone what, five minutes?”

  “No, I called Keith, and you were gone fifteen.”

  “Keith!” I toss my hands in the air as I walk around him “That’s even worse!”

  “How is that wors
e?” He hurries to catch up. “Look you can’t run off on me like that.”

  I stop to look him. “I didn’t run off on you, I just thought—” I shake my head. “Look it won’t happen again, I’m sorry can we just forget about this?”

  “Fine.” He nods.

  Lunch goes fairly well after I dodge twenty questions about what just happened. Doctor Roberts wasn’t buying it but at least he left it alone for now. He and Abigail seem much more relaxed with each other and they both seemed to be looking forward to tomorrow night’s dinner. I slowly come off my adrenalin rush, however the image of blue coat, red hat guy is burned into my memory. Somewhere deep down inside there’s a part of me that thinks it could be him.

  Abigail fills me in on their conversation while I was away from the table. I guess he’s been wanting to see her for a while now but wasn’t sure if she felt the same way back. Her face is positively glowing I’ve never seen her so happy before. She hugs me as we walk to the car, thanking me for tomorrow night. The rest of the drive she prattles on about this and that. I keep catching Paul watching me in the mirror.

  Sinking into the couch while Abigail fills June in on our day I glance at all the bags thinking I should probably get started with the decorating, but I don’t get up. Instead I close my eyes, needing a minute to think. Then I hear someone clear their throat…opening my eyes to find Keith looking down at me. His arms are crossed and he has the look of death on his face. I hold up my arm saying, “Go ahead. Chip me.” He rolls his eyes.

  “Oh boy, would I love to,” he snickers. “Are you insane?”

  “Possibly.” I sigh covering my face with my arms. “Does Cole know?”

  “Yes.” Of course… “He was there when Paul called.”

  “And on a scale of one to ten?” I ask peeking out.

  “It was ten, but now I’d say an eight.”

  I sigh again. I seem to be doing that a lot these days.

  “He’s on a conference call but I’m sure he’ll want to see you afterwards.”

  Oh, I bet.

  ***

  Cole stares at the speakerphone. Frank is giving him the play-by-play on what happened after they left the house this afternoon. Reaching over for the crystal bottle of brandy he pours himself a double…this shit is getting out of hand. He takes a drink, setting the glass down and flexing his hand—the hand that has been gripping his pen since Frank started his story.