Kept Secrets (Secret, Love & Betrayal Novel Book 2)

by Angel de'Amor

  “Hmmm,” Tammy rumbled in her throat. “You two just don’t understand. After the media got wind of your affair and your father tried to do damage control, you two kept at it.” She turned toward Taylor, who was now crying. “You lost sight of who you are, Taylor, your life is not your own. Whatever decision you make will affect the family.”

  Deciding she had heard enough, Taylor straightened her spine. “I’m disappointed in you both. You two were wrong to get into my business. I’m still a human being, and am allowed some privacy. Because of this family, I made the biggest mistake of my life, marrying Ari against my better judgment.” She pointed at her parents. “This is it! You two will butt out of my life for good. I’m a grown ass woman.”

  She hated she had to say that to her parents, but it needed to be said. “Whomever I decide to be with is my choice, not yours.” Her head started to pound as she continued to chastise her parents, “I can’t believe y’all gave that woman money to disappear and take Ari’s daughter away from him. You can’t play God,” Taylor screamed to the top of lungs.

  A cool, brisk air withdrew Taylor from her ranting, and she turned toward her father’s double French doors, which led to his balcony. There stood the crazy, deranged, psychopath Maci. She wore the same outfit that night at her wedding. A black strapless dress over her curvy figure and a black veil over her face. Only this time in her right hand was a bat.

  “Y’all started the party without me,” she said in an unfamiliar voice.

  John Briggs walked toward her, and she swung the bat at him. “Back up, Mayor, I hate to hurt you. I came for one man.” She gazed over at Ari.

  He had a look of terror on his face.

  “We gave you the money, Maci,” Tammy said as she ran over to her husband.

  “I don’t want your money, first lady, that didn’t get me nowhere. He still ran back to this bony ass.” She frowned at Taylor.

  Kalon walked in front of Taylor, as if to be her human shield.

  “If I can’t have you, nobody can.” Maci launched herself in Taylor’s direction with the bat, but Kalon caught it in mid-air. He tussled with her around the room, but then he fell onto the couch. Suddenly, she swung the bat down on his ribs.

  Kalon bellowed a scream. Ari ran over to help, and she hit him on the arm with the bat.

  “I’m going to kill the only thing you love … this witch,” she announced.

  She advanced toward Taylor again. Taylor held both hands up to break the force of the bat and closed her eyes. She prayed to God that her baby would live through this ordeal. Instantly, she heard a struggle and lamps falling.

  She peeked through her eyelids to see her father’s bodyguards tackling Maci to the floor. Letting out a breath of relief, she quickly ran over to Kalon, who was on the couch, holding his ribs.

  “Call the ambulance,” she yelled.

  He was squirming on the couch in pain. As she ran her hand through his Mohawk, she said, “Hold on, help is on the way.”

  With tears in her eyes, Taylor glanced up and noticed the partygoers standing outside of the doorway in astonishment. A camera man forced his way into the room and the flashing of a bulb caught her kissing Kalon on the lips.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Taylor had finally packed the last box, which would be going into her storage unit. She counted to three before she was able to get her eight month belly off the floor. Ripping off a piece of duct tape, she placed it down the middle of the box and labeled it ‘Kitchen stuff’ with a black marker. She was about to embark upon a new journey. On that horrific night one month ago, Maci was institutionalized into Tinley Park, a hospital for people with a mental illness.

  Taylor again found herself feeling sorry for Maci; all she ever wanted was for someone to love her, but she didn’t know how to go about getting it. She believed she could force someone into loving her, and when she realized that she couldn’t it made her snap. Taylor realized that anyone could become Maci, loving a man so much that your whole life is consumed with him and you can’t see life without him.

  Glancing around her five bedroom home, a tear slipped from her eyelids. She had built many memories in this home, and now she was leaving it behind. Suddenly, the doorbell chimed; these days it took Taylor at least three minutes to make it from the back of the house to the front door. She walked with both of her hands resting on her waist, which relieved some of the pressure off her back and gave her comfort. She swung open the door, discovering the moving company.

  “We’re Ace Movers. Is everything packed?” the burly man asked.

  “Yes,” Taylor said with a sigh as she navigated the men into the house.

  Pointing here and there, she directed the men around the house. After the workers seemed to have a steady flow, Taylor walked back to her bedroom.

  She hadn’t spoken to her parents since that night. She knew one day she would forgive them, but today wasn’t that day. They cared so much about their political career that they lost sight of what was really important … their family.

  Taylor moved about her home, starting to pack up the last few items of Ari clothes, and placed a piece of tape on the box. He was about to open up a new chapter to his life; he had started to see a therapist for his sex addiction and to come to terms with his parents death. Also, he had full custody of Adrianne, and they had gone out for lunch a week ago.

  The sparkly, brown-eyed girl looked just like Ari, only with her mother’s hair. She had kissed Ari on the cheek in their departure and wished him luck in his endeavors. The last thing Ari had said to her still sparked a flame in her chest.

  ‘Kalon seemed to be a good man. I hope he can be the man you deserve, and the one I couldn’t be.’

  Taylor had blinked back tears and smiled at him brightly. Only a real man could speak those words. She loved Ari, but she had realized that she wasn’t in love with him. She couldn’t pinpoint when exactly the love had faded, but she just knew she didn’t feel it anymore. She’d said a silent prayer for him and his daughter, and within a flash he was gone.

  Walking over to her dresser drawer, Taylor opened it and grazed the 8x11 manila folder laying in the drawer by itself. She took out the small booklet and signed the twelve pages.

  “Chapter closed,” she announced out loud to no one in particular.

  Libby, Pam, and Toni were going to run Dynasty magazine in her absence. The company had taken off beyond her wildest dream; now, they were the most sought after magazine in the Midwest. Grabbing the manila folder and her over-sized Nine West bag, she headed for the door. The last box was being toted out by a burly black man. He set the box in the truck and turned with a clipboard in his hand.

  “Excuse me, ma’am, but can you sign here?”

  Taylor placed her bag down on the ground and signed her name, handing the pen back to the man. He gave her a smile and the two moving trucks pulled out of the horseshoe driveway.

  Taylor took the two keys to the home off her key ring and placed them in the lock box attached to her doorknob. The realtor was bringing over a potential buyer in the morning to take a look at the place. She hoped the home would sell soon.

  She walked to her car and paused, standing with the car door open as she stared at her beautiful home. She had one more stop to make to the car dealership; she had to return her leased vehicle. Where she was going, there was no need for a car. Turning the ignition, she smiled as she backed out of the driveway.

  ***

  Sitting at Gate B24 in O’Hare Airport, Taylor opened up a book Libby had given her; the title was His Betrayal Her Lies by Angel de` Amor. Libby had stated that the novel would be a great read for her two hour and fifteen minute flight.

  Twenty minutes into the prologue, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Taylor turned around and beamed with joy.

  “Hey, baby,” Kalon said as he walked around the row of chairs and pulled her up by her arms.

  Inhaling the scent of her hair, he kissed her on the neck as Taylor squeezed him around his wais
t.

  “Ouch, babe, my ribs are still sore.”

  “Sorry,” Taylor said bashfully.

  Ephraim and Renee came around and embraced Taylor in a hug.

  “My stomach gets in the way sometimes,” she announced, and they both chuckled.

  Kalon had explained to Taylor that Renee was just his friend, and that she had been there for him in his time of need. She was glad to see that Kalon was capable of having a female friend.

  If she was completely honest with herself, she’d fallen in love with Kalon the first night she met him at the magazine conference a year ago. She was definitely not looking for a love connection, but he came into her life at a difficult time. The night that Maci had broken his ribs, Taylor sat by his side the entire time he was in Loyola hospital.

  When the pain medicine wore off, he said, “I’m tired of playing these silly games, Taylor. I love you. I’ve never loved a woman the way that I love you. I want you to be mine in every sense of the word, and in return I will be yours.” Taylor had never seen that much passion in his eyes.

  Sitting in that hospital room, her heart had burst into a million pieces. Instantly, she knew he was the one.

  After he had declared his love, he told her he was moving to New York. Angel Kids was expanding, and he was leaving Ephraim in charge of the Chicago office. He’d made Renee Vice President of Acquisitions. Her job was to scope out new potential places across the world that were in need of reading materials for their kids, and to bring in new business ventures for Angel Kids. Kalon had told her that Renee was ecstatic, and said that he was truly a blessing to her.

  The expansion of Angel Kids had started Taylor’s wheels spinning. She went back and talked to Libby, Pam, and Toni. They thought it was a great idea to base Dynasty magazine out of Chicago, but open a new branch in New York. Most of the well-known magazine companies were from the New York area, and since Dynasty was on the rise, the most logical thing to do was to expand the company. Taylor had taken some of the board members with her from Chicago to get the company up and going.

  “Have a safe trip,” Renee said, standing off to the side.

  “Thanks,” Taylor replied.

  “Hey, you can’t leave without us.”

  Taylor turned and saw Libby, Pam, Toni, and Tyler running toward her.

  “You thought we wasn’t going to see you off?” Libby asked, smacking her lips.

  Taylor looked on with a huge smile. “Oh my gosh, y’all didn’t have to come!”

  “Hush up with that nonsense,” Pam said, hugging Taylor around the neck.

  “Girl, your belly’s so big it looks like a bowling ball.” Taylor smacked Pam on the arm, and at the same time Kalon came up and slid his arm around Taylor’s waist.

  “I heard that,” Kalon said, causing Pam to laugh.

  The intercom buzzed. “The flight departing from Chicago to New York is now boarding,” the male voice blurted over the loud speakers.

  Kalon bent down, popping the handles to both of their rolling luggage, and said, “Farewell, everyone.”

  Tyler and Toni both kissed Taylor on the cheek; Taylor saw the tears that Toni fought so hard to hold back.

  “Bye, little sis,” Tyler said.

  Taylor narrowed her eyes at Tyler. “You mean big sis?”

  “Yeah, whatever,” he countered.

  She hugged them both, and then walked hand and hand with Kalon down the long, narrow terminal. Kalon handed the gentleman at the door their tickets; he handed the stub back and said, “Have a safe trip.”

  Taylor turned back around to her family, blowing an air kiss and waving. Then, they walked toward the direction of the plane and into the unknown.

  ***

  Kalon inspected his watch for the umpteenth time. If Taylor didn’t hurry up they were going to be late.

  “Hey, babe, are you almost ready?” he shouted up the spiral staircase.

  “Yeah, give me a minute. Your baby don’t want to let me off the toilet.”

  Kalon frowned. “That’s TMI, babe.”

  Taylor shouted back, “Whatever, I’ll be down in a minute.”

  Walking over to the stainless steel refrigerator, Kalon took out a bottle of water. The move to New York was an easy transition; the condo they had rented in Manhattan had all of the amenities. The gym, cleaners, and swimming pool were all located on the lobby level. Also, most of the upscale restaurants were within walking distance.

  Angel Kids new office building was only eight blocks away from their condo, and Taylor was lucky enough to get Dynasty magazine a new headquarters on the twenty-eight floor in the same building. Since his office was on the twenty-seventh floor, it gave him easy access to get to Taylor when the baby arrived. The best thing about the building was the daycare facility located on the main lobby for the office employees.

  Kalon reflected back on that night when Maci had broken his ribs and he was rushed to the hospital. When he opened his eyes, he had flashbacks of Taylor lying in that place and he realized that life was too short. Seeing her angelic face made him blurt out everything that was in his heart. He didn’t care if she didn’t feel the same way, but then she started to cry hysterically and whispered those words he so desperately wanted to hear, “I love you, too.”

  He knew that day she was the one; the one he had waited on his entire life. The one who challenged him to be a better person, and she was the one woman who actually made him chase her. His relationship with Taylor didn’t come easy, but it was what he needed to kick him off his high horse of thinking he was God’s gift to women. He was about to be a father, and if he had a little girl, God help him, but if he was blessed with a boy, then God help the little girl’s parents. Either way his fate turned out, Kalon knew he was in for the ride of his life. As the old people say, ‘You reap what you sow.’

  Taylor came bouncing down the steps and hit the landing.

  “Whew.” She exhaled and then inhaled again. “Those stairs are going to make me go into labor.”

  Picking her purse up off the fireplace mantel, Kalon laughed.

  “You ready?” he asked, walking toward the door.

  Taylor placed both of hands on her hips and wobbled behind him. “Yeah, but why can’t you tell me where we are going?”

  Kalon smiled. “You’ll see.” He stood on the corner and flagged down a taxi.

  When the yellow cab pulled up to the sidewalk, Kalon opened the door for Taylor. She got in and scooted to the other side, making room for Kalon. He quickly blurted out the address as Taylor pulled out her compact mirror.

  “My face is breaking out. I read somewhere that your hormone levels can cause a chemical offset in your body.”

  Kalon nodded.

  Taylor always talked about the changes to her body. He didn’t care; he would still love her if she was broken out in hives.

  “I love you anyway, freckle face.”

  Taylor swatted his leg. “Kalon, this is not funny. What if all this baby weight I gained doesn’t go away? Will you still love me?”

  Kalon wiped the smile from his face and stared Taylor straight in the eyes. “I will love you if you gain 200 pounds. It doesn’t matter; you’re stuck with me.”

  He could see the burning heat flash in her eyes. She smirked and stared out the side window.

  “Awww, this house is so beautiful, Kalon. Who lives here?”

  He smiled and paid the taxi driver after he brought the car to a halt. Kalon got out and walked around to open the car door for Taylor as she marveled at the house and landscaping.

  “This is so beautiful! It looks like the inside of a magazine cover. Hmmm … I wonder if whoever lives here would let Dynasty magazine use their property for a photo shoot.”

  Kalon shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe. You’ll have to ask the owner.”

  He noticed Taylor giving him a sideways glance. Kalon strolled her up the massive courtyard and down some steps into a beautiful rose garden. There had to be at least ten water fountains spaced througho
ut the entire garden. Sculptures lined the sidewalk, and in the far distance Kalon could see her standing in the gazebo.

  “This way,” Kalon announced, pulling Taylor along when she stopped here and there to gaze at a sculpture or a rose bush.

  As their steps neared the woman, Taylor whispered to Kalon, “Who is that?”

  He smiled down at her and tugged her further in the direction of the woman. As they came to a standstill, the woman with a mocha complexion and salt and pepper hair turned in their direction. Kalon realized that Taylor must have recognized her at once by the way she gasped and held her chest.

  “Oh my!” Taylor sing-songed.

  Faith Flare’s hands flew to her mouth as she approached Taylor. Kalon watched the two women who meant the most to him gawk at each other.

  “Taylor, this is my mother, Faith Flare. Mom, this is my girl, Taylor Briggs,” Kalon announced.

  Faith moved first, leaving her post and wrapping her arms around Taylor. “You are the one,” she announced out loud.

  Taylor returned the hug and said, “Oh my, I can’t believe I’m meeting Faith Flare the famous fashion designer.”

  Faith pulled back from the embrace and gave Taylor a once over. “I see you’ve been busy, son.” Her eyes fell to Taylor’s stomach, and Taylor laughed shyly.

  Faith hugged Kalon and said, “Let’s go have tea on the porch.” He grabbed Taylor’s hand and they walked behind Faith.

  “What does she mean, I’m the one?” Taylor asked.

  Kalon smiled.

  “It’s a long story, but you’ll see.”

  “I’m just glad to meet your mother,” she said, beaming up at him.

  They took their seat at the outdoor patio, which was made up for at least eight people. The butler came out holding a shiny, silver tea kettle and poured them each a cup in tiny teacups.

  “I’m so glad you listened to me, son. You made a good choice, she’s very pretty.” Faith sent Kalon a wink.

  The butler brought out an assortment of crackers laid out on a silver platter. Taylor popped one bite size cracker into her mouth and moaned.