A Knight's Promise: Lance Rock's Spiritual Journey Book 3

A Knight's Promise

Master Edition

By

Robert L. Beck

Copyright © 2019 Robert L. Beck

All rights reserved.

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Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Other and future books in the series.

Dawn of the Knight: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 1

A Knight's Honor: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 2

Knightfall: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 4

A Knight in the Jungle: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 5

Day of the Knight: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 6

Dragon Slayers: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 7

Joust: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 8

Plague: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 9

Mindbender: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 10

Blackest Knight: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 11

Mindbender 2: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 12

Mindbender 3: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 13

Mindbender 4: Lance Rock’s Spiritual Journey Book 14

For Terri Hamelin, Gail Miller, and Courtney Stangl.

Men with good intentions make promises. Men with good character keep them.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 1

What do you think? asked Keith while tossing me a set of car keys.

Oh, man, it's... beautiful, I replied as I gazed upon the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole which was sitting in front of me in the Terminal 2 parking lot of LAX. I had just arrived back in California from Canada. You even found it in my favorite color—racing red.

After you texted me asking for my help in getting you a car, I did try to get you your first choice. he continued. But a car from that year, 1968, and in mint condition is really hard to find on a moment's notice. People just don't want to part with them. Plus, even though you specified that you wanted it in black and that you wanted the R/T version, you weren't specific enough about the engine. I wasn't sure if you wanted the Hemi or the 440 Magnum V-8. And I'm guessing you know that the 440 has several carburetor options as well.

Yeah, I guess I was so excited about finally having enough money to buy my dream car, I didn't think it through enough. But I'm really happy with this baby. So, what do I owe you?

Hold on there a second, Rock, I'm not finished yet. I took the liberty of installing the latest GPS unit as well as the most current radar detector, he continued while pointing down underneath the dash. Only a thorough search by the police will find it. In addition, the previous owner had a kicking, aftermarket Bose stereo system installed which is rated at 600 watts output. That's some pure, raw, adrenalin enhancing audio power you have there, mister exchange student from Canuckland. This car is now an officially certified Mitterhauser chick magnet. You see, I'm always willing to help out guys less fortunate than myself when it comes to what they're lacking in the looks department and them being able to score with a girl. No offense to you of course.

None taken, Mitty, I replied while shaking my head in disbelief and smirking. Can I write you a check? What do I owe you?

Nothing.

Eh?

You owe me nada. You saved my life and I told you that if I could ever repay you, I would. So, consider us now even though my life is worth way more than the 75 grand I forked out for this machine.

Wow. Thanks, Keith.

No problem. You can drive me to the notary and then we'll go back to my house after all the paperwork is settled.

One and a half hours later we pulled into his driveway. I noticed things had changed around his house. "I see you now have a security fence encompassing the entire property," I remarked.

Yeah, and it's also electrified.

And plain clothes security actually patrolling the area?

That, too, he replied as we pulled up to the gate.

The armed security guard stepped out and eyeballed us. Keith gave him the thumbs up sign. I also noticed CCTV cameras that had been positioned at various locations. The guard opened the gate and I drove on up to the house.

Is this enhanced security a result of the attack on your house by the yakuza four months ago? I asked out of curiosity.

What do you know about that attack? Keith suddenly asked while staring intently at me.

The question completely caught me off guard. I... I... don't know anything about it, I nervously stammered.

I now consider you my friend, Rock; somewhat that is, but I want you to know that the police told my father that they believe you were lying to them when you told them that you had little to no memory of what happened that night. His face suddenly became sad. That night I lost...my closest friend... a guy who was... like... an older brother to me. I'll never forget the Asian who did it. I saw the cold-blooded look in his eyes even though he wore a mask that covered the rest of his face. He brutally killed Mike without mercy or reason. And then he attacked me even when I told him what he wanted to know.

Then Keith's countenance changed to one of anger. Even if it takes a lifetime, I'll find him and his family. I'm going to get revenge on his family members too, for what he did to mine. I'm going to make them suffer. But you say you don't know anything about him, his family, or the yakuza, right?

Seriously, Keith, it's in the past. Maybe you should just let it go, you know. Bitterness has a way of—

"What do you know about losing family, Rock? he asked, angrily. Have you ever had a relative brutally murdered in cold blood right in front of your eyes?"

I said nothing. Then after a moment I said, I'm... truly sorry for your loss.

If you could give me anything, any scrap of info about him or the reason why he came to my house that night; anything that might help my father or the police in tracking him down and bringing him to justice. You have to know something because there has to be a reason why both you and he showed up at my house that night.

I… don't have any answers for you. I'm... sorry.

I don't mean to hassle you, Rock. I’m just frustrated. You saved my life. You wouldn't have any reason to lie to me, he said while extending his hand in a gesture of friendship.

I clasped it but said nothing.

Are you on the honor roll? he asked, a moment later.

This question caught me off guard as well.

I... don't know. I get A's on all my essays and I score a hundred on every quiz and test I take. Does that qualify me to be on the honor roll? I asked while shrugging my shoulders.

He stared at me with a skeptical look and then asked, Have you ever been to Hawaii?

No, I haven't, I replied, now puzzled.

Our school is now trying to place more emphasis on academics rather than athletics, he remarked while rolling his eyes. My father feels obligated to do his part to help out, so he's offering a free trip to Hawaii to any student who made the honor roll this past semester.

Wow, that's really generous of him. When is he offering it?

It's a four day trip between Christmas and New Years. We'll be leaving on the twenty-seventh and coming back the thirtieth.

I'll have to think about it. By the way, how's your leg? I see you're still walking with a slight limp.

My doctor said it might never get any better, he replied with an expression of annoyance.

I have something for you, I said while reaching into a bag and pulling out a bottle of clear liquid. I handed it to him.

What is it?

Chinese bruise liniment.

You mean like Tiger Balm, or something?

A homemade version of that stuff; extremely potent. Just rub it over the scarred area on your leg at least twice a day. Let me know if it does anything for you.

Thanks. Hey, Rock, I'm having a small pre-Christmas party tonight; a little pre-holiday celebration. I'm giving you an invite like right now.

Tonight?

Yeah, my parents are not going to be at home so...

So... what?

He looked at me as if I was stupid. So, it's a party with babes and beer and—

I think I'll pass. But thanks anyway.

Why? Tori Keesey is coming to it. I'll introduce you to her, he remarked while grinning.

Tori... Keesey?

Yeah, 'Torrid' Keesey as I call her, or 'Easy' Keesey as the guys on the team used to call her. Don't you remember her? She's in our Spanish class. She's a real hot, sweet, piece of—

I, ah... I'm still interested in Shannon, I quickly interjected. I'm... you know... going to try—

Shannon? he answered in surprise. Good luck with that seeing that she's dating that loser Shane West. He's nothing but an STD infested waste of oxygen. His father's a member of the Long Riders motorcycle gang and a porn film producer. You can't tell me that Shane doesn't have Shannon in his bed every night having his way with her. Especially since her mother went off the deep end, tried to off herself, and is now a nutcase in some psycho ward. What a flaming hypocrite Shannon is, too. Lecturing me about how she's saving herself for some future husband, he remarked in a sarcastic, mocking tone. And then going and losing her virginity to a clown like him. he continued. "But if you're still interested in trying to sneak some from her, I would definitely use protection. Who knows how many of Shane's biker friends have had a turn with her and with what kind of STD's she's now infected with."

Oh yeah, and get this. Two months ago she had the nerve to ask me if she could borrow some money from me to keep her house from going into foreclosure. Guess what my answer was?

But I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying anymore. It was all simply too much for me to handle and an overwhelming feeling of nausea wrenched my stomach. I quickly opened the driver's side door and vomited on the ground.

Oh, dude! he exclaimed. Are you sick all of a sudden because your face just went completely white? Stay away from me, he continued while raising his hands in front of him like a shield as he quickly exited the car.

Later. he remarked as he quickly walked up the front steps to his house.

See... you, I weakly replied while wiping my mouth. I put the car in gear and drove back to the front gate. I was in a complete daze as I approached it and only the guard screaming at me to stop kept me from crashing into it. He yelled at me as he opened it, but I was oblivious to what he was saying. I drove out of the driveway and turned onto the street. After pulling the car over to the side of the road and turning off the ignition, I laid my head against the steering wheel. Then I became completely emotional. I've lost her, I thought, as tears began to fill my eyes. I've... lost her to another guy. I know you wanted me to be a man of honor and integrity Scott, but I simply... can't do it anymore. It's too hard. She was the girl of my dreams and now... she's gone to Shane and only because... I kept my word to Reina. A teardrop rolled down my cheek and I wiped it away. There's too much stress and heartache... in being a man who keeps his word, Scott. I can't... do it anymore. I was in love with her, and now... she's gone... she's gone... she's gone. I stared down at the floor and watched another tear roll off my cheek.

What are you going to do? I thought.

I don't know, I replied aloud while wiping my eyes. I... wouldn't be able to stand seeing her in another guy's arms. It would be... too painful.

Maybe you should just go back home.

Yeah... maybe I should just go back home. It isn't fair, though. She said she would wait for all eternity for me to come back to her. She knew I loved her even though she didn't understand the reason why I couldn't tell her that.

You didn't return her calls. You didn't even try to contact her for the last four months.

I know. It's my fault. I have no one to blame but myself. But... how... how could she go out with a guy like Shane? She was so strong in her principles and conviction. I... I don't... understand it.

How well do you really know her? You were with her for only three weeks. People change...

"No! I don't believe that. I do know her. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with her."

There's only one way to find out.

But I can't go to their house. It's too hard. I...

You have more than just her as a reason for needing to go there; Stacy and AJ. Climb out of that cave of self-pity and be the man Scott raised you to be. Man-up, Lance.

Alright, I'll try to steel myself and try not to let my personal feelings get the best of me. It's not going to be easy, though.

Twenty minutes later, I pulled into their driveway. The first thing I noticed was the grass on their front lawn. It looked like it hadn't been cut for some time. I tried the front door and it was unlocked, so I let myself in. I walked around the first floor and thought, Sheesh. This place is a mess. The kitchen had dirty dishes stacked two feet high all over the counter. The floor looked like it hadn't seen a mop for a good while and the rugs in the other rooms needed some serious vacuuming. I walked over to the kitchen patio doors and stared out toward the pool. You're kidding, I thought. I let myself out and walked over to it. The cover had not been put on it and the water hadn't been cleaned, either. It looked like some insidious algae experiment that had gone awry. I heard the patio doors opening and I turned around to see AJ. She stood staring at me with an astonished expression on her face. Ohhhhh! she then cried as she came charging at me and leaped up into my arms.

AJ, I replied. She immediately broke down and began to sob while clutching me tightly. I held her close and gently rubbed her back. I had never seen her so emotional. Finally, she quieted down and in between snivels, asked, Where have you been?

I've... been away, AJ. But I'm back now.

We... needed... you.

What's going on around here? Fill me in, I said while releasing my hold on her.

Things haven't been going well, she replied while wiping away her tears.

Your mom, what happened to her? I asked.

Her... balloon popped.

Eh?

That's how Shannon explained it to me. All the bad things those men did to her over the years put mental and emotional pressure on her and she never told anyone about it. She just kept holding it in and the pressure kept on building. Then when you told her about my older sister, that added more mental and emotional pressure and her balloon kept getting bigger and bigger as the pressure increased. Right around the time that you left to go back home, she got letters from my father's lawyer saying that since he was now dead, she wouldn't be getting any more alimony or child support payments. That added even more mental pressure and her balloon couldn't hold any more, so it popped and then she tried to kill herself. Once again, she started crying.

Oh, AJ, I'm... so sorry, I said with empathy in my voice while again holding her tight. Where... is your mother now?

She's staying at a treatment center in Ventura but I don't know for how much longer. Shannon said we really have no money to keep her there. My mom lost her job and she has no insurance. It took all of our savings just for her to admit herself. For a long time now we've had no money to pay for the mortgage and Shannon said we're going to lose the house. I don't want to move, Lance. I grew up in this house and I want to stay here. We barely even have enough money to buy groceries.

Was there no one who could help you guys?

We don't have any relatives who will help us. Shannon was too embarrassed and really uncomfortable about asking any of her friends for help.

I can understand that.

She did try to ask Keith for help, but he made her cry with his answer."

Surely Mr. Cheponis, your attorney, would help you if you ask him.

"Shannon... there's an exchange student staying there with them; a girl from Japan who's in Shannon's grade. I think that girl intimidates her. I don't know why, but Shannon doesn't like her and she was too embarrassed to go over to their house and ask Mr. Cheponis for help.

Ah, it doesn't matter. I'm going to help you guys out financially.

You are? How? she asked while wiping her eyes.

People up in Canada have been very generous and kind to me, AJ, and now it's time to pay it forward. I'm going to pay off your house and get you guys caught up on all your bills.

I... never knew you were rich.

Rich? How rich do I have to be to help you guys out? I asked while chuckling.

Shannon says we owe at least seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars on this house, and then there's—

Holy cow! How much is this house worth?

My mom got it for one and a half million dollars 10 years ago and she said that was a good deal for this area and what we all got and—

Wow. I guess I had no idea of the property values in the Santa Barbara area. Sheesh. It doesn't matter, though. Consider it taken care of my little sister, I remarked while giving her a hug.

I'm so glad you're back, Lance.

I don't know how long I'm going to stay, AJ. I... I'll probably just stay long enough to help you guys out. What happened around here? This place is a mess.

We haven't been doing our chores, I guess, she replied while smiling sheepishly.

Are you on Christmas break, now? I asked.

Yeah, for the next couple of weeks.

I'd like to go see your mother. Is that possible?

We're only allowed to visit her at certain times. Tomorrow morning is one of them.

We'll go see her tomorrow morning, then. In the meantime you really ought to put some effort into cleaning up around here. I'll help you out. Let's start with the kitchen first.

***

When did your dishwasher break? I asked while handing AJ another clean plate to put away.

A couple of months ago, she replied. Right after Shannon's car broke down.

When it rains, it pours, right? I asked.

She laughed.

At least you still have your mother's car to drive.

The bank came and took that one away six weeks ago since we couldn't make the payments on it.

Wow. Hey, AJ?

Hey, what?

I've noticed that you... you seem to have lost... muscle tone. Aren't you doing gymnastics anymore?

I quit. I just didn't feel like doing it after all that was happening...

Yeah, I can understand that.

But, you look even more muscular than the last time I saw you, she remarked while grinning and flashing her eyes. "You look really... hot!"

I could feel my face turning red. I've a... been working out a little.

Wait until Shannon sees you.

I said nothing, but simply continued to dry the dishes.

Lance?

Yeah?

Why haven't you asked me about Shannon? You haven't even asked me where she is.

I, ah... I don't really want to talk about her. Okay?

Okay. You have a girlfriend now?

Nah. No girls in my life right now.

Aren't you still in love with my sister anymore?

AJ.

But you told me that you were in love with her and you even gave me a note to give to her telling her how much you loved her, and then at the hospital and when you came out of the hospital you acted like you didn't love her and you made her so upset that she cried, and I'm kind of... confused.

Again, I said nothing but simply continued to dry the dishes which seemed endless.

Aren't you going to answer me?

I don't really want to talk about it.

So, you're going to hold it in until your balloon pops, too?

I stared at her and shook my head slightly.

Well? she asked.

Give me your word that you will not repeat what I'm going to tell you to anyone.

I promise.

I am still deeply in love with your sister. She truly is... the girl of my dreams. She always has been, before the hospital and after the hospital. The Saturday night that you were staying over at Mitty's house, I was alone here in your house. Someone came in the house and captured me. One of the conditions for my release by this person was that I had to forsake my love for your sister.

Who, she asked. Who captured you?

I can't tell you. I gave my word that I would protect her... this person's identity.

Why would someone make you do that?

"It's a long and complicated story, but the point is, I am still in love with your sister. Although, I've now... lost her... to another... guy," I said as my voice broke and I became emotional while staring down at the floor.

No you haven't, she replied. My sister is still in love with you too.

But Keith told me she's dating another guy—Shane West, I replied, now perplexed.

Only because Shane forced her to...

Chapter 2

What? I asked, now confused.

Come with me, she said.

I dried off my hands, threw the towel onto the counter, and then followed her upstairs. We went into Shannon's room. She walked over to one of Shannon's bookcases and reached down and pulled out a folder. She then walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down. I sat down beside her. She opened the folder, removed several drawings from it, and then handed them to me.

What do you think? she asked.

I examined them one by one. They were superb, highly detailed pictures of scenery and other objects that had been drawn using either pastels, colored markers, colored pencils, or colored ink. And when I say highly detailed, I mean highly detailed. They looked like they could have been actual photographs. That's how sharp the detail was.

They're amazingly beautiful. Who drew them?

Shannon did, she replied.

"She drew these?" I asked, now astonished.

Yep. Aren't they good?

They're incredible. I didn't know she had... wait a second. You know, come to think of it, I do remember reading in one of her diary entries about her secret desire to be an artist. She has some major talent.

She's been drawing all her life but she doesn't share her pictures with anyone. I think it's because she's kind of shy about it.

AJ then removed another folder that had been tucked inside the main one and handed it to me.

What's this? I asked while examining it. On the front of the cover of this folder and in pencil, there had been drawn the outline of a heart. On the top inside of the heart were the initials SM. Underneath those initials was a big letter L. Then underneath the L were the initials LR.

AJ stared at me and grinned. Open it up, she said.

I did, and then I gasped. I was now looking at a drawing of myself, shirtless, that had been drawn using colored ink. The detail was astounding. If was as if I was looking at an actual photograph.

I don't remember you guys taking any photos of me that she would have been able to use as a model for this drawing, I remarked.

She didn't draw it from a picture. She drew it from what she remembered of you, replied AJ while smiling.

That's... she has an eidetic memory, I remarked. I never knew that about her, either.

Keep looking, said AJ.

I did, and the next drawing showed me with my tee-shirt on. The final one in the series showed me in armor—the kind the knights of old would have worn. I smiled.

I just can't get over the level of detail and that she drew these solely from memory, I remarked while shaking my head in amazement.

I flipped to the next series of drawings. It showed Shannon and me in each other's arms and kissing! I glanced over at AJ and she smiled at me with a mischievous grin. I smiled back.

I, ah... never actually did that with her, you know, I remarked.

AJ said nothing but just kept on smiling at me with that same mischievous grin.

In the final drawing, I was carrying Shannon like a groom would carry his bride over the threshold of a doorway. I was kissing her in that drawing, too.

That's my favorite one, said AJ.

I put the pictures back in the folder and handed them back to her.

When you didn't return her calls, she became upset, said AJ. I could hear her crying in her room at night before she went to bed. One night before going to bed, she told me something personal.

What? I asked while starting to feel depressed.

"She was crying and she said, 'You know, AJ, all my life I used to dream that a handsome knight would one day come into my life, rescue me, and sweep me off my feet. And then one came. He actually came. But then he left, and now he's gone, and I feel so... sad.' We were having a bad day that day and I cried with her. When you didn't return her last phone call to you she told me, 'With his good looks he can have any girl he wants. Why should I think or even hope that he would still be interested in me?'"

She actually said that?

AJ shook her head yes. She loves you, Lance. But you broke her heart.

I sat there digesting all of this. Then, what's up with this guy, Shane?

When he first came over he was really cool, like I remembered him being. Then he started to change. He started to hang around with that biker gang that his father's in. And he started to become...

What?

He turned into a creeper-perv and a control freak.

A creeper-perv?

Yeah. Now, whenever he looks at me it's as if...

As if what?

As if he's undressing me with his eyes.

Then, why would she go out with him?

He made it one of the conditions.

Of what?

Of her being able to borrow money off of him. At first he told her he couldn't help us out financially. But then on her birthday—

Her birthday? I missed her...

Yep, you missed her birthday. It was October 14th. She's 18 years old now. That upset her, too. Anyway, when she turned 18 he started suggesting all these ways she could make big bucks. First, he told her he could take pictures of her and then sell them and that they'd bring in a lot of money."

What kind of pictures?

Pictures of her nude.

Wow.

She refused to do that. Next, he said she could be a dancer in the bar that his father's bike gang hangs out at. He knew she could dance really well. But he wanted her to be a pole dancer—dancing without any clothes on. She said no to that too. Then, he wanted her to star in a video with him. He said that would bring in megabucks, really get us out of debt, and pay off all our bills. He said his dad would produce it.

Keith said Shane's dad is into porn.

I know. Shane wanted her to make a porno film with him.

Unbelievable. How old is this guy?

He's 18, too. He told Shannon that it was all legal—that they were both of legal age. She said no to that as well and that made him really mad. But then he calmed down. And on her birthday he said he would lend her some money but that she would have to sign some paperwork in order to get it.

What, a promissory note or something?

I don't know. He also told her that she would have to go out with him. We were desperate. So she agreed and he lent her eight thousand dollars. We put it toward the mortgage and also bought some food and other things. On her birthday he also gave her this, she added while getting up off the bed and hurrying into her room. She quickly returned and handed to me what looked like a clump of string. She threw it away but I kept it because I always knew that you would eventually come back here someday and I wanted to show it to you.

He gave her a clump of string for her birthday? I asked, puzzled.

No, silly, she replied. It's a bathing suit, she continued while unraveling it and holding it up in the air for me to see.

"That's a bathing suit? I asked in disbelief. There's nothing to it. Nothing..."

It's called a 'dental floss' style, she remarked. Shannon refused to even try it on.

Good for her.

Not good. Going out with him these past two months has just finally worn her out. He's... got control of her now.

How?

He's a control freak. Not only is he making her go out with him, he also told her to start going braless and to cut all her pants into super short shorts.

Go braless and cut all her pants into super short shorts? My brain was in a daze.

He told her she shouldn't be so uptight and inhibited about wanting to show off her incredible assets.

Keith said... has she been... has she...? But I couldn't bring myself to finish the question.

She used to tell me that every day he was trying to pressure her into having sex with him; every day. But she would never tell me if she finally gave in.

I clenched my fists in anger. He's corrupted her.

AJ slowly shook her head yes.

Why did she agree to go out with him? Why doesn't she just break up with him? I was getting angry and emotional.

She said that borrowing that money from him was the biggest mistake she ever made in her life. She's...

What?

She's afraid of him, Lance. I mean, I see the scared look in her eyes when she comes back from being with him. She just stares at me and then she goes upstairs to her room and cries. I think she's afraid of his biker friends, too.

Has he been... hurting her?

I don't know.

Where is she now?

Out with him and his friends somewhere. Hopefully, she'll be back tomorrow sometime.

Does she have a phone?

Yeah, but she already ran out of minutes for the month. Lance?

What, AJ?

"I'm so glad you're back."

I just hope it's in time, little sis, I remarked while again becoming emotional. I just hope it's in time.

She grabbed my right hand and held it tight.

Thanks for telling me all of this, AJ. And thanks for showing me those drawings. I... really needed to see them.

What do you want to do now?

First, I'm going to unpack my bags.

"So, you are going to stay?"

You bet I am.

She got up and gave me a big hug and asked, Remember that time I kissed you in this room when you first came here?

How could I forget? You were the first girl I ever kissed.

I was? That is so awesome!

Help me unpack and we'll finish cleaning the house, I suggested. Then we'll go out and get a Christmas tree.

Awesome!

I laughed. "My car's in the driveway, AJ. It's