EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2017 Tanya Jean Russell
ISBN: 978-1-77339-333-9
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Karyn White
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To my wonderful husband Fisher Stevens and our lovely boys Callum & Ryan, thank you for supporting my dreams.
BROKEN TRUST
Tanya Jean Russell
Copyright © 2017
Chapter One
Stepping out of the car, Beth smiled as she watched her sister Anne step out after her, their father attempting to help the bride with the folds of white fabric that were doing their level best to wrap around the door. Turning back to face the church, Beth eyed the assembled reporters with a frown, her eyes squinting as she tried to make them out against the bright sunlight. She silently pleaded for them to leave her sister alone.
“Lord Worthington!” shouted the reporters, all trying to catch her father’s attention.
“How do you justify holding this wedding just months after an air disaster that cost so many people their lives?” shouted one of them.
Anne paled as she registered the words. Beth knew well enough that the guilt she already felt at going ahead was back in full force. Leaning in so she could whisper in Anne’s ear, Beth straightened her beautiful Irish lace veil that had been their mother’s over thirty years earlier.
“Don’t you dare let them spoil this for you,” she whispered.
“I thought it would be okay,” Anne said. “I’ve been so worried about guest lists and seating arrangements that I thought everything would be all right now it’s the actual day.”
Beth suppressed a grimace. The endless dress fittings, the panic about invitation fonts, and the stress about guest lists and seating arrangements had taken their toll on them all.
“Today is about you. Father even disinvited his business contacts rather than put you through their constant posturing about whether they would attend or not.” She smiled at the memory. The blustering that had undoubtedly followed when the contacts in question had received the formal notification from Lord and Lady Worthington that they were no longer invited would have been a pleasure to see. There were some benefits to being the daughter of a baron.
“Your happiness matters more to Father than anything else. Let’s get you in there so you can hurry up and become The Honorable Mrs. Barber,” Beth continued.
“You’re right,” Anne said, smiling weakly back at her. “Do you think Auntie Christina will have any shortbread? I’m starving.”
“She definitely will, even if it does mean you’ll have to speak to Uncle David as well to get any. Let’s get the photos over with, and then I promise we can both finish this diet!” Beth said.
“True. He does seem to have become more pompous since he is supposed to have retired,” giggled Anne as they entered the church vestibule with Tabitha, the other bridesmaid. They both laughed for a moment at the fact their sort of Uncle had officially retired but was still in the office as much as ever, they all knew they’d probably have to carry him out in a box before he’d stop going to work. The cool air inside was a welcome respite from the heat outside. “But at least we will get to see all of our lovely Taylor cousins. Do you think Oliver minds not being a groomsman?” Anne asked.
“Not at all. He hardly knows Jonathan. Besides after the week he’s had he’ll be glad to be out of the spotlight for a few hours.”
Only two years older than Beth, Oliver was the eldest of the Taylor family and had taken over for his father at the airline the two families owned and ran together. They weren’t really family, but they were so close they might as well have been.
“Besides,” Beth added, “I’m sure Auntie Christina will be glad of his help keeping his little brothers and sisters in line!”
“Sure, she certainly needs all the help she can get with that!” Anne laughed. “Although I think Father is still hoping that we will be hearing wedding bells for you and Oliver next,” Anne said.
Beth resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her sister’s good-natured teasing. Anne knew very well that no matter what their parents might want she and Oliver had no intention of marrying each other.
The sisters giggled together until their father stepped next to Anne, and Beth stepped away to give them a moment of privacy.
****
“Well, I didn’t expect all this drama when I met Anne all those years ago,” Tabitha said with a gentle smile as Beth stood with her, watching her father fuss over Anne.
“Are you okay?” Beth asked with concern. Her little sister’s best friend had such a gentle nature that the shouting of the reporters that continued outside was bound to upset her.
“Yes. I just wish they could see how lovely and kind Anne is.”
“I know, but the fact she doesn’t even work at the airline doesn’t seem to matter to them,” Beth said. She gave herself a shake. “Anyway, let’s focus on what matters. Besides which, this had better run smoothly as it’ll be the only time our father gets to give his daughter away at a wedding.”
“You’ll get married one day,” Tabitha said.
Beth raised her eyebrows at Tabitha. “If I wasn’t already certain about it, the preparations for today would have made the decision for me. I am never getting married. This should be the beginning of a life together for Anne and Jonathan, a celebration of two true partners who are deeply in love, but it’s turned into a political storm,” Beth said.
As the “Wedding March” began Beth gave the long skirt of her lemon A-line dress a quick swish to make sure it was hanging right. Her tension drained away as she and Tabitha followed Anne up the aisle, careful not to step on her little sister’s beautifully beaded train. She wasn’t about to let anything spoil this perfect moment.
The front of the aisle was decorated in the same beautiful lemon and white floral arrangements and ribbons that adorned the ends of the pews and hung from the balconies. It might not be the most fashionable, especially when compared to some of the weddings they had been to for people they knew through the business. Those weddings appeared to be a contest to be the most unique. Anne had refused to join in the one-upmanship, instead insisting on an update of the style and colors used at their parents’ wedding. If their parents’ marriage was anything to go by it would certainly bring Anne and Jonathan a long and happy marriage. After over thirty years her parents were still wonderfully devoted to each other.
As Beth spotted her mother smiling, despite the handkerchief already raised to dab her eyes, the tension that had tried to return eased, the warmth of her family banishing it. Her gorgeous little Taylor cousins, all under ten, were adorable and full of mischief. They weren’t actually related, but as they had part ownership of the airline her family owned the Taylors were as good as family. Sitting primly on the pew, they were clearly under instruction to behave. Edward, the youngest Taylor, was wriggling frantically next to his mother, Auntie Christina. Whispering to her wayward son, Christina reached into her handbag. Despite the formality of the event, there was no doubt she would have shortbread biscuits in there. Even now she was a grown-up Beth was always certain to get some every time she saw Auntie Christina, who loved to fuss over them as if they were children. It was something Be
th could live with, as there was never a bad time for shortbread. Auntie Christina was a true pleasure to be around.
Unfortunately, her husband, Uncle David, was not such fun, but fortunately Beth didn’t see much of him these days. He had handed over most of his responsibility to Oliver, her grown-up “cousin”. Beth smiled at the sight of the tall man who had been her friend since they had crawled around the garden as babies. Despite the lines of tension around his eyes, he looked as dapper as ever in the suit he’d had tailored for the wedding. Meeting her eyes, he gave her a quick wink. She knew he would be thinking the same as she was—thank goodness it wasn’t them at the center of this storm. He’d been upset when she’d told him they didn’t have a future together as a couple, but it hadn’t lasted long and she was glad to have her friend back.
Despite the potential danger to them, the family had turned out in force for Anne's big day. Beth smiled up at her father, who squeezed her hand as she moved to take her place to the left of the altar. Looking around she felt a lightness in her heart at the sight of her best friends Bree, Simon, and Bree’s husband, Jake. Over the years she’d struggled to make genuine friends, people who weren’t interested in her as “The Honorable Elizabeth Worthington”. Bree and Jake had supported her staunchly from the day they’d met over five years ago, thinking she was just another member of the cabin crew. Over the last few years they’d come to be friends with Anne, too, and she had insisted that they be here today. Just another example of how kind her little sister was, wanting Beth to have their support today.
As the readings began Beth’s mind wandered. As beautiful as they were, she had heard them at the endless rehearsals. After all, no one wanted to make any mistakes with the world’s press watching. They had limited access inside the church to a small number of official press, but in an effort to prevent uproar Anne had agreed to the ceremony being broadcast live around the world by the national TV station. Beth doubted the village church, which had been the site of many of their family weddings, christenings and funerals, had ever seen such a strange assembly of people. The media had had a field day over Anne getting married before Beth. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the accident she knew that would have been their main focus. She loved her family, but living in the media spotlight was wearing.
Shaking her gloomy thoughts away, she reminded herself how lucky she was. She had an amazing family. It also helped that with her dark blonde hair and brown eyes she was ordinary looking enough that her appearance was of little interest for media criticism or compliment. Although with her stomach rumbling she admitted that the relentless dieting was something she could do without.
Tears of joy pricked her eyes as she watched her little sister and groom, Jonathan, begin to exchange their vows. She knew just how much Jonathan adored Anne. Despite the five-year age gap the sisters were incredibly close, and she didn’t think she could have watched Anne marry someone who loved her any less.
Discreetly dabbing the tears from her eyes, although nothing was discreet when the eyes of the world’s press were focused on you, Beth felt a tingle of awareness ripple across her skin. Stiffening, she allowed her eyes to roam, seeking the source of her body's reaction.
Looking around she smiled broadly at her parents and extended family. Focusing on them it was easy to forget all about being Elizabeth Worthington, and just be Beth, a normal woman watching her beloved sister get married. Her eyes drifted to Jonathan's groomsmen. Anne had broken with tradition by only having Beth and Tabitha as her bridesmaids. They had both been part of enough formal wedding parties as little girls to know how terrifying it was, and Anne had put her foot down, refusing to put their much loved little cousins through that. In the end, she had got her way, in part because of the high level security threat. Unlike Anne, Jonathan had stuck with tradition and had a number of groomsmen, most of them family or people she had met over the last few years. Eyes scanning the assembled group, Beth’s heart stuttered as she took in the only stranger in the group. He was one of the most imposing men she'd ever seen.
He stood at least half a head taller than the men around him, his broad shoulders and toned physique evident despite the morning suit. With his ramrod straight posture Beth would have assumed he was military if it wasn't for the dark hair that curled over the top of his ears and collar. Admiring his dark hair and olive skin, she found herself wishing she could see his eyes. Unfortunately, his strong jaw was turned, his focus apparently on the happy couple, yet there was something about him that gave her pause for thought.
On the surface, he was simply a groomsman, albeit a physically appealing one. Yet there was a sense of alertness to him that didn't quite fit. As if feeling her gaze, his head turned, and with the distance between them the dark eyes that met hers appeared almost black. That tingle of awareness washed over her again as their eyes met. She forced herself to look away. The press would have a field day if they caught her drooling over a strange man, she mentally reminded herself.
As she returned her gaze to the happy couple, a sharp crack resounded through the church. The sound echoed across the cavernous space, bouncing among the huge columns. Beth watched her sister crumple to the ground. Anne's face froze in shock. Without thought, she stepped forward, intent on getting to Anne, but before she could reach her sister, she was tackled to the ground by a tank barreling into her. She was vaguely aware of the dark stranger sprawled across her, his weight crushing as, head bouncing, she met the solid stone floor, her thoughts fuzzy.
The darkness closed in further, bringing her vision to pinpricks focused on the dark hair inches from her face. She was vaguely aware of more cracks and screams from the chaos that engulfed them before the darkness claimed her and she passed out.
Chapter Two
With a brief nod to the Commander, Chase scooped the now unconscious woman up in his arms and ran. Fortunately, they had prepared an emergency evacuation route, which he rapidly followed. Damn, he thought. How did everything turn to hell so fast? His training taking over, he was oblivious to the chaotic noise around them as he easily lifted the Honorable Elizabeth Worthington over his shoulder, hanging her there to balance her weight and let him pick up his pace.
After what seemed like hours and a bat-shit crazy drive across the city, he finally felt confident that he wasn't being followed and pulled the black 4x4 into a garage. Gently lifting the unconscious woman from the back seat, he carried her into the sterile townhouse. Concentrating on getting her safely into the building, he placed her gently on the couch, carefully checking her pulse before moving to the opposite side of the room. He unconsciously patted his shoulder and ankle holsters to double check his .45s were still in place and then moved to do a perimeter check, noting with satisfaction that the alarm breakers were all intact.
Unable to put in a steel door without arousing suspicion, they’d replaced the door mounting screws and added a metal plate and bolts to the original locks. Security cameras showed every inch both inside and outside of the property on the suite of viewing monitors in the living room. Laminated glass had been fitted under the guise of installing double glazing to prevent easy entry through the windows, and there were alarms on every potential entry point.
Relieved to find that all the security was fully intact, Chase returned to the lounge, and, after keying his security code into the console under the viewing monitors to alert the team that he was in the safe house, he sat in the armchair to wait. He should be out there doing something. Not babysitting some spoiled heiress whose company was at the root of all his problems. How the hell had he been dragged into this? If it hadn't been for his commanding officer, Jack Cheshire, he'd never have agreed to this. Unfortunately, years of history meant the man had known exactly which buttons to push, and had no scruples about pushing them. Chase really didn't need this crap. He had his own private mission to complete.
****
The heiress had been out cold for over an hour, and despite her steady pulse he knew that being unconscious for that l
ong wasn't a good thing. Taking a deep breath, he decided to give her another ten minutes before having no choice but to call for medical back-up. It was a safety risk calling anyone else in so early, but he wasn't about to let anything happen to her. His neck was on the line if he didn’t keep her alive.
Seeing her long eyelashes flutter, Chase released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Thank Christ for that, he thought as her eyes slowly focused on the room around her. He took a deep breath and waited for the inevitable tantrum to begin.
“Whha,” she began, clearing her voice with a small cough before she tried again. “Where am I?” she demanded. Her tone was one of someone clearly used to people answering without hesitation.
“You're in a safe house, Miss Worthington,” he said curtly. He knew he was being abrupt but drew the line at coddling her.
“Why?” she asked, confusion clear.
“There was trouble at the wedding. I had to get you to safety,” he replied, brow furrowed. He'd hit her head harder than he'd realized when he'd knocked her down if she didn't remember what had happened.
The silence stretched between them, but the moment she remembered was obvious. She leapt to her feet with a gasp.
“Anne!”
Chase just managed to reach her in time to catch her before she took a tumble to the floor for the second time in one day.
“Get off me!” she shouted. “I need to get to my sister!”
“You need to lie down before you fall down,” Chase replied firmly, gripping her shoulders with both of his hands and easing her back onto the couch.
“I need to get to my family. I need to see them.”
“You’re in no state to go anywhere. You've been unconscious for over an hour.”
Broken Trust Page 1