Iron Canuck

 

Retribution

Series: Youngblood Series #2

by Monique Orgeron

 

Release: August 1, 2019

 

Genre: Romantic Suspense

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47182432-retribution

 

 

Blurb:

My retribution may be over, but my future remains controlled by my past.

 

 A son always pays for his father's sins.

 

Stripped of everything, I was punished for crimes I believed my father was wrongly accused of. 

My need for revenge blinded me.

Faced with the truth, I was forced to make a choice that went against what I’d fought so hard for. 

With my atonement complete, I’m asked what would make me happy. 

I had it once and the very person who gave it to me is the same one who robbed me of it.

 

How can I look forward when I’m tortured by memories of her?

 

The girl I loved with all my heart and now hate with all I am. 

 

Sometimes love isn’t good for you.

 

Sometimes, you have to love yourself enough to see the destruction ahead and simply move out of the way.

I once loved a boy who was determined to continually hurt himself.

For a chance to prove himself worthy. 

He was worthy in my eyes, but it wasn’t enough.

Then a secret opened my eyes to see the years of pain and hurt the future held.

Leaving, I took a risk for a better future, but my return unravels a spiral of betrayal. 

I know I will be at their mercy.

 

 

Buy Links (Kindle Unlimited):

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2XVUeX6

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Y3ICfY

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/30DE4hY

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/30LJMhU

 

 

In the Series

Redemption (Youngblood Series #1)

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2M7Y06I

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2M2FbBD

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2M2Fpst

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2M1pryI

 

 

Meet the Author:

Written by Monique Orgeron’s eldest, most beautiful, and intelligent daughter. (My sister is going to hate this part.)

 

My mom happens to be the most caring, loving, and stubborn person I know, well anyone knows. She gives 100% percent of herself to everyone and has given up so much of herself for my sister and I. For twenty-one years she has poured her heart and soul into making sure we know that we are loved and that we can do anything we put our minds too, but it was about time she figured that out about herself. 

Up until this year I hadn’t seen my mom do anything for only her, but this book has allowed her to travel the world through the pages of a book, make new friends, and feel the joy of doing something exciting. 

There is a new light behind her eyes and it is just making me feel more joy than she can ever imagine. While she might be annoying most of the time, I am so thrilled that she is finally allowing herself to grow as a person and not spend all of her energy on her family. 

It has been a long journey of self-discovery for my mom; she has gone from domestic supermom to domestic goddess throughout the process of writing. 

We are so very excited and proud of you! I love you as big as the world.

 

-Bria and Tony

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/464975973901643

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMoniqueOrgeron/

Friend Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/monique.marie.902266 

Instagram: http://eepurl.com/c5Zy-L

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoniqueOrgeron

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17170531.Monique_Orgeron 

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c5Zy-L

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Monique-Orgeron/e/B07766YNLC

 

 

EXCERPT #1

 

SHANE

Later that evening, I drove to the Stern mansion to see Catherine. She’s wasn’t at her best which left it even more appealing for me to want to forgive her. She went over what would be my new life. She laid it all out, but then at the end she hit me with the fact that it would all be mine in time. Once I passed through probation. 

I remember that day so clearly, it’s almost like I’m reliving it.

Catherine instantly sees my rage and tries to calm me, tries giving me guarantees but then she halts her speech and asks me one simple question,

“What is it that will make you happy?”

Looking at her baffled, she repeats herself, “Shane, what is it that will truly make you happy? You need to figure it out because this life is not made for everyone and you missed a lot by not being raised in it. If you think that me giving you everything you always wished for will make you happy, it won’t. And with everything I’ve put you through, I want that for you. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness…”

Interrupting her, I say, “I never said you had my forgiveness and the way things are going, it doesn’t look like I will be giving you a reprieve from your guilt any time soon.”

She nods her head and quietly says, “I deserve that. I do, but I’m not putting you on probation to hurt you.”

“Really? Care to explain? Because it seems like you’re not finished torturing me.”

“I will give you it all, but you need to know how to handle it. You weren’t at the age of training when your father was taken from you.”

“And you took everything else.” I practically yell at her.

“Yes, I did. I will not make any more mistakes with you. When I give you your father’s territory, I will make sure you won’t lose it. You’ll never have to worry about someone trying to take it from you because they will fear you.”

“I’m already feared.”

“Not my kind of fear.” She smiles and says, “This life can eat you up, Shane.”

“Are you worried I will become my father? Is this what all this is about?”

“No, Shane. You are not your father, just like my sons are not theirs. I’m done with the past. All of it. Having cancer has taught me what is really important in life. I can see it clear as day; you think that when I hand you back everything it will make you happy, that it will solve all your problems? It won’t.”

Before she could go on, I stand without another word and leave. I know what comes next, and I can’t believe the nerve of her to want to question my life choices.  

 Pulling myself out of the flashback, I turn my attention back to the envelope. Turning it upside down, the single dried up wildflower of years gone by, falls onto my desk. Slowly and carefully I pick it up.  The once simplistic wildflower is so fragile now and the vibrant yellow coloring it once had is long gone. But still it holds a special meaning to me. More than just the small crush I had for Catherine. 

It brings back another memory, one of a girl, innocent and beautiful with hair as golden as the sun. With curls that surrounded her delicate features. She was my wildflower. Images remain of her lying beside me in an open field under the light of day. Laughing so sweetly as I slipped wildflowers like this one through her curls making a crown around her head as she looked upon me like she needed me for her next breath. 

Catherine wants to know what would make me happy. How do I tell her that I had it once and the very person that gave it to me is the same one who robbed me of it? 

I slip the flower back into the envelope and stick it back into its place in my drawer. Yesterday is gone, my wildflower girl took with her everything I ever cared about. Leaving me with a void I’ve never been able to fill. 

All I know is things are about to change. I will seek out my new future. I might never be truly happy again, but I’m done paying retribution for someone else’s crime and Catherine damn well better deliver on her promises.

EXCERPT #2

JOLIE

“You are the one secret that will get me killed. You’re proof that there is no redemption for me.”

Those two sentences play over and over in my mind. They were the last words Teddy said to me before storming out. Now, I can’t breathe, I’m to the point of hyperventilating. My God, what did I do? I should’ve never come back. Folding my body over, I start panicking. I need to calm my breathing. 

Last time he was here, I had a small episode but nothing like this. I was petrified and did all I could to hide myself from his view but now he knows it’s me. It’s too soon. 

“It’s too fucking soon!”

I’m not ready. Oh my God, he saw Sean. That was not supposed to happen. Which is why I’m panicking even more. 

“Okay Jolie, calm down, you can do this.” I try giving myself some kind of reassurance. 

Needing to sit, I slowly walk over to a chair and pull it out, flopping my ass down. Flinging my head between my legs, I start rocking back and forth.  

“Okay! Okay!”

My breathing starts to calm but I’m still rocking and staring at the floor. Then my son’s face flashes in my mind.

“Sean.”

I can’t do this. I can’t lose control and panic. Too much is riding on this. 

“Oh God, get it together, Jolie.” 

Taking control, I stop rocking and sit up straight in a daze. Once my breathing is under control, I snap out of it and start looking around my bakery. Taking one long deep breath, I push myself to stand and move into action. I begin by locking the front door, making sure to look out onto the street while doing so. Needing to make sure no one is watching or waiting for us. Shutting all the lights off in a hurry, I make my way to the back door to lock up. Sean takes me by surprise, causing me to jump. 

“Mom, who was that man?”

Slamming my hand over my heart, I yell, “Jesus! You scared me.”

“Well?”

“Get in the car!”

“Mom?!”

“Sean, get in the car!”

With an attitude, he finally listens and storms off towards the car. Following behind him, I’m not so stealthy as I look in all directions for anyone who might be hiding. Once inside the car, I lock the doors and start the engine. Without another second wasted, I take off, and try to stay focused as I think.

“MOM! Who was that man?!”

There’s a constant alarm going off in my head, telling me to run. It keeps me laser focused on the road ahead of me. Hearing my son calling my name is the only thing strong enough right now to pull me from my thoughts. What do I tell him? How do I explain who Teddy Trahan is? 

I can’t, not now. I have to think. My plan has always been to be the one to seek them out but only once I was ready. I’m not ready but honestly, I doubt I ever would’ve been. Especially not now, not after seeing the look on Teddy’s face and still seeing the same hate in his eyes as the day I left. 

Maybe I should just keep driving? This was a bad idea, just keep driving Jolie. JUST KEEP DRIVING! With each second, my foot presses harder on the accelerator, missing the turn off to go home. I could just continue to drive and get us the hell out of here, but go where? Do what? Now that Teddy knows I’m here, there is no running. To him I fucked up, I betrayed him. I did the one thing he told me was forbidden. I came back. Looking over to my son, I see his worry and questioning why I’m so shaken. He has no idea what a risk I took by bringing us to Louisiana. 

“Mom, you missed the turn.”

Ignoring my son, I keep driving, heading straight for the interstate. My mind swirls with memories of the past, of the night I left, feeling the same terror I did back then.      

I glance over to Sean, knowing now with Teddy seeing him, time is running out. 

“MOM! Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Who was that man?”

“Sean, stop! Let me think.”

Seeing the turn to the exit for the interstate, I veer to the right and get on going… shit, I don’t know where. I just keep driving.

“MOM! Where are we going?!” 

I can hear the panic rising in his voice, it’s starting to equal mine. But I keep driving. When I don’t answer, Sean becomes silent for a mile or two, giving me a moment to concentrate until I hear him in a low tone ask,

“Mom, is it them?”

THEM? Oh my God. I glance back over to him and see the fear in his eyes. Fear that should never be in someone of his age. Girls, friends, and school should be the only thing he has to worry about. Not the shit I brought into his life. It’s my fear, not his. It should only belong to me. This is the last thing a mother wants. Jesus. What am I doing? 

Slowing the car down, I start looking for signs, any sign to tell me where I can get off this damn interstate. Taking the next exit, I see a gas station right ahead. I pull in and park off to the side where I know we won’t be disturbed. With my hands still on the steering wheel, I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself enough to convince him we’ll be okay.

Releasing the steering wheel, I turn to him and say,

“Sean, look at me, baby. We’re alright. Everything will be fine.”

“Then who was that back there? Why are you lying to me?”

“Sean, I’m not lying. We’re okay.”

“You aren’t going to answer me, are you? I’m not a kid anymore.”

“You’re my kid! I’m the mother! I will take care of you, just stop. I will take care of everything. I’ll tell you more when I know more. For tonight, please just let me think.”

“Then at least tell me where we’re going.”

Where are we going? It’s a good question. Do I really have any other options? There is nowhere I can go and guarantee we will both be safe. But here, in New Orleans, I can guarantee his safety and that’s all that matters. With one more glance at my son, I put the car in drive and start driving back to the interstate, heading in the opposite direction and answer him with strong conviction.

“We’re going home. This is exactly where we need to be.”