Macyn's Awakening: Macyn McIntyre Series, #2

By S.L. Stacker

Macyn McIntyre’s search for Richard Jacobs and those involved in her abduction reveals much of her adult life isn’t as she was led to believe. With help from her past and present, she uncovers secrets about those close to her—secrets that may result in certain death for those involved.

New partnerships are forged as others end. Enemies become allies, and friends become enemies. The web of lies carefully constructed by others begins to unravel, allowing Macyn to close in on Jacobs. The deeper she dives into the past, the more she finds herself questioning her actions. Is she doing the right thing? Should she forget about this crazed man and concentrate on her life with Devon? A combination of death, a marriage proposal, and a phone call will make the decision for her.

Macyn’s Awakening proves life, happiness, and love are worth fighting for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.L. Stacker
• Release date: Feb 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781386782063

Book preview

MACYN’S AWAKENING

BOOK TWO

S.L. STACKER

COPYRIGHT 2013, 2016 STEPHANIE STACKER

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at:

[e-mail]

Cover Design by Stephanie Stacker

Edited by Vicki Sly

Previously self-published as Macyn’s Awakening, 2014

Previously published by Booktrope as Macyn’s Awakening, 2015

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.

PRINT ISBN 978-1533134127

Table of Contents

COVER

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

DEDICATION

PROLOGUE

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 ONE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CONTACT INFORMATION

MORE GREAT WORKS BY S.L. STACKER

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Judy and Jenn, you’ve both been a tremendous help. Thank you for your continued support.

Ryan, I know I’m still in front of the computer, and I probably will continue to be for the near future. Thank you for your continuing support, encouragement, and love.

Mzz Betsy, your excitement and enthusiasm is unwavering, and I am truly humbled.

Vicki, I love you! That’s the easiest way to sum up my feelings for you. You’ve taught me so much in such a short period of time. Without you, this book would be nothing more than words.

Melody, it’s been a learning experience for both of us. I bet you didn’t realize you’d be teaching me as you were learning yourself!

Kelly, I’m so happy we were given the opportunity to get to know each other. I’ve found someone who is on the same page as me.

My loves—Ryan, Isaac, and Kylee.

PROLOGUE

Chapter 21 from Macyn’s Letter

DEVON HAD TO MEET with Bobby at F.A.R. headquarters, and he had assured Macyn there would be people keeping an eye on the house. She was relieved she would have some time to herself without having to dodge people. She had no plans of leaving the house, but she did anticipate doing some research on Richard Jacobs and Bay City. She wanted to see if she could find a link between the two.

She turned her computer on and while it loaded, she went to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee before returning to the living room and her laptop. She set her coffee on the table and typed the subjects of her search into the search engine. She was assaulted with results. She took a deep breath before clicking on the first article. She knew she could be at this for hours.

The majority of the links she checked out were either about the city or about Jacobs, but she failed to find any linking the two together. She did know that the city was quite small. It was classified as a town instead of a city, but the citizens of the area wanted to attract more people, and they thought Bay City was far more appealing than Bay Town. Macyn didn’t care what it was called—she wanted to be able to link this CEO to the town so she would have somewhere to start her search.

After several hours of weeding through sites, she decided to step away from the results and try a different method. She typed in a search for all the hotels in the town. When she had her list of seven, she decided she would call each of them and see if Richard was staying there or if he had in the past. After several failed attempts, she got lucky with a smaller hotel.

Yes, ma’am. Your husband checked in two nights ago. Would you like me to connect you to his room? the girl on the other end asked.

No. I’m coming to visit him, and I want this to be a surprise. Can you tell me what room he is staying in, please?

Yes, ma’am. The young girl gave her the room number.

Thank you so much. Can you give me your name in case you aren’t working when I arrive? I would love to make sure you receive a generous tip for your helpfulness and for not informing my husband I’m coming. Macyn would make sure the girl received a nice bonus. She had helped her more than she would ever know.

When Macyn disconnected the call, she knew she would start her trip tomorrow. She wanted to get to Bay City before Richard had an opportunity to leave. She realized she would have to drive the majority of the day, but if all went well, she would be there by late afternoon.

She went into the bedroom she shared with Devon and chose clothes she would need for tomorrow. She wanted to make sure they were in one of the spare rooms so she could dress and get out of the house without waking him. She was thankful Devon had refused having men watch the house while he was home. He had given her the out she needed in order to leave and be well on her way before he even got out of bed.

Grabbing her phone, Macyn called the salesman from the dealership. She would need one more favor from him. He would be driving her to her storage locker, and he would then be given enough money to forget he had ever seen her. It was amazing what people could forget if they were compensated properly.

She finished her call, satisfied he would be there at the time specified. She looked around the bedroom, grabbed her purse and duffel bag, along with the clothes she had chosen, and took them into the guest room on the opposite side of the house. Once inside, Macyn hid the items in the empty closet. She then sat on the corner of the bed, going through her plan, step-by-step, to ensure she remembered everything. As she went through the details, she rubbed the pendant on the necklace Devon had given her. She hated to do this to him, but if she stayed, she knew between him and Bobby, she would never have any freedom until Sam, Xavier, and Leonard were caught. Macyn smiled. She had no intention of catching them. If Sam had been truthful during her phone call, her life would be spared, but Xavier and Leonard’s days were numbered. As for Richard Jacobs, she wanted to trap him and find out why he had her abducted. If he wasn’t careful, he would suffer the same fate the other men would be facing.

***

Macyn decided that she would need to try her hand at makeup. Her bruising was still pretty bad, but she thought she would be able to lessen the blow people received when they looked at her if she covered up. She went into the bathroom and started sifting through the items she had. She spent the next hour using a variation of concealers, liquids, and powders. When she finished, she stepped back and looked at herself. She was the same person, only with heavy makeup. However, the bruising wasn’t as noticeable. She thought she would be able to pass being seen in public without too many stares, and she knew nighttime outings would not be a problem at all. She gathered the supplies she had used, took them to the guest room, and stashed them inside her purse.

When she finished, she chose to call Eve and see if they would like to come over tonight and hang out. She wanted to make sure she spent quality time with Eve and Devon tonight because she didn’t know how long it would be before she would see them again. She didn’t anticipate being gone longer than a month. She hoped it would only be a few weeks, but she wanted to be prepared for the worst.

Eve agreed to come over, but she didn’t think Bobby would be with her because of work commitments. Macyn was fine with that. She loved him to death, but she had a feeling he had the ability to read people, and she didn’t want to give him a reason to suspect she was up to anything. His lack of presence wouldn’t be a loss in this particular situation.

Macyn decided to have Mexican food delivered for dinner. She ordered all of Eve’s and her favorites, and she was assured the food would be delivered within an hour. As she waited for the food, Devon, and Eve to arrive, she double-checked everything, making sure she had all she would need for her departure in the morning. Also, to ensure she hadn’t left anything out that would give her away. On the final scan of the living room, she grabbed her laptop. She would need that. She placed it with her other items in the bedroom. When she returned to the living room, she heard the front door open. She called out, Devon?

It’s me, his voice returned. Did you order food?

Macyn met him near the front door before she answered. I ordered Mexican. Eve’s coming by tonight, and I thought we could all kick back and relax without having to cook.

Okay, I was making sure the guy outside was who he said he was, Devon explained as he opened the door, apologizing for keeping the guy waiting and giving him a large tip before taking the food. He started to close the door, but Eve stuck her foot inside to prevent it closing.

I’m here, she announced, stepping inside, closing and locking the door behind her.

Macyn hugged her tight. I’m glad you were able to come.

Do you think I’m going to pass on an evening with my best friend? But I do have to ask, what kind of food are we having? I’m starving. Eve followed Macyn and Devon deeper into the house.

I ordered our favorite Mexican food.

I think I love you a little more than I did five minutes ago. You’re the best.

The three of them spent the next hour eating and talking about their lives—Eve telling them more about her pregnancy, and Macyn and Devon filling her in on what they were going to be doing at Elite in the coming weeks. Macyn felt a little guilty she was leaving Elite, but she knew between Devon and their other employees, everything would be fine.

Do you remember our senior prom? Eve asked, changing the subject.

How can I forget it? That was the absolute worst night. Macyn groaned and Eve started laughing.

What? Devon asked.

When Eve had caught her breath, she proceeded to tell Devon about their prom night. We each had dates for the prom, and we had decided to meet at my house and go as a group. That evening, as the last of our friends arrived, Macyn’s date decides he forgot something at his house. So, he and another guy left to go get whatever it was, and the rest of us went to the high school. We had been there for about an hour and Macyn’s date and the other guy hadn’t made an appearance. We all decided we would go look for them. When we got to his house, his mom answered the door, surprised to see us. When we asked where he was, she told us that she had thought he was at the prom. Eve paused, trying not to laugh.

So where was he?

Macyn continued the story. "We knew he wasn’t at his house or the prom, so we drove to the other guy’s house, and there was my date’s car parked in the driveway. So we all got out, went to the door, and rang the doorbell. We were all shocked when he answered the door dressed like a wizard. I’m talking Merlin-type wizard, with hat, cape, wand—you name it. He told me he was sorry, but there was no way he was missing his weekly Dungeons and Dragons night, but if I wanted to wait around, he would be glad to make out with me afterwards. When he had asked me to the prom, he thought the prom was the night before, and didn’t realize it would interfere with his game night. He said he didn’t want to disappoint me, so he showed up at Eve’s so we could have some pictures taken and he thought I would be satisfied. I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t dating him because he would have been newly single at that point." Macyn finished with a twinkle in her eye, but when she looked at Eve trying to refrain from laughing, she lost it. She laughed so hard she was crying.

You were dumped, on prom night, so your date could play Dungeons and Dragons? Unbelievable. What did you tell him when he said you could make out later? Devon asked, fighting the urge to laugh.

I told him if I was going to make out with anyone, it wouldn’t be the damn old wizard, that I preferred the elves myself. He looked so disappointed. I never spoke to him again, but he tried calling and stopping by all the time. We heard toward the end of summer that their game night was still going every week, but he had changed his character to an elf after prom night. The poor guy must have thought he would get another chance if he changed his character. I was so humiliated.

The best part is after we left there, we went back to prom. About an hour before it ended, the guy and all his friends showed up dressed in their costumes. You can’t imagine the looks they received. He tried approaching Macyn several times, but she kept ducking behind people or tables. It was like they were playing hide and seek.

Which story should I tell Dev about you, Eve? Macyn asked with a wicked grin in her eyes.

Oh. Look at the time. I’ve got to be going. Great seeing you again, Devon. Love you, Macyn, Eve said, jumping off the couch and heading toward the front door.

Devon looked at Macyn questioningly, but Macyn held up her finger, indicating to him to wait a moment. She followed Eve to the front door. You don’t have to leave. I wouldn’t tell any stories, Macyn assured her.

I know, hun, but it’s getting late, and I’m sleepy. I want to go to bed, she said and hugged her.

Macyn hugged her back a little tighter. She knew she wouldn’t see her for a while, and she was going to miss her.

I love you, Eve. I want you to always remember that.

I love you, too. I’ll see you soon, Eve said before disappearing into the night.

Macyn watched the direction Eve left in long after she was out of sight. She knew she was going to miss that woman. When she turned around, Devon was propped against the wall, watching.

Are you okay?

I’m fine. I love her so much.

I know you do, sweetheart. You’ll see her again soon.

I know. Macyn sniffled before looking into Devon’s eyes. I love you, baby. You are my world. I want you to always remember that, she told him. He smiled at her and kissed her.

Macyn, if you’ll let me, I want to make love to you.

I would love that.

They disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind them. They explored and teased each other mercilessly throughout the night, sharing through their motions, the feelings they had for each other. When Macyn drifted to sleep much later, she knew without a doubt she loved Devon, and he now knew the extent of her love for him. She had given all of herself to him.

***

As Macyn tiptoed out of the room a few hours later, she lingered in the doorway watching Devon sleep. She contemplated staying, remaining a prisoner inside his home and inside herself, but she knew the only way she would ever be free to move forward with her life was to make sure everyone involved in her abduction paid for their involvement.

She made her way into the other bedroom and dressed in the clothes she had stowed away yesterday. When she was dressed, she grabbed her purse, duffel bag, and looked out the window. She could see the illuminated brake lights coming from a car down the street. She knew that was her ride.

She allowed herself one final glance in the living room. She was going to miss this place, as well as its owner. She whispered into the darkness, I love you, Devon. She rubbed the charm around her neck. She then tiptoed down the hall and out the front door, not looking back.

Once she was outside, she ran toward the car waiting for her. She jerked the car door open, scaring the poor salesman. Same place as before, she instructed as she closed her door. The remainder of the short trip was spent in silence—Macyn thinking about all she was walking away from. She knew she would be back one day, but she didn’t know if she would be welcome. She decided that this wasn’t something she could worry about. She needed a clear and focused mind in order to succeed with her endeavor.

When the car came to a stop in front of her unit, she thanked the guy, handed him several more hundreds, and told him to forget her. She grabbed her bags and went to her storage unit. She watched as the salesman drove away before she opened it. When he disappeared from sight, she opened the unit and then the back of the SUV and placed her duffel bag inside, opting to keep her purse up front with her. She closed the back and proceeded to the driver-side door. Inside, she turned and set her purse on the back floor. She placed her hand onto the gearshift and was getting ready to reverse when her passenger-side door whipped open, and a voice greeted her hauntingly.

Hello, Macyn.

CHAPTER ONE

WHAT THE FUCK! Macyn screamed, turning and trying to claw her way out the driver-side door. She hadn’t been sleeping well the last couple of days, but she knew there was no way she could be hallucinating to the degree of seeing people. She flung her door open, and a cold, clammy hand grasped her wrist.

Stop, Macyn. The familiar voice commanded and soothed.

Despite her fear, Macyn froze, unable to turn around, yet unwilling to get out. The voice, that had now spoken her name twice, was one she would never be able to forget. The tenderness it had shown in the past was still obvious after all these years.

David? she asked, perplexed.

Yes, Macyn.

How? They told me you died in the accident—that you were cheating on me! she accused, spinning to face him, overcome with raw emotion.

She studied his face, hoping to see some type of reaction from him. Yet, his profile revealed nothing but a nose a little sharper than she remembered and brown hair with silver accents.

As you can see, I’m alive and well, but it was what we wanted everyone to believe. He avoided looking in Macyn’s direction.

Why are you here? How did you know where to find me? she demanded, angry because he was putting a kink in her plans and confused about how he was still alive.

I know you’re upset—

"Upset? Upset doesn’t even begin to explain what I feel right now!" she interrupted, staring at him, her fury obvious.

Can we get going? I’ll explain everything to you once we’re on the road.

"We? I don’t think we will be going anywhere until I get a few answers. If you expect to tag along with me, I expect you to answer my questions." Macyn was upset because he assumed she would be taking him with her. Yet, she was angrier with herself because she was contemplating allowing him to come along.

David exhaled a long, slow breath. I know you’re planning on going after the people who abducted you. I want to help you. I may not have been an active participant in your life these last nine years, but I’ve kept tabs on you—made sure you were always okay. He glanced at his watch. My guess is Devon will be up soon, and I’m assuming you’ll want to be far away from Meadowview when he realizes you’re gone. So, can we get going?

Macyn grasped the steering wheel with both hands and stared at the wall in front of her, wondering what she should do. David was doing an awful lot of assuming,