You Broke Me First Phoenix Mountain Series Book 3

I get out of my Ford Bronco and stretch. Three days on the road with nothing but silence is good at first, until it’s not.

The passenger side door closes. I turn and Adrian, my protector, stands stiff as a board.

Good protector, but doesn’t talk. Really. Bears a chatterbox compared to this guy.

“You good, Adrian?” I ask as I grab my bag from the backseat.

He looks at me and motions his head with a nod.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and shake my head as I chuckle.

“Come on. I want to get unpacked before I start the search.” I walk to the front door of the tower with Adrian acting like a human CIA agent behind me.

I had just hit the lobby when Titus along with his five sisters walk from a hallway to the left of me.

In a panic, I quickly turn and walk toward the elevators. Trying to avoid all contact.

“Peter!” Titus barks.

I stop in my tracks and hang my head.

I paste on my most polite smile and turn. “Titus! Listen, thanks for allowing me to come back.” I walk to him with a hand out.

He struts to me with his hands behind his back. “I assume this won’t be a short visit?”

I chuckle nervously and lower my hand. “It depends on if I find what I’m looking for.” My eyes involuntarily flick to the 5 sets of blue eyes behind Titus. I catch myself and look at Titus again.

“Yes, well. Good luck. If you need anything, let me know.” He says with his chest out.

“Thank you. I will.” I smile.

He walks passed and so do his absolutely mouth watering sisters.

I’m trying not to look interested, but damn. One in particular is a complete no, but when my eyes catch hers, I feel a little stir from the cage in my ribs.

I see her cheeks turn pink and she gives a tiny, barely noticeable smile.

No, Pete. Don’t even think about it. You’re here to work. We don’t think those thoughts about the Sea Kings sweet sisters.

Once passed, I nonchalantly adjust the semi in my shorts and head for the elevator.

This trip better be quick. I don’t know how long I’m going to survive it.

****

“Fuck. Where are you?” I growl as I pour over maps of Atlas.

I lean back in my office chair and run my fingers through my hair.

Sitting back up, I pound back the shot of whiskey I poured.

I lean on my desk and rub my neck. I need a break.

I reach into a box on my desk, pulling out the chunk of coral that stuck my leg.

It’s absolutely covered in all kinds of dead sea life. It’s a perfect L shape too.

I decide to see what’s under the sea junk. See what interesting thing the ships captain had in his office.

Reaching into my drawer, I pull out my kit for collecting pieces of rock and other things on dives.

I place a chisel on a piece and hit it with my hammer. It pops off whatever it’s mounted too. Underneath, it’s black.

I chisel more off the main L arm. When I break off the second piece, I see something really strange.

From underneath the next bit of coral, it looks like a green light.

“What the hell?”

I chip at it more and the chunk breaks off.

My eyes fill with a pulsing green light. It’s almost hypnotic.

I look closer and it’s some sort of letter.

I reach out and touch it with my forefinger and it’s like I’m punched in the head.

“ARRGGH!” I grab at my head, covering my eyes as I go ass over tea kettle backwards out of my chair.

I open my eyes and I’m staring into a pair of angry green eyes. Her red curly hair hanging around me.

She raises her fist and throws it at my face.

I close my eyes and whip my arms in front of my face for defense. “HOLY FUCK!”

I open my eyes again and I’m looking out across a training field.

With confusion, I stare across the field to the roof of a large white building.

I squint and see a blonde on the roof. “What?” I look closer and she has a bat. She throws something in the air and hits it.

“Jesus!” I protect myself again and open my eyes. I look in my hand and I’m holding a fucking tennis ball.

Back in what I think is reality, I struggle to get up when I’m hit in the head again.

“FUCK!” I yell holding my eyes. I roll and sit up. I open them to another angry face. This time a brunette in a red hoodie. She’s close and has something in her hand. She raises it and it’s a damn dagger!

“No! No! No!” I scream as she drives the dagger into my shoulder. I scream in pain and writhe on the floor.

The pain subsides and I’m on my back. I look around and I’m in my office.

I scramble to my feet, panting and trying to find my phone. I shove my papers aside and pull it out from underneath them.

Punching a contact, I slam it to my ear. I walk around my desk. I can barely breathe. What the hell was all that?

“ZANDER! OH MY FUCKING GOD! OH GOD. JESUS.” I say as I lean on my desk, hyperventilating.

“No. I’m fine…Yes! I’m fine!...I’m fine, Zander! No, I don’t need back up!…WILL YOU SHUT UP!” I yell into the phone.

“I found the second piece.” I say as my chest heaves.

THE END

Thank you so much for following the Phoenix Mountain Series. It wouldn’t be possible without you.

The Phoenix Mountain Series continues with Book Four

The Heart Of Atlas