Bacterial diversity analysis of coastal superficial seawaters near aquaculture facilities, using MALDI-TOF approach and Ribopeaks database Jorge Freitas
Withoutinanywaylimitingtheauthor’sexclusiverightsundercopyright,anyuseofthispublicationto“train”generativeartificialintelligence(AI)technologiestogenerate textisexpresslyprohibited TheauthorreservesallrightstolicenseusesofthisworkforgenerativeAItraininganddevelopmentofmachinelearninglanguagemodels No audiofilescanbeproducedwithouttheauthorswrittenconsentbeforehand
PublishedbyBJAlpha
EditedbyDeeHoupt
ProofreadbyBrandiZelenka-MyNotesInTheMargin
CoverDesign:Acacia-EverAfterCoverDesign
Dedication
To all my BrutallyDevoted readers who crave more More Devotion.
More story to the Secrets and Lies
More morally grey men who make our panties wet and hearts pound. I got you!
The truth is about to be unveiled I just hope you ’ re prepared this time…
Grab your tissues, your toys, your significant other half You’re about to be in for one hell of a ride Forever.
AUTHOR NOTE
THIS BOOK HAS DARK ROMANCE TROPES AND TRIGGERS!
If you love possessive, dark and dangerous men with an obsession for getting their girl pregnant, while delivering the most filthy methods possible, this is the book for you Here’s what to expect from this delicious book: Men who love their milk Men who love to breed.
Men who love fiercely and show it in the bedroom, against the wall and in spilt blood Men who are destined for one another and NEED to get there Men who are completely devoted to their girl.
*Please check my website for a full list of triggers and tropes
Glancingaroundthedarkroom,Istruggletomakeanythingoutinthepoorlightingandsweatbeadsonmyforehead.Idon’t have longand amacutelyaware ofit. Ialreadyhear the thunder offootsteps above us. Movingdeeper into the basement, a smallwhimperdrawsmyattentiontowardacorneroftheroom.Myhandfumblesinmypockettolocatemyphone,thenIhold itupandputthetorchon,shiningitinthedirectionofthelownoise Abundleofsomethingisscrunchedupinthecorner,anda surgeofregrethitsmelikeaMacktruck.Fuck,I’mabastardforlettingthishappen.
Shakingoffthe guilt, Imove toward the shadow, and knowingit’s her, makes everystep heavier withwhatI’maboutto discover,andIhatemyselfforit.
“Tia?”IquestionasIkneelinfrontofher,unsurewhethertotouchherornot Herentirebodytrembles,andmyheartaches forthepoorgirl.“Tia,sweetheart.You’resafenow.ButIgottagetyououttahere.”Iglancetowardhushedvoicesheadingour way “Gonnagetyouhometoyourbabies ToHarper”
Her head snaps up, and her eyes latchonto mine, and just like that, mystone heart plummets to the floor and the air is suckedfrommylungs MymouthissodryIcan’tevenfuckingswallow Staringintoherwideblueeyesislikeaknifeslicing throughmyheart,becausesheisareplicaofmywife.MySky.Myfuckingeverything.
The womanIprotected fromdayone. Who engrained herselfso deep inside me, Inever wantto be withouther, and the thoughtistoomuchtobear
Awave ofnausea rolls inmystomachas her face merges withSky’s They’re so muchalike, and Ihate myselffor not protectingherasIshouldhave.HatemyselffornotallowingSkytomeether.
Movingquickly,Iunclipmybulletproofvest,butmyeyesremainlockedonher.“MynameisBrenO’Connell.”Iholdher gaze, and she gives me a nod. “Gonna help ya, sweetheart.” Her eyes widenand fill withtears, and her lip wobbles, butI ignoreit,Ineedtoremainfocused “Now,canyoustand?”
“Ye-esss,Ithinkso.”Shetriestoavoideyecontact.
“Ain’t gotta be scared of me, sweetheart I’mgonna get you home” She nods and pushes back on the wall Then she
IfonlyIgavehertheprotectionwhensheneededitthemost beforethisshitstormwentdown “Gonna need youto be strong.” Iwatchher, thentake her delicate chinbetweenmyfingers. She’s as cold as ice, and I wince thinkingaboutthe conditions she’s beenkeptin Once again, Ishake offthe guilt Ifucked up ofepic proportions but don’thavetimetodwelloniteither.Everyfuckingsecondcounts.“Canyoubestrong,Tia?Foryourgirls.”Itackonthelatter togiveherthestrengthIknowsheneeds Shestraightenshershoulders,andIcouldn’tbeprouder.She’saforcetobereckonedwith,onlynowIjustwishIcouldbe theretoseeit.
EverythinginsideofmescreamsformetocontinuerunningtowardtheSUVIwanttoglanceback,Ido,butI’mscared I wantmybabies;IwanttoholdHarperinmyarmsandneverlethergo.Shotsbeingfiredhavemeshakinguncontrollably, andItrymybesttoignoreitandnotimaginetheharmhe’sfacinginordertorescueme.
Myseatmoves forward, and myeyes widenas myhands dartoutonto the steeringwheel for support. What the hell is going on? IglancearoundtheSUV,searchingforthevoice
“I need youto put your seatbelt on. Put your foot onthe accelerator and calmlydrive toward the exit throughthe gate. Pleasedonotrush,itwillonlydrawattentiontoyou”
“Tia,listentome.Youhavelittletime.Now,doasIaskandlet’sgetyouhometoyourchildren.”Hisvoiceisfirmerthis time, making me take notice, so I buckle my seatbelt and tighten my grip on the steering wheel “Good Now, press the accelerator.” I nod, unsure if he can see me or not. He can, though, right? “I have cameras in all my brothers’cars,” he responds,asifreadingmymind “Nowdrive”AndIdo,myfoottouchestheaccelerator,andIturntowardtheexit,leavinga pieceofmyheartbehindasIdo.
WhenyoumoveintocombatasaMafiamember,youneedtobereassuredeveryoneyoucareaboutissafeandsecure,that wayyoucanremainfocused onthe taskinhand. To give us thatlevel ofmental protection, Oscar declared our familysafe word, redcars This would ensure our loved ones moved into a safehouse or nearestsaferoomuntil theywere giventhe all clear.
Oscar’s solemnvoicefilteredthroughmyearpiece,andIknow hewas reluctanttoletmeparticipateinwhatnow is not onlybecomingarescuemissionforTiabutBrentoo.
Staringtoward the metal gates ahead, Inotice Bren’s SUVleavingthe property, and as ifreadingmythoughts, Oscar’s voice filters throughthe system. “Tia is onher waytoward a safehouse.” Ibreathe a sighofrelief, butit’s short-lived. Her safetymeansmybrotherhasputhimselfinthefiringlinetoprotecther Andwhilemystomachrollswithnerves,Icouldn’tbe morefuckingproudofhim.
Aheavysighfillsmyears.He’sworriedaboutme,Iknowheis,andI’mgrateful,truly,Iam.Oscaristheonebrotherwho sees me, sees my struggles with my mental health. And I’m not about to let him down either. “Very well. As previously discussed,headstraighttowardthebasement,theteamwillcoveryou” “Understood.”
Thehelicopterlowers,andthepilotturnstofaceme “Tenseconds” Igifthimwitha nod, lickmydrylips, and unclip myseatbelt, then, before the helicopter has fullylowered, I’moutthe doorlikemyassisonfire
The staircase is notably silent, and a sliver of uncertainty ripples through me, causing me to hesitate, but all of that uncertaintyisbanishedwhenIlockontothelifelessbodyofmybrothersurroundedbyapoolofblood.
Theairisknockedfrommylungsasmychestconstricts,yetsomehow,mylegsmove Mybodyfeelsheavy,weigheddown bydread witheachstep Itake. The echo myboots cause onthe metal staircase plays as background noise to myheart beatingsofastIfeelthefamiliareffectsofmypanicattacks.Briefly,Iclosemyeyes,takingamomenttogainclarity. Irefusetogobackthere,tomynightmare,theonewhereIstandbyanddonothingasmybrotherdiesinfrontofme.
Droppingto the floor beside mybrother, I roll himover to face me. He’s missinghis bulletproof vest. I grit myteeth, annoyed withhim, butknowinghe musthave givenitto Tia to protecther, takes awaythe bite ofanger Ifeel toward him Bloodpumpsoutofhim,somuchso,I’munsureofhowmanywoundsheactuallyhas.
Quickly,Itakeoutmyknife,usingittocutBren’spantsandusethematerial for compressions.“Yeah,he’sbleedingout. Somewhereinhischest.”Iclearmythroat.“Multipleplacesinhischest.”
His face merges withthatofmyyounger brother Keenan’s WhenIdiscovered mywife named our sonafter him, Iwas angrybutforallthewrongreasons.Now,Icouldn’tbeprouder,hegetstoliveonthroughmyson.Mybestfriend.
“He’swithyou,Con.Andhe’sproudofyou.”Oscar’svoiceisemotional unlikehim.AndIknowitcomesfromaplace ofguilt, thatI’mhere rightnow and not him He likes to protect us All ofus It’s whathe does best, so whenhe tells me Keenanisbymyside,IknowhetellsmewhatIneedtohear,butpartofmethinkshebelievesittoo.
“You’renotdyingonme,Bren.Irefusetoloseanotherbrother!”Iscreamathimasmyemotionsoverpowerme,thentears spilldownmyface,andIwelcomethemasIpressthematerialofhispantsintothegunshotwoundsonhischest Myeyeslock ontohisbabies’names,andIchokeontheturmoilasmemoriesofmybrotherwithhiskidsassaultsmymind.Isqueezemyeyes closed whenKeenan’s face flashes infrontofme, and how he would tryto football tackle Brento the ground. Always the strengthinourfamily,alwaystheprotector
Myvisionbecomes hazy, and myhands loosenonthe steeringwheel as Iveer offthe road, thenjust as quicklyright myself.“Tia!Doyouneedhospitalization?”
Theguy Oscar barksthroughtheSUVspeakersystem,makingmejoltandbringingmebacktomysenses. Mylipwobbles,andIcan’thelpthesnifflethatescapesme.“Ijustwanttogohome.”
“I have a doctor waitingfor youat the safehouse, alongwithyour loved ones.” His voice doesn’t give awaya hint of sympathy,buthiswordsspeakvolumes “Thankyou.”Isobthroughtears.
He clears his throat “Justcontinue to follow the directions I’mtrackingyou, and you’re notinanydanger” He speaks verymonotone,withnoemotion,andIwonderifhealwaysworksinrescuemissions.
“She’sokay.I’malmostcertainshe’scompletelyunawareofanything.TheyhadadoctorwaitingforusintheSUV,andhe checked her over. She’s unharmed. Ijustcan’tfuckingbelieve it.” He places a tender kiss onthe top ofher head while he cradlesheragainsthischest
Turningaround,IwatchtheworryslipfromLucas’sface,butsomethingisstillthere,andI’mdeterminedtofindoutwhatit is
“Wouldyoulike me to take youto a spare roomwe have made up?” Angel’s voice fills the foyer, and Iglance over my shouldertoseeherrockingMiainherarms.
Angel opens the door to a crisp-white bedroom, clearlybarelyused, thenspins to face us. “There’s a bathroomthrough there.”Shepointstowardacloseddoor.“AndIcangetacribpulledinforMia,ifyou’dlikeherinheretoo?”
“You’re welcome I hope once all this is over, we canstayincontact I’mkind of fond of your little one” She smiles towardMia,andIchokeonasardoniclaugh.
Ifonlysheknewhowmuchherfamilyisdeterminedtokeepusapart.AnnoyancerumblesinsidemeonceagainasIdraga handthroughmyhair,awkwardlyglancingtowardJace andLucas for some guidance ofhow torespond,butwiththeir eyes wide,it’scleartheyhavenoideahowtorespondeither.
Her stare darts fromone tothe other,thenher eyes narrow “I’mmissingsomethinghere,aren’tI?” Mymouthdries as I openittolieonceagain.Nomatterhowmuchtheliesburnonmytongue,evenworse,theyburnmyhearttoo.
Myfootingwaversontheaccelerator asIapproachthegatesofaluxurioushousingestate Theguyatthesecuritygate waves me through with a welcoming smile, as if I’msome long-lost family member but scoff at the notion before continuingon.
Mybodycontinuestovibratewiththeaftereffectsofmytrauma,andIwantnothingmorethantodrownmybodyinbleach andburnawaytheirtouch.Aflashofnauseahitsme,andIswallow itdownwithawhimperwhiletheSUVcomestoastop outsideahouse Iwasn’tevenawareI’dapproached Movementatthe door catches myattention, and whenIregister thatit’s Cole and Lucas rushingdownthe stone steps, I burstintouncontrollablesobsasIfumblewiththedoorhandle,eagertogetoutofthecar.
The door is yanked open, and Jace lunges forward, scooping me into his arms like a child, and I allow it. I accept it becauseit’swhatIwantmorethananything.
“Letme see her, Jace.” Cole’s concerned voice breaks throughthe moment, and whenIturnto face him, his face pales. “What the fuckdid theydo to you?” His jaw tightens as his searinggaze travels over me Isqueeze myeyes closed at the impactofhisstare,unabletotakeinthelookofhorroronhisface. Doesheseeit?
Fiveminutesago,thethreattoourfamilieswasdowngraded,andnowIhavetoinformSkywiththenewsofBren. I’ve alreadygone intomyMafia mindsetandsteppedawayfromhow Ifeel as a brother,refusingtogive myselftime to processwhathashappened I’mhissecond-in-command,whichmeansI’mfirst-in-commandnow
Softfootstepsheadtowardme,andmyheadfallsforwardasIsuckinadeepbreath,andwhenIliftmyhead,myheartfalls frommy chest. Awarmsmile greets me as Sky heads toward me. I’mnot sure what she sees on my face, but the usually permanent smile onher innocent face slips. “What’s wrong?” She tugs onthe hemof her baggyT-shirt while I struggle to formulatewords
As IcarryTia towardthe spare room,I’malreadywonderinghow this will work How amIgoingtoputher downfor evenasecond?Iwantherinmyarmsandneedtofeelherwarmthandthebeatofherheartagainstmine.
Angel appears fromthe kitchen. “Imade drinks and puttheminthe bedroom. Finncalled;a doctor is onhis way. ShouldImoveHarper?”
Colestepsforward “Thanks,Angel Wegotit”Histoneissofterthanmine,andIappreciatethathe’stakingcontrol Tia lifts her head fromresting onmy chest, and a mewl escapes her lips. She glances toward Angel, and when Angel registersTia’sface,hermouthfallsopenandhereyeswiden,makingitacutelyobvioushowmuchourgirlmustresembleher sister.
The roomis as bigas the bedroom, withwhite marble floors and gold fixtures. Jace sits ona chair inthe corner ofthe room,itresemblesathrone,andit’snotlostonmehowhelookslikeakingwithhissubjectinhisarms
TiamovesinJace’sarms “It’sokay,”shewhispers Hervoiceisscratchy,anditmakesmerealizesheneedsfluids Leapingto myfeet, Igrab the bottle ofGatorade Angel had the foresightto leave and hold itoutto her, alongwiththe Tylenol
Shesitsupwithawince,andwhenIseeherface,furylikenoothershroudsme.Herlipissplitandswollentotwicethe size,bruises mar her normallyunblemishedskin,andher rightcheekhas finger marks embeddedinit,as ifshe’s beenhitat suchforceherskinisscarredfromit.
Jace stares ahead, glaringat her reflectioninthe mirror, his heavybreaths and flared nostrils the onlygiveawayat his buddinganger.Whenhepumpshisfistsbesidehimandhiseyessnaptomine,Ireelbackonmyknees.Theanguish,anger,and turmoilswimminginhiseyesandpleadingwithmeforvengeance,forhelp,foranswers,hasaknottighteninginmystomach
Jace looks as vulnerable as Tia, but I know it will be short-lived. Once she’s settled, the rage will take over, and the thoughthasmymouthdryingandanxietyripplingthroughme.He’sgoingtoneedtoberestrained,that’sforsure.
Tia’s hand shakes as she takes the pills and drinkfromme. Avoidingmyeyes, she swallows themdownand guzzles the drink,asifdesperatetohydrate,andIgrindmyteethatthethought.SensingJace’sgrowinganger,Imovethingsalongalittle. Standingtomyfullheight,Ioffermyhandtoher;sheslipshersintomine,andthecoldnessofhertouchsendsacurrentof electricitythroughme.“Areyouhurtanywhere?”
Gently,Itracethedirtmarkrunningalonghercheek “Youstilllookbeautiful,beauty” Her eyes close on my words, and she swallows hard, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand with a new awareness Didsomethingelsehappentoher?Istheremoretothisthanwe’reawareof? “Whathappened?”Icoax.
“I’mgoingto find out what’s happeningwithBren” Jace stares toward the door The dumb shit couldn’t be anymore obviouswithhowhe’sstrugglingtodealwithTia’sbombshell,andpartofmewantstopunchhiminthegutandmakehimface facts,faceher.Buttheotherpartthinkshisabsencewillbeforthebestuntilhecanreleasehisguiltonsomeonewhodeserves it.
Only that doesn’t happen with Angel. I turn to her and instantly see it in her eyes: the darkness, the trauma, the same reflectionstaringbackatmewhenIlookinthemirror
She takes a deep breathand flicks her eyes awayfromme “Alongtime ago, I was raped bya man Amonster” She chucklessardonically.“Multiple,actually.Buthewasafamilymember,sothatpersonhurtthemost,yaknow.”Inod,knowing toowellhowitfeelstobesosadisticallyhurtbysomeonewhowasmeanttoprotectyou “HewasFinn’suncle,andIran For years,Iran.Untiloneday,Finnwalkedbackintomylife,bringingwithithisdeterminationtokeepme.”Shesmilessolemnly. “Therewasneveradoubtinmymindthathelovedme,andIlovedhimjustasmuch,butIalsoknewthetruthwouldhurthim.I thoughtIwasprotectinghim,protectingus ButIwashurtinghimsomuchmorebynotgivinghimwhathedeserved Thetruth” Myhearthammers witheachword. Our lives are different, our experiences worlds apart, and yetwe’re the same. “He deservedthatpartofme,thepartIwasashamedof Hedeserveditall Iwaslyingtohim,anditwasn’tfair WhenIthoughtI was protecting him, I was hurting him too.” Her truth is a dagger to my heart, but there’s more to it than protecting Tia. Selfishly,somuchmore
“Whatif...whatifI’mprotectingmetoo?”Iadmitmeekly. She nods. “Letthemprotectyou, Lucas. Letthemprotectyoulike youwantto protectthem. Youowe itto themto give everypartofyou Theydeserveandwanteverypartofyou Trustmeonthat”Shehopsoffthecounter “I’mgoingtocallFinn foranupdate.”
