DECEPTION - A Family Affair

by Michele Lee

  Deception - [dih-sep-shuhn] - the act of deceiving or the state of being deceived

  Deception can be cruel – Deception can burn you–

  but when it becomes a family affair it can shred apart your very heart and soul....

  DECEPTION

  By Michele Lee

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Published by Love Lee Books

  Copyright © 2013 by Michele Lee

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Dedication

  Notes from the author

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Epilogue

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my husband the true love of my life.

  Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to accomplish my dreams.

  I thank God every day for having you in my life.

  You are my rock… You are my true soul mate…

  My Heart Belongs To YOU…

  I Love You to Infinity and beyond and beyond and beyond …

  Note from the author

  I have always wanted to write a book but life always got in the way. I’m not an English major but I love to tell a good story. I’m in love with all aspects of love… The tragedies, the sacrifices, the struggles but in the end love conquers all….

  DECEPTION is my very first novel and I hope everyone enjoys it. Marco and Marisol are two strong Hispanic characters who overcome all levels of deception from both sides of their families. They strive to not only better themselves but those around them. Marisol’s heart is pure and she will not let the evilness surrounding her change who she is. She may be a victim of deception but she is my true heroine…

  I would to thank my three children Ajay, Desiree and Justin for understanding my dream to write. I hope you are inspired that dreams do happen and never give up on your true passion in life. I love you guys….

  I would also like to thank my family members who believed in me and cheered me on… I am blessed to have every one of you in my life and a special shout out to mom for taking the time to read my draft.

  Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and let me know what you think. I can’t thank you enough for purchasing my novel…

  Stay tuned for my next book - updates will be posted on my Facebook and Twitter.

  https://www.facebook.com/Michele.Lee.Romance

  https://twitter.com/loveleebooks

  Prologue

  Marisol couldn’t escape the feeling of dread within her bones. She considered her gift of premonition a wicked curse at times. Gazing out the kitchen window holding the phone to her ear as darkness engulfed the skies and the full moon glared victoriously while battling the storm clouds demanding to be seen. Half listening to the other end of the phone, Marisol’s ears were maxed to capacity with Nate chastising her causing major jitters through her mainstream. “Yes Nate, I promise I will tell him tonight. We plan to meet up at the old red shed behind the tobacco field.” Marisol said as she started to pace back and forth in the ancient kitchen twisting the phone cord around her fingers. She had just come back from her grandfather’s barn where she fed the horses and brushed them down. Spending time with the horses was her escape from her reality at home. When she rode them it felt like borrowed freedom; taking her mind to places of comfort and excitement all at the same time.

  “I don’t know why you waited as long as you have.” Nate replied; his tone expressed his disapproval. Nate has been her best friend since kindergarten and they always had each other’s back no matter what the situation called for.

  “You know exactly why. I don’t want obligation to dictate Marco’s decision about school. Since graduation he has been on the fence about going away to school or taking a year off to work at their family auto shop and I don’t want my pregnancy to be his crutch that holds him back. He has a full ride to ECU and he should go. He’ll only resent me and the baby if his plans fail. It will be the old typical tragedy made into a sad country ballad. I can’t afford any more tragedy in my life. At least the baby is due in February and I will have enough credits to graduate by December.”

  “Look Marisol, it takes two to tangle so you cannot put the entire responsibility on yourself. We both know Marco loves you. It will all work out in the long run, I’m sure. What I do fear is your father’s wrath more than anything.” Nate knew once her father William Braxton Jr., finds out all hell is going to break loose and that raises his concern. “With that said, when do you plan to tell your dear old dad?”

  Marisol started to bite her bottom lip and stared up at the ugly wall hangings meeting the glares from the Country Roosters made of plaster then added, “Well, my plan isn’t a genius one but I will wait until my first trimester is over which buys me some time. He’s way too unpredictable and I won’t chance it, ever since my mom died he hasn’t shed an ounce of kindness towards me.” Shaking her head, “No, no he will be the last to know as far as I am concerned, hopefully Marco will have some kind of plan. I will let you know how it goes down tonight; he said he has something important to share with me. Would you know what that something is?” She asked with hopefulness in her voice.

  “Well I can’t blame you. I’m worried, most parents just get mad and then they get over it but your dad is insane some people in town even call him Satan. Just remember I’m always here for you and love you so please be careful. And no my love Marco hasn’t mentioned anything out of the norm. Let’s try to catch up in the morning I want details.”

  “Okay will do. I know I can always count on you, Nate. You’re my bestest friend until death do us part.” She giggled as she remembered years back the three of them Nate, Marco and herself declaring those words as they combined their bloody fingers as a pack in the very same red shed where she was meeting Marco at tonight. It has always been the three of them one adventure after another. It made her think about the “Big T” she didn’t know how she will survive once they sold it. All her childhood memories were spent on that land. The Tobacco farm was located in the outskirts of Raleigh, North Carolina. Her grandfather William Braxton Sr., was already in his mid-70’s and it was well pass his time to sell, ever since her grandmother passed away last year her grandfather gave up his zest for life and the evidence showed on the land.

  The house where Marisol and her father lived was across from the tobacco farm on its own parcel and the deed was finally signed over to her father as a gift from his parents after her mom died. William Braxton Sr. is a shrewd man who controlled and manipulated his wife and even now continues to do so with his only son. He never approved of his son’s marriage to Valencia the Mexican harlot as he would say. William Jr. could never be good enough and he grew up to be a spiteful mean spirited man because of his lack of worthiness from his old man. He used his aggression behind his law enforcement badge and was feared by many. He had no interest in the farm and in fact despised everything about it
. The farm workers even stayed clear of him knowing what he was capable of.

  After Marisol hung up the phone, she went outside still wearing her overalls and inhaled the sweet smell of the tobacco as she marched across the wet road towards the fields. At least the rain had finally let up since Marco should be here shortly she thought. Moments like this made her miss her mother more than ever. Her tears began to stream down her face wishing she was still alive. She knew Marco loved her and hoped this blessing will be the beginning of a new life for them although she was not able to shake off this feeling of doom and it scared her senseless.

  ****♥****

  On route 64 in the late hours of the night Marco sat in uncomfortable silence. Even with no street lights the wet road glistened from the brightness of the full moon. All evidence of a storm had abandoned the skies above replaced with the darkest blue Marco ever seen. In the passenger seat which had seen better days he glanced over at his father who everyone calls Freddie, a nick name for Wilfred. He seemed preoccupied with his thoughts and was too quiet tonight which is out of character for him. Those who knew him loved him for his giving nature, good humor and always the laugh of the party. He stood over six feet tall and towered over most of his family and friends, a trait that was also inherited by his sons. Although, traces of hard work revealed itself within his eyes and hands; his appearance was still robust and virile as ever. Marco on the other hand looked like a specimen of perfection; some may even call him beautiful instead of handsome. He may have inherited his father’s natural well-built physique but his rare turquoise colored eyes came from his grandmother’s genes. The contrast of his slanted eyes with his olive skin and jet black wavy hair made him exotic-looking - clearly a work of art.

  Marco known his father had one too many beers at dinner and should offer to take over the wheel. Freddie merely focused on the road as he steered his beat up work van. The old van was used not only for the auto shop he owned in town but for his occasional escapades to transport illegal Mexican immigrants to places that were arranged for temporary or permanent living quarters. These destinations varied between different counties to avoid suspicion. He has been a participant of this smuggling operation before Marco was even born but of late he only assisted once they made it over the border. The family understood the high risk involved but the importance and dedication of the cause outweighed the risk. The force behind his motivation was never about the payout, he knows firsthand the fate for these Mexican folks who take flight to come to the U.S. They are willing to risk their lives to escape severe poverty, hunger and hopelessness; to gain an opportunity here is a dream they visualize at all costs. Marco knew his parents took that plunge 20 years ago themselves and if they had lacked the courage to flee who knew how his life would have ended up. At least they acted responsible enough to go through the excruciating legal process to become legal residents.

  Anxiety crept up on Marco; he managed to ask with concern; “Pop, are you ok? You should let me drive to give yourself a break. You look like something is bothering you, did something happen back at the complex?” He hung his head low with anticipation; he had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach a premonition of some sort; something bad was upon them. He hated when he had these feelings. It was a trait that he and Marisol shared and often talked about.

  Marco and Freddie had gone earlier in the day to pick up a family of five from the outskirts of Charlotte. They had stayed in a residence with a guy Marco never seen before. The place was a shack literally in the middle of nowhere. It was shabby and eerie the kind of place you see in a horror flick like the Chainsaw Massacre which spooked him out a bit. As planned, they transported the family to an apartment complex in Silo City. The family didn’t seem to mind being cramped up like sardines surrounded by tools in the back of the van for the three hour trip. Listening in as their whispers traveled within Marco’s hearing range; he found out about the one bedroom apartment waiting for them and a job lined up for the father. One would think a mansion was bestowed to them as pure joy sang through their whispers.

  Once they arrived to the apartment complex Freddie helped them out of the van along with their few belongings. It was incredible the amount of gratitude pouring from their expressions as his father shook their hands when they arrived to their destination. They were led inside the old three story complex building by a Hispanic woman on the heavy side wearing a floral house coat the kind with the snaps lined up in front, she met them by the entranceway while Marco waited in the van. He gazed at the woman through the side view mirror, she looked liked the stereotype figure of a grandmother who bakes cookies and spoils her grandchildren with good cooking. Maybe it was his stomach that did the thinking since it grumbled and reminded him the gage of hunger had surpassed and now shifted to starvation. His father quickly returned and headed back on the road without so much of a word. Freddie never shared the details with his family on any of these missions for precaution purposes so they never badgered him with questions. By the time they had stopped to eat, the timing could not have been more perfect, the skies finally decided to open up and let out a downpour of crystal clear raindrops as they entered into the local diner. Inside they were led to their booth by a chatty waitress who acted like she knew them all her life and expected them to arrive that very moment. Once they ordered from the sticky menu covered with a combination of syrup and dried up ketchup; Marco looked around and noticed the western décor. He glanced at the upholstery of the booth; it was covered with a scene of cowboys and horses. He felt more like the missing Indian that was left out of the scene instead of the roaring cowboy. Similar to the Indians defending their land he was constantly defending his love for Marisol with his dad. He raised his head and looked pensively at his father, their conversations were minimal and they stuck to safe topics until the food arrived. They have been arguing a lot since Marco’s High School graduation that took place a month ago. His father wanted him to go to college, Marco on the other hand wanted to work at the family auto shop and take a year off from school. He was good with his hands and loved fixing and building things from scratch. He could take a part any engine and put it back together like new. They both avoided the topic all day; he was going to share his plans with Marisol tonight. He wanted to take a year to save money and wait for her to graduate. While Marco demolished his food, Freddie just picked at his plate as he ordered one beer after another. The greasy burgers were juicy and quite delicious enticing Marco to savor every bite as he licked his fingers clean. Once Freddie paid the bill and finally got the waitress to stop talking they anxiously headed home once again.

  Freddie turned to look at his son as he shook his head back and forth with a tired grin and answered him. “No son, nothing out of the ordinary and I’m okay to drive.” He paused and looked on the road ahead before adding, “You know when a man gets to be my age you begin to see things differently. You start to question all the events in your life and think what you could have done differently, you know? If you had the chance to go back knowing what you know now life could be so much better. Just remember one thing and promise me this, whatever decisions you make from this point on think them through so you can live life with no regrets.” He let out a deep sigh. “A man with regrets is a man with heavy shoulders.” Marco never saw him look so tormented. Before he had the opportunity to ask him to elaborate on what those regrets might be, the sirens lit up the rear windows of the truck. He suddenly felt that bad vibe again and his body started to shudder, his heartbeat began to race and the fear took his body hostage because his premonitions never let him down.

  Officer William Braxton with his burly 220 pound body slowly approached the driver side window holding his flash light with a look of pure arrogance. One would think a man of his age would have toned down his temper by now but in his case it only made him fiercer. He raised and pointed the flash light directly into Freddie’s eyes. “What do we have here? Do I smell alcohol?” as he poked his head in and took a better whiff he cringed, “Oh ton
ight I see you preferred cheap beer. Here I thought you would rather have tequila with your latest group of illegal amigos.” He stared Freddie down with his face only an inch away from his, an intimidation tactic he constantly used. Freddie appeared in total control and tucked away all the annoyance he felt.

  He then lifted the flash light over to Marco and saw the uneasiness on his face and looked pleased by it. Marco gave a polite nervous smile as he muttered “Hello Mr.…. I mean Officer Braxton, I’m… I’m sorry if we inconvenienced you; if you could give us a break this one time we would be happy to be on our way home, sir.”

  Officer Braxton gave a disgruntled look and replied shaking his head in a negative response. “Boy, you know I can’t do that? You think just because you know me and hang around my daughter gives your family the right to break the law?” He shifted his stance as his chest protruded then flashed the light back and forth first to Freddie and then Marco playing a game of scare tactics. With squinted eyes he declared “No way, no how!” Marco now in shock of his attitude towards them, Officer Braxton was no stranger to them. Marco’s family has known his daughter since birth and she was the love of Marco’s life the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Officer Braxton’s wife Valencia had been a longtime family friend; their families were from the same home town back in Mexico and allies for four generations. Freddie had helped her flee Mexico, they both hid between mattresses that were loaded onto a truck, talking about risking one’s life. The story was often told by both of them with laughter until that horrible day Valencia died in a tragic car accident. Marco remembered the pure sadness of the tragedy especially for Marisol and Freddie. He remembers Mr. Braxton sitting in the front of the church facing the casket like a statue with lack of feeling. He let out an aura that troubled the guests as they approached him to offer their condolences. Guests quickly left as they had entered, to avoid being a casualty of the time bomb that ticked away waiting to explode within him. Mona, Marco’s mother tried to provide him comfort to no avail she knew he needed time to heal. She too loved Valencia; she took her under her wing when she first arrived. She respected the relationship her and Freddie shared, he thought of her as a sister, she was but 15 years old when she arrived. Mona and Freddie were already married at the time and she welcomed her into their home with open arms. She lived with them until a year later when she was forced to marry William Braxton Jr. His father owned the tobacco farm “The Big T” where they were all employed at the time. He started off so smitten with her until it whirled into a raged obsession of his. He was so much older than her but she saw him as a ticket out of poverty and hard labor. The wedding was on a warm and bright day in the month of May an unforgettable event. Mona had just given birth to Marco two weeks prior when discovering Valencia was carrying William’s child causing the madden rush to the alter. The vow “for better or worse” worried Mona causing a knot in the pit of her stomach for she knew there will be a lot more worse days than better for Valencia.