Four Hearts: The Game of Life Series, #4

By Belle Brooks

"The Wolf can break my bones, but he can't destroy my heart."

I will never lie down and say die because there are four hearts that beat for me, including my own, and it's the strongest weapon I have. I will defeat the Wolf. I will take his life. He'd better sleep with one eye open, because I'm coming for him. 

Who is the Wolf? He's one dead son-of-a-bitch in my eyes. He underestimated me and now he has no clue where I am. I've found my place to hide, and it's only a matter of time until I see my freedom.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, burn in hell, Red, because I've had enough." – The Wolf

The game isn't over yet. For me, it's just begun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Belle Brooks
• Release date: Feb 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780648126379

Belle Brooks

Born in Australia, Belle Brooks has always had a passion for books and creative writing. She loves exploring the different ways stories can be told through the use of text and in-depth characters. Since she was a child her strong talent and interest in creative writing was evident, explaining that her favourite class in school was English. Despite her love for all things books, she decided the world of advertising and marketing was where she could put her talents to use in the business realm, well that is until now. Belle enjoys creative writing and creating fictional stories that leave a valued message inside the pages.

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Table of Contents

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

Published 2018

ISBN – 9780648126379

Four Hearts

©2018 by Belle Brooks

Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the permission of the publisher, Obie Books, Po Box 2302, Yeppoon QLD Australia 4703.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

All rights are reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in past in any form. This edition is published in arrangement with Obie Books Q.L.D.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by

Obie Books

Po Box 2302

Yeppoon Qld 4701

AUSTRALIA

Cover design by Tracey (Soxie) Weston.

Editing by Lauren Clarke

Formatting By Jaye Cox @Formatting the Affordable Way

For all victims of abuse and their families.

It’s never too late to speak out.

It’s never too late to stand up and fight.

A NOTE TO THE READER

The Game of Life Novella Series is comprised of five parts. To enjoy this highly suspenseful psychological thriller, it’s advised that you read each book in the correct order as shown below.

Book One – One Fear

Book Two –Two Footsteps

Book Three – Three Breaths

Book Four – Four Hearts

Book Five – Five Fights

These books have been written using UK English and contain euphemisms and slang words that form part of the Australian spoken word, which is the basis of this book’s writing style.

Please remember that the words are not misspelled. They are slang terms and form part of everyday Australian vernacular.

Reid

I dip my head and lower my body until I’m sliding across the back seat of the car. The belt meets the buckle, and I jolt from the sound.

My heart shatters all over again. I’m never going to be the same man I was before.

The car door opens on the opposite side to me, and Maloney sits and then shuffles in his seat. My stomach rolls in a vicious circle causing acid to burn the back of my throat.

They’ve found Morgan. There’s no life in front of us. No more memories left to create. No more I’m sorrys to be exchanged. Morgan’s dead.

We’re leaving now. Are you ready, Reid? Maloney’s tone is tender. His eyes filled with pity.

Make it stop. Make it stop, my mind pleads as I turn my head in a shake and drop my vision to the seat below.

I’m not ready to see my wife. I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’m not ready for eyes that speak of sorrow and pity to be my future.

Maloney clears his throat at the precise moment I hear car doors opening.

It’s almost time. We’re just waiting on Detective West to finish these phone calls, Maloney says softly.

I don’t look at him.

The streets I’ve not travelled on for days await. It wasn’t supposed to end like this. Our love wasn’t supposed to end at all. I didn’t even get a chance to tell Morgan I loved her with all my heart, and that I was sorry for letting her down. I’m sorry for pushing you out of my life, Morgan, I say under my breath.

Reid, Maloney says.

What? Our eyes briefly connect until I rotate my head towards the laminated glass window in front of me. It fogs with the heavy breaths I take.

I didn’t hold true to the promises I made Morgan. I wasn’t the man I vowed to be for her, the man who’d catch her if she fell. I wasn’t the man I promised myself I’d be either.

How do I go on from here? How do I live with my guilt? How do I raise our children right? How do I live without Morgan?

We’re about to leave, Reid, Maloney mumbles.

Maloney. My rock. I want to laugh at the realisation that this man, a stranger I met two days ago, is the person I requested to be with me as I take this final journey.

When I see Morgan, Maloney will see me fall. I will fall at the sight of Morgan. I will never get up again.

Reid, Detective West is climbing into the car now, Maloney commentates.

Do not let the press get wind of this yet. We have to see if Reid can give us an identification. West stops abruptly. No! It’s not protocol, but sometimes rules are meant to be broken. He stops speaking. Because if it’s not, then we still have time, he continues. If we don’t do this, we’re waiting for dental records. Do you want to risk that? West’s tone is harsh. Good. Hold tight. I’m taking her parents as well, in case he can’t do it. I’ll call you as soon as we do or don’t, okay? He pauses. Bye.

I rotate my head mechanically and catch West lowering his phone to the console.

The click of the key twisting in the ignition makes me jump. The engine firing has me swallowing hard. I close my eyes.

Dear God,

Can you please work a miracle? Because I need a second chance to be with my wife. Grant me one more chance, and I promise I won’t mess it up.

Amen.

Slow—that’s how the car moves. It’s like we’re in a funeral procession as we follow a red undercover vehicle that rolled up to the house earlier this morning. Gleaton is at its wheel. His mission: to escort Morgan’s parents on the drive.

My heart sinks low into my belly when I picture the devastation that would have been painted on Ronald and Kylee’s face’s after that fucking call came in. I blink to clear my vision—to help silence the ear-piercing screams that accompany it. It doesn’t work, and panic leeches my heart, strangling my blood flow, causing an unbearable ache to reside. The need to run has me bouncing my knees. My stomach rolls again, this time in a tsunami fashion, and my heart thumps so hard in my chest I will for it to stop beating altogether. I can’t do this.

Maloney’s hand presses to my thigh. Reid. Breathe.

I inhale slowly. I have to do this.

Roundabout.

Red light.

Roundabout.

Bridge.

Roundabout.

Red light.

Then a white and red sign reading Rockhampton Base Hospital comes into view. We drive down a hidden path, one I never knew existed.

The car comes to an abrupt halt. I shudder as if someone is walking over my grave, and I instantly twist my head in search of Maloney's eyes to seek comfort, only to view the back of his head.

The car door beside me opens. I expect an aged face and a black/grey moustache; instead, it's a youthful