Detonate

By Jamie Eaton

Dawn was well aware of the danger surrounding her father’s unconventional and secretive career. As the explosives expert for a local drug kingpin, Ray had been firmly entrenched in the Texas underbelly for years. However, after choosing to attend college away from home, she thought that part of her life was over. She was wrong. With her father on the run, Dawn will have to face her past if her small family has any hope of having a future.

Cole needs to find Ray and he needs to do it fast. His very life depends on it. Years of working for Billy, one of Texas most brutal men, has taught him that death threats can quickly become promises. After his search leads him straight to Dawn, Ray’s only living relative, he finds himself fighting the emotional upheaval she brings. As they travel across the country they must join forces against those that truly want Ray dead. With every tick of the clock, Cole gets closer to finding Ray. He only hopes that the secrets he keeps won’t cost him the one person who matters the most.

Detonate is a fast pace action romance as time begins to run out for Ray Atlas. However, as the clock is ticking down, Cole and Dawn’s passion is beginning to ignite.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Eaton
• Release date: Jan 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311156341

Jamie Eaton

I currently live in Madison, Wisconsin and do my fair share of traveling . Not anywhere exotic (yet!) but mainly back and forth with my family in Illinois. After growing up with my mom as a single parent and three sisters, I have a tendency to write independent and sassy females.Even as a child, I loved to tell stories and have someone listen. Now I am taking a chance writing stories for people to enjoy. A steady stream of caffiene and I can be at my computer for hours typing away working on my characters.Currently I work in a laboratory auditing analytical data and writing only during my free time.

Book preview

Detonate

By

Jamie Eaton

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 by Jamie Eaton

All Rights Reserved.

This is a work of fiction.

All of the characters, organizations and events described in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express, written consent of the copyright holder.

Cover photos © Fiona Jayde Media

This book is dedicated to the ones that believed in my dreams and kept me going even when I had no idea on what I was going to do next.

SF, JF, AH, MS, JK, and HR: You ladies are my heroes and provide limitless inspiration.

Prologue

Dawn Atlas didn’t have time to ponder the multitude of reasons of how life had screwed her over. There was no way it could help at easing her discomfort. She was crouched into her hiding spot in a high school of all places. The entire room was barely bigger than a closet and it had doors on both sides of it. She hid her body in the small space under one of the shelves never letting her eyes drift from either door. The dim light of the parking lot was shining through the small window above her in the tiny closet-like room providing the dimmest of illumination. The snow outside was coming down in a torrential rush looking to bury the tiny sill in the powdery white substance. Her mind was frantically trying to find a way to escape from the two men outside who were looking for her with absolute determination. She knew that her life was not the only one in danger.

All of a sudden she heard a gun cock outside the door of her hiding spot. A low deeply accented voice that sounded like gravel called out from the next room, I know you are in here from the wet snow prints. I would suggest showing yourself before we kill your boyfriend. Her blood froze and time seemed to stop.

Chapter 1

It all started out as a normal week before Dawn’s life took a header straight to Hell. She was currently rushing to her early morning class after what felt like minutes of sleep. The routine schedule of her life was basically always on the verge of feeling manic as she ran around constantly trying to accomplish everything. However a simple pattern repeated over and over: go to classes, go to work, study, and repeat. Seemed easy enough, but the constant pressure to keep up with everything had left her nerves wound like a guitar string about to snap. In addition to that, Dawn had to stop herself from telling off her fellow students at the college she attended in Austin. After always being in school from fall all the way through summer, she was almost done. Just a few more weeks and her diploma declaring her double major would make all the trouble and sleepless nights worth it. Finally, she tucked into the classroom on the third floor of a dreary, old building that hadn’t seen a renovation since the 1950s. While stepping into the space, Dawn sighed a big breath of relief as it looked like the professor was running a little late as well. She headed back to her usual space, a small desk that sat in the back right corner. She grabbed her notebook and pen out of her bag and flipped them open, just as the instructor, Dr. Walde strolled through the door. He had a very specific routine of placing his papers and getting his slides set up for before he would begin the day’s lecture so she knew she had a few minutes. The man was a decent instructor, but having him teach at 8 a.m. with that low lulling rhythm of speech was cruel to anyone that was sleep deprived. Then when he would shut off the lights for his slides, the combination of the deep voice and dimly lit room could make anyone fall asleep. She chuckled at his outfit today. He looked like a live version of Where’s Waldo with his thick glasses and bowtie. Just before he declared the start of class and tried to garner everyone’s attention, two girls slipped into seats in front of Dawn with their designer sweats and carrying cups of coffee. One girl, who she thought was named Megan, seemed to have drowned in something vanilla scented. The strong scent made her feel a little sick and Dawn tried to discreetly slide her small desk backward. The girls started animatedly chatting about their plans for the week while Dawn was trying to catch the professor’s beginning announcements before he dimmed the room lights.

O-M-G, I hate that I have to miss the party this weekend. I have a paper to write for my history class and the instructor hates me, said the bottled blond in front of her talking to the brunette that sat to her left. That sucks Megan, the brunette responded.

Dawn was impressed that after three months she actually remembered a classmate’s name. She didn’t really have time to socialize with her peers unless she was at work. However, her work uniform made her look like a hooker. It was hard to feel confident talking to her classmates when she was serving them. Also, the fact that she would be sweating and smelling like spilled beer wasn’t ideal either. Dr. Walde moved to dim the lights just as the brunette responded with a false lament that sounded kind of smug.

It is an end of term shindig and it is an ’Anything but Clothes‘party at one of the frat houses. I am going to make myself a dress out of pink saran wrap. Both girls giggled like idiots and another blonde dressed similarly hurriedly found a seat to Dawn’s left. She seemed to know exactly what they were talking about and spoke in a hushed voice that still seemed designed to draw the entire row of students nearby attention.,

I’m wearing a patterned shower curtain to the party. I have fashioned it into a small tube dress with the pattern placed strategically. As the girl finished with a mind stabbing giggle, Dawn hoped they would shut up soon so she could listen to the actual lecture. She leaned her head back, where it smacked against the wall as they giggled loudly and continued to talk about how they were going to spend Christmas break. The brunette eagerly mention that her family was taking a Mediterranean cruise and she had spent over $300 dollars on bikinis. Dawn struggled to keep her mouth shut, but in silent protest she just rolled her eyes at their insipid conversation and complaints. Why would one willingly go out in public dressed in only saran wrap or even a shower curtain? Also, what is wrong with one bathing suit, and how the heck could a person spend $300 dollars on swimsuits? It sounded ludicrous and a complete waste of time. She would bet the price of semester tuition that those pampered princesses didn’t plan on working any job until they had a college degree.

Dawn worked her ass off and couldn’t remember the last time she had a night to herself. Since she couldn’t focus on Dr. Walde’s lecture with the small minded chatter going on around her, she wrote a reminder to herself in her worn notebook to call in and get her schedule for the work week. She needed to create a study schedule during lunch. Overall her job did not allow her to have much time off, so she had to schedule study time like actual work shifts to make sure she got her school work taken care of. She had finals coming up and needed to carve out as much study time as possible between her work shifts this weekend. What she wouldn’t give for a weekend off of work and responsibility. Dawn knew that if it happened, it would most likely be spent catching up on sleep rather than cramming information in her head for next week. As Dr. Walde’s voice entered it soothing rhythm, she leaned forward carefully in her chair, propping her head up on hand and tried to catch a quick nap. She was scheduled to work tonight and tonight’s football game guaranteed she would be running back and forth all night long between tables.

After class, Dawn drove to her little apartment complex not far from campus. It wasn’t pretty from the outside but it was all she could afford on her salary after paying for tuition and books. The metal front gate probably was once a hideous teal color but now the bits of rust seemed to be taking over. As she slipped her key in the gate she spotted her elderly Hispanic grandmother that lived next door to her that was coming down the sidewalk. Dawn always liked Maria, she was a sweet woman that didn’t speak much English but always gave a warm smile and nod. Maria was probably just under 5-feet tall with a tuft of silver hair. The old lady was so tiny, Dawn always thought a harsh breeze could probably cause her to fall down and break a hip. So she always tried to help the woman, who needed to climb to the second floor of the apartment building.

Dawn held open the gate for the gray haired woman slowly shuffling along under the weight of her bags and asked loudly, Do you want me to carry some for you?

Sí, said the old woman holding out her arm. Dawn grabbed the few bags and walked up the front walkway’s stairs with her arm held out for the old woman to grab onto. Maria had a large hearing aide so Dawn didn’t make lots of conversation as they walked up to the second floor. As they reached Maria’s door, Dawn gave her back her bags and waved goodbye. The older woman nodded her head and flashed Dawn a crinkly smile in silent thanks.

Dawn checked her watch and cursed as she walked down one door and stuck her key in the deadbolt. If she didn’t hurry up, she was going to run late for her shift. As her apartment door opened, she felt a little piece of pride. The place wasn’t much but it was hers. The tired beige carpet of the small studio has its fair share of spots and the galley kitchen off to the left of the door held a tiny breakfast bar just big enough for a stool for her to eat. Dawn threw her bag down to the right of the door on the old futon that doubled for her bed. Moving forward, she grabbed the laundry basket and ruffled through the clothes she didn’t put away to pull out her clean work uniform. The uniform consisted of a black v-neck shirt, a tiny plaid skirt, and short black bike shorts. Dawn then opened the top drawer of the small dresser she purchased second-hand and grabbed a pair of fishnets that were required to complete the ensemble. After getting dressed she stopped in front of the small mirror in the bathroom and applied minimal makeup in vain, knowing she would probably sweat it all off in a few hours. As she pinned her brown curly hair back in a low braid, she took one last look at herself.

This is as good as its going to get, she mumbled at her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes were still visible on her pale skin. In less than 15 minutes, she was dressed and yanking on her flat knee-high boots. Once that was done, she grabbed a granola bar for dinner and her longest coat which was worn specifically for traveling to and from work. With keys in hand, Dawn glanced at her lumpy futon longingly, wishing again that she could stay. But then her phone rang, breaking her out of her haze. Not surprised, she saw the bar’s number turn up on the screen. She hit the talk button as she wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear while trying to lock her door at the same time. As always, Gavin, the owner of Union Jack’s, did not bother with the pleasantries of conversation.

I need you to get your ass into work now. No exceptions. One of the new girls just quit and right now the place is starting to pack in.

I’m on my way, Dawn said through gritted teeth as she rushed towards her car.

Gavin was a first-class jerk that inherited the English style pub from his dad after he had a heart attack a year after she started working there. He was 40, paunchy, and always treated her like crap since she started there. Of course, he knew Dawn was in no position to turn down the job. She had only been late twice in the few years she had been there, so she didn’t know exactly why he had to treat her like an idiot. Gavin hung up after Dawn’s muttered response with no indication that he had heard her.

Dawn said a quick prayer to whatever deity might be listening, Please let this night get over soon.

As she walked into the heavy, dark wood-paneled bar, she veered off toward the back and headed to the small locker room. On her way she ran into Greg and nodded to him in greeting. Greg worked as a bouncer when the kitchen closed for the night. He also walked waitresses to their cars at the end of their shifts.

Hey, Greg she said as she walked by to throw her items in the little metal locker and padlock it shut.

I see you came back in tonight. I was worried you were going to call it quits for good since school is almost finished.

Dawn laughed, I thought about it.

Earlier in the week the male contingent of a campus fraternity had visited the bar and grill to watch the Monday night football game and a few had gotten extremely drunk in celebration of winning their fantasy football matchup. She didn’t care, but when they started the pushing and shoving she needed to call Greg over. Luckily, he had already started to notice the brawl and made his way over to get the situation under control. He was a former college football player before blowing out his knee during spring practice. All he had to do was glare at some of the out of control customers. They got the hint to knock it off because he was a bulky wall of muscle. Dawn had always thought Greg was kind of a cutie and he always treated the other waitresses respectfully. Yet, the whole staff knew he had it bad for his girlfriend, Linda. Dawn thought Linda wasn’t worth it since she seemed to dangle Greg on a string and constantly accused him of checking out other girls while at work. So whenever, he got the opportunity, he would try to discreetly text Linda and explain whatever she was upset about.

As both of them headed back out to the main floor, Gavin stopped Dawn in the hallway.

You’re working section five tonight and might be needed to help Krista in section six with a large party coming in. Before Dawn could even mutter acceptance, Gavin walked off grabbed a box of liquor and started carrying it to the main bar. When Dawn took a glance at her tables, she groaned. The frat boys were back and were seated in her assigned section for the night. Based on the volume of their voices, they were already getting drunk and would continue to get more smashed over the course of the evening. She slapped on a fake smile and went over to collect drink orders.

She knew that she wasn’t exactly unfortunate looking, but she was not a beauty queen either. She had slightly curly hair that was an average brown. Also, she had pale green eyes and freckles that scattered over her checks and nose. Despite constantly working, she was an average weight - maybe ten pounds over for her height - and had a bit of a butt on her. Dawn hoped the dim light of the bar would camouflage the slight jiggle of her ass and thighs.

After getting the college guys their drinks, she spotted the small grouping of her favorite men gathered near the back of the bar with the eyes on one of the television screens displaying the pre-game commentary.

Evening there Mitchell, nice to see you again, Dawn said as she laid his regular drink in front of the 60-year-old man with salt and pepper hair with lines around his mouth that showed he knew how to smile and laugh. Bourbon, neat, just the way you like it, she said before he even tore away