Also by Britney King
Bedrock
BREAKING BEDROCK
Britney King
Breaking Bedrock
Britney King
Kindle Edition
Copyright © 2013 Britney King
This 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.
All rights reserved. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Cover Art by Sebastian Kellas of Legstore
Cover Design by Lisa Wilson of Pixel Pixie Design
Copyediting by Theresa Wegand
For the William in my life, we should all be so lucky . . .
Table of Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
One
It is my belief that love is mostly about showing up. It’s about showing up in the good times and especially in the bad. It’s about being there, showing up, and continuing to show up. If you can do these things day in and day out, no matter what life brings you, you’ll find that love is there for the taking. In time you might come to find that while it’s not in the form you may have imagined—or necessarily the way that you thought it would be—it’s there nonetheless. This is the story of one such love and how it came to be everything unimaginable and yet so much more than one could have hoped for.
Addison Greyer pulled the sweatshirt over her head, stuffed her keys and phone in the pocket, grabbed her pepper spray, and headed out for the run she so desperately needed. It was a cold, dreary morning, the kind where the cold seemed to settle in your bones until it almost hurt. Gripping the pepper spray tightly, Addie rounded her driveway, taking off in full sprint, pushing herself harder and faster than she had in some time. Although her eyes stung and her lungs burned, she knew better than to stop. Instead, she let her mind drift back and forth over the past few months as though searching for a clue, any tiny shred of evidence that may have simply been overlooked. She’d played out this scenario hundreds of times, hoping that she could find something she’d missed that, if found, would make everything clear, and suddenly, it would all make perfect sense.
It wasn’t unusual that William Hartman weighed heavily on Addison’s mind, and today was certainly no different. Unfortunately, the situation had become significantly worse over the past twenty-four hours, and no matter what she did or how she tried to keep herself busy, she couldn’t stop her thoughts from returning to the letter she’d written. Her mind played it back over and over. She remembered how she’d traced her finger around the smooth edges of her finest stationery then carefully tucked it back in the envelope. She thought about how she’d taken it out again just to run her fingers over it one final time as though maybe, just maybe, she could tuck a little bit of her love in with it while silently praying that somehow the letter’s recipient might feel it. She’d even entertained the idea that if she were to concentrate hard enough perhaps she might undo what she’d done—how quickly she’d emailed the courier and scheduled for a pick up before calling to cancel, only to finally call back and schedule once again.
Still, no matter how her heart struggled against what she’d done, her mind knew it was the right thing to do. Addison hadn’t been able to forgive herself after what would be forever dubbed “the disastrous Christmas-tree event.” It had been that night as she pressed her head to the smooth cold tile of her bathroom floor with tears streaming silently down her face that she finally understood what it was she needed to do. She realized then it was time she let him go, once and for all. She wasn’t good for him. That much was clear. Asking him to wait for her wasn’t fair. Aside from that, her life was a complete and total mess. There wasn’t room for anything else, certainly not love and all of its glorious chaos.
For starters, Scott Hammons, the madman who had kidnapped and tortured her, had been arraigned, pleading not guilty, and was out on bail. He’d somehow managed to retain counsel who was able to convince a judge to allow him a pre-trial release after agreeing to a strict no-contact order, 24/7 electronic monitoring, and posting an obscene amount of bail money. No restraining order and certainly no ankle bracelet were enough to make Addie feel safe. She’d seen what Scott Hammons was capable of, not to mention the look in his eye at the arraignment. She didn’t figure he was done with her, not by a long shot. Secondly, she was being blackmailed by her husband to stay in a marriage that they both knew deep down, whether he wanted to admit it or not, was broken beyond repair.
Not only was her life in utter turmoil at the moment but it was certainly no place to let love walk in. The next few months, at least until the preliminary hearing, were about nothing more than survival. At the thoughts of Scott Hammons and survival, Addie pushed harder, feeling each step as her feet pounded the payment. The faster she ran, the more the words she’d written played out in her mind, words that would never, could never, be enough.
Panting hard and slightly dizzy, Addison was trying to recall whether she’d eaten anything that morning when a sudden movement up ahead caught her eye, causing her to stop abruptly in her tracks. After focusing in and realizing she recognized the car, Addie sighed and braced herself, knowing exactly what was waiting for her down the road.
William Hartman turned the unassuming envelope over in his hands, considering the weight of it. No one sent letters like this anymore, and this one seemed to scream class. He didn’t open his own mail, and whoever had sent this understood that, which meant that there could only be a few people who knew how to deliver something to him in this manner.
Opening it, he admired the stationery, realizing exactly whom it was from and what it would say. William sank back it his chair, ran his fingers through his jet-black hair, and proceeded to take it all in.
Dear William,
I’ve wanted so many times to call over the past week, but with the trial coming up, the attorneys have instructed me not have any contact with you. In addition, it’s very plausible that you have no interest in hearing from me today or any other day for that matter. But I want to tell you that I’m sorry, William. I am so very sorry for so many things. I’m sorry for making the decisions that I did, I’m sorry for dragging you into the chaos that is my life, I’m sorry that you saw what you did the other night in the park, and I will be forever sorry that I didn’t have the strength in that moment to do and say all the things I should have. The one thing I’m not sorry for is falling in love with you. I want you to know that I would give just about anything to be where you are, to be in a different time and a different place. And I want you to know, for what it’s worth, that I would give it all if it would mean that I could take back the way things turned out in the park the other night. But I can’t. And the truth is what happened has
given me the clarity to understand what I need to do from here.
I need to move forward with my life, William. I need to move forward with the way things really are, the way they currently stand, not how I wish they were. I have to beat Scott Hammons in this trial. I need to prove to him and everyone else that what he did to me was real, that I’m not what they’re going to say I am, William. I need my kids to be safe and secure and know that their mother loves them and would do ANYTHING for them. For the time being that means I need to stay in my marriage, and for what it’s worth, I can’t very well do that with one foot out the door. And most importantly, I cannot do that and be hopelessly in love with you.
I have to let go for good this time. The irony here is that it’s fairly likely that you already have and that I really don’t have to say any of this at all. Honestly, if we’re facing facts here, it appears that we’ve both let go. But so long as neither of says it out loud, it can’t be real, can it? I guess that is why I felt I needed to say it.
Again, I’m sorry, William. I am so sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry to have been just one more person in your life who has let you down. And while I regret the aftermath, I do not, for one second, regret any of the love between us.
I hope for you the very best that life has to offer; William, and I want to thank you. Thank you for loving me. But most of all, thank you for showing me a very different kind of love than I’d ever known before.
A world of love,
Addison
William meticulously placed the note back in its envelope. He’d been right about one thing. It was classy; that was for sure. Suddenly needing to let off steam, he laced his Nikes and headed downstairs to the gym but not before placing a phone call that could no longer be delayed. Apparently, Addison Greyer had forgotten whom she was dealing with. Too bad for her, William Hartman had just decided he was finished playing nice. This time he wasn’t fighting fair.
Two
Addison walked slowly towards the woman who had once been her boss. Leaning against the car driven by a driver Addison didn’t recognize, Sondra Sheehan was dressed to the nines just as she always had. It seemed motherhood hadn’t slowed her down in the least. Addie stopped a good five feet away and just stared. It’s better to play dumb.
“What in the hell has gotten into you, Addison? You don’t return my calls, you don’t answer your email, and, quite frankly, you look like shit. It really doesn’t surprise me that I had to drive all the way over to this godforsaken place, this suburban hellhole. Please explain it to me. Why is it too much to ask for some simple decency?” Sondra tilted her head and crossed her arms.
Addison slid her sweaty hands down her black compression workout pants before straightening up and meeting Sondra’s gaze. “Well, hello to you too.”
“This isn’t a joke. We need to talk, Addison.”
Addison turned and walked towards her house. “Who’s joking?”
Sondra’s heels clicked on the walkway as she tried to keep up. “I need you to listen to me, and I mean really listen.”
Addie closed the door behind them and leaned back against the wall, folding her arms. The dizzy feeling hadn’t quite subsided. “You’re here, aren’t you?” she said, gesturing towards the living room.
Sondra sighed. “Look, Addison, I need you to come back to work. The firm needs you. The clients love you, and, quite frankly, we’ve had a few who have bailed on us in your absence.”
“Bullshit.” Addison said, a wry smile playing across her face.
Sondra shifted. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t buy it. Sure, maybe you want me to come back. I just don’t buy your reasoning; that’s all.”
Sondra smirked. “You know, Mrs. Greyer, there’s a reason I’ve always liked you.”
Addison didn’t respond but instead plopped down on the sofa, sat back, and waited for what she knew was coming.
“You have a keen eye for detail, and I can certainly appreciate that. The truth is the firm does need you and the clients do love you. But what I really need is for William Hartman to see that you’re back.”
Bingo.
“Addison, he’s threatening to shut us down. We both know he’s not pleased with me. After everything that happened, well, I think if he could see that you’ve forgiven me and that you are willing to give me another shot, then perhaps he would too.”
Addie sighed. “I have forgiven you.”
“Have you, though?” Sondra questioned as she perched herself on the armrest of an oversized chair.
“Yes, I have.”
“Well, then, what other reason could there be for you not coming back to the agency? Look, I’m not asking you to work for me as a Domme. I understand that ship has sailed. But the agency, it does need you. And forgive me, but I think you need it a little too.”
Damn it. That woman always knew exactly how to hook her. “Fine. I’ll come back. Give me a week to sort things out here, and I want a new contract—with shorter hours and more pay.” Addie allowed the words to slip right off of her tongue, knowing she shouldn’t be agreeing to what she was agreeing to, not in a million years.
But Sondra Sheehan had been right about one thing. Addison did need it. The trouble was she couldn’t discern just which it she was referring to.
William gestured towards his cell and stepped out of the meeting upon seeing the number on the display.
Clearing his throat, he answered. “Well?”
“You’ve won, William, all right? She agreed to come back, but I swear if you ever blackmail me again it will be the end of any kind of relationship we have.”
“Just like that?” William grinned from ear to ear. Obviously, he’d underestimated Sondra.
“No, of course not ‘just like that.’ The pain in the ass had a list of demands, which I fully expect Hartman Industries will meet. What I mean to say is this is going to be your budgeting issue, not ours.”
“I don’t see that being a problem, but seriously? She agreed? I assume that you left my name out of it as per my request, right, Sondra?”
Sondra rolled her eyes, toying with her bun. “Don’t flatter yourself so much, Mr. Hartman. I have real business matters to attend to now, so if you’ll excuse me . . .”
William tugged at his tie and stared at his shoes, cutting her off. “Nice work. See you at six.”
“Don’t test me, William. As you know, trust is at the heart of every relationship. I advise you not to taint ours. Clearly, I must be missing something. I just don’t see what’s so important about this girl, but I may have to ask that you enlighten me during our session. Is that what you want, Mr. Hartman?”
William smiled. “Whatever it takes.”
Three
Addie grabbed for the door in a hurry, trying to beat the downpour she knew was coming. Stopping just inside the door of the coffee shop, she shook the mist from her dress and took it all in. She loved the hustle and bustle of the crowd, the laughter and the whispers, but most of all Addie loved the variety of aromas. This particular coffee shop felt like home to her. It was where she and her best friend Jessica had met weekly every Monday morning since college. In the early days, it was just for a quick cup and a few words here and there on Addie’s way to work and after Jess had finished her morning workout, but as time went on and babies came, they’d each wheel in their strollers and sometimes sit for hours in between their kids’ nap and snack schedules. There were many weeks where that Monday coffee date was one of the few things Addie looked forward to, but not today.
Addie noticed Jess first sitting in the corner in what they’d dubbed “their spot.” Staring out the window as though searching for something, Jessica looked more beautiful than ever. While Addison’s life was falling apart, Jessica’s seemed better than ever. This had undoubtedly taken a toll on their friendship, even if it was an unspoken one. The only person harder on Addison than she was herself was Jess. Addie always loved this about their relationship, the fact that Jessica pushed her to be better. She nev
er let Addie off the hook, but her advice was always delivered with love, until their last conversation several months ago in her hospital room. It’s now or never. Drawing in a deep breath, Addie let it out slowly and walked over to the table.
“Jess.” Addie whispered.
Looking up, Jess smiled as Addison gripped her tightly and pulled back a bit, noticing how good her friend looked. All at once realized just how much she’d missed her.
“Here. I ordered for you.” Jess said, pushing the cup across the table.
Addie lifted the hot cup as though to say cheers. “Thank you.”
“Look, Addison, I apologize for everything I said. It wasn’t my place, and I realize that.”
Addie smirked. “Oh well, when has that ever stopped you before?”
“Addison, I’m serious. Just let me speak. I need to say this. I’m sorry for how hard I came down on you before. It’s just . . . It’s just that I realized that I almost lost you, that we all almost lost you. I do stand by the fact that you made some very, VERY stupid choices, but I shouldn’t have allowed my anger, really my fear, to get in the way of being there for you. And for that I’m sorry.”
Addie took a long sip, letting the smooth hot liquid run down her throat. “I know, Jess. But everything you said was true. I let you down. I let a lot of people down.” Feeling the tears well up, Addie stopped herself.
Always one to know the right thing to say, Jess changed the subject. “How are the boys?”
“They’re good. Thankfully, they really don’t seem to notice anything is out of the ordinary.
“And Patrick?”
“Patrick is, uh, you know, Patrick.”
“Addison?”
“Yeah?”
Jess leaned in close, crossing her arms on the table. “This is me you’re talking to. Tell me everything, and start from the beginning. Why did you sleep with him? How did it start? And most importantly, why in the hell did you keep it all from me? I feel like I don’t even know you.”
Breaking Bedrock (Book Two) Page 1