Abandon: The Unloveable Series Book One (6 page)

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 lot 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 the 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?”

“When will you move to the primary location?” Jericho asked.

“Tomorrow.  Brook and I’ll make the trip to the sheriff’s station in the morning announcing our intent to return to her house.  As soon as it gets dark, the rest of you will move into position.  I don’t expect we’ll have to wait too long.”

“You haven’t mentioned where I’ll be,” Brooklyn remarked innocently as the room went dead silent.

“You’ll be with the girls at my parent’s house.  It’s the best place to keep everyone together, give the girls some stability and keep from harm.  Once it’s dark, you and I will sneak out.  I’ll deliver you to that location then I’ll return to your house.”  He’d no more than finished his statement and turned back to face his men when Brooklyn interrupted again.

“Absolutely not,” she said bravely as she stood as tall as she could without going up on the tips of her toes.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.  I won’t be tucked away.  I’m staying with you.”

All eight men efficiently filed out of the cabin without looking back.  “You’re not going to be at the primary location.  It’s too dangerous.  My men are incredible at their chosen profession but you could still be hit by a stray bullet or get lost in the shuffle.  I’m not going to take that chance.  I’m taking you to mom and dad’s and you’ll stay there until this is over,” he commanded.

“No.  I’m not risking your safety without risking my own.  While you’re busy fighting the bad guys, I’ll be watching your back so no one sneaks up on you.  I’ll not bury you, too.”  She could tell he didn’t like what she was saying, but by this point she didn’t care.  She wouldn’t survive losing him.

When he opened his mouth to argue, Brook snaked her hands in his hair, pulled his head down, and silenced him with the most sinful kiss she could manage.

****

The men spent the remainder of the day preparing their weapons and equipment.  One thing was certain, they would be prepared when the enemy arrived.

Once his team took off, Gage walked a perimeter check then entered the cabin.  Brooklyn was freshly scrubbed clean and was currently brushing her damp hair.  “Where is everyone?”

“They’re gone.  Bo and Kai should be close to mom and dad’s by now.  Everyone else is on their way to your place.  They’ll stakeout the area tonight to guarantee the house is secure.”  Gage pulled clean pajama bottoms out of his bag.  “I’m going to take a quick shower.  Don’t open the front door for anyone,” he warned before he closed the bathroom door behind him.

Less than ten minutes later, Gage exited the bathroom to find Brook sitting on the couch expressing her milk.  Gage approached, interested in the process.  “How often do you have to do that?” 

“Every few hours.  I usually do it in the bathroom but since you were in there, I decided to take care of it here.  I hoped to be finished before you came out.” 

She was holding a soft terrycloth doll.  “What’s this?” He asked, reaching for the toy.

“This is a stowaway.  She’s been all three girls very first lovey.  I forgot I stuck this in the bag with the pump the night of the funeral.  I was holding it, thinking of the girls.  Until yesterday, I’d never spent the night away from them.  Since this is the second night in a row, I’m feeling a little sad.”

Gage squeezed the doll as he inspected it noticing there was a hard spot in the body section.  “Has it always had this?” He asked as he held it out for her to feel. 

“No.  The baby might bite down on it and get hurt.  I’m not sure what that could be.”

Gage took a knife and cut the stitching carefully so he could remove the stuffing.  Inside was a small key, one that appeared to open a locker.  “I bet this opens a pay locker at the bus station.  So the million dollar question is what’s in the locker?  This has to be what the goon squad has been searching for.  Garret must have hid it in the doll when he came to visit the last time.”

“There was a time when I wouldn’t have believed Garret would put our family in this kind of danger but I’m not even surprised anymore,” she commented sadly. 

Gage set the toy and key down on the table as Brook cleaned the pump and repacked it.  When she turned around, Gage was there.  He wrapped her in his arms as he leaned down to place a tender kiss on her soft lips.  “Let’s forget about everything tonight and enjoy our time together.”  As soon as she nodded, he lifted her up and Brooklyn instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist as he deepened their kiss. 

Gage pulled at her clothes, trying to get to her bare skin as quickly as possible.  “I want you too much to be gentle like last night.  I need to be inside you right now so hang on.”  As his hands undressed her, his mouth released her lips and nipped their way down her neck.  By the time they reached the bed, Brooklyn’s gown was in shreds on the floor.  Gage stepped on his pant legs as he gyrated his hips so his bottoms fell to the floor almost as quickly.

Their entwined bodies collapsed to the bed and Gage’s deft fingers found, rolled and tugged on her distended pearls until they budded tight.  His tongue licked the valley between her plump breasts, never stopping until it reached an obstruction.  Within seconds, her most intimate place was bared to Gage’s eyes.  He couldn’t slow down.   Gage needed to be inside her as quickly as possible.  As his fingers opened her folds, his tongue delved between her lips not stopping until it lifted and pulled her nub in his mouth.  His lips wrapped around his prize and formed an air tight suction that caused Brooklyn to scream.  He was relentlessly pushing her to the brink but he didn’t allow her to fall over the edge.

Practically mindless with need, he released her bud, flipped her over and impaled her on his erection.  Even then he didn’t give her time to acclimate.  Setting a pace not even a thoroughbred horse could mimic, Gage continued to demonstrate his possession of her until he was dangerously close.  Fully encased inside her, Gage stopped, took a slow, deep breath, and regained his composure.  He’d always preferred his sex hard and fast, but like the night before, he needed to ensure Brook didn’t feel taken advantage of when they were finished.  With the best intentions, he began a slow methodical stroke that quickly escalated into a desperate race for the finish.

“Give it to me, baby.  I want it,” Gage demanded when he didn’t think he could hold off for one more stroke.

Those words must have been enough because Brooklyn screamed his name.  Not even a full second later, Gage shouted as he was consumed with sheer ecstasy.  All of his strength gone, his chest pressed against her back as they both collapsed to the sheets.

Brooklyn instantly fell into a light doze, which gave Gage a moment to think for a minute.  He’d learned to disconnect his feelings years ago, it was mandatory in his line of work.  But for some reason he couldn’t shut down his emotions when it came to Brook no matter how desperately he tried.