The Fall (ATCOM Book 2), page 7
A glass appeared in front of her face. Blinking, she looked up to see Brendan standing there. “Drink this.”
Numb, she accepted the amber liquid and took a swallow. When it burned down her throat she coughed, but welcomed the way it warmed her insides.
“I’m going to walk Rogan out. Be right back.”
As if in a dream she nodded, waving to the shaggy-haired Adonis, listening, but not hearing what he said to her. When Brendan returned a few minutes later he sat next to her, took the glass out of her hand and pulled her into his chest. She went willingly, needing his strength right now. The rug had been pulled out from beneath her so many times today she couldn’t process it all. Ray stole from her, proving he hadn’t changed. Her son would never know his father. And, she’d fallen for a man who walked a razor thin line between danger and safety. Somehow, that hurt worse than the rest.
Maybe because she would also spend the rest of her life alone. Soon, Jason would go off to college and she would be by herself. Worse, she thought she’d finally found a man she could spend the rest of her life with and he turned out to be just like her ex.
“Is everyone gone?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“What can I do?”
She snuggled closer, taking refuge in his strength. “Exactly what you’re doing.” Right now she needed him. Later, she would worry about letting him go.
His hand stroked her hair, helping release the tension in her body. How could something so wrong feel so right?
“I suppose you’ll be leaving now?” she asked, stomach clenching at the thought. “You did what you promised.”
“Is that what you want?”
Sadness filled her heart. It had to be. She couldn’t take that risk again. “The house is almost packed up and the money should be back in my account soon so there isn’t any reason for Jason and me to stick around. My realtor is taking care of the sale of the house. My work is done here.”
Silence stole the air from the room. They both knew she’d just broken off whatever they’d had. As much as it pained her. Her heart felt like it was being torn out of her chest.
“I’ll pack my things and be out in the morning,” Brendan said, putting distance between them.
She wanted to tell him how sorry she was that they hadn’t worked out. How she couldn’t get involved with a man that cared more about his thrill-seeking adventures than his family. But no words came. Instead, she slipped out of his arms, said goodnight and went to her room, knowing she’d really said goodbye.
Chapter Ten
Brendan packed his things, a heaviness in his chest he couldn’t place. Hell, he knew what it was, he just didn’t want to face it. Something had happened in the few short days he’d known Mia. It made him want things he’d sworn he never would. Not only had he fallen for the pretty schoolteacher, he liked her son. The kid had potential. With the right guidance he could make something of his future.
And he was the right guidance? Him? The one who ran in the opposite direction at the mention of a family and settling down. That life wasn’t for him. He couldn’t give up the things he loved. And a woman like Mia deserved someone who would be home every night and not worry her like her ex had. He couldn’t ask her to accept his lifestyle. Even if the extreme sports he sought out suddenly didn’t hold that much appeal when it meant losing Mia.
Could they find common ground? Was he ready to slow down? Settle down. Expecting the usual restless energy to zing through him, he zipped his pack closed. Only, it didn’t come. The urge to jump off a cliff or climb Everest wasn’t there.
What the hell had happened to him?
Grabbing his pack, he exited the room, stopping short when he saw Jason waiting for him by the door, running clothes on. When the kid saw his bag and regular clothes he frowned. “What’s going on?”
“Time for me to go. Your mom’s problem has been taken care of.”
Hurt flashed in the kids eyes. “You’re leaving?”
Feeling like a bastard, Brendan nodded.
“But I thought you and my mom had something. Now you’re running out on her?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Do you love her?”
Caught off guard by the question, he clenched his jaw. How to answer that? His insides were twisted up like downed wire; he couldn’t get Mia out of his head. If he were completely honest he’d admit he didn’t want to leave. Ever. And that the thought of coming home to Mia after a mission instead of burying himself in some stranger sounded better than anything had in a long time. His sister and Noah were making it work. Why couldn’t he? Attie had told him someday he would meet the right woman and everything would change in a heartbeat. He’d laughed it off, saying not him.
“Look, kid, I gotta go. Take care of your mom.”
He didn’t expect the right hook that caught him on the cheek.
“You bastard,” Jason railed. “You’re a coward, just like my dad. You both take, take, take but when it comes to taking responsibility you run away.”
Stunned, Brendan touched his sore cheek. He wasn’t Ray. He’d been good to this kid. Taught him his workout routine, gave him something to focus on besides trouble. Hell, he’d been a better father than his actual father.
The thought brought him up short. He stared at the kid with the wounded eyes and saw himself at that age. And he’d had Uncle Jed to help him through the tough times. Suddenly everything fell into place. He loved this kid. Wanted to be a father figure to him. Put him on the right path of life like Uncle Jed had done for him.
“I love her,” he said in shock. He met Jason’s equally stunned gaze. “I love your mom.”
Jason stepped closer, eyes narrowed. “Did you hear what you just said?”
He nodded, dazed. “I want to be your father.”
Jason clapped him on the shoulder. “You did it, dude. You admitted you love my mom. And I’d be okay with you teaching me more workouts.”
Knowing that was the kid’s way of saying he approved, Brendan could only nod.
A sound near the doorway made them both turn to look. Mia stood there, a befuddled look on her face. Her hair fell over her shoulders in sexy waves, tousled from sleep, her pajamas hugging her curves and making him want to tear them off her. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight in his life.
“I’ll let you two talk,” Jason said, bouncing out of the room.
Brendan set his bag down. “How much of that did you hear?”
“All of it.”
Damn.
“Did you mean it?”
He met her gaze. “Yes.”
She took slow steps toward him. “I don’t know if I can go through another thrill-seeking marriage.”
“I can’t give up my hobbies, but I can promise to scale them back to where you’re comfortable.”
Her eyes lit up. “And your job?”
“Nothing I can do there, but I’ll do everything in my power to make it home to you.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
She had reached him and now stood in front of him. It was all he could do not to kiss her.
“I think I can live with that.”
“Can you live with a rustic log cabin in the mountains of Montana?”
A smile spread across her lips and he fell.
“I think I can.”
Unable to stand it any longer, he wrapped his arms around her and claimed her lips in a kiss that made all of his promises a deal. She kissed him back with fervor, her hands everywhere. God, he couldn’t wait to spend a lifetime with this woman.
The front door slammed, tearing them apart. Ray stormed in, eyes locked on him, face red. He charged. Brendan pushed Mia out of the way and met Ray’s attack with an uppercut to the jaw that sent Ray sprawling.
“You’re going to pay for that,” Ray raged. “You stole everything from me.”
Only he wasn’t talking to Brendan. He aimed the darts at Mia, who stood wide-eyed behind the sofa.
“You got everything you deserved, Ray. That money was mine. You had no right to take it.”
“You bitch—”
“Don’t you call her that.” Jason ran at Ray, fist pulled back. Brendan didn’t stop him. This was something the kid needed to do.
Ray ducked Jason’s blow, shoving him away. “You dare turn on me, son? I’m your father.”
“You may be my sperm donor, but you’re not my dad. You never will be.”
Seeing the shift in Ray’s demeanor, Brendan moved between them just as Ray struck out at his son. Mia cried out when the blow landed on Brendan’s ribs. He spun Ray into a chokehold and said to Mia, “Call the cops.”
Ray wasn’t done. He fought, but Brendan didn’t let go. To his son, Ray shouted, “You’re siding with her? Did she tell you that she was the one who turned me in ten years ago? That she’s the reason I went to prison? Is that the kind of mother you’re going to side with?”
Seeing the hurt in Jason’s eyes, Brendan dragged Ray out of the house and forced him to the ground. He kept a foot on the back of his neck so he wouldn’t move.
The cops showed up minutes later, handcuffed Ray and took him away. When they were out of sight he went back inside to find Mia crying and Jason looking ready to join her.
“It’s true,” she told her son. “I turned your father in when I found out he and some of his friends were responsible for the break-ins I’d seen on T.V. He almost killed a man and that’s what pushed me over the edge. I couldn’t let him get away with his evil deeds. I’m sorry. I had to do it.”
Brendan waited for Jason’s response to the final truth.
When the kid’s shoulders slumped and he said, “I get it, Mom,” Brendan knew all had been forgiven and Mia’s biggest fear had just been alleviated.
Now, and only now, could they be a family.
The End
Author’s Note: The Fall is the second book in my ATCOM series. The Maze was the first and featured Brendan’s sister, Attie and navy SEAL, Noah. I hope you enjoy their stories as much as I enjoyed writing them! Look for Book #3 coming in the near future.
Meet Jennifer:
NY Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer. Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side.
Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers. She loves everything there is about romance. Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines. She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.
Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Connect with Jennifer:
Read more about her books on her website: http://jenniferloweryauthor.com/
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Other Books by Jennifer Lowery:
SEAL Team Alpha Series:
A SEAL’s Song
A SEAL for Christmas
A SEAL’s Duty
Wolff Securities Series:
Maximum Risk
ATCOM Series:
The Maze
Sawyer Sisters Trilogy
Hard To Handle
Onyx Group Series:
Hard Core
Other:
Murphy’s Law
Taking Chances (short story)
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Free Book Offer
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
About the Author
Connect with Jennifer
Other Books by Jennifer Lowery
Jennifer Lowery, The Fall (ATCOM Book 2)
