Death by Engagement

by Jaden Skye

  D E A T H B Y E N G A G E M E N T

  (book #12 in the CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES)

  Jaden Skye

  About Jaden Skye

  Jaden Skye is author of the #1 Bestselling CARIBBEAN MURDER series, which includes 12 books (and counting). The first book in the series, DEATH BY HONEYMOON, a #1 Bestseller, is now available as a FREE download on Amazon!

  Also in the series are DEATH BY DIVORCE (#2), DEATH BY MARRIAGE (#3), DEATH BY DESIRE (#4), DEATH BY DECEIT (#5), DEATH BY JEALOUSY (#6), DEATH BY PROPOSAL (#7), DEATH BY OBSESSION (#8), DEATH BY DEVOTION (#9) and DEATH BY BETRAYAL (#10). She is also author of the romance A PERFECT STRANGER.

  Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love.

  Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!

  Books by Jaden Skye

  THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES

  DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)

  DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)

  DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)

  DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)

  DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)

  DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)

  DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)

  DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)

  DEATH BY DEVOTION (Book #9)

  DEATH BY BETRAYAL (Book #10)

  THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA

  A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)

  Tap here to download Jaden Skye books on Amazon now!

  Copyright © 2014 by Jaden Skye

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  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

  Prologue

  Neither Cindy nor Mattheus could believe the time had truly come. The plane they were on headed from Jamaica to Aruba was getting ready to land.

  “We’re here, we’ve done it.” Mattheus pulled Cindy closer to him. “I had no idea I would feel this thrilled and victorious.”

  Cindy felt thrilled as well. Mattheus had repeatedly told her that Aruba was voted the second best place for destination weddings and that was where they had to go next. This was a trip not only to celebrate their engagement, but to check out wedding venues and set a date. Cindy was amazed that Mattheus wanted a large wedding and was so excited about planning it. He was going to invite whoever was left of his family, an old uncle he grew up around, the police force he’d worked with on the islands and all kinds of assorted friends. Cindy was also surprised that she wanted to be more private. She wasn’t at all sure yet who she would invite.

  “Buckle your seat belts. Get ready for landing,” the voice of the flight attendant came over the loudspeaker, breaking into Cindy’s thoughts.

  “We’ve done it, Cindy,” Mattheus whispered. “It’s only a matter of days now before we find the venue, set a date and tell the world.”

  Cindy buckled up slowly and carefully. “The date will depend on availability of the venue, won’t it?” she asked.

  “Yes, it might, but I’m not waiting long,” said Mattheus. “I’ve waited long enough. I’m totally ready now.”

  Tears stung Cindy’s eyes, as Mattheus grabbed her hand. She couldn’t help but remember the plans she’d made for her wedding to Clint. There’d been endless arrangements that had taken forever, with everyone in the family having their say. Without a doubt, it was time to move on now. Cindy was sure of her love for Mattheus and of his for her. She was surprised, though, to realize that this time she would have been just as happy with a small ceremony, for a few family members and friends.

  “I want the whole world to know about our wedding,” Mattheus proclaimed as the plane began to descend. “We deserve a lavish celebration. We’ve earned it.”

  Cindy smiled and said nothing as the plane swooped into the fading light of the early October evening.

  Chapter 1

  Each wedding venue had been more beautiful than the next. The Saint-Croix Hotel, where Cindy and Mattheus were now, was the third venue they’d visited since they’d arrived in Aruba. The wedding planner who greeted them was tall, suntanned, elegant, and spoke to them as if they were the only couple he’d ever taken on the tour. He told them that their most exquisite dreams could come true right here at the Saint-Croix.

  “The Saint-Croix Hotel will bring your wedding to life,” he crooned. “You’ll have whatever you desire. You can choose from the simplicity of a barefoot ceremony on the beach underneath a native gazebo, to an extravagant ballroom gala for up to five hundred guests.”

  The thought of having five hundred guests at her wedding made Cindy feel weak.

  “Your wedding will be replete with tropical cocktails served in coconut shells, with strands of gardenias and lilacs hung overhead,” he continued, smiling and displaying a row of perfect white teeth.

  Cindy’s head was spinning, but Mattheus seemed delighted and intrigued, completely caught up in the image of paradise momentarily coming alive.

  “Your [cl1] guests will never forget the occasion,” the wedding planner practically drooled.

  “Not exactly five hundred guests, though,” Mattheus joined in laughing, thoroughly enjoying the tour and taking in every possible detail.

  In the particular venue Cindy and Mattheus were in everything was on a larger scale. As they stood in the spacious indoor ballroom, they could also see the breathtaking beachfront wedding setting, featuring a bamboo stage for the bride and groom to stand on while taking their vows. Formal gardens surrounded the hotel and there was also a casino for guests to enjoy after the wedding, as well as a personal spa to luxuriate in. It was all part of the package. Taking it all in, Cindy felt as if she were transported to another world.

  As Mattheus chatted with the wedding planner, another couple entered the ballroom, with a wedding planner and tour of their own. Cindy enjoyed seeing the couple go through the same routine. Cindy smiled at the young woman, who quickly smiled back. The bride-to-be was in her late twenties, tall, striking and languid with wavy bl
onde hair and large eyes. The groom-to-be stood a few steps away, handsome and solid, with dark brown hair. They looked like a storybook couple about to embark upon the happiest time of their lives. Cindy wondered how she and Mattheus seemed to them. Was there any way anyone could realize that this would be a second marriage for Cindy? Did she and Mattheus seem older and weatherworn? As Cindy looked at the couple, they followed their wedding planner and ambled over close to where she and Mattheus were standing.

  Cindy listened to their wedding planner speaking to them in a lilting tone, casting a spell.

  “It’s up to you,” he was saying. “Your wedding package could include both a beachfront wedding and golf course ceremony, if you like. We’ll take care of everything. You’ll have a fresh floral bouquet, groom boutonniere, pre-recorded background music, a floor-draped tables, bottles of champagne, two torches and a palm-fringed aisle with a candle walk.”

  The couple nodded nondescriptly[cl2] , taking it all in and saying little in return.

  “Dream weddings don’t just happen, they’re planned,” their wedding planner continued. “At our venue we all sit down together and make sure everything meets your needs.”

  “Do we get the same treatment?” Mattheus joked with their wedding planner then.

  “Absolutely,” he said quickly. “We help you execute every little detail so that all your dreams become a reality on your glorious day.”

  Mattheus threw a quick look at Cindy. “I like this place,” he said in a low tone.

  “We have two more to check out first,” Cindy reminded him, “then we can choose.”

  “So far we like this very much,” Mattheus announced to the planner. “We have to look at one or two more, but then we’ll be back.”

  “Certainly,” the planner replied, as though this were common practice. He was accustomed to it. “First, follow me down the hall and let me show you our wedding preparation room. Then you can have cocktails in our Conch Club, right on the water, and talk it over.”

  Cindy and Mattheus followed him out of the ballroom to the next stop. Just before she left the ballroom, though, Cindy turned back and glanced at the other couple to see how they were doing. To Cindy’s surprise the young woman was watching her, rather than listening to what her planner was saying. Cindy waved a light good-bye, and the young woman raised her hand and waved back.

  After Cindy left the ballroom and followed the planner down the long, carpeted hallway, a moment of sadness filled her heart, though she had no idea why.

  *

  After they finished the tour, Cindy and Mattheus drifted over to the Conch Club, which was perched out over a beautiful stretch of sand, surrounded by water and sky.

  The maître d’ greeted them graciously. “A bride- and groom-to-be?” he asked as he gently led them to a wicker table at the water’s edge. “I’m delighted to let you know that a welcome cocktail is awaiting you, as a gift from the hotel.”

  Mattheus laughed. “This place sure has their act together,” he said to Cindy when the maître d’ left. “They spot a wedding coming from a mile away.”

  “The planners probably send all the couples here straight from the tour,” Cindy replied. “Let’s see if that other couple doesn’t arrive in a few minutes as well.”

  Cindy and Mattheus took their seats and smiled at each other delightedly as the waves lapped against the edges of the club. Filled with joy, Mattheus reached out for Cindy’s hands as a large, beautiful bird perched before them for a moment, spun around and then flew on.

  “Which place do you like best, so far?” Mattheus asked then.

  “Actually, they all seemed pretty much the same to me,” said Cindy softly. “I like them all. Whichever you want is fine with me.”

  Mattheus looked momentarily puzzled. “Really? You usually have such strong opinions about everything.”

  “They’re all magical,” Cindy repeated, as from the corner of her eye, she saw the other couple enter the club. “Look at that, here’s the other couple,” she continued, “just as we predicted.”

  Mattheus looked over at them as the maître d’ led the couple to a small table right beside Cindy and Mattheus.

  The young woman smiled at Cindy as they sat down. “Looks like we’re fated to meet each other again,” she said playfully. “I’m Shari.”

  “I’m Cindy, and this is my fiancé, [cl3] Mattheus,” Cindy responded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Thank you, a pleasure to meet you, too,” Shari replied. “It’s fun to see another couple going through the same thing. This is Doug,” and she motioned to her groom-to-be.

  The four of them smiled at each other pleasantly as a waiter glided their way, carrying an ivory tray on which stood four scrumptious tropical cocktails.

  “I guess we’ll all be drinking together,” Shari remarked, as the waiter arrived, handing each one their drink.

  “Let’s toast to all of us,” Mattheus responded, lifting his glass happily.

  “To all of us,” Shari echoed as everyone lifted their glasses and drank.

  “How long have you been looking for venues?” Doug asked after they all put their glasses down. “We’ve been doing it for three days now, and Shari’s family’s down here too, to give the final okay.”

  “Sounds like quite a gathering,” Cindy chimed in.

  “You could call it that.” Shari smiled. “My family insisted on joining us. I can’t make up my mind about which place is best, though. None of them feel just right. What do you think? Which one do you like best?”

  “They all seem fine to me,” said Cindy.

  “Really?” Shari was surprised. “All of them?”

  “Shari is very particular,” Doug interjected, “and so is her mother. I thought we’d find the place in a day. But it seems there’s something wrong with each one of them.”

  “Nothing important happens in a day,” Shari replied, a bit ill at ease.

  “Okay, two days then.” Doug cracked a smile, seemingly the more practical of the two.

  “How about you?” Shari turned to Mattheus. “Which venue do you like best?”

  “I like the one we’re in right now,” said Mattheus. “In fact, I’m ready to find a date and take it.”

  “Just like that?” Shari’s eyes opened wide. She had a fragile quality that was endearing.

  “Not everybody has to go over every detail again and again,” Doug interjected. “Some people just make up their minds and act.”

  Shari lifted her glass to her lips and drank what was left of her cocktail all down quickly.

  “We made up our minds to get married, and so it’s not such a big deal which venue we do it in,” said Doug. “If you ask me there’s almost no difference between them.”

  Shari put her glass down and shook her head lightly. “Men, men, men,” she said, turning to Cindy.

  Cindy smiled. “They can be quite confusing at times.”

  Shari leaned closer to Cindy. “Everything can be quite confusing at times,” she murmured.

  Cindy looked at her, surprised.

  “Shari’s indecision can be quite charming, of course,” Doug said to Mattheus, interrupting. “Sooner or later, she’ll just let me pick a venue and then she’ll like it as well. She always comes around eventually.”

  Cindy noticed that Doug spoke about Shari as if she weren’t there. Shari didn’t seem to mind at all, though. In fact, she seemed to like it.

  “Doug knows me so well,” Shari giggled.

  “I prefer a woman who knows what she wants and lets me know as well,” Mattheus commented. “Cindy’s basically a tiger about most things in our lives.”

  “A tiger?” Shari’s eyes grew round. She was obviously fascinated by Cindy and Mattheus and Cindy found her interesting as well. Cindy was also surprised to be thought of as a tiger; hadn’t quite seen herself that way.

  “I’m a tiger in a manner of speaking,” said Cindy, laughing. “At work I’m a tiger, at home, I’m just me.”

&
nbsp; “Have you two known each other for a long time?” asked Shari.

  “Long enough,” said Mattheus, and they all laughed.

  “How about you two?” asked Cindy.

  “We’ve known each other forever,” Shari answered quickly. “We started dating in college.”

  “That’s a long time.” Mattheus nodded.

  “Not long enough,” Doug replied.

  It was enjoyable to meet and chat with another couple who were also recently engaged and looking for wedding venues in the same location. It was also interesting to learn that Shari, Doug and Shari’s family were staying at the same hotel as Cindy and Mattheus. After talking a bit more the four of them got up, wished each other well, and left to go their separate ways.

  *

  Cindy and Mattheus took a cab back to the hotel. They were going to rest a bit, change and prepare for a beautiful evening together, dancing and dining under the stars. Cindy had brought silky romantic dresses along and beautiful jewelry. The time she and Mattheus were sharing together now, itself felt like a honeymoon. She couldn’t imagine anything better. She’d never felt as close to Mattheus, as relaxed and happy and ready to take the next step with him.

  Chapter 2

  After a magnificent night in each other’s arms, Cindy and Mattheus called up for breakfast in their room and went out onto the graceful patio to wait for it. The patio overlooked lush vegetation, clusters of trees and rocky cliffs that led to the ocean. Mattheus had chosen this sprawling, luxurious, romantic hotel as gift for Cindy. Embedded in nature, it was also close to the main parts of the island so they could enjoy all Aruba had to offer while searching for their venue.

  “This is our time, Cindy,” Mattheus said again as they reclined on the lounge chairs, waiting for their food to arrive. Cindy realized that Mattheus was trying to reassure her that despite the life they had chosen, he would be careful to carve out time for them together, alone. She was grateful to have that reassurance. When she’d called her mother to tell her of the engagement, it was the first thing her mother had asked about.