Blood and Bone Read online

  Blood & Bone

  Blood & Bone Series

  Book One

  Paula Dombrowiak

  BLOOD AND BONE

  By: Paula Dombrowiak

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  Copyright © 2020 Paula Dombrowiak

  Second Edition, March 2021

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  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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  Cover Image: Michelle Lancaster www.michellelancaster.com Instagram @lanefotograf

  Cover Design: Lori Jackson www.lorijacksondesign.com

  Cover Model: Giorgio Torelli Instagram @giorgio_torelli

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  www.pauladombrowiak.com

  For my Mom and Dad who allowed me the freedom to create and to my kids who inspire me everyday

  Contents

  Playlist

  1. Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

  Jack

  2. Silk and Skin

  Jack

  3. The World Would Miss Me

  Erin

  4. Darlin', I Already Have

  Jack

  5. Every Great Story

  Erin

  6. This is Mia

  Jack

  7. Rock Star

  Erin

  8. Fissures

  Erin

  9. Blood and Bone

  Jack

  10. You're Real

  Erin

  11. Daring Greatly

  Jack

  12. Shades of Blue

  Erin

  13. Letter Love Affair

  Jack

  14. Welcome to Paradise

  Jack

  15. All That's Left is the Worst

  Erin

  16. Loyally Blind

  Jack

  17. Left Turn Records

  Jack

  18. You're Like a Magical Unicorn

  Jack

  19. Sharpie Artist

  Jack

  20. Is That My Toothbrush?

  Erin

  21. Antiquing

  Erin

  22. Food Police

  Jack

  23. Everyone Here Calls Me Tiny

  Jack

  24. It's Not That Easy

  Jack

  25. Trouble in Paradise

  Jack

  26. Nigh, Nigh Pinky

  Jack

  27. You Broke Me

  Jack

  28. Not You Princess

  Jack

  29. We Got Married

  Jack

  30. Turbulence

  Jack

  31. Don't Forget to Breathe

  Jack

  32. Are Those Kale Chips?

  Jack

  33. The Significance of Knowing

  Jack

  34. One Fucking Call

  Jack

  35. Anonymously Yours

  Erin

  36. You're Like Twins

  Jack

  37. Teenagers are Assholes

  Jack

  38. You Saved Me

  Jack

  39. Which Direction?

  Jack

  40. Take Me

  Erin

  41. Erin, Erin, Erin

  Jack

  Epilogue

  Breath to Bear Blurb

  Breath to Bear Preview

  Blood & Bone Bonus Material

  Other Books By Paula Dombrowiak

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Playlist

  Each one of these songs represents a scene, a feeling or an inspiration while writing this novel

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  Album

  Wherever I go - One Republic

  Simple Lessons - Candelbox

  Oh No!!! - Grandson

  Lover, You Should’ve Come Over - Jeff Buckley

  The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

  Even Flow - Pearl Jam

  Rape Me - Nirvana

  Welcome to Paradise - Green Day

  Fell on Black Days - Soundgarden

  Love, Reign O’er Me - Pearl Jam

  Doll Parts - Hole

  Stubborn Love - The Lumineers

  Chemicals Between Us - Bush

  A Little Bit Yours - JP Saxe

  Lithium - Nirvana

  Shackled - Vertical Horizon

  Bird - Billie Marten

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  *Apple affiliate links are used and I may earn income if you purchase a song on iTunes.

  1

  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

  Jack

  Present

  Jack abandoned the search for his underwear and decided to throw on his jeans, fastening them low at the waist. He felt the crinkle of the magazine picture he had in his back pocket. Carefully he pulled it out and unfolded it. The picture should have made him smile, the memory forever etched in his mind but it only brought him sadness.

  A rustle of sheets caused him to fold the paper back up quickly accidentally letting it slip from his fingers. He turned to see Amber, still asleep, the sheets having slipped further down her back. Amber was still a beautiful woman, with her blonde curls fanned out against the silk of the pillows and the curve of her back narrowing in at her waist. Being divorced was as complicated as being married.

  The doorbell from deep within the house brought him out of his thoughts. He didn’t want Amber to wake up until he was already gone and the damn housekeeper wasn’t answering the door. He resolved to make his way downstairs and put an end to the incessant ringing.

  Jack padded barefoot through the marble hallway, and down the wide staircase.

  “Is no one going to answer the door?” He asked, annoyed as the chimes continued to echo through the house. “What am I paying you all for?” He screamed to no one in particular as he opened the door, flustered.

  A petite, dark-haired, doe-eyed woman was standing in the doorway. She was dressed casually in jeans, ankle boots, and a slim-fitting button-down shirt. She was definitely not from L.A. He cocked an eyebrow instinctively. “I don’t remember ordering one of you.” He purred, noticing the woman’s cheeks change color.

  “Jack O’Donnell?” She scanned his attire with curiosity and Jack realized he wasn’t wearing a shirt, only his ripped jeans, and bare feet.

  Placing his hand on the doorframe just above her head, Jack leaned in.

  “In the flesh,” he said.

  “I’m Erin Langford from Edge.” She leaned away from him.

  “Shit,” Jack mumbled, recoiling. Realizing he may have forgotten to tell someone to cancel he said, “Ah, not interested.” Jack pushed away from the door trying to close it but failing as he walked away.

  Erin pushed the door further open and followed Jack partway down the hall. “Excuse me?”

  “Sorry that you came all this way.” Jack tried to look apologetic but he wasn’t. He had a reputation with the press for being difficult and this would be no different.

  “That’s all you have to say? I took a redeye from New York, then I forgot my earplugs so I ended up staying awake to the steady falsetto of someone doing their best impression of sawing wood.” She placed her hand on her hip looking incredulous.

  “I’m sorry, Jack,” Paul, his bodyguard, and driver, rounded the corner in a hurry, out of breath. Paul was tall with wide shoulders and a slim waist. He had sandy brown hair cut close and wore a thin white t-shirt and jeans. A greasy rag protruded from his back pocket indicating that Paul must have been in the garage working on the sedan.

  Jack was slightly amused at Erin’s frazzled state. “I don’t do blogs.” He blurted out suddenly remembering where she was from.

  Erin managed to sidestep Paul which was quite a feat for someone of her stature. “Edge is not a blog, and if you weren’t stuck in the nineties, you’d realize that music content websites have a huge following.” She pointed at him with an indignant look on her face that was more cute than menacing.

  “Music Blogs,” he made a point to use air quotes to piss her off, “are someone’s need to be trendy and over-hyped,” He smiled, “instead of putting out a real magazine which takes some effort.”

  Jack thought the look on Erin’s face meant that she wanted to agree with him but couldn’t bring herself to admit it.

  “I was sent here by my editor because this interview was agreed to…” she paused, “by you.”

  “Sorry to disappoint.” Jack started to walk away. Now was not a good time to do this anyway.

  “Come on young lady, out you go.” Paul grabbed her by the arm and led her back to the door.

  Today was not a good day and Jack could feel a little pebble of anger forming in his stomach. He turned and looked at Erin with her dark hair and familiar features. “Your editor sends you,” he looked her over in a condescending manner, “thinking I’ll open my mouth faster than you can open your legs, well, forget it.” He scoffed.

  Erin seemed temporarily taken aback. “How dare you, I mean…I wouldn’t do that, you egotistical ass.” She scoffed.

  Jack laughed. “There are two scenarios here, either you are incredibly gullible, or you are incredibly cunning. You pick.”

 
Erin, looking as if she were trying to work through his comment, stayed put even though Paul tried to maneuver her out the door again. “Come on.” Paul looked a little sympathetic but continued to lead her out. He was always a little soft-hearted when it came to women.

  Erin managed to turn around. “I’m not some fresh out of college reporter. I am a damn good journalist and if you could read, you’d know that.” Paul pushed her out through the threshold but a second later, Erin poked her head back around the door. “And for the record, I don’t spread my legs for aging musicians past their prime.”

  Paul kicked the door shut and Jack could hear her yell “Shit!” from behind the heavy wood.

  “Sorry about that boss.” Paul gave him a sympathetic look.

  Jack peered through the front window and watched as Erin stomped down the driveway, admiring her ass as it swayed back and forth angrily.

  “Am I an aging musician past my prime?” Jack rubbed his chin.

  “Last time I checked you were still relevant.” Paul chuckled. “At least relevant enough to sign my paycheck.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow at him.

  Turning his attention back to Erin strutting down the driveway to what was obviously a rental car. They must think he was a fool. As if sending her could get him to talk. He hadn’t given an interview in a very long time and even the ones he’d done before earned him a black checkmark amongst the journalism community. His publicist could be persuasive and he must have been in a really good mood that day to have even agreed to do the interview in the first place.

  “She didn’t seem so bad.” Paul shrugged his broad shoulders.

  “Wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Jack lifted his eyebrows in knowing fashion.

  Paul clapped him on the back. “Those are the best kind.” He chuckled as he headed back towards the entrance to the garage.

  2

  Silk and Skin

  Jack

  Present

  Jack headed back upstairs. Looking at the watch on his wrist he realized how late it was. Amber was always a good distraction, and as much as she hated him, she could never seem to tell him no. He knew it was an unhealthy relationship, and like all of his other addictions, he couldn’t seem to kick this one.

  When life became too much, Jack wanted to escape to something familiar, and that familiarity was probably still lying naked in the bed where he left her, thoroughly satisfied. He shook his head, and willed himself to just get his shit, and leave.

  Walking down the hallway to the master bedroom Jack passed his daughter Hayley’s room. Her door was shut, and he didn’t even know if she was inside. She was twenty, had her own life but he still remembered her riding her bike down this very hallway, Amber trailing after yelling to stop for fear she’d ruin the marble. Jack had been waiting at the end, having just gotten back from tour, and Hayley’s little fingers would grab hold of his shirt sleeves as she launched herself off the bike, to hug him. There was no better feeling than those little fingers wrapped around his. Her smile was like the sun kissing the ocean after a long draining day.

  Memories were like ghosts to him. They haunted his once peaceful dreams, crept into his mind during the day when he least expected them. He wanted nothing more than to numb the pain but he’d made a promise that he would not break. He lived inside of that promise as if he were a prisoner. Just as the memory entered his head, it was gone like a whisper. Hayley was not a little girl anymore. He barely knew her. The thought made him deeply sad, and he just wanted to collect the rest of his clothes and get out.

  The bed was empty when Jack entered the room. He could only smell the faint impression of Amber’s perfume. The bedroom was decorated in soft feminine colors and fabrics. On one wall were professionally hung pictures of Amber from her modeling days. She always looked her best with barely anything on. The thought causing him to smile. Whenever he thought of Amber, silk and skin came to mind. So much so, that he had written a song about it a long time ago.

  Grabbing his shirt from the back of the vanity chair, he sniffed it, and then absently slipped it over his head. After looking in corners, under chairs, and lifting a few of Amber’s discarded garments off the floor, he finally found his shoes. The faint sound of water running came from the ensuite. Wanting to avoid an argument with Amber, he decided to tell her he was leaving instead of slipping out like he usually did.

  “Amber!” He called. “I’m leaving.” She was probably whispering ‘good’ under her breath right now, he thought.

  Their relationship was a toxic cycle but his whole life was one big toxic cycle with a few gold records thrown in. Knowing Amber hated him made it easier to leave afterward. That’s what he was good at anyway, leaving, whether it was to the studio, to go on tour, or to someone else’s bed. He may be a recovering addict but he was not a recovering asshole. If anything, he was working on perfecting asshole.

  When he didn’t get a response, Jack walked into the bathroom. Amber was in the large jacuzzi tub situated in the middle of the room. “Nothing I haven’t seen before,” he made a joke waiting for Amber to throw a fit that he’d walked in on her but she seemed to be giving him the silent treatment.

  He turned to the sink and splashed water on his face and made an indignant noise deep in his throat. The bathroom was probably bigger than his whole house in Venice.

  Water dripped from his chin as he stared at himself in the mirror. Shit, he was an aging musician past his prime. His hair was a little long, curling up around his ears from the steam in the bathroom. His eyes refocused on the bathtub behind him through the mirror. Amber’s arm hung over the edge lifelessly, and the blood drained from his face. His knees went weak as he noticed how eerily quiet, and still, she was. An instinct within him registered that something was wrong. Panic raced through his veins as he ran to Amber’s side, calling for Paul over his shoulder. His lungs ached from the exertion, not realizing the house was so big there was no way Paul could hear him.