by Kayla Carson
Too Good
Good Intentions Book 3
By: Kayla Carson
Acknowledgments
Editor: Kimberly Reese
Cover Photo: Canstock photo/ curaphotography
Cover Design: Kayla Carson
Copyright © 2018 by Kayla Carson
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other
electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
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Prologue
“My name is Cole Stephens, and I'm an addict. I've been clean for eighteen months now, but I'm struggling. Someone from my past has come back to haunt me, and I've been tempted to slip back into my old habits. The only reason I haven't, is because of a woman. I know it sounds cliche, but it's the truth. Getting sober was my choice, but staying sober? I do that for Harper.”
There were twenty of us sitting in the room, last week there were twenty three. The thing about NA, you lost members almost daily. Drug habits were hard to kick, and for some people, it got the better of them. I was determined not to let that happen to me. I had too much to live for now that I'd turned my life around. But before I tell you about that, you need to know what brought me here.
Two years ago, I was California's drug kingpin. It sounds a lot more glamorous than it actually was. You see, it wasn't by choice, hell it wasn't even by chance. It was all part of some convoluted plan hatched up by Vanessa Blue, my brother's former foster sister. She was the real drug kingpin, although she hid behind the rouse of a man named Robert Drake.
Vanessa blamed my brother Wes for things that happened to her, and her sister in a foster home that the three had shared. She'd done her homework, and knew I was using. She also knew that Wes was constantly bailing me out. So, she used that knowledge against me, and I was dumb enough to fall for it.
I met her in a bar one night. I was nursing my fourth or fifth beer, when this beautiful raven haired woman approached me. We got to talking, and then flirting, and the next thing I knew she was taking me down the block to her “bosses” yacht. It was bigger than any house I'd ever lived in, and I was awe struck. We were both pretty wasted, and she let it slip that her boss had an entire shipment of product below deck.
That's when I got an idea. I thought I was completely in charge. I convinced her to come below deck where it was more private, and we hooked up. She fell asleep almost immediately after, so I got dressed, and went exploring on my own. It didn't take me long to find the room where the product was being stored. Looking back now, I should have known better. There were no guards, no alarms, it was all too easy. I was too high to care, I grabbed everything I could, and hid it in my trunk over night. I thought, there was no way it could come back on me. If anything, the woman still asleep in her boss's bed would take the blame.
I owed Wes a lot of money, this was my chance to pay him back. At first, I thought I'd just unload it, collect the money, and be done, but that's not what happened. I split it up among some dealer friends, made millions, and bought a house, all within a few weeks time. I was sitting high on my throne, literally, and I had alienated everyone who loved me, including Wes.
I turned into someone that I didn't recognize, and the more Wes tried to help me, the worse it became. I called his girlfriend a whore, and even compared what I was doing to Wes' former job. Saying that I was risking my life for a better cause than he ever would. Wes was a US soldier. I just couldn't shut the cocky off. I let the money, and the power go to my head, and it wasn't until his girlfriend Zoe was kidnapped, that I finally started to listen to him.
He warned me about Vanessa as soon as he found out, but I didn't believe him. I thought he was jealous, and just like the rest of California, I thought Robert Drake was the man who ran things. No one had even heard of the name Vanessa Blue. After Wes called me frantically searching for Zoe, I looked into her. When I realized that they had shared the same foster home, I dug deeper. Using my new found resources, I realized that Wes had been telling the truth.
I gathered up my guards, and we drove as fast as we could to the address I found on Vanessa's sister Harper. When we arrived, it was to the sound of a gunshot coming from inside. Without hesitation, we stormed through the front door, and my men were able to take out all of the threats. My eyes caught Wes' for only an instant, before I tucked tail, and ran like the coward that I was. I didn't have the guts to stick around. He'd been shot in the arm, but Zoe, and her brother Jake were with him. I knew he was safe, and that he didn't need me.
A few days later, Wes came home from the hospital. Vanessa was MIA, and the guilt was eating me alive. I decided that I was going to put a wrench in Vanessa's plans. I went to the police, and I told them everything. I turned myself in, turned over all of my assets, and even the folder I'd started on Vanessa. I knew I was in deep shit, but I couldn't let that woman hurt my family again, especially when I was the one to blame.
Vanessa may have been searching for Wes for a reason, but she was only able to use me against him because I was weak enough to let her. I ended up striking a plea deal for turning Vanessa, and Robert in. I had to give up my house, and anything associated with the money I'd earned from dealing. I had nothing, and to my surprise when I walked out of the police station Wes, and Zoe were waiting for me.
After everything I'd done to him, he was still there for me, offering me a place to stay. I worked my ass off helping he, and Zoe finish Harper's House. It was a center for troubled kids that offered solace. A place where they could go when things were hairy. All of us, Wes, Zoe, her brother Jake, and his wife Evie, have all been involved with the foster system in some way or another.
The grand opening was a year ago. The more work I did there, the more I thought about it's name sake. Wes had decided to name the center after Vanessa's little sister, Harper. I found myself drawn to her, needing to know her story. I felt like I owed her something. I had been the one to put her only family in prison. Her legal guardian, the only woman who has ever been a constant in her life.
I made it a point to reach out to her. We started spending a lot of time together, and became friends. Soon, it started turning into more. I knew that I was in love with her after six months, but she had been through so much, and had experienced next to nothing. I was taking things slow with her. We'd kissed, and groped to the point of blue balls, but we hadn't taken the next step yet.
It was Christmas day, and I'd brought her with me to Wes' house to celebrate. She was welcomed with open arms. She didn't remember Wes, but it was still hard for her to be there. A part of her felt responsible for what Vanessa had done, even though we all assured here multiple times that no one blamed her. It was one of the best days she'd ever had. We were laughing on the way back to her house, joking, teasing each other. It was the most beautiful sound in the world, until she answered the phone.
Her tone of voice changed from happy, and carefree, to quiet, and monotone. A series of yeses, and I understands slipped from her lips before her trembling hand placed her phone back into her purse.
“Harper?” I asked reaching for that same hand, and giving it a little squeeze. “What is it Sweetheart?” I tried again, softer, brushing her hand with my thumb.
“Vanessa.” She whispered, as a tear fell from her eye. “She's escaped.”
I pulled the car over to the side of the road as calmly as I could muster, and the minute I put it into park she began to hyperventilate. She suffered from PTSD and severe anxiety attacks due to trauma from her childhood. Luckily, I knew h
ow to calm her down. I exited the vehicle, and ran to the passenger side unfastening her seat-belt. Crouching down in the snow, I placed my hands on either side of her face until her eyes were locked on mine.
“Look at me Sweetheart. I need you to breathe OK?” I said softly taking in deep breaths of my own, my eyes never leaving hers.
She nodded frantically, as she began matching her breathing with mine. After a few minutes, she'd calmed down enough to shiver from the cold air rushing in from outside. “Cole.” She sighed, “you're knee deep in a snow bank.”
“Don't worry about me. Are you alright?” I asked brushing a strand of her hair from her face, and tucking it behind her ear.
“I – I can't go home.” She stammered. “What if she's there? I'm not ready to see her Cole. I can't.” She rushed out, her breathing getting shallow once again.
“Hey, it's alright we'll go back to my place OK?” I asked, in a soothing tone.
“Yes.” She breathed out, the relief evident in that small word.
Fastening her back in her seat-belt, I shut the door and slid back into the drivers seat. My legs were freezing, so I cranked the heat up, and waited until it was safe to turn the car around.
Chapter 1
It had been an entire month since Harper had received the news about her sister's escape. For thirty days she'd been staying at my place, too afraid to be alone in her own empty house. It was enormous, and way too big for one person alone, but Vanessa had purchased it years ago, and placed it in Harper's name. Initially, she wanted to sell it, but it was right on the ocean, and the sound often lulled her to sleep at night. It was fully furnished, and within walking distance to the flower shop she worked at. I had been driving her to, and from work for the past month, but today when I arrived to pick her up she surprised me.
She climbed into my car, and smiled brightly. “I'm ready to go home.” She said on a contemplative sigh, before turning to face me. “I miss the ocean, and my bed, and even the sound of the seagulls in the morning. I can't keep running from my past Cole.”
“What's wrong with my bed?” I teased, reaching for her hand.
She rolled her eyes. “Cole, I'm being serious.”
“I'd feel a lot better if someone was staying with you.”
“What? Like a body guard?” She laughed nervously.
“Yes, exactly like a body guard. Sweetheart, I know you don't want to use any of the money in the account Vanessa set up for you, but you need to feel safe.”
“You make me feel safe.” She whispered, shyly.
“We both know I'm an incredibly strong, handsome guy who can handle crazy sisters any day of the week, but I'm not a professional. And, if you haven't forgotten I live half an hour away.”
“About that.” She said, with a hint of mischief in her eyes. “What would you say if I asked you to move in with me?”
“I know I'm irresistible, but damn girl we've only been together for nine months.” I teased, trying to make light of the situation. Giving her an out if she needed one.
“You're making fun of me.” She said, casting her eyes downward, the light disappearing from them. “Do you know how hard it was for me to even say the words? I was practicing all morning. The customers probably thought I was crazy, asking a bunch of roses to move in with me.” She sniffed, as a tear escaped her eye. “I'm scared Cole.”
“Fuck.” I said, just loud enough for her to hear me. “You know me, serious conversations aren't my forte. But, I promise that you have nothing to be scared of. I would never let anything happen to you.”
“It isn't just Vanessa.”
“Look at me.” I said, placing my finger under her chin. “You know you can tell me anything right?”
Letting out a deep breath, she closed her eyes, before taking another breath in. “I'm scared, because I love you.” She said softly, opening her eyes to gauge my reaction. Before I could answer, she held her small hand up. Her long blonde hair covered either side of her face, as she looked down at her feet. “Everyone who I have ever loved has left me, and I've been afraid to tell you how I feel for so long.”
“Stop doing that.” I said, lifting her chin with my finger once again. “I could stare into those baby blues all day long.” She smiled, and I couldn't help but return her smile with one of my own. “I knew I loved you six months after I met you.” I confessed, taking her hands in mine. “But, I don't want you to feel pressured because of Vanessa. If you aren't ready to live together, that's fine. Please be honest with me, and yourself Sweetheart, because all I want is for you to be safe, and happy.”
“You're my boyfriend right?”
“I am.” I laughed.
“Good. Then moving in together is the next logical step.”
“Harper-”
“I know what you're going to say, and I'm sorry. I know our relationship isn't what you're used to. But, I want you to know that I trust you.”
I'd be lying if I said not sleeping with my girlfriend didn't bother me. We shared the same bed, cuddled, made out, groped like a couple of horny teenagers, and had done everything except have sex. Normally, it would have been a deal breaker. But the connection I felt with Harper was more than that. Her past was something I had no idea how to relate to, and so when it came to intimacy, I let her pave the way. Everything was at her pace, and because I loved her, it was worth waiting.
Harper was seven years old when she wound up in the same foster home as my brother Wes. Her sister Vanessa protected her for as long as she could, but eventually Harper was dragged into the sick underground world of child prostitution. Her foster father was a real piece of work. He would raffle off nights with his “daughters” to his friends, and to keep his hands clean he forced Wes to drive the girls to the locations.
After the first time Harper was abused, Vanessa took a tire iron to the car used to transport them. When their foster father found out, he beat Vanessa within an inch of her life, it was during recovery that she heard Wes was leaving. She wrote him a note, asking him to take Harper with him, but she never got the chance to give it to him. It was the reason she went after him, and one of the reasons she was locked up. Harper didn't remember a lot from that time, but sex was something she hadn't allowed herself to enjoy.
The first time she felt turned on during one of our make out sessions, she cried herself to sleep. She was ashamed at how her body was reacting to mine, like it wasn't right. At twenty two years old, her only sexual experiences were horrible flashbacks. She used to have nightmares, and wake up screaming. The first time I'd slept over on her couch, I thought she was being attacked. I knew then, that I wanted to be the one to help her heal.
When she aged out of Polaris teen center, she moved into the house on the beach. Vanessa was scarce, only coming around to drop off groceries, or clothes. Harper became a shut in, until I started coming around. It took me a while, but eventually I got her to go outside, and then down the street. Without Vanessa around to tell her she couldn't do things, Harper began to realize that she could. I understood Vanessa's instinct to protect her sister, but she was shutting her out of her own life.
“Cole?” Harper asked, shaking me from my thoughts.
“Looks like I've got some packing to do.” I said, with a grin.
“Really!?” She asked excitedly, practically climbing into my lap, and wrapping her arms around my neck. “I love you.” She said, with a smile so bright it could have out shined the sun.
“I love you too Sweetheart.” I said, giving her lips a quick kiss. “But, I can't drive when you're sitting on my lap.
“Sorry.” She said returning my kiss, before getting back into her own seat, and fastening her seat belt. “I'll help you pack.”
I knew she was right. Moving in together was the next logical step, I just wasn't sure that Wes would feel the same way. He had been apprehensive about my relationship with Harper from the start. Not that I could blame him. Hell, even Harper questioned my coming around in the beginning. It took us a long
time to get to a good place. She felt like I was using her to assuage some guilt, and maybe in the beginning I was, but it turned into so much more. I never imagined that I'd fall in love with her.
I was always the problem that Wes had to fix, and it felt damn good to be needed. I glanced over at the woman sitting beside me, and I couldn't help but smile. I was finally happy, and it was all because of her. I don't think she would ever know how much her friendship has meant to me, how she helped me stay sober. I'd tell her one day. When Vanessa was back in prison, and we were laying on the beach watching the sunset. I already knew how I would propose to her. The mere thought alone had me grinning when I put the car into park.
“What's got you so happy?” She asked, noticing my sudden smile.
“You.” I said simply, exiting the car, and walking around to open her door. “I'm only grabbing the essentials. I'll call one of those moving companies to handle the rest.”
“Isn't that a bit pricey?” She asked, biting on her nails.
“Sweetheart.” I said softly, pulling her hand from her face, and placing it in mine. “Let me worry about that.”
I led her up the stairs, and when we reached the door, it was unlocked. I stopped us dead in our tracks, shoving her behind me. I pulled my gun from the back of my pants, and held it steady as I slowly pushed the door open with my free hand.
“Where did you get a gun?” She asked with shock.
“Shh.” I said, motioning for her to go back to the car. She shook her head no, but the look I gave her told her I meant business. I handed her the keys and whispered to her to lock the doors. When I was sure she was safely locked in the car I called out. “I have a gun, and the police are on their way!” I couldn't hear a sound, no shuffling, no voices, so I entered the living room, my gun still drawn.
The place was trashed. The cushions were off the couches, and papers were flung around the room. Even my silverware drawers were dumped onto the floor. It looked as if the police had flipped the entire place upside down. I immediately ran to the bedroom, and searched my closet. I stashed a substantial amount of cash away from my time as California's king. I handed over most of it, but there was no way the police could have known the exact amount I'd made.