Adored: Book 1 (The Beloved Series)

by MJ Masucci

  He sat dozing by the pool in the California sunshine until he heard his phone ring. He pressed the speaker button.

  “Julian, it’s Logan.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Are you sitting down?”

  “Logan, why do I need to sit down?”

  “Nina’s attorney just couriered over divorce papers.”

  Julian sat speechless staring at the sun glinting off the water as bile rose in his throat.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  “What does she want?”

  “Nothing. You retain everything you had when you entered into the marriage.”

  “Logan, I don’t want a divorce.”

  “You can contest it. Do you want to do that?”

  “I don’t want to make Nina’s life any harder than it’s been. She doesn’t love me. Send me the papers; I’ll sign them.”

  “I’ll send them out today. Julian, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. You haven’t had it very easy, either.”

  “It’s not about me. I want her to be happy and apparently I can’t do that. She blames me for what happened, but I don’t blame her.”

  “You had no control. You’re just as much a victim as she is.”

  “Excuse me if I don’t see it that way. For all I know, this is my fault. We still have no idea who took her and why. I left because of that. I’m safer here with all the paparazzi around than I am at home. Suppose the kidnapping was meant for me?”

  “The police are looking into the possibilities.”

  “You think that asshole Rigger gives a shit? He was just itching to arrest me for her murder.”

  “Rigger is off the case. He’s on disciplinary leave.”

  “When did this happen?”

  “Yesterday. He should’ve investigated this case from the get go. Instead, he let the evidence sit. It was his case and he botched it.”

  “I kept telling him to do something, but he didn’t want to hear it.”

  “Julian, you can file a case against the department.”

  “I don’t want that. Nina’s been through enough. I’ve been through enough. I just want to sit in the sun and be left alone. Send the papers.”

  “Very well. You’ll have them by tomorrow.”

  Julian clicked off his phone and closed his eyes, once again soaking up the noontime sun. He could see why Maureen liked California, beautiful warm weather and plenty of stuff to do. Not that there wasn’t plenty to do in New York. But that was where Nina was and he didn’t want to be reminded of her.

  Kent Toray lived in a large mansion with gated property. Julian had accidentally wandered into the man’s office looking for the bathroom. Kent, a short bald man with large black framed glasses and a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt was sitting at his desk talking on the phone. Julian backed out the doorway but not before the man on the phone caught a glimpse of him. He hurriedly went down the hall to find Maureen with Kent on his heels.

  “Hey, stop. You’re perfect for my campaign,” Kent called.

  “Is this guy for real?” Julian asked Maureen in reference to Kent’s request.

  “Probably.”

  “You would be perfect for my new clothing line. Maureen, where were you hiding this gorgeous creature?”

  “Thanks, Kent, but I’m not a model.”

  “But you’re perfect. Name your price?”

  “I don’t need the money.”

  “Then work for free. I don’t care; I want you for my spread. Maureen talk some sense into this man. I’ll be right back.”

  “What do I tell him?” Julian asked after Kent left.

  “You figure it out. However, I can tell you that Kent is not going to give up.”

  “Yeah, but can you see me as a model? Aren’t I too old?”

  “Jules, what else do you have to do? You sit around my house and do nothing while I’m away. You might as well do something and make good money.”

  “Money I don’t need.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You’re one of the lucky ones.”

  “I guess I’ll do it then. How bad can it be?”

  “For an introvert like you, it could be bad.”

  “Now I have doubts.”

  “Too late, here comes Kent.”

  The man was elated when Julian told him that he would do the spread.

  “Take my card and come have a drink so we can go over a few things. Do you have an agent or a manager?”

  “Kent, I don’t even have an accountant.”

  “Well, you might want to get all three of those because by the time the print ad comes out, you’ll be drowning in work.”

  It was just what Julian needed, to be kept busy.

  The next morning, Julian woke up with a hangover from too many tequila shots. He hadn’t drunk the stuff since college. Maureen had left several hours earlier and he wandered around the house in his underwear. The front bell rang, practically making him jump as it broke the silence.

  Julian went to the front door and was greeted by a delivery man asking for a signature. He tore at the document envelope and pulled out the divorce papers that Logan had sent. His head pounded as he read through. Most of it was legal jargon that he didn’t understand, but he understood enough. Nina wanted nothing from him, only the divorce.

  They had been married five months and four of them she was gone. Their marriage didn’t even have a fighting chance. Julian searched the kitchen drawers for a pen and scrawled his name next to the little tabs that read “Sign Here.” He would ship it out to Logan tomorrow.

  That afternoon, he would be having lunch with Kent and a couple of models on the campaign. It was strange to be embarking on a new career, especially one that was meant for the younger set. He was sure he would be the oldest person there besides Kent.

  Julian rummaged around in his duffel bag for appropriate clothing. What do you wear to a lunch with a potential boss? California seemed much more laid back than New York. He decided on a pair of shorts and a polo shirt. Hardly appropriate as far as he was concerned, but it wasn’t like he cared about this job. He only did it to make Maureen happy and to give himself something to do.

  Chapter 20

  Three weeks after Julian had gone to California, Nina found herself in the supermarket with her mother. As before she married Julian, her family smothered her, watching her like a hawk. As they waited in the checkout line, she picked up one of the tabloids from the rack.

  She was shocked to see Julian on the corner of the cover. The headline was “Is Maureen Kelly cheating on Danté Copa?” The picture was of Julian and Maureen locked in an embrace as they left a club. Her stomach tightened and she shoved the magazine back on the rack so violently that her mother turned to see what was wrong.

  “Nina, are you okay?”

  “Yes, mother. Fine.”

  She wasn’t about to tell her mother with the ink barely dry on their divorce papers, Julian was already out and about. She had always suspected that his relationship with Maureen was more than just friends. It didn’t matter; he was no longer her husband and free to date whomever he wanted. Tears pricked her eyes as they drove towards home. She couldn’t wait to get away from her mother so she could be alone.

  In her bedroom, she went to her jewelry box and took out her engagement and wedding rings. Nina rolled them around in her hand and the tears began to fall freely down her cheeks. What she had told Julian only a few weeks ago was a lie. She didn’t hate him. She loved him and still did. What he didn’t know was that she was protecting him.

  Julian opened his email. He had shut down his website since he had no plans to work in graphic design any longer. He didn’t expect anything but junk mail, but instead, he found the subject line: The past is not behind you. He opened the email with shaking hands.

  Mr. Gennaro — The past is not behind you. It was supposed to be you, not Nina. I’m being watched and so are you. It’s not over, very far from it. I helped your wife escape. She should never have been here. I’m sorry for what happe
ned to her and I’m sorry I can’t offer you more information. I’m risking my own safety by sending this to you. Take care of her.

  This time Julian hit the reply button and typed a quick email. He sent it and waited. Seconds later, a Mailer Daemon came back. The email had been shut down. He expected it.

  Julian felt panic rise in his gut. Nina was still in danger because of him. Who was doing this? Why were they after him? It was wise that they got divorced even though it’s not what his heart wanted. Now as worry gnawed at him, he needed to make a decision.

  He had to protect Nina.

  End

  Book 1

  Next in Series - Devoted

  Check out below for a taste of what’s to come in Devoted – Book 2 The Beloved Series

  Julian paced the floor thinking of his earlier conversation. Worry tore his heart, even though he was no longer married to Nina, he had to protect her. He dialed her number several times and though his calls went to voicemail, he never left a message.

  Finally out of frustration, he called Frankie. The man had been gruff with him, accusing him of opening old wounds and told him not to bother Nina anymore. Julian tried to explain why he was calling, but Frankie threatened him. Once he made it clear that Julian ruined Nina’s life and she was miserable, Frankie hung up the phone in Julian’s ear.

  Just as with the death of his parents all those years ago, Julian began drinking. He polished off half a bottle of Jack Daniels by the time Paulina, one of the models on a current ad shoot came to Maureen’s new house, he was drunk, but she didn’t mind. They’d been having sex for the past few days, ever since they met on one of Kent’s Zanzi jeans shoots. She liked to smoke pot; he hated the smell.

  Paulina was far too aggressive in bed for Julian. The first time they had sex, she left rake marks across his back with her nails. It was the second day of the photo shoot and Kent was livid. The pictures came out great but the photographer needed to clean up the marks before they could use them.

  After that, Julian told her to keep her nails to herself. He much preferred to fuck her doggy style so he didn’t have to see her face. She didn’t care as long as he made her come. After they finished, Paulina pulled out a joint and lit it. Julian got out of bed and stood in front of the mirror which allowed him to see his wedding ring on the dresser. He picked it up and sauntered naked onto the balcony that overlooked the pool. As he gazed toward the lights of Los Angeles, he flipped the ring into the water below. Paulina called him back to bed, but instead, he climbed the railing, balancing on it before he jumped.

  Paulina screamed and ran out of bed to look over the balcony. Julian had landed in the pool and he frantically searched for the ring which he found on the bottom. When he surfaced, Paulina cursed at him.

  “You fucking fool. You could’ve broken your neck.”

  He ignored her and cupped the ring in his palm while she continued to pepper him with curses.

  Julian looked up at her, “Get the fuck out of my house.”

  Paulina looked at him stunned, “It’s not your house.”

  “As long as Maureen is on location, it is. Now go.”

  Paulina cursed at him again, flipped her long blond hair and headed inside to gather her clothes. Julian would probably never work with her again, nor did he care to. She was one of Kent’s favorite models, but Julian despised her. As beautiful as she was, she was obnoxious and annoying. Her best attribute was she gave good head. At least it kept her mouth shut.

  After he heard the door slam, Julian climbed out of the pool, slipping the ring on his finger. He stopped wearing it once he signed the divorce papers, but it comforted him to wear it now. Julian softly cursed when he realized the back door was locked. He went to the side door and it was also locked.

  “FUCK,” he screamed into the night. He was going to have to walk around to the front door while naked. He hoped when Paulina left that the door was unlocked. Maureen wasn’t due back from a location shoot for another three days.

  With his luck, paparazzi were waiting in the bushes and would get a shot of his bare ass walking around the yard. It was bad enough when he saw the tabloid with his and Maureen’s picture in it, hugging as they left a club. Speculation was that he was the new mystery man in his best friend Maureen’s life.

  Maureen was furious when she saw the picture with the headline. Danté Copa, her boyfriend, was filming in Italy and called her for an explanation. Julian hated to see her snivel when she explained nothing was happening. They were just blowing off some steam.

  He walked around the hedges to the front door, crossing his fingers that it was open. As he reached the front steps, flashes went off. They were out there. He clambered up the stairs and was lucky the door was unlocked. Julian was sure they got some good pictures that would sell a lot of papers.

  In another few weeks, his photo spread would be published along with a few billboards advertising Kent’s new jeans line, Zanzi. Julian hated skinny jeans, but he had to admit they looked good on him. He couldn’t wait to get them off when they finished the shoot. If this is what modeling was, he didn’t want any part of it.

  Once the magazine and billboards were published, he wouldn’t be left alone. Designer friends of Kent’s had already been asking about Julian and the name of his agent. He had no intention of following through on any more jobs. He needed to get back to Nina. The only problem was that he stupidly signed a three month contract with Kent. He was stuck unless he wanted to fight litigation.

  He should have fought for Nina and contested the divorce. It was too late. Logan had already sent the papers back to her attorney. They were probably filed and soon the divorce would be finalized. He sighed as he plopped into bed, not caring that he wet the sheets.

  “Nina, why haven’t you signed these papers yet?”

  She came into the kitchen and saw that her mother was waving the divorce papers in her hand.

  “I haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

  “The sooner you get it done, the faster you can be finished with this mess.”

  “It wasn’t a mess.”

  “Julian let you get kidnapped. He promised to protect and take care of you. He swore to me and look what happened?”

  “Mother, it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t know.”

  “When is your next therapy appointment?”

  “I didn’t make one.”

  “Why not? Dr. Ambrose said you need to get this out.”

  “What I need is for everyone to stop smothering me. I’m fine.”

  “When you scream in the night while you’re sleeping, you’re not fine.”

  Nina swiped the papers from her mother’s hand and went back to her room. She sat on her bed and ran her fingers over the generous script of Julian’s signature.

  “I love you, Julian,” she whispered.

  The papers had come back quickly and it upset her that he was ready to dismiss their marriage without much thought. He had called her several times and she ignored the calls. What was there to say? Julian didn’t love her any longer. Nina thought he would at least fight for her. Not that she would have changed her mind, but at least she would’ve known.

  The horrors Nina faced when she was held captive led her to this decision. They kept returning day after day to interrogate her. At first, she told them nothing, and then the drugging started. She would do anything and her addiction drove her to reveal things about Julian they never knew.

  They wanted to know why he had chosen Nina. What made her so special when he was so closed off? She never had an answer and the interrogations continued. That’s when a new tactic was established to get information out of her: pills. At first, her captors forced them down her throat, but eventually she needed them, counting off the minutes until her captors came and put them in her shaking hands.

  Nina would tell them anything to have them. When she revealed all she could, the pills stopped. They had made her feel good and relaxed, even calm.

  Withdrawal symptoms started wit
h pain, vomiting, sweating and still the interrogations continued. Then her savior helped her escape. He was kind to her while the others hurt her. When they whipped Nina, he soothed her wounds; when they had starved her, he gave her food even if it was only crackers.

  She didn’t know who he was and he never told her his name; she heard it from one of the enforcers. Nina never saw her captors because she was constantly blindfolded. One night, her savior drugged her with a quick needle prick, telling her to be quiet. The last thing she remembered before stumbling through the snow near the cabin was being gently pushed out of a car, blindfolded.

  The snow had been almost up to her knees in places and the thin clothing and moccasins Nina wore didn’t protect her against frostbite. By the time she dragged herself onto the porch, she was exhausted and sleepy.

  Julian found and cared for her, but she knew what she had to do. She had to end it to protect them both. In all those months she was a prisoner, she gleaned that it was supposed to be him not her.

  They had warned Nina that if she didn’t end it, it would be her end. Julian was the target and he would be captured no matter what. When she finally escaped back to her husband, Nina couldn’t tell him why they needed to break up. Her savior had told her that they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

  Check out these other books by MJ Masucci

  The Heat Series

  Spark Book 1

  Ignite Book 2

  Burn Book 3

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