Web Of Lies (The Lies Trilogy Book 1)

by J. G. Sumner

  “How can I possibly do this when I told you I wanted a divorce this morning? Our lives have gone in a direction I never expected. One incident of making love isn’t going to change things between us. We have to figure out what we’re going to do. We need to have the serious conversations about what we’re going to do with the kids, house, assets, and us.”

  “Trent, I don’t want any of that. I want you and our family. You and these kids mean more to me than anything in the world. The rest of it can all go to hell for all I care. This is what makes me happy. I can’t do any of this without you.”

  “You’ve been doing this without me for months, Parker. You’ve made your social events your priority, not our family. I certainly haven’t been on that list for a very long time.”

  Tears stream down Parker’s cheeks. “I know. It’s my fault. I realize that I’ve been a horrible wife. You deserve better. I’ve realigned my priorities. You’re all I want. I don’t care about the other stuff. I want to commit my world to you. Please, Trent, let’s go away on that trip. Let’s reconnect and find ourselves again. Let’s show our children we’re a united front.”

  What kind of father would I be if I deny her request? Have I given this marriage and my family everything I have? The answer is no. I’ve been with Parker so long and our children, well…they deserve me putting them first and trying my hardest.

  “Fine.” Despite everything, I’m listening to Jonathon again.

  “Fine? Does that mean you’ll give us another try?”

  “Yes. I’ll commit to it for a month. We can reevaluate after that.”

  Parker runs into my arms. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  I’m trying not to think about how Beth is going to react when I tell her my decision. I’m in a no win situation. Either way, I break someone’s heart. Part of me wishes that Parker wanted a divorce too. The other is excited to see if we can save our marriage and see where it goes.

  Parker takes my hand and pulls me out of the office, up the stairs, and into our bedroom. I pause at the doorway, knowing that if I take this step I can’t look back. I’m recommitting myself to my wife. Is this something I want or is it some obligation? I guess it doesn’t matter. My children are the most important thing in my life and I’ve known that since they were born. My father has only made me more aware of this fact when he informed me that I need to protect them from the Edwards family.

  It’s an out of body experience watching my body follow Parker into the room. She slowly begins to undress me. I don’t fight her. Instead, I shut down all of my feelings, desire, and turn into a machine void of any emotion. I give Parker what she wants and allow her feel as though we’re moving in the same direction. As though we’re on parallel planes. What choice do I have if I’m going to protect my boys?

  Chapter 23

  Beth

  It’s been a month since we were in the Caymans. I’ve only seen Trent a handful of times. He told me he was going to move out when he got back home. That hasn’t happened, nor does he appear anywhere close to it. I wonder if he’s playing me. Does he only want me for his toy because Parker doesn’t put out? How could I be so stupid to think he actually loves me? How could I think he would leave his perfect wife for me?

  What’s worse is that Parker hasn’t had me over to babysit except for a couple of times. My income went from pretty awesome to flat lining. Fortunately, I had some money in my savings. However, if I don’t start getting some work here soon, I’m going to have to look for employment elsewhere.

  To make things even worse, my birthday is in a couple of days. I have no plans to celebrate and it seems as if Trent has forgotten all about it. I’m a moody hot mess right now. I hate feeling this way. I’ve never been one to feel sorry for myself. Even though the Caymans trip was under strange circumstances, it was still the best time of my life. I wanted it to last forever. After Trent gave me that necklace, I thought it would.

  Since Jonathon Davis’ fake funeral, I haven’t heard a damn thing from Trent. Not a fucking word. It’s as if he’s disappeared. I’m the only other one who knows the secret about his father. You’d think he’d pay me a little more respect. Yet the last thing I heard was that he need to get away to think about things. He also mentioned that people were watching him and bugging his offices. I know leaving his family is a hard decision, and whatever is going on with his dad must be more than I could ever imagine. Still, he could find a way to reach out to me. He could let me know that I’m still a priority. Instead, I feel abandoned and used.

  I knew the risks of getting involved with a married man. I guess at the time I didn’t care. All I cared about was the attraction I had for him and that he shared for me. If there is one thing I know about Trent, it’s that he’s a family man. He loves his kids more than anything in the world. If I took the time to think about it, I would have known he’d pick them over me any day of the week.

  I take a sip of coffee. I’ve been sitting in the same shop that Trent and I frequented months ago. It’s down the street from his work and I keep hoping by some miracle he’ll pop in and I’ll get the chance to see and talk to him. So far, no such luck. I’ve been here every day for the last two weeks.

  Now that school is out, I don’t have much else to do besides think about him. I’m not working, I don’t care to hang out with my friends. All I have is this obsessive need to be with Trent, to feel his hands on my body, to be coveted in his warm embrace. Instead, I’m alone.

  I’m finishing off the last of my drink when someone slides into the seat across from me. He looks familiar, yet I can’t place him. “Excuse, me. I’m not quite ready to leave yet.”

  “That’s okay. I’m here to talk with you.”

  The hairs on my arms and back of the neck rise in alert. The churning of my stomach tells me there’s something not quite right here. “I’m sorry. You must have the wrong person. I don’t know who you are.”

  “That’s pretty interesting since I know exactly who you are. How about you go get a refill and we’ll talk.”

  I grab my purse off the back of the chair and stand up to leave. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  As I go to walk away, he tugs on my arm. “I suggest you sit down. We have a common interest that needs to be discussed.”

  The man’s crystal blue eyes are probing, his blond hair neatly styled. His chiseled jaw makes him attractive, but there is something about him. I just can’t place it. His expression indicates he’s not messing around. I sit back down.

  “I know about you and Trent.”

  My breath gets stuck in my chest. Who is this guy and how does he know anything? “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure you do. You nanny for him. You’re there almost every day. I know what’s going on. It isn’t as simple as watching their kids. There’s something more. I can see it in your eyes. You’ve fallen in love with him.”

  I’m not sure if I’m that transparent or if he does know about us. Either way, I don’t have a clue as to who this guy is. There’s not a chance in hell I’m divulging any information about my personal life to him.

  “You’re right, I am the Davis’ nanny, but I’m not in love with Mr. Davis. In fact, I haven’t even been working for them in a couple of weeks.”

  “That’s why you’re here every day. You’re hoping to run into him. He doesn’t answer your messages or calls anymore. You’re unhappy with the way things ended. You want to have the final say. I can give that to you.”

  I lean in close as to not attract attention. “Look, I don’t know who you are or what your deal is, but I have no interest in discussing my employer with you. If you have an issue with the Davis’ you should take it up with them.”

  I stand to leave and he grabs my arm again. “You were at the bank in New York with him.”

  My stomach turns harder, causing me to want to vomit. How does he know this? Worse yet, what does he want? Surely he didn’t come here for nothing. “I don’t know
what you’re talking about.”

  The man produces a picture from his pocket. I glance at it. Sure enough, it’s an image of me and Trent moving from the cab into the town car. Even though I have sunglasses on, it’s unmistakable that the woman is me. “Where did you get this?”

  He leans back in his seat with a smug look on his face. “Uh, uh. First you tell me why you were there.”

  “I don’t know who you are and I don’t think it’s in my job description to answer your inquiries into Mr. Davis’s personal life. If you have a question about this picture then you should probably go ask him yourself.” I’m talking like I’m strong, but inside, I’m shaking like a leaf. This is seriously one of the most frightening things in my life. I wonder if these are the same people Trent’s dad was running from.

  “I would if he were around, but it seems he took an extended vacation with his family to a very remote island. How does that make you feel that Trent is rekindling his relationship with his wife? Are you jealous? Or are you mad enough that you want to start talking?”

  I swallow hard. The words sting. I had no idea Trent and Parker left. He never said a damn thing to me. Now more than ever I want answers. What was I to him that weekend? Some cheap fling? I thought there was something more between us. I thought he wanted to be with me.

  The man laughs cruelly. “It seems I struck a nerve.”

  “I think it’s great that they are spending some quality time together,” I say. “Both of them have been working very hard and the boys are probably very excited to be on vacation with them.”

  I try my best to sound sincere, although all I want to do is run out of this coffee shop, bury my head in a pillow, and cry my heart out. I try to remember the things Trent told me about his dad and that there were things going on that he couldn’t explain. Maybe this is one of them. Maybe I should just have faith in him.

  “I’m sorry if I was unable to give you the answers to your questions, but I must go.”

  “Did you sleep with him?”

  I’d love to go off on this guy, but I think he’s looking for some sort of response out of me. I walk away briskly before he can grab me again, and leave the coffee shop. I get in my car and head back to the safety of my home.

  Along the way, I replay the conversation in my head. Who was that man, and what did he want? It seems he was just trying to get dirt on Trent, but why? And how did he get that picture of us at the bank? I run inside straight to my bedroom and dig in my purse for my cell phone. I text Trent to let him know what just happened. Even if he doesn’t respond, I can feel comforted in knowing that I gave him a heads up.

  Me: Mr. Davis, a man came up to me today and was asking about you. He has a picture of us at the bank.

  Not knowing who is reading his text, I try to sound professional and not provide too many details. It hits me that I’m now starting to sound paranoid. Who would want anything to do with me? I’m a high school student for crying out loud.

  I wait a few minutes with no response before putting my phone down. I don’t know where he is or what time of day it is there, or if he’s even going to text me back. I feel marginally deflated, having hoped my text would illicit some sort of response.

  A chill comes over me. The thought of that man tracking me down and finding out where I live is unsettling. I check all the doors and windows to ensure they’re locked. My mom won’t be home until late tonight. I will be here alone with no one to help me if he comes looking for me. I think about calling a friend to stay with, but laugh at myself.

  You’re just overreacting. Nothing is going to happen.

  I haven’t eaten anything all day and I’m famished, not to mention a little jittery from all the coffee I drank earlier. I place some leftover spaghetti in the microwave and go back to my room to grab my iPhone so I can play some music.

  I glance at the screen and notice a couple of texts from Trent. My heart warms instantly. He does care about me.

  Trent: What did he look like? Are you okay?

  Me: Blond hair, blue eyes, well dressed, and menacing. I’m a little rattled but overall okay.

  He responds back immediately.

  Trent: It sounds like he might be Parker’s brother. Stay away from him and don’t offer any information.

  Now that Trent mentions it, the man did slightly resemble Parker. But he also kind of looks like Trent.

  Me: What does he want?

  Trent: I don’t know.

  I hesitate before typing in the next words. I don’t know that I want to hear the answer so I don’t ask the question. I leave it open ended.

  Me: He told me you took a family vacation.

  Trent: Yes, I’ll explain when I get back. In the meantime, stay safe and let me know if anything else happens. I can’t imagine that Porter will do anything else. I think he’s just trying to scare you.

  Me: Okay.

  I’m not sure what else to say. Trent is on vacation with his wife. What’s there to explain? My heart grows heavy with the knowledge that he is pushing me aside. I was only a temporary fling.

  My phone dings with another text.

  Trent: Happy Birthday. There should be something arriving for you tomorrow.

  So many mixed signals he sends. While his life is complicated right now and I get that, I’d like to know what is going on and where I stand. Clearly I must mean a little to him or he wouldn’t send a birthday present. Perhaps it’s impersonal though, something he’d send to any of his employees. Either way, I’m excited to see it. Maybe it will be some sort of insight as to how he’s feeling about me.

  I know part of Trent’s struggle is my age. This could completely tarnish his reputation and probably destroy his business. I don’t want that for him. I pull the spaghetti out of the microwave and eat while thinking about our options. I’ll be eighteen soon. Our relationship won’t be such a scandal as long as no one is aware that it started when I was sixteen. We’ve kept it well hidden until recently. Everything should be okay. Now I have to find a job that supports me. I can’t let Trent support me. I want to be independent and prove that I’m more than just a young woman still in school. I want him to respect and be proud of the woman on his arm. There’s so much to think about as I sit here with a laptop in a quiet house. I’m alone. I don’t care for this feeling, but I’m okay with it. I’ve always been okay with being by myself. Yet the thought of sharing my life with the man I love sends me over the moon.

  Everything about Trent sends joy. I just wish he were in this country so I could figure out what’s going on with him. His father certainly threw a hiccup into our relationship. However, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten those wonderful days in the Caymans and I wouldn’t be wearing this top of the line wardrobe. He made me feel like a princess that weekend. It’s something I will never forget and I’ll certainly never settle for anything less.

  My phone dings with another text message. I snatch it up, hoping it’s from Trent. Instead, it’s a five digit number. Nothing I can call back to.

  I know the two of you have slept together and I’m going to prove it. Say goodbye to Trent.

  I drop the phone fearfully. Who is sending this message and how did they get my phone number? How do they know about us?

  I think about answering back but I don’t want to say or do anything that would incriminate Trent. I think about texting Trent, but I’m afraid my phone is being monitored. Is this why his father got him the burner phone? I don’t know. What I do know is I’m living in fear. I don’t want to use my phone, and I certainly don’t want to leave this house. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I guess the only reassuring thing is this person seems to be going after Trent and not me.

  I bury my head in my hands, trying to figure out what I should do. This is all too much to handle. As much as I like to think of myself as a mature adult, I feel like a six year-old kid again. I just want someone to hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay.

  I crawl into my bed and bury myself unde
r the pillows and blankets, sheltering myself from the world around me, hoping against all odds that when I wake up, all this will be gone.

  Chapter 24

  Trent

  I woke up with Parker in my arms this morning. As pleasurable as it was, I couldn’t help but wish it was Beth. I missed her eighteenth birthday. I wanted nothing more than to see the look on her face when she opened the box. Keys and the deed to her own little house. It’s nothing big. In fact it’s quaint. But she owns it. She doesn’t have to pay rent or worry about anything. Her mom can live there with her if she wants her to. I paid cash for the property so it can’t be traced back to me. It’s Beth’s, and only hers. What I hope is that it can be a place for us to connect and be together privately. I fantasize about spending afternoons with her in bed. Instead, I’m lying in bed with Parker.

  I hadn’t planned on bringing her to this island, but I wanted to get my children out of the country, take them somewhere I felt they would be safe. I knew that Parker wouldn’t let me take them without her, so I gave in and brought her on the vacation she’s been asking for. Needless to say, she’s taken it as I want to rekindle our relationship. One thing I know for sure, I’m past that. However, something is keeping me from pulling the trigger. Mainly my children. I’m still uncertain of the dangers that surround us, and until I figure out what they are, I can’t move forward. If only I had a chance to share that with Beth, but alas, I have not.

  Every morning I run up and down the beach, trying to come up with a plan to stop Porter and Edward from whatever they’re planning. I think about the possible mob connection and how that could impact me. I’m no closer to coming up with anything.