FRAUD: A Romantic Suspense Novel

by R. C. Stephens

  “Mommy, I have something to ask Hayes.” Liam looked at me once Mom had snapped a few pictures. Dad stood beside her and snapped away too.

  Hayes had taken Liam to buy a suit for today. They were both wearing matching navy blue suits and powder blue button-down dress shirts. They were the two handsomest men I’d ever seen. I never had imagined Hayes would step in and become a father figure to my children the way he had. Sometimes it scared me how perfect he was, but then I took a deep breath and thanked my lucky stars.

  I looked to Hayes to see if he knew what this was about. He gave me an I-have-no-clue look.

  “Mommy, last year I asked Hayes to be my father.” Liam said, and I sucked in a breath.

  “What, darling?” A hand came to my chest. My heart. I looked to Hayes, feeling a little alarmed.

  Hayes cleared his throat. “Maybe I should explain.” He squeezed Liam’s shoulder in a loving way. They looked into each other’s eyes, and I saw an understanding there. Hayes nodded to him and blinked once. Liam nodded back. “A year ago, I spoke to Liam and Lily about becoming their father. We didn’t mention it to you because, well you were busy becoming a doctor, and so I explained to them it would make a lot more sense . . .” He stopped when my phone rang. I didn’t look at it, because this was really important. Only it continued to ring. “Maybe you should see who it is,” Hayes suggested.

  “No. This is important,” I insisted.

  “I think that phone call is just as important. If you don’t want me murdered, that is.” He smirked devilishly. That accent of his still had a way of getting under my skin, just like the man behind it.

  I looked at my phone and saw three missed calls from Immy, and the phone rang again, lighting her name on my screen.

  I looked up to Hayes. How did he know it was her?

  “Hey,” I answered.

  Immy screeched into the phone. “Congratulations.”

  I could swear I heard her voice close by too, not just on my ear. I looked at Hayes with my head tilted to the side and my brows furrowed. “I’m so happy for you. Sorry I’m late. My flight was delayed,” she said.

  “What?” She’d suddenly materialized out of nowhere. It was my turn to screech and run into her arms. We hugged and danced, moving from side to side. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this day for anything in the world, Dr. Walker,” she said, still hugging me.

  “I can’t believe I did it,” I admitted to her.

  “I can. You’re amazing. I’m so proud of you.” She held her palms together, and her eyes teared.

  My eyes begin to water too. “Oh no. Not yet. I was interrupting something; let’s get back to that,” she said, spinning me around and placing me in front of Hayes, Lily, and Liam.

  What was going on here?

  “Yes, I should get back to it.” Hayes took a deep breath. “As I was saying, the kids and I spoke about me becoming their father. I explained to them it would be much easier if you and I were married.”

  I sucked in another breath as he reached for his pocket and took out a red jewelry box. He then asked Liam and Lily to stand on either side of me and got down on one knee. My insides were jittery and cheerful. I was so happy I could barely contain the emotion pouring from me.

  “I love all three of you very dearly. You’re my family, my people, my tribe,” he said. He moved in with us a year after we moved to Ithaca. It had taken me a full year after Mark’s death to tell him I loved him, but I wasn’t ready for marriage then. “Lily and Liam, I’m asking you for permission now to marry your mum and become your father,” he said with that succulent accent. My heart beat for this man. “I love all of you dearly, and even though you’re my family already I’d like to make it official,” he said, and I saw the emotion dripping from him his own eyes rimmed red.

  I wanted to lunge into his arms and repeat the word yes into infinity, but he’d asked my children a question.

  Liam stepped forward. “We would really like that.” He wrapped his arms fiercely around Hayes’s neck.

  “We want you to be our daddy.” Lily stepped forward and hugged him too.

  “Thank you,” he said, his voice husky. The kids stepped around to his side, and he turned to me. I couldn’t help but feel like he possibly rehearsed this scenario with the kids a few times. Knowing Hayes, he probably did.

  “Natalia, will you be my wife, sweetheart?” He opened the box and a diamond ring winked at me as the sunlight sparkled, illuminating the beautiful square cut diamond with more diamonds embedded around it.

  I was crying so hard, I could barely speak. I’d definitely ruined my makeup. I nodded then smashed my body into his, kissing him passionately in front of everyone.

  My parents and Immy clapped in the background as well as other guests attending the graduation ceremony.

  When the kiss broke he asked. “Is that a yes?” His lip quirked on one side. His eyes, the color of the ocean, looked like waves on a calm day.

  “Yes, yes, yes.” Laughter bubbled from deep inside me, a sign of true happiness. “I would love to marry you. I’m sorry it took me so long to come around.”

  “I knew I could’ve asked you two, maybe even three, years ago and you would have said yes, but I wanted you to have this time to get back on your own two feet and discover your own strength.”

  “How is it possible you know me better than I know myself? I am stronger today. I’m going into this marriage whole and confident. I’m not the broken woman I once was, and that makes me proud,” I whispered so only he could hear.

  “I know, sweetheart. That’s why I knew the time was right now,” he said, and then he looked at the red jewelry box with the ring nestled inside. “May I? I’ve been waiting a long time.” He grinned.

  “Please. Yes. Yes.”

  He placed the engagement ring on my finger and leaned in to press a kiss to my lips. “Keep those yesses for later in the privacy of our bedroom.”

  “Of course, Dr. Taylor,” I said, calling him by his family name. It made him hot and bothered when I did that.

  Immy squealed in the background. “Save the dirty talk for the bedroom.” She laughed. “I have news too.”

  Hayes pulled me into his side.

  “We’re moving back to Florida. Well Boca actually . . .” she mumbled. “Shay’s company offered him a transfer, and we took it.” She clapped her hands together. “I love Chicago, but we miss our weekends on the beach. We miss the weather and my family.” She spoke fast, a smile spreading her lips cheek to cheek.

  Over the past four years we had gone back to Florida for Christmas and a few Easters. The first couple years were hard, but the last time we went, I felt like I had missed home for the first time. Before Florida had been a reminder of my messed-up life, but somewhere along the way, my past stopped dragging me down. The noose around my neck had been loosened. I missed our days at the beach and I missed my family too.

  Hayes looked at me and tilted his head to the side. Sometimes I believed he was a mind reader too. “Sweetheart, are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” he asked me. He worked at a hospital in Ithaca. Now that I graduated, there was no point staying in Ithaca, and we both loved the beach dearly.

  “I think it’s time to go home,” I answered. We had discussed this before. Plans for after graduation. Florida had come up many times, but I was never sure. Hearing that Immy was moving back changed something for me. I’d have my best friend, who was more like a sister, with me again.

  “Natalia, you know I’m edging to retirement soon. You have a lucrative practice waiting for you if you want.” My father stepped forward with tears in his eyes. The only other time I ever saw my dad cry was when we found out Matt was gone.

  “Oh, Daddy.” I ran into his arms to hug him.

  I turned back to look at Hayes.

  “You know I love Florida. I’d love nothing more than to move there and expand our family,” he said with a wink. We had discussed this too. The idea
of more babies. I was now forty years old, and he was thirty-four, of course I knew he would want children of his own, but I had difficult pregnancies. I imagined it would be even harder now at my age.

  He walked over to me and placed his arm over my shoulder and leaned his lips to my ear. “Sweetheart. I’ll take care of you, no matter what. You can have your feet up for nine months, and I’ll be at your beck and call. I’ll take a sabbatical to take care of the kids. Whatever you want. Your wish is my command.” I knew every word he spoke was the absolute truth.

  I wanted to give him a child of his own, even though I knew he loved Lily and Liam as his own too.

  “You guys are making me cry.” Mom suddenly burst into the conversation. She had been quiet, which was nice because when she opened her mouth it was usually to put me down. “Jesus, Natalia, where did you find this man?” she asked, smiling and swiping at tears with a tissue before they had a chance to ruin her makeup.

  We all burst into laughter. Even my father laughed. “You’re a good man, Hayes.” Dad shook his hand.

  “We’re going to have a new brother or sister,” Liam said, looking up to Lily.

  I swatted Hayes in the shoulder. “You’re a troublemaker.”

  “You’re only realizing that now?” He cocked a brow.

  “Not funny.” I shook my head.

  “Come. We have a wedding to plan, and a state to move to, and an engagement to celebrate.” He winked.

  This man he was trouble from day one. Stirring something inside me I’d never felt before. He was everything I needed from the moment we met.

  “I asked your mum to take the kids for the night,” he said, pressing his lips to my ear. Shivers rolled down my spine at the promise behind his words.

  This man was my everything. I may have stayed in my marriage to Mark for all the wrong reasons, but I left for the all the right ones, and they were standing here today. I knew I would be a better wife because I had found myself a good man.

  Sneak peak

  For a sneak peak at my best selling military romance turn the page…

  HALO by R.C. Stephens

  From the author of the best-selling Twisted Series comes a compelling story of heartbreak, sacrifice and the test of true love.

  I fell in love with Thomas Wells and knew he was my forever.

  I was sixteen when I gave him my heart. Our love was the kind to last a lifetime.

  But Thomas was broken.

  The first day we met he told me he was going to become a Navy SEAL.

  At nineteen he enlisted.

  At twenty he married me.

  At twenty five he left me pregnant and didn't turn back.

  I knew he was suffering…

  I also knew I couldn't save him.

  He left me broken.

  I was scared and alone.

  Until I met Ryder St. John a wounded soldier…

  He was lost.

  I was lost.

  Together we made sense.

  I fell in love again…

  What Ryder forgot to mention was that he held a secret so explosive that it could shatter both our worlds.

  Prologue

  Rogers Park, Chicago

  Christmas morning 2002

  Thomas

  I lie in bed waiting for Halo to wake up. I know Christmas was a big deal around her house when she was growing up. Even though her parents are gone I still want her to feel the magic of the holiday. When I was a kid Christmas was another shitty day in my life. Nothing to celebrate. Another mark on the calendar moving me closer to the time I could leave my father and my dirty past behind.

  Halo begins to stir in bed, shifting toward me with her eyes shut. A sweet smile plays on her pink, lush lips and my chest bursts with love for this woman.

  “Hey.” Her morning voice is raspy and thick. She opens her eyes. I couldn’t love this woman more even if I tried. She’s my everything.

  “Hey yourself.” I grin as my eyes roam over her rosy nipples. The memory of making love last night gets me all hard again. I would take her right now if I didn’t have something planned. I let out a grunt.

  She stretches out her arms and her body moves into a delicious curve. I lean down and close my mouth over her nipple. Damn, she tastes good.

  I groan. “Baby, you can’t be teasing me now. It’s Christmas morning and I got stuff waiting for you under the tree downstairs.”

  “Stuff?” Excitement grows in her eyes. “Like presents?” She instantly pops up to her knees, bouncing on the bed. She’s too cute. It’s taking everything in me not to claim her right now. I want to give her Christmas.

  Seeing her smile means everything. Not too long ago she was drowning in darkness. The healthy gleam in her eyes tells me she’s feeling good now. It will make my news a little easier to deliver.

  “Yes, baby, the stuff is presents.” Before I can say anything else she pops out of bed and grabs her T-shirt off the floor. I must have thrown it there last night during our lustful attempt toactually make it to the bed as opposed to having sex on the floor again.

  There’s nothing wrong with floor sex but it can get hard on the back and Halo’s knees. Halo throws on the shirt and darts down the hallway. I hear the small patter of her footsteps as she makes her way down the stairs. I slip on my boxer shorts and follow her. I placed a number of presents under the tree and she won’t know which to open first.

  I swiftly walk down the stairs to the living room where our Christmas tree is shining bright. I look out the window to see a small dusting of snow falling from the sky. Halo seats herself on the floor in front of the presents. This is my second year with a Christmas tree and her second year without her parents—bittersweet.

  “Which one do I open first?” she asks like a little girl rubbing her palms together. It makes me laugh. I mean we are young. I’m twenty and she’s nineteen. We were both forced to grow up too quickly. I guess it’s memorable times like this that we cherish.

  “If I knew presents made you this excited I would try to get more.” I chuckle.

  “It’s not just the presents, Thomas. It’s Christmas. Do you feel that? It’s magical.” She stares out into space with a peaceful look on her face.

  “Sure baby, I’m feeling it.” I look down to the chub in my shorts from this morning’s perusal of her body.

  “Thomas,” she chides, punching my shoulder.

  I chuckle again. “I’m just joking, this day is special for me too.” She’s too cute. I lean in, pressing a soft kiss on her lips. I pull away and lean toward the first box I want her to open. “This one.” I pass her a little red box wrapped in pink ribbon. She opens it in a hurry. It’s a thong from Victoria’s Secret. It’s not meaningful, but I couldn’t help picture how hot she would look in it.

  “Thank you.” She leans forward and places a kiss on my lips. Then she rises to her feet and walks over to the closet by the front door. She retrieves a box from the closet and comes back to the tree.

  “This is for you,” she says, extending the box with one hand. I pull her toward me, guiding her to sit in my lap. Then I open my gift. It’s a dog tag. Engraved. “I will always love you. You are the light in my darkness.” My chest grows tight.

  I enlisted in the navy and went through SEAL boot camp, passing with flying colors. Then I was shipped out to Coronado, California a year ago for more training.

  Becoming a SEAL was a dream I had all my life. Originally I wanted to be a SEAL to get away from my father. Then I met Halo. She was only fifteen and perfect. She made me want to be a SEAL for an entirely different reason—I wanted to prove myself worthy of her.

  I haven’t told her yet, but I’m deploying. I was putting it off until I knew the depression was better. I also know that she could feel me itching to leave. My friends from boot camp had already been assigned to teams that had left for Afghanistan. Being a newlywed meant I could put it off for a while. Now I was deploying. I worried she would take it hard. That’s another reason I wanted to make Chr
istmas extra special for us.

  “Halo, it’s perfect, baby.” I lean over and give her a kiss. “You are the light in my darkness. I know you know I need to leave. I wanted to talk to you about it, but…”

  Her finger presses to my mouth. “I know…I know you need to go. I’ve known for a while. I guess I was selfish trying to keep you here all this time.”

  “There isn’t a selfish bone in your body. You were having a hard time and it was completely understandable. You’re stronger now. You’re going to be okay. You’re busy with school and you have Jenny. You will be fine without me, Halo. I don’t think you realize how strong you really are.” I pause for a minute because I want her to open her next gift. “Here, open this.” I pass her a little silver box; this one has a little gold bow on top. She turns on my lap so she is sitting with her legs wrapped around my waist. She opens the box and her jaw drops.

  “Thomas, it’s perfect,” she gasps taking it out of the box. It’s a silver locket.

  “Here, let me.” I take it out of her hand and show her the engraving on the back.

  You’re my Halo, my ray of light.

  I will always find my way back to you

  She laughs.

  “We clearly think alike.” She nods, proud of herself. It’s true her name is quite original. We’ve used “halo” as a term of endearment many times. It’s a reminder that when a person is drowning in darkness, another person can show them the light.

  “It’s perfect, Thomas.”

  “It opens up. You can put two pictures inside,” I explain, showing it to her.

  “I will have to get some pictures made.”

  I place the necklace around her neck and her palm closes over the locket, holding it close to her heart. I place the tags around my neck.