Page 1 of Aftershock's Fury

PROLOGUE

Ipull into the driveway and notice the house is dark, except for the porch light. That means Dad didn’t wait up for me. But knowing him, he’s probably still awake in his room, pretending not to hover.

This was the first weekend in forever that he let me go off and do something completely by myself. I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting to see him there, keeping an eye on me. But he wasn’t. It’s not because he’s one of those helicopter parents. He legitimately fears for my safety.

Ever since my mother was killed, he’s trained me to fight, shoot, and protect myself. Before that, I was treated like a princess. Now I feel more like Aurora in hiding, fearing the curse will strike.

I’m twenty-two. I told my father I needed some space to be an adult, and I promised I’d be safe. I can’t rely on him forever.

This past weekend, I drove to Frisco to attend the Motorcycles, Mobsters, and Mayhem author event. I’ve been an avid romantic suspense reader for years and follow several of the authors online. I love seeing how authentically the authors portray the MC world. This event gave me the opportunity tomeet some of my favorites in person. I even discovered a few new authors whose books I’m going to read next.

I open the door to my small car and reach across the seat for my backpack. I’ll grab my books in the morning after I get some rest. I look around as I’ve been taught. Situational awareness is always a must for me. When I don’t notice anything out of place, I get out and head toward the door. I enter the code on the keyless entry and step inside, arming the house again when I close the door.

I was only twelve when my life changed. My mother was murdered by an enemy gang trying to roll into my father’s club’s territory. They threatened me, and I was sent here. No one but my father came with me. I left behind my friends and family. I didn’t even get to attend my mother’s funeral.

“I’m home, Daddy,” I call out when I see the warm glow of light beneath his door. “Love you. Goodnight.” Without waiting for a response, I head to my room at the back of the house.

My backpack drops to the floor with a soft thud, and I collapse onto the bed. For a moment, my mind drifts to the life I had before we moved to Texas. I can almost smell the mountains, feel the crisp air blowing through the valley as the weather turned cold. I see a thin layer of snow dusting the peaks that surrounded us. I remember standing on the edge of the Matanuska River, staring up at Pioneer Peak, or riding with Daddy to the clubhouse in Sutton. I see my friends laughing, carefree.

A wave of homesickness slams into me, tightening my chest. I lie still, fighting back the tears.

I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, my door bursts open.

“Up. Now,” Dad says, his voice low but firm. He presses his finger to his lips as his eyes lock on the window.

Two shadows move behind the curtain. Panic grips me, hard and fast.

“Just like we practiced,” he whispers.

“I can help you fight,” I say, keeping my voice low. I’m so tired of hiding and living in fear. Maybe today is the day it finally ends. “Please, Daddy.”

“No. You have so much to live for.”

He grabs my arm and drags me into his office. My heart pounds as he opens the safe room and shoves me inside. His hand slides down the side of my face, lingering on my cheek. I lean into his touch, not ready to let go.

“Remember us. Be strong,” he says.

Before I can grab a hold of him, he steps back and hits a button. The lights flicker on, and the soft hum of the air system kicks in.

“I love you, Harlowe.”

The door shuts with a heavy thud, and the locks engage.

“I love you,” I scream, but he can’t hear me. The room is soundproof. I can’t hear what’s happening out there, and they can’t hear me.

I pound on the door anyway, my fists beating against the metal. My throat burns from shouting, and my hands ache.

“Daddy, no. Please. No. Daddy, I love you. I can help!”

Tears roll down my face. I hiccup as I sob and sink to the floor. This can’t be happening again. I already lost my mother, and now I’m about to lose the only family I really have left. I have a brother, but he hasn’t cared about me in a long time. Now, I won’t have anyone.

I stand and move to the monitor that started sending automated emails the moment Dad locked the door. There’s no way out of this room without someone who has the code. Someone I don’t even know.

On another screen, the cameras around the house flicker to life. I glance at them, looking away from the one preprogrammed to run my life now. It continues to send messages and transfers Dad’s money into accounts only I can access.

From the moment we moved here, Dad and I practiced drills over and over. I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone we were from Alaska. We don’t even have pictures of our old life. The only traces of my home state live in my dreams.

Movement on the screen catches my eye, and I freeze as I watch my father take down one of the men. Three more storm into the house. Dad fights back, and I scream when one aims his gun and fires. Tears stream down my face as I watch him fall to the floor.

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