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Hero Within
Hero Within
Hero Within
Ebook144 pages2 hours

Hero Within

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About this ebook

Lieutenant Colonel Jackie Holmes and her fiancée, Carrie Spencer, have settled into life with each other and their children. The only black cloud settling over them is the trial for Carrie’s former girlfriend. Neither of them is willing to let their fear of seeing Toni overtake them. Once the court case is over, they’ll never have to see her again.

However, things rarely go to plan where Jackie and Carrie are concerned.

They once again find themselves fighting for their family. An unlikely hero emerges to help them with the battle for the right to live in peace. Will they be able to beat the evil planning their demise and live happily ever after?

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 24, 2017
ISBN9781370607242
Hero Within
Author

Ronni Meyrick

Ronni was born in Brighton, but now lives in rural Oxfordshire with her wife Kay, and black cat Sheba, AKA Princess Diva. She’s been an avid reader since her youth, and could always be found with her head in a book. She is a coffee addict who is forever trying new brands. She loves to cook and loves discovering new recipes. Ronni also enjoys photography and can be found with her camera in hand. She has a keen interest in Greek, Roman and Norse mythology, and Egyptology. (She knows she’s a bit of a geek) The urge to write came to her three years ago, while she was caring for her wife. She hasn’t stopped since, and has just finished writing her eighth book. When she is not taking pictures, she is writing and no blank page is safe.​

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    Book preview

    Hero Within - Ronni Meyrick

    HERO WITHIN

    www.wickedpublishing.net

    HERO WITHIN

    By

    Bestselling author

    Ronni Meyrick

    What the reviewers say about the author’s works:

    Ronni Meyrick

    Hero

    Ronni Meyrick has written a beautiful love story with detail and sensitivity for her lead character, a military vet. She tackled PTSD, partner abuse and family dynamics that any one of us could identify with the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.

    —Dogls Goods

    This is such a beautifully written story. Ronni's attention to details and her respect in the way she handled the injuries and the wartime flashbacks of Jack to the emotional and physical turmoil that Carrie endures shows what a talented writer she truly is.

    —Cheryl Jones

    I love this book so much I can't even put into words how much. As a veteran, it alone makes me proud to read any military story, but as the former spouse of veteran who suffers from PTSD and TBI it hit home a little more.

    —Amazon Customer

    A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO

    Lesbian Book Readers Club

    Admins Dawn Carter and Shiralyn Lee

    and

    Lesbian Books, Writers, Readers Club.

    Admin Charlotte Demescko

    These two social network groups offer authors and readers the chance to connect in a way that no other group offers. Authors are able to promote their books in a safe environment, and readers are able to find books in different genres…enabling thousands of women worldwide to interact, make suggestions on favorite reads, and preview teasers on upcoming releases.

    Did you know:

    Type Font

    Times New Roman was created for a British newspaper—The Times of London, in 1929. Created by Stanley Morison, the font became an instant favorite to use with printers of its day. Now, it is the standard choice used in today’s technology.

    Dedication

    To all our forces personnel past and present: Thank you for your service and unwavering dedication to your countries.

    As always, my lovely wife K. Lord knows how she puts up with me when I’m in the zone.

    My Parents: Mum, you’re always so encouraging when it comes to my writing. Dad, I know you do the same from up above while sitting on your cloud.

    To my personal hero: My Nan. You’re forever in my heart and thoughts. There isn’t a day that passes where I don’t miss you. Thanks for all the life lessons you taught me (okay, some of them were a little obscure and downright hilarious.) But you were always there for me, and now, even in death, I know you’re still watching over me.

    Acknowledgements

    My beta readers: Debs Armishaw, Kristen Webber, Ratna Summers, Sue Collins, and Syd Sexton. Ladies, thank you! I would be lost without you and all your help. I can’t wait for the next time we work together.

    Kate Charlton: My terrible twin. It’s thanks to you that a sequel was ever suggested. With your pressure on Shiralyn, and then both of your combined efforts in hounding and nagging me, I finally gave in.

    Syd Sexton: You’re responsible for the last part of the book. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

    Dawn Carter and Shiralyn Lee: Ladies, as always, your support and encouragement never waver. Thank you for everything you do for me and my fellow Wicked Sisters. I love you both.

    Adrian (AJ) Smith: You’re an awesome editor. Thank you for all your guidance.

    Finally, hugs to all my friends and readers who encourage me every day to continue writing.

    Hero Within

    Lieutenant Colonel Jackie Holmes and her fiancée, Carrie Spencer, have settled into life with each other and their children. The only black cloud settling over them is the trial for Carrie’s former girlfriend. Neither of them is willing to let their fear of seeing Toni overtake them. Once the court case is over, they’ll never have to see her again.

    However, things rarely go to plan where Jackie and Carrie are concerned.

    They once again find themselves fighting for their family. An unlikely hero emerges to help them with the battle for the right to live in peace. Will they be able to beat the evil planning their demise and live happily ever after?

    Chapter One

    Cold double-locking cuffs secured Toni Cook’s hands in her lap, the slightest movement causing them to painfully pinch at her wrists. And it didn’t matter what practise she used to control her temper, she was incapable of taming it.

    The prison van used to transport her to the Crown Court was dire. Thick layers of dust stuck to every surface of the dulled cell walls, and the smell of mould filtered her nostrils. Daylight could barely touch her skin, with just a little exposure coming from a small window above her head, and through a tiny peephole in the van door.

    While she’d been remanded for the past four months, awaiting her trial, she’d been forced to see anger management counsellor, Brenda Hughes, who irritated the hell out of her, with her arrogant, obnoxious behaviour.

    According to Brenda, all of Toni’s problems were caused by her addiction to alcohol, and worked on what Brenda referred to as ‘The Haze’ and how Toni should combat it when her temper rose. Nothing seemed to help.

    Inside Toni, built a volcano of anger waiting to explode, and she wanted to aim it at the two people she hated the most: her ex-girlfriend, Carrie Spencer, and Carrie’s fiancée, Jackie Holmes. They’ll pay for doing this to me! Carrie deserved everything she got. If she’d have done as she was told and not annoyed me, then I wouldn’t have hit her. She should’ve known there would be consequences for leaving me for that stuck-up bitch. It’s a shame neither of them were in the house when I tossed that Molotov cocktail. Just because I liked a drink doesn’t mean she had to ignore me. Oh, what I wouldn’t do for a beer and a bottle of vodka.

    The van slowed and turned sharply to the left, causing Toni to brace her hands against the heavy, welded, metal lattice. The cuffs locked again, her temper flared, and she kicked at the thick dark Perspex separating her from another cell within the vehicle. When the van slowed to a stop, she heard one of the doors open and close at the front of the vehicle, indicating they’d arrived at Croydon Crown Court.

    After the sound of a key jingling in the lock, the large door swung open, and a mature, bald prison guard opened her enclosure. A blinding flash of daylight hurt her eyes, but once they adjusted, she was able to see out into the semi-enclosed courtyard. The thirty-foot high automatic door hadn’t closed properly, and a high-pitched metallic screech pierced the air as it moved slower than a snail. Then, a sudden itch down her spine made her body tingle, and her street-smart instincts kicked in. She jumped to her feet and barrelled head first into the guard, catching him squarely on the bridge of his nose. The crunch thrilled her, so she head-butted him again, and he slid listlessly to the ground, where he laid unconscious.

    Without caring for his condition, she crouched down, rummaged through his trouser pocket, snatched the keys and ran.

    Guards, a prisoner’s escaping! one of the other guards yelled.

    It was now or never. Toni sprinted towards the gate. Another guard appeared, but was no match for her when she delivered a swift kick to his groin. He cupped his manhood and fell to his knees. Only a few more steps and she’d be free. However, she couldn’t rest yet as there were sure to be more guards following, and she couldn’t stop until she was somewhere safe.

    She hid the cuffs beneath the tails of her un-tucked shirt and continued to distance herself from the court house. Up ahead she saw a sign for a tram stop, and fortune was in her favour when a tram approached. She hurried along to slip into an unoccupied carriage before the doors slid closed. A demonic grin reflected the thoughts of what she was going to do to Carrie and Jackie, while having visions of their blood battered bodies lying on the ground at her feet. Their begging for mercy fired her imagination into overdrive.

    They’ll regret ever crossing me…

    Chapter Two

    Jackie Holmes stepped out of a black SUV, dressed in her service uniform—the last time she’d had cause to wear it was when she’d received her Victoria Cross. The gold buttons shone against the fabric, and the tan leather belt held a slight gleam as it diagonally crossed her body, while her highly-polished boots stood out from beneath her trousers. Her medals adorned her chest and shone in the early morning light, all except one—her bronze Victoria Cross. It was a stark contrast to the others. She took great pride in wearing them and knew her family were proud of her and her service to their country.

    Her shoulders straightened, and she puffed her chest out while she surveyed the surrounding area, as was her custom. With one last glance to ensure safety, she reached into the vehicle, and a slender, trembling hand with a death-like grip met hers. She assisted her fiancée out, and their eyes met in a locked stare, then Jackie kissed the top of Carrie’s hand and looped her arm around hers.

    Carrie blinked rapidly and chewed her bottom lip when a media scrum converged towards them, causing her to edge even closer to Jackie.

    Remember what we talked about last night? Jackie wrapped her arm tightly around Carrie’s shoulders and gave it a brief squeeze. Remember, smile and be gracious, but don’t comment. We’ll be safe once we’re inside the courthouse. Just a few more minutes. And when the trial’s over and done with, they’ll leave us alone, and we’ll be able to live a normal life, and Toni will fade into the ether.

    Toni had been the cause of many sleepless nights for both of them. Ever since the fire at Carrie’s old house, Jackie had been susceptible to night terrors. A few trips to see a psychologist at the rehabilitation centre where Carrie worked confirmed what she’d suspected: her post-traumatic stress disorder had been heightened by the events. Her dreams of the desert still plagued her from time to time, and she relived the horror of her accident nearly every day—her prosthetic leg a constant reminder.

    Three black Lexus SUVs pulled to a stop behind them, and a selection of Jackie’s former battalion jumped out, with two of her best friends, and loyal comrades Davis and Kinsey, who immediately engulfed the women with compassionate hugs.

    What are you all doing here? Jackie asked, while she straightened Davis’ collar and brushed some lint from his shoulder.

    The General sent us to act as your security escort. It looks as if we arrived just in time. Davis pointed to the pack of reporters. Assume protective positions!

    A shield formed, and Jackie and Carrie found themselves surrounded by a wall of bodies.

    Carrie reached down and took Jackie’s hand as a media scrum unfolded in front of them, blinding them with flashes from their cameras. I can’t believe this! I knew there was going to be some kind of interest in this story, but this is ridiculous. I’m glad we decided the kids would be better off staying with your mum.

    Jackie sneered and batted a dicta-phone away from her face. "It’ll soon be over. Toni’s dumbass claim of being

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