The Fall: ATCOM, #2

By Jennifer Lowery

***This is a novella length story***

The last thing ATCOM agent, Brendan Devayne wants is to settle down. His adventurous lifestyle keeps him on the razor’s edge of life, just the way he likes it. He doesn’t expect to rescue a teenager from a mishap cliff dive during his R & R in Hawaii, or that the kid’s mom would make such an impact on him. A family isn’t in the cards for him, but something about Mia and her son challenges what he thinks he wants.

Mia Lawrence has made a lifetime of mistakes—from marrying the wrong guy at eighteen, getting pregnant soon after and divorcing him six years later. Now she’s struggling to keep her teenage son out of trouble that seems to find him-just as it had her ex. She’d hoped a getaway in the Islands would help them sort things out, to bond like they had when he’d been younger. But, things go very wrong when her son brings home a tall, handsome stranger who saved his life and turns her world upside down. He’s too much like her ex; someone who walked a fine line between foolish and dangerous. Mia vowed to never make the same mistakes twice, but Brendan makes her want to rewrite that vow.

Content Warning: Sexual content

***This novella was part of the Summer Heat Superbundle***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Lowery
• Release date: May 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533784599

Book preview

Chapter One

Brendan soared along the slope of the mountain, shifting his weight in the paraglider away from the ridge. Riding the updraft created by the formation, he drew in a deep breath. In the air he felt free. Always had. Either in the pilot’s seat or under an inflatable wing made of nylon like the one above him.

The open sky, no boundaries, no destination. Simply a man one with nature where a strong wind could end him. The walk with danger exhilarated him, made him feel alive. Right now he needed that more than ever.

Before guilt had time to set in, he pulled on the lines to direct the glider toward the open sky. The Pacific sparkled beneath him, broken up by the Hawaiian Islands. The midday sun beat down on him, partially shaded by the wing of his glider.

His destination, one of the many waterfalls on the island where he’d set up camp, lay a quarter mile away. No hotels or resorts for him. He much preferred to camp out in a deserted area where no one would bother him.

Glancing across the hill he’d just crested, his gaze tripped on something near one of the waterfalls. Narrowing his gaze, he saw a figure standing on a rocky ledge above the fall of water. On closer inspection he saw it was a teenager. Only one that he could see, but the kid was awfully close to the edge.

Brendan steered in that direction, a knot forming in his stomach. He’d cliff-dived off a few dangerous places himself, but this particular waterfall wasn’t the place to do it. The water fell too close to the slick rocks for a safe jump. The risk of hitting them outweighed the thrill of the sport. Or it should.

He watched the boy take a few steps back, lean forward and take off. When he reached the edge the kid faltered, sliding to a stop, arms wind-milling.

Brendan cursed as momentum forced the boy over the edge in a panicked fall. Arms and legs flailing, the kid hit the wall and freefell into the pool below.

Sonofabitch.

Stupid. Cliff jumping required commitment. 

Cutting his ride short, he turned into the wind to slow his speed and began his descent. Wouldn’t be an ideal landing, but he had to get to that kid.

Pulling the brakes as he approached the ground, he trimmed his speed around ten feet. The glider continued to descend toward the cliff where the kid had jumped from so he adjusted his speed for the second half of the flare. 

His feet touched the ground and he ran a couple steps before coming to a stop just inches from the ledge. His wing floated to the ground behind him. Wasting no time, Brendan stripped out of his equipment, leaving it lay on the ground.

Spinning around, he took a running jump over the cliff. The freefall didn’t exhilarate him like usual. All he could think about was that kid and he prayed he hadn’t drowned.

Feet first, he plunged into the pool of crystal blue water. Surfacing, he spun in a circle, searching for the kid. He saw him flailing in the water a few feet away. With strong strokes, Brendan swam over to him, put an arm around his chest and began swimming toward shore. The kid fought him at first until he realized Brendan was helping him, then he went limp.

At the edge of the pool he climbed out, dragging the kid with him. Safely on the grassy slope he rolled the kid over. Wide, brown eyes met his. Blood dripped down his hairline.

Who are you?

I’m the one who just saved your life, kid. What the hell were you thinking?

That snapped him out of his haze. Eyes flashing with defiance, the kid sat up. I don’t need your help.

Brendan tore a strip off the bottom of his t-shirt. Wrap this around your head. Tight. It will help stop the bleeding.

Wary, the kid accepted the torn strip and did as told. After knotting it he asked, How did you see me?

I was paragliding. Did you really think you could chicken out of that jump once you’d started?

I didn’t chicken out.

Brendan cocked a brow.

The kid dipped his head and muttered something beneath his breath, reminding Brendan of himself at that age. Defiant, rebellious, looking for the next adventure to feel alive.

Are you hurt anywhere else?

The teen shook his head and pushed unsteadily to his feet. He tried to hide it, but Brendan recognized the aftereffects of a near-death experience. Hell, he’d had a few himself. Had felt the weak knees, the tremble in your body that didn’t seem to go away, the pit in your stomach.

Brendan rose to his feet, towering over the kid by at least six inches. What’s your name?

Why?

So I know what to put on your tombstone if you try anything stupid like that again.

The kid sent him a scathing look. Brendan grinned. Yeah, this kid could be him twenty years ago. Relax. I just want to know what to call you besides kid.

I’m not a kid.

Major chip on this kid’s shoulder. Just give me your name.

Are you going to turn me in?

No. You didn’t do anything wrong except bow out of your commitment to jump that cliff.

The kid studied him, wary. What commitment? I was out here having fun. Nothing more.

Yeah, but cliff jumping isn’t something you do for fun. It’s a sport. And when you commit to doing it there is no turning back. Unless you want to end up dead like you almost did today.

Properly chastised, the kid drew himself up to his full five-foot-ten height. How do you know so much about it?

Let’s just say we have a few things in common. Name?

Reluctant, he said, Jason.

Brendan held out a hand. Brendan.

They shook hands.

You’re really not going to turn me in to the cops?

Nope. But, I am going to take you to the hospital to have that head looked at.

Jason’s eyes widened. No. Look, my mom’s a nurse.

Suspecting Jason wouldn’t tell his mom what he’d done today, Brendan said,