Advancing ((Advance Industries #2)) (24 page)

My sisters were by my side after Kye was shot, I found out later that Trask got a message to them through Franny, and Fraser had been true to his word, they weren’t locked away, they were in his home waiting for me to get back. I think that’s part of the reason I couldn’t allow Fraser to be disposed of. That man is one helluva conundrum but he is capable of goodness. That alone got him off the hook. The fact that my sisters were there for me when I was experiencing the worst kind of hell meant more than anything.

“Faith, they’re so gorgeous,” Hope says after peeking at the babies in their crib, then wrapping me in a hug. I smile my thanks. Thank you seems inadequate but she’s right they are, whether I’m biased or not.

“So, what have you named them?” Cal asks as he kisses my cheek. “Callan is a strong name,” he hints.

“We haven’t picked. I have some ideas but I need Kye to agree.”

Kye stretches in his seat and stifles a yawn. “Let’s hear them, baby.”

“Hey daddy, congrats man,” Cal says as he shakes Kye’s hand. This might be the only time he’ll get away with calling him that because now it’s true. Kye grins at him and turns his attention back to me. His brow arches waiting for my answer.

“Um... I was thinking Jack James.”

He smiles at me, the mouth-watering smile I love. My insides still flutter when I look at him and I hope they always do.

“After gramps and my dad? Perfect Sweetheart. I secretly wanted those names too.” He winks at me and I blush.

“For little miss, I was thinking Joy Destiny?” I bite my lip wondering how that will go over.

“Jack and Joy?” His mouth twitches with concealed laughter. “You sure you don’t want Jack and Jill?” he laughs.

“Who the hell are Jack and Jill?” I question

His eyes shine with mirth “They went up the hill?”

I look at Hope for help but she looks as confused as me. Cal is smirking though.

“Never mind baby, I’ll tell you the rhyme one day. Jack and Joy sound perfect.” He says either letting me off the hook or sensing my growing irritation. I’ll get him.

“Yeah? Good, so Jack and Joy Ecnavda.”

His face falls “Fuck no baby. My kids are Clarke’s.”

“Well, I’m not. I don’t see why I should have a different name to my children.”

We stare each other down until Cal clears his throat. “We just wanted to stop by and meet the littles, we’re uh... Gonna go, give you guys some privacy.”

Neither of us acknowledges he even spoke and we don’t break our staring contest until the door closes behind them.

“Are you serious Faith?” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Ah, I can’t do it. No babe I’m messing with you, my surname sucks anyway.”

He sits on my bed at my side and takes hold of my hands. “Faith you will be my wife, you’ll have my name Sweetheart I swear it. There’s nothing I want more than to claim you forever. You’re mine and I’ll make that legal as soon as is humanly possible. You’ve given me the greatest gift a guy could ask for. I have nothing to give in return that could compare, except my heart. I gave that to you a long time ago, though and I never want it back.” He presses a kiss to my knuckles and I’m a snivelling mess.

How did I get so lucky?

“Good because I’m not giving it back.”

“Faith you’re the only one for me, Sweetheart. I can’t wait to make you Mrs Clarke. I love you.”

Spoken so simply but the declaration I needed. My body has changed and so have we. I’ll always need that validation and he knows it. I might now be in charge of a whole city but the scars Advance Industries left me with, ensure I’ll always be needy, I’ll always question my worth and I’ll always be waiting for the inevitable bad luck to strike. I have days where I feel I can conquer the world. I feel indestructible, worthy and empowered. But then those other days filter in, filling me with doubt, insecurities and a worthlessness that’s all consuming. I never doubt he loves me but sometimes I can’t help but wonder why. I need to hear it and see it always and that’s what he’s promising.

“I love you too, Kye. I always will babe.”

Sometimes I guess life isn’t out to get you. Shit hands are dealt to test us and boy have we been tested but we came out the other side – stronger, determined and hopelessly in love. We’ve learnt love isn’t always enough, without trust, love alone can’t hold you together. We’re committed to both. We’ve struggled with the give and take part of a relationship. He’s had to master backing down and kerbing his authoritative nature, and I’ve had to learn to communicate better, to ignore the urge to flee and handle issues alone. We’ve been blessed and we don’t take any of our time together for granted. We know how quickly fate can intervene, how quickly the course of time can change and we’ve learned from our mistakes.

All we need is each other and we can face anything... even tackling the joys of having twins.

I’m not a guy that’s quick to panic, I take things in my stride. It’s the only way to live life. Not much affects me and if it does I grin through it, make some smart arse comment and live up to my easy nature. But right now, carrying the guy I look up to most in this world has my skin prickling with goose bumps. There’s an urgency coursing through me, moving me forward. I’m carrying him clumsily in my desperation to have him treated. We’re all carrying him, fuck the residents, Fraser, Charlotte and everyone else – he’s our priority. I’m soaked in his blood – too much fucking blood. Saunders was on him in seconds, working with the meagre items he always carries in his backpack. I watched him jab a pen in Kye’s side and tape him up quickly, turning him on his other side. Trask is cradling Faith like she’s his fucking woman and I want to deck him. Granted she can barely put one foot in front of the other and even if she could her vision is so blurred she’d probably trip and that would slow us down, but still. It feels like Trask has decided Kye’s a gonner and is staking his claim.

We’re finally through the worst of the crowd and an over-rider is waiting. I punch in for a stretcher thankful that over-riders can be programmed to change the seat to fit any requirement. The back bench flips and a stretcher emerges. We load him onto it and Saunders climbs in, crouching on the floor to sit by his side. I feel useless. I climb up as well and stand, holding the bar in front of me as I state where we’re going. Faith rushes forward but we’ve already set off. Maybe if she was more concerned about Kye instead of leaning on Trask she’d have beaten me to it.

I guess I know I’m being unfair and no one would ever know it but Kye is my role model. Fuck, that sounds so pansy like but it’s true. He’s a bossy, moody, controlling motherfucker but he’s my leader, he’s the reason I joined the law enforcers and why I put up with them yanking my chain. He’s the reason I followed him for this time travel adventure. To learn under him and be part of his team was a dream come true. And now he might... I can’t even think it. He’ll be fine. He’s tough and strong, he’ll pull through and kick my arse for something I’m unaware of doing and I’ll welcome it.

Our ride stops at the presidential home and we carry the stretcher between us through the door. We use the eleview to get to the bedrooms and place him on the bed. The top surgeon for the city along with his small medical team fill the room. Saunders quick thinking about comming Franny and arranging it is miraculous. He stays so calm and collected, unlike me. I stand back as they all get to work and I pace, because let’s face it, I’m no help. I’m more of a hindrance. He’s in the best hands.

I turn as the door edges open and a blonde head peeks around it. Wide sapphire eyes snap up to meet mine and I watch as the face turns a shade of red at my open perusal of her. Who the fuck is this? She’s stunning, well her face is. I can’t see the body as she’s still hiding behind the door, but no one with a face as perfect as that could have a body anything other than sinful. I don’t stop my staring, I need to get a rise out of her, I need something to take my mind off what’s happening with Kye and she seems a perfect distraction. My lip quirks when she straightens and reveals her body, clearly challenging my stare. Her chin lifts and she looks pissed. Her eyes dart around, taking in the urgency of the scene behind me. I don’t want to look. I don’t want to see what’s happening. If I pretend there’s nothing to see, it can’t be real and I can stay disillusioned. I run my eyes over her newly revealed frame. She’s wearing what can only be described as a tent, a hospital looking gown at least 3 sizes too big for her and the ugliest shoes I’ve ever seen, flat black plimsolls. What’s underneath? What’s she hiding under that billowing gown?

I take a step towards her and she trembles. I stop moving and use my words instead. “Hey, beautiful. You can stop looking, you’ve found me.” I shoot her a lazy grin and wink.

“I was not looking for you. I thought Faith was here. Who are you?”

Her voice, christ, breathy and low makes my dick twitch. I can’t believe he’s invested in this chick in a tent but her voice and face, I’m in trouble. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been laid in so long but man my dick wants this girl. Maybe my brain is latching on to any distraction to protect itself from what’s happening right behind me.

“I’m Cal, beautiful, and you are?”

“Not interested.” She shoots me down before I’m even in my stride, looking at me like I have scales or fungus growing on my face. I’m not easily diverted, though.

Saunders even manages to chuckle and it snaps my attention back to why I’m in this room. How fucking selfish am I? Thinking with my dick as always but, hell, who could pass up an opportunity with this girl. I love a haughty woman and she seems feisty as fuck. The chase is all part of the fun because when I finally catch her the gratification will be worth it.

I move towards her again and her body starts shaking. Not in a ‘she’s affected by me’ way but a ‘she’s completely terrified of me’ getting closer.

“I don’t bite,” I tell her. Yes, I do. I could sink my teeth into her nicely.

“Maybe I do.” She challenges, she arches a brow and wrings her hands as she says it and I know she’s full of shit. I like her show of bravado, though. This chick has ‘come get me’ and ‘back the fuck up’ fighting against each other. “Stay away from me.” She warns and turns and walks out.

The chase is on.

And I’m a fucking sprinter.

Advantage (Book 3)

in the

Advance Industries Series

(Cal and Hope’s story)

coming soon...

There are so many people I have to thank so here goes.

Firstly to my street team Duggsy’s Diva’s, you girls are amazing. I can’t thank you enough for cheering me on and promoting me in various groups. Without you ladies I wouldn’t have had half as much time to finish writing this. I love you all!

Next my amazing friend Kerry Humphreys. We’ve never met but I ‘talk’ to her every day. You’ve gone above and beyond to help me, to get my name and my work out there, creating teasers, giveaways, videos and a whole lot more. I’ll never understand why you backed me but I’m so grateful you did. I love your no nonsense attitude. You give me the kick I need when I’m wallowing and without you as my sounding board this probably still wouldn’t be finished. This woman kicks arse, her support can never be repayed. Thank you hunny.

Lynette Ferreira for formatting this for me. You make my manuscript look completely put together. Everyone would laugh if they saw how it gets sent to you but you fix it so that no one will ever know.

To the real life Charlotte Bennett, I’m so glad you entered my giveaway to have your name used as one of my characters. At the time I had no idea where this was going or how you’d be written in, thanks to you for saying an evil character would be fun, I took that, ran with it and Charlotte became a massive part of this story. I had so much fun writing her. Hope you enjoy reading her lol

Chris and Paul Potts this story would have died along with my old laptop if you hadn’t swooped in and bought me a new one. I still can’t believe you did that, but again, thank you so much.

Mum and Dad as always for your never ending support. Mum I hope you enjoy this as you’re always saying ‘those scenes’ aren’t long enough. Dad, so sorry for ‘those scenes’ but I did warn you not to read. My language is getting worse, I know before you say anything but just so you know, I cringe through every second of my writing knowing you guys will read it. Love you lots xxx

Bloggers I’m so grateful for you guys. Every second of promotion you do means the world to me. For reading and reviewing my work and championing my books, sharing my posts and generally just being amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I’m well aware how lucky I am having you in my corner. Special thanks to Clare, Amanda, Brandi, Lisa and Alice xxx

And finally to you – yes you the person reading this. I write because I love this crazy job but without readers choosing my books it would be for nothing.

Thank you for taking the chance on an indie author. I really hope you enjoyed this.

Lots of love Kelly xxx

Today, Tomorrow, Forever

Today, Tomorrow, Forever - Carey's Revenge

Advance – Advance Industries (Book One)