Beware 2: The Comeback (30 page)

It’s just love.

Unconditional, pure love for both of them.

When she’s not busy, Bianca visits often, but even when she laughs and plays around with her niece and nephew, I see the pain in her eyes that will never disappear. Just like I see it in London’s eyes.

There are days when I spot London spending time alone on the hammock hanging from the Ceiba tree behind our house. She stares out towards the ocean, the water rippling from the salt-water pool in front of her. I’m sure she thinks about her family, what she’d be like, and how her life would’ve turned out if they were still alive. I know she wants grandparents for her children. An uncle.

She wonders if Jonah would have chosen a different path if her parents had never passed away. Some nights, when everyone is in bed, I wake up and realize her side of the bed is empty, and when I pass by the kitchen and look out the balcony window, I’ll catch her curled up with a blanket, crying on the lounge chairs by the pool or that favorite hammock of hers. I don’t blame her, and as badly as I want to go out and comfort her every time, I don’t. Everyone needs alone time every once in a while.

There are moments when I should cry, but the tears just won’t fall. I’ve lost many. I’ve lost a lot because of the life I lived. I know everything has changed—that I’m now a free man. I can be a good man. I can do that for my family.

But I have to admit, I miss it.

My men.

My brothers.

The
power
.

It’s in my blood. It’s a part of being a Crow. You long for power, to be on top. I have a lot of blood on my hands, but most of it has been washed away. But because of that hunger for power, I started my own company when we got settled here.

After my final task of blowing up Maurice’s boats and hiring a hit man to take out the rest of his men (no loose ends, right?), I found his stash at an old warehouse and kept it for myself. With that money, I started
L.A.M. Towers, Inc.
L for London, A for Aden, and M for Melanie. I couldn’t use my name, and I made sure not to show my face on websites. There are still people out there, people that hate me, like the persistent Agent Wales who can’t even get close.

It’s a company that aids troubled teenage boys. Lost boys. Boys that have harmed people they love or those that have lost people they care about. Boys with PTSD. I even created a sister company for the young girls that have no roof over their heads. The young pregnant girls that need a little assistance. Costa Rica needs a helping hand.

I’m helping, but I’m still on top. I run the show. I bring people in. I recruit most of them. In a way, I own them, but I won’t tell anyone I see it that way. Those people look up to me, Donovan Ace Crow. They see a good man, but if they knew my past, they would be
terrified
.

Bianca helps the girls. She knows how it feels to be without parents. I feel terrible for her. I’ve wanted nothing but the best for my family, but being a Crow has its consequences. Most times, we can’t even control it. We were born into this. We’re offspring of cruel, selfish men.

Bianca has seen a lot. She’s been through more than anyone I know, but she still keeps her head held high and runs her clothing line like a true boss. After her “loss”, she got more respect for going right back into work. Aspiring women admire her. Men drool over her. She’s sitting on a throne with a shiny-ass crown on top of her head, but of course she doesn’t see it that way. The Crow blood helps in that way. We brush shit off and keep it moving. She takes no shit. She doesn’t get bamboozled or tricked into foolish contracts. She runs her own show. She owns her success.

Although her heart was shattered to pieces, I can only hope that she finds love. She, of all the people I know, deserves it. It won’t be easy, but when that man comes, he better be ready to mend her brokenness.

Trent. He’s still loyal as hell. He’s a private pilot. He flies jets for some of the wealthiest men in the world. He comes to Costa Rica whenever he needs an escape. His wife is a good woman, but she’s a nagger. I know how he feels. London has her moments where she never lets up. Shit, that’s marriage. Not everything is roses and unicorns.

There are nights when Trent and I get drunk as fuck and reminisce. We tell stories we remember of everyone in the crew. It’s almost like I’m reliving the moments when I talk with him. He’s become my best friend. I’m glad I can trust him. He’s always had my back. He’s never let me down. He feels as if he owes me his life, but the truth is, I owe him
mine
. He didn’t have to come forward and assist me. He could’ve left me for dead, but out of the goodness of his heart, he chose to help me.

That’s loyalty. I know I will always be able to depend on him.

See, we all have some goodness somewhere, and we all have demons.

When you first meet us, it may not show on the surface, and we may not wear our hearts on our sleeves, but when you get to know us for who we are, you’ll see it. You’ll
feel
it. This is my family now, and I wouldn’t trade this shit for the world.

After everything I’ve gone through, I can finally smile. I feel like all those burdens have been tossed away. No weights are on my shoulders. For the first time in my life, I can truly say I’m free.

I’m alive.

I’m back.

I’m Ace fucking Crow.

A new man.

A man who was once a monster but was brought into light by a great lover, a wonderful mother, and an incredible wife.

I may be a little more sensitive now, but fuck with me or my family the wrong way, and the old Ace will return and handle his shit, no questions asked. No hesitation.

Yeah, he’s still in there, tucked neatly in a safe place, and when he needs to be unleashed to protect, please believe he’ll come out within the blink of an eye.

Be sure to remember that saying—the one everyone can’t seem to forget:

BEWARE OF ACE CROW

…Because he’s still there. And he will
always
be ready.

Just to let you all know there WILL be a spin-off novel for Bianca Crow titled BIANCA. I have no official release date for it just yet but keep up with me by following my contact info on the following pages for updates! I’m so excited to write and share her story. She is an amazing character. I can’t wait to get inside her head.

Also, if you can, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave a review of
BEWARE 2
! I would really, really appreciate it.

Shanora

I honestly don’t even know where to start.
BEWARE 2
took a lot of time and a lot of effort to finally finish. I mean, I started writing it in August of 2014 and I didn’t tell anyone about it until months later because I was afraid it wouldn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. I was afraid of the follow-up being bad or not “living up” to book 1. But I can’t believe what I wrote for B2. It turned out ten times better than I ever expected. So I finally I gave the hint to my readers and the wonderful reaction and responses I received… I was speechless. I couldn’t believe how many people actually wanted more from me. I’m so humbled and blessed to have so many people support and believe me.

So this time, I’m thanking my fans
FIRST
because you guys rock my fucking world! You are always behind me, pushing and motivating me to get these characters out there and I can’t thank you enough!

My wonderful Juanito for being super dad while I finished up on Ace and London’s story. Thank you for being patient with both me and our baby. I love you!

Stina! You know why I thank you each and every time. Not only are you a friend, but a great supporter and someone that has believed in me from day one. You are a wonderful person and I’m so glad I met you.

Heather and Selene! You ladies rock my world. I love the feedback, the honesty – all of it! I wish I could hug you two in person so hard but the time will come when we meet. You believe in me and I’m so grateful to have run into you and your blog. The Housewives know what it’s about!

To the Sweethearts! Y’all are so sweet! Seriously, thank you for being there for me. Dealing with my crazy random teasers and pic edits. LOL.

Erinn Giblin for being the best editor ever! Thank you for the lovely feedback, for your patience – everything! I’m so glad you enjoyed Ace. You made me truly believe in this story and what it would bring to readers. And Aden… ahh! The love we have for our kids!

Najla for being the wonderful cover artist for my man Ace Crow. Nadège Richards and Amanda Heath for formatting the hell out of these books for people to drool and love on the pages – mainly me. LOL. You guys truly bring my words to life. Ena Burnette for always running the most amazing blog tours! You’re a wonderful host and a beautiful woman, inside and out.

For anyone that has supported me through this journey. I know I haven’t been around much ever since I had my little one but I appreciate every kind email, every sweet comment, and every single review. I don’t just love you guys, I FLOVE you guys!

CONTACT SHANORA

I love chatting with my readers and fans. If there’s anything you’d like to talk to me about please feel free to email me at
[email protected]

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twitter.com/shanorawilliams

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www.authorshanorawilliams.com

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