UnBroken

By Tameri Etherton

Enjoy this coming of age forbidden love short story by USA Today Bestselling paranormal romance author Tameri Etherton...

His secret could get him killed.
Justin paints in secret to escape the brutality of his life, but when that secret is revealed, he's forced to confront more than his fears.
She's a face in a portrait, half-hidden and taunting. The moment Justin's paintbrush touches the canvas, she comes to life. He knows she's not real, yet he can hear her voice and touch her hand. Who is she and why does she haunt is every waking hour?
Freedom comes at a price. Even the most broken can find hope in the darkness.
When everything is lost, it'll take more than a painting to heal.
UnBroken is a star-crossed lovers short story with minimal sexy times, but a heartwarming happy ending. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teacup Dragon Publishing
• Release date: Feb 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781941955390

Book preview

UnBroken

CONTENTS

UNBROKEN

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

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About the Author

UNBROKEN

TAMERI ETHERTON

UNBROKEN

His secret could get him killed.

Justin paints in secret to escape the brutality of his life, but when that secret is revealed, he’s left with just one choice.

She’s a face in a portrait, half-hidden and taunting. The moment Justin’s paintbrush touches the canvas, she comes to life. She’s not real, yet he can hear her voice and touch her hand. Who is she and why does she haunt is every waking hour?

Freedom comes at a price. Old wounds take time to heal. Even the most broken can find hope in the darkness.

If she isn’t real, will he ever know true love?

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1

The girl haunted him. She was the reason his balls were shriveled into the nether regions of his crotch and he couldn’t feel his face. The painting was like a siren’s call to him—one that must be answered no matter the time, temperature, or opportunity. He was drawn to her unlike any other painting he’d made.

Ice crunched beneath Justin’s feet, echoing in the still, predawn air. He shifted his weight, trying for more stealth, less speed. In a few hours, he could make as much sound as he wished, but for now he craved silence. As if obeying an unspoken command, the air hushed and the crush of his heavy boots was muffled with each press into the snow.

It wasn’t the first time something odd like that had happened to him, but he wished it would be the last. Whatever it was, it would bring a world of trouble if his pa ever found out. That’s why he had to keep it and the tiny room at the far end of the hayloft secret. That’s why he had to keep her a secret.

He crept up the rickety ladder in the old barn one rung at a time to keep from slipping. This winter was one of the coldest on record, but even the freezing temperatures couldn’t keep him away from the hidden room he liked to think of as his artist’s loft. No one knew the space existed, and he meant to keep it that way. It took the better part of a year, but he’d managed to create an oasis in this hell. A place where he could be himself—fully, completely, truly.

A place where he didn’t have to pretend.

Didn’t have to puff up his chest and act the stronger sex.

Didn’t have to listen to his old man’s toxic rhetoric.

Despite the chill, he stripped off his heavy jacket, being careful not to drip ice onto his supplies. They were more precious to him than anything in his miserable life—except for his ma—and he couldn’t afford to replace them. His boots would have to stay on—time was ticking and he’d not squander it with comfort. She was waiting.

Even though today was an important day, he had to see her. To be near her, if only for a few minutes. She haunted his dreams and terrorized his waking thoughts.

After a quick check that his blankets would block light from escaping through the slats, he settled on the tiny stool