by Lyssa Cole
Table of 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
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Love in Disguise
Love & Trust Series, #2
Lyssa Cole
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and storylines are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Copyright ©2018 Lyssa Cole Books
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 (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written 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 person. If you are 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. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the written permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Createspace ISBN-13: 978-1973753827
ISBN-10: 1973753820
Cover design by: Amanda Walker PA & Design Services
Edited by: Lawrence Editing-Emily A. Lawrence
Formatted by: Lyssa Cole Books
Published by: Lyssa Cole Books
For my readers that’ve been with me since the beginning (you know who you are!)- thank you.
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
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Preview of House Rules
Also by Lyssa Cole
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Prologue
Fourteen years earlier-Alicia
“He’s hot, like football quarterback hot.” Ruby grabs my arm, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
I giggle. “Maybe because he is the football quarterback?”
My best friend since first grade shakes her head before slapping my arm. “You know what I mean, girl.”
Andrew, the football quarterback she’s crushed on for months, said hi to her in the hallway.
“If he asks me to the homecoming dance, you have to come.” Ruby tugs on my arm again, wiggling in her seat. Her excitement is infectious, my own legs jiggling.
The bus lurches to a stop, and Ruby jumps up. She blows me a kiss before disappearing off the bus. “Call me later!”
I stare out the window as the bus pulls away. Two more stops and it’s back to my depressing life. Alone and lonely. My parents are always working, leaving me to fend for myself. No brother or sister to keep me company.
I step off the bus, the cold November air seeping easily through my light jacket. I bury my hands in my pockets and make the five-minute walk to my house, my face buried in my scarf.
The large beige house comes up in the distance, the driveway empty and uninviting.
I open the front door and pause for a moment. With bated breath, I listen, my ears straining to hear a noise, however faint. My stomach twists as the realization dawns on me. Alone, again.
I sigh, tossing my bag to the floor and closing the door behind me.
Another night alone in this big house, only the dust and secrets of the walls to keep me company.
I step into the kitchen when a loud bang comes from upstairs. I freeze in my tracks. A loud giggle rings through the air, the noise shrill. Who is that?
A deep rumble echoes above, followed by some loud grunts and gasps.
I’m frozen in place, my eyes darting around, my brain trying to process what’s going on. I steady my hands on the table, taking a few deep breaths.
A wrapped casserole dish sits in the middle of the table, one of my mother’s familiar notes sitting atop. I squint my eyes to read the words, the letters long and curvy.
Dinner is in the oven, hon. Sorry, it’s another late night at work for both of us. Enjoy the brownies.
Love, Mom xoxo
Another giggle plus a loud slap with a shriek fills the air, and I push my fingers through my hair, tucking both sides of my hair behind my ears.
It’s not what it sounds like. It can’t be.
I need to find out.
I move away from the table, creeping across the kitchen floor. I avoid the big tile with the crack. It’ll squeak, a dead giveaway.
The back staircase leads up to in front of my parents’ room. I pause at the bottom step, leaning forward to listen. Hushed whispers float down the stairs. Maybe Mom came home early.
I swallow over the lump in my throat as I tiptoe, skipping the middle step. When I reach the top, my parents’ door is cracked open and shadows move inside.
“Mom? Dad?” My fingers dig into the stair rail, my nails sinking into the old wood.
A shriek and more loud whispers.
What’s going on in there?
The door swings wide and there’s my father, a sheet wrapped around his waist, his eyes wide, his hair wild. “Alicia?”
Behind him, a woman pops over his shoulder. I’m going to be sick.
No…it’s not…it can’t be…oh my God…it’s Mallory…my mom’s best friend.
He reaches for me, but I’m too quick. I fly down the stairs and out the back door. I hear him call my name, but I don’t look back. I run until I turn onto the familiar street, the blue house on the corner my second home.
I jog past the side of the house, down to the back door, to Ruby’s bedroom in the finished basement. I knock twice on the door then clap and knock two more times. Friendship code we’ve shared since first grade.
The door lock clicks open, but it’s not Ruby standing there. It’s my mother, her eyes red, her nose dripping.
“Oh, Alicia.” She grabs my waist and crushes me against her.
It’s real.
It’s really real.
My breathing hitches. My chest aches. It’s as if my heart is literally cracking.
A sob escapes as we sink to the ground together.
Chapter 1
Alicia
“Tell me, Miss Rego, what drives you to want to work here? What makes you different?”
His dark eyes pierce mine, and I shrink in my seat. Damn, he’s intimating. Taking a deep breath, I hold his stare, pretending he doesn’t have any effect on me.
“Well, Mr. Dorsey, I’ve been thinking of switching my career up a bit. I need something more…stable, I guess is the word. Traveling around to do hair and makeup gigs is putting a strain on my car and me,” I lie. I can’t tell the truth. Hell, I don’t believe it myself.
My wild brown curls bounce as I look around, so I push my hair back from my face. I clasp my knees together to keep my legs from shaking.
Shit, Alicia. Can you look any more nervous?
“I would be a great fit here. I love doing high-class style hair, you know, celebrity level.” Shut up, Alicia, just shut up. This isn’t working. I’m babbling like a buffoon.
Mr. Dorsey smiles. It’s cold and uninviting, not even reaching his eyes. “You think we are a high-class salon then, Miss Rego?”
I nod, my top teeth sinking into my bottom lip. “Yes, of course. I could tell immediately. Another reason I want to be a part of this amazing place. What makes me different is the knowledge I could bring here. I’ve traveled. I’ve seen a lot in different places with a lot of different people. I can show your girls things, new trends, new styles. I need to make sure I stay on top of the fashion news now…” My mind drifts to that thought, the negative of stopping my traveling. Shit, I’ll need to do more reading online, maybe listen to a podcast or read a blog.
My eyes run over the small hair wash area, the nail section taking a lot of space in the back corner. What I want is to be heading to New York City with Ruby. Chasing my dream, living the life.
Mr. Dorsey leans forward, a creepy smile crossing his mouth. I lean back, needing space, when something dark flashes in his eyes. It’s gone in a second, but my senses go on high alert. Damn, this guy gives me the creeps.
“When can you start, Miss Rego? Or can I call you Alicia?”
“Oh my fucking God, girl. He’s such a creep.” I pull my blanket tight around me, the chilly air nipping at my face. I pop a candy kiss in my mouth, the sweet chocolate coating my tongue. Winter is in full swing here in this small town outside of Buffalo, New York, and it’s freezing outside. I can’t afford to pay an arm and a leg for heat, so blankets and hoodies it is.
“Then you didn’t take the job, right?”
I guffaw, the boisterous sound filling the room. Ruby chuckles herself, my laugh not being unfamiliar to her. “Of course I did, you silly girl. That salon is happening in this shitty rinky dink town.”
Ruby sighs and clicks her tongue against her teeth. “Listen, are you sure you don’t want to come with me to New York City? I know your mom is sick but bring her with us. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Tears fill my eyes as I listen to Ruby go on about New York City. I blink them back and stretch out on my couch. Coming straight home from the interview, I called Ruby, wanting to dish. And while I’d love to move, I can’t. I need to take care of Mom in her time of need. She always took care of me.
“Alicia? You still there?”
“Yes. Listen, Rubs, I’ve got to run. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Urm, um, okay. Are you sure you’re all right? Want me to come by with some takeout? I’ll get your favorite shrimp lo mein.”
“Maybe tomorrow night, Rubs. I’m beat. I love you, though, always.”
“I love you too, babe.”
I end the call and sigh as my head sinks into the couch. It’s exhausting being happy on the outside when inside I’m miserable. Stormy thoughts invade my mind, my eyes drifting close as I try to push them out.
My mother…
My father…
My eyes fly open and my heart pounds, my chest aching. Loneliness creeps its way inside, its dankness finding me, wrapping around me. I don’t fight it anymore. It’ll win, it always does.
Find love, they say. Find adventure, they say. Find happiness.
Where? Is what I say. Everyone ends up screwing you over or you lose them. Plain and simple.
My gorgeous mother, a beautiful soul inside and out, is now desperately fighting for her life. Who is left here fighting for her? Only me. Which is why I can’t leave, though a part of me wants to.
My father’s gone. He’s been gone for years. There’s never been another man for her. Sure, several have gone in and out. But none last, none stay.
Pain lances through me as I think of her heartbreak through the years. I would hold her while she cried after my dad left. Then, after every man left.
I grew bitter and jaded toward men, hating them for what they kept doing to my mother. Darkness took over me, but I never showed it. I was popular Alicia, happy Alicia, let’s date all the boys Alicia, when inside, I was screaming.
Emily Rego is holding on, desperate and afraid, but there’s hope. Treatments, pills, medicines. I pray one of them works or at least helps. Fresh tears fill my eyes and threaten to spill over my cheeks. For now, I stay here and take care of the one person who always took care of me. My dreams can wait. Maybe I’ll never get there. I don’t know, but I don’t need to figure it out right now.
I sit up and chug my wine before popping another chocolate kiss in my mouth. These damn chocolates are gonna be the death of me. Or they’ll head straight to my ass, which I’m sure they will anyway. I formulate a plan for myself. I’ll take the job at the salon no matter how creepy the owner is. I’ll pack up and stay with my mom, maybe sublet this apartment for a while. And I’ll start teaching my skills down at the shelter I’ve always wanted to volunteer at. If I can’t grow my business, at least I’ll keep my skills sharp. And help troubled teens in the process.
I peel myself off the couch, making my way to bed. My eyes burn and my head throbs. I strip out of my clothes and climb into bed, wrapping my body around my pillow. Sleep is a welcome distraction.
Gabe
Sweat trickles down my face as I deliver another hard blow to the bag. Frustration is burning inside me, urging me to throw punch after punch, my arms screaming in protest. Ignoring the sharp pulses of pain, I hit until I’m numb. Until my mind goes blank and I stagger backward.
When I hit the wall, I slide down to the ground, sweat pouring from every inch of me. My head hangs between my knees, my heartbeat pumping in my ears, my eyes squeezing shut. I try to steady my breathing and don’t move.
“You okay, boss?”
One of my buddies and fellow agents, Joe Lawson, looks down at me, concern etched across his face.
“Gabe?” he asks again.
“Yeah, I’m all right, man. Worked myself hard.” I throw my head back down between my knees, needing to catch my breath. The aftershock begins to sting, or rather those tingling sensations of pain. They run through me hot and fast. A hot shower is calling my name.
“Rough day, boss?”
“You could say that again.” I sigh and push myself up now that my breathing evened out. My legs easily rise, their toned shape holding from hours of cardio on the treadmill. Staying in shape is vital when chasing the bad guys. Or needing to forget all the ugly in your head.
I head to the showers, Joe hot on my heels.
“Listen, boss, I need to talk to you about an assignment that just came up.”
Joe shuffles his feet, which is odd for him. We’ve known each other for years now, having met in the academy and training together. We became friends fast, and even though I rank higher than him and he calls me boss, which I insist he shouldn’t, I consider him an equal. A partner and a loyal friend.
“What’s up?” I turn to face him, bracing myself for what’s to come. Easy cases are what I need. Nothing too fucked up. I’ve seen enough fucked up in my life.
“Something’s going down in a small town in upstate New York, near Buffalo. They are suspecting some type of human trafficking ring.” Joe watches me,
concern shimmering in his eyes.
Memories come flooding back. The screams. The sobs. I close my eyes and push them away, focusing merely on Joe’s face. “All right, and? They want us there?”
Joe nods. “It’s worse, boss. They are suspecting the girls are coming from a woman’s shelter. Young girls, Gabe. Too young.”
Deep pain rushes through me, and I swallow, pushing the feelings down. I told my boss I can’t do these types of jobs…I just can’t. So why do I get asked anyways?
“Can’t someone else take this assignment?” I snap, and Joe flinches.
“Hey, boss, it’s not up to me to dish out the assignments. You know that. They want us all to go. They want Anne, you know Anne Cooke, second year agent?”
I nod, then Joe continues.
“She’s going as your partner. Both of you are going undercover as a married couple.”
My eyes narrow. I’ve barely met Anne, not that I care anyways, but undercover as a married couple? What in the fuck? “Why? Why a married couple?” I practically spit, my pulse rising. Poor Joe is in the line of my fury right now, but I can’t help the rage inside me.
“Because, there’s a part of the shelter that also does adoptions. Women who go there to have their babies in privacy instead of aborting get the choice of adoption. This way, you can scope the place out by pretending to be interested in adopting. It does make perfect sense…”