Home Free

by Laramie Briscoe

  He turned his back on them, and that’s when she saw Maggie, out of the corner of her eye, take the bailiff’s gun out of its holster. She stood; hands calm as could be, and fired on Dixon, hitting him square in the back of the head.

  Charity gasped, putting her hand over her mouth, staring back at Maggie.

  “He always made sure I could shoot. I assume he never meant for me to shoot at him, but he made sure I wouldn’t ever miss.”

  Just then, Drew and Dalton burst through the doors, along with what looked like an army of law enforcement. All around her, people were talking, but the only thing she could see was Drew as he ran towards her.

  “Fuck, is this yours?” he asked, gathering her up in his arms. “I didn’t protect you.”

  “No, I’m fine. None of this is mine,” she cried, reaching up to kiss him, losing herself in his taste, his smell, the feel of his skin. “I’m fine. Please take me home and out of this nightmare.”

  Ignoring anything and everything, he scooped her up in his arms, glad as hell that he’d made her wear that vest. It had at least given him peace of mind. Glancing over his shoulder, he made sure that Dalton was taking care of Mandy, before he made his way towards the courtroom entrance. They walked out of the courthouse and into the waiting SUV. He didn’t let her go until they got to his house; he’d gotten her upstairs, and into the shower. Then he let her go, and only then it was to look into her eyes.

  “Don’t leave me, stay here with me. We’ve made it this far,” he begged. “I lost my mind when I couldn’t get through those doors.”

  “I know you did, because I lost mine too.”

  Searching her face, he could still see that same fear, could still see that same urge. “Then promise me you’re gonna be here when I wake up in the morning.”

  She leaned up and kissed him on the lips, breathing him in as she did so. This was the hardest thing she’d ever said to anyone else, but she knew that in the end, it would be the best words she’d ever spoken. “I promise.”

  ‡

  Epilogue

  Two Months Later

  “Char, you better get a move on it if you don’t want to be late,” Drew yelled from the kitchen. He’d done his duty, making her run behind schedule, but they’d had to do something to celebrate their one-month wedding anniversary. Shower sex it was.

  “I can’t believe I let you talk me into showering together,” she grumbled good-naturedly as she reached into the fridge and pulled out a Starbucks cold coffee. It was better than nothing. “I have court today, but I should be home no later than four,” she told him.

  “Good, I have to work at the shop, but we need to be at the clubhouse around six. Remy’s gettin’ his Prospect patch.”

  She absolutely could not believe it, but there was no denying that the kid deserved it. He’d worked hard. “I wouldn’t miss it. Throw me a bagel, would ya?”

  He stopped what he was doing and gazed at her, catching her eyes with his. She let her gaze linger over him, stopping on the Charity tattoo that now had a bird flying away from the name. When he’d gotten it done and presented her with her engagement ring, he’d told her that it was okay to fly. Flying was soaring above the clouds and looking down on everything you had, appreciating life for what it was. The complete opposite of running. Flying meant she was free—free to do what she wanted, when she wanted. And if she needed grounding? He’d be there to help her.

  Doing her one better, he walked it over to where she stood. “I love you; have a great day.”

  She leaned up and kissed him—making sure it got a little out of hand—because that’s how they liked things. He smacked her ass and let her go with a moan. “I love you too.” She giggled, grabbing her bag, coffee, and food. She’d have to eat on the way if she hoped to accomplish anything today.

  *

  Getting to the office, she saw that she was the first one there, something that had been unusual up until four days ago. Mandy was battling a stomach bug that was keeping her down. Opening the door and turning on the pot of hot coffee, she had a seat at her desk to go over her calendar.

  Today was the final court appearance that Maggie had in connection with the self-defense killing of Dixon. She would be a free woman, and she and Skylar could go live their lives the way they wanted to.

  Miracle of all miracles, while Maggie had been dealing with the fallout of the shooting, Jasmine had stepped up and taken them both under her wing. Charity guessed her mom wasn’t a lost cause after all. She did have a heart and a desire to help people besides herself. She seemed to have found her niche, helping out other mothers and daughters at CRISIS. Charity was proud of her.

  Beside her, her phone dinged with an incoming message. Seeing Mandy’s name, she immediately swiped and read.

  Stomach virus. I should be okay by tomorrow!

  Charity sent her off a quick message telling her to take as much time as she needed. As far as she was concerned, her practice and her life was as good as it could get.

  *

  Mandy sat on the examination table, fingers trembling as she sent the text she knew she had to send. Lying to Charity had been easy, but she knew without a doubt she couldn’t lie to Dalton. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them.

  I’m at the doctor. I’m still sick.

  She waited for a few minutes, hoping that he would answer.

  Do they know what’s wrong?

  She fought with herself, wondering if she wanted to tell him this way, but she knew this was easier than doing it face-to-face. It would save her the humiliation.

  I’m pregnant.

  All through the doctor’s visit and on the ride home, she waited. She waited all night, and then the next day. When he never responded, she stiffened her bottom lip, wiped up her tears, and made a promise to herself that she would do this on her own. Fuck needing a man, fuck needing anyone.

  She could do this, she would do this. She had to. Finally, she had purpose—someone else counted on her, and it was the one person she knew would never discount her feelings or make her feel like less than she was.

  Unconditional love. She would have it, and she would have it on her own if she had to.

  The End

  Mandy & Dalton’s story coming Spring 2016

  About Laramie

  Laramie Briscoe is the best-selling author of the Heaven Hill Series & the Rockin’ Country Series.

  Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie Briscoe has published over 10 books. She’s appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. She’s been called “a very young Maya Banks” (Amazon reviewer) and her books have been accused of being “sexy, family-oriented, romances with heart”.

  When she’s not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on her DVR. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband (the Travel Coordinator) and a sometimes crazy cat named Beau.

  Connect with Laramie

  Website:

  www.laramiebriscoe.com

  Email:

  Laramie.briscoe@gmail.com

  Facebook:

  facebook.com/AuthorLaramieBriscoe

  Twitter:

  twitter.com/LaramieBriscoe

  Pinterest:

  www.pinterest.com/laramiebriscoe

  Instagram:

  instagram.com/laramie_briscoe

  Substance B:

  substance-b.com/LaramieBriscoe.html

  Mailing List:

  http://eepurl.com/Fi4N9

  Coming January 21st, 2016

  Sketch

  Prologue

  Sketch

  “I love you, but I’m no longer in love with you, Devin.”

  The words echoed off the hardwood floor I had paid to have put in our home, they bounced off the walls that Nina and I had painstakingly painted yellow. I remember the argument we got into about the trim color that I w
on by tackling her to the, then carpeted floor, and fucking her into submission. What had happened to that couple? When had that changed?

  “I don’t even know what to say.” And I didn’t. Shock and something akin to anger boiled in my gut. I wanted to scream and punch, ask what the fuck was wrong with her, but those words wouldn’t come. I couldn’t push them past my lips.

  She sighed. “That’s precisely the problem, Devin, you never know what to say. You never know when you’re going to be home, you never know what your schedule is going to be. I can’t do this, when was the last time we had sex? When was the last time you told me that you love me? Devin, I’m done.”

  There it was again. My real name. For the past seven years I’ve been Sketch. Through my apprenticeship and now at my own shop. Most people don’t even know my real fuckin’ name and here she’s used it twice in one conversation.

  “You’re done?” I sound like a parrot, but I can’t help it. This shit is coming out of left field for me. I’m standing here like a chump, holding a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, and a box of chocolates. Following her out to the driveway, I watch as she walks awkwardly, holding duffel bags in each arm.

  “Yeah, Devin. Done.” She rolls her eyes and continues putting her stuff in the car. The car, I might add, I bought her with the first profit that my shop turned.

  “Do you even see what I’m holding Nina?” I ask, thrusting my hands towards her.

  “It’s too late,” she tells me, finally showing some emotion.

  There are tears in her eyes and I wonder why. It’s not like I’m the one leaving her. I still have no idea where any of this is coming from. “Too late? This is me telling you that I finally have the time. Babe, we’re gonna live our lives.”

  “I’ve been living, Devin,” she stomps her foot. “It’s you that’s had your head up your ass at that goddamn tattoo shop.”

  That’s it. My stomach drops and I see for the first time the ungrateful bitch she’s become. I feel anger overtake me. “That goddamn tattoo shop has provided you with a good life, Nina,” I yell.

  Throwing the stuff down that I had in my hands, I let it smash into a million pieces and watch it roll towards the car. Just like my life, it’s a jumbled up mess of shattered hopes and a river full of broken dreams.

  *****Cover Reveal & Pre-Order October 24th, 2015*****

  Also by Laramie Briscoe

  Only the Beginning

  Rockin’ Country #1

  Chapter One

  The crowd screamed loudly, causing her palms to sweat and her heart to race. Harmony Stewart inhaled deeply and then exhaled, letting the breath flow through her. The relaxation technique worked. Shoulders that had been so tight she couldn’t even roll them were now loose. It was always like this, she realized. Right before she went on stage, the nervous energy started, causing her to tense up—not fully being able to appreciate the life she was living. Closing her eyes, she breathed again, feeling her muscles loosen up even more.

  “Harmony, you’re up next.”

  She nodded, glancing at the production tech. “Thanks.” Her voice was thin even to her own ears. This was just something that she went through, no matter how many millions of albums she sold or awards she garnered.

  Looking out onto the stage, she saw the rock group, Black Friday, finishing up. A fan of the band, she tried to still the heart that threatened to beat out of her chest as they finished their song and walked towards her. The lead singer was the personification of hotness in her opinion. She had always wanted a meeting, but had never been able to approach him when they had been in the same space. This time he would have to walk right by her—not that she had deluded herself to think he would know who she even was. Pulling her shaking hands to her body, she gripped them hard as the group approached.

  “Good job, guys,” she smiled as they passed her. One by one, they nodded and accepted her smile until she came face to face with Reaper, the lead singer. She only knew his stage name. What she wouldn’t give to know his real one.

  “Thanks. Good luck out there, sweetheart,” he smiled widely. His teeth were white and straight, the dimples that she had caught glimpses of in pictures deepened widely in his cheeks. He was tall, much taller than she had originally thought. He towered over her 5’6 frame (with heels, thank you very much), and the tattoos that traveled down his arms were a feast to her eyes. They were intricate, and she wished she had the time to study them all.

  Harmony opened her mouth to tell him something else, but he was already gone. Disappointment hit her stomach hard and fast. But at least it had been a start. With any luck, she would see him at some other award show. She heard her cue as she looked back to where the rock band stood, debriefing with some of their management. For just a split second, her eyes met Reaper’s and goose bumps appeared on her arms. If only they’d had more time.

  * * *

  Reaper sat with his head back, eyes closed. The night had been long. He never really liked doing these awards shows, but their fans were amazing. Even though they didn’t have what others called “crossover” success, they had some of the most rabid fans in the music industry. That, however, didn’t change the fact that he was lonely and tired of not having someone besides the members of his band to share his life with.

  “Who was the cutie that smiled at us as we walked by?”

  “That was Harmony Stewart,” he answered, moving only his lips.

  “Country singer?”

  “Yes, dude,” he sighed. “The country singer.”

  “She’s cuter than I imagined. I’ve only seen her on TV a few times.”

  Reaper sighed again. “Seriously Train, you’re getting on my fuckin’ nerves. Do you have to talk all the time?”

  “What’s your problem? Do you need to get laid?” Train asked, having a seat next to his friend.

  “Do you ever get sick of all this?” He lifted his long arms and big hands up; gesturing to the backstage green room they sat in.

  “Sick of what? The free pussy, the free booze, the amazing trips overseas and around this great nation? Playing the music we love every night? I’m ready to do this the rest of my life. Why aren’t you?”

  Reaper lifted his head up and opened his eyes, staring into the eyes of his friend. “I’m burnt out. Not with the music, but with the lifestyle. I need a change, something different to shake things up.”

  “Burnt out? How can you be burnt out?”

  “It’s just…” he ran his fingers through his hair. “We’ve been on the road for a year. I need something new and exciting in my life. I’m sick of the same girls, the same bus, and the same hotel rooms.”

  “You’re bein’ a moody fucking pansy is what you’re being. Do you know how many guys would give their left nut to be where we are?” Train slapped his friend on the shoulder, the disbelief showing on his face.

  Reaper realized he would get nowhere with his friend. Train dealt with his demons in unhealthy ways and perhaps tonight wasn’t the best time to approach him about this. He couldn’t rightfully explain his feelings if he didn’t fully understand them himself. Better to just pretend that everything was peachy. “You’re right. I’m crazy. I just need some good alcohol and a good cigarette. Let’s get to the after party.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” the lead guitarist said, grabbing his friend by the arm and ushering him out of the room.

  Reaper realized that nobody seemed to care what he thought, how he felt, or just how lonely he was. He might as well make the best of what to him was an unbearable situation.

  * * *

  “Harmony? Are you changing into the dress that new designer sent you for the after party?”

  “I think so,” Harmony answered her best friend and assistant, Shell.

  “You need to change now, then.”

  Harmony rolled her eyes and grabbed the hanger from Shell’s hand. “Yes ma’am.”

  Used to bossing her friend around, Shell had a seat while Harmony changed.
“So tell me, did you meet anybody interesting at this awards show?”

  “I did. Did you see any of the show?”

  “I didn’t get a chance too, no. I wish I had, but there was a lot going on back here,” Shell answered from behind the door that Harmony had closed to change.

  “I’m so sorry, Shell. I know how hard you work, and you’ll never fully know how much I appreciate it. You’ll be excited to hear that I finally met the guys from Black Friday.”

  Harmony heard the squeal and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

  “I am so damn jealous. That lead singer—was he as hot as he looks on TV?”

  “Even more so. I actually said a few words to him. Top moment of my life this year—for real.”

  She finished changing and let herself out of the dressing room. Coming out, she turned around in a circle, making sure everything looked okay. For the show, Harmony had wanted to keep it classy and her dress had been very Old Hollywood. This dress, however, was young and fun. Sparkles and glitter reigned. The hot pink color showed off the tan she had been able to get during a short vacation before awards season ramped up.

  “Does this look okay?” she asked, turning around again so Shell could see her from every angle.

  “You look really good. Hoping to meet anybody at this party?”

  “You never know,” she shrugged. “Maybe the guys from Black Friday will be there, and I’ll be able to say something else to them. I was kind of a blabbering fool earlier. Are you coming with me?”

  Shell wrinkled her nose up at her friend. “I don’t know. This hasn’t been a stellar day for me.”

  “All the more reason for you to raid my closet, find something hot, and come out on the town with me.”

  “Why are you trying to corrupt me? Usually it’s the other way around. You’re the belle of the country ball, and I’m the one trying to get you to do Jager shots,” Shell laughed.