Unbreakable

By Rowan Waters

A BIRTHDAY GIRL. A BRUTAL FATHER. WHO WILL BREAK FIRST?

UNBREAKABLE

In this prequel novella, Samantha Brooks suffers through one of the events that shape her character. On the night before her seventeenth birthday, she is crushed to learn her mother has gone to stay with friends for a few days. Despite a brutal father laying the blame for her errant mother at her feet, Sam is determined to keep her life simple and not let her demons haunt her day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rowan Waters
• Release date: May 17, 2018

Book preview

UNBREAKABLE

A SAMANTHA BROOKS THRILLER

PREQUEL

Rowan Waters

Unbreakable by Rowan Waters

Published by Rowan Waters

Available from your favorite ebook retailer.

rowanwaters.com

© 2018 Rowan Waters. All rights reserved

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, myths and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:

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Cover design © by Marlin Riker

Contents

Also by Rowan Waters

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Chapter One

Bonus Excerpt: Vileness

About the Author

Also by Rowan Waters

Samantha Brooks Thrillers

Vileness

Pitiless

Unbreakable (Novella – Available Free)

Sintra Mysteries

From Sintra with Love (2018)

Cracked Diamond (2018)

Deep in the Night (Novella – Available Free 2018)

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Chapter One

I swung my leg over the motorcycle saddle. Flyer balanced the bike between his legs and gave me a lopsided grin. His pale eyes darted behind me. I stiffened and twisted round, and followed his troubled gaze. The front door was closed. I relaxed and shrugged away his vigilance. Grabbing him by the lapels of his leather jacket, I kissed him so hard it took his breath away.

Thanks for a ripper of a time, Flyer, I said.

Naturally, you were with me, Sam, he breathed. Same time, same place tomorrow?

Listen out for my call, I said, and bounded up the front lawn.

The motorcycle shot from the curb and Flyer wheelied down the street.

Woohoo, I yelled at the disappearing circus act, and turned for the house.

At the very moment my foot hit the first step, the front door flew open. Expecting my brother, Tommy, I lifted my head, smiling in anticipation. My smile dropped and my teeth clamped together in anguish.

Where the hell have you been?

Out.

Don’t take that surly tone with me.

No tone, I said, and tried to wheedle past him.

Answer me.

I was with my math tutor. All right?

No math tutor rides a gixxer.

Why? Because it frightens the piss out of you?

The stinging blow shouldn’t have caught me by surprise, but it did. I balled my hands by my sides and refused to rub the burning on my cheek. Again I tried to push past to get in the house. Again I found my path blocked.

You will not move until you answer me.

Fine, I went to the mall.

And?

Met a few friends and we hung out. Flyer brought me home, I said.

The door widened and Tommy joined the party.

Hey, sis, he said, and turned to Dad. Let her in.

You ungrateful pieces of shit, Dad said, and hesitated before taking a sideways step. Turning, he went upstairs.

Thanks, I said to Tommy, when finally given permission to move into the entranceway.

Stay out of his way tonight, he’s on the war path. Ma’s away for a couple days and he’s mad as shit.

I waited for Tommy to mount the stairs and I followed close behind.

Ma never said. Where has she gone? The wobble in my voice betrayed me.

He just shrugged. Who knows. But it’s okay, Sammy, I’m here.

I nodded and stepped into my bedroom, closed the door and collapsed on the bed. Entombing my face in the pillow, I screamed and screamed.

I shot upright at the door banging open. Dad stood on the threshold. What did you say to my wife to drive her from the house?

Tommy was spot on. My father was on a mission to exact blame. No matter what I said, it wasn’t going to deter him from seeking vengeance. Nothing, honest.

Liar.

It’s not a lie. I promise. Blood pounded in my ears at his fingers curling into his palm. You must be hungry after a hard day’s work. I’ll make you dinner, I said.

Yes, and you and that brother of yours will sit with me.

Sure, Dad.

He turned on his heel and I heard his footfalls on the stairs. Relief rippled through me and I hurried to Tommy’s room and burst inside without knocking.

Sam, you’re supposed to knock. What if I’d been naked? You may have been blinded.

Yeah, yeah. Don’t flatter yourself.

I threw myself onto the bed and laid my head on Tommy’s shoulder. Did Ma forget about tomorrow?

What’s so important about tomorrow? I can’t seem to remember. It’s all a bit foggy, he said.

I sat up and punched his shoulder. Hilarious.

He looked at me, sympathy clouding his face. Could it be that you’re a beautiful young woman and Ma doesn’t like the competition?

Don’t be ridiculous, I laughed. You are teasing, right?

He smiled. You’re right. I was just kidding.

I knew it. You had me going there for a minute. You’re a very funny man, Thomas Brooks.

I’m sorry she’s not here.

I waved away his pity. Thanks. Then I scrambled off the bed. Dad wants dinner and he demands we sit with him.

Tommy groaned. Okay, I’ll be down in a sec to help.

Chapter Two

While the steak was grilling, I scooped fries from the hot oil and dumped them on absorbent paper to drain. Then I plated everything and positioned it at the head of the dining table. Ketchup and hot sauce were in easy reach, but not too close. Tommy twisted off the cap on a beer and placed it on the right-hand side of the plate.

Tommy, what you want? I asked.

Nothing, I’ll eat later.

Me too. Then I called up from the bottom of the stairs. Dad, dinner’s on the table.

Tommy took a seat on Dad’s right and I sat on the left. We stared