Dancing With Redemption
Barre To Bar Book 5
Summer Cooper
Lovy Books
Contents
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
Twisted Beauty
About Summer Cooper
Also By Summer Cooper
Copyright © Lovy Books Ltd, 2022. All Rights Reserved.
Summer Cooper has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
Lovy Books Ltd
20-22 Wenlock Road
London N1 7GU
1
Roxie
“You know, last night I told Lincoln I didn’t know where you were. And that I’d tell him if I found out.” Nick’s voice broke into Roxie’s thoughts, and she turned to see that boyish smile of his in place. He was enjoying making Lincoln squirm, that was obvious.
Roxie turned back to stare out of the window of his penthouse apartment, her voice smothered by the weight of her emotions, her eyes narrowed against the glare of morning sunshine. She could only nod in response, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist as if to hold everything inside that threatened to pour out if she opened her mouth.
She’d come to him after a lot of internal debate in her car. Her thoughts had been too scattered to make any decision other than the one that had brought her here. Getting out of South Carolina and ending all of this drama about her past, once and for all, was the only answer. Lincoln would keep Lily safe, just as he’d keep her safe, if she allowed him that option.
Safety wasn’t what she needed right now, answers were what she needed, and she wouldn’t get those down here. A trip to New York, back to her old stomping grounds, might make them all safe again, if she could find out who’d killed her parents and put an end to a decade of hiding like a mouse.
The only problem was, Lincoln would find her if she went the commercial route. Nick had his own private jet, which meant he could get her out without Lincoln being any the wiser. That was exactly what Roxie wanted, anonymity and the peace to do what she needed to do.
“It figures he’d do that. I haven’t even been gone that long.” Roxie sat down on the black leather sofa in the living room, her eyes now on the man that would readily take Lincoln’s place in her heart, if she’d let him. That wasn’t an option either. Not because she didn’t like Nick, but because Lincoln was irreplaceable, even if he was a giant dick sometimes. “I wonder if his little band of security people are staked out downstairs, waiting to see if I pop up.”
“Hm, that is a concern. I’ll arrange for a car with tinted windows, then they won’t be able to see you,” Nick answered smoothly, sitting down at the other end of the couch. “But should I be worried about you up there alone, Roxie?”
“I’ll be fine.” She waved off his concern, her eyes avoiding his. She didn’t know if she’d be fine or not, but she didn’t want to think about that right now.
“I’d feel better if you’d take a gun with you,” he started, but the way she shook her head vehemently made him stop. “Why not?”
“Bringing a gun is just asking for something to happen,” she replied, which made him shake his head. Only he added an eye-roll to his response.
“No, Roxie, it’s not. It’s being safe. Like wearing a condom, even if the woman isn’t ovulating. Just in case…” he noticed the way her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed and stopped with a sigh. “Fine, but I would feel better.”
“I appreciate that, and your concern, but I can’t go to New York with a gun. I’ll call you if I need something when I’m there,” she said to appease him.
“I hope you’ll call me whether you need something or not, just to keep me updated.” His voice came out smooth, but there was still worry there and that made her feel guilty.
But she’d carried around enough guilt for long enough. It was time to get rid of some of it, and that meant facing her past, head-on. She couldn’t do that here, even if it would be dangerous to go back home. “I’ll call you every night, or send a message. I promise.”
“That’ll have to do, I guess. The car is here, are you ready?” Nick asked and Roxie got up.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” She grabbed her bag from the floor where she’d dropped it and went for the door. “Are you coming with me?”
“No, I need to get some work done here, but if you need anything, just buzz me.” He got up and followed her to the door, his hand coming to rest, not on her face, where it hovered for a moment, but on the edge of the door. “Let me know when you land. I’ll be waiting.”
“I will. Thanks, Nick.” She pushed up to kiss his cheek lightly before she moved away. “I do appreciate it.”
“It’s my pleasure, Rox. Take care.” His eyes clouded with sadness, but she watched it slip away into a smile.
“You too,” she said and walked away from him, ready to get this all over with.
The car took her to the airport where she boarded Nick’s private jet immediately. There was barely time for anyone that may have followed the car to recognize her, but just in case, she’d put on a hoodie to hide her hair. Once the plane landed and came to a stop, Roxie got out of her seat, bag over her shoulder, and walked off the plane.
She jumped in a taxi waiting outside the airport. The female driver entered the address Roxie had mentioned into a map app and then put the car in drive.
It wasn’t long before memories from a decade before were nudged back to life. The oak tree at the junction of the road that would either take her to what used to be her home, or further down to what used to be June’s home, still stood alive and well. It was huge and sprawling, full of secrets and silent memories that would never be spoken. Then the old green barn that still hadn’t fallen down, in an abandoned lot, came into view, which caused a smile to pull at her lips.
She’d expected an empty lot where the house used to be, but as the driver drove up the driveway, Roxie was surprised to see a home that was just as sprawling as her old home had been filling the space. This home was brick, with three floors, but didn’t sprawl out the way her old home had. Instead, the house was compact but still a mansion. Who lived there now? She wondered. Did they have a little girl who loved ballet so much that her parents built her a studio to practice in?
Were there many children in this new house, filling the place with laughter and warmth? Was there a pool in the back now, or a tennis court? What had replaced the things that had remained in her memory?
“Is this your final destination, miss?” The driver asked, not rushing her, but obviously needing to get on to the next ride, if Roxie was done.
“No, it’s not,
I just wanted to see this place first,” Roxie said, before giving the driver another address.
This time, when they reached their destination, Roxie got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride.”
“My pleasure. You take care,” the driver said before Roxie closed the door.
The car drove off with the noise that comes from streets coated in fresh rain, but Roxie didn’t notice. A glowing sign bordered by brick posts told her this was the Bennet Medical Group’s hospital and outpatient service center. June worked here, as did her brother, Liam, and her father. Well, worked here, owned the place, whatever.
Roxie walked in through automatic doors and headed for the well-placed map on the wall at the entrance. She found June’s office and headed up to the third floor to look for her friend. A receptionist there informed Roxie that June was not available so Roxie did something she wasn’t sure she should do.
She’d seen Liam’s name on that map and knew his office was just down from June’s. A lot of time had passed since she’d last seen Liam, life had changed dramatically, and she’d become someone totally different from who she’d planned to be when she used to write her name as Mrs. Liam Bennet or Mrs. Chloe Bennet in her diary. Did he even look the same? She wondered as she waited for him in the reception area.
“Chloe?” Liam’s surprised voice brought her eyes up from staring at a painting of a sailboat on the opposite wall.
He hadn’t changed much at all; he’d just grown more handsome, she noticed immediately. Lincoln’s stepbrother had always looked different, with dark blond hair and bright green eyes being one of the major differences between them. Both were handsome men, but Liam’s face was softer, not as solid as Lincoln’s was. Liam still took care of himself, she felt, when he scooped her up into a hug, solid and firm muscles rippled beneath her hands.
“I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you were gone forever,” Liam gushed, his eyes bright with happiness. “June told me you were back but it’s one thing knowing and another thing seeing. Wow, you look great.”
Roxie couldn’t help but smile at his praise, but she felt embarrassed as the female receptionist looked on, murdering Roxie with the daggers in her eyes. Roxie pulled away, a smile replacing the frown she’d sent to the receptionist. “You look great too, you know?”
“Nah, I’m just me,” he brushed off her praise and held his arm out to the door he’d walked out of. “Come to my office.”
Roxie sent one final look back at the receptionist, still throwing daggers at her with those jealous brown eyes, and followed Liam. She hated when women acted like that, but she was too tired to rein in her small petty streak. “So, you’re a doctor now?”
“Yeah, June and I both followed in dad’s footsteps. Lincoln was the only one who managed to escape that little cliché.” Liam showed her to a small brown sofa before he sat at the other end. It was definitely more inviting than sitting her in a chair in front of his desk and she felt at ease immediately. Even if she had once joined his name with hers. Roxie could feel heat flooding her cheeks at the reminder, but ignored it.
“It’s not a cliché if you’re making good money and helping people,” she countered with a polite smile of admiration.
She was surprised, but that teenage infatuation seemed to be gone. Yeah, he was handsome, but he wasn’t Lincoln, and something told her he was far too tame for her. It was probably the white button-up shirt under his lab coat, or the plain brown loafers on his feet that told her that. His outfit was expensive, sure, but those were most definitely plain loafers.
Too vanilla.
“I suppose you’re right. Listen, are you in town for a while? I have surgery later, but then I’ll be back at the old family home if you’d like to meet me there. Where are you staying?” He bombarded her with questions, but his smiling eyes didn’t change a bit.
“Yeah, I haven’t decided where I’m staying yet, I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town, but I’d love to meet with you later. Can you let someone at the house know I’m coming?” She responded, trying to keep the questions straight as she answered.
“Of course, I’ll let dad and my future stepmother know you’re coming. I’m not sure if June is around this week, but she’ll be happy to see you if she’s in town. Our schedules make it hard to see each other. But yeah, dad will be excited you’re back too. Wow, I can’t believe you’re back.” He seemed agitated, but in a good way, and that made Roxie feel like she’d made the right decision in coming to see Liam.
He might tell Lincoln she was in town, which would give away her whole plan, but what could she do about it now? Not a lot.
Besides, it was really nice to see Liam again, even if it seemed her crush on the man had fizzled out. She’d had a crush on the boy and this man wasn’t that boy anymore. She wasn’t the girl who’d thought she was in love with him anymore either.
2
Roxie
Liam’s dad had a new fiancé, her brain finally reminded her once she was standing in front of Dr. Bennet’s house, her finger poised over the doorbell. Was the woman matronly and nice? Or was she the young, snotty, and resentful of her future stepchildren kind? Roxie hoped she was nice, as someone came to the door and opened it.
“You must be Chloe, come in.” The older woman with long steel-gray hair, her eyes bright gray smiled at Roxie. She was probably in her late 50s but wore it well, Roxie decided. “I’m Olivia, George’s fiancé. Liam called me to ask if I’d meet you here. Come on in.”
Roxie blinked for a moment, trying to remember who George was before it dawned on her. Right, George Bennet, June and Liam’s dad. Roxie stepped into the house and memories immediately flooded through her mind. The millions of times she walked, or ran in, with June, so they could escape to June’s room and talk about boys or their classmates in secret. The holidays they’d spent together, here and at Chloe’s, the night she almost kissed Liam, all came flooding back into Roxie’s mind.
Roxie smiled at the other woman and held out her hand as the memories began to fade and reality came back to her. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting to be hit with a walk down memory lane. Yes, I’m Chloe, Chloe Abshire.”
The name felt wrong on Roxie’s lips, foreign somehow, the name unfamiliar and alien. Still, that name was who she was for the first eighteen years of her life, it was what Liam and George Bennet knew her as, and using anything else with them would seem strange. June would use the name she’d taken, if June was in town, but that would be alright. It would all get explained somewhere along the way.
“You’re an old friend of June’s?” Olivia asked as she walked in the direction of the room the family had always used as the family living room. There was a more formal sitting room, or used to be, for visitors, so Roxie was glad when the woman took her to the non-formal family area. It meant she respected Roxie’s place in the family.
“I am, we used to be inseparable, really.” Roxie looked around as she walked, noting the changes made over the last ten years, and wondered if that was from the divorce, when Ms. Young left Mr. Bennet, or if that was just the sign of time passing. Probably both, Roxie decided, as she took a leather wingback chair as a seat.
“I see. Will you be staying here with the kids? George and I don’t live here, I just came over to make sure someone was here to meet you, since Liam asked,” Olivia asked politely, without judgment in her eyes. Roxie liked her already.
“I, well, I don’t know. I hadn’t got that far yet,” she answered honestly, feeling at ease with the woman immediately. “This was kind of an impulsive trip, and I’m sorry, I haven’t got everything straight yet.”
“It’s no problem. Only Liam and June keep bedrooms here now, the rest are all open to guests, anytime, especially old friends. Let me know and we’ll get you sorted out later. Are you hungry or thirsty?”
Roxie settled into the chair while Olivia went to get her a glass of tea. She would have looked at her phone, but she’d have to turn it on, and she knew what would happen if she did. I
t would probably vibrate to death from Lincoln’s calls and messages. Best save that for later and figure out what she was going to do now that she was back in New York.
This might not have been one of her best ideas. Too late for second thoughts now, though, she decided, as Olivia came back in with a tray. She was here and she’d better do what she came to do. Somehow. It might have been better to stay in South Carolina, to go to Lincoln’s and let this all go, but she needed closure of some kind. She wouldn’t get that in South Carolina, waiting on answers to magically appear.
“Here we are.” Olivia handed her a glass of iced tea before she picked up a cup of what looked like coffee. A very expensive porcelain one, Roxie noted when Olivia lifted the white, black, and gold cup with a Rosenthal Versace stamp on the bottom to her lips. Her mother had owned a similar set before the house burned down.
Sadness nearly took her breath away, the memory of her mother using those cups startling her abruptly.
“Oh, my dear, what’s wrong?” Olivia asked with kindness, putting the cup down with care.
“Nothing, I’m sorry.” Roxie turned her head away, trying to catch her breath and blink away the tears. “I have a lot of memories in this house, and well, I guess you don’t know, but my parents died in a fire not far from here. We had a lovely home, and I haven’t been back here since that night. In fact, I was here when the house caught on fire…”
Dancing With Redemption (Barre To Bar Book 5) Page 1