All the Broken Pieces: (Broken Series Book 3)

by Anna Paige

  I was able to make out the sound of the rest of his clothes hitting the floor and then the shower door clicked shut.

  •••

  I woke up with a jolt, a scream dying on my lips and my sweat-soaked t-shirt clinging to my heaving chest. I sat forward in the seat, pushing the recliner closed and burying my face in my hands. My heart felt like it was about to rocket through my fucking chest and I couldn’t get the damn images of Zoey and Lauren out of my head.

  And Isaac’s disgusting face.

  I jumped from my seat and made my way to the small concessions area, pouring myself a beer from the tap and taking long swallows until I thought I might choke. I needed to calm down.

  I needed to find Isaac.

  •••

  “I was just about to call you. How’s Lauren? You guys need anything?” Spencer asked as soon as the call connected.

  “She’s doing better, actually. And the only thing we need is to find Isaac. Why were you about to call?”

  “Hang on.” There were scraping sounds and the sound of a door closing. “Okay, had to leave the room. Talia’s taking a nap. This pregnancy is really zapping her energy today.” I could hear the worry in his voice. “Anyway, I got word this morning that a car matching the description of the one Isaac was spotted in has been found in Maryland. It was in a ditch off of the northbound lane of some back road. There was no sign of Isaac but the damn thing was covered in blood from where Lauren slashed him. The car was found this morning but it looks as though it’s been there for a while.”

  “With any luck, he ran it into the ditch shortly after the abduction attempt, bled out somewhere in the woods, and now has vultures pecking out his brains through his eye sockets.”

  “Damn, that was brutal.” Spencer paused. “I kinda liked it.”

  “Here’s hoping he’s buzzard meat. But realistically, we can’t assume that. So, have you turned up anything at all? Any long lost relatives? Buddies from prison that are now on the outside? Anything at all?”

  “Nothing. Not a damn thing. No sign of him, no leads, and no idea where to look. The only thing we have going for us is that car. It was hundreds of miles away and pointed in the other direction as if he was planning to continue putting miles between him and Denson.” His voice fell a little, like he was making sure he wasn’t overheard. “I gotta say, I’ve seen the video of the attack. Don’t tell Talia that because I told her the cops weren’t letting anyone see it. Only a still shot of his face has been released to aid in the search, so she believed me. I couldn’t let her see that. It was enough to give my ass nightmares, so no way was I exposing Talia to it.” He blew out a breath. “Anyway, from the looks of it Lauren fucked him up pretty bad. If he didn’t die from his injuries—and I honestly hope he fucking did—he might not have the balls to try again. She never fought back before, and when she did, she bested him. Big time. He expected to find a victim and that’s damn sure not what he got. Maybe that’s enough to keep him away.”

  “Maybe.” I hedged. “But if it were Talia, would maybe be enough?”

  “Fuck no. I wouldn’t stop until I’d had the pleasure of pissing on his bones.” His answer was instant and unequivocal. “But, you have to think about Lauren, too. You can’t expect her to hide forever. That’s no kind of life. She’s already been through so much and made it out on the other side. Maybe you should bring her home and we’ll all make sure she gets through this, too.”

  I was already shaking my head. “Not yet. We need to take some more time, maybe he’ll turn up.”

  “Okay, little brother. Take however long you need. We’re handling things here and I’m still using every resource I can to find this bastard. I’m not giving up.”

  “Thanks, Spence.”

  “And tell Lauren hello from me and Talia. I’m sure the girls have talked some since you’ve been gone but tell her anyway.”

  I chuckled, feeling a little lighter. “Yeah. I think Talia and Ali text her regularly to check in. And she calls Marilee every week, not that she gets through with Bonnie guarding the phone, but she tries anyway. I think it helps that everyone is keeping in contact.”

  “Does Marilee know about Isaac?”

  “A little. Lauren downplayed it to keep her from worrying and Bonnie is keeping her so sheltered from the outside world that she hasn’t seen the news or had anyone from Denson spill the beans.”

  “Probably a good idea. Poor woman is having a hard enough time as it is. I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes…” he trailed off.

  “Me either. That’s why I’ve got to be sure Isaac never gets anywhere near Lauren again. Ever. I can’t fail her, Spence.”

  “You won’t. We won’t. She’s one of us now and we protect our own.”

  I ended the call with a renewed sense of purpose.

  Nightmares and insecurities be damned.

  I was not fated to fail.

  Not this time.

  •••

  Despite being cast off to the theater for the afternoon, I thought it was probably permissible to make a quick run to the bedroom for a shower. I needed it to wake me up and wash away the remnants of the disturbing dream from earlier.

  Okay, and I was being nosy.

  I hoped to catch a peek at whatever had been going on all afternoon.

  Creeping down the hallway, I listened for voices but heard none. Not a peep. No clue as to where Lauren was or who she was with. It was disappointing. I at least wanted to hear what they were saying. To know she was okay after that crazy dream set me on edge.

  Dammit.

  Deflated, I made my way to the bedroom and headed for the shower. I tried not to let images of the dream overtake me and focused solely on getting clean as quickly as possible and getting the hell out of the steamy bathroom. I exited the shower and toweled off, muttering a curse that I’d forgotten to grab fresh clothes.

  I wrapped the thick towel around my waist and stepped into the bedroom, freezing in place at the flash of long black hair against a smooth, bare back and tight round ass.

  What the?

  I knew that ass. Quite well in fact.

  Lauren turned around, holding a thin tank top to her chest and laughing. Her eyes had always been bright but when contrasted against her thick raven hair, they practically glowed. My God, she was stunning. “I was going to come and get you in a few minutes. I wanted to change out of the ratty clothes I wore when I was getting my hair colored.” She captured a few strands between her fingers, watching me. “This is the real me. Do you like it?”

  Screw talking.

  I walked over and threaded my hands through her hair, pulling her mouth to mine and capturing it in a deep, devouring kiss. I tugged and twisted her hair as I took possession of her mouth, my cock hardening between us. When I finally broke the kiss, she laughed and whipped the towel from around my waist.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” She pressed her hands to my chest, pushing me back a step as she sank to her knees and flicked the head of my dick with her tongue. “I’m sure you’ll get a better view of it from this position. Be sure to let me know what you think after I’m done.” With that, she took me into her mouth, inch by hot inch, until I was using her gorgeous hair to tug her forward, burying my cock deep in her throat.

  Yes, I definitely liked the view.

  •••

  A while later we lay on the rumpled sheets, Lauren with her head on my chest and me toying with her hair, pulling the long, thick strands through my fingers over and over until she was practically purring. She loved to have her hair stroked. And I loved doing it.

  “So,” I mumbled, voice gravelly and thick with exhaustion. “What made you decide to change it back?”

  “I’m ready to take my life back. I figured going back to my natural color was a good start. The red was a reaction to everyone else, not a reflection of who I am. It had to go. Luckily, Kade sent a stylist who knows her stuff.” Her breath was warm on my chest, making me shudder.

  “Does
taking your life back mean you want to go back to Denson?” The idea still filled me with dread.

  “Soon.” She snuggled in tighter against me. “Not today but, yeah, soon. I can’t let Isaac force me to be afraid all the time. I’m done with that. He tried to get to me but I got away. I won. And I will again. I have to believe that or I end up living in fear and he wins by default.”

  “I understand. I don’t like knowing you might be at risk but I also can’t blame you for refusing to give up your life. The diner is yours now, that town is your home. And I’ll take you back to it whenever you want. But I do have a couple of requests first.”

  She tilted her head back to look at me, smiling. “Anything.”

  I kissed her forehead and lay back on the pillows. “First, you have to bear in mind that I’m going to be protective, no matter what. I know you kicked his ass when he grabbed you but I can’t stop thinking about the ‘what ifs’. Something as simple as you not having that utility knife could have meant the difference between having you safe in my arms and losing you forever. So, when we go back to Denson, I don’t want you going anywhere alone. Period. Either I’ll go with you or I’ll bring in a body guard, but you cannot let your guard down. I think we learned that the hard way last time.”

  “Is a body guard absolutely necessary? I can’t bear to think of some strange guy following me around, watching me. Even if he’s working for you. It’s an anxiety thing.” I could hear it in her voice, the idea creeped her the hell out.

  I considered for a while. “We can negotiate on that but only as long as you stay with me or in a group. That includes arriving at and leaving the diner. He knows where it is and that means there’s more risk. I want at least two people with you when you arrive and when you leave. Security cameras have already been installed so keep an eye on the monitors before leaving at night and be mindful of your surroundings no matter what.”

  “Wait. What do you mean the cameras are already installed?”

  I shrugged. “No way were Clay and Spencer going to let Ali and Talia work there without covering all the bases. What happened to you scared the shit out of all of them, baby. They’re looking out for each other and all of them are ready to look out for you, too.”

  “You have great friends.” She kissed my chest and nuzzled it with her cheek.

  “No, Lauren. We have great friends.”

  She ignored that, blushing as she looked up at me from beneath her lashes. “So what’s the other request?”

  “Go home with me for Thanksgiving next week.”

  She sat up and stared at me with wide eyes. “What?”

  “My mom will lose her shit if I miss Thanksgiving again, and there’s no way I’m going without you. I figure we can pack up and drive there the day before Thanksgiving, have an early dinner with my parents the next day, and then be back on the road by sundown.

  “You want to take me home to meet your parents?” She sounded scared, which I found adorable.

  “Yeah, I do. I mean, if I can’t even fathom spending that one day without you, don’t you think maybe you’re important enough to me to meet my folks?” I sat up and took her face in my hands. “I love you, Lauren. And they will, too. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.” She blinked up at me, swallowing thickly.

  “I would never put you in a situation I thought you might find uncomfortable. I promise you, baby, my mother is going to fall in love with you the second she sees you. Just like I did.”

  She smiled, tears welling in her eyes. “Can I have a request of my own?”

  “Absolutely. Just name it.”

  “Can we pick up a coconut cake on the way to their house?”

  I chuckled, rubbing my thumbs over her cheeks. “Of course. Is that something you have every Thanksgiving?”

  “No. It’s what Teach always bought me on my birthday and this year it falls on Thanksgiving, so I just thought…”

  “Wait… Your birthday is next week?”

  She nodded as much as she was able with my hands gripping her face.

  I dropped a string of soft kisses on her lips. “You’re gonna make my mom’s whole damn day, do you know that?”

  “How?”

  “She loves coconut cake but never gets to make it because my dad and I don’t like coconut. You’re giving her just the excuse she needs to whip one up.” She tried to shake her head, ready to protest having my mom bake it, but I stilled her. “Do you trust me?”

  She nodded.

  “Then just leave everything to me. All I need you to do is agree to go and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  She pulled her head away, capturing one of my hands and pressing a kiss to my palm. “I’d go anywhere with you.” She yawned suddenly, covering her mouth with her hand as I laughed. “Right now, though, I’d like to go to sleep for a while. Care to join me?”

  I nodded and settled her back against my chest, listening for long minutes as her breathing slowly evened out.

  It occurred to me as I drifted off that this was the first time since we’d been here that Lauren hadn’t needed to lock the door to fall asleep.

  I couldn’t help squeezing her a little tighter against me, a soft smile of pride creeping onto my face.

  She was healing before my very eyes.

  Fourteen

  Lauren

  I don’t do parents. Ever.

  Hell, I never did the same guy twice before Brant.

  No strings.

  No handholding.

  No catching feelings.

  No chance of getting hurt.

  It was a system that had worked flawlessly for my entire adult life.

  Now I was in love with my best friend.

  As if that weren’t enough, I’d actually told him I was in love with him.

  And I’d agreed to spend Thanksgiving with his parents.

  Holy. Shitballs.

  My eye started to twitch involuntarily.

  How was it possible to be so proud of how far I’d come and also kinda feel like running the fuck away?

  The urge to run wasn’t a new thing for me. When I was a kid, I ran away from at least half a dozen foster homes. Things would get bad or the foster parents would do something to trigger my panic attacks and off I went. Unfortunately, I usually got caught and dragged back. After a while, instead of running I would call my case worker, Rhonda, and tell her it was time to get me the fuck out or I was out of there on my own. It saved time and she always came through with a new place, though not necessarily a better one. She tried, I had to give her that. Especially given that I was a ‘runner’.

  From the way my palms were sweating and my heart kept racing, I was guessing I still was. I roughly rubbed the corner of my eye, trying to make the twitching stop.

  Running was easier.

  Staying and fighting was hard.

  Until now, I’d never had much to fight for.

  This time was different.

  This time I had Brant.

  And I had friends, much to my disbelief.

  And I had the diner.

  I couldn’t walk away from any of that, much less run.

  I narrowed my eyes at the clothes I was carelessly throwing into my suitcase, digging in my heels and yanking them all out for a careful refolding.

  I couldn’t show up to meet Brant’s parents for the first time with a suitcase full of wrinkled, wadded clothes.

  There would be no running this time.

  I was in this to stay.

  •••

  Brant and I were giving the house one last once-over, making sure everything was in its proper place and that the entire place was spotless. The cleaning crew came in every week to take care of the things—usually while we hid out in the game room—but that was beside the point. Kade had been kind enough to take us in and I refused to leave his house in disarray.

  My phone began vibrating in my pocket as Brant and I were locking up and I pulled it out with a smile.

  Video call from Kade Ed
enfield.

  I motioned Brant over and accepted the call, waving happily as the faces of Kade, Kane, and Lennox filled the small screen.

  “I was just thinking of texting you. You must be clairvoyant.” I laughed as the guys fought for position in front of the camera.

  Kade elbowed Lennox in the ribs and he disappeared from view, cursing loudly. “You were? What for?”

  “To thank you again for letting us stay here. I really hate to leave, to be honest. This place is almost as amazing as you are.”

  He grinned. “Careful. Brant’s nostrils are flaring. I don’t think you should compliment me in front of him anymore.” He winked saucily. “But feel free to text me your endless expressions of adoration.”

  “Keep playing, fucker. I’ll burn your porn collection,” Brant growled.

  “Boys, boys. Quit fighting over the lady,” Kane interjected, moving in front of his brother and filling the screen with a flirty smile. “We all know she likes me best. Tell them, sweetheart.”

  I could feel Brant stiffen beside me, and not in the fun way. I looked at the three gorgeous rock stars on the screen—Lennox had recovered and was partially in the shot again—and shrugged. “Sorry, fellas. My heart belongs to Brant.”

  Kane wiggled his brows. “What about the rest of you?”

  I laughed, taking Brant’s hand in my free one and giving it a squeeze. “All his.” All three of them feigned disappointment but I could tell they were hiding smiles. “But you guys sure know how to make a girl feel special, so thank you for the ego boost.”

  I knew they didn’t mean it and were just messing with Brant, and I was pretty sure Brant knew it too. But any guy would bristle at having three members of the hottest rock band in the world hitting on his girl.