So Simple, page 17
Faith and Kelsey laughed, and Faith reached down to scratch Turk behind his ears. “He’s had a very tiring past couple of days. He must think your paws are a comfortable pillow.”
Turk looked down at Max and carefully sat, resting his head over the little puppy’s stomach. If he was going to protect this baby bulldog, he was going to do it right.
Faith laughed again and leaned down to ruffle his fur. “Good dog.”
Michael came over to Faith and Sergeant Trent pulled Kelsey Thompson aside to talk to her about the next steps in the process of bringing Thomas Cowell to justice.
“I see Turk made a friend,” Michael said.
Faith looked down at him. “Yeah. He’s good at that.”
Michael nodded. He shuffled his feet. “Um… listen, Faith, I… I just wanted to say…”
His voice trailed off, and Faith pulled him into an embrace. “It’s okay,” she said. “You don’t have to say anything.”
He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to forget for a moment that they had already tried and failed to make things work between them. She leaned her head to his shoulder and waited until she felt their heartbeats slow. Then she kissed him on the cheek and pulled away gently.
She smiled sadly at him, and the smile he returned told her he understood. They looked back down at Turk, and when their gaze broke, the brief dream that both knew could never be reality evaporated into mist.
Faith was the first to speak. “Come on, boy,” she said. “Say goodbye to Max. It’s time to go home.”
***
“He’ll be glad to see you,” the nurse told Faith. “He’s missed you since you’ve been gone.”
“Do you really think he’s aware?” Faith asked. “Can he tell what’s happening outside of his dream?”
The nurse smiled kindly at Faith. “I don’t know. But I choose to have hope.”
Faith smiled gratefully at her and stepped into the room.
David lay where he had when she left him. The bruises on his face had almost completely healed, and at first glance, it was impossible to tell that only a few weeks ago he had been beaten nearly to death.
Faith walked to his side and softly touched his fine blonde hair. “Hey, David,” she said softly. “It’s just me today. Turk’s holding down the fort at home. I’ll bring him next time, but I wanted to have a few hours just you and me. I hope that’s okay.”
David’s chest rose and fell steadily. He looked so relaxed. Faith caressed his cheek and smiled at the reflexive flutters in his eyelids.
“We caught another bad guy,” she said, “real bad. Kid named Thomas Cowell. He was only twenty-two, but he had a body count in the teens already. Solved a lot of cold cases by bringing him in. I won’t tell you what he did to people, but let’s just say Turk and I are both glad that he’s going to prison where he belongs.”
She paused a moment, then said, “I’ve been thinking about retiring. Not right away. Not at least until I catch West, but… well, Turk’s going to hit retirement in a few months, and I can’t see myself with another K9. I would hate to have to leave him home to watch me take another dog to work. And… well, like I said, I won’t tell you what Cowell did, but I wouldn’t hate it if I never saw anything like it again. Don’t tell anyone I told you this, though. People would flip if they knew I was thinking about hanging it up on the bright side of thirty-five. Not that it matters what people think, but it’s just too soon to know for sure if that’s what I really want. Maybe after we bring West in, I’ll just take a few months off and decide to get back into it. I can always refuse a K9 and just keep Turk as a pet. He’ll be grumpy about it for a while, but he’ll get over it. He’s a good dog. Besides, if he’s safe at home, I know… well, I know he’ll be safe.”
She paused again, not sure how to talk about what she really wanted to talk about. Why was it always so hard for her to share how she really felt? Maybe growing up as the black sheep of the family had taught her to build walls so strong that even she couldn’t break them down.
Maybe she was just overthinking things because she didn’t want to have to face the thought that David may never be able to reply to her.
She took a deep breath and reached down to grasp his hand. “I love you, David,” she said. “I love you so much. I don’t know how you managed to become so important to me, but you did. You worked your way inside, and you planted yourself firmly in my heart. I’m so sorry you got hurt because of me.”
She could almost hear his voice reassuring her that it wasn’t her fault that West hurt him. She wasn’t responsible for the evil in the world.
She knew he would be right to say that, but that didn’t make her feel any differently. “I’m going to get West,” she promised him. “I’m going to make sure he can’t hurt you or anyone else I love ever again. And when I do, I’m going to make things work between us. Whether I retire or not, you’re going to be the most important thing in my life. I’m going to be the best possible girlfriend I can be. Who knows? I might even be the best possible wife. Not right away, but down the road, when I’m far enough away from my demons.”
She looked down at him and squeezed his hand again. “I’m not good at expressing my feelings. I don’t think it’s because of Trammell and West either. I think that’s just… me.” She chuckled. “This is probably the most honest I’m going to be with you in years, but please know that if I’m hard to get through to, it doesn’t mean I don’t love you or that I’m not so grateful for everything you are to me. Please know that no matter what else happens in my life, being with you is the most wonderful thing I could ever imagine. You’re the best man alive and making you happy will always be my most special achievement.”
She leaned forward and kissed his forehead softly. “Please come back to me, okay? Take as long as you need, but come back to me.”
She stood and squeezed his hand one final time. “I love you, David.”
His eyelids fluttered again.
And he squeezed her hand back.
EPILOGUE
All in all, Franklin West was very pleased with the state of things. He was incensed to find that the veterinarian had survived his beating, so much so that he nearly visited the hospital and risked discovery to finish the job.
But when he saw the change in Faith, he felt better. If he had killed David, she would have reacted with fury. She would have come after him with every ounce of her not inconsiderable skill and forced the final showdown with him before he was ready for it. He would still have beaten her, of course, but it would have been a very clumsy and messy end, and he would probably have had to flee the country.
No, this was better. She hadn't reacted with fury. She'd lost her fury. She'd lost her drive. She probably didn't even realize it yet, but seeing David nearly dead had done something very damaging to her.
It had made her think about what would happen if David healed. Because almost no one had the capacity to believe that hope could fail, what would happen if David healed became what would happen when David healed.
That hope gave her a reason to stop fighting. It was fascinating, really. He was convinced that the best way to break Faith was to take everything from her, but in hindsight, that would only lead her to force him to kill her. He would break her body but not her spirit, and her spirit was what mattered.
But now…
People were such curious creatures. Take away everything they love, and sometimes they would allow themselves to die, but other times, they would somehow use that loss as a catalyst to achieve their full potential. Take away almost everything they love, leave them with very little precious to them, and then threaten that precious thing, and they would sacrifice everything just to know that thing was safe.
He wasn't sure if he would let her have David. Maybe she would fizzle into nothing and float around with David like a dead star drifting coldly through the universe. She would convince herself that she was happy, but she would only be content, and eventually, she would be forced to face that reality. But by that time, it would be too late. She would be old and used, and any chance she had to achieve purpose again would be gone. He wouldn't be around to see that, at least, probably not, but that was okay. He knew how Faith's story ended if she chose that path, and knowing was enough for him.
Maybe that would be worse than just taking everything and killing her. That boy in North Dakota she had just arrested had shown him that hate itself was a powerful motivator to someone who had nothing. If he took everything else, he would leave her hate.
He wasn’t sure yet. He still felt that Faith would eventually have to die, but it intrigued him to have another option available.
In any case, the pain she was about to feel was absolutely necessary. David may have survived, but there was one in this world even more important to her than David was. West would take that one away from her, and without him, she would realize once and for all that her foe was too great for her.
He parked the car across the street from the home and planned his next move. His target was very shrewd, very cunning and very strong. He wouldn’t go down easily. Oh hell, why allow ego to get in the way of success? West’s target could very well kill him if he wasn’t careful.
But he could be careful. He had faced such enemies before and come out on top. He just had to be swift and purposeful, and if things went sideways, he had to be willing to use extraordinary measures.
He checked the magazine of his extraordinary measures and satisfied himself that the rounds were loaded.
He couldn’t quite stifle a sneer. He really didn’t like guns. They were a coward’s weapon. Any infirmed grandmother with enough strength to lift her hand could kill a strong and powerful man if she was able to fire before he reached her. That didn’t sit right with him.
Not that he advocated killing grandmothers. There was no purpose in killing weak prey. Still, the point was valid. Guns were crutches for people who wouldn’t have survived if humanity hadn’t become so dedicated to the absurd belief that weakness should be protected.
But he wasn’t so wedded to that philosophy that he was willing to “die with honor” to show how strong he was. He would do what he had to do, and if it meant taking a few shortcuts to get to Faith, so be it.
At one point, he might have questioned his obsession with Faith. He had never been obsessed with anything before he read about Faith’s encounter with the only man he had ever admired.
But he no longer bothered to question it. He and Faith were linked. Call it fate, call it destiny, hell, call it chance, but the two of them were linked as surely as the sun rose every morning and set every night.
And he had to do this. He had to beat her. If he could do that, then he would matter. History might not realize it, but he would. He would know that he really was as dangerous and powerful as he believed himself to be.
And he needed that.
So, he would have to take a risk today.
He stepped out of the car and tucked the gun into its hidden holster underneath his pants. The holster was positioned in a way that made it impossible to draw, but that was all right. As soon as he was out of view of the street, he would take the weapon out without waiting to enter the building.
Franklin West breathed deeply of the cool, invigorating night air, closed and locked his car door, then crossed the street to kill Turk.
NOW AVAILABLE!
SO BROKEN
(A Faith Bold Mystery—Book 12)
FBI Agent Faith Bold must navigate a twisted game of cat and mouse with a cunning killer when victims turn up mysteriously drained of blood. As the body count rises, Faith races against time to uncover the chilling truth behind these surgical murders. Will she be able to stop the bloodshed before she becomes the next victim?
“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery.”
—Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
SO BROKEN is Book #12 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 7,000 five star ratings and reviews.
FBI Special Agent Faith Bold doesn’t believe she can ever return to the force after the trauma she’s been through. Suffering from past demons, she feels unfit for duty and content to retire—until Turk walks into her life.
Turk, a former Marine Corps dog, wounded in battle, suffers from his own demons. But he never lets it show as he gives everything to Faith to get her back on her feet.
Each are slow to warm up to each other, but when they do, they are inseparable. Each is equally determined to hunt down the demons chasing them, whatever the cost, and to watch each other’s backs—even at the risk of their own life.
A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the Faith Bold series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.
Future books in the series are now also available.
“An edge of your seat thriller in a new series that keeps you turning pages! ...So many twists, turns and red herrings… I can't wait to see what happens next.”
—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
“A strong, complex story about two FBI agents trying to stop a serial killer. If you want an author to capture your attention and have you guessing, yet trying to put the pieces together, Pierce is your author!”
—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
“A typical Blake Pierce twisting, turning, roller coaster ride suspense thriller. Will have you turning the pages to the last sentence of the last chapter!!!”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
“Right from the start we have an unusual protagonist that I haven't seen done in this genre before. The action is nonstop… A very atmospheric novel that will keep you turning pages well into the wee hours.”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
“Everything that I look for in a book… a great plot, interesting characters, and grabs your interest right away. The book moves along at a breakneck pace and stays that way until the end. Now on go I to book two!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
“Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
SO BROKEN
(A Faith Bold Mystery—Book 12)
Did you know that I've written multiple novels in the mystery genre? If you haven't read all my series, click the image below to download a series starter!
Blake Pierce
Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising thirty-five books (and counting); of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising sixteen books, of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books; of the LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising eleven books; of the ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising twenty-one books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books, of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising six books; of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising thirteen books (and counting); of the VALERIE LAW mystery series, comprising nine books; of the PAIGE KING mystery series, comprising eight books; of the MAY MOORE mystery series, comprising eleven books; of the CORA SHIELDS mystery series, comprising eight books; of the NICKY LYONS mystery series, comprising eight books, of the CAMI LARK mystery series, comprising ten books; of the AMBER YOUNG mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the DAISY FORTUNE mystery series, comprising five books; of the FIONA RED mystery series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the FAITH BOLD mystery series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the JULIETTE HART mystery series, comprising five books (and counting); of the MORGAN CROSS mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the FINN WRIGHT mystery series, comprising five books (and counting); of the new SHEILA STONE suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the new RACHEL BLACKWOOD suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.
BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE
RACHEL BLACKWOOD SUSPENSE THRILLER
NOT THIS WAY (Book #1)
NOT THIS TIME (Book #2)
NOT THIS CLOSE (Book #3)
NOT THIS ROAD (Book #4)
NOT THIS LATE (Book #5)
SHEILA STONE SUSPENSE THRILLER
SILENT GIRL (Book #1)
SILENT TRAIL (Book #2)
SILENT NIGHT (Book #3)
SILENT HOUSE (Book #4)
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