My Strongest Weakness

By Robin Nadler

Sometimes it’s simply too much.

How much fight does a person have inside them?
How many times can someone be tested?

Tommy and Brittany had survived everything life threw at them. They were strongest together and everyone around them knew that.

Their pride and joy was their beautiful daughter and watching her thrive was the most important job they could imagine.

The threats were all resolved and it was time to simply enjoy life.

The trouble begins when life throws them a curve.

Suddenly, nothing is certain and the hopes and dreams they had for their future are in question.

Brittany is ready to tackle everything and prove, once again, that she and her husband are soulmates.

The problem comes when Tommy decides that maybe, he’s simply had enough.

They have never had to deal with someone giving up. They have never had to look at each other and wonder if the love was still there.

Brittany has to face a future where her husband decides he can’t do it anymore.

And that’s just the beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin Nadler
• Release date: May 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310142840

Robin Nadler

Robin Nadler is a high school teacher, romance author, animal enthusiast and sarcasm aficionado. When not standing in front of a classroom of teenagers, she is immersed in the lives of the characters she creates. As a fighter of Multiple Sclerosis, Robin continuously pushes the boundaries of what is expected of her and what she knows is always possible. Her goal is to inspire and share a love of humor, romance and passion. For information on her Family by Choice series, as well as her current works in progress, please connect with her on any of the following platforms. Facebook: facebook.com/nadlersnovels Twitter: @buka163090 Instagram: rnadler103 Blog: www.nadlersnovels.com

Book preview

My Strongest Weakness

Family by Choice

Book 16

By Robin Nadler

Copyright 2015 by Robin Nadler

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and plot are all products of the author’s imagination and are used as fiction. Nothing is to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter One:

Bill and Julie sat on the porch for a little while and just held each other, nothing needing to be said. She knew he had spoken to Brittany and Jade and he would have to figure this out one way or another. She just wanted to be certain he knew she was with him no matter what.

We should go inside, he said to break the silence.

Okay, she rubbed his chest and kissed his arm before getting up.

Thank you, he smiled as she took his hand and helped him stand.

For what?

Being here and allowing me to let all of this sink in.

She smiled and they walked into the house.

Any time.

*****

You need to relax, Jack said to Tommy as he paced in the backyard. Brent isn't the bad guy here.

I knew there was a connection to how Jade was tortured. I should never have blown that off. I am such a fucking idiot, Tommy said.

You didn't blow anything off. We will figure this out and deal with it. We aren't going to be victims again.

We already are, Tommy said. We were blindsided by this one, man! Brent said it stems from a fucking concert my wife gave where she wasn't cordial enough for that prick? Who the fuck cares? This is just one more reason both of our wives will feel responsible and it's shit.

No. None of us are going to feel responsible again, Stephanie said as she walked out slowly and stood between the men. I know Josh better than anyone else and I know how he thinks. If he's been alive this whole time, there is a reason he hasn't come forward. He was waiting for the right time and we need to be ready. He will not win again. He will not hurt another person I love.

Jack was so proud of her and Tommy shook his head.

I'm going to take my family home. We can talk more tomorrow.

Jack held Stephanie to him and nodded.

Watch your back, he said.

Tommy had a cold look in his eyes.

Always.

******

Julie walked into the bedroom after checking on the kids while Bill took Hope out. Everyone agreed to spend some time alone tonight and they would meet in the morning to figure out what was next.

She pulled her clothes off and sighed.

Mike and Jade were about to bring their little girls home and it should be the happiest of moments and now she knew they were once again dealing with Rebecca and all of the pain she caused.

She worried about Stephanie and Jack and what the news of Josh being alive would do to them. She worried about her brother and how precarious Brittany’s health was. This was going to add so much stress to all of them.

But worst was her husband. She wondered how much a person could take before they simply quit? Her eyes filled with tears when she thought of all he had endured and how he continued to believe in the good in the world. The things Bill had been through sat on his shoulders and she worried he was going to be crushed under the weight of it all.

Hey, you okay? his deep voice startled her and she turned to him.

I was talking to you for a minute but you didn’t seem to hear me.

Sorry, she smiled and wiped her eyes. I was just thinking.

He walked closer and stopped her when she went to put her nightgown on.

I like what you’re wearing now, he said as he pulled her into his arms.

I’m almost naked, she grinned as she melted against him.

And your point is? he nibbled her neck as he removed her bra.

I forget, she moaned and pulled his shirt off so she could feel his chest against hers.

Is it wrong that I just need you? I just want you, he said as he tilted her chin up and lowered his mouth onto hers, kissing her with a neediness and an aggressiveness that made her feel incredibly turned on.

It’s not wrong, she said as he pulled her panties off and lifted her in one swift movement as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He moved to the bed and her hands pushed his pants down enough for her to stroke him before he slid into her and they moved together in a necessary and needy passion.

He thrust into her over and over and she arched her back as her orgasm ripped through her body. It didn’t take long for him to come hard inside of her and soon they both lay on their back, exhausted and sweaty.

Shit, she said softly.

He turned and smiled at her as he pulled the covers over them.

Thank you, he said as he pulled her into his arms.

I’m pretty sure that was for both of us, she said as she ran her fingers over his waist.

Not just for that, although that was amazing. For being here with me and never letting me forget who I am.

She kissed his chest and felt her eyes fill with tears.

You are my everything. You are my home.

Bill held her and realized that her words were so true.

And that was everything.

*****

Tommy put Naomi in her crib while Brittany changed and then fed Tramp. They both met in the family room and sat there for a few minutes before talking.

Was Stephanie okay? he asked.

No, but she will be. Of all of us, Josh really did a number on her for years. She held Nikki in her arms as she died from what Josh did, she said and put her head in her hands. Stephanie was on a ledge from that prick. I can’t let her go back to that.

He ran his hand over her back and smoothed her hair back.

Jack won’t let her; none of us will.

I know, she sat back and looked at him.

What did Brent talk to you guys about? Did he say something to upset you while I was in with Stephanie?

I don’t trust him. He kept calling you Barb.

She smiled and took his hand in hers.

He’s only known me as Barbara. He doesn’t mean it with any disrespect. He and my dad were friends and I spent a lot of time at his house with Stephanie growing up. He’s a good guy.

Tommy hesitated before telling her everything Brent had said. He knew she would be upset and he didn’t want to add to her stress.

He thinks everything that’s happened to us has been planned. He doesn’t think there are any coincidences. He thinks Josh went after Nikki to get to Stephanie to get to you.

She was stunned.

What are you talking about?

Tommy was quiet and she faced him.

What is going on here? What aren’t you telling me?

Red, Tommy began and they were interrupted by a pounding on the door. Tramp barked and ran to check it out and Tommy went to see who it was.

Brittany followed and held Tramp while Tommy looked and then he opened the door.

Jason? Brittany asked as her friend walked in.

I’m so sorry to come over so late, but I think something is wrong.

Tommy felt like his night was about to get worse.

What is it?

Evan and Elizabeth are missing.

Chapter Two:

Mike and Bill arrived at Tommy and Brittany’s shortly after Jason showed up. Mike dropped Jade off with Julie so neither would be alone while Mike and Bill worked.

We are tracing Evan’s phone to try and see if we can get a GPS location. They haven’t been missing for very long, so the department is hesitant to look into this, but because of the recent attacks on pregnant women, they are making an exception, Bill said.

Why would anyone want to hurt Elizabeth? What kind of people are these? Jason asked, thoroughly confused and on the edge of panic.

It might not be related, Mike said. We are just covering our bases.

Tommy looked at Brittany who was incredibly pale. He knew she needed to be resting.

Red, please go lie down for a little while. I’m worried about you.

I’m okay, she said softly. I want to help.

He sighed and looked at Jason.

Do you have any idea if there is someone out there who would target Evan or Elizabeth?

Jason wiped his face and sighed.

Not anymore.

Mike and Bill looked at him.

What do you mean?

Elizabeth went through a lot a few years ago, before she married Evan. Both of them did. She was kidnapped and hurt pretty badly and Evan was shot and lost half of his lung. A lot of what happened caused them to move back here and away from everything that happened in LA.

Tommy was stunned. He had no idea about any of this.

Who did that? Were they caught?

Jason didn’t want to go into too much detail, but his family was in trouble.

It was a business mogul and his son who went after Elizabeth and used Evan’s dad to get close. It was because of what Evan’s dad had the doctors do to Liz that caused her so much damage, but he was trying to help. It was such a fucked up story and Evan’s dad shot Evan and was killed soon after. Elizabeth almost died from sepsis and both of them were put through more than you can imagine, he looked at them and shrugged. Perhaps you can imagine.

Are these moguls still alive? Bill asked.

No. They went after my wife as well, and they were killed, he left out Ben and Greta and didn’t want to talk anymore about it. He knew this wasn’t connected.

We should call Jack and Stephanie and fill them in, Brittany said.

Julie was going to call him and tell her what we know. I think it’s important they stay home and rest, Bill said.

Jason was about ready to lose it and Mike looked at him.

They will be okay. Elizabeth is strong and she and Evan are unstoppable together.

Jason rubbed his eyes and shook his head.

She’s in trouble. She’s my twin and we’ve always had this connection. She needs help.

Bill and Mike nodded.

We will find them.

*****

Evan sat up when someone starting touching him.

What the hell? he said.

Sir, lay back and let us help you, a man said and tried again to do something to him.

My wife! Where is my wife? he sat up and looked around. He was in the parking lot of the ice cream shop and there were a bunch of people standing around him. He got up and almost fell over.

You didn’t come in with a wife. You were alone, don’t you remember?

She was in the car. I walked out and someone got into the car and drove away and someone else hit me over the head, he said and looked for his phone which was missing. Did he leave it in the car?

Can I borrow a phone? Please? he looked at them and knew he was wasting valuable time. He grabbed a piece of paper from the worker and wrote a number down.

Please call this number and tell them Liz was taken and I’m going after her.

Sir, you can’t leave. The police will be here soon, the man said.

Call the number, please, Evan said and looked at the older man. Please. I need your car. I promise I’ll bring it back.

The man shook his head no and Evan raced to the back of the building. He saw the ice cream delivery truck and he got inside, grateful the keys were there. He sped off down the street, not really knowing where he was headed.

*******

If you don’t let me out of this car, I’ll kill you, Elizabeth said to the man who was driving way too fast down the road.

Shut up already, he said. I’ll crash this car if I have to.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and tried to figure out a plan. She wasn’t about to do anything to harm her son, but there was no way in hell she was going to let this asshole hurt them.

If you just let me out, I’ll be out of your hair. You can have the car.

I don’t want the car, he grinned at her. I want something more.

If you hurt me, you’ll be sorry, she said, her heart racing and her window for escape dwindling.

I’ll take my chances, he said and reached to touch her stomach.

Elizabeth shoved his hand away and the car swerved.

Don’t you touch me, she said angrily.

I’ll do whatever I want and you won’t stop me, he said arrogantly. You think I don’t know who you are? Your brother will pay handsomely for your safety.

Seriously? Liz said. This is over money?

No, it was over a baby, but I researched my victim and I know where the payout is. You are way more valuable than the doctor’s wife.

What are you talking about? What doctor’s wife?

Don’t act like you know nothing. My boss has a hard on for Stephanie and he has spent the last five years plotting his revenge. He will get her and I’ll get paid.

Liz wondered where they were going and how she was going to get away. She remembered that Evan always kept a gun in the glove box and she needed a way to get it. She didn’t think. She simply reached up and pushed the emergency button from the onstar and when he swerved at the noise, she quickly opened the glove box and grabbed the gun, hiding it at her side.

The voice came on, asking if they needed help.

Yes! I’ve been kidnapped. My name is Elizabeth Thrushcross and I’ve been carjacked. I’m 8 months pregnant and I need help!

Shut up you bitch, the man said and punched her on the side of the face.

We’re tracking your location, the voice said and Elizabeth tried to answer, but she was a little out of it from the punch.

You just made a grave mistake, the man said and grabbed his own gun from the side. She unbuckled her seatbelt and watched as he slowed the car while he tried to multitask.

Let me out of the car, she said, her head pounding. She made sure the door was unlocked and she worried about jumping, but she didn’t know if she’d have a choice.

First I need to get rid of dead weight, he said and pointed the gun at her. She picked up her own gun and fired into his leg before the door opened and when he swerved, she fell out of the car, landing and skidding on her back and protecting her baby the best she could. The car swerved and flipped a few times before hitting a tree and bursting into flames. She lay on the hard concrete and began to cry.

Evan? I need help! she sobbed and quickly realized she needed to get out of the street. It was pitch black out and she wouldn’t be seen by a car until it was too late. She felt her back was bruised, but she crawled backwards on her butt to the opposite side of the street and passed out.

******

Bill and Mike raced to the scene when they got the call about the car explosion. Tommy and Brittany were waiting to hear any news and they called Jack and Julie to fill them in.

Do we even know if it was their car? Mike asked as Bill drove.

No. I was called because they found at least one body, he said. We’ll know more as soon as we get there.

Mike prayed it wasn’t their friends.

They pulled up to the scene of the blaze and got out.

Bill showed his badge and they ran towards the fire.

The car is a total loss. The medics are waiting until the fire department lets them closer. We know of one body so far, the officer told them.

Another officer rushed to them.

The car is registered to Evan Thrushcross, he said.

Oh no, Mike said and Bill shook his head.

It doesn’t mean anything. It might not be them.

I’m going closer, Mike said and ran closer to the car. He saw the burned body in the driver seat and the passenger door was ripped off. He wondered if that happened before or after the fire.

Have you found the door? he asked a firefighter.

No. The car flipped a few times so it’s probably farther out.

Mike nodded and looked again at the body.

Was it Evan?

******

Elizabeth woke up when the drops of rain hit her face. She was laying half on the asphalt and half on the grass. She went to get up when terrible pain ripped through her back.

You’re fine. This is nothing, she said to herself and was relieved when she felt the baby moving. That’s a good boy, she rubbed her stomach. Mommy is going to get help.

She ignored the pain and sat up a little, her large belly making it difficult enough. She looked around and smoothed her damp hair away from her face.

Nice job Lizzie. All for some ice cream, she muttered to herself. She had learned long ago to calm herself with talking and distraction. As a pilot, she had a lot of tools at her disposal to get through a tense or difficult situation. She also learned a lot during her two years without Evan. It didn’t always work, but she continued to try and talk herself into calming down.

Your daddy has to be so worried, she continued. But he should know that I would protect you with everything I am. Some turd getting in our car isn’t going to take you away from us. We are stronger than that. We are a family.

She tried to get up, but her body wasn’t cooperating. She worried there was something wrong with her back, but she could definitely feel her arms and legs. Maybe something was broken?

I’ll just crawl a little closer to the side of the road and when someone drives by, I’ll throw a rock at them to stop them. Okay, maybe I’ll try something else. I don’t want to cause another accident, she smiled and moved more onto the street.

Please find me, she said to the darkness. Please.

******

Elizabeth nodded. Doctor?

Yes?

She looked at Evan and then back at the doctor. With everything that happened, do you think it will be possible for me to still have children?

Evan took her hand and held it while they looked at the doctor.

Didn’t they tell you what happened?

Evan and Elizabeth looked at each other. No, Evan said.

The damage to your uterus was severe. The infection compromised one fallopian tube and an ovary and both were removed. The procedure you had years ago left a lot of scarring in the uterus and we did our best to repair what we could. Given the information we have, it will be very difficult if not impossible for you to conceive and carry a child to term, he saw their crushed faces. I’m so sorry.

Elizabeth turned away and curled up in the bed. Evan thanked the doctor and walked him out. He turned back to her and crawled into the bed behind her, holding her.

I’m so sorry, he said as he held her, ignoring the pain in his shoulder.

She turned in his arms and looked at him. I can’t fly and I can’t be a mother, what do I have left? her tears spilled over her cheeks.

He kissed her forehead. I know it’s not much, but you have me.

She held him tightly. That’s everything, she buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

Evan wiped his tears as he remembered that conversation soon after he and Elizabeth learned the effects of all she had been through. That was almost five years ago and the pain of what she endured at the hands of his father was always there, reminding him of how much he failed.

This was their time to have it all. Moving here and finding Brittany was like a miracle. What she had done for them by helping them get pregnant was something they could never have imagined. Now it was just about time to meet their son and Evan couldn’t imagine anything more amazing.

Now he was out in the rain, driving in a stolen truck to find her, hoping he wasn’t too late. How did he let something like this happen? He was furious with himself for letting her down and he realized he let his son down before he was even born.

What kind of father was he?

He had been driving aimlessly and he had no idea what to do. He knew he was on the road they had gone, but he had no idea if they were still driving. He needed help but he was afraid to leave the trail.

He saw there was chaos and commotion ahead and the flashing lights of the police and ambulance terrified him. He sped faster down the street towards the far away lights and prayed something terrible hadn’t happened to Lizzie.

He didn’t see what was in the road.

He didn’t know how close she was.

His eyes flew open when he saw something lying on the street and he could do nothing as the truck ran over the lump in the road.

Chapter Three:

Oh God. What did he just run over?

Evan got out of the truck on shaky legs and saw the lump in the road. He almost threw up when he recognized Elizabeth’s coat. He fumbled closer and collapsed to the ground.

Oh, please, he cried and touched the lump, feeling it flatten. He moved the coat and saw it was empty, no body.

Elizabeth? he screamed into the darkness. Can you hear me?

He tried to listen, but the rain was falling and he couldn’t make out anything but the truck engine and the police sirens in the distance. His tears fell as his fear was suffocating. Elizabeth? he cried out.

Something hit him on the side and he turned to see a rock. He picked it up and another one came at him. He scrambled to his feet and ran to the side of the road.

Lizzie? he yelled as he saw her lying there. He held her face in his hands and she looked at him.

You found me? she said softly. I didn’t think my aim was that good.

He let out a sob as he hugged her to him, realizing immediately she didn’t move.

His hands moved over her body as he tried to assess her injuries.

Tell me what hurts. No, I’m just going to take you to the hospital. God, I thought I ran you over, he took her hand and kissed her bruised fingers.

I left my coat in the road and crawled over here. I was hoping someone would hit it and stop, she said. I was praying it would be you.

He stroked her cheek and saw the blood on her face.

Can you tell me where it hurts?

She tried to smile and he knew she was being her usual stubborn self.

Lizzie, it’s okay. Please tell me.

My back is sore. I fell out of the moving car and skidded on my back.

He closed his eyes and took a breath.

Okay. You’re going to be okay, he said and stood up. I’m going to pick you up.

No. I’m really scared, she cried. I don’t think I can do this. I’m so scared.

He sat down next to her on the wet asphalt and smoothed the wet hair from her face.

You can do anything, he said as he held her gaze. You are the most amazing woman in the world.

I love you so much, she said. Being your wife has been the most important and best thing I have ever done. You have made me so happy,