Make Your Move Book Three in the Renegade Writer's Series

By Sandra Golden

The ladies of the Renegade Writers Club are at it again. This time they will need all their resources which includes that of the infamous Ghost. To make matters harder they take their schemes internationally. Pepper Moralas and her children need help. Ellaina and M.J. were taken out of their mother's arms, and out of Brazil by Pepper to protect them from their fathers, two drug producers in Brazil. They fight dirty, but so does the RWC. Pepper and the kids discover secrets that shock them, scare them, and surprise them. Especially the secret of just who and what Ellaina and M.J. really are.

This adventure take the ladies of the Renegade Writer's Club from New York, to Cuba to Brazil. Fortunes are seized, countries are in turmoil, families are held captive. This time the CIA gets tangled up into their sting operation, and it's not good. When all is done, it's still not over. Because Pepper, Ellaina, and M.J. discover secrets about themselves that lead them to romance and an adventure of a life time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra Golden
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463768082

Sandra Golden

I'm a Western Southern Girl, born in California and spent more than half my life in with my husband in Tennessee. I have been married for 36 years. We had one son who was killed when he was 18. I am a animal lover but not telling how many fur babies I have. I love to travel, write, garden, cook, and many crafts. I especially love swimming, taking walks, and the beach. I am a graduate of Memphis State University

Book preview

Make Your Move by Sandra Golden

MAKE YOUR MOVE

Part Three

The Renegade Writers Series

INDEX

Prologue

Pepper’s Story

Ethan Stewart Meets Dr. Rosalas

The Games Begin

The Bait is Set

Stalking

The Seeds Were Planted

Unexpected Turn of Events

A Hostage Event

Unwanted Partners

Back on Track

Family Reunion

Fishing with Friends

Hot Afternoon at the Beach

Docked and Ready

Party Time

Duped

It’s Not Over Yet

Ellaina’s and M.J.’s Story

Gift of a Kingdom

The Kings Letters

Questions Answered

Three Months Later

Queen Gets Her King

Treasure Hint

On the Road to Discovery

More Treasure to be Found

The Renegade Writer’s Club Comes to Order

Prologue,

Sam Underwood and his assistant Rocky were working at his home office in the Hamptons. Sam was busy talking to his newest Author about the contract she would soon be signing. Rocky had stepped out to get cream for her coffee and was standing in the kitchen chatting with Sam's wife, and her best friend Julianne. Her cell phone rang announcing a call from the head of security at Underwood Publishing from their main office in New York.

Racheal, I have a Dr. Bryan Rosalas on hold. He is trying to get information about one of our authors.

He needs to send a fan message on their websites like everyone else. You know that! Why are you calling us about this trivial matter?

He tried that, but the office taking care of those websites flagged him and sent him the standard letter. I need a judgement call from the boss. Dr. Rosalas is claiming Pepper Moralas and her children are in danger, and he must warn her. I have talked to him and this threat he is speaking of isn't from him, and I believe him.

Sounds like one of those crazy fans. Rocky said, using one finger of her free hand to draw circles in the air near her head, making Julianne roll her eyes to the ceiling and shake her head. And Julianna’s daughter, Hope giggle from her seat at the breakfast table.

Rocky stop that! said the Head of Security.

Rocky looked up at the security camera and stuck her tongue out at the Head of Security.

Stop watching us!

Sorry Rocky, I can't do that. It's my job to keep you, and everyone involved in this Agency safe. Ms. Moralas is on a short promotional tour right now with two other authors. I sent additional security to them, called her housekeeper and advised her to keep Pepper’s two teenagers’ home today from school. Which she didn't appreciate but agreed to. And I couldn’t talk directly to Ms. Moralas, or the other Authors who are at this moment in the basement of a rather large Library in Memphis, and they don't have cell reception. But I did manage to talk to their security.

Good! Then the matter has been taken care of! Rocky was about to put an end to the call when the Head of Security stopped her.

Rachael, don't you dare put that phone down. Listen, I wouldn't have called if I felt I was just dealing with a crazy fan.

Yeah! I guess you wouldn't. Rachael agreed.

I did a back-ground check on the doctor, he's a good man. Also, he gave me information that is not public. Like where Peppers twins were born, that she had been a nurse who had volunteered for humanitarian missions in Brazil when the kids were born. He knew her grandmother's name and that she had dual citizenship in the U.S. and Brazil. But what got my attention was that he knew Peppers full real name.

Now you got my attention! Rocky said as she glanced at Pepper Moralas file on her I-Pad. You're right, now I need to talk with Dr. Rosalas. He knows too much.

I'll connect you. But for your information I am recording the call, and it's being traced. I feel that if Dr. Rosalas wanted for us not to find him, he would know better than to stay on the line with me for the last half hour. He's calling from a house in California that is registered in his name. Keep me updated.

The Security Agent cut their connection, but not before connecting Dr. Rosalas to Rocky's phone, she stepped outside and stood on the back deck to talk privately with the doctor.

Dr. Rosalas I'm Samuel Underwood's executive assistant. I want you to know that we take treats to our clients and their families very seriously. I hear you have some concerns about our Author Pepper Moralas and her children.

Yes, Mam! The Doctor said in a very heavy accent. I need to get a message to Paulina. It's urgent. I'm the Doctor who delivered her babies, Manuel John, and Ellaina Camelia. The boy has my middle name, and the girl has Paulina's middle name to honor us. Please, I must contact her. The children and Paulina are in danger. I'm not a crazy fan, this I promise.

Even through the phone line Rocky could hear the concern, and fear in the Doctor's voice.

I believe you, hold on a moment, and I will get Mr. Underwood on the phone.

Rachael opened the glass sliding doors to the kitchen and quickly went through them. But before she could close the doors, Hope's kitten slipped outside quickly followed by Hope. Juliann, who was trying to get her daughter ready for school ran after them both. Leaving the doors open Rocky rushed to Sam's office. When she got to the office at the back of the house, she discovered Sam leaning back in his chair as he reviewed the contracts Rocky had printed out for him earlier that morning.

Sam, I have an urgent call from a Dr. Bryan Rosalas concerning Pepper Moralas. He says she and the children are in danger. He delivered the children, and he knows their birth names.

Sam studied Rocky face, which was more transparent than she believed. Her eyes were filled with concern, and her jaw was clutched tightly with her lips tightly pressed together indicating that she was angry that danger had reared its ugly head and was directed at someone in their family. All clients, and employee's and their families at Underwood publishing were considered family, a family that must be nourished, nurtured and protected. Sam instantly knew that Rocky believed the Doctor's story, and that since she was a very good judge of character in matters such as these, he could see she wanted to trust the man. Sam held out his hand and the cell phone was placed firmly in his hand.

Before he spoke to the distressed doctor, he told Rocky, Get Pepper on the phone, and have security trace this call, and send a protective detail to the twin’s school.

Pepper's security has already been alerted, Pepper's housekeeper is keeping them home, and we have sent an agent to their home, and we have already traced the call. The Doctor is calling directly from his home in California and not trying to deceive us.

Figures, you would already be on top of this.

Not me, the head of Security did all the work. Rocky told him as she left the room.

Sam took a deep breath and put all his focus on the caller, and the problem that he had brought to his house and pushed all other concerns to the side.

Dr. Rosalas, this is Sam Underwood. I'm Pepper Moralas' publisher, and friend.

You're her friend? This is good, very good. Because you care. Please, I need to get a message to Paulina. I mean, Pepper. I gave her that nickname, because of her fondness of hot peppers. Dr. Rosalas said finishing with a nervous sigh.

Sam listened closely to the man and could hear the anxiety and concern in his voice for his friend. While he listened, Rocky returned to Sam's office. In her hand she held her personal phone in which she had Pepper Moralas waiting on hold. She put the phone on Sam's desk with a sticky note attached. It said, Pepper, press two bars to connect to her. She walked back out of the office and went back to the kitchen to wait.

Dr. Rosalas, may I ask you to please tell me where you are calling from? Sam asked, hoping to get an honest answer he already knew the answer to.

I'm calling from my home in California. I arrived here from Rio de Janeiro yesterday. I didn't dare try to contact Pepper until I was out of Brazil. I'm guessing you know this already. It's good you are cautious! I understand, completely. Please, you must help Pepper and the babies.

Sam heard panic in the Doctor's voice, and he began to get really concerned. The children aren't babies any longer; they are very irritating teenagers, Sam laughed, trying to get Dr. Rosalas to relax a bit.

Si', teenagers are very irritating, said the Doctor sounding tired, and worried.

Sam tried to assure the man he would keep Pepper and the kids safe. We will help Pepper and the children in any way we can. But first we have to know what kind of danger they are in?

Bad men are coming to take them away. They know the truth! They want the children! They must hide, this is really bad, Dr. Rosalas said quite hurriedly.

The truth? Sam asked.

Si', Pepper knows what I speak.

Dr. Rosalas, we have Pepper on another phone. Please hold on. I'm going to have my assistant put us on a conference call.

Sam put Dr. Rosalas on hold and looked at the two phones in frustration. He pressed the intercom button on his desk that connected him to the kitchen, knowing that was where he would find Rocky.

Rocky! How do I turn this into a conference call on your phone? What do I push?

Sam listened for an answer, but none came. He was about to ask again when Rocky marched into his office, picked up the phone he was using to talk to Dr. Rosalas, and her personal phone. In seconds she had Pepper, Sam, and Dr. Rosalas connected on one line.

"What would I do without you? Sam asked.

Revert back to 19th century technology, Rocky teased. First talk with Pepper, and I will add the good Doctor if she wants to talk to him.

Rocky sat down across from Sam and listened to their conversation.

Hi Pepper.

Hi, Sam, I hear a bit of a situation has arisen, but your watch dog wouldn't tell me any more than that.

Sam smiled at Rocky when she used the nickname that his Authors had given her in a loving, friendly nature. Rocky knew that all the Authors who produced books for Underwood Publication thought of her as nothing less than a friend.

Sam asked, Pepper, do you know a Dr. Bryan Rosalas From Brazil?

Yes, of course! He delivered the kids. My grandmother and I worked for him when I was serving in a UN humanitarian mission. He called you?

I have him on the line now. I'm guessing he discovered you are now a writer and that I'm your publisher, and he tried to get a message to you through me. Would you like to talk to him? He says quote, Bad men are coming for the kids. That they know the truth. Do you know what that is about?

The phone became deadly silent, and Sam and Rocky exchanged concerning looks.

Pepper, are you all right? Do you want to talk with him? Sam asked.

Pepper was quiet for another few seconds before she finally answered. Yes, Sam. Please conference him in with us, Rocky.

Rocky smiled at the fact that their friend knew that she was at Sam's side, but she didn't say a word. She just reached over and connected Dr. Rosalas to the call. Sam nodded his thanks and she left the room before Sam said a single word.

Dr. Rosalas, you now may speak with Pepper.

Pepper, are you there? Dr. Rosalas asked a little hesitantly.

Sam heard Pepper gasp when she heard the Doctor's voice for the first time in over a decade.

Pepper began nervously with, First I need to ask you a few questions?

Si', I understand.

How many people were in the OR when the babies were born?

The Doctor answered quickly. You, me, Anna, and Sophia. There were four of us.

Pepper continued, Who choose the babies names?

Anna and Sophia of course, answered the doctor.

Sam listened to this exchange and wondered why two nurses gave Peppers twins their names, and not their mother.

Pepper continued her questioning. What's wrong with the birthdate on the certificate?

Dr. Rosalas laughed, I had it state that the babies were born five days earlier so you could leave the country. It was your grandmother's idea. She was a great lady. She hated me calling you Pepper.

Sam heard Pepper voice get a bit emotional at the mention of her beloved Grandmother.

Bryan, It's really you!

Si' It's really me. So good to hear your lovely voice again. Our reunion must be brief, I must go to hospital. I must warn you that they know, Pepper. They're coming for the children. If I can find you, they can, so you must go someplace safe and hide. Keep them safe! I will not come to you, they might follow me, we should keep in contact through your Mr. Underwood. Much safer that way. Please, Paulina you must stay in the dark, so to speak.

I understand Bryan. Will we see each other soon? You need to stay safe too. Promise me.

No, No! Bad idea for me to come to you. Very bad idea! I call Mr. Underwood again soon. You explain to him? I got to go now. Protect them Pepper, protect yourself and your friends. I call with another phone soon.

Sam and Pepper heard someone speak to the Doctor in Portuguese.

Si', Si' one moment more. They heard Dr. Rosalas say.

Dr. Rosalas came back to the conversation. Sorry, my housekeeper just told me I'm late to hospital. It took so long to find you on the phone. But I did good, No?

Yes, Bryan. You did good. You stay safe too. Good-bye my friend, Pepper told her friend just before he broke their connection.

Julianne Underwood had come into her husband's office a few minutes earlier, to give her husband and her friend some support. She had only heard the last few minutes of the conversation between Dr. Rosalas and her friend Pepper Moralas. Now she heard her friends panicked voice and she just knew that Pepper needed her support.

Pepper, this is Julianne. Are you all right? What's going on? and What do you need us to do? We are here for you. Julianna's questions came fast and furious as she paced Sam office.

Julianne Underwood sent out a 9.1.1 to all the members of the Renegade Writer's club after she talked with Pepper. Fifteen hours later, the eight women were gathered in the Livingroom of the Underwood's Hampton beach house. This time they had invited a few others to this gathering.

Standing near the fireplace was Ethan Stewart. The greatest fixer of problems no one had ever heard of, and the best public relation man in the country, maybe even the world. He was tall, sexy, and built like a brick house, yet still a quiet man, who protected his privacy, and his family with a vengeance. He was a good friend of the Underwood’s and had met all the women of the Renegade Writers Club when he had helped one of their members, Abbie Forrester, during a cruise. Standing near Ethan was the other two invited guests. They were Abbie Forrester’s new husband, Tony Lawson, who was now a retired NSA agent, and Abbie's birth father Jefferson Kraft, who was CEO of the movie studio, Craft Productions.

Everyone had gotten there as quickly as possible. All they knew was that someone in their group needed help. They considered themselves all sisters, much more than sisters, and when one of them needed help, they all dropped whatever they were doing, and got on a plane from all over the country, and came, no questions asked. Only bringing with them loving hearts and willing hands, a small suite case and their laptops. Leaving behind understanding husbands, and children.

Very early that day Sam Underwood had sent his private jet to bring Pepper, and her two children, along with a team of special security agents to his and Julianne's home in Hampton's New York. The security detail was now watching the Underwood's home by patrolling around the property and two others watched monitors in the basement for any unusual activities that the cameras might pick up. Also, two very well-trained female agents where on the beach with Peppers children and Hope Underwood pretending to be Nanny's. Nannies who were armed and dangerous to anyone who wanted to harm their charges. The three children, who were already friends, were enjoying this unexpected visit with a little belly surfing in the cool waters just a hundred yards away from the Underwood's home.

Pepper had her back turned away from the rest of the group as she watched the three children play in the gentle waves. Her heart was aching in fear, and she trembled as she pushed an unobserved tear off her golden-brown cheek. Both her children, Ellaina and Manny Joe had the same rich cocoa brown skin of their Portuguese heritage. They both had thick black hair with beautiful wayward curls. Ellaina's hair was long and wavy, and not even the weight of the sea water could stop the curls from going in any direction that they wanted. Which didn't seem to bother the young teenager who had always refused to tie her hair back in a ponytail and preferred to let her hair flow elegantly down her back. Ellaina's was full of life, and her beautiful dark brown eyes sparkled with life as she and Hope tried to get Manny Joe to balance on the little wake board.

Manny Joe, whose eyes where slightly lighter than his twin sisters, and had green streaks that got darker every time he got angry. He was very protective of his sister and his mother. Unlike Ellaina who loved to be with people and fluttered from one activity to the next with friends following close by, Manny Joe focused on one thing at a time, and always completing one task before moving on to the next. This made him a tremendous asset to the track team at his school because he would be so focused on the finish line and getting there that nothing distracted him to achieving that goal, not even the racers on either side of him. Racer's that were usually not as focused as he was, which gave Manny Joe a huge advantage over his competitors. Manny Joe was a head taller than his sister, and almost a full two feet taller than his mother, Pepper, and had short unruly hair that he constantly combed, as he tried to tame his natural curls.

Pepper stood silently at the glass door watching the two children she loved. She would sacrifice anything to protect Ellaina and Manny Joe. Who now surfed with their younger friend happily, not knowing that danger was in search of them. They looked content and excited about this unexpected trip. As Pepper watched them her heart swelled with pride, love, and determination. Determination that she would keep them safe. She was glad she had her friends for support, but was worried that they, too, could be in danger.

Julianne came up behind her and put one arm around Pepper's shoulders.

Whatever it is, we're here for you, Julianne assured her.

Pepper didn't say anything, but Julianne could see tears flowing down her cheeks like small waterfalls. The others in their group saw Pepper needed them, and seconds later she was surrounded in a group hug. Her friends, cried also, even though they didn't know why. They all felt her pain, and it became their pain also.

Sam, Ethan, Jefferson, and Tony stood silently off to one side of the room watching the women. They didn't mock them like most men might do. Instead, they admired the women's closeness and their dedication to each other. The men saw something else also. They saw how vulnerable these women were. They saw how much they needed each other; saw how they were much stronger when they stood together, and how they believed they could face anything, and conquer the world and their problems better as a group.

Sam left the room and returned a few minutes later carrying two boxes of tissue, and a small trash can. He placed the two boxes on the table that sat between two sofa’s and put the trash can on the floor at one corner, before joining the other three men.

Jefferson chuckled, Looks like you've done this before.

Yep! More times than I can count.

Ethan motioned towards the group of women. How long does that last?

As long as they need. I find it best to be patient and wait until they are ready, Sam said, crossing his arms across his chest.

Ethan, being the only single man, and the youngest of the group of men said, I guess it's better to get all the tears over with all at one time.

His statement made the other three men laugh and Ethan felt like he was missing something.

What? he asked clueless to how women acted.

Ethan, this is probably round one of the tears. And sometimes the tears seem endless, said Tony, a newly married man.

Ethan looked at his three companions who were shaking their heads in agreement. You're kidding? Right?

Afraid not! Sam said with a deep sigh. "But don't think of them as weak and needy.

They're now! Those women are the strongest, smartest, and most talented people that I know.

And together they are a force to be respected."

You should add stubborn, hardheaded, sneaky, ambitious, and fearless and very secretive, Tony added from his experience.

And that's what gets them into trouble. And why we are here, said Jefferson Kraft, the eldest of the four men.

Chapter One

Pepper's Story

With her tears dried, Pepper took one more look at her children to make sure they were out of hearing range and discovered that an agent had now stepped out of her clothes and was in the water with the kids giving them surfing lessons. The other agent remained on alert and was now looking towards the house. When she saw Pepper looking in her direction, the agent gave her a reassuring smile before turning back around to watch her partner and the kids.

Pepper and her group of friends separated, and they made themselves comfortable on the two sofas’, as Pepper sat down in a large overstuffed chair that faced the beautiful fireplace. The large coffee table between them was littered with paper and pens, computer tablets, and coffee cups still warm with the lady's favorite beverages. The four men stood next to the fireplace patiently waiting to hear why Pepper, and her twins needed their help.

The room became quiet as Pepper began her story, her hands shaking in fear, and her voice breaking in emotion.

"I think I better start at the beginning. That way you could follow me more easily. I got married when I turned twenty-one, to Steven McDonald, just after we graduated from nursing school. Six months later Steven asked for a divorce, which was fine with me because he had become addicted to drugs and would rather party with his friends than work. He felt he didn't have a problem, and refused to go into a program, and we argued constantly about it. I was sad over our break-up.

My Grandmother, who has dual citizenship from the USA and Brazil, and who was also a nurse felt I needed a change. But really, she just wanted me as far away from Steven as possible. She suggested she and I sign up for a humanitarian mission that our hospital was sponsoring to a remote area of Brazil. It was her chance to return to her country of birth, and my chance