Dedicated to my Mom
For always being my #1 fan and personal cheerleader. For letting me call you and/or show up at your door at 10:30 PM on so many nights – just so that I could talk myself through scenes and plots. For the numerous gallons of coffee that you have made for me as I wrote. For eagerly reading every new chapter – with me reading along over your shoulder asking for feedback on each part. For always giving me your honest opinion. For reading full length novels to me as a child. For instilling in me a passion for the written word. For naming me after the heroine in a romance novel and, in turn, fating me to eventually write my own. LOL ;) For everything you’ve ever done and ever will do for me, you have my undying love, appreciation, and friendship!
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Ryan, my best friend and husband! You have never doubted me and always supported my efforts to make this a reality. I love you with all of my heart, sweets!
Thank you to my beloved little sister, Joli! Your energetic spirit and enthusiasm about my writing spurred me on any time I had doubts. I still grin about your giddiness that one day you would be reading my book on the subway, showing it off to the all of the other commuters. Love you, sugar!
Thank you to my girls, my BFFs since we were little kids, Lea and Khyla! Even though we are all on different paths in our lives, you are both always in my heart. I pinky-promise ;) Love you!
Thank you to my babygirl, Rhonda! You are my Darkest Star and always will be! Keep going, sweetheart. No matter what life throws at you, you are strong enough to overcome it. Have faith in yourself. The following is hereby a published fact: you are an amazing person!
Thank you to the faithful fangirls: Nita AltaMae, Sorena, Erin, Chelsea, Gayle, Molly, Jen, Jessie, Sanela, Danielle, Lisa, and every one of the hundreds of honey-bunnies that have devotedly followed my work online! Your feedback provided me with the confidence to pursue my lifelong dream. You made this happen for me and I cannot express to you the full extent of my gratitude. In short: you all rock my socks!
Thank you to the thousands of roofers, mechanics, and construction workers that I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with over the years! Your endless supply of wit and humor inspired me to write the antics and interactions between the male characters in this book. Thanks for letting me be just one of the guys!
Thank you to my cover artist, Nick Reid! You provided the patience of a saint while creating the gorgeous cover of this book. I truly appreciate all of your time and effort and look forward to working with you again down the road!
Thank you to Michael Bauer of Akerbeltz Translations in Glasgow, Scotland! Michael, you were an absolute pleasure to work with and I look forward to dealing with you further in the future! For my readers, Michael was the one that reviewed the Scots Gaelic in this book to ensure accuracy. I highly recommend his services to anyone seeking help with Scots Gaelic. He also provided me with the IPA phonetic keys – those would be the proper ones, not the English-based ones that I made in an attempt to keep things simple for readers. As you can imagine, Michael was not crazy about those. LOL
Scots & Irish Gaelic: Names & Terms
a stóirín:
IPA Pronunciation: [ə sdɔːrʲiːnʲ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: uh STAW-reen
Meaning: my little darling
Ailean:
IPA Pronunciation: [alan]
Approximate Pronunciation*: AH-lan
Meaning: “rock” or “noble”
Aodh:
IPA Pronunciation: [ɯːɣ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: UHGH
Meaning: fire
Brandubh:
IPA Pronunciation: [branduh]
Approximate Pronunciation*:BRAN-doo
Meaning:
brathadairean:
IPA Pronunciation: [brahədɛrʲən]
Approximate Pronunciation*: BRA-huh-dur-un
Meaning: betrayers
Cathal:
IPA Pronunciation: [kahəL]
Approximate Pronunciation*: KA-hull
Meaning: battle mighty
Ciaran:
IPA Pronunciation: [kʲiəran]
Approximate Pronunciation*: KEEAR-un
Meaning: dark one
Donnach:
IPA Pronunciation: [dɔNəx]
Approximate Pronunciation*: DOH-nukh
Meaning: brown warrior
Drostan:
IPA Pronunciation: [drosdan]
Approximate Pronunciation*: DRAW-stan
Meaning: (unknown – Pictish)
Eògan:
IPA Pronunciation: [jɔːgan]
Approximate Pronunciation*: YAW-gun
Meaning: well born, youth
faol / faoil:
IPA Pronunciation: [fɯːL]
Approximate Pronunciation*: FUHL
Meaning: wolf
Faol Seunta:
IPA Pronunciation: [fɯːL ʃiəNdə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: FUHL SHEEN-duh
Meaning: wolf protected by enchantments
Faolan:
IPA Pronunciation: [fɯːLan]
Approximate Pronunciation*: FUHL-an
Meaning: wolf
fògaraich:
IPA Pronunciation: [fɔːgərɪç]
Approximate Pronunciation*: FAW-gur-ikh
Meaning: banished ones
Latharn:
IPA Pronunciation: [La.əRN]
Approximate Pronunciation*: LAH-urn
Meaning: fox
Lorcán:
IPA Pronunciation: [Lorgɑːn]
Meaning: cruel or fierce
Luag:
IPA Pronunciation: [Luəg]
Approximate Pronunciation*: LOO-ag
Meaning: brightness, light
Maon:
IPA Pronunciation: [mɯːn]
Approximate Pronunciation*: MUHN
Meaning: hero
Onchu:
IPA Pronunciation: [ɔnɔxu]
Approximate Pronunciation*: AWE-NOH-khoo
Meaning: mighty dog
Ruarachan:
IPA Pronunciation: [Ruərəxan]
Approximate Pronunciation*: ROOA-ruh-khun
Meaning: little red one
Sgitheanach:
IPA Pronunciation: [sgʲi.ənɪç]
Approximate Pronunciation*: SGEE-yuh-nih
Meaning: Skye
Sitheag:
IPA Pronunciation: [ʃi.ag]
Approximate Pronunciation*: SHEE-ag
Meaning: wolf
Sorcha:
IPA Pronunciation: [sɔrɔxə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: SOH-ruh-khuh
Meaning: brightness, light
Tàcharain Fhaol:
IPA Pronunciation: [taːxəran ˈfɯːl]
Approximate Pronunciation*: TAA-khur-an FUHL
Meaning: wolf changelings
Taran:
IPA Pronunciation: [taran]
Approximate Pronunciation*: TAH-ran
Meaning: (unknown – Pictish King)
Approximate Pronunciations are provided by author for reference only.
Scots & Irish Gaelic: Words & Phrases
a’ bhan-dia:
IPA Pronunciation: [ə vãũNdʲiə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: uh VOUN-jeea
Meaning: the goddess
a’ sabaid mar ghaisgeach:
IPA Pronunciation: [ə sabɪdʲ mar ɣaʃgʲəx]
Approximate Pronunciation*: uh SA-bich mur GHASH-gyukh
Meaning: fights like a warrior
ainmhidh:
IPA Pronunciation: [ɛnɛvɪ]
Approximat
e Pronunciation*: EH-NEH-vee
Meaning: wild beast
an-dràsta:
IPA Pronunciation: [əNˈdraːsdə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: uhn-DRAA-stuh
Meaning: now
ban-dia na gealaich
IPA Pronunciation: [bãũNdʲiə nə gʲaLɪç]
Approximate Pronunciation*: BOUN-jeea nuh GYAL-eeh
Meaning: moon goddess
bithibh air mhire-chatha:
IPA Pronunciation: [bi.ɪv ɛrʲ mirʲəˈxa.ə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: BEE-iv eth vee-the-KHA-huh
Meaning: rage ye for battle
cho bòidheach:
IPA Pronunciation: [xɔ bɔːjəx]
Approximate Pronunciation*: khoh BAW-yukh
Meaning: so beautiful
cinneadh còir:
IPA Pronunciation: [kʲiNʲəɣ kɔːrʲ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: KYI-nyugh KAWTH
Meaning: honest kindred
dearbh bhràithrean:
IPA Pronunciation: [dʲɛrɛ vraːrʲən]
Meaning: brothers
do bhan-dia:
IPA Pronunciation: [də vãũNdʲiə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: duh VOUN-jeea
Meaning: your goddess
éiribh:
IPA Pronunciation: [eːrʲɪv]
Approximate Pronunciation*: EH-thiv
Meaning: rise, ascend
feumaidh sibh nasgadh ri chéile:
IPA Pronunciation: [feːmɪ ʃiv Nasgəɣ rʲi çeːlə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: FEH-mee shin NAS-gugh thee HEH-luh
Meaning: you must join together
gabh mo leisgeul:
IPA Pronunciation: [go mə leʃgʲaL]
Approximate Pronunciation*: GAW muh LYEH-shgyul
Meaning: excuse me
gràdh, dìlseachd, càirdeas:
IPA Pronunciation: [graː dʲiːlʃəxg kaːRdʲəs]
Approximate Pronunciation*: GRAA JEEL-shukhg KAAR-juss
Meaning: love, loyalty, friendship
iomlanaich do Thrianaid:
IPA Pronunciation: [imiLanɪç də riənɪdʲ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: EE-MEE-lan-ih duh RIA-nij
Meaning: complete your Trinity
m’ òigridh:
IPA Pronunciation: [mɔːgʲrʲɪ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: MAW-gthee
Meaning: my children
mo bhan-dia:
IPA Pronunciation: [mə vãũNdʲiə]
Approximate Pronunciation*: muh VOUN-jeea
Meaning: my goddess
nasgadh:
IPA Pronunciation: [Nasgəɣ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: NAS-gugh
Meaning: binding or joining together
rach a-steach:
IPA Pronunciation: [Rax əˈʃdʲɛx]
Approximate Pronunciation*: RAKH uh-SHCHAHKH
Meaning: go /enter
seadh:
IPA Pronunciation: [ʃɤɣ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: SHUGH
Meaning: yes
tagair do Thrianaid:
IPA Pronunciation: [tagɪrʲ də riənɪdʲ]
Approximate Pronunciation*: TA-gith duh RIA-nij
Meaning: claim your Trinity
taibhsearachd:
IPA Pronunciation: [taivʃɛrəxg]
Approximate Pronunciation*: TAIV-shur-ukhg
Meaning: second sight
treubh:
IPA Pronunciation: [treːv]
Approximate Pronunciation*: TREHV
Meaning: tribe
triath ghaisgeach:
IPA Pronunciation: [triə ɣaʃgʲəx]
Approximate Pronunciation*: TREEA GHASH-gyukh
Meaning: warrior lord
Approximate Pronunciations are provided by author for reference only.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: As you read, you may notice subtle differences in the spelling of certain Gaelic words. I promise, these variations had nothing to do with my level of sleep deprivation while writing. For terms such as ‘fògarach’, an ‘i’ is needed for the plural, and so it becomes ‘fògaraich’, instead. The same is true of ‘faol’ and ‘faoil’. Terms like ‘Tàcharain Fhaol’ have more complex rules depending upon usage. Confused yet? It’s okay – that’s why I put these handy little guides in here. Trust the guides. ;)
Table of Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Intro: One Lost...
1: Darkened Skye
2: Hard to be Soft
3: Fatally Wrong
4: Headfirst
5: Present Scars, Past Pain
6: What’s in a Name?
7: Cuidaté
8: Suffocating Stares
9: The Beast Within
10: Caged
11: Nobody’s Home
12: The Touch of No Other
13: Feel
14: Return to Taciturn
15: Varying Degrees
16: Scent of Seduction
17: Reddin the Fire
18: Officially Fooked
19: Gone Bye-byes
20: Rapture
21: Eternal Brotherly Torment
22: Note to Self
23: Trust
24: “Do you see... ?”
25: Talk of a Trinity
26: Rise and Shine
27: Skye vs. Ciaran
28: Consent
29: Meet the Clan
30: A Rare Reunion
31: The Trinity Binds...
32: Fangirls
33: The Pornographic Prince
34: A Gift
35: Enlisting
36: Bedtime Story
37: A Broken Jaw Between Brothers
38: The Call
39: Across the Sea
40: Visions of Violence
41: Rise!
42: Resurfacing Resonance
43: Father of the Forsaken
44: Sensation of Separation
45: Please...
46: Passion of Grief
47: From One Stolen...
48: One Lost is Returned
49: A Nobler Person...
50: Queen takes King
Epilogue
Intro: One Lost...
THREE YEARS AGO – PHILADELPHIA, PA
The road was cold beneath her bare feet.
Broken glass buried itself deeper with each step, but she could not feel a thing. She staggered along the dirty city streets, a lone survivor in the darkness. Her eyes stared wide and unblinkingly ahead as her mind fought for its sanity.
It felt as if she was awakening from a psychotic nightmare – one that had taken nearly a decade to end.
Her arms were crossed over her chest as her body trembled uncontrollably in shock.
The blood that covered her from head to toe was drying now, offering her bare flesh a layer of protection from the cold night air.
Whispered, desperate words tumbled from her lips.
“No... not going back. Didn’t... no... Not going back... not going back,” she told herself as she shook her head frantically.
Her own voice was strange to her ears, little more than background noise to her shattered mind.
Wild hair hung down around her face like a curtain now. Its appearance was a far cry from the angelic ringlets favored by her captors.
The Victorian doll-style dress that she had been forced to wear had not escaped the inferno with her.
Flames had reduced it to nothing more than a corset and the scorched remnants of a layered underskirt.
Its tattered fabric, once white, was now the grotesque color of blood mixed with ash.
Flashes of what she had just done tormented her. They startled her so severely each time they came that she held her hands up defensively – shielding herself from the memory of the violence of her own actions.
She could see their faces... God, all of their faces.
H
ear their screams... smell their blood...
1: Darkened Skye
PRESENT DAY – NYC, NY
It was going to be a long winter in New York City this year. The chill in the air and mix of sleet, rain, and snow falling tonight assured that much. To step outside the door into the frigid night, you would have guessed it was closer to February than the end of November. Wet leaves and litter were catching in the grate over the rundown motel’s front window. More gathered with each gust of wind.
After shaking his head at the miserable weather, Franco returned to his seat behind the counter. A quick glance over at the clock prompted a disappointed groan. It was only a little after 2:00 am and his shift did not end until 7. He hated working nights, but with three kids at home and another on the way, he did not have a choice in the matter. His discomfort with the schedule was not reason enough to turn down a paycheck. Not when there were mouths to feed, diapers to buy, prescriptions to fill, and a nursery to decorate. Money was money and his family needed it. Besides, as his father had always said, ‘Work’s not supposed to be fun. If it was, you’d have to pay them for the time you spent there, instead of the other way around’.
The only positive thing about working the graveyard shift in this neighborhood was that there were never any clients around to bother him. Unfortunately, that was also one of the biggest negatives about this job. Nobody was stupid enough to venture out after dark around here – not even the cops. People disappeared. People were violently murdered and left in dumpsters. No one ever saw or heard anything.
At least, that was what you said when anyone asked.
Bearing all of this in mind, it should come as no surprise that his hand instinctively went to an ever-ready shotgun when the front door swung open. The two-inch thick bulletproof glass that encased him offered very little comfort as a hooded figure slowly stepped into the lobby.
Rain was rolling off the thick canvas of the stranger’s military style raincoat. They kept their head low, using their hood to shield their face from view. They were dressed in black from head to toe, which would have made it impossible to spot any cause for alarm... But water was not the only thing gathering on the white tiles at their feet.
Franco’s breathing quickened when he focused on the blood dripping steadily from their hand.
He pumped his shotgun purposefully before taking aim with it, hoping to convey that he would not go down without a fight. Even if this stranger was not looking at him, they were sure to recognize the sound of a 12 gauge getting ready for business. Trying his best to sound calm, he worked up the courage to speak.