That's something I never thought I'd say.
I stood outside, watching the clouds roll by, turning my cell phone over and over in my hand, thinking about the phone call I'd just gotten from Crunch.
He wasn't Crunch anymore.
He'd moved to Vegas with MacKenzie, had this gig where he did some kind of hacking shit for casinos. I couldn't remember how he'd explained it, something about security or some shit. He had come out of retirement, was starting to associate with the club chapter out in Vegas. The shit that happened out in LA had gotten him a new road name.
Hammer.
I guess brutally killing three assholes, smashing one man to pieces with a sledgehammer, warranted a name change.
After April's funeral, he'd gone back to Puerto Rico, left MacKenzie with her grandmother for a bit. Which was probably for the best, because he'd pretty much gone off the deep end, a total fucking tailspin.
I could understand the feeling.
Last year he'd pulled himself up, gotten his shit together. Now he had this good job and MacKenzie back living with him.
Then I get this voicemail today.
He'd gotten involved with a girl. Someone important to him, he said.
And now she was missing.
Back inside the house, I poked my head through the bedroom doorway, careful not to wake June. She was sleeping peacefully, and I wanted to keep her blissfully unaware for as long as possible. I slipped into bed beside her, cradled her stomach, and breathed her in. She murmured something in her sleep, snuggled in close to me. I knew that I'd have to call Hammer, face whatever grotesque reality he was going through.
But right now, I wanted to soak in a few more minutes of peace.
For now, everything was right in my world.
THE END
This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real events, places, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All characters are over the age of 18.
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes, either in printed or electronic format, without the permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used for review purposes.
All quotations used in book are part of public domain works and translated copies existing in public domain.
Warning: This book contains mature content, including graphic sex, language, and violence. Please do not continue reading if you are under the age of 18 or if this type of content is disturbing to you.
From the Author
Dedication
Part One: Suffering
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Part Two: Attachment
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Part Three: Impermanence
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Epilogue: Happiness
Mailing List
About the Author
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Breaking Hammer contains mature content, including descriptions of sex, language, and violence, that are not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen. It also should be noted that it deals with subjects that might be sensitive for some readers, such as abusive situations and human trafficking.
In June 2014, the U.S. State Department released its annual report evaluating the efforts of international governments to police human trafficking in their countries. Thailand and Malaysia were downgraded to Tier 3 status, meaning that they now rank in the lowest twelve countries in the world in efforts to prevent human trafficking. In both countries, undocumented foreign workers are particularly vulnerable, especially minority groups from Burma (Myanmar) fleeing persecution.
I lived in southeast Asia for several years, and that region of the world will always hold a special place in my heart.
This book was inspired by reading about the plight of trafficked persons everywhere, but especially in those countries I think of so fondly.
To my darling daughter. You are the reason for all of this. I love you always.
To my husband, who had no idea what he was getting into when I started writing.
And to the dear friends - authors and readers - I've met through this, who have offered so much encouragement and support...and who, every so often, have to talk some sense into me when I'm filled with doubt.
Thank you for everything you do. I'd be lost without you all.
SUFFERING
Be merciful to those that struggle; have compassion upon the sufferers; pity the creatures who are hopelessly entangled in the snares of sorrow.
~ The Teachings of the Buddha (Carus' translation)