by Gow, Kailin
Albany Post, 2006: Appointments to a local law firm. The second name listed was John Vandersol. The article discussed John both professionally and personally.
Another 2006 article: Rawlings Industries Continues to Diversify. It discussed the continued success of any venture Anthony Rawlings embarked upon. Rawlings Industries’ diversification included the recent purchase of TTT-TV a television broadcasting network.
Atlanta Daily Journal, 2009: TTT-TV acquired WKPZ. Although the acquisition resulted in multiple layoffs, Anthony Rawlings promised that as the economy improved, so would job opportunities. He stated that his dedication is to his employees. He is worried about each individual who was out of work.
Claire now saw. All of those people at WKPZ who were so nice to her, who helped her with her dream, all lost their jobs because of her.
People Magazine, August 2010: Claire knew it immediately. It was the article that almost cost her her life. She didn’t need to read it, but she did: Questions Answered—The Mystery Woman in Anthony Rawlings’s Life Agrees to a One-on-One Interview. These articles were no longer revelations, mere confirmations.
December 19, 2010: her wedding picture. It revealed a smiling her next to a smiling him. She recognized the picture, but the unfavorable article was new to her. It talked about how fantastic Anthony was and asked how such a smart businessman could be as gullible as to marry this woman with no prenuptial agreement?
Vanity Fair, April 2011: Anthony’s and her smiling face on the cover. It hit Claire at that moment. The woman in that picture didn’t even look like her. She was beautiful, blonde, sophisticated, elegant, and way too thin. Not until now, had she realized the magnitude of the transformation. She placed a picture of her from Emily’s wedding next to the magazine cover. She didn’t change. She was changed. Why hadn’t she seen it before?
November 2011: Copy of the printed newsreel Tony brought home, Tragic Accident Claims the Life of Young Gaming Phenomenon Simon Johnson.
Albany Post, January 2012 Column listing arrests: John Vandersol, 32, charged with embezzlement and fraudulent client billing charges, arraignment pending.
Iowa City News, January 2012—Headline: Anthony Rawlings Alive after Attempted Murder by New Wife. No wonder so many reporters were on the courthouse steps!
Iowa City News, April 2012: Claire Nichols (formally Rawlings) avoids trial by pleading no contest to the attempted-murder charge accompanied by more unfavorable articles.
Iowa City News, July 2012—Headline: Anthony Rawlings’ Efforts to Save the Iowa Taxpayers Their Money The picture, black and white, showed a warehouse full of tables lined with merchandise: jewelry, shoes, handbags, clothes, etc. The article explained how Anthony Rawlings, uncomfortable that the taxpayers of Iowa were held responsible for his ex-wife’s pretrial expenses, held an auction of her belongings. It raised enough money to reimburse the state for her counsel and court costs. There was even an additional 176 thousand dollars, which was donated to the Red Cross of Iowa. Mr. Rawlings explained that this charity remained dear to him because it was Claire’s pet charity. A strip of newspaper stapled behind the first, had another picture, a close-up of some of the jewelry. The picture was not large, but center frame was a black velvet box containing a white gold necklace with a large pearl centered on a white gold cross.
As Claire was about to close up the box, something caught her eye. Folded in the bottom was a napkin. She pulled it out and unfolded it. On the napkin in scrolling red letters: Red Wing. Under the words on each side were signatures, Claire Nichols and Anthony Rawlings. Above the red letters: the date: March 15, 2010. She turned the napkin over, no other writing. There was no agreement, no definition of duties, and no life-changing contract—just a napkin with signatures.
Claire’s mind swirled with possibilities: she could take this information and ask for a new trial. No, she’d entered a plea of no contest and by definition couldn’t appeal. Tony knew that. Besides, the legal system and the court of public opinion didn’t believe her before, they wouldn’t believe her now.
She questioned why he would share the information. Obviously, he didn’t view her as a threat. As Claire repacked the box, she contemplated and found a better reason. Tony spent years, no, decades, planning his vendetta. He liked recognition for his accomplishments. He required gratitude for his deeds. There was no one else with whom he could share his hard work. She wondered what sort of recognition he expected, perhaps a well done note?
She kept some of the photos and papers, put everything else in the box, rang her buzzer, and requested permission to incinerate the box. The guard consented and accompanied her to the basement. As they walked the passages, thoughts and ideas began to flow through Claire’s mind. She believed her actions kept her alive. She also knew that obedience took more strength than retaliation. With each echoing step, her new knowledge empowered that strength.
She lived her life governed by her grandmother’s and mother’s words. Those words encouraged truth and forgiveness. The truth had not set her free. The thoughts of revenge weren’t fueled only by her consequences, but the consequences of her parents, John, Emily, Simon, her friends at WKPZ, and even her grandmother’s necklace.
Opening the incinerator, she felt the warmth. It reminded her of the fires in her suite, Tony’s suite, and Lake Tahoe. Throwing the box into the flames, she watched the contents ignite. The flickering of the flames brought back the flames of her past: love, fear, contempt, desire, passion, pain, and sadness. As the fire consumed the memories, it fueled a new determination. Two and a half years ago, she had one goal: survival.
Now she had a new one: revenge.
Mr. Anthony Rawlings would learn that his actions had consequences. Claire contemplated her decision; according to Catherine, Claire had received the rare opportunity to truly know Anthony Rawlings. With that knowledge, she had four to seven years to plan his demise.
Turning back to the guard, her mind spun with possibilities.
IMMEDIATELY, THE UNIFORMED man noticed something different about the prisoner. It was her smile. How could he not notice? It extended into her emerald eyes.
Epilogue
In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.
—Robert Frost
THE MASSACHUSETTS AUTUMN remained cooler than normal. Shivering, Sophia entered her art studio thinking about the events of the last few weeks. First, she presented a hugely successful gallery exhibit. Guests and investors from all over the East Coast were in attendance. Her dream was becoming reality as word spread about her art. Then, in the course of a day, her whole world fell apart.
The call came just as she left for her studio two weeks earlier. She almost didn’t answer but decided to pick up after the fourth ring. The New Jersey police called to inform her a blue Toyota Camry was found by passing drivers. The accident must have occurred during the night. It was believed that perhaps her father lost control on the wet leaves, or it may have been an acceleration issue. She could request tests. The policeman offered his sincere condolences. Could she possibly travel to New Jersey and identify the bodies? Both her mother and her father were killed instantly.
Sophia had so many responsibilities, so many activities. The next week passed in a blur. There was the funeral planning and settling of their estate. That would take months or years. Sadly, she hadn’t realized the debt her parents incurred helping her with her art.
Now, with a minute to herself, she couldn’t stay home. She feared she would do nothing but cry. That was why, even on this cloudy Saturday afternoon, Sophia decided to go into the studio. Putting her purse in the office, she heard the bell on the front door. Damn, she’d meant to lock that. It wasn’t that she was afraid. This was a great town. She just wanted some quiet time alone.
As she stepped into the studio, the man at the counter looked familiar. Maybe he had been at the gallery event, or she had seen him on TV? She couldn’t be sure, but his eyes were so dark and mesmerizing. “I’m so
rry. I’m not open today. I just forgot to lock the door,” Sophia said, as she approached the handsome stranger.
“That’s all right. I can come back,” the dark-eyed man said with an agreeable smile. “It’s just that I travel a lot and happened to be in town. A friend of mine told me about your gallery. He was here a week or so ago and bought three pieces. I’m very interested in nature, and he said you have a wonderful selection.”
Sophia exhaled and smiled. “Are you a friend of Jackson Wilson?” The man’s smile widened as he nodded his head. “He’s one of my biggest fans.”
“I don’t get this way often. Are you sure you couldn’t give me a speed tour? By the way, my name is Anthony, Anthony Rawlings.”
Sophia stuck out her hand. “Where are my manners? I’m so sorry. My name is Sophia, Sophia Burke. I’d be glad to give you a tour.” She couldn’t stop looking at those eyes.
“With one condition.” Anthony said, his eyes shining. “You let me buy you some dinner and a drink after the tour.”
Sophia gently took the man’s elbow to lead him around the studio. After a few minutes of enjoying his charm, she decided why not? After the last few difficult weeks—what harm could one dinner and drink do?
Don’t miss the continuing saga of Claire, Tony, and Sophia. Discover the secrets, ambitions, deceptions, and emotions that fuel their tangled web. Can Claire follow through on her plan? Is Tony’s façade impenetrable? Did love ever truly exist? Will revenge prevail? What will happen to Sophia? Whose vengeance will triumph?
TRUTH
Book #2 of the bestselling CONSEQUENCES series
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.
—Galileo Galilei
CONVICTED
Book #3 of the Bestselling Consequences series
Released October 2013
You must stick to your conviction, but be ready to abandon your assumptions.
—Denis Waitley
REVEALED: The Missing Years
Book #4 of the Bestselling Consequences series
Released: May 2014
Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him.
—James Allen
For those “What was he thinking moments” in Consequences and Truth, enjoy Tony’s POV in the Consequences series reading companions:
The tragic or the humorous is a matter of perspective.
—Arnold Beissel
BEHIND HIS EYES—CONSEQUENCES
Book #1.5 of the Bestselling Consequences series
and
BEHIND HIS EYES—TRUTH
Book # 2.5 of the Bestselling Consequences series
CONSEQUENCES
(Book #1)
Released August 2011
TRUTH
(Book #2)
Released October 2012
CONVICTED
(Book #3)
Released October 2013
REVEALED: THE MISSING YEARS
(Book #4)
Previously titled: Behind His Eyes Convicted: The Missing Years
Re-released June 2014
BEHIND HIS EYES—CONSEQUENCES
(Book #1.5)
Released January 2014
BEHIND HIS EYES—TRUTH
(Book #2.5)
Released March 2014
ENJOY ALEATHA’S NEW SERIES:
TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE
INSIDIOUS
The first release in the Tales From the Dark Side series.
Each book in this series is a stand-alone erotic thriller. Each book will be an individualized story line, set of characters, and world. Once more books are released; they will be able to be read in any order. Aleatha kept the twists and turns of her Consequences series and turned up the heat! Welcome to the world of INSIDIOUS.
Aletha Romig
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of twenty-eight years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
INSIDIOUS is Aleatha’s seventh novel. It is her first time to delve into the world of erotic thrillers. The Consequences Series, her first series has been categorized as psychological thriller and dark romance. With INSIDIOUS, Aleatha took the twists and turns of CONSEQUENCES and turned up the heat.
CONSEQUENCES, her first novel, was released August 2011, by Xlibris Publishing. Then in October of 2012, Ms. Romig re-released CONSEQUENCES as an indie author. TRUTH, the sequel, was released October 30, 2012, and CONVICTED, the third in the series, was released October 8, 2013. Unexpectedly, the fourth book of the Consequences series came to life with REVEALED: THE MISSING YEARS. It is the fourth full-length novel in the series. It explores the years in CONVICTED that previously were only mentioned, as well as a complete character glossary and timeline. REVEALED was released May 20, 2014.
INSIDIOUS, the first released book from TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE will be released October 21, 2014. TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE will be a series of standalone, dark, erotic thrillers guaranteed to take you on a wild, hot, and dark ride. Each novel in the series will be independent of the next. The characters from one book will never be revisited. Instead, Aleatha leaves it up to her readers to imagine how each story will end while remembering that it is the journey that is the most fun.
Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Brown and Miller Literary Associates.
Share Your Thoughts
Please share your thoughts about Consequences on:
www.goodreads.com/author/show/5131072.Aleatha_Romig
Tell your friends!
Stay Connected with Aleatha
“Like” Aleatha Romig @ https://www.facebook.com/AleathaRomig to learn the latest information regarding TRUTH, CONVICTED, BEHIND HIS EYES, and other writing endeavors.
And, “Follow” @aleatharomig on Twitter!
Email Aleatha: [email protected]/ Check out her blog: http://aleatharomig.blogspot.com
Meet the Authors of The Inferno Anthology this Holiday at: rockinhollywood.wordpress.com/
Which of these fantastic books do you want to read?
Seduction & Temptation
JESSICA SORENSEN
Seduction & Temptation
Jessica Sorensen
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2014 by Jessica Sorensen
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the permission in writing from author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.
For information: jessicasorensen.com
Cover Design and Photo by Mae I Design
http://www.maeidesign.com/
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Prologue
This day is turning out to be the strangest day of all days. It all started when I overheard my mother and father fighting, which is nothing new. My father had said something about giving up on my mother, making me worry that they’re going to get a divorce. Then the mafia families showed up, one of which was my dad’s sworn enemy and they locked themselves in my house an
d Layton and I out. I’m desperate to see what’s going on; desperate to know what on earth they could all be doing together.
“What do you think they’re doing in there? Something illegal I bet,” I say to my best friend, Layton Everett, as I try to peer through the window. The wooden box I’m standing on is wobbly and the window is so high up that, even on my tiptoes, I can’t see anything except the tops of people’s heads through the window.
Layton shrugs, glancing nervously around the backyard. “I don’t know Lola, and honestly, I don’t really care.”
I peek over my shoulder at him. “Your dad and mom are in there, too, you know. You have to be curious what they’re doing. All of them under one roof together. It’s weird”
“Not really.” He shakes his head and stuffs his hands into his pockets.
Layton is unlike most of the fourteen-year-old guys I know. He acts older, more mature. Even though I won’t admit it to him, it’s one of the things I like about him the most—that he acts more grown up and takes care of me and is always there for me when I get myself into trouble, which I’ll admit, is a lot.
The longer I stare at him, the more uneasy he becomes. He constantly has trouble telling me no, especially when I give him “the look.”