by Shay Stone
“What if I plow him with the best pizza in town instead of cash?”
“Pizza’s good. I can digest the evidence,” he says, lifting his chin to greet the delivery man climbing the steps.
I exchange the boxes for the cash and motion my head towards the door. “Come on in. We’ve got plenty.”
He grabs the antipasto from the top of the boxes and follows me inside. “How’s Nyla feeling?”
“Good. You can ask her yourself.”
Nyla rounds the corner, carrying an armful of plates. Her pace slows when she sees Giovanni. She sets the dishes on the counter and plasters on a smile. “Hey, Giovanni. What are you doing here?”
“He just came by to check on you,” I offer, hoping to ease her mind.
She sighs, visibly relieved. “Oh, I’m good. Just a little sore. Want some pizza?”
“Thanks, but I can’t ooof stay,” he grunts as Conner tackles his leg.
“Vanni! You come watch Awaddin wif me?”
Giovanni lifts him into the air, tossing him a few times. “Sorry munchkin. I can’t today. But I’ll come back and play soon.” He swings him around like a monkey pretending to drop him on his head before placing him on his feet. “Can I talk to you guys for a minute?”
My chest tightens and Nyla looks like she’s about to vomit. Something’s wrong. We both sense it.
“Yeah, sure. Mase! Can you take Conner into the living room and help him with his pizza?”
Mason shuffles into the kitchen, smiling wide when he sees Giovanni. “Hey man. I thought I heard your voice. You moonlighting as a delivery boy? What’s the matter? Police department not paying you enough?”
Giovanni gives him a weak smile. Something’s definitely wrong. Mason picks up on it too. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. No worries. I just need to talk to Nyla and Memphis for a minute.” He massages his forehead with his hand. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“No problem. Come on Conner, let’s go eat our pizza,” Mason says, throwing some slices on a plate and taking Conner by the hand. He glances back at me, making sure Giovanni is preoccupied and dips his head at him in question. I shrug my own confusion.
The three of us take a seat at the table in the dining room. Nyla fidgets in her chair, gnawing on her thumbnail nervously. I reach for her hand, stilling it while my own knee bounces up and down beneath the table. “You alright?”
“Yeah.” He pauses like he’s uncertain. “I just wanted to let you know we searched Mike’s hotel room and found three necklaces—a silver cross belonging to Angie Stapleton; a rosary belonging to Sally Reed; and a gold chain with a heart-shaped locket. We haven’t determined the owner of that one yet. We’re running DNA through the data base to see if we can get a match.”
“There’s no need. It belonged to Sheila. The locket was a gift to her from my mother. She never took it off. I can’t believe he kept them.”
“Trophies,” Giovanni offers. “Not uncommon for serial killers. Forensics is in the process of matching the ballistics on Mike’s gun to the bullet that killed Sally Reed. Once they do, we’ll be able to close her case and Angie’s too, thanks to the confession you managed to pull out of him.”
“Good. That’s good, right?” Nyla asks with a cautious smile, flicking her eyes between Giovanni and me.
“Mommy come watch Awaddin,” Conner calls out from the living room.
“Okay baby. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Giovanni pats the table with his hands and rises. “I’ll let you guys get back to your movie. I just wanted to come by to check on Nyla and let you guys know this nightmare is finally over.”
“Thank you,” Nyla says, pulling him into a hug. “For everything. You saved our lives.”
Like the true class act he is, he waves her off like it’s nothing. “Memphis, will you walk me out?”
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Go ahead, angel. I’ll be right in. Save some pizza for me.”
I follow him outside, closing the door behind me and cross my arms over my chest. “What’s up?”
He takes out a pack of gum, tearing off the wrapper and pulling a piece from it. “Funny thing. When I was at County General asking about James Hamilton, I couldn’t get anyone to talk to me. Hippocratic oath and all that shit.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me,” I reply, not sure where he’s going with this.
“But then I ran into this woman from admissions. At first, she wouldn’t tell me anything, but after a little flirting, I managed two extract two things about James Hamilton from her. One, he was incredibly good looking. Can’t do much with that. Looks are subjective.”
“Yeah,” I respond casually, but inside, every nerve is standing on end. He knows. He brought me outside because he didn’t want to arrest me in front of my son. My own proclamation–con men don’t get happy endings—echoes in my head. I force myself to remain calm. “What was the second thing?”
“He had a scar on his abdomen.” He studies me like a slide under a microscope, waiting for my reaction. It’s an effort not to break under his intense gaze.
“Is that so?” I reply using every bit of strength I have to keep my voice even.
He takes his time unwrapping the stick of gum. “Mike didn’t have a scar. But you do. Don’t you, Memphis?”
Shit. It’s not like I can deny it. We’ve played basketball together. He’s seen me with my shirt off plenty of times. I stand there helpless watching my life with Nyla and Conner slip through my fingers yet again. My shoulders slump on an exhale and I say the only thing I can. “Yeah, I do.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Guess that could only mean one thing.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
He smirks, shoving the piece of gum in his mouth. “She was fucking wrong.”
A NOTE TO MY READERS
I know there are a lot of books out there. Thank you for choosing to spend your precious free time with The Redemption of Memphis Drake. The greatest thing you can do for a writer is leave a review. Everything is based on them. It is my hope that you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it, and that I become one of your go-to authors whenever you need an escape. If you keep reading, I’ll keep writing!
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Can’t decide what to read next? I’ve got you covered. Follow Alex and Colin on their steamy, explosive ride to stardom in The Rise to Fame, Book One in The Fame Series. Or check out one of these other fantastic books from these talented authors. I’ve included excerpts for you to enjoy immediately following my author page. Happy reading!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It’s truly amazing the moment you discover your passion and know it’s what you were always meant to do. My journey as a writer has been nothing short of incredible. It involves, laughter, tears, sleepless nights, questionable hygiene, more tears, and copious amounts of tea.
This book never would have happened without the support of a few wonderful people. I’m sure I’m going to forget a few, but I’ll do my best to remember everyone.
Jacob King, you will always be the one driving me to succeed. You continue to be an inspiration to everyone that had the pleasure to know you. I’ll do my best to make you proud.
Special thanks to my remarkable editor, Amanda for seeing my vision and helping me get this book ready to go. Your comments continue to make me laugh and inspire me. I appreciate you more than you could ever know.
Thank you to Kim for keeping me sane, for being my sounding board, talking through the same scene twelve times, and most of all, for being an extraordinary friend. I cherish you and our friendship
.
To my parents for not having the little sister I begged for as a child. It helped foster my imagination.
To my family for believing in me and supporting my decision to become an author.
Thank you to Danica, Megan, Dee, Amy, Lisa, Scott, and Stephanie for your continued support and encouragement.
Thank you to Lauren Dawes for my amazing cover and memes.
To Tammi Lynn and Lisa S. for your help with my medical questions. I’m a stickler for realism, and your guidance was invaluable.
And most of all, to my fans for inspiring me, leaving me reviews, promoting me in groups, and for just being awesome. I know how lucky I am to have you. I can’t wait to share more stories with you in the future and give you more characters to love. Your love and support humble me. Thank you for believing in me and my work.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shay Stone started her writing career after a car accident left her unable to read or look at a computer. Ironic, right? Many years, and hours of vision therapy later, and voila! She wrote her first book. She lives in Georgia with her two dogs and one cat, that thinks he is a dog. If you happen to be driving around Atlanta, there is a good chance you will see her dancing in her car and singing (poorly) to some 80’s tune. She has no shame.
Her passions include writing and traveling. She writes strong women with a bit of attitude, and flawed men you can’t help but fall in love with to create that once in a lifetime love, one page at a time. To stay up to date on Shay’s latest releases check out her website, follow her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter.
Continue on to read free excerpts.
What if getting everything you ever wanted
cost you the only one you ever loved?
Excerpt from Shay Stone’s The Rise to Fame
Book One of The Fame Series
2018© Shay Stone
“Did he hurt you?”
“No!”
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Yes!”
With a hard push backward, Colin reluctantly released Ian and stepped away squatting to the ground attempting to calm himself. His hands locked at the base of his neck, caging his head with his forearms as his body pulsated with anger. It had been a long time since he lost his temper like that. He was hoping it was something he had finally gained control of, but when it came to protecting Alex, all bets were off. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
“Are you alright?” Alex asked placing a hand on Ian’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m fine. He’s nuts, Alex. If you don’t want to be with me, that’s fine. But you need to stay away from him. He’s dangerous.” He eyed Colin, who rose to his feet eyeing him right back. Ian rubbed his hand over Alex’s arm making Colin’s hand ball into a fist. “I should go. Goodbye, Alex.” He moved passed, pausing in front of Colin. “Don’t hurt her.”
“Come near her again and I’ll hurt you,” Colin warned, watching until Ian crossed the parking lot.
Alex slapped Colin on the shoulder. “Are you on some kind of medication I should know about? What the hell is the matter with you?” He stood reticent. “Of course, you’re not going to say anything. You haven’t spoken to me in a day and a half, why should you start now?”
“Alex …”
“No, really, it’s fine. I guess I should be thankful you showed up at all. Let’s just go rehearse. You’re late. Everyone is already inside waiting on us.” She took three steps forward before turning back. “Are you coming, Hi-Q?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, cringing at the use of the unwanted nickname. “Yeah.”
She was pissed at him and rightfully so. He stayed mute, following her into the theater, trying to figure out what to say. Why had he come there? He hadn’t planned on it, but as he was driving home, he somehow ended up at the theater. A tennis match battled on in his brain. Alex would be better off without him. Too many obstacles existed for them to overcome. Maybe the best thing would be to just let her go to Stanford and forget all about him.
No. Fuck that. He couldn’t bear the thought of it. Everything inside him screamed she was the one. Besides, she didn’t want to be a lawyer. She wanted to be an actress and he wanted to do whatever he could to make that dream come true … to make all her dreams come true.
“By the way, the lawyers think they can get the sale of the park blocked, at least temporarily. My parents are seeing who they know that might be able to help too. If you still care.” Before he could respond she called out to Sergio, “He showed. We can start rehearsal.”
The tension hung heavy in the air between them. Luckily, their characters spent a good portion of the play fighting, so the intensity worked. Sergio praised their performances telling them how impressed he was with their rewrite. “Let’s run through the last scene and then we can call it a night,” he said.
Like the true professional she was, Alex steeled herself. She took her place on stage, ignoring her sweaty palms and pretending it didn’t feel like a pile of cinderblocks was crushing down on her chest. The last scene involved a kiss. The thought of Colin’s lips on hers was too much right now.
She knew he was blowing her off. Like a naïve schoolgirl, she swallowed every line he fed her as though she was starving for it. Tears formed in her eyes as she resided herself to the fact that once again, she had allowed herself to be played. She blinked them away and sucked in a deep breath pushing it out quickly.
Colin stood on the opposite side of the stage watching her. She was doing an excellent job hiding her emotions. To the casual onlooker, they appeared to be nothing more than two actors rehearsing. No one would guess they were lovers on the brink of implosion. But he could see the confusion and disappointment taking its toll, stealing a bit of the light from her eyes. He felt it when she stiffened every time he touched her, as though the contact physically burned her.
The longer they rehearsed, the harder it was for her to keep up the façade. Oh shit. Her lower lids were getting shiny and watery. If she started crying, he would lose it. It was everything he could do not to wrap his arms around her and apologize for being so cold. He wanted to kiss away her tears, hating himself knowing he was the cause of them.
Alex recited her lines doing her best to get lost in the character, but it was difficult. The dialogue was emotional and echoed what they were going through–a couple on the verge of break up because of the secrets between them. She wondered if somehow, Colin had allowed his own fears to come out through the writing.
When it came time for the kiss, Alex tried to remain unaffected, but the moment their lips touched she knew all her efforts had been in vain. The kiss was tentative at first, but quickly turned deep and sensual, like two lovers coming together after years apart.
The inexplicable response that overtook her body every time they touched was reacting inside her like sexual napalm, blowing away all reason. She attempted to break away, but Colin tightened his hold around her waist until all the anger she was bottling up came flooding out. She pressed her hands to his chest pushing him away, pounding her fist against him, but he kept kissing her, refusing to let her go. His hand gripped her hair almost violently, steadying her head until she finally succumbed allowing her fury to give way to passion and her carnal need for him to take over. Her hands framed his face and slid into his soft locks.
“Cut!” Sergio shouted for the second time before they heard him. “You guys are really going to have to tone it down for the play. Although, I do like the whole beating his chest thing. We should keep that.”
Alex pulled away, breaking Colin’s hold. “You really are one hell of an actor.”
“Shall we run it one more time?” Sergio asked.
“No. I think I’ve had enough for one day. We’re done here,” she replied giving Colin a glare so icy he felt his balls shrink. She gathered her things, leaving him standing on stage alone.
Let her go, Riley. It’s for the best. He watched her walking away from him un
til she disappeared out the door.
“Fuck!” he cursed leaping from the stage, running after her so hard and fast his feet almost came out from under him. Letting her go may be the right thing, but he couldn’t do it. She belonged with him.
The Fame Series begins in The Rise to Fame and concludes in The Cost of Fame. Both books are now available. Click this link to purchase The Rise to Fame:
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fame-Book-ebook/dp/B07FFFK1GZ
Continue reading on for an excerpt from Danica Raimz’s Glass Hearts.
Excerpt from Danica Raimz’s Glass Hearts
Awaken My Heart Series: Corinne and Vance, Book One
© 2020 Purzelbaum Ventures
My, oh my. So, this was it—nearly, anyway. I brushed my hands down patchwork capris, took a deep breath, raised my head, and whispered, “Welcome to Vanessa Zee Glass! I’m the artist, Corinne Zabriese, and I would love to show you around!”
Nobody heard me. The jittery chatter was my latest attempt at finding the best way to welcome people on opening day. I didn't know which unnerved me more … talking up my art to complete strangers or wondering if anyone would show up in a few days to give me the chance.
“Sounds desperate to me, Babe. Nobody’s going to buy shit from an overeager, jumpy puppy. Toughen up so nobody pulls one over on you. You make it stupid easy sometimes.”
My body stiffened at the unwelcome echo from my past. He had no place in my new life. I tightened my jaw, glanced at the arched ceiling, and began again: “Hello, there! I’m Corinne Zabriese, the owner. Please look around. I’m here to help, so just ask.”
Oh, but there was so much more to this gallery with its pine-planked décor, clean lines, and the lit transparent shelves holding my painted glass. People should know it had been a dilapidated barn less than a year ago before my eldest brother, Galen, transformed it into an ‘off the grid’ energy-efficient building on a winding country road. I should point out I specially trim brushes to paint my signature strokes. And how could I forget to explain my art classes in the back studio? Then there was the little boutique to the right of the register that offered handmade creations from around the world. Ah, the brochure! I must offer them the brochure. Then I won’t have to talk so much.