Salvation Read online

  Salvation

  Surrender #3

  Ahren Sanders

  Ahren Sanders

  Text copyright © 2015 by Ahren Sanders

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  Salvation

  Edited by: Anna Gorman Coy with AGC Editing

  Editing & Proofreading by: Kendra Gaither at Kendra’s Editing and Book Services

  Photography by: CJC Photography, www.cjc-photography.com

  Cover Model: Peter Ward, Maggie Inc., Boston

  Cover Designer: Melissa @ MGBookCovers and Designs

  E-Book & Print Layout: Deena Rae @ E-BookBuilders

  Table of Contents

  Prologue Darkness

  Chapter 1 I’m Sorry

  Chapter 2 Give Something a Chance

  Chapter 3 Total Dick

  Chapter 4 Never Be Nervous

  Chapter 5 Worth the Effort

  Chapter 6 Killing You Slowly

  Chapter 7 Scum of the Earth

  Chapter 8 Another One Bites the Dust.

  Chapter 9 This is Real

  Chapter 10 Not Going Anywhere

  Chapter 11 Say Yes

  Chapter 12 Initiation into the Asylum

  Chapter 13 A Real Mom

  Chapter 14 We’re Getting There

  Chapter 15 I Trust You

  Chapter 16 Serena’s Back

  Chapter 17 Valentine’s Day

  Chapter 18 I Take Care of You

  Chapter 19 No More Holding Back

  Chapter 20 410 and 626

  Chapter 21 We Have A Plan

  Chapter 22 Wedding Weekend

  Chapter 23 She’s Out of Our Life

  Chapter 24 Don’t Ever Lie For Me

  Chapter 25 Jail Bird

  Chapter 26 You Mean Everything To Me

  Chapter 27 Birthday Surprises

  Chapter 28 I’m Trash

  Chapter 29 Keep Her Safe

  Chapter 30 Forgiving

  Chapter 31 Don’t Do this

  Chapter 32 Ember Walker Saved Me

  Chapter 33 It’s Done

  Chapter 34 Don’t be an Idiot

  Chapter 35 First Step of Many

  Chapter 36 You’re Taking Responsibility

  Chapter 37 Don’t Be Stupid

  Chapter 38 Something’s Not Right

  Chapter 39 Dade

  Chapter 40 Make you a Deal

  Chapter 41 Boy’s Night

  Chapter 42 D-Day

  Chapter 43 Space

  Chapter 44 Regret

  Chapter 45 Time Stands Still

  Chapter 46 Going Home

  Chapter 47 Work It Out

  Chapter 48 Never Again

  Chapter 49 It’s Official

  Chapter 50 Disease is Contagious

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements:

  Meet the Author

  Other Books by Ahren

  For The Reader

  Prologue

  Darkness

  Robbie

  The smell of burning flesh fills my nostrils, and I swallow hard to keep the bile from rising in my throat. Darkness consumes me. My eyes refuse to open. The shouting gets louder, so loud my eardrums ring in pain. I try to push myself up, but my arms won’t hold me as my body falls back to the ground. Pain radiates everywhere. I’m able to roll onto my side before I throw up, tasting blood.

  Heat from the fires and gasoline surround me as I try one more time to move, finally able to open my eyes. Lifeless bodies circle my own, and I start to scramble, ignoring the increasing pain in my legs.

  “FUCK!” I roar, shaking the man lying next to me. The movement causes his head to turn, and I know immediately he is dead. Cold lifeless eyes stare back at me.

  Looking around, I see they’re all dead. Remembering the explosion that caused our truck to flip, it comes back to me.

  Memories of driving to the nearby town to help the villagers. The sun shining in the early morning light. A sense of easiness as we relaxed for the first time in months. The truck filled with laughter as we shot the shit about nothing.

  Hunter’s a pussy because he thinks he’s in love.

  Jones is an idiot because he thinks the Cowboys are going to the Super Bowl.

  Brand’s going to create the next great app and retire a millionaire.

  The endless joke that Finn and I are secret lovers.

  These guys are my fucking family, and two of them are dead at my feet.

  “ROBBIE! Where the fuck are you?” Finn screams.

  “Over here,” I croak as smoke fills my lungs.

  “Hold on, motherfucker. I’m going to get you.”

  “Finn? Are you okay, man?”

  “Yes, and you are too. Grab on.” He appears next to me and hauls me over his shoulder. Each step he takes shoots excruciating pain down my side.

  Finally, he collapses, with blood covering his body. I can’t move my legs, and that’s when I see half of one of them is mangled to the bone. There’s no time to say anything when another explosion goes off, and I look to the fireball in the very spot we just were.

  That could have been us, I think over and over again.

  I reach to find Finn, but there’s nothing.

  My eyes shoot open, and I’m covered in sweat, clawing at the bed.

  “Shit!’ I scream at my empty room as I try to control my racing heart. The TV blares. I groan when my leg hits the floor, refusing to wake up. It takes a few minutes for me to get enough strength to stand. Damn, it’s been a while since the nightmare has shaken me this bad.

  The time on my phone reads four thirty am; there’s no way I’m falling back asleep. Thoughts of an auburn haired, blue-eyed girl run through my mind. The image of her smiling at me with those deep dimples soothes the rapid beat of my heart. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen her, but she’s still at the forefront of my mind.

  “What the hell is wrong with me? Ember’s too good for a man like me.” I think to myself for the hundredth time since laying eyes on her.

  When I make it to the shower, I’m literally shaking. Little do I know, today will change my life forever.

  Chapter 1

  I’m Sorry

  Ember

  Time seems to stand still as I watch the clock on the wall, wishing I could close the store. Today has been hell with calls from people asking if we are providing the formalwear for the upcoming wedding of the year. I personally thought that naming Raven’s wedding the ‘Wedding of the Year’ was quite ridiculous.

  It’s common for us to receive calls when a local celebrity announces they’re getting married. I’ve experienced it many times throughout the last five years. When the article came out today, identifying Raven as the mystery woman engaged to Sayge frontrunner, Declan Collins, I was prepared. The band became a success after touring this summer and then releasing a hit that’s climbing the charts.
They’ve become extremely popular, seeing as they started locally.

  I’d never really heard of them before Raven Hayes came into the store to order the tuxedos for her wedding and invited me to see them perform. Since that day, they’ve been spotlighted several times in local magazines and then the launch of their first single, “Surviving.” Raven told me once she was trying to remain anonymous as long as possible, but the article today changed that.

  She deserves her privacy, so no matter how much publicity Clyde’s Formalwear would receive, I chose to stay quiet and silently deny involvement.

  This man that came in today was obviously trying to get information. He claimed to be Max Roberts, and in the wedding party. What he didn’t expect was my personal relationship with Raven. When I called her, she confirmed my suspicions that he was fishing for information. Max is one of her closest friends, but he is in the Marines and lives in another state. I felt terrible for bothering her, but I wanted to make sure she hadn’t added anyone to her party and forgot to tell me.

  The man left in a huff when I refused to fit him and asked for his ID.

  I smile to myself, remembering the day she walked in the store with the three large, hot, and very intimidating men. In all the years I’ve been working here, not once have I acted as dumbstruck. Each of the men was attractive in their own way. I’ve never had a thing for piercings and tattoos, but Declan was one of the sexiest guys I’d ever met.

  My heart actually skipped a beat when my eyes landed on the man standing to the back of their group with his arms crossed, looking bored. He was the most ruggedly handsome man I’d ever seen. Working in retail for the last five years gave me the unique talent of being able to read a man’s body on sight. One glance at him and I knew he was muscular. His broad shoulders and thick arms bulged under the lightweight sweater that fit like it was made only for him. He was tall, much taller than me; I guessed six-two, or six-three. His dark hair was a mixture of chocolate and chestnut, longer on top but shaved on the sides. The close shave told me right away it was a military cut. The whole package was stunning, but when his deep blue… no, that’s not right- royal blue eyes met mine, I quit breathing.

  Fashion is my passion, and being able to distinguish different shades of general colors is a specialty of mine. In that moment, four different color descriptions came to mind to define his piercing stare.

  All sense of professionalism vanished when the men stepped out of the dressing rooms in their midnight black tuxes. My cheeks start to blush, recalling how flustered I became taking their measurements. My hands trembled as I tried to write them down. Raven had to step in and help. As soon as they went back to change, I apologized profusely at my behavior. Raven blew me off and laughed. She told me who each of them was, and I knew my mistake the instant my face flushed when she pointed out Robbie was her brother. Her eyes grew wide at my reaction.

  I took a huge step out of my comfort zone that night by going to the bar, but even with all that happened, I’m glad I did. Her friends were welcoming and kind. I was enjoying myself until I felt someone watching me. When I turned around, a shudder ran through my body. Robbie gripped the rim of his beer bottle tight and gave me a once over before slamming his way through a back door. He obviously was not happy to see me. If I knew him better, I would guess he was pissed. Why, I have no idea. No one seemed to notice the exchange, but it was all I could do not to run away, mortified.

  The only thing that kept me there was the nagging voice in the back of my head telling me it was time to meet people and enjoy my life. At twenty–three years old, I should be living it up and having fun. Instead, I’m a hermit, only going out with my cousin and his boyfriend on occasion.

  Next time I saw Robbie, it was equally as crushing when he realized Raven invited me to the Surviving Launch party. That time, I was prepared. He wouldn’t get to me, even if he did look like the very best candidate for a Gucci model in his black suit that hugged his body like a vice. Unfortunately, Raven saved me a seat at her table, forcing me to sit through dinner near him. I almost choked on my tongue when he pulled out the chair for me, but what took my breath away was when he smiled a few seconds later.

  Something changed in his demeanor toward me after that, but I kept my guard up. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass myself by saying something stupid. His body language, dark looks, and lack of enthusiasm at my arrivals, told me all I needed to know. He was not interested.

  I know what people think of me- plain, boring, innocent. I’m the girl that’s always overlooked but forever dependable. Men like Robbie Hayes don’t give me a second glance.

  The bell over the door rings, announcing a visitor. If this is another nosy non-customer, I’m closing the shop for the night. Grabbing my pen and order form, I walk to the front with a pasted-on smile. My heels get caught in the rug, and the items in my hand go flying. I reach for something to help me balance, but before I can catch myself, strong arms stop me from going down. I screech and clumsily fall into a wall of muscle. When my gaze meets his, humiliation floods through my body. None other than Robbie Hayes is watching me, smirking.

  “You okay?” he asks warmly, his eyes shining.

  This is the first time I’ve seen his eyes shine, and it’s mesmerizing. My skin burns where his arms hold me. The room becomes warm, and my heart thunders in my chest.

  “Ember?” he says softly.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. These shoes are hazardous,” I try to joke and move away gracefully.

  He looks down at my shoes and then back to me, pinning me with his stare. “You here alone?”

  “Right now I am. Did Raven call you?”

  He nods.

  Of course he’s here because of Raven. The little I know of this crowd of friends tells me how protective they are. Anyone who messes with them better watch out. This is not a normal group; they’re possessive, wild, and absolutely no-nonsense.

  “He left. It was silly to bother Raven with everything she has going on. Sorry you came all the way here.” I straighten my back, trying to regain a level of professionalism.

  “It was no problem.” He looks around the shop and then back to me, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Is it normal to be here alone at night?”

  “Depends on the schedule, but mostly, yes. There are only four of us, so we alternate closing. However, two of the associates take night classes, so I usually pick up the shift.”

  “How much longer are you open tonight?”

  “About an hour and a half.”

  “What are your plans for dinner?”

  What? Why is he asking? I gape at him blankly and watch as his lips twitch and then turn into a full smile. My heart pitters against my chest again and my palms start to sweat. I swallow hard to try and moisten my dry lips, unable to speak.

  “Ember? Dinner? Have you had dinner?”

  “I brought some sushi to eat later.” My voice finally returns.

  The grin disappears and is replaced with a look of disgust. He shakes his head and digs his keys out of his pocket. “That’s not dinner. You like Thai?”

  “Thai?”

  “Yeah, as in real, solid food. I’m hungry and don’t want you alone here for the rest of the night. And I sure as shit don’t eat sushi. So tell me what you like and I’ll bring it back.”

  “Robbie, that’s not necessary. Thank you for checking on me, but it’s safe here and I’m sure you have better things to do tonight. You don’t need to feel obligated to stay,” I say softly, watching for relief to wash over him.

  “Why would I feel obligated to stay?”

  “Your sister’s privacy is safe. You can trust that I won’t leak anything about her wedding, the date, or the members of the wedding party. I’d already decided if you were another non-customer prying into specifics of the wedding, the shop would close for the night. So really, you don’t need to stick around—”

  “You were going to close early to protect my sister’s privacy?”

  “Abso
lutely.”

  The grin returns as he walks toward me. When he’s less than a foot away, he stops and touches my arm softly. “Let me make something clear. My sister’s a big girl and has a fiancé that’s as pussy whipped as they come. I didn’t come to question your loyalty as a vendor. I came to make sure you were safe and throw the asshole out if he was still here. There’s no obligation. I’d like to have dinner with you. So, what do you say? Thai okay?”

  He came to make sure I was safe…

  The skin on my arm tingles where his fingertips lay. When our gaze meets, I get lost in the now Persian eyes that capture my own. My mouth is so dry it’s hard to form a response, so I nod.

  “Any requests?”

  “I don’t like curry,” I whisper. “Other than that, surprise me.”

  “I can do that.” He steps back and drops his hand. “Ember, I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sorry?”

  “Yeah, I think we both know why.”

  “We do?” I say as more of a question.

  “Yeah, I haven’t exactly been nice the few times we were around each other. There’s no excuse for my behavior.” His voice is laced with regret.

  “You were polite at the party.”

  “Polite?” he sneers. “That’s a good way to say I was a jerk.”

  “No! That’s not at all what I said.”

  “You didn’t have to. But that stops now.”

  “What stops?” I’m completely lost trying to follow this conversation.

  His eyes dance with humor, and he gives me the sexiest grin I’ve ever seen. “You’ll see. Let’s start with dinner.”

  Without another word, he walks out, leaving me stunned.

  Chapter 2

  Give Something a Chance

  Ember

  “Wakey, Wakey, little skanky!” Cruz sings as he barges in my room, plopping down on the bed.

  “Ugh, go away. I’m still tired.” I cover my head with a pillow, hoping he’ll leave me alone.

  “Nope, you’ve got some explaining to do. And then you have a few texts to return.”