by Terry Towers
The End.
Excerpt for
What Happens In Vegas
By
Terry Towers
Available Now
Chapter 1
The Present – Genevieve
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” Genevieve’s emerald green eyes flashed with anger before narrowing as she watched the sexy as sin NYPD officer Dane Porter stroll into her boutique. “What are you doing here?”
A smirk spread across Dane’s lips at her question. “You called to report a break-in. I was the lucky one to be assigned to answer the call and take your information.”
Genevieve didn’t return his smile.
“Maybe I changed my mind.” Flashes of her brief tryst with Dane in Las Vegas a couple of weeks prior sprang into her mind. He was a gorgeous man, she’d give him that, with blonde hair that was just a smidge too long to be considered short and rich blue eyes. It upset her that just seeing him standing before her, dressed in his officer’s uniform made her remember – and long for – his touch.
Crossing his arms over his thick, muscular chest, he cocked a brow up at her, still amused. “You changed your mind? So, there wasn’t a break-in and you’re wasting taxpayers’ money by making false calls to 911? That’s an offense, you realize; I could cuff you and take you in right now.”
“Oh, I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
I hate that you’ve seen me naked! And that I wanted you touching me then… Touching me now… She growled at herself and once again attempted to free herself of her unwelcomed thoughts.
Ignoring her, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, produced a pen and pad of paper, then stepped further into the boutique until he was standing before her and began looking around. “What did they take?”
“Fine!” She gave him a little shove as she rushed past him and motioned for him to follow her to the broken glass cases which, up until that morning, held dozens of pre-loved authentic designer handbags. “This way.”
She knew she shouldn’t act like such a child with him. She was a twenty-five-year-old business owner. She should be acting mature, not behaving like a teenager with a broken heart. But, dammit, she was upset with him and even more upset with herself. She wanted to just forget.
Oh please, he didn’t force you into anything. You enjoyed every second of it, a voice at the back of her mind chimed in. Instead of making her see reason, the voice only infuriated her further – because it was right.
“Striking an officer in addition to false 911 calls. You could be in big trouble, Ginny.”
“My name’s Genevieve.”
“You didn’t mind me calling you Ginny in Vegas.”
She spun around and shot another glare at him. “Very funny. There was a break-in.” She motioned to the shattered glass of the empty cases. “They took all the handbags. The Birkins, Gucci, Louis Vuitton… They took it all. And they broke the glass of the counter and took all the jewelry and small leather goods. I bet they took well over two hundred thousand in goods.”
She felt hot tears threatening to emerge and forced them back. She started with nothing and now much of her most expensive merchandise – three years of gathering and dealing – gone. Sure she was insured, she could rebuild, even if all of her bestselling merchandise was gone, but it would take time. People looking to sell Birkin bags for below their value for resale didn’t come along every day, even in New York.
The amusement faded from his expression as he began to write. “Do you have a list of what was stolen?”
“Yeah, let me check the computer.” She made her way into the back office, assuming he’d follow her and not wanting to look him in the eye. If she looked him in the eye she might break down and then look to him for support. She might fall into his arms and the anger she was feeling would dissolve. If the anger was gone then she’d have to admit what they did was what she wanted, regardless of whether she’d admit it to herself or not.
As she sat down at her desk she booted up the computer. She heard his footsteps entering the small office, but didn’t bother to look up.
“So they took stuff in the store, but not the computer?”
“My office was locked. They probably had enough without bothering to break down the office door.”
“I see. That’s possible. You don’t have an alarm?”
“Of course I do.” Her tone was sharper than intended, but she didn’t care. Shrugging, she refused to look up at him. “Guess it didn’t work.”
“Uh-huh.”
She lifted her gaze to lock with his, angered at his dismissive tone. “What? You think I’d just fake a break-in?”
Dane’s jaw clenched as he thrust a hand through his hair, all humour lost from his eyes. “Look Ginn- Genevieve, I understand we left things on a very bad note in Vegas, but I’m a cop and I have a job to do. I’m sorry if you were upset with what happened, but I’m trying to be friendly and help you here. Can you please work with me on this?”
Closing her eyes, Genevieve took a moment to steady her nerves, feeling slightly guilty at her reaction upon seeing him again. “I’m sorry. I’m frazzled and seeing you right now, just…”
The tension drained from him. “It’s fine. I’ll go check out the security system and see if I can figure out why the break-in didn’t set it off, while you make me a list of stolen items.”
She couldn’t help but admire his broad shoulders and back as he turned and exited her office. A mix of emotions raced through her seeing him again. Of the millions of people living in New York and the hundreds of cops what were the chances of her ever seeing Dane Porter again?
The remainder of the afternoon went by quickly. After Dane left she spent the afternoon and into the early evening cleaning up, dealing with the insurance company and calling all of her clients, hoping that they would have items they were willing to sell. She still had a store full of gowns and clothing from all the top designers, but the bestselling items were handbags, wallets and smaller items; the items that were stolen. Apparently, the thieves knew what was easiest to peddle as well. It sickened her that her precious Birkin bags might be sold on a street corner alongside dozens of cheap knockoffs.
Exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally she closed and locked her office door and made her way toward the front of the store. Halfway to the store entrance she heard the bell ring, signalling a customer. Apparently they hadn’t seen the closed sign and she’d forgotten to lock the door.
Dammit!
“I’m sorry we’re –” Her eyes focused on the person entering the shop and she could have sworn her heart stopped for a fraction of a second.
You have got to be shitting me, as if this day couldn’t have gotten any worse!
Squaring her shoulders she glared at the person whose body was framed in the store entrance. “What are you doing here?”
Three Weeks Ago – Genevieve
“I’m sorry Genevieve, but I just can’t go through with it,” Alex Cane stated, looking more uncomfortable than Genevieve had ever seen him – though she supposed breaking up with her on their wedding day, while she stood before him in her wedding dress would make anyone uncomfortable. Even her slick, rising-star defense attorney fiancé wasn’t immune to the shame of the heinous way he was breaking up with her.
“Is there someone else?”
He shook his head, but she saw it in his eyes. There was.
“We’ve been together since high school, Ginny. Since we were seventeen.”
“Exactly, eight years, Alex!” She wasn’t sure what she felt more upset by, humiliation or anger. The emotions switched up every few seconds, but currently, it was anger winning out, causing her body to vibrate with the emotions.
He stepped forward and grasped her upper arms in his hands, but she stepped away from him, batting his hands away. She didn’t want him near her, or touching her. Never again.
“It’s better this happen now than getting a divorce in a year’s time.”
&n
bsp; “So you chose our wedding day to decide this!”
“I wanted to make sure.”
She shook her head. “You selfish asshole. How dare you!”
He sighed, taking a step back from her. “I’m sorry. I can… I’ll go down and tell the guests the wedding is off.”
Genevieve’s emerald green eyes widened in alarm. Oh my God, the guests! Everyone is downstairs. Waiting.
“Don’t do me any favours!” she spat, venom in her tone. “Allow me.” The anger within her increased as she pushed past him with so much force he stumbled backward a step, and out the door. She raced down the hallway and down the stairs heading toward the chapel, Alex in hot pursuit.
“Ginny, hold on. Wait!”
At the bottom of the staircase he caught up with her, grasping her arm and stopping her from proceeding into the chapel. “Let go of me Alex, or I swear to God!” Her hands fisted at her sides. She wanted to hit something… she wanted to hit him! But she didn’t. She didn’t want this day turning into more of a fiasco than it already was.
Seeing the rage in her eyes, Alex released her, allowing her to continue to the chapel. “I can do this,” he protested from behind her. He was following, but at a safe distance.
She ignored him. She’d tell everyone herself. Knowing Alex, the weasel that he was, he’d somehow make it sound like breaking off the wedding was her idea. She refused to take any blame for this.
“Everybody,” she called out to the half-full church. Not everyone had arrived yet, but there were close to two hundred of the three hundred guests invited already seated and mingling.
Every head turned toward her, their eyes questioning.
“Everyone. I have an announcement to make.” She made her way to the altar and turned to face the crowd. The priest for the ceremony looked up from his notes, his brow furrowed, but said nothing. Their friends and family, all waiting, all shocked to see her in her wedding dress standing in front of them before the ceremony.
Alex lingered at the back, keeping his eyes averted. Coward.
“Everyone. Alex has informed me that after eight years together, he no longer wants to be with me.” Gasps and murmurs erupted within the church. “Apparently he wants to explore other possibilities and has just recently made this decision. And I guess our wedding day felt like the right time to inform me.” The crowd’s stares shifted from her to Alex, and back to her.
She was humiliated, but at the same time, she wanted him to feel part of this humiliation and by the redness in his face as he sulked at the back of the church, she was certain he got a small part of what he deserved.
Alex’s mother leapt from her seat and she hurried over to her son; his father followed behind. A look of shame and disappointment was evident in both their expressions.
She looked to her own parents and her older brother. She could see her parents were still trying to digest the information, but her brother Brian had already processed it and by the look of fury in his dark eyes as he stood and began to make his way down the aisle toward Alex, she knew what he intended to do. He and Alex had been friends up until that moment, but Genevieve was his baby sister and he was nothing if not protective.
A part of her wanted to see Alex hurting, like she hurt, but not like this. Her wedding had already become a circus; she didn’t want it to turn into a brawl in addition. Kicking off her shoes she raced barefoot down the aisle in pursuit of Brian, but she wasn’t quick enough. Brian grabbed her former fiancé by the front of the shirt, pushed him against the wall and slammed his fist into the other man’s jaw.
Brian’s hand pulled back a second time and his fist again made contact. Alex slumped against the wall, his knees buckling under him. Brian was about to hit him a third time when Genevieve grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Don’t Brian. Please.”
Brian looked over his shoulder and caught her gaze, indecision filling his eyes.
“He’s not worth it. Just take me home. Please.” Genevieve held her breath, waiting.
Brian looked back at Alex, hesitated, and after what felt like an endless second released him. “Fine.”
They both looked down at Alex, his nose and lip bleeding, cowering on the floor. His mother had begun fussing over him, but when she looked up and her eyes locked with Genevieve’s there was only sympathy. Alex had such a wonderful family, they’d welcomed her into the fold and treated her as if she were their own. She was going to miss them and she was sure they would feel the same. She and Alex had been and should be perfect together; this made no sense. But it was.
“He’s not worth it anyhow,” Brian growled, placing an arm around her waist and ushering her away
“No, Brian, he’s not.”
Once they were out of ear and eyeshot of the onlookers, Brian stopped and pulled a handkerchief from his suit jacket pocket and passed it to her. “For what it’s worth, you make a stunning bride, little sis.”
Accepting the handkerchief, she took a deep breath in, and slowly released it, fighting back tears. No he’s not worth it, she told herself. He doesn’t deserve my tears. However, despite her efforts to keep back the tears, they had a mind of their own as they began to flow down her cheeks, smearing her perfectly applied make-up along their trails. All she wanted to do was go home, get out of the blasted dress and try to forget Alex Cane ever existed.
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Terry Towers Book List
Kindle Unlimited Amazon Exclusive Titles
Secrets
Melting Point
The Instructor
Seeking Prince Charming
Forbidden Indulgences
Obsessed
Failure To Stop
Faith
Her Stepbrother’s Secret Desire Boxed Set
All Retailers Book List
Coffee Shop Series
The Cop and the Girl From the Coffee Shop
The Politician and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
The Bounty Hunter and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
The Assassin and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
The CEO and the Girl from the Coffee Shop 2: The Pleasure In Surrender
The Rock Star and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
The Rock Star and the Girl from the Coffee Shop 2: Under Pressure
The Firefighter and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
The Porn Star and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
The Tattoo Artist and the Girl from the Coffee Shop
Taboo Reads
His Special Christmas Gift
Seducing Blake
Her Stepbrother, Her Hero
Behind The Mask
The Inheritance: Anything He Craves
Desperately Seeking a Co-Star
The Seduction Plan
Her Stepbrother’s Secret Desire
The Rivalry
The Rivalry 2: Never Say Never
The Rivalry 3: In It Together
Forbidden series (books 1)
Please note, the Forbidden series was formally the Moan for Uncle/Moan for Him series
Ménage/Group
Taken By The Team
Taken By The Marines
What Happens In Vegas… Doesn’t Always Stay There
Frat Party Partner Swap
Billionaire/BDSM
The Billionaires’ Club: Deceiving Him
The Billionaires’ Club 2: Surrendering To Him
An Heir For The Billionaire
Her ‘What If’ Guy
Dark Romance/Romantic Suspense
Trust
Taming A Dark Heart
Faith
Romantic Comedy/Rom-Com
Tamed By The Cowboy
Anything He Desires (Milk Money)
Strong/Independent W
omen Romance