Forever Marked (Marked Series Book 1)

by Jesse Lorenzo

  Seeing the movement, Behr whipped his head around, and that's when his eyes met and locked on Ellora’s as she stood frozen. His eyes narrowed, zooming in on the bloody trail on her shirt. Gritting his teeth, Behr's eyes darkened with a murderous bloodlust. It flashed through his snarling expression, and he roared out so loudly the ground shook. “GET OUT! ELLORA, RUN!”

  Giddeon took advantage of Behr's distracted attention on the girl, and brought his elbow down hard on Behr’s eye, blindsiding him. He gained the upper hand when Behr instinctively dropped his hand to his eye. Ellora looked on in horror as Giddeon lifted his arm up high and plunged the dagger into him deeply. Behr stumbled back a few steps. The sound of air rushed out of his lungs from the blow, the force having knocked the wind out of him. A high-pitched screeching noise filled the room and continued to escalate higher and higher. After several moments passed, Ellora realized it was her screaming. Not again, not him, not again… is all she kept thinking as her screams continued in her state of shock.

  Not another person she loved. Yes, she loved Behr. The realization washed over her. An overpowering, vengeful, rage bubbled up inside her. Anger and hate exploded to the surface, erasing any fear she had ever felt. Ellora couldn't live through this again. Looking around frantically, her eyes found the discarded machete on the ground.

  Giddeon lunged at her as she snatched the weapon from the floor. She grabbed it just as he tackled her to the ground. His weight knocked the wind out of her, and she gasped for air as they tumbled together. They rolled several times from the force of the hit, before coming to a stop. Ellora struggled under the weight of his body. Her exposed arms were cut up from the glass shards littered on the ground. He pressed his forearm over Ellora’s neck, cutting off her air supply. He easily overpowered her, grabbing the handle of the machete and forcing its change in direction, aiming for the center of her chest. She fought against her own hand as he turned the blade on her, inching its way downward, looking to hit its mark.

  A rush of air escaped his lungs as he was forcefully yanked off of the girl. The air whooshed as his body cut through the space between them. Behr wrapped his hand around his neck, throwing him into the stucco wall, cracking it behind him. His other arm dangled limply at his side. Behr smashed his head into the wall several times, shouting, “I’ll KILL you! I’ll fucking kill you!”

  Giddeon smiled ruthlessly, spitting blood onto Behr's face. “You're going to have to kill me. That’s the only way I'll ever stop.” Behr thundered out in anger. Fury vibrated through him. Behr squeezed his neck tighter, his gritty fingernails cutting into the flesh of his neck, and lifted him off the ground. Giddeon frantically kicked his feet, searching for solid ground. Behr grabbed the handle of the dagger still sticking out, and pulled it out in one swift tug. The fury and adrenaline coursing through him had him feeling no pain. Without hesitation, Behr punched it through Gideon’s shoulder, causing a sickening gurgling sound to come from his mouth.

  Voices shouted from outside of the window, and one by one, several men jumped inside. An unfamiliar voice called out to Behr. “We've got him. Let him go. We need him alive. He’s not the mastermind. Stop, Behr. We need him.” It was the stranger from the bar. Behr abruptly let go of his neck, dropping him hard on his ass.

  Behr stumbled over to where Ellora sat on the gritty floor and knelt down beside her. “Ellora, oh, thank God you’re all right. I couldn’t find you. I’m so sorry, my love. I searched for you. I thought I’d lost you… then I heard your screams.” Lifting her up effortlessly with one arm, he set the shivering girl onto his lap. He showered her with his kisses. “I thought I’d lost you.” Ellora’s eyes chose that moment to turn on the waterworks. She sobbed as Behr softly kissed away each and every tear off her dirt-stained cheeks, both her eyelids, neck, and finally her bruised lips. All the while, he chanted softly over and over, “Ellora, my love, I thought I lost you. Did he hurt you badly? I'm ’ere. I love you… I’m ’ere.” He continued his heartfelt, emotionally devastated promises as Ellora urgently kissed him back. She was frantic to get closer to him.

  “Oh, Behr, when I saw him plunge the blade in… I thought, I thought that was it. I thought he’d taken you away from me.”

  She wrapped her arms around him tighter. She couldn't seem to get him close enough. Cupping Ellora’s face delicately, he let out a breathless sigh. “I couldn't go on living if he took you from me. You ’ave my heart, and I cannae go on living without it.” Grabbing his shoulders, she tried to pull him even closer to her, but stopped at the painful groan Behr let out.

  “Oh, Behr... You're bleeding really badly! I have to get you to the hospital.” She sobbed harder as the scene played over and over in her mind of Giddeon plunging the dagger into Behr. His clothes were now drenched in blood. Ellora placed her hand over the wound, pressing hard on it to stifle the bleeding.

  She shook her head. “Oh, Behr, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault! Because of me, I almost lost another person I loved. This would’ve never happened to you if I wasn’t’ here.” Her body trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks, leaving drip stains on her face.

  Behr shook his head no. Pain etched deep in his features at hearing her broken devastation. “Oh, my love, it was me who went after him. I had to keep the promise I made you.” He kissed her softly on the lips until her sorrow subsided, then continued. “I crashed through the walls o’ hell to get to you, and fought the Devil himself to keep you safe. I will never let anything happen to you, not while I live. I’ll be by your side… always. Ellora, I love you. No one will take you away from me. Not ever again.”

  The police came soon after, taking Giddeon into to custody. Ellora found out that the man in the bar was a detective trying to warn her and protect her. He was sent here thanks to her lawyer’s help. Boy did Behr do a number on the poor man’s face. Detective Antonelli was investigating Dalton for her parents' murders and Ellora’s attack. He swore to her that he wouldn't stop until he had him rotting under lock and key. It would take time, but he promised he wouldn’t hurt her again. The detective followed the Scottish authorities to the prison in town.

  With the help of Lachlan, Behr was stitched up and ready to go within a few hours. He was lucky that the strike was in the ‘safe pocket’ below the shoulder and above the armpit. He took the whole process in stride, and only kicked up a fuss when Lachlan ordered him to wear a sling for a bit. Actually, threatening him was more like it. Reluctantly, Behr let Ellora put it on for him.

  She, on the other hand, had to stay overnight for observations. According to Lachlan, Ellora suffered a concussion and had several other minor cuts and bruises that needed to be cleaned and patched up. She would be cleared to leave if all looked well in the morning. She just had to take it easy for a few weeks. Or, in Behr’s opinion… for the rest of her life. He made her promise -- no more death-defying adventures until further notice. Which, of course, she enthusiastically agreed to. Behr stayed by her side the whole night, kissing away all her lingering fears, and never giving her a chance to think about what could’ve happened.

  The next morning, she was cleared to go, and she couldn't wait to get out of there! She’d seen enough of hospitals to last her a lifetime. Grabbing Behr’s hand, she tugged him close to her. Raising up on tip toes, she kissed the spot below his ear. Ellora ran her nose across his day old scruff, loving the way it scratched at her smooth skin. It always seemed to awaken all her senses.

  “C'mon, Behr, let's get you home so I can get you out of these clothes.”

  He flashed her a wicked grin and lifted his brow. “Aaah, now that's what I'm talking ’bout. Do you plan on tucking me into bed then, Nurse Sutherland? Or is your plan to take advantage of me?”

  She giggled as she tugged him out of the double doors to the hospital. “You have blood all over you. You look like a gladiator.” Ellora nudged his hip with hers, winking at him.

  “I'd say I'm due for a sponge bath then, yeah?” He rubbed his hands together like a naughty little
greedy boy, and she loved every minute of it.

  Ellora laughed as she pulled on his stained shirt, drawing him in for another kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. Behr held her tight with his good arm. He grunted out his frustration with the sling as it created a gap, preventing them from getting as close as they wanted to. Taking over the kiss, Behr's strong lips were demanding and needy. His hand pressed on the small of her back, pushing her body into his. Ellora raked her hands into his hair, tightly tangling her fingers through it, pulling him harder to her. Behr's tight muscles tensed and twitched at all her loving attention. She still feared that if she let him go, she would lose him. It would take a while before Ellora would be able to shake that feeling.

  When Behr finally broke the kiss, the very dazed girl looked into his dilated eyes that mirrored her own passion. Ellora couldn't hide it from him anymore. She knew he would be able to read her like an open book from then on. Looking down at his moist lips, her voice dipped low and husky. “Hmmmm, a sponge bath, huh?” She deliberately looked him up and down suggestively and nodded. “I think we can work something out.”

  That was all the confirmation he needed. Throwing her over his good shoulder, he jogged down the walkway. She squealed in surprise when he slapped her ass playfully. “Aaah! Behr, what are you doing? You're crazy. You’re supposed to take it easy! I’m telling Lachlan on you!” She laughed good heartedly as he continued to carry her down the walkway.

  “Some things just cannae wait, love!”

  “He'll be coming back at any moment!” Ellora shouted out, getting the group’s attention.

  Everyone rushed around, making sure all the preparations were in order. Kristy and Gerard had been cooking all that day next door, getting ready for the big event. Behr, Patty, and Gavin were in charge of hanging the new sign and all the electrical hookups. Lachlan and Ellora were rearranging the layout of the tables and chairs for a much better flow, to make the place appear roomier. The pub had been painted inside and out. The paint color chosen by Adelle for the outside was coincidentally called Mystical Emerald Isle Green. It made the pub stand out from all others, especially with the truly mystical Trotternish Mountains as a backdrop.

  Adelle did a genius job at collecting vintage signs and old photographs of Skye. The sly minx also snatched up copies of Grady and his wife, Catie, from years ago, standing in front of that very pub when they had just opened their doors. She’d had the photo blown up, matted, and framed. It now hung front and center behind the bar. The eclectic mix gave the pub a relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere. It encouraged patrons to relax and hang out awhile.

  Adelle was in charge of keeping Grady away all day, while they applied the finishing touches. They rushed to put everything back in place, in a big hurry.

  After a whole day house hunting with all her pickiness and indecision, Grady was officially done and ready to go home. Poor old man, Ellora was sure Adelle had worn him out. He was probably exhausted.

  They got a frantic call from Adelle, giving everyone a heads up, so they all scrambled to finish. Luckily, the whole town was on their side in keeping him away. Delay after delay helped give everyone at the pub precious extra minutes to finish up.

  Lachlan and Ellora grabbed the large tarp from out back, running it out front.

  “Here, Behr, hang this loosely so we can easily remove it when they get here.”

  Behr climbed down from the ladder, bending over to give the object of his affection a brief kiss on her plump lips. He grabbed hold of the tarp and placed several more kisses on her forehead. “Thanks, love. You've done an amazing job. The old man might just give himself a heart attack when he's seen all you've done. Too much excitement for one man. He'll love it!”

  “Oh, everyone here should be thanked. I've had so much help. I couldn't have done any of it without y'all. “

  Behr nodded his head. “Aye, you could've. This never would've happened had you not come and kick-started everything, shifting us all into gear. Grady's depression and grief kept him from moving forward. You were his hope, Ellora. Because o’ you, he’s found a reason to go on living, not just existing. Aye, you ’ave done the very same for me, as well, love.”

  With watering eyes, she heard him speak the truth. “I feel the same way about him, this place… “Ellora choked down a big breath as she swallowed the knot in her throat, then continued, “and you. I feel the same way about you, Behr.” Running his thumb across her pouty bottom lip, Behr cupped her face and kissed her softly. They were interrupted with the news that Grady and Adelle were a block down and around the corner.

  Behr and Patty sprinted up the ladder. Behr used his stronger arm to help Patty quickly pull up the tarp and hang it just so. Afterwards, everyone picked up ladders, tools, and cleanup supplies, dumping them in the alley behind the pub to hide them from view. The townies were all instructed to sneak in through the side door in the alleyway. They filled in quickly, doing a good job of keeping quiet. Kristy was helped inside, bringing enough food to feed an army, then ran out front to meet up with the rest.

  Adelle skipped around the corner excitedly, over to where they all stood. Grady stepped cautiously closer, confusion clearly written all over his face. He eyeballed the tarp suspiciously. “What's goin’ on, guys? The place burn down or what?”

  In a singsong voice, Adelle hugged him tightly, announcing, “Welcome to your grand re-opening!” Kristy pulled the already loose tarp down, letting it cascade to the floor around him, revealing the brand new sign.

  Grady's Pub

  Come for the beer

  Stay for the stories

  “Oh my word! How did you... when did you do this? This is incredible. I'd never have imagined this!” The tears filled his kind old eyes, spilling out at the corners. “I would've never dreamed it would look this beautiful! Not in a million years.”

  Patty walked over, roughly clapping him on the shoulder. “Let's not sit out here crying like a wee baby. Come on inside. I need a drink.”

  Nice. Real subtle, Ellora thought as she rolled her eyes at Grady’s crass friend.

  Patty forcefully pulled him into the new doors. Grady looked at the artful details of the refurbished stained glass that had been expertly set inside the panels. The rest followed close behind.

  “!!CONGRATULATIONS!!”

  All the townies shouted, making Grady jump back in surprise. Moira from Cafe Ariba Bistro hustled over with a tray of mugs and passed them out to everyone. They all toasted, “To Grady! May you live to be a thousand years old, and never close your doors!” Everyone lifted their mugs and shouted a thunderous “AYE!” then drank up.

  For the first time in a very long time, Ellora was looking forward to her future in this town, and developing a deeper relationship with the man she’d easily fallen in love with. These people were her family now, and Skye, her home.

  Giddeon knew he was in deep shit now, but he couldn’t stay there. He’d rather be in an American prison than in this shit hole. He used his one phone call to contact Dalton, knowing he should still be at the office at this hour, and growing more and more anxious as the line continued to ring. He really needed his help getting out of this fucked up situation. With Dalton’s connections, it shouldn’t be too hard. Right when Giddeon was sure he’d have to leave a message, the line clicked over.

  “Dalton Ramsey Claiborne here,” he drawled out dryly.

  “Dalton! It’s Giddeon. I only have a minute...”

  “Did you retrieve her? Is she still alive?” Dalton cut him off. Giddeon had beads of sweat form on his forehead, thinking, Oh shit! Here we go.

  “Yes. She's alive. She's still hiding in Skye.”

  “DO. YOU. HAVE. HER?” Dalton all but shouted over the line, creating an echoing ring in Giddeon’s ears.

  “No. I need your help. I've been caught. The local police have arrested me. I need your help getting me out, and then I can get her. I swear, I’ll get her this time.”

  Silence stretched out over the line. The l
onger the silence lasted, the higher his anxiety rose. He had really fucked up, and Dalton wasn’t happy.

  “I see.” Dalton stretched out the syllables in a cold and calculating way. “There must be some misunderstanding. I think you have dialed the wrong person. However, you sound like a man who could use some good advice... You have made your bed, and now you're going to have to lie in it! Whatever it is that you've done, I'm sure you will suffer the consequences dearly for your actions. If I were you… I would just disappear. Before someone else makes you as such.” The line went dead after Dalton’s under current threat.

  That was his way of warning him to hide, or he would be hunted down as well. Giddeon was now on the same level as the girl he’d hunted, except Dalton never favored him. He was dispensable, replaceable, and utterly forgettable in his eyes.

  Giddeon slammed the phone down hard on the receiver repeatedly. Curses flew out of his mouth. “FUCK!” Giddeon rained out punches on the concrete wall, leaving blood splatter behind. The pain eased the numbness inside him, instantly making him feel a euphoric calm, making him feel something.

  The detective behind him just laughed condescendingly at his outburst. “You ready to talk yet?”

  Walking over to the bars, Giddeon leaned his forearms on them with a relaxed cocky air. Gone was his violent rage. Resting his head on the bar, he looked out at the detective and laughed.

  “It's not me she has to worry about. Not anymore.”

  “You're damn right she won't!” Dominick shouted in his face. “Your ass is going to rot in prison for the rest of your fucking life, once I bring you back!”

  “You really think prison scares me?” Giddeon slowly shook his head side to side and leveled him with his lifeless eyes. “What a fucking joke. You have no idea who you're dealing with, do you? No? What I meant was, I failed. I'm no longer a threat to her. It's over for me. I will never make it back. I will disappear like all the rest, written off as a disgruntled ex-employee. It's not over for Ellora, though. It's far from over for her. We have all just started playing a very dangerous game to him. The more she runs, the longer he will continue to hunt her down. And he won’t ever stop. Not until he either captures her or kills her. He will just keep sending one guy after another after another, until he gets the outcome he wants. Dalton has claimed her, and there is no stopping him now.” Giddeon lowered his head and narrowed his steely eyes on the detective.