Unbroken -Part Two - A Second Chance at Love Romance: The Collective - Season 1, Episode 6 Read online

  The Collective is here…

  We’ve set the stage, created the characters, and fashioned a world full of twists and turns. Now it’s your turn to sit back and immerse yourself in this incredible series. Each episode weaves the characters and storylines of five standalone novels together to give you an epic crossover series. We’ve left you breadcrumbs, tidbits of information intertwined throughout our stories. Can you find them? Can you collect the clues we’ve left and become part of The Collective and solve the case?

  Season One –

  Featured authors in order of appearance-

  International bestselling author -Riley Edwards www.rileyedwardsromance.com

  International bestselling author - Erin Trejo – www.authorerintrejo.weebly.com/

  Best Selling author - Ellie Masters – www.elliemasters.com

  Award winning author - Elias Raven – www.eliasraven.com

  Award winning author - Chris Genovese – www.eroticmayberry.com

  Best Selling author - Carver Pike – www.carverpike.com

  Season one releases- April 4, 2017, with a two-week release schedule.

  Riley Edwards - Unbroken (part one) 4.4.17 - https://books2read.com/u/brglpZ

  Erin Trejo - Iron Claw MC 4.18.17 - https://books2read.com/u/mdKBxy

  Ellie Masters - Learning to Breathe 5.2.17 - https://books2read.com/u/47k9ya

  Elias Raven - Shadow & Flame - 5.16.17 - https://books2read.com/u/4jKkxk

  Chris Genovese - Quills and Daggers 5.30.17 - https://books2read.com/u/4DAVwP

  Riley Edwards Unbroken (part two) 6.13.17 - https://books2read.com/u/mgKQzD

  Erin Trejo -Iron Claw part 2 - 6.27.17

  Ellie Masters – Becoming His, Learning to Breathe part 2- 7.11.17

  Elias Raven -Shadow and Flame part 2- 7.25.17 -

  Carver Pike – We all Fall Down – Quills and Daggers part 2 – 8.8.17

  Connect with The Collective at

  Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/cxCJFb

  www.TheCollectiveNovels.com

  https://www.facebook.com/TheCollectiveNovels/

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by Riley Edwards

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover design: The Collective - Riley Edwards

  Written by: Riley Edwards

  Published by: Riley Edwards

  Unbroken

  Part Two | A Collective Novel

  First edition – June 2017

  Copyright 2017 Riley Edwards

  All rights reserved

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fantastic editorial team behind The Collective.

  We have the most dedicated BETA readers around. They worked tirelessly on this project. Finding the clues, finding our errors, giving suggestions how to make this series better. This group is the very meaning of a team. I could not have completed this book without their help.

  The bloggers and review team is off-the-charts rad! They all helped promote, gave feedback, reviews, and most of all they were our biggest cheerleaders. Thank you all! I will forever remember what you all have contributed to this project.

  The Collective Overlord and PA, Michelle Thomas, worked her sweet little ass off for us all. This woman is a superhero.

  My fellow collective authors… I have no words which is amazing considering I am a wordy bitch. With every fiber of my soul, thank you! I have learned so much from all of you.

  Ellie Masters, once again, you saved my ass. You are the true definition of the word friend.

  My Alpha readers – Stacy Stewart and Chriss Prokic thank you both so much for the time you put into this book. There is no doubt it is better because of you.

  To all The Collective fans – Thank you for reading this series, reviewing all the authors, encouraging us, and promoting. You are the reason why we do this. xoxo

  Dedication

  The book is dedicated to the brave men and women in uniform. It takes a special person to lay down one’s life for another.

  Godspeed.

  John 15:13

  Other books by, Riley Edwards

  Nightstalker – Red Team - https://books2read.com/u/4DAMYO

  Unbroken part one - https://books2read.com/u/brglpZ

  The Gift A Sadist and His Slave

  The Awakening: A Master and His submissive

  Riley Edwards Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/cBkqKn

  Table of contents-

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nightstalker Except –

  Note from Riley Edwards

  Chapter One

  HUSH

  I slowly cracked one eye open, then the other. Unconsciously I blinked trying to get the gritty, sandy feeling to subside. What is wrong with me? Lying there in the dark, my eyes open but unseeing, I tried my hardest to focus on my surroundings. It was difficult to concentrate with my head throbbing and the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I was definitely moving, and I had no control over my body as I swayed with the motion. Bile rushed up. I quickly swallowed it down as I struggled to move my arms and legs. Nothing worked, I couldn’t move. Panic surfaced, my breathing was rapid and choppy. My body jerked, and my head slammed into something hard, pulling me from my fog.

  Memories came rushing back. Carl. Gunshots. Rick dead. JJ! I hoped to God that Carl didn’t find JJ and take him too. I moved around as much as I could in the confined space to check if I could feel anyone else in here with me. Nothing. I was alone the best I could tell.

  The smell of rubber and musk filled my senses. Trunk. I was in the trunk of a car.

  “JJ,” I whisper-yelled.

  I strained to hear anything over the loud swooshing of tires rushing over the asphalt. I blew out my breath in a long sigh when no one answered. I had to believe that Reid had found JJ and would keep him safe until I could get out of here.

  The car came to an abrupt stop, rolling me to my side. My head once again banged into something hard. If I didn’t have a concussion before the trunk ride, I certainly had one now. Excruciating pain bloomed on my forehead, traveling behind my eyes and temples. Sweet mother of God that hurt.

  I heard the car door open, I had a choice to make. Did I pretend I was still unconscious or did I scream my head off as soon as the trunk opened? I remembered what Jacob taught me; if I ever needed help from a crowd of people always call out, “fire.” He drilled that into my head over and over. Onlookers will always turn to see a fire, but if you call
ed out for help, most the time people didn’t want to get involved and would ignore you. Sad, but true.

  I never thought I would ever be in a situation where I would need to test that theory, but there I was, locked in the trunk of psycho Carl’s car. I had no idea if I would be in an area where someone would even hear me.

  The door slammed, and I was down to milliseconds, I had to make my choice.

  Hush, Ava baby. Don’t make a sound.

  Jacob!

  The truck opened, and cool, crisp, fresh air hit my face. I kept my eyes closed, and my lips sealed tight. It was harder than you think, not screaming and fighting once the trunk was opened. And when I was lifted out and thrown over Carl’s shoulder it was even harder not to bite him and spit in his face. But my hands were tied, literally tied, behind my back and my feet were bound. I was completely and utterly defenseless. Jacob was right. I needed to wait, be patient, and my opportunity would arise where I could take him off guard.

  I opened my eyes when I was securely in a fireman’s carry, and Carl couldn’t see my face. My field of vision was limited from the angle. But what I could see was familiar. It was my house.

  Carl kidnapped me and took me to my own house? Was he crazy? Reid and Mac would find him straight away. Well, of course, he was crazy, only a crazy person kills someone and kidnaps another.

  I heard keys clinking and the sound of metal sliding into the deadbolt. Where on earth did he get keys to my house? Reid and Mac were the only two people who had spare keys.

  He had keys to my fucking house!

  My mind was racing with all sorts of sick scenarios. Had he been in my house when I was sleeping? Did he let himself in when I wasn’t home? I tried to think if there was ever a time something was missing or out of place. I was coming up empty. But Carl was a cop, and if he had been in my house, he would know how to leave without a trace.

  He gently laid me down on my oversized couch and went to work untying me. Perfect, when these bindings came off, I was going to claw his eyes out. Never in my life had I wanted to inflict so much pain on another person. Not even Jimmy. And Jimmy was a despicable human being, but I just wanted him out of my life for good. I never wanted to see him again. And after Mac takes him to the station and has him processed, I never would. That chapter of my life was over.

  I couldn’t stop the tears from falling when I thought about poor Rick. His fiancé was going to be devastated. I knew that feeling all too well. Losing the person that you thought you would grow old with. I knew what it was like to have everything stolen from you, there would be no raising children together, no watching the man you love walk his daughter down the aisle, no grandchildren to spoil. All of her hopes and dreams would be ripped from her hands and her heart. She will be left with nothing but a fractured half-life.

  “Oh good, you’re awake. We’re home now,” Carl said as he licked the tears off my cheek.

  Disgusting pig.

  I remained quiet, I didn’t know what I was supposed to say or do in this situation. My legs were still bound, I couldn’t do anything but bide my time.

  “Eva, will you please bring Ava a glass of water? And I want a Sprite with a splash of cranberry,” Carl yelled. “You must be so thirsty, and we cannot have that.” He brushed my hair out of my eyes, and his face came into focus. His nasty breath skirted over my face and I flinched at the foul odor. Either he didn’t notice my grimace, or he knew he had stink mouth and didn’t care.

  And who the hell was, Eva?

  “I am so happy you finally get to meet my wife, Ava.” Carl smiled brightly.

  I didn’t know if he was addressing me as his wife, or if he was saying he was happy I finally got to meet his wife. Either way, this man was a few tools shy of something or rather. I didn’t know how the saying went, and I didn’t really give a shit at that point. Carl was crazier than I thought.

  I waited for someone to bring me a glass of water or answer back, but no one did. My feet were almost undone, and I was fast losing my cool. I needed to know if there was someone else in the house before I made my move.

  Hush, Ava baby. Just wait.

  “I see that look in your eyes, Ava,” Carl snarled. Whoa! Talk about a change of mood. “Don’t even think about trying to leave me. If you run, that son of yours dies.”

  “No, Carl I wouldn’t.” I tried to placate him.

  “Yes, you would, you lying bitch. You have a lot to make up for. I have waited a long time, and you should be grateful. I let you raise that little bastard child until he was old enough for you to pop your titty out of his mouth. Now he’s someone else’s problem.”

  That was it. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

  “Fuck you! You crazy piece of shit. You’re delusional if you think there has ever been a time I ever looked at you with any kind of attraction. I loved my husband. And only my husband. And if you ever call my son a bastard again I will fucking kill you, do you understand me?” I screamed back.

  “Fuck me?” Carl smacked me across the face, and blood immediately started pouring out of my nose into my mouth and onto my couch. “Watch your dirty little mouth before I wash it out with soap. Where is Eva? Stupid woman. Now you need to clean up. Get up.”

  Before I could get myself off the couch, Carl had me by the arm and was yanking me to my feet.

  “Good there you are, go and get Ava some clean clothes. And hurry up next time, would you?” Carl said.

  I looked around the room, but we were alone. Who the hell was he talking to?

  Let it go, Ava baby. Don’t make him angry.

  I bit my tongue to prevent myself from calling Carl out on his crazy. I was beginning to question who was actually crazier here, me or Carl? After all, I was the one hearing my dead husband.

  After being pulled up the stairs, undressed and pushed into the shower, I stood under the lukewarm water horrified. Wasn’t it now I should’ve been fighting? Carl was distracted, having some make-believe argument with an imaginary woman. But I was afraid. He seemed too agitated, frantic even. If he still had the gun from earlier, I needed to wait until he was asleep, or not so anxious. I needed the upper hand. If I could just play along for a little while and get him to drop his guard I could figure out a way to call for help or get out of here.

  Just wait. They’re coming.

  “Stop being a jealous bitch and get my wife some clean clothes,” Carl yelled.

  Holy shit, we had both lost our minds. I was officially crazy too.

  “Are you ready for me Ava? I have waited too long to consummate our love. The time has come, I get to finally have my wife,” Carl said as he stepped into the shower stall with me fully nude. His small erection pointing right at me.

  I couldn’t stop the tremors from wracking my body when he reached for me, there was no way this man was going to touch me.

  “Don’t fucking touch me! You’ll have to kill me before you put your filthy hands on me,” I spat out.

  “Funny, Eva said the same thing. But she quickly learned her place.” Carl grabbed a fist full of hair. “You will too, my beautiful bride.”

  Chapter Two

  RIVERS OF BLOOD

  Reid

  I watched Mac leave with JJ, and my heart was literally pounding in my chest. I didn’t want JJ out of my sight. I know that made me a dick, Mac would always protect JJ, but it felt wrong watching them leave. I had to get the hell out of here and find Ava.

  “Let’s roll,” I yelled to Austin.

  I looked around the loft again, Rick’s dead body was still lying on the floor covered with a sheet. The blood stain was like a beacon not allowing me to forget that Rick gave his life for my woman, and son.

  I was being pulled in two different directions. I wanted to be the one to handle Rick’s body. He was more than an employee, he was a close friend, and I didn’t leave men behind, ever. I owed him the respect of personally taking him to the medical examiner’s office.

  The only comfort I had was I knew Rick, he would want me to go
after Ava. Hell, if my sorry ass was lying on the floor dead and his woman was taken, I would expect him to leave me and go after his woman. Yet, I still couldn’t stop the guilt.

  What a cluster fuck. I am so fucking sorry, Rick.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, in my haste I fumbled the phone and almost dropped it. I needed to calm the fuck down and get my head right. My woman needed me, and I would be of no use if I was clumsy and unfocused.

  “Yeah,” I answered.

  “CCTV shows Carl’s car turning onto Ava’s street,” Dustin answered.

  “The fuck? You sure?” I asked.

  “Absolutely. I dialed into the security cams outside your house. And sure as shit, the dumb fuck took Ava to her own house.” Dustin paused. “Reid, he carried her into the house over his shoulder. She looked unconscious. I texted Mac and told him to keep an ear out, in case any of the neighbors call it in. Hopefully, everyone on the street is already asleep.”

  “Goddammit. Thanks for the update, Austin and I are on our way there now. I have to call Damion.” I quickly disconnected the call.

  My hands were shaking as I dialed Damion. What if Carl had already hurt Ava? What if he had already killed her, or… the more my mind played the what if’s, the more my hands shook. I was going to rip Carl’s balls off and feed them to his crazy ass.

  She needs you calm, Reid.

  My body locked tight. I hadn’t heard that voice in over five years. I quickly glanced around the room then at my phone to see if maybe I hadn’t disconnected my call with Dustin.

  She is safe for now. Go and get our girl.

  Please, Jacob, keep her safe.

  I must’ve lost my mind, talking to my dead friend, but, at this point, I was willing to do, or try, anything to keep my woman safe. Even if that meant pleading with her dead husband.

  “Damion, Carl was spotted at Ava’s house. We can’t all roll up in the neighborhood. Those bikes of yours can wake the dead. You know the Mountain Lake trail behind the house?” I asked.