First Episode

The Cost of Power is set in an alternative universe from the main Martiniere Legacy series. In this book, I take a closer look at the mind control technology and…the relationship between Gabe and his father Philip ends up being different.

Additionally, Gabe tells Ruby who he really is much, much earlier than in the main Martiniere Legacy series.

Most of all, I’m freeforming this story. I somewhat know where it’s going to go, but how it unfolds depend on what happens with Gabe, Philip, Ruby, and Justine once they get on a roll in this particular setting.

Enjoy! This is part one of Chapter Three. There will be five parts to this chapter.

July, 2033

GABE

He yielded to temptation when out riding and took Ranger to a high spot with good connectivity where he could watch Criminal Injustice on his phone. Dismounted, unbridled the dark bay gelding, hobbled him, and sat on a rock while Ranger grazed. Gabe managed to make it through to the trial footage, then shut it off.

All right, they had done a decent job laying the foundation for the trial in a sympathetic manner, even though the actor playing Gabriel Martiniere didn’t look anything like him. Apparently, someone on the production team had talked to his supportive cousins. The bit about his protection of Justine until she married Donald Atwood—well, that possibly came directly from his grandmother Donna.

But the moment they started running trial footage, when he walked into that courtroom—it was him, clear as daylight.

Gabe went to Ranger and leaned against the big horse, gagging. He didn’t dare watch the rest of it, for fear that half-said mind control trigger would manage to work on him, even though it was video, not live. Even though he hadn’t been subjected to psychotropics.

He had to leave. Tonight. He’d be lucky if Jesse Rivers and Nathan Bonham weren’t already at the ranch, perhaps even with Joey alongside them.

Gabe shuddered at that thought. At least if Ruby and Ron had watched the show, then they would understand when he left. He hoped.

But oh, it hurt to think about leaving Ruby. She was his heart. His soul. Without her in his life—and that possible pregnancy—

He steeled himself. If he couldn’t do this, then he might as well march into Philip’s office and dare his uncle to kill him.

Besides, with him gone, Ruby might decide to abort if she were pregnant. Probably the best option all around, especially if the ranch collapsed and she was forced into indenture—maybe he could manage to get a message to one of her college friends, see if they could help her avoid that fate. Perhaps even his cousin Justine—she had known Ruby from her job in college.

But God, that choice hurt.

Tonight. Once Ron and Ruby are in bed. Then I’ll leave.

#

No sooner had he put Ranger in the crossties back at the ranch, planning to give the big gelding one last good brushing, than Ruby entered the barn, grabbing at the doorway to stop from a dead run so she wouldn’t spook the horse. Eyes reddened and swollen, face blotchy from crying, breathing hard.

“Rubes—” Even saying his pet name for her hurt.

She must have seen the show. Damn it.

Ruby rushed over and grabbed him, burying her head in his chest, shaking with sobs. Ranger raised his head, snorting.

Gabe shouldn’t have, but his arms automatically wrapped around her.

“Rubes,” he tried again.

She raised her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. How many times had he ever seen his tough Ruby cry? Only when her grandmother died. Once, in four years together.

She’s crying for me. That was a hard blow to his gut and his plans.

“Don’t go,” she moaned. “Please. Don’t run. I saw. You’re really Gabriel Martiniere, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry, Rubes. I have to go.”

“No. Gramps says we’ll figure out something to keep the three of us safe. Get Mike and Vickie to activate that Home Guard to protect us.” Her arms tightened around him. “Damn it, Gabe, no. Please. I love you.”

“I love you too, but it’s not safe for me to stay.”

“Bullshit. We’ll find a way, damn it, Gabriel Martiniere. If you run, it means that fucker wins. If I have to spend the rest of my life packing a weapon and watching our backs, so be it. I want you. Here. With me. Forever.”

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So a new book in another facet of the Martiniere Multiverse, the A Different Life subseries—where Gabe’s parents survive, and he meets Ruby as himself—is now out!

A Different Life: Now. Always. Forever. is about the romance of Ruby’s college friend Linda Coates and Gabe’s cousin Armand. Of course, when Martinieres are involved, things aren’t always that simple….

You can buy it in the usual ebook places, or request it in paperback from your favorite bookstore.
Amazon Apple Barnes&Noble Kobo Smashwords