Life's Vengeance

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum, deep within her piles of research to find a cure for an ailing family member, once again, finds herself under the obsession of Eduardo Cardoza. Feeling older than ever, Terry and Raina struggle on how to be parents to their precocious six-year-old, who has a mind and behavior all her own.

As she tries to keep her family together, she learns of more danger, as local murders start to increase and put some of her grandchildren at risk.

Jim and Matthew focus their brotherhood on fatherhood and are determined to be the ultimate protector for their daughter. When the death of a family member coincides with Raina’s disappearance, she is saved by an unlikely hero.

Will Raina’s natural ability to heal and help others put a strain on her marriage? Will the return of Cardoza place Terry’s mind in its lost state again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215930984

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Vengeance

Amy Shannon

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

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 actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Dr. Raina Markum, deep within her piles of research to find a cure for an ailing family member, once again, finds herself under the obsession of Eduardo Cardoza.

Feeling older than ever, Terry and Raina struggle on how to be parents to their precocious six-year-old, who has a mind and behavior all of her own. As she tries to keep her family together, she learns of more danger, as local murders start to increase and put some of her grandchildren at risk.

Jim and Matthew focus their brotherhood on fatherhood and are determined to be the ultimate protector for their daughter. When the death of a family member coincides with Raina’s disappearance, she is saved by unlikely hero. Will Raina’s natural ability to heal and help others put a strain on her marriage? Will the return of Cardoza place Terry’s mind in its lost state again?

1 Family

DR. RAINA MARKUM rubbed her eyes wearily as she stared at the papers that crowded her coffee table. She covered her ears, as there was a knock on the screen door. Cousin Raina? his six-year-old voice said.

Raina looked up and smiled. Isaiah, what are you doing here?

Is Lenny here? Isaiah Dix smiled.

Down there. Just follow the music, she sighed, as she pointed down the hall.

Great, he opened the door and ran down the hall.

Raina slowly stood up and walked outside. She sat down on the porch and buried her face in her hands. Uhg. Get out of my head, she screamed slightly.

Her husband, Terry, walked up the front steps. Doc, what’s wrong?

She looked up at him. "I’m going to kill your brother."

Which one? he asked, as he took her hand.

"Do you hear that?"

I thought I heard music.

"He bought her the soundtrack. That’s all she’s been playing all morning. Not the whole thing, just that one damn song. Over and over again."

You could’ve told her to stop playing it, he laughed slightly.

"That’s not all they’re doing."

"They?"

I think you better go check this out, she said, as they headed into the house.

Terry and Raina walked down the hall and quietly stood in the doorway. Their six-year-old daughter, Elena, Isaiah, and Terry’s brother, Joshua Carleno, were dancing, with their arms spread out as they spun around.

Elena sang proudly, "The pills are alive, with the sound of moo-sic."

Wait, it’s not pills, Isaiah said.

Sure, it is, she stopped.

Joshua sat on the bed. "He’s right, it’s hills, not pills," he smiled.

Pills can be alive, too, Elena said, seriously, as she fixed her dark, curly pigtails.

How? Isaiah asked.

Momma makes pills, and they make people alive, she put her hands on her hips. Right, Momma? she grinned.

Joshua quickly turned around. Oh, how long have you two been standing there?

Long enough, Terry laughed.

He stood up quickly. Um, I have to go. I think Kaylee is waiting for me.

Does your wife know about your dance? Terry asked.

Yes, yes, she does, Joshua put his head down as he walked quickly out of the room.

Momma? Elena smiled. Can we still dance?

Raina sighed heavily. Um, she looked at Terry.

I’ll tell you what, Terry said. Why don’t you and Isaiah go out back? I’ve got a surprise for you two. Bring your CD player.

OK, ‘mon, Ice, she said, as she took Isaiah’s hand.

Cool, Lenny, he said, as she followed her out of the house.

Thank you, she said, as she kissed her husband.

You could’ve just asked him to leave, Terry said.

"I didn’t want to be rude. I like your brother, but he only comes over here to dance. He never takes her to his house to dance, she laughed. I’m sorry. I’m trying to work on these formulas and my head is pounding."

Well, I solved that problem, Terry said, as he took her hand and led her through the kitchen to the backyard.

"So, that’s why you were late?" she grinned.

Yeah, he smiled.

Elena and Isaiah ran over to Terry. Oh, Daddy, it the coolest.

I’m glad you like it. It has two floors, and the first floor is big enough for you to have all your friends over to dance. I even have electricity put in for you, he kneeled down beside her.

"’Tricity? What that?" Isaiah asked.

It like lightnin’ but better, Elena said.

You can plug in your CD player and dance all you want, he kissed her cheek. Now, go play for a while. Dinner will be ready in an hour.

Raina gazed into her husband’s eyes. Thank you. It is sound-proof, right?

Yes, don’t worry, it is, he put his arms around and kissed her softly. Now, what can I do for you?

I really have to clear my head. If you could keep an eye on her so I can take a walk, I’d appreciate it.

Go on. Be back for dinner, Terry said.

Oh, will you call Cody and Janie and tell them that Isaiah is here?

I’m sure they know, but I’ll invite him to stay for dinner. Go on, take your walk. You do need a break.

I’ll clean up my mess and be home soon. I promise.

All right. I’ll get dinner started, Terry headed into the kitchen.

2 Wandering

RAINA SLOWLY WALKED through the trail that led to the family legacy building. She collapsed in the chair and stared at the family photos that were displayed all over the walls. She wearily rubbed her eyes. I have to get this, she sighed heavily, as her twin brother, Matt O’Roark walked into the room.

I thought that was you, he said, as he sat next to her.

Following me? she asked.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I’m fine. It’s been a long day.

Work?

I’ve been working at home since Elena is on break, she took a deep breath.

What’s wrong?

I love my daughter, very much, but I don’t seem to be able to concentrate. That damn CD, she said.

What?

"Joshua bought her the Sound of Music CD. They were blaring it all afternoon and…"

Dancing? Matt laughed.

She laughed slightly. Yeah, she said.

Why doesn’t Terry just take the week off?

"Unfortunately, he can’t. There’s a big case … Cardoza was released last week."

You’re kidding, right? he asked.

"No, and it means that he has more work to do on this, so they can put him back in prison where he belongs. Some technicality let him out."

They used Terry’s illness against him, didn’t they? Matt asked.

Terry wouldn’t say, but I think so. I think it’s so I don’t worry about it.

Your husband and the mob, huh? he said.

I don’t know. I love my husband. He’s a good man. I guess I’m afraid that he will get lost in that world again. I don’t want to lose him. I know he has his brother and his father to protect him. I don’t think Eric went back to the mob, but they have been very close since Eric returned.

Matt kissed her cheek. Ray, if you really need some time to yourself, I’d be glad to take Elena for a few days this week.

Are you sure? You and Kayla have your hands full with Maddy, she smiled.

Oh, Maddy will love having her over. Kayla is working this week, but I don’t have a lot of pressing stuff going on at the firm. Dad and Kyle have it covered. Maddy was going to day camp but that ended yesterday. We have three more days left of vacation.

If you’re sure, Raina said.

Ray, why didn’t you send Elena to day-camp?

She and Isaiah didn’t want to go. They wanted to spend as much time together as possible.

Bestest friends?

Yeah, she smiled. They kinda remind me of you and me at that age. Bestest friends.

Yup, we were their age when discovered we were twins, Matt said.

Raina hugged her brother tightly. I love you, Matty, she grinned.

I love you, too, Ray, he smiled as she stood up.

I’ll bring her over in the morning, Raina said.

I can pick her up. Don’t worry about it. Maybe I’ll take Isaiah and Adrianna, too.

I think that’d be great, Raina said. How about tomorrow night, you, Kayla, and Maddy come over for dinner?

Sounds good, Matt said, as Raina’s cell phone rang.

Hello? she answered.

Doc, I’m sorry to bother you on your walk, but I need help, he said, in a panic.

Terry, Baby, what’s wrong?

"Hurry," he said, as he hung up.

Raina looked at her brother. I have to go, she hurried out of the Legacy building.

Matt leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. Yup, always were bestest friends, he smiled as his mind drifted back in time.

Alex looked up from the sofa as Raina and Matt walked in the living room. Hey, you two. How was school? she asked her twins.

Boring, Momma, Raina said, plopping down next to her mother on the sofa.

Mom, she always says that, Matt said, with his blue eyes shining. It’s just too easy for her.

I know, Raina, Alex said, as she put her arm around her daughter. I don’t know what else to do for you. You’ve already skipped two grades.

Momma, I like the school and all my friends, but it’s way too easy, Raina sighed, as she twirled her long brown curls around her finger. I don’t know if skipping another grade would do it.

Well, your father said there was that new program in Middleburg for gifted kids. You’d just have to go to school there, Alex said.

Mom, I don’t want her to be far away, Matt jumped in. Why is she so smart and I’m stupid?

Matt, you are not stupid! Alex exclaimed. You are a brilliant boy. Everyone has his or her own talents and special skills. Matt, you’re the only eleven year old that I know who has a triple black belt in karate and is already on the Marine enrollment list.

I know, Mom. It’s just Ray knows all the school stuff. She knows all the cop stuff. She’s so smart like that.

Raina sat back and smiled. Matt, you can come, too. There has to be more than one kind of program. You skipped grades, too.

That’s because of Mom, Matt crossed his arms.

No, honey, it’s not. It’s because of you. You’re smart. You passed all the math and science stuff. You’re going to be the best engineer ever, Alex cried happily.

See? Raina said. You’ll be even richer than Uncle Steven,

Alex laughed. You two are already richer than Uncle Steven, she smiled and took their hands. No matter what, please know that I’m so proud of both of you. You’re both smart. You don’t have to know the same stuff to be as smart as each other. What one of you doesn’t know the other does. It’s even. The way you’ve always been. Now, we’ll talk about the other stuff later, when your father gets home,

Raina and Matt kissed their mother’s cheek. Thanks, Momma, Raina said. We’re going to do our homework and then go to Anthony’s, if that’s OK?

Yeah, tell Emily I said hello. Will you two be home for dinner?

Yeah, Dad said he had a surprise. We’ve got to be here for that, Matt said.

I almost forgot. Have fun. I’ll see you at dinner, Alex went back to reading her files.

Raina ran into her house. Terry, Terry, what’s wrong? she cried.

Terry walked into the living room. Um, there’s a problem outside. I don’t know how to handle it.

What?

Well, Adrianna came over, he said.

So, what’s the issue with our great-granddaughter? she followed him into the kitchen and out the back door.

Elena pushed Adrianna Doyle. "He’s my