Hard as Steel
Surviving Series Book 4
By Virginia Wine
Steel Archer, with his commanding charisma and keen focus captivated his platoon. He’d had been to battle and tasted the sand of the desert war. No one understood, how could they? The adrenaline buzz, the anticipation, the planning the preparation that came with each mission fed his mind, body, and soul. It was addicting until it all went wrong, men died. His men.
But now that was all behind him. PI- Securities firm, was where he landed and his reputation for questionable methods of persuasion, worked to his advantage.
“I’d been told I had a calm about me. But don’t be fooled, undermining my power would be foolish. I saw myself as a wild predator who lived life on the razors edge.”
His good looks and intensity rolling off in waves. Years of training banishing any trace of emotion. Every muscle in his body instinctively warning him, like a sixth sense of what’s to come. Foreseeing the enemy’s next move is far more primal, instinctive, and raw than most believe.
“There’s never been room for a life outside my profession. Certainly not a woman, that’s a liability I can’t afford to indulge in. “
Until he met his match.
Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Wine: Hard as Steel
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
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Ebook formatting by Brenda Wright, Formatting Done Wright.
Cover design by Added Touches.
Edited by Purnell Editing. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The eBook version may not be resold or given away to other people unless this version is part of a lending program. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.
Printed in the United States of America.
First edition, 2018
A strong content warning: A dark romance, containing adult content, language, and scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Intended for 18+ audience.
In the dark where monsters live, a dark story flourishes to life, born of wicked intent and evil power.
A warning of sorts, sinister actions threaten the innocent and rob them of their virtue.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Nik, a warm thank you to Officer Nichole Rizzo, who contributes her experiences in her journey through the murky waters of life, at times clear and focused some days dark and cloudy. Yet, with a firm grip she leads with strength and bravery. She’s unafraid of the dark edges of life. Seeing the good and the bad of man, at times clouded by compassion and understanding, it only inspires the rich layers hidden beneath the surface. She will stand, she will fight, and she will win because life is not in vain, life is magnified in her presence. Pride in the value of tradition, family, and loyalty is insurmountable, measured only by how love is returned. I know this, because we share the same beliefs.
I found myself wandering aimlessly through the streets of the city, the moonlight casting shadows in all the dark corners. Cold, confused my clothes torn and dirty as the first whisper of panic begins to set in.
As I frantically search for answers, my memory is as foggy as the nights air. Something buried deep within me answers. Not safe, the voice said.
The dark clouds rolled in overhead, the thunder roared to life giving me a slight warning of the approaching storm. The wind began to blow, the trees bent, their leaves clinging to their branches. My dress rising in the sudden breeze, I force it down clutching the hem with my hands.
My body cold and shaking as the first bite of cold surges deep within my bones. An isolated raindrop lands, the first of many hitting my exposed body like pebbles plummeting from the sky.
A sudden flash of lightning streaks across the sky, my body stills. The darkness seeps in as I remember, I felt it, fear. The memory fades in, then disappears as fast as it came, now gone.
In the distance, the sound of footsteps grew closer, louder as the stranger grew nearer. In a terrifying moment he flew by, as if I wasn’t even there. Was I? I release the breath I was holding as he continues on his way, ignoring my obvious dismay.
Cars litter the side of the streets as the broken sidewalk old and worn lift unevenly as the path grows dense and dark. I wrap my arms around myself searching for any warmth I can cling to, but the coldness possesses me.
I detect the ever-throbbing pain that surges through my body. I take stock my skinned knees bleeding, my arms bruised. I could taste a hint of metallic as I ran my finger softly over my swollen lip, confirming the trace of blood, it’s wetness still fresh.
My wet hair clinging to my face, my dress dripping from its edges, imploring my mind for answers, searching every corner of mentality for the most fundamental information, yet it denies me.
Clearly, something horrible has happened. But time was lost, days were lost, I was lost. Seeking help as my battered body surges on, but who could I trust? The only evidence of truth were the wounds I wore, throbbing in pain.
What story could be told from my injuries, in some twisted way the cuts and bruises may indeed be my salvation.
Frozen in place, no concept of space or time, I draw in a deep breath as I see the man and our gaze locks curiosity crossing his hard features.
No more running from ghost, an eerie calmness melted over me ensuring me, fate has stepped in.
The screen door opened and clicked shut, as I stepped into cold night, a chill settled over me as the brisk fall temperature had dropped. I looked into the darkness and scanned the quiet street. The wind biting, as I focused on buttoning my coat clutching the collar to stand.
I search my pocket for keys, only to find her staring up at me as our gaze locks. Confusion stirs in all directions as my mind is processing the young woman, standing alone in the dark, wet and shivering. It all felt very wrong, completely out of place. I’ve survived by listening to my instincts, this time they screamed.
“Flynn.” I call out over my shoulder. I hear the footfalls as he approaches, the screen door divides us.
“Forget something?”
“No.” I say calmly. As she catches his gaze. Her eyes widen, reluctantly she eases back uncertain of the two men now focused intently on her from the stoop. I watch her arms fold over each other fighting off the burst of cold air that suddenly hit. “Is she from around here?”
“I doubt it.”
“Something’s not right.” As sparks crept up the back
of my neck, a warning I wouldn’t ignore. “She’s hurt.” I acknowledge with growing concern. “I’ll ask her if she needs help.”
“And you think that’s a good idea.” No. But regardless I need to try. She might turn and run.
“She’s not a threat Flynn, the scrap of material she’s wearing couldn’t hide a weapon.”
“What if she’s a ploy?”
“Well, that’s why I have you.”
My heart picks up speed the closer I get, with increasing suspicion. She returns my gaze gutting me. Her bloodied bruised body exposed to the harsh element’s as her wet hair whips across her face.
“Do you need help?” I ask evenly. Nothing. “Should I call someone?” She adamantly shakes her head no. I watch the color drain from her face as I remain in place. The skittish young thing trembling under the cold rainy sky.
“Tell me then, who are you?” She closes her eyes quickly. I don’t know how to get through, or what she wants. All I see is the strained withdrawn silence, now fisting the hem of her wet dress.
“Here.” Taking off my coat, I slowly offer it to her. And when she doesn’t reach for it, I take a risk by stepping close enough and rapping it over her shoulders. “I’m calling 911.”
“Please.” She whispers her eyes widen. “Don’t.”
“Then you need to come inside to dry off, get warm.”
Her gaze races towards the screen door, as mine follows. “That’s Flynn, he lives here and he’s my best friend. I’m Steel.”
She has no reason to trust me, obviously something had happened, something horrible. The last thing she wants is to be invited into a stranger’s home with two unknown men.
“Your safe here, I promise.” In a bold move I turn and slowly make my way back to Flynn. I could see the look of utter surprise on Flynn’s face as he steps back allowing room for me to walk in, as she slowly follows stepping over the threshold gripping my coat close to her.
Both Flynn and I stand a good distance from the young woman as she chose to sit in the ratty old chair Flynn was overly attached too.
“Now what?” He asks.
“We help her.”
“And how do you plan on doing that?” I pull my cell from my pocket and press speed dial number one, she answers on the first ring.
“We need your help, can you come right over?” She knew me well enough not to question why, only where. Flynn crosses over to the kitchen at a moderate speed and holds a bottle of water up.
“Thirsty?” Her fingers tremble as she allows Flynn close enough to hand it over. Once he was back at my side, she opens it and drinks gulps of water. Her gaze zig-zagging from us, then back to the door as if strategizing all possible scenarios.
With Nick on her way Flynn and I talk quietly among ourselves, pointing out the peculiarities. No shoe strings in her converse tennis-shoes. The absence of any personal belonging, no purse, no phone, nothing, not even a coat. Her face was make-up free, and her dirty blonde hair was long with bangs pushed aside and still wet. Her fingernails stubs, with dirt beneath them.
The sound of the engine growled as Nick parked curb side driving her new red mustang. I turned to the girl. “I invited my friend Nichole over, she wants to help you.”
Nick’s entrance resounds through the room as she swings the door open and steps inside. Causing the mystery girl to clutch the borrowed coat closer, her eyes filled with apprehension.
Nick’s gaze angled their way to the girl, I motion for her to step closer as Flynn and I fill her in on the few facts we knew.
“What do you think happened?” Flynn asks.
“Something terrible.”
Only seconds later we watch as Nick’s natural ability unfolds, she places her coat on the back of a kitchen chair, then smoothly drags another closer to the girl, carefully giving her space as Nick takes a seat.
“I’m Nicole, my friends call me Nick.” Nodding in our direction.” They thought you might need my help.” Nothing.
“Would you?” Nick asks, “Like my help?” The emptiness in her eyes grips at my heart, I felt sorry for this stranger that fell into our lives.
I watch the girl nod yes, savoring the way Nick’s ability to calm the storm within. “You’re not alone, I’m here to keep you safe.” I believed her, and by the looks of it, so did the girl. “One breath at a time.” She continues to sooth, not interrogate.
Looking over her shoulder. “Flynn, have any left-overs size small?” left overs?
“Yeah, give me a minute.” Then returns with a woman’s shirt and pink sweats. And hands them to Nick.
“I have an idea, let’s get you changed into these dry clothes.” The girl looks skeptical. “I’ll be standing right outside the bathroom door.” A small victory when she stands and Nick hands over the clothes.
“I need you to put everything you have on, in this bag.” Then whispers. “Even your panties. Understand?” She nods, the two turn out of the room towards the bathroom.
As Flynn and I cross over to his old formica table, we wait impatiently. Once the two are back Nick announces she is taking our mystery girl to the hospital.
“Certain test are in order.” She needn’t say more, it crossed my mind as well, the probability she was violated is high. She pulled out her phone. “I’m sending both of you her picture, check missing persons. I’ll call you when I know something.”
But before they walk out, the girl takes my coat, folds it neatly on the back of the chair and her gaze hits me like an underground eruption in my heart. “Keep it.” I call out.
“I have an extra in my car, it will fit her just fine.” Nick answers as they both walk out the door. We hear the engine roar to life, then they were gone.
Stepping in for the brotherly hand shake. “That was certainly interesting.” Flynn says as he walks me towards the door.
“See you tomorrow.’ I say. “I’m going to start with missing persons.”
“How can I help?”
“Concentrate on the last thirty days, I can’t imagine it’s been longer.”
“On it, we’ll reconvene tomorrow and compare results.” I shuffle down the steps and into my Escalade. The drive home was filled with a dark edge, as images of the girl and what she’d been through begin to rattle me. But I find comfort trusting Nick, she’s a cobra ready to strike when it comes to young women, girls victimized unable to fight for themselves, she takes it upon herself to be their advocate.
Once home, I sink into the butter-soft leather couch as my laptop rests on my thighs. I’m totally alone, not even my favorite mutt, Whiskey’s here to lay at me feet, he was visiting my neighbor, Mr. Carlson who had him for a few days, his request. The poor guy must be lonely, I understood only too well.
I open my lap top, forcing the thoughts still drumming in my head to still, nevertheless they beat persistently. Every scenario intensifies with each passing moment. Clicking on the secure site, I didn’t have much to go on. I begin typing in the fields but I didn’t have enough facts, leaving me to guess as I narrow the search.
Starting with Nevada. Then begin the painstaking task of searching each case one by one. Well into the night, after several long hours my eyes begin to blur. I’d hope that Nick was successful retrieving the basics, as I close the screen pinching the bridge of his nose. Maybe she can shed some light on the young woman, as I make my way down the hall, desperately in need of a hot shower. The steady flow of the warm spray washes the days anxieties away as I watch it circle the drain.
Images of Nick flutter to life. We’re back to square one, at least it feels that way. The tug I feel towards her has grown over time, but she still pushes against me. I have to do something to completely break down her walls letting me in once and for all.
I tuck a towel around my waist and double check my alarm system, as cameras show no activity, all clear. I make my way back to the bedroom. Tossing the towel on a nearby chair, I climb into bed, alone. Then slowly drift off.
I wake to a blanket of thick clouds.
The dark skies hiding the sun’s rays beneath its wrath. It mirrors my own hazy state of confusion, as I push myself out of bed. It wasn’t long before I was digging for information, once again coming up blank. The early morning tension gathering as muscles twist and tighten. I rub the back of my neck in a failed attempt to relieve the tension.
I ignore it as I reach for my phone, and call her.
“Did you find out anything?”
“Yes, but nothing officially as of yet.” She pauses sipping her coffee. “I was in the examining room at the hospital with her last night. The Dr.’s reaction hinted to a positive sexual assault. Which coincides with her injuries, but the exam is incomplete, I’m still waiting.” Her answer had an edgy sharpness to it, understandably so.
“Did she say anything?”
“No.” Hoping she had news on the young woman’s story. “Not as of last night, but they mentioned moving her to a facility. New beginnings? Heard of it?”
“Yes, thirty-day treatment, it offers a great deal of mental services, they specialize in trauma. Several of my men utilized their out-patient program for PTSD.” I had connections there, favors I’d be cashing in. It was important to keep this discreet, for now. It was a place where gossip ran wild and word spread like wildfire. We needed time to put the pieces together.
“That’s good to know, I plan on accompanying her there. The hospital offered to transfer her, but I couldn’t let that happen.”
“I completely agree, mind if I join you?” Her answer ticked by slowly as the silence grew thick and heavy.
“Of course, come.” I brush off her hesitance for now, but soon FBI-agent Nicole Lancaster and I were having a heart to heart. I’ll convince her to speak with me rationally, so I could talk some sense into her.
“I’ll text you when we’re on our way and you can meet us there.”
“Agreed.”
The brisk air chilled my skin as the cool, crisp breeze blew across my face. I crossed the parking lot, my hands buried deep within my pockets, borrowing my head low in my collar until I reach the door.
Hard as Steel: Book four ( Surviving Series ) Page 1