Abandon: The Unloveable Series Book One

by Lowhorn, Michelle

  She lifted her hands up in the air. “Stop right there. Why do you even have so many guns?”

  “I’m preparing for the impending attack,” Gage answered, never breaking eye contact.

  “No. Marie and Daniel can’t lose another son. I can’t bear to lose another man I love,” Brooklyn teared up as she spoke the words.

  “Come here, baby.” Without hesitation, Brook walked into the fold of his arms. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I promise. I’m very good at what I do and I won’t stop until everyone that poses a threat to you and the girls is eliminated,” he whispered into her ear.

  Gage held her tight until the tears subsided. Even though he didn’t think Brook realized what she’d admitted to, hearing the confession that she loved him was balm to his dark soul.

  “Let’s figure something out for lunch then we’ll take a hike around the area. I want to set up some surveillance equipment to ensure no one sneaks up on us,” Gage explained as he released her from his hold.

  ****

  By eight that evening, they were dog tired. After a long, luke warm shower, Brooklyn allowed Gage to redress her wound. “Even though the temperature wasn’t overly hot, the water still felt heavenly. I’ve been fighting a headache for the last couple of hours. I think it’s lack of sleep,” Brook mindlessly jabbered while Gage applied the gauze and tape to her stitches.

  “You can sleep soundly tonight. If anyone comes close to the cabin, the detection system will let us know,” he reassured her as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Why don’t you go ahead and crawl under the covers and see if you can relax enough to fall asleep,” Gage suggested before he closed the bathroom door.

  Brooklyn quickly changed into her night gown and laid down. However, her brain wouldn’t slow down enough for her to relax which had become the typical pattern over the last year. She’d work herself into exhaustion every day in hopes she could fall asleep quickly but it never worked. Every night when she finally laid her head on her pillow, the doubts would manifest. Originally she’d second guessed her decision to call for help that night. If the girl’s had a bad day, she’d worry it was because she sent their daddy away. When she couldn’t pay a bill, Brooklyn blamed herself for not trying to hunt down Garret and beg him to come home. In the last week, she hadn’t been able to sleep because Sam had inconsiderately relayed the condition of Garret’s body when he was discovered in a ditch by the main road in town. Why would someone torture a fellow human being like that? Garret had suffered terribly before he passed. If she’d made him stop using drugs then he wouldn’t have died such a violent death. It didn’t matter how tired she was, sleep was elusive.

  ****

  “Brook. Brook, wake up,” Gage shook her as he repeated her name. She gasped simultaneously and sat straight up in bed. “It was just a nightmare, baby. You’re safe.” Gage softly crooned as he hugged her tightly to his chest. “Do you remember what you were dreaming about?”

  “We were back at the house and there were bullets flying all around us. I looked over at you and realized you’d been shot. Your eyes were open but you weren’t breathing. I started CPR but…”

  “Don’t say another word. You’ll just get yourself upset. You’re lack of confidence in my military skills is really started to tick me off,” Gage scolded. “Now I’m going to get in this bed with you and explain what a superior soldier I am. Snuggle up next to me and lay your head on my shoulder.” Brook obeyed without argument.

  Fifteen minutes later, Gage finally finished listing all of his expert combat skills. “Now do you understand why there’s no reason to worry about me?” Gage could feel her smile against his shoulder as she nodded.

  “I couldn’t survive losing you so soon after Garret’s death. Ollie and Makynlee would be devastated if you were suddenly gone. They need a strong male figure in their lives. Children have to be loved and protected, especially little girls that don’t have a father.”

  “I’ve come to love the girls as though they were my own. Never doubt that I’ll do whatever necessary to keep them safe.” He paused as he decided how to ask the difficult questions he needed to. “Tell me what happened the night you called nine one one. I promise I won’t get angry or think any less of you.”

  She took a deep breath and started recounting the events leading to Garret’s death. “I’d been around him enough over the years to recognize the signs. His speech would slow down and as his drug use progressed, he’d stumble and trip over furniture. After a while he’d lose enough weight he looked gaunt. He lost another job because he couldn’t think about anything but getting high. I knew it had gotten out of control again when his boss called that morning looking for him. Garret had been working construction for Mr. Vazquez, but his boss had had enough of Garret’s antics and asked me to tell him not to bother to come back to the site. I was almost three months pregnant with Sadie when everything came to a head. We’d been arguing for a couple days about him entering the drug treatment program again. Of course he denied using telling me I was just letting my imagination run wild. That night Ollie walked in the master bathroom and caught Garret smoking from a big pipe. She didn’t understand what he was doing. Instinctively Garret yelled at her and she got scared and ran out. She barreled into the kitchen with Garret hot on her heels. I was standing at the stove cooking dinner when she wrapped her arms around my leg.”

  Gage’s hand rubbed up and down her back ever so softly to comfort her. It was obvious she was struggling to tell the story without breaking down.

  “I’d never witnessed that level of rage from him before. I told him if he didn’t get help immediately, the girls and I would leave. I wouldn’t tolerate him using drugs in the house with our children in the next room. As always he claimed I was making a mountain out of a mole hill. Our arguing escalated…”

  “Take your time, baby. There’s no hurry. I know this is difficult for you,” Gage reassured her as he continued to hold her tight.

  “Whenever he was using, he’d throw it in my face that I’d always loved you more than him.”

  Gage’s hand briefly stopped then continued to gently rub her back. He knew he shouldn’t feel happy that once again she mentioned loving him, but he couldn’t help it. He’d denied himself feeling anything for so long that he was numb except when Brook was around.

  “I told him to leave. That I’d rather raise all three kids on my own than to subject them to his drug addiction and erratic behavior. He was so furious he lost control and struck me. The first blow was to the left side of my face. I lost my balance and fell backwards with Ollie still attached to my leg. Instinctively I rolled on top of her so she wouldn’t get injured. Garret proceeded to kick me then he yanked my hair back so he could see my face. He finally landed a powerful blow to my left eye. Makynlee heard the commotion and came in to investigate. When she saw Garret punching me, she screamed at the top of her lungs. That must have been what stopped him. He took off to the bedroom, I guess to smoke some more to calm his nerves. I asked Ollie to bring me the phone and that’s when I called the sheriff. Moments before they arrived, Garret came back into the kitchen, pulled me into his lap, and stroked my face as he begged for forgiveness. I don’t remember another time when either one of my girls cried quite so hysterically. I couldn’t find it in my heart to forgive him for exposing our daughters to that level of violence. If only I’d said those three powerful words, ‘I forgive you,’ maybe things would have worked out different.”

  Brook used the sheet to wipe her tears. “I spent two nights in the hospital. Luckily your parents cared for the girls. I refused to press charges so he was eventually released from jail. I didn’t hear a word from him until he showed up at the house a little more than a month ago. He claimed he was clean and he wanted to visit with his daughters. An hour later, he left and we never heard from him again. So you see, your hatred toward me is founded. If I had forgiven him, he might still be alive.”

  Gage had a l
ot of thinking to do. When he’d arrived back home, he’d convinced himself Garret’s death was Brook’s fault. However, the more he learned, it was obvious the situation wasn’t so cut and dry. He wanted someone to be responsible for his brother’s death and in his mind that someone was Brook. But the truth was, Gage had to admit Garret never took any responsibility for his own actions even when he was a boy. Everything was always someone else’s fault. From what his parents divulged the night of the funeral, Garret had spiraled down a deep hole he couldn’t climb out of. When he’d asked them about the night Garret was arrested, they refused to relay any information. They felt like it was Brook’s secret to tell. Now he knew what happened and deep down, he believed every word she said. It didn’t change his course of action. He’d still hunt down and kill every last one of Garret’s killers and the people responsible for terrorizing his family, but the facts did change how he felt about Brook.

  Brook’s withdraw from his side jolted Gage out of his daydream. “Don’t pull away from me,” he scolded as his arm pulled her back to his side.

  “When you didn’t say anything for so long, I thought you didn’t believe me. I’m so emotionally depleted I don’t think I can handle any more rejection,” she whispered.

  “That’s not the case, baby. I believe you and you’re absolutely not responsible for Garret’s death. He was a grown man that made the wrong decision and it cost him his life. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Let me hear you say it,” he demanded as he squeezed her tight.

  It took her a minute but she finally said the words and Gage could tell she didn’t fully believe it but at least she said it out loud. It was a start.

  A couple of minutes later, Gage finally decided to ask the question his body and mind so desperately wanted. “I need you, baby. From the first time we met, I’ve wanted you. Let me love you like I’ve wanted to all these years,” he begged as he flipped so he hovered only inches above her.

  The nod was so slight it was barely visible yet it was all the confirmation he needed. With amazing tenderness, Gage kissed her lips then peppered sweet kisses over her face. The sigh of pleasure she released was all Gage had to hear to know this was exactly what Brook needed.

  “You are so beautiful, inside and out. I could make love to you every day for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be enough,” he whispered to her as he continued to kiss every nook and cranny of her body.

  As he trailed love bites down her neck, his hands grasped the bottom of her gown and quickly pulled it over her head. Without hesitation he continued to explore her body, pausing on her breasts. They were so plentiful, they more than filled his palms. “An added bonus of breastfeeding,” he teased as he laved her nipple with his tongue before continuing it’s decent.

  “I know my body doesn’t look all that great after three kids,” she admitted as she lifted her head to watch his reaction.

  “I’ve never seen a body that called to me like yours does. I’m going to spend the entire night proving how desperately I want you,” he explained, stopping long enough to make eye contact so she knew he was serious.

  Both index fingers slipped under the band of her panties and tugged with deliberate slowness inch by inch down her legs. When the material cleared her body, Gage let them drop to the floor. Lifting her left foot to his mouth, Gage placed a tender kiss right inside the arch. “Even your feet are perfectly shaped and smooth as silk,” he announced as the very tip of his tongue trailed past her ankle all the way to the back of her knee. Once there, Gage bent her knee so her foot was flat on the mattress. Without resting for a second, he mirrored the actions on her other side.

  When her body was in the correct position, Gage’s middle finger separated her folds and lightly touched her hidden treasure. “Oh baby, your body likes how I’ve played with it. Even though you’re ready, I’m not. There’s still so much to do before I take you.”

  Gage’s fingers opened her fully so he could taste her essence on his tongue. By the time he finished his first pass, Brooklyn’s body tensed and she was lifting her bottom off the mattress. Gage smiled to himself as he went in for another taste. A short minute later, Brook found her first release with a shout.

  Gage crawled up her body until his face was just above hers and noted her eyes were hooded with desire. He placed a delicate kiss on the left side of her plump lips and continued toward the right. From there he continued to lightly kiss her eyes, nose, forehead, and cheeks and ended when he’d made a complete circle back to his starting place on the left side of her mouth. The next kiss was passionate and all consuming. While she was preoccupied with the kiss, Gage moved into position. With deliberate care, he slowly entered her body continuing until he was completely seated.

  “Look at me, baby. I want you to remember who’s inside you. Say it for me.”

  “Gage,” she said on a breathless whisper.

  He was struggling to restrain himself and it was with great difficulty he began to move with an even tempo. The sensual dance rejuvenated his damaged soul. No matter how difficult it was, he knew his determination wouldn’t falter. This was exactly what Brook needed and for once, he was going to put her needs before his right up until she broke his determination.

  “It’s okay, Gage. He always knew I loved you,” she professed on a breathless whisper.

  His resolve broke and his instincts took over and he didn’t stop until they both exploded in unison. Brook shouted his name but Gage’s yell didn’t reciprocate.

  ****

  As Gage spooned her back, Brooklyn laid awake enjoying his masculine aroma. It had been such a long time since a man held her like this. Unfortunately for her, there was one thing she absolutely knew for certain, Gage Hennessey would never be satisfied with being a husband and father. With every ounce of his soul he was a soldier.

  She wiped away the lone tear that ran down her cheek, closed her eyes, and prayed she’d survive losing him, too.

  Chapter Six

  It was a bright, beautiful morning and Brook felt like the sun might finally be making an appearance in the gloomy existence she’d been stuck in for the last year. Just because Gage made love to her the night before, didn’t mean he wanted to be with her long term. Even though her brain had a grip on the facts, her heart was filled with rainbows and butterflies. She’d loved Gage for so long, it was going to devastate her when he finally walked away.

  Restless from being cooped up in the cabin, Brooklyn wanted to take a walk. After promising Gage she wouldn’t stray too far away, she’d took a leisurely stroll near the cabin. When she was about a couple of hundred yards from the front door, movement in her peripheral caught her attention. Two black Suburban’s pulled around to the back of the cabin and eight extremely large, mean looking men climbed out. Brook’s initial instinct was to call out to Gage, but for once she was calm enough to think before she spoke. These men might not know Gage was with her. Hopefully they would take her and quickly leave without alerting her brother in-law. It would haunt him that he hadn’t protected her but at least he’d still be alive. She turned to face the men a second before she heard Gage’s voice.

  “Thanks for coming on such short notice,” he announced as he walked past her. Gage shook each man’s hand before turning to introduce her. “This is Brooklyn.” He gestured for her to come to him. “Brook, this is my team,” Gage announced before he named the men from left to right. “This is Hunter, Cutter, Chance, Jericho, Reaper, Kai, Big Mack, and Bo.” Each man nodded.

  “Are those your real names or job descriptions?” Brooklyn asked to no one in particular to which the men laughed but didn’t respond. “Come on inside and we’ll discuss specifics,” Gage motioned for the men to follow him. Brooklyn wasn’t sure she was invited, so she stood still and waited. When Gage held the screen door open for the men, he looked at her oddly. “Are you coming?”

  With a nod, she walked toward the cabin. When she started to pass him, Gage tugged on her arm to stop her then kissed her lightly on t
he lips.

  Once everyone was comfortable, Gage began relaying information. “Initially I thought we were dealing with a local group of drug dealers. Two nights ago, the drug traffickers sent out feelers to see what they’re up against and I downed both of their men so they know they’re dealing with a professional at this point. That means I expect they’ll send their A team rolling into town sometime tomorrow. Odds are they’ll come with plenty of muscle.”

  Brooklyn was mesmerized as she listened to Gage plan and explain. Each of his men was as intense as he was and everyone was completely focused on Gage’s plan.

  Everything about Bo was beautiful. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and that perfect smile… Brook couldn’t lie, the man was perfection. Jericho was huge. Slightly taller than Gage, he looked like a giant. But it wasn’t just his height. The man’s chest was mammoth with bulging muscles and washboard abs. Brooklyn suspected his bicep was larger than her thigh. He was definitely an individual she wouldn’t want to upset.

  She started to appraise Kai when Gage cleared his throat loud enough for her to get the hint. He didn’t like her staring at his men. She looked over at him with a shy smile.

  “I want two men stationed at my parent’s house. My three young nieces are staying with them so you’ll have to be on your best behavior.”

  “Well that rules me out,” the large man with the deep voice announced. Brooklyn remembered Gage calling him Big Mack.

  “Bo and I’ll watch them. I’m great with kids,” Kai said as the room erupted in laughter. “What? I am. That was a freak reaction from the group of toddlers. Guess I’m never going to live that down, huh?” Kai defended.

  “Works for me. Cutter, you’ll be our lockout to the west. Your location is marked in red. This is the highest elevation on the property so you should be able to see a great distance from the house which gives us plenty of notice,” Gage explained as he pointed to the topographical map of Brook’s land. “Reaper will be waiting in this large crop of shrubs in front of the house, and Hunter will be camouflaged in the tall grass in the backyard. Mack will be watching for anyone trying to approach from the east. Jericho and Chance will be on the roof of the shed facing opposite directions. Any questions?”