“Fucking cunt,” he hobbled backward. “You’re going to pay for that.”
Panic squeezed her heart as she headed for the family room. She needed to get out of the house. Her neighbors were always outside, so all she had to do was go running and screaming, and someone would help her.
A strong arm came around her stomach.
She turned and swung, landing her fist right in the center of Wendel’s nose.
A second later, something cold smashed against the side of her face. Her vision blurred as she dropped to her knees. A sharp pain radiated across her head and down the back of her neck. She blinked, trying to focus, but her peripheral vision became smaller and smaller. She fought the darkness threatening to take over.
She had to fight.
She would fight.
To the bitter end.
Hopefully it wouldn’t be her end.
The taste of metal dribbled down her throat.
“See what you made me do?” Wendel lifted her by her shoulders to a standing position.
Her legs wobbled as if she were a newborn horse trying to gain his balance for the very first time. She saw two of everything but focused her gaze on the gun. If she could get the gun from him, she’d have the upper hand.
“Bend over the sofa,” he commanded as he shoved her, turning her body. He pressed his hand on the small of her back, pushing the top part of her body.
She gripped the back of the couch. One of his hands slipped down between her legs while the other one rested next to hers with the gun.
Get the gun. That’s all she had to do.
She took in a long breath, letting it out slowly.
“That’s it, baby, relax. You’re going to love this.”
“You might be right,” she whispered.
For a second, he froze.
She took that opportunity to reach for his weapon with both hands. The metal felt cold to the touch. Yanking it from his hands, she butted him with her ass, sending him backward. He lost his footing and fell to the floor. “I’d stay there if I were you.” With a shaky hand, she aimed the gun at his heart.
“You won’t shoot me,” Wendel said just as the front door flew open.
“She won’t, but these cops will.” Harper stepped to the side as two armed officers raced past her.
“You’re under arrest,” one of them said as he hoisted Wendel to his feet, pulling his hands behind his back and cuffing them.
“Are you okay?” Harper asked, gently taking the gun from Arcadia’s hand.
Arcadia nodded. “How did you know to come here?”
“Your call never ended with your patient. He called 9-1-1.” Harper guided her toward the kitchen and eased her onto one of the chairs and pointed to the phone.
The last thing Arcadia wanted to do was cry, but she couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. “Where’s my son?”
“He’s with Ace heading toward the yacht. Gunner’s on his way back here.”
Arcadia watched as the officers continued to read Wendel his rights.
“You better get that piece of shit out of here before Gunner gets back.”
No sooner did she say that than Gunner appeared in the front door, his hands already forming fists.
“You fucking asshole,” Gunner yelled, lunging forward.
One of the cops stepped in his way, but Gunner just shoved him aside.
“I’m telling you, Arcadia is quite the piece of ass,” Wendel said with that same stupid grin he always sported.
Gunner cocked his arm.
“Let him do it,” Harper said.
Both officers stepped aside, and Gunner’s fist landed on Wendel’s nose, making a crackling sound.
“You can’t let him do that!” Wendel stumbled backward, holding his bloody nose.
“Do what? I didn’t see anything, did you?” one of the officers asked.
“Not a thing,” the other one said as he took Wendel by the arm and hauled him out of the house.
“That wasn’t necessary,” Arcadia said softly.
Gunner knelt, running his finger across her forehead.
She winced.
“Okay, maybe he deserved it,” she said.
“Damn right he did,” Harper said. “I’ll be outside. The ambulance should be here any minute.”
“I’m so sorry I left you.” Gunner held her gaze. “I should have waited.”
“No. If you hadn’t, David would have been here, and I wouldn’t have wanted him to see what just happened. It’s going to be horrifying enough when he sees my face. Is it bad?”
“Let’s just say you’re going to need at least five stitches, but you’re still the prettiest woman in any room.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Her head throbbed, and she still couldn’t see straight. A wave of dizziness made the world go black for a second. “I’m a little woozy,” she said.
“I’m pretty sure you have a concussion.”
“That sucks.”
Gunner let out a slight chuckle. “Here comes the paramedics. Let’s get you on the gurney and to the hospital.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“It is. I’ll call David and let him know you’re okay. Do you want me to have someone bring him to the hospital, or have him stay with Ace?”
“Let him have fun. Why don’t you go too? I’m fine.”
“I’m never leaving you again. Ever. You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life. I want more than to co-parent our kid. I want us.” He brushed a piece of her hair from her face. “I love you, Arcadia. I always have, and I always will. I mean it. Now tell me you love me and that you’ll marry me.”
“If I say it now, it’s just the concussion talking.”
Gunner helped her up onto the gurney. She lay back, closing her eyes. All she wanted to do was sleep and dream about a world where Gunner wanted her to be his wife.
Someone tapped at her shoulder. “Say yes.”
“I love you, Gunner. Always have. Always will,” she whispered. She fought to keep her eyes open, but the bright sun made her head explode. She heard voices as the paramedics lifted her into the back of the ambulance, but she couldn’t make out the words.
All she knew was that Gunner was at her side, holding her hand…
And he loved her.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Epilogue
One month later…
“Good morning, husband.”
If someone had told Gunner just a few months ago that he would be a married man with a ten-year-old kid, he would have laughed so hard it would have given him a hernia. He set his mug on the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee, smiling. “Hello, wife.” The warm tropical ocean breeze filtered through the open sliding glass windows of their private bungalow in Key West. “We’ve been married now for eighteen hours.”
“What do you want to do on our one-day anniversary?” Arcadia looped her arms around his waist and nuzzled her face in his neck, her plump lips pressing hot against his skin.
“Go back to bed.”
She laughed. “This morning in the shower wasn’t enough for you?”
“You’ll always be more than enough.” He ran his fingers through her long hair and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet smell of coconuts. He cupped her face, tilting her head back. Her loving gaze captivated him, sucking out all the oxygen from his lungs. “You know, we should think about having another kid.” He hadn’t meant to blurt that out, but it was something that had been on the back of his mind ever since he proposed. Of course, she made him do it again when she wasn’t lying in an ambulance while semiconscious.
“Is that what you want?”
“We’re barely thirty, so it’s not like we’re too old. I get that there would be a huge age difference with a new baby and David, but so what. Do you think he’ll be okay with the idea?”
“What do you think, Dad?”
Gunner smiled. “Yeah. He’d be agreeable. Now what about you?�
��
“Well, Dad, I think I can make a baby happen in about seven months.”
“I thought it took nine?”
Arcadia arched a playful brow.
“You can’t be serious. You’re pregnant?”
“Happy one-day anniversary, husband.”
Thank you for taking the time to read Remember Me Always. Readers Rule! Please feel free to leave an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub. I sincerely thank you for your support!
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About the Author
Jen Talty is an award-winning author of Romantic Suspense. Dark Water hit #10 in Barnes and Noble and her books have been in the top 50 on Amazon. Jennifer grew up in Rochester, New York. She recently retired from being a full-time hockey mom as her children hung up their skates. She and her husband still live in Rochester while her children travel globe. Jen was the co-founder of Cool Gus Publishing with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer.
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Also by Jen Talty
SPECIAL FORCES: OPERATION ALPHA:
FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALISTS
Burning Desire
Burning Kiss
Burning Skies
Burning Lies
Burning Heart
Burning Bed
Remember Me Always
The New York State Trooper Series
In Two Weeks
Dark Water
Deadly Secrets
Murder in Paradise Bay
To Protect His Own
Deadly Seduction
When a Stranger Calls
His Deadly Past
Federal Investigator Series
Jane Doe’s Return
The Butterfly Murders
The First Responders Series
Playing with Fire
Private Conversation
THE MEN OF THEIF LAKE
Rekindled
THE SARICH BROTHERS
The Lighthouse
Her Last Hope
The Last Flight
The Phoenix Agency: The Raven Sisters
The Lost Sister
The Lost Solider
The Lost Soul
The Brotherhood Protectors: Out Of The Wild
Rough Justice
Rough Around the Edges
Rough Ride
Paranormal Dating Agency
The Blind Date
Spring Fling
Sassy Ever After
Lady Sass
All That Sass
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
KD Michaels: Avenging Angels
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate
Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Jen Talty: Burning Heart
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World
Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
Barb Han: Kace
Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane
Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Cai
te
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper (Aug 2019)
Securing Zoey (Jan 2020)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren (July 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.