Forgive Me

By Phylicia Joannis

Martin West is broken. Damaged and scarred by Josh Turner’s plot for revenge, Martin must battle a growing sense of hopelessness. But Martin isn’t the only one fighting back the darkness. Johnny Reese struggles to find peace as he comes face to face with his own demons. Edward West is out for blood as he seeks retribution. Overwhelming challenges and bitter wounds threaten to keep Jennifer, Max, and Tammie divided.

In the final book of the series, the faith of each teen is tested again and again. With so many obstacles to overcome, reconciliation seems out of reach. Can they find a way to forgive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phylicia Joannis
• Release date: Dec 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005240363

Phylicia Joannis

Reared in the West, taught in the South, and dwelling in the North, I'm a freelance writer and author, wife, and proud pet owner. I work to support my family and my passion. This is what I was born to do. This is my write or die.

Book preview

Forgive Me

The Logoria Series

Book 6

by Phylicia Joannis

Copyright 2020 Phylicia Joannis

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – Helpless

Chapter 2 – Broken Things

Chapter 3 – Showing Up

Chapter 4 – Too Much of a Bad Thing

Chapter 5 – Sneak Attacks

Chapter 6 – Secrets

Chapter 7 – Precious People

Chapter 8 – Raising the Stakes

Chapter 9 – A Turn of Events

Chapter 10 – Not Okay

Chapter 11 – Devon vs Max

Chapter 12 – At All Costs

Chapter 13 – A Plea for Help

Chapter 14 – How Did We Get Here?

Chapter 15 – Have Mercy

Epilogue

Discussion Questions

Resources

About the Author

More Ways to Connect

Prologue

Max anxiously runs his fingers through his hair as he waits for Mr. West to pick up.

Come on, come on, he pleads with his phone. He gets Mr. West’s voicemail. No, no, no! Max cries. He checks Martin’s pulse, fumbling with Martin’s wrist as he tries to remember the steps for CPR. Thankfully, his pulse is strong. Max dials 911, praying that the signal doesn’t fade. There’s a click on the other side.

911, what is your emergency? the dispatcher’s voice sounds as heavenly as a choir of angels.

Please hurry, my friend is hurt! the words pour out of Max like water. His pulse is ok, but he’s barely breathing. We’re in the woods behind Logoria Memorial Park, and I can’t drag him out on my own.

Okay, slow down, the dispatcher instructs him. Where exactly in the park are you located?

I don’t know! Just send somebody. They should be able to see the smoke.

Smoke? the dispatcher’s tone changes. Is there a fire somewhere?

Yes! Max exclaims. There’s a big house in the woods and it’s on fire. I got him out of the house, but I can’t take him any further, and I need help!

Calm down, the dispatcher speaks soothingly. Help is on the way. Is he breathing?

Max groans. I told you, yes, but barely. Please send help. Max takes another look at Martin. He hasn’t moved. God please don’t let him die, he prays.

What is your name? the dispatcher asks.

Max, he answers, wiping his eyes. My name is Maxwell Shaw. My friend’s name is Martin West. His father is the District Attorney, Edward West.

Max, I’m going to ask you a few more questions while the EMTs head your way. Were you two drinking or doing drugs? the dispatcher asks softly.

No! Max exclaims. We don’t do drugs!

Okay, okay, I’m not accusing you, the dispatcher speaks reassuringly. I need to get as much information to them as possible about your friend Martin, okay?

Okay.

Okay, Max, the dispatcher continues. Does Martin have any medical conditions that you are aware of?

No, I don’t think so.

Is Martin conscious?

No, Max answers.

Did he hit his head, did something fall on him, or is he bleeding anywhere?

Max crouches next to Martin to check. Just a few scratches. I don’t know if he hit his head on anything.

Were you with him when the fire started? she asks.

No, I came here and the house was on fire, Max breathes a sigh of relief as he hears the familiar wail of sirens.

Was he conscious when you found him?

Sort of, Max shakes his head. I mean, he groaned and opened his eyes, but that was it.

Okay, Max, the paramedics are close by, but they’re going to need help finding you. I’m tracking your GPS location on your phone so stay with me, okay?

Okay, Max nods and whispers a prayer of thanks. Distant sounds and movement among the trees let him know that the paramedics have arrived.

What is your name? Max asks.

Tasha, the dispatcher replies.

Thank you, Tasha.

Chapter One

Helpless

Max bites his fingernails as he paces the hospital floor. Mr. West speaks with one of the nurses at the front desk as Mrs. West sits in a chair. Max stops pacing when he sees her tears. Her hands tremble as she twists a cloth tissue, soaked and torn from overuse. Max hovers over her and places a hand on her shoulder. She jerks away, and Max immediately withdraws his hand.

I’m sorry, Max mumbles, placing his hands nervously in his pockets.

No, it’s okay, Mrs. West shakes her head and stares at the tissue in her hand. Max grabs a tissue box from a nearby table and hands it to her. She takes a fresh tissue and blows her nose. Martin is my baby, she cries. My only child. Her voice catches and Max nods. He ventures to place his hand on her shoulder a second time, but Mr. West beats him to it.

Come on, Mr. West pulls her into his arms and kisses her forehead. It’s going to be okay. Martin’s going to be okay.

Max watches them comfort each other, feeling out of place.

Mr. & Mrs. West? Three pairs of eyes turn their attention to the approaching doctor.

I’m Dr. Karrington. I need to tell you a few things about your son.

Is he alright? Mrs. West asks.

Well, Dr. Karrington hesitates when he sees Max. Let’s talk in my office for a moment? They follow him down the hall, leaving Max in the waiting room. When they return, Max’s eyes float from one to the other. Something is wrong.

Is he okay? Max asks. Mrs. West nods silently.

Would it be alright if I see him? I mean, is he awake?

He’s awake. Mrs. West replies. Her eyes brim with fresh tears. We should be thankful he’s alive. She grabs Mr. West’s hand and squeezes it.

Max feels a growing apprehension as he watches Martin’s mother. What’s wrong? he asks.

Max, what were you two doing there? Mr. West asks suddenly. He casts an angry glare at Max.

I wasn’t with him. I found him there.

He wasn’t supposed to be driving, Mr. West speaks to no one in particular. He should have been at home!

Mrs. West turns to her husband. Did they find his car?

Mr. West nods. They found it by a gas station about a quarter mile from the park. The cashier says he saw Martin park there and jog towards the woods.

What was he doing there? Mrs. West shakes her head. They both look at Max.

Are you sure Martin didn’t tell you anything about where he was going, or what he was doing there? Mrs. West asks.

I’m sure, Max nods. Martin didn’t tell me anything. I haven’t spoken to him since Sunday. He said he was busy with basketball and stuff.

Are they checking the house? Mrs. West looks to her husband.

Yes. My office will get all the preliminary reports, but that will take some time. For now, it seems the only person who can tell us what Martin was doing there is Martin.

The doctor says he’s conscious, Mrs. West offers.

Mr. West shakes his head. I don’t want him disturbed. He needs to rest.

Mrs. West turns to Max. What about you, Max? Are you alright? We haven’t even asked you if you’re okay.

Just a scratch or two, but I’m fine.

Are you sure? she looks over him with worry. Let me get you a soda or something?

Max starts to follow her as she walks down the hall, but she stops him.

I’ll get it. You stay with Mr. West, okay?

Max would rather stay with her, but he nods. Okay.

He and Mr. West sit down in the waiting room, suspended in awkward silence. Mr. West finally clears his throat.

Martin is going to survive, Max. he begins. But the effects from smoke inhalation have the doctor concerned.

How bad is it?

They think he may have brain damage. With an old house like that there’s no telling what kind of chemicals were in that place. Lead paint, asbestos, mold. He could have anything from a bad cough to paralysis. They’re going to run some tests and see.

I’m really sorry Mr. West, Max shakes his head, helpless. I got there as soon as I could.

No, it’s not your fault, Max, Mr. West pats him on the back. I’m glad you got him out. That’s what’s important.

They both look up as a nurse approaches.

Mr. West? The young nurse looks at Martin’s father.

Yes? he answers.

Martin is asking for you.

Mr. West and Max both stand. Stay here, Max. When my wife comes back, tell her I went in to see him. Max sits back down, feeling anxious. Mr. West follows the nurse to Martin’s room. Mr. West braces himself as he enters. Martin looks up slowly, and Mr. West breathes a sigh of relief.

Are you alright?

I’m ok, Martin rasps, but spirals into a coughing spell. The nurse coaches him through several deep breaths.

My chest hurts, Martin’s voice sounds small when the spell subsides.

It’ll pass. Mr. West is unsure of what to say next.

The fire. Martin pauses to catch his breath. He winces as he breathes in and out slowly. Mr. West clenches his jaw, swallowing the lump in his throat. His boy is hurting, and he feels helpless.

Can you tell me about the fire? Mr. West asks, leaning in close to hear him.

I was trapped. Martin sighs. I thought I was going to die, Martin sniffs and turns away as the nurse makes an adjustment to his medication.

Just relax, she speaks soothingly. Martin nods and blinks slowly.

What did you give him? Mr. West glares.

The nurse is startled by the sharpness of his tone. Something to help him sleep. He needs rest.

Mr. West grunts and moves in closer to his son.

Martin, I need you to focus, okay? Martin yawns and his eyes continue to droop. Martin, what happened? Why were you trapped inside that house?

Martin licks his lips. I was looking for Jen.

What?

Martin shakes his head slowly. She wasn’t there. Josh was there.

Josh? Mr. West frowns. Josh who?

He trapped me, Martin whispers softly.

Who trapped you?

Jo-- The words float away as Martin drifts off to sleep.

Stay focused, Martin! Mr. West cups his face in his hands, but Martin doesn’t respond. Wait, Martin, what did you mean? Who did this to you? Mr. West feels his son’s head go limp in his hands.