Discharged from the military, Ray Lee finds himself as the bodyguard to the daughter of a wealthy man. He meets a lady whom he discovers he shares a similar past. Will they join forces to avenge their past predicament, or will they choose to move on?
CHAPTER 1: SEMPER FIDELIS.
Hateful eyes trolled the galant Corporal of the United States Marine Corp, Ray Lee. Everyone disliked him, even his superiors disliked him. He was an asset to the Corp, and there was no denying it.
Ray Lee's feats and achievements in the Corp were known by all, and even across the other branches of service. He had been awarded a medal of honor by the former president of the United States, for his selfless bravery on a mission in Afghanistan, a couple of years ago.
As such, his court martial was one that made news on major news channels all around the country.
Ray Lee sat on a chair situated outside the military court room, as they were on recess, with his head bowed down, and in dismay, when he heard a voice beside him.
"Hey buddy." A voice spoke, as a hand was placed on his shoulder. Ray looked up, slowly, and sighted a familiar face. It was Scott. As a matter of fact, that was the only face he wanted to see at that moment. Scott went ahead to sit beside Ray.
"It's time." Ray declared, as he looked at his wrist watch. "Let's get this over with." Ray said, as he stood up from his seated position, going back into the court room.
Scott sat in his seat, as Ray also sat in his, further away from Scott's. The military jury had confered and made a decision. Ray had pled guilty, without remorse, and was ready for whatever punishment.
"Corporal Ray Lee, stand up." The officer presiding over the court martial, Colonel Sanders, ordered. Ray stood up swiftly. His brown evening dress uniform was fitting on him. His muscular physique could be seen bulging from within the uniform.
Ray looked intimidating to most of the soldiers, and was intimidated by no one. Yet, he respected all who were worthy of respect, be you his superior, or junior. Ray's medals accounting for his achievements and heroic deeds hung on his uniform.
Colonel Sanders had hoped for a different outcome, but Ray wanted out, for good. Colonel Sanders knew for good that the Marine Corp would lose a valuable asset.
"Based on the evidences, and testimony from credible witnesses, and your own testimony, which didn't deny any of the charges laid against you, which includes dereliction of duty, a direct and willful disobedience of an order given by a superior, and assaulting a superior, you have been found guilty, as charged."
Colonel Sanders declared, as his heart broke from within, but he didn't express it outwardly. "You are hereby stripped of your rank as a Corporal of the United States Marine Corp, and discharged." Colonel Sanders continued.
As he spoke, two officers marched forward and began stripping Ray of his insignia and medals. Although Ray had been acting all tough, tears welled up in his eyes. What he lived and was willing to give his life for was being taken away from him.
Ray held back his tears from rolling down his cheek, as he sniffed in. He has learned to keep his emotions in check.
"For your years of dedicated and sacrificial service, you will not be jailed for any of these charges. You are to immediately hand over every valuable item that belongs to the Marine Corp before you vacate barracks. Thank you for your service."
Colonel Sanders ended reading out the verdict, as he slammed the mace on a wood, ending the trial of Corporal Ray Lee.
Ray saluted Colonel Sanders, as Colonel Sanders stood up to leave. The Colonel saluted back, and was escorted out of the court room. Everyone else in the room stood up to leave, staring at Ray. Some, in pity, while some found joy in his downfall. Chief of which was 1st Lieutenant Glover.
Scott walked up to Ray, and firmly grabbed his shoulders, consoling Ray. Just then, they were interrupted by a voice that Ray sure didn't want to hear. "Look what we have here. If it ain't the disgraced soldier." 1st Lieutenant Glover mocked Ray.
Ray closed his eyes as though he winced in pain, clenching his fists, and slowly turning around. Ray looked Glover right straight into the eye, as wicked thoughts ran through his head.
The duo, Ray and Glover, stood facing each other as though they were about to have a stand off in a kick boxing ring. Glover smirked scornfully at Ray, with disdain in his eyes. Ray stood seething with rage, but held himself back from punching Glover.
"So, how does it feel to be disgraced and lose everything, Corporal? Oh! I'm sorry, you're not a Corporal anymore." Glover scoffed, mockingly. The degree of punishment meted to Ray Lee wasn't exactly what he had hoped for, but then, Ray still got punished, so he relished in that fact, as a consolation.
"You've got what you wanted. Haven't you?" Ray asked, with a blank expression. "I always get what I want." Glover replied, still wearing that scornful smirk. "Yeah, you do. As long as daddy is the one pulling the strings from up there. Little Glover is nothing without his daddy, you spoiled little brat." Ray said, purposely provoking Glover.
"Knock it off, you two." Colonel Sanders stepped in. "But sir, he wanted to-"
"Enough! I don't want to hear a word from your mouth." Colonel Sanders yelled, ordering Lieutenant Glover, interrupting him. "Ray, my office. Now." Colonel Sanders instructed Ray.
Scott went along with Ray but stopped at the entrance of Colonel Sanders office, since he wasn't asked in, as Ray went in. Colonel Sanders sat down in his reclining chair and sighed, removing his cap, as he stared intently at Ray.
"So what now? What will you do as you return back to civilian life?" Colonel Sanders asked. Ray sighed, honestly not knowing what to answer.
Ray looked down, cracking his head to think, but nothing was forthcoming. "Well, all I know is, I'll survive. There's no doubt about that." Ray said optimistically. "That, I know for sure." Colonel Sanders affirmed.
"Thank you for your years diligent service to the Corp. I wish you all the best. Semper Fi." Colonel Sanders stood and saluted. "Semper Fi, sir." Ray saluted back. Both men showed respect for each other.
As Ray turned to leave, Colonel Sanders spoke out. "Soldier? Whatever you need, you let me know. Okay?"
"Duly noted, sir." Ray replied, cracking up a mild smile, and he continued outside the office of the Colonel. He truly was unhappy, and unsure of what laid ahead of him, but something more awaited him outside the Marine Corp.
_____
"So, this is it huh?" Scott, said sadly, as he stood with his friend Ray, at the bus station, as Ray was about boarding the vehicle to head home. Ray spent the previous night in a motel, as he wasn't expected to remain in the barracks for more than three hours after his court martial sentence.
"I guess my friend. Well, don't cry for me when am gone." Ray replied. "Thanks for everything man. Thank you." Ray appreciated, as they both hugged each other. "We'll be in touch." Scott said, as they broke their hug, and Ray walked into the bus. Ray nodded, with a smile, as he walked in and took his seat.
The bus began it's transit from Paris Island, Pennsylvania, to Miami, as Ray waved at Scott from the window. Ray sat back relaxing, as he went to his playlist and played some music. He wondered what awaited him at Miami, a home he hadn't been to for years.
Having suffered betrayal and injustice from the ones he trusted when he was most vulnerable, Michael Belsky shuts his heart from the subject of love, fully embracing a heritage of violence, affluence, and power, making him a force to be reckoned with in the business and underworld. With his rise to eminence, was also the rise of enemies. By virtue of an old agreement, Michael is compelled to take for himself a bride, but he chooses a stranger, Ivana, in defiance of his father, as she felt indebted to him. With time, Michael found himself falling helplessly for the cheerful and upbeat Ivana. But little did they both know that they both had secrets, and their lives were intertwined way before they ever met. Will their secrets and past come in between the love they've built, breaking them apart? Or will they draw strength and be even more bonded in love, facing the challenges that they encounter?
It wouldn't be out of terms to say that the life of the billionaire playboy, Trevor Munroe, was rudely interrupted on a fateful night, by a stranger. But falling in love with that stranger was the least thing he could ever imagine, even in his wildest fantasy. But such was the complication he found himself in. And being given an ultimatum by his father, he is left with no choice but to dance to the tone he had set. With time, secrets gets revealed and truths are laid bare. Will this love stand the test of time as loyalties are tried? Was all this but just a game? And did fate bring them together to tear them apart?
Abandoned as a baby, Trevor Rowe is no stranger to rejection, but he hits rock bottom when he finds out his partner's betrayal. Just trying to get by, he encounters a stranger, and his life turns around for good. Or for bad? Will his new found life and fortune be his undoing, or will he rise above it all and thrive?
A scorned and timid son-in-law of a small family, loving and pampering his wife, was all he wanted to do. Acknowledgement and care from his wife and family, was all he needed and wanted. What did he do when he didn't get what he needed? He endured, all because he was sold off to marriage but had to deal with it. One night, he stumbled on his wife and foster brother and saw what was meant to be kept hidden, but do they really want to keep their acts hidden? He became lost and felt betrayed, he wandered around and finally got to the only place he finds solace. After that night, he changed. He became stinkingly rich and divorced his wife. Wondering how this is a fairy tale? But it was no fairy tale, because with riches came it's tribulations. He had to hone his skills and became extremely cold hearted, controlling the largest mafia group in New York, with a chain of legal businesses. He became a killing machine, trampling his enemies and his ex-wife, wanting to find peace but he couldn't find peace. It was a completely new life for him. What happens when a new ray of light, shines on to his dark world? Will he embrace it? Or will he remain cold-hearted?
During her three years of marriage with Brendan, Adeline had become as humble as dust itself. However, what she got in return wasn't love and affection, but endless indifference and disdain. Worse yet, when the woman in Brendan's heart suddenly showed up, he further distanced himself from her. Finally, Adeline couldn't stand it anymore and asked for a divorce. After all, why should she stay with such a cold, distant man? The next one would surely be better. Brendan watched as his ex-wife left with her luggage in tow. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he made a bet with his friends. "She'll definitely regret leaving and will come crawling back to me in no time." After hearing about this bet, Adeline sneered. "Dream on!" A few days later, Brendan ran into his ex-wife in a bar. It turned out she was celebrating her divorce. Not long after, he noticed that the damned woman seemed to have a new suitor. Brendan was starting to panic. The woman who had clung to him for three years suddenly didn't seem to give a damn about him. What was he going to do?
She was hurt. She was bullied and made fun of. And the only hope that kept her going was finding her mate. She has always been weak. Weak to the world. Why? Because she was a lantern. She didn't have a wolf. That's what everyone thought about her. When she found her mate, he wanted her to be his slut and not a wife. She might be an omega, but it doesn't mean she will take disloyalty and betrayal lightly. So she did something that no one in history ever did. She rejected an Alpha. "I, Alexis Clark, reject Brandon Sterling, the alpha of Black mist pack, and consider myself a free soul until I decide so."; Were her last words before she left that torturous place and became a rogue. A rogue that everyone was fearing and finding. Why? Because she was the rogue that has become one of the biggest problems of almost all the packs in the country. She was Alexis Clark. A rogue that rejected an Alpha, stealth food, kill other rogues, and more than that was living with humans and studying with them. What will happen when her case is given to the world's most dangerous alpha, Sebastian Sinclair, who has taken it upon himself to punish this rogue. The one who hated rogues and omega to a level that was beyond understanding. Why? Because his mate was an omega, who betrayed him with a rogue before dying. How will Alexis tackle this alpha, in whose College she was studying and living under hiding for almost a year? What will Sebastian do when he finds out the new girl he had been talking to is none other than the rogue omega that he had decided to kill? "To love you with all my might was my only wish, but you were the only one who gave me endless suffering. So today, I promise myself to not fall for anyone."; A simple saying that both Alexis and Sebastian had vowed upon. Will they be able to find their love amidst all these problems?
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
For three years, Jessica endured a loveless marriage while her husband pretended to be impotent. His lies unraveled when a pregnant mistress surfaced. After six months of secretly collecting proof, Jessica threw him out and built her own billion-dollar empire. After the divorce, she transformed into an irresistible figure, attracting admirers. As she left her office one day, she met Kevan, her ex-husband's brother. He stepped in, confronting her. "Was I just a tool to you?" Jessica's lips curled into a calm smile. "How much compensation do you want?" Kevan's voice softened. "All I want is you."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
I wasn't sure I wanted to get involved with someone so powerful. The energy he exuded the last time he was around was frightening as well as fascinating. But my curiosity got the better of me. "Go ahead then. I'm all ears." Right when I believed he was going to go ahead and spill it out, he took an unexpected action. Something so obnoxious and with so much authority. He says in a shrill voice. "I'd like to meet you tomorrow by two at Kincaid. I have a deal for you." And hangs up immediately after saying that. Adriana is faced with a choice to accept the Lycan king's proposal and take revenge on her ex-mate and Alia, her home wrecker or live like a rogue for the rest of her life. Everything was taken away from Adriana. She was heartbroken and dejected, so she left. Circumstances bring her back and she meets Alpha King Ares. The most feared and revered Lycan. He was feared in both the human and Lycan world. He presents an offer before her but she feared for the result of getting involved with such a man. What happens when their path is deviated by fate and they realize that they can't do without each other? Will they succeed in defeating their enemies and conquering the challenges that life will throw their way?