Broken (Endurance)

  Broken

  Some things were meant to be broken

  By April Thomas

  Second book of The Endurance Series

  The Endurance series is a unique adventure story that lives out side of the box. We hope you enjoy reading this series.

  Copyright © 2010 April Thomas

  No part of this book may be reproduced in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

  Thank you

  Book Cover Model: Ali Said

  Interior Models: Katia DeLormé, Dina Green, Ali Said

  Acknowledgement

  God the Father for getting me through my second book and sending me so many cherished angels to help me through the rough times in my life. Katia, my little angel for being my number one fan your encouragement, love and support also inspired me to keep going.

  Denyse my sister thank you so much for always believing in me, not allowing me to give into giving up when time became to difficult.

  Ali Said, for the amazing support you have showered me with and for being such a great cover model for this book.

  Judy, I am grateful to have you in my life, I feel blessed to have a life long friend who is such a beautiful sister to me, thank you for being there for me.

  To an amazing editor for such wonderful support and encouragement, thank you again. I look forward to working with you on future projects.

  To all my friends thank you for your support. God bless

  BROKEN

  Broken is my heart, for you

  Each year that passed, I longed for you

  Broken is my soul, for you

  I realize now, your love was true

  Broken is my dream, of us

  Nights of passion, nights of lust

  Broken is my body, for you

  The feel of my skin, under you

  Broken is my tattered world

  Because you've found, another girl

  Table Of Contents

  Survival

  Hawaii

  Blind Date

  Manipulated

  First Night

  Trinidad

  Cressida

  Deception

  Home

  Maxwell

  Parenting

  Challenge

  DNA

  Dormitory

  Steel Pan

  Justice

  Our Future

  Property

  Harmony

  Routine

  Michael

  Fresh Start

  Holiday Break

  Lust vs Love

  Thanksgiving

  Lagoon

  I'm Late!

  Evidence

  Christmas Break

  The Club

  Nerves

  Christmas

  Armor of God

  Treasured Gifts

  God, come into my life

  New Year's Eve

  You're Back!

  New Year

  Devious

  Portal

  Soul Reaper

  Faking Normal

  Open Mind

  Nirvatra

  Connect With The Author

  Survival

  The waves crashed against the ocean’s shore while the moon cascaded along the beach, creating a breathtaking vision. Exhausted, Mei stood by her husband with their sleeping son in her arms. It was after midnight and the seventy-two hours of traveling had left them all drained.

  They had flown on a private jet to a small island off the coast of South Africa. From there, they’d boarded a luxury cruise ship for a full day and a half of smooth seas. In the middle of the night, they’d been awakened by security guards and led to a helicopter, which had brought them to this deserted shore on this faraway, private island.

  Now, as they stood on the sand and waited for an instructor to walk them to a dorm for the night, Max looked at the gentle waves, his mind miles away.

  “Stop frowning, Max,” Mei said, nudging him with her elbow. “We belong here.”

  This was the last place he wanted to be at, but for the past year Mei had insisted on attending this faraway college. Max felt certain his father had persuaded her to make this decision. He’d always wanted them to go to this college.

  “Do you know what coming here means?” she asked.

  He knew the speech by heart: King Solomon University, an elite private college, had been founded in 1952 by Max’s grandfather, Maximilian Martinez Jr. and had remained hidden from the public for over fifty-eight years. While the Martinez family would always be the founders and respected as the leaders of the organization, Maximilian had created a college school board consisting of nine dedicated families. His own as well as the families of Koroma, Pennington, Jameson, Sizemoore, Ortiz, Witfields, Eagelfeather and Hamptons. Each family had at least one member who attended all meetings.

  “The university was designed for people who wish to learn the art of spiritual warfare and study the wisdom of King Solomon,” Mei went on, continuing his line of thought. “The wisest man to have ever lived.”

  Max knew the college offered all the same classes as any topnotch college, only with a location that was difficult to reach. The only way board members could ensure the school remained secret was to make it so difficult to find. They’d also paid large amounts of money to maintain the college’s privacy.

  The island had nine private vacation homes, one for each of the board members’ families. Situated in the middle of the island, the college had numerous large buildings and all the amenities students could need.

  “I know you have some reservations, but I’m happy you finally gave in,” Mei said.

  Max offered her a dry smile. She always knew just how to make him say yes and it drove him crazy.

  "Let me take him. You look tired," Max said walking towards his wife and picking up his sleeping son.

  "Okay." Mei looked past the shore and through the forest to see lights far off in the distance. "Should we walk over there or should we wait?"

  An image of the security guard yelling at them moments earlier to stay put on the island replayed in Max's mind. "No, let's just stay here."

  "What if nobody shows? How do they know we’re here?" Mei asked as she pulled her backpack off her shoulders, letting it hit the sand with a muffled thud.

  "Yeah, well, you’re the one who wanted to be here, Mei. Welcome," Max said sarcastically.

  "You’re still mad?" Mei snapped, whipping her head around to face him.

  Max instantly regretted his comment. In no mood to argue, he rolled his eyes and sighed. "All I’m saying is that this is what I was trying to tell you. This is not your regular college. I love my grandfather, but the man was crazy. This school will challenge you on every level."

  "Don't you think that’s important?" Mei retorted.

  "Babe, please not now, not here."

  "If not now, then when? Makayla said you should never go to bed angry."

  "Look around you, babe. Do you see a bed?" Max growled.

  "Oh, we're doing this?" Mei said, nodded.

  Max knew exactly what she meant. He laughed remembering the quiet Mei of a year ago. Now he had created a monster. "Come here. I don't want to fight, but yes, I'm mad about being here," he admitted.

  Mei stood her ground, visibly still upset by his comment. "Shouldn't someone be here by now?"

  She’d changed the subject and turned away from him. Max got the message and dropped the matter. "Dad told me they might do this." Max pulled the baby bag off of his shoulders dropped it on the sand. "Let’s make a bed for our little angel and gather some wood to make a fire."

  "What? Why? I thought someone would be coming." Mei responded.

  "Okay, welcome to crazy land
. This, my dear, is your first class. Survival 101 or one on one depending how the night goes," Max teased.

  Mei bit down on a laugh, but couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her lips. "Max, they just said..."

  "I was standing right next to you. Dad said they might do this...leave us stranded for a night, just to see how we handle the situation."

  Mei frowned and her lips tugged into a worried line as she looked at their son sleeping in his father’s arms. She felt bad for forcing Max to come here. Although she had been warned by every one of the hardships they’d face on the island.

  Max and Mei had also been told that if they could survive the next four years here, nothing would be impossible for them. That's what had inspired her to attend this college. She understood what they were up against spiritually and wanted to make sure they would be able to handle anything that came their way.

  “Hey, together we can do what?" Max said attempting to rally her up.

  "Anything," Mei mumbled looking around nervously.

  "Sit down, babe, and hold Uriel. I'll go get a fire started," Max instructed.

  Mei sat on the sand while Max laid Uriel in her arms. "Max, I'm sorry," she whispered.

  Max looked into her eyes, lifted her chin and kissed her lips. "I love you. I know why you wanted to be here. I just can't help but want to protect you from the world."

  "Sweetie, you can't."

  "I know, but I will die trying." Max stood and walked off into the darkness.

  "So stubborn," Mei spoke under her breath as she brushed a curl away from Uriel's face. She leaned over to kiss her son’s forehead and nuzzle her nose against his cheek.

  Thirty minutes later Max returned with dry old wood and palm fronds. He dropped everything and headed back into the woods to retrieve more. After a few armloads of firewood, Max finally made his last trip into the forest, returning with two long logs to build a temporary hut to shield them from the elements. He started a fire while Mei tended to a now awake Uriel who was cranky from the long trip. Max worked quickly to build a temporary shelter. They used Uriel's baby blankets and a variety of clothes to make a comfortable bed for the three of them.

  Max watched his wife as she put their son to sleep. He enjoyed seeing the gentle motherly affection she showered on the boy. It was soothing, leaving him to sometimes wonder who was really being put to sleep.

  Drenched in sweat from working so feverishly, Max took off his shirt. “I’m going to go rinse off.” He walked towards the ocean and dove in. After a quick dip in the cool salt water Max returned to find Mei and the baby missing. Maybe she needed to relieve herself, Max thought. He fought the urge to go looking for her. He knew he tended to be overprotective and didn't want to drive her away. He’d promised himself he would back off.

  He sat in the sand trying to change his focus when he heard Mei scream. His heart pounding, he bolted up and ran in the direction of her scream. Tearing through the foliage as he entered the forest he yelled her name until she answered back.

  "Max, don't come any farther!" Mei screamed. She stood motionless on the edge of a saltwater marsh, her son gripped tightly in her arms.

  "What's going on?" Max questioned nervously.

  Mei didn't want to answer him. She didn't want to tell him she’d just been bitten by a snake and she was sure an alligator had his eyes on her. "Um… just trust me, Max."

  "That in no way answered my question," Max growled with impatience.

  As Mei began to nervously take a step backwards, the alligator quickly crawled onto the bank and came into Max's view.

  He panicked and swiftly made his way behind the alligator, jumping on its back and closing its open jaw. "Mei run!" he yelled.

  "Max, no!" Mei screamed.

  "Don't argue with me. Go back to the camp!" Max yelled as he struggled with the alligator.

  Mei held onto Uriel tightly as she took off for the beach. Tears blinded her as she ran into the clearing. In all the excitement Uriel began to cry and she could not console him. Mei fell to her knees and began to pray.

  Hawaii

  Makayla lay awake staring at the alarm clock. She always got nervous before a big photo shoot, making sleep almost impossible.

  Tamarius lay beside her. They had been seeing each other for the past year and he still dumbfounded her with his untainted love and support. Although she held back, reluctant to let her heart fall completely in love with him, she knew she was only kidding herself. She would marry him in a heartbeat if he proposed. In her heart she was certain he was the one for her.

  "Can't sleep?" Tamarius mumbled. He turned over and wrapped his arm around her waist.

  "You know me."

  "Don't be, you’ll do great tomorrow," he said.

  "Do you think you can handle it?" Makayla smiled. Tomorrow she would be posing with a few handsome young Hawaiian male models.

  "Don't worry about me. Just focus on the shoot." He didn't want to think about other men touching her. He also knew she wouldn’t be able to focus if she was too concerned about his feelings.

  "Okay," Makayla whispered.

  "Now go to sleep before I make you." Tamarius smiled.

  "Make me?" Makayla laughed.

  Tamarius bit her neck softly as she released soft moans. Tamarius' eyes were wide open now as he pulled down the silk strap of her night gown. Sliding it down he kissed her in the places that made her scream then made love to her. They lay together, breathless, before slowly drifting off to sleep.

  It was 5:15 in the morning when the alarm woke them from a peaceful sleep. Tamarius hurried out of bed and headed for the bathroom to turn the shower on for Makayla who ran around the room searching for an outfit to wear.

  "Kay, just jump in the shower and relax. You’re not going to be late," Tamarius said.

  "You’re right. We can't be late. It's only five minutes away." Makayla conceded as she stripped off her robe and stepped into the shower.

  Tamarius chuckled to himself as he brushed his teeth.

  "Are you coming in?" Makayla asked.

  "Thought you'd never ask." Tamarius rinsed out his mouth and slipped off his boxers. He stepped into the shower and yelled. "Is it hot enough for you?"

  Makayla laughed and turned down the hot water. "I like it hot."

  "I got something hot I'm sure you’re gonna love."

  "No, we’ll be late. What time is it?” She reached out to glance at her watch on the counter. ”Crap, I'm going to get dress." She jumped out of the shower leaving Tamarius speechless.

  They made it to the photo shoot on time. Makayla gave Tamarius a quick kiss before running off to her trailer.

  "Would you like some coffee, Mr. Martinez?" A young female voice purred.

  He turned to see who was speaking. A young girl offered him a flirtatious grin as she held a tray of coffee to him. Being cordial he accepted a Styrofoam cup filled with dark Hawaiian coffee with a smile. "Mmm, the good stuff."

  "Enjoy." She blushed and walked away.

  Makayla sat in a chair getting her makeup put on by Gina, her makeup artist. A wave of nausea crept over her. She pulled out her cell phone and texted Tamarius, asking him to come to her trailer.

  Less than five minutes later he was there.

  "Still nervous?" he asked.

  "I feel nauseous."

  "Do you need to throw up?" Gina asked.

  "I don't know. I just feel a little off."

  "We didn't eat breakfast. Let me get you something to eat." Before she could argue, he ran out of the trailer.

  Makayla got worse and by the time Tamarius returned she was in the bathroom vomiting. He was concerned about her and the photo shoot that was about to start. She looked a mess and he wondered how she was going to pull off looking fabulous in barely five minutes. He placed her breakfast on a small table and walked over to the trailer's bathroom. Gina was there holding Makayla’s hair back as she knelt before the toilet.

  "I got her," Tamarius told the makeup artist as she helped Makayla
to her feet.

  Makayla leaned over the bathroom sink trying to catch her breath. She turned on the faucet to rinse out her mouth and brush her teeth. Gina made her way out of the restroom and pulled Tamarius aside.

  "Is she pregnant?" she asked.

  Tamarius was baffled by her boldness. "No, no that’s... no."

  "Mmm, well I’m going to tell them she needs a little time." Gina stepped out of the trailer just as Makayla walked out of the bathroom.

  "Hey, sweetie," Makayla greeted.

  "Hey, do you feel better?" Tamarius asked. His tone was distant and didn’t quite convey the concern he felt. He was consumed with his own thoughts, questioning the possibility of Makayla being pregnant.

  "Yeah, what's wrong? You look as if someone just told you about a death." Makayla walked over to the table where the container with her breakfast sat.

  Tamarius was speechless a moment as he turned to face Makayla. He weighed his words and finally spilled the question. "Did you take your pill?"

  "Birth control? Don't worry. I’m not pregnant." Makayla opened the Styrofoam box letting the aroma of spicy Portuguese sausage, eggs and white rice fill the air. "This looks good," she mumbled.

  "Did you take it this morning?" Tamarius asked nervously.

  "Of course, Tamarius, stop it. I'm not pregnant. Don't worry. I won’t ruin your life by becoming pregnant," she snapped, suddenly annoyed by his questions. She quickly shoved a fork full of food into her mouth to shut herself up. She could see Tamarius was upset by what she had said.

  He paced the trailer. He had a bad temper and had learned to control it over the years through prayer and meditation. Though Tamarius relaxed and decided to let it go for now, he didn't want to let her think he wouldn't want to have children with her some day.