Suddenly Broken: Unexpected, #1

By Claudia Burgoa

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Claudia Burgoa creates an emotional romance duet full of angst and secret pain.

I'm music royalty.

Part of Hollywood's elite.

It's a perk of being the only daughter of Gabe Colt and Chris Decker.

Except, no one knows my fathers are together.

They kept their marriage private along with their children.

They hid us–and their love for each other–for years.

I grew up sheltered from the celebrity world.

But I was exposed to so many lies…

All I've ever wanted is a normal life.

Friends.

Love.

Sure, I have my brothers and the handsome, geeky Mason Bradley, but that's not enough.

I want more.

I want romantic love.

Instead of finding it—him–I fell for Porter Kendrick.

I thought he loved me.

He only loved that I worshiped him.

After a loss that rocks my world, I find myself relying on the only friend I've ever had.

The first book in the Unexpected Everlasting duet will invoke tears and heartbreak in a gut-wrenching love story. This book ends on a cliffhanger that'll change everything…

The Unexpected Everlasting Duet is based on Ainsley Decker and Mason Bradley's story. Part of this duet was released as Unsurprisingly Complicated.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claudia Burgoa
• Release date: Jan 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215647448

Book preview

Prologue

Mason

Mason, age five…

Arthur, it’s your turn to have your child, Mom emphasized.

Her voice dragged me out of the magical world of the Magic Tree House book I was reading. How I wish I could have a special place like Jack and Annie so I could escape my parents’ fights. 

I’d be great with solving the riddles, freeing Morgan from a spell, and becoming a Master Librarian. What’d I give to be in the Caribbean Sea facing pirates or… anything would be better than listening to Mom yell because I ruined her plans—again. 

I held on tight to my book, staring at the letters and listening to her rant over her car phone. The next call was to my soon-to-be stepfather. Yes, Dave, I’ll be home today. Arthur will keep him for the entire summer.

But will Dad want me?

You can leave me with Grandma Milli, I offered. 

Mom glanced briefly at me in the back seat. I wanted to remind her that the road was in front of her, and we could crash, but I stayed quiet.

If you’re done with that book, I have another one in your bag. I’ll hand it to you once you’re with your father.

I looked at her but didn’t utter a word. If I told her I finished it, she might get upset because I never pace myself. If I didn’t, she’d get mad because I wasted my time daydreaming. It was hard to please my parents, but no one could say I didn’t try. 

I sighed with relief when I spotted the enormous stone arch and the iron gate. We were finally there. But then, my tummy rumbled with hunger and twisted with fear. What if Dad didn’t want me either?

I’m here to drop off Mason to his irresponsible father, Mom spoke to a black box, similar to the one at the hamburger drive thru. 

No one answered, but the gates parted. I covered my face with my book and squeezed my eyes tightly. I had no idea what I was afraid of, but this felt worse than those nights when I couldn’t sleep because there were monsters under my bed.

Mom drove forward until the car stopped. I lowered my book and noticed the big house with bright lights and two men standing outside the door. I recognized one of them—Dad. He was tall—gigantic like Thor, but short dark hair like mine. He always wore jeans and a white cotton shirt. It was like a uniform. His eyes were gray as the sky when a storm was brewing—same as mine. 

The other man wasn’t as tall as Dad, but he was strong and had tattoos all over his arms. 

Mom helped me with my seat belt, putting me down on the ground. Then, she walked to the trunk, grabbing my bag. She shoved it toward Dad. 

Dad squatted to greet me. Hey, little man, it’s good to see you. He smiled briefly as he studied me, then gave me a hug.

My tummy stopped hurting as much. When he released me, he smiled. You grew again. One day you might be taller than me.

I shrugged because I didn’t know if that was possible.

When he turned to look at Mom, his eyes darkened. He was furious. Mina, I’m working. He stood up and glared at Mom. You can’t just drop him off like this.

She placed her hands on her hips the same way she did when she was angry at me for leaving my toys all over the floor. You wanted joint custody. Well, here he is. It’s your turn. This isn’t a restaurant where you get to pick and choose. You’ve already skipped Christmas and Easter.

He did.

Mom made sure to tell everyone in her family that he was an irresponsible bastard. Well, those weren’t the exact words, but they’re pretty similar. That’s the Japanese translation. I’m ninety-nine percent sure of it. Mom’s family is part Japanese, part American, and part Canadian. 

There are times when it’s challenging to keep up with what Mom says because it could be in either French, English, or Japanese, but I’m getting good at it. 

Still, I didn’t want to believe Dad was a bastard. He called me every time he had promised. He picked me up when it was his turn, and he read me stories too.

My turn is the last two weeks of summer, Dad explained to her. His loud voice made me cover my ears with my hands. As my book dropped, the other guy picked it up and offered it to me. I didn’t take it because then I’d have to uncover my ears.

Well, I don’t care, Arthur. Mom’s voice matched Dad’s tone. Just like you didn’t give a shit during the holidays. I’m getting married, and I want to spend some alone time with my new husband.

What is it, husband number three or four? Dad questioned and then chuckled. Nevermind, I don’t care. I’m going to be away working, and no one will be here with him.

That’s your problem. Mom dusted her hands. If you decide to change the custody agreement, be aware that you won’t see him again—ever.

My lip quivered—the idea of never seeing my father dropped down to my stomach, making my chest and everything else ache. I didn’t see him often, but when I did, it was fun. 

You’ll have more time to sleep with all those whores, Mom continued. You’re a depraved asshole, just like your employers.

The guy with bright-green eyes lifted me up. Arthur, he’s welcome to stay for the summer. The kids will have fun. He tilted his head toward Mom. You shouldn’t talk like this around your child. Excuse me.

You’re growing up, the man said. You might not remember me. I’m Chris. I met you when you were a baby. He set me down as we stepped inside a room with toys, books, and some puzzles. 

Thank you, Decker, I heard Dad say. I can make other arrangements. Check if my brother and sister-in-law—

Nah. The man shook his head. The days you have to travel for work, there’ll be someone to look after him. Gabe and I are always at home with the kids. One more will be fun.

This is a one-time thing, Dad assured him. 

Or you can keep your time with him. Chris shrugged. We have extra rooms and plenty of stuff for him to do.

They did have plenty of things. There was a playground, two pools, a playroom, computers, and toys. Their children were younger than me, but the difference in our ages didn’t matter as the years progressed. 

Whenever my mother had to drop me off with Dad, she’d talk about him as if he was this evil man who only took me because he had to. I never understood why they fought over who should or shouldn’t get to have me.

Chapter One

Mason

Mason, age nineteen…

How long until this is over? I mutter, shifting my weight for what seems like the billionth time in the past hour.

Big mistake.

The first rule of working with my father is to keep your mouth shut. 

He turns his focus from the building across the street to me. You’ll never be able to do this job if you can’t hold still, Dad warns me. 

This isn’t a job.

We’re just surveilling. If I knew this job was standing on top of a roof for hours, I would’ve stayed at home playing video games or working with Silas, one of Dad’s friends. He’s a weapons expert. We’ve been developing technology for the company I plan to start soon. We’re creating a state-of-the-art alarm system, among other gear. Maybe, in a couple of years, we can custom-build them.

What’s the plan? I ask.

Dad puts down the binoculars again and stares at me, contempt and frustration radiating in his eyes. 

You’ll do better if you just focus on computers and games, he says almost dismissively. 

He doesn’t find what I do with my life meaningful. I wish he would take me more seriously, but I can’t change the man, can I?

This job requires years of training. I spent hours in combat. This isn’t some video game you can turn on and off when it’s convenient for you.

I fucking know that.

The biggest problem with my father is that he doesn’t believe in me, and yet I’m still here. I need him to teach me the ropes. He has to finish what he started long ago. 

If he could, he’d disown me and adopt another kid who he could be proud of. 

Dad wants perfection. I’m anything but perfect. 

Arthur Bradley, former Ranger, security consultant, and bodyguard to celebrities, deserves a better son. He’s a war hero—a decorated US soldier.

And what am I? I’m a disgrace. 

A kid who had more health problems while growing up than the WebMD database. Epilepsy, asthma, and several allergies… I didn’t qualify to be in the Army and follow in his footsteps. 

He had high hopes. Dad’s been training me since the age of… I can’t remember. I was young. Instead of teaching me to throw a ball, he taught me how to shoot. I began to practice basic martial arts at the age of four.

It wasn’t until I turned six that I began proper training in Judo and Karate. Slowly, he added Aikido, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, and even Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Social services might frown upon my upbringing.

At nineteen, I can kill someone with a paperclip—it’s possible. I can handle knives, swords, and the occasional cooking pan.

You never know when you have to defend yourself, Mason. Everything is a weapon if you know how to use it. Even a pen, he said once when he handed me a sixteen-inch pan and told me to defend myself. 

No, I didn’t have a normal childhood. Mom also pushed me to become… who knows what she wanted me to be. 

Dad trained me to be a warrior, but my mother didn’t want that. She fought back by hiring tutors who shaped me intellectually instead. 

She probably wanted me to become a scientist of sorts. Thanks to her, I speak seven languages, play two instruments—badly—and finished college before turning eighteen. 

Numbers are my best friends. 

I can solve mathematical problems within minutes. I’m good at programming—computers are my first language. It’s to no one’s surprise that I know how to shoot or throw a knife at a certain angle to hit my target. 

Everything I am, I owe it to my parents and their pathetic divorce. They called it quits before I was a year old. I assume it wasn’t amicable since they continue fighting every chance they get. I’m their pawn in this ridiculous war. My parents ensured I didn’t enjoy my childhood. 

There are advantages to being raised as, what I like to call, a future super-soldier. 

At sixteen, I developed my first video game. Dad helped me sell it and afterward create a company. I could’ve emancipated myself and put a stop to my parents’ feud, but I didn’t. Instead, I chose to move in with my father so I could finish my training. 

War doesn’t intrigue me, but security consulting and protection do. I want to do what special forces do, but with more liberty and under my rules using my resources. 

I want to learn how to infiltrate a place, be almost invisible, and capture a drug lord, human trafficker, or even a dictator.

One day, I’ll set up a company that can work cases governments can’t because of the political implications. It’s a different way to fight battles and create a better world. Dad doesn’t think I can do it, but he humors me by training me and letting me join when he’s working cases. 

However, there are days like today that I’m about to get on his last nerve. It’s time to either retreat or listen to him and stay frozen while we observe. 

Mason, I don’t understand what you’re trying to do. You’re a successful software engineer. You could build an empire with your knowledge.

Or I could save lives if I combine my training with said knowledge.

He shakes his head, exasperated. Sometimes, you can’t have everything, and you need to make a choice. 

I almost laugh. Neither he nor my mother gave me a chance to pick one thing. I had to do it all to please them. Now that I want to combine everything I learned, he wants me to choose. Not only that, but he wants me to take on the one thing he didn’t teach me. 

Oh, the irony. 

Why can’t you trust me? If you could do it all over again, I bet you’d have another child. A son who can be better than me and carry the Bradley name, unlike me.

What are you talking about?

You don’t think I’m capable of doing shit.

But what if you die?

I grunt. Is he kidding me? Everyone dies. I could slip while crossing the street, hit my head on the asphalt, and die of brain damage.

I could bring up my epilepsy, but I don’t because it’s controlled with medication, and I haven’t had a seizure since I was ten. It’s the same with my asthma.