Текст книги "Unlawful Justice"

Автор книги: K. Langston

Соавторы: K. C. Lynn
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Текущая страница: 19 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

EPILOGUE

Grayson

Eight years later

“Make a wish, Daisy Mae,” Liv says, kneeling down next to our daughter.

Every time I see them side-by-side it still takes my breath away. She looks just like her mother, soft blonde hair and those big brown eyes I can never refuse.

I can’t believe she’s seven years old today. Other than Liv agreeing to marry me—she was the best thing that came from our trip to Paris. A surprise to say the least, considering we were unsure if she would even be able to conceive.

“Yeah, blow dem out, Daisy!” Our five-year-old son, Cash, shouts from the chair in front of me as he squirms on my mother’s lap. He’s wearing the cop costume she bought for him so he wouldn’t feel left out.

I smirk at the hat covering half his face. Where Daisy Mae looks just like Liv, Cash is all me.

Actually, he looks a lot like my father.

The yard is filled with our closest friends and family as we celebrate our daughter’s birthday. Her best friend Maya, Tania and Jay’s daughter, sits next to her, eagerly awaiting the big moment.

“You make sure you blow them all out now. If you leave any lit and we find out you have any boyfriends, your dad might have a heart attack,” Terrell says, teasing Daisy Mae with the ridiculous superstition.

I grunt while his wife, Becky, elbows him in the ribs, but not as hard as I would have.

The bastard.

“Uncle T, Mama’s right. You cray, cray,” Maya shouts, laughter rippling across the table in response to her sassy attitude.

Except Terrell.

He glares at Tania. “Why are you fillin’ your daughter’s head full of lies? We all know who the crazy one is, Tan.”

Tania fixes one hand to her hip and squints her eyes, unamused by the childhood nickname he loves to torture her with. “It’s Ta-nee-a! Now hush it and let this child blow out her candles.”

We all share a laugh before Daisy Mae squeezes her eyes shut, blowing with all her might as she extinguishes every last one. When her eyes open they seek mine, and the smile on her face turns my heart into fucking mush. “I don’t need any boys, just my daddy.”

I smirk as she repeats the words I’ve said to her since the day she was born. “That’s right, baby girl. No one but me.”

“And me,” Walter adds.

I nod, unable to refuse, considering he let me marry his granddaughter. My eyes move to Liv to find her watching me with a soft smile, the same one that still lights a fire in my chest no matter how many times I’ve seen it.

We settled here on the farm because I knew she could never leave this place, and as long as I have Liv and the kids, I don’t give a shit where we live. We outgrew the guesthouse after Daisy Mae was born so we built a bigger one on the other side of the property with a wraparound porch and plenty of room for the kids to run around.

“Mama, can me and Maya go eat our cake with Cookie and show her my new cowgirl boots?” Daisy Mae asks as Liv plates the cake.

Walt bought her the Welsh pony three years ago, and if we allowed it, she’d live out there in the barn with Cookie and Rosie both.

“All right, but don’t feed her any, okay?”

“No, Ma’am. Promise.”

The girls take off, carefully balancing the cake in their hands, sporting their matching outfits and boots.

“All right, who else wants cake?”

“Me!” Terrell shouts. “And double up on Becky’s since she’s eating for two.”

Everyone freezes and all eyes shoot to them.

“What did you just say?” Tania asks, hope prominent in her voice.

Becky’s smile is unmistakable as tears fill her eyes. She nods. “It’s true. We’re finally gonna have a baby.”

Cash covers his ears when Liv and Tania squeal with excitement before rushing over to pull Becky in for a group hug, while Walter, Jay, and I all shake Terrell’s hand.

“Congrats, man. That’s great news.”

Becky and Terrell married five years ago and have been trying for a while now to have a baby. They met through Liv and Tania when Becky came to work at the center they started together, shortly after we got back from Paris. They named it the U.N.I.T.Y. Center, which stands for…

Understanding

Noble

Integrity

Trust

Youth

It’s a government-funded outreach program where they offer counseling and after-school activities for the youth of our community. It’s made a huge impact here. They not only educate but also give them hope when there might not be any. For some of those kids, the center is all they have. Brandon has come in on numerous occasions to talk to kids about making good choices and how it only takes one person to stand up and make a difference. Mrs. Jenkins volunteers her time there often, too. I’m proud of them both, they’ve done a lot to help others and make an impact on the youth here. But I’m not surprised, if anyone can find light in the darkness, it’s Liv.

“I’m so happy for y’all,” Liv’s voice is filled with emotion, pulling me from my thoughts.

Tania leans down and wraps her arms around Terrell’s neck before giving him a loud kiss on the cheek. “I can’t believe I’m finally gonna be an auntie. It’s about damn time.” She looks up at Jay with a smile. “We need to get crackin’ on number two, babe. I want to have our babies close together like Maya and Daisy Mae.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice, woman,” he replies with a wink.

Terrell scowls at him. “Don’t say shit like that around me.”

The girls all laugh, as he gets riled up. Whenever Jay makes any references toward his sister, no matter how long they’ve been married, Terrell gives him hell.

Once Liv is finished handing out plates of chocolate cake to everyone, she comes over to bring me the last piece. I grab her by the hips and pull her down on my lap before pressing my lips to her smooth, bare shoulder. I swear I’ll never tire of feeling this woman against me.

Wrapping her arms around my neck, her body melts against me. “Hi,” she whispers, her pretty pink lips tempting me like they always do.

My hand spans her hip, holding her closer. “Hey, baby.”

“It’s been a great day, huh?”

“Yeah, it was a great day,” I reply, staring back into her big doe eyes. “But tonight is going to be even better.”

Daisy Mae is sleeping over at Tania and Jay’s while Cash is going to stay with my mother, giving Liv and me a night home alone.

Her smile spreads, desire staining her cheeks as she leans her forehead against mine. “I can’t wait.”

I’m just about to draw her in for a kiss when high-pitched screams pierce the air. I look over to see Maya and Daisy Mae running for their lives as Cash chases them with his water pistol, laughing hysterically.

“Mama, Daddy, Pap-Pap. Somebody help us!”

“Cash, that’s enough,” I call out.

With a giggle, Liv brushes a soft kiss against my lips, giving me only a small taste of heaven before she gets up to do damage control. She chases down our son then scoops him into her arms. Her eyes hold mine as she whispers something in his ear before putting him down and sending him my way.

His small feet pound the floor as he races over, stopping right in front of me. “Mama said you’ll pway cops and wobbers with me. Teach me how to catch da bad guys.”

He’s been going through a phase lately of wanting to become a cop. He’s always asking to go to work with me to help catch the bad guys.

I lift him, settling him on my lap and look into his curious eyes. “You want to know how to catch the bad guys?”

“Yes, sir, I do.” The oversized hat falls over his face as he nods with excitement.

Pushing the hat back, I find his dark blue eyes once more. “Seek the truth and you will find justice.”

He blinks, his icing-covered face completely expressionless. “Dat’s it?”

I grin. “Yeah, son, that’s it. But it’s not always as easy as it sounds. It can mean hard work and even harder choices. Think you can handle that?”

Something sparks in his eyes. It’s the same fire that I’ve carried with me for as long as I can remember. “Yes, sir. I can handle dat.” He hops down, turning to Walter. “Come on, Pap-Pap. Yet’s pway cops and wobbers. You’s the wobber and I’m da cop.”

I chuckle, watching as Walter allows him to handcuff his wrists together before leading him off to God knows where.

Looking over, I see my mother watching me with tears in her eyes, clearly hearing the words I spoke to Cash. She smiles, a silent exchange of understanding between us.

I will always feel that sting of betrayal when I think about my father, but I’ve since forgiven him. Despite what he was brought up to believe, he never inflicted any of it on me. He never taught me to hate, and for that I’m grateful. I’ll always remember the man I knew, the one who taught me how to fish, how to catch a football and, most importantly, about honor and loyalty. I’ll remember that he taught me right from wrong.

As Liv’s rich laughter echoes on a breeze, from where she blows bubbles with Daisy Mae, I vow to always use those lessons he taught me. To not only ensure peace for Harmony Falls but to love and protect those who matter to me most.

And as long as I live, I vow to never allow hate to hurt my family again.

THE END

Keep reading for a sneak peek from the authors’s upcoming releases.

An Act of Salvation

Acts of Honor – Book 2

K.C. LYNN

Coming early 2016

PROLOGUE

Katelyn

Seven years old

“Where are you, you little bitch? Get out here, now!”

My heart pounds in my chest as I look around my room, frantically searching for a hiding spot before my dad can find me. Kolan bursts through the adjoining door of the bathroom that links our bedrooms, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

He waves me over; the terrified look on his face matching my own. “Come on, Kate, hurry.” I run as fast as my shaking legs will allow, and he quickly ushers me over to his closet. “Get in here and don’t come out no matter what, okay?”

“But what about you?” I whisper fearfully.

Daddy will hurt him bad if he doesn’t hide, too.

“Don’t worry about me, just get in there.” Before I can argue more he pushes me in and gives me a stern look. “I mean it, Katelyn, don’t come out—no matter what,” he orders before closing the doors, blanketing me in darkness.

I hate the dark. I’ve spent too much time in it.

“When I find you, little girl, I’m going to skin you bare!”

I burrow deeper into the back of the closet, my small body trembling with fear at his threatening voice. The sound of the bedroom door cracking open has me flinching. Through the slats of the closet I see my father—his red, glassy eyes bulging with fury as he grips the thick leather belt in his hands.

Oh no!

“She’s not in here!” Kolan yells, standing in front of the closet, protecting me with an intensity far greater than his ten years.

Daddy knows he’s lying. “Get out of my way, boy.”

“No!”

A loud smack echoes through the air before I see Kolan fall to the ground. I cover my mouth, trying to quiet my sob. Terror washes over me as my father reaches for the closet door.

“No! She didn’t do it,” Kolan shouts, jumping back up. “It was me, I broke your stupid glass.”

Oh no, what’s he doing?

I’m the one who broke it, but it was an accident, and Mama already yelled at me for it. Daddy doesn’t care. He looks for any reason to hurt us because he hates us, especially Kolan.

“You’re lying, but I’ll gladly make you pay for it, you mouthy little shit.”

“No!” I scream, but he can’t hear me, the only sound that can be heard is my father’s violence as he unleashes it on Kolan, the belt lashing down across his bare back. “Please stop!” I plead with a sob. I want to help, but know I can’t. Kolan will get so mad at me if I leave this spot. I did it once before, and it didn’t end well for either of us. Knowing there’s nothing I can do, I helplessly cover my ears and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to quiet the horror of my father hurting my brother.

“Kolan.” I call out his name, over and over again, wishing I could help him. This is all my fault. I should have been more careful when trying to get a drink of water.

After a while I hear nothing but the sound of my own cries. I pull my hands away from my ears and listen, only to hear soft, painful groans. With blurry vision I peek through the slats and see my father is gone. I slowly open the door then quietly step out. Kolan lays on his bed, curled in a ball with his back to me, the angry red welts marking his skin makes my heart hurt.

“Kolan!” I rush over to him. “I’m so sorry.” I sob, kneeling next to the bed.

“I’m okay,” he assures me through chattering teeth. “Can you get the light?”

With a sniffle I stand and reach up on my tiptoes to shut off the light, then crawl in on the other side of the bed and pull the blanket over us. This is our usual routine. I never leave my brother’s side after our father does this to him, which happens often.

Lying down, I face him, only seeing his shadow in the dark, but I feel his entire body tremble in pain.

“You shouldn’t have said you did it. I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

“Don’t worry, I’m used to it. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

I cry harder, hating that our father hurts him so much.

“Please don’t cry, Kate. I’m okay, I promise.”

“I think we should tell Uncle Joshua and Aunt Linda. They will help us, maybe we can even live with them.”

“No!” he snaps, shutting down the idea right away, like he always does. “We can’t tell anyone. Remember what happened last time, when Uncle Joshua questioned it and called those people to come over to check on us? They didn’t do anything to help and we got it way worse after they left.” I nod, knowing he’s right. “We just need to hang in there, Kate, stick together and stay away as much as we can. When I’m old enough I promise I’m going to get us out of here. We’ll go so far away we’ll never have to see them again.”

The thought of never having to see our parents again is a peace I often dream about. “I love you,” I whisper.

I have no idea what I would do without him, besides my cousin, Faith, he’s my best friend.

“I promise I’ll take care of you. I’ll get us out of here one day, and when I do we’ll never look back.”

I just pray we can survive that long, especially Kolan.

Sylvie

K. LANGSTON

Release Date: January 21, 2016

PROLOGUE

I can’t breathe. I can’t see anything but red. Crimson eats up the hardwood floor beneath his head, slowly inching toward my feet. A scream, sharp and thick, shreds the hollow of my throat. The foreign sound penetrates the eerie silence, as the unbearable pain in my chest threatens to buckle my knees. My hands and body tremble uncontrollably as I find the courage to look at him. His eyes are slightly open, but they are hauntingly still.

Lifeless.

My heart plummets to my stomach, and the urge to vomit is strong. But throwing up would require air, and I still haven’t found any yet. My eyes travel to the gun, gleaming from his right hand, taunting me with grave finality.

I fall to the floor next to him. A sob racks my body, sadness and darkness staking their final claim on my soul. “Dean.” His name is a desperate plea. A painful prayer I know will never be answered.

He’s gone.

Forever.

And it’s all my fault.

My heart shatters into a million tiny pieces, never to be whole again.

Acknowledgements

Words can’t even begin to express our gratitude for every single person who supported and encouraged us throughout this entire journey.

First and foremost, our families. Thank you for your patience and support.

Special thanks to everyone who had a hand in bringing this story to life:

Our editor, Megan, with Wild Rose Editing. You’re damn good even if your logic drives us insane. Ha ha.

Proofreader, Kim. Thanks for your sharp eyes and feedback.

Cover Designer: Kari Ayasha at Cover to Cover Designs

Cover Image: Lindee Robinson Photography

Cover Models: Michael Dorr and Allyssa Bartolomeo

Thank you, Tillie Cole, for reading and helping us with any information we needed.

Justice League: Thank you for always being steadfast and ready. Your feedback and honesty will always be appreciated. Thank you for believing in this book as much as we do.

And to every reader who gave this story a chance…thank you.

Bibliography

“Doctrinal Statement of Beliefs.” Kingdom Identity Ministries. Accessed October 19, 2015, www.kingidentity.com/doctrine.htm.

Notes

i    “Doctrinal Statement of Beliefs,” Kingdom Identity Ministries, 271