I had everything I needed, except freedom from my past—a past that suddenly feels like a ruse, ready to ruin everything I’ve worked for.
* * *
No matter the consequences, I’m determined to remove the chains binding me to my biggest regret.
* * *
I heard the warnings; I just didn’t give a damn, because casualties of war are to be expected.
* * *
But I never counted on meeting her.
* * *
One look, one taste, one night, and I discovered my mission is about to destroy my future.
* * *
Be careful what you wish for…
Kase Of Deception
Riann C Miller
Copyright © 2018 by Riann C Miller
Editing: Red Pen Revolution
Cover Design: Jersey Girl & Co.
Cover Image: CW3 Designs & Photographer
Model: Eric Jacob
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/ or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/ use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
This book is for my dad.
Thanks for fighting.
Life wouldn’t be the same without you.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Also by Riann C Miller
Note From The Author
About the Author
Meeting The Unpredictable
Prologue
My lawyer, a man I’ve known for years, shakes his head in disgust. “You realize this plan is going to destroy an innocent woman’s life.”
I exhale a long breath, my eyes moving to the folder sitting between us on the table.
On paper, she appears naïve and vulnerable. She has a perfect credit score, a master’s degree, and her boss seems to love her, not to mention her list of good deeds is a mile long, which includes volunteering at homeless shelters. She’s either too Goddamn trusting or just as dirty as the man she’s lying down with at night. My gut tells me it’s the first, but it’s easier to believe the second.
“I refuse to feel guilty for protecting myself. If she’s truly innocent, then I’m saving her from a miserable life.”
“By publicly embarrassing her? There has to be a better way of getting what you want without railroading an innocent woman.”
My anger, which always seems to be seconds away from boiling, perks to attention. This plan was set in motion months ago. It’s too late to turn back, not that I want to. If you lie in bed with scum, you’re bound to get dirty.
Joe stands up, straightening his tie. “I’m telling you, she’s innocent. If that’s not going to wear on your conscience, I’m not going to let it bother mine.”
He picks the folder up and walks to the door. Seconds before he leaves, he glances over his shoulder with a smirk. “Be careful what you wish for. It just might come true.”
Chapter One
Delanie
“Regan, I’m going to be late. It’s my first day, and they’re going to fire me,” I sigh into the phone. I woke hours earlier than necessary but I didn’t factor in Los Angeles traffic. “I’m here. Call me when you get this.” Ending the call, I toss my phone in my purse, hop out of my car, and race through the underground parking garage to the elevators.
Ten days ago, I discovered my fiancé is a cheating bastard. I wasn’t shocked to learn he’d been stepping out on me, but when he basically told me to get over it, seconds after he knocked me around, I removed his five-carat diamond ring from my finger, accepted a job in another state, packed my bags, and left my entire life behind.
Three years ago—right out of college—I accepted a job in Denver at Thornton Investments. Last week when my world fell apart, I accepted a position at Thornton Financial in downtown LA—the sister company to the firm I was working for. Today is my first day, and I’m a solid twenty minutes late.
After making my way through security and taking the slowest elevator known to man, I arrive at the sixteenth floor, where I’m greeted by a woman towering over the receptionist’s desk and speaking a mile a minute into a headset. When her eyes finally land on me, she greets me with a sneer. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m Delanie Charles. I’m here to see Paula Olsen.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’re late.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Through those doors, take a right. She’s at the end of the hall. Good luck.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, already stepping through a set of glass doors that reads Thornton Financial.
Feeling off-kilter, I race down the hallway, pausing when I reach the one I’m looking for.
With the door slightly ajar, a gorgeous woman with black hair pulled into a tight bun who doesn’t look a day over forty notices me before I have the chance to knock. “You must be Delanie. Please come in and have a seat.” She waves her hand to the chair across from her desk.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I had no idea the traffic on the 405 would be at a standstill.”
“Well, now you know, so I expect it won’t happen again.” She laughs off her comment, yet the thinning of her eyes tells me she’s not joking.
“Absolutely, Ms. Olsen.”
“Oh, please. Call me Paula. ‘Ms. Olsen’ is much too formal.” She taps her finger on a folder sitting on her desk. “I’ve reviewed your file from our division in Denver. Your work ethic is impeccable. That’s the only reason I hired you sight unseen, however…” she pauses, wearing a tight smile. “You’ll be working on a much larger scale of accounts now. Even the smallest mistake could cost millions. Until you can add the Series 7 test to your broker’s license, I’m going pair you with our department lead, Dalton Lester. Dalton will get you familiar with how we operate here. Once you’ve passed all the required tests, you’ll be working on your own.” She picks up the phone, mumbles a few words then she stands up. “I wish you all the best. If you have any concerns, my door is always open.”
Jumping to my feet, I shake her hand about the time a man who looks like Kurt Cobain’s twin walks into the room. “You must be Delanie.”
“Dalton, she’s completely yours.”
The man gives me a lopsided grin while his eyes trail down the front of me, taking in modest attire consisting of a loose black blouse paired with gray dress slacks and reasonable heels. T
he only thing wrong with my outfit was the price tag.
“Sounds good. Follow me.”
I glance toward Paula, wondering if she noticed the way he was studying me, but if she did, she’s pretending otherwise. “Stick with Dalton, do what he says, and you’ll do just fine.” Dismissing me, she sits down and turns her chair in the other direction.
Ignoring the strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, I do what I’m told and follow him down the hallway.
“My office is small, but at least I have one. Practically everyone on this floor is stuck in a cubicle all day.” With one hand, he pushes a door open and motions for me to go in. Stepping around him, I discover he wasn’t lying. His office isn’t much bigger than a broom closet.
There are two desks pushed against the outer walls. Dalton walks over to the one with papers scattered across the top and takes a seat. “How long have you been working for Thornton?”
“Oh, um, for about three years now.” I fumble over my words, watching the way his eyes slowly move down my body, lingering in places they shouldn’t.
Clearing my throat to gain his attention, I force a smile. “I started a few months before I earned my master’s.”
In any normal circumstances, I’d find Dalton attractive. My mother would label him a slacker from his long hair alone, but it’s hard to deny the way he nicely fills his suit. Paired with a gorgeous tan and green eyes, he’s a dream to look at, but even if I could get over the way he’s staring at me like I’m a piece of meat, we work together—closely at that—which is a recipe for disaster.
“What made you decide to trade the mountains for the beach?”
My nose scrunches in displeasure. “I decided a fresh start sounded like a good idea.”
He chuckles at my reaction. “Regardless of your reasons, I’m happy to welcome you to the team. Now…” He rubs his hands together. “Let’s get busy.”
California is a hot ball of fire, at least that’s how it feels to a girl who grew up in the mountains. Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic in the mid-June heat—something I’m not sure I’ll ever adjust to—my mind naturally wanders to the life I left behind. I’m hit with a rush of relief that’s immediately followed by a surge of guilt. I called off my wedding but I didn’t stick around and deal with the aftermath of my failed relationship. I expect my dad won’t have an opinion on the matter, but my mother and step-father are going to act like I ruined their lives. Especially my mother.
Almost an hour later, I arrive at my friend Brenna Peters’ apartment. In high school, Brenna and I were good friends. She was always a little different, and naturally because her goal was to move to Hollywood and become an actress, my mom hated her. After high school, we randomly talked online but overall, we lost touch. I hesitated in asking her if I could crash at her place but with my back against the wall, I sent her a message through Facebook, and the rest, as they would say, is history.
Thumbing the key in my hand, I finally decide to use it instead of knocking. Girls Like You by Maroon 5 sounds through the apartment. I spot Brenna swaying her hips in front of the stove with a glass of wine in one hand while the delicious smell of Italian seasoning fills the room.
Brenna mentioned she’s still in the process of pursuing her acting career. She has an agent and appears in several low budget films every year but she mainly pays her rent by bartending several nights a week.
After setting my oversized Christian Dior black leather tote on the floor by the couch, I watch as Brenna turns to me with a smile and asks, “How was your day?”
“I was a half an hour late. Honestly, I was expecting to be fired, but they ended up taking pity on me and letting me keep my job.”
Without a word, she grabs a wine glass from the cabinet, fills it, and then offers it to me. “The traffic here is a total crapshoot, but you’ll get used to it.”
“I hope so. Right now, I want nothing more than to enjoy this wine while soaking in a hot bath.”
She tucks a strand of her long red hair behind her ear, rocking side to side, suddenly appearing uncomfortable. “Your mom called my cell about ten minutes ago. I have no idea how she got my number. She said she tried your phone but you didn’t answer?”
“I was driving. I had my phone on silent.” The lie rolls off the tip of my tongue with ease. Mom thinks I should have at least tried to fix things with Carter. Avoiding her could easily become my new favorite past time.
“Not that it should come as a surprise, but she assured me she plans to call back.”
“Of course she will. My mother is the most persistent person on the planet.”
She gently places her hand on my arm. “Are you doing okay?” She rolls her eyes. “That was a stupid question. Of course you’re not okay; you were just dumped by the man you planned on marrying.”
“Technically, I dumped him.”
“I would have loved to have seen that,” she adds with a laugh.
I pick up my purse and dig my phone out, clutching it in one hand and holding my wine with the other.
“I know we haven’t talked much in years but I hope you know if you need someone, I’m here for you.”
“All things considered, I’m doing okay. Honestly, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to repay you for letting me stay here.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m happy to help.”
“Let me know when you have a night off. We can get a drink and catch up.”
Her face lights up. “I’d love to.”
“Thanks,” I hold up my glass, “for the wine.” With my thoughts a jumbled mess, I dial my mother’s number, closing the door to my room behind me.
“Delanie?”
“Who else did you expect to be calling you from my phone?”
She exhales a long breath. “Don’t get sassy, young lady, especially after the day I’ve had.”
“Oh, you’ve had a bad day?”
“Yes,” she snips. “I’ve been fielding questions about why my daughter up and moved out of the state weeks before her wedding, without her fiancé, no less.”
“He’s not my fiancé.”
“Delanie…” She pauses, sighing with frustration. “You’ve made your point, and while I don’t condone Carter’s behavior, enough is enough. You’ve taken this too far.”
With tears in my eyes, I open the blinds in my room only to be greeted by the brick apartment building next door. “I can’t believe you. I don’t know why I’m surprised, it’s always about you and what you want. You don’t give a damn about me.”
“You act like you’re the only one affected by what happened but you’re not.”
“Pardon me for not considering your feelings. The next time I call off my wedding, I’ll be sure to ask how you’re doing.”
“Delanie,” she growls with a tone she only ever uses with me, and typically it works in shutting me up. It’s the last warning she’ll give before all hell breaks loose. But not this time.
I’m done.
“I love you. I’ll always love you, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a part of my life. You clearly have your own agenda for why you want me to marry Carter, especially after what he did, and if that continues, then our relationship is over.”
“Stop acting like a wounded little girl and grow up. Carter is good for your future. He’ll be able to provide nicely for you.”
“You’re the materialistic one, not me. I don’t love Carter. I’m not sure if ever did, and if you cared about me at all, you’d take my side.”
“You’ve always had a hankering for drama.”
When your child’s world falls apart, a parent should be there to help them collect the pieces. Instead, my mother took it upon herself to mark my soul in a way I’ll never forget.
“The next time you call and I don’t answer, I hope you think long and hard about this conversation, because maybe then you’ll know the reason I’m not answering.”
Disconnecting the call, I thumb to the bottom of the screen and hit block call
er. I’m exhausted and emotionally unprepared to deal with anything else, which is why my heart momentarily stops when four simple words pop up on my screen…
Carter: We need to talk.
Chapter Two
Delanie
By the end of my first week, I settle into a routine. I found a gym not far from Brenna’s and a coffee shop to die for within a few blocks of Thornton’s.
Dalton seems like a nice guy—sometimes a little too nice—but he’s definitely making life easier on me. At least when he’s not hitting on me. “I meet with Paula on Fridays for lunch. She likes to review my client report before the board sees it.”
He’s insisted on having lunch with me every day this week. “It’s fine. I don’t need you to stick around and babysit me.”
He lifts his arms over his head, rocking back in his chair with a smirk. “Well, if you did, I’d be first in line.”
My cheeks flush from his comment. I’ve known my ex since we were kids. Our mothers are best friends and somehow, they managed to turn the two of us into a couple by the time we were sixteen. I missed the fun casual dating stage and went straight to being the future Mrs. Carter Bosa.
“That soup you picked up the other day was amazing. You said it came from the deli across the street?”
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