by Monica James
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Other Books By Monica James
Author’s Note
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Connect with Monica James
Copyrighted Material
INTO TEMPTATION
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference.
Copyright © 2021 by Monica James
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the express, written consent of the author.
Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster
Cover Model: Lochie Carey
Editing: Editing 4 Indies
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THE I SURRENDER SERIES
I Surrender
Surrender to Me
Surrendered
White
SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL SERIES
Something like Normal
Something like Redemption
Something like Love
A HARD LOVE ROMANCE
Dirty Dix
Wicked Dix
The Hunt
MEMORIES FROM YESTERDAY DUET
Forgetting You, Forgetting Me
Forgetting You, Remembering Me
SINS OF THE HEART DUET
Absinthe of the Heart
Defiance of the Heart
ALL THE PRETTY THINGS TRILOGY
Bad Saint
Fallen Saint
Forever My Saint
The Devil’s Crown-Part One (Spin-Off)
The Devil’s Crown-Part One (Spin-Off)
THE MONSTERS WITHIN DUET
Bullseye
Blowback
DELIVER US FROM EVIL TRILOGY
Thy Kingdom Come
Into Temptation
STANDALONE
Mr. Write
Chase the Butterflies
Beyond the Roses
CONTENT WARNING: INTO TEMPTATION is a continuing story, therefore, not all questions will be answered in Book Two. If you don’t like cliff-hangers, best you turn back now.
Although I’ve consulted with many locals, please be mindful, this is a work of fiction. Places, events, and incidents are either the product of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner.
INTO TEMPTATION is a DARK ROMANCE. It contains mature themes that might make some readers uncomfortable.
Godspeed…
Freedom.
Seven letters which, on their own, aren’t anything special. But when strung together, can change a man’s life forever.
“We couldn’t let ya leave without a proper goodbye.”
Punch to the jaw.
Kick to the ribs.
Nothing hurts anymore. My mind, as well as my body, is numb to the pain.
As the officers continue kicking the shite out of me, I lie on the cold floor of my prison cell, using their violence as fuel. Each strike simply feeds the demons inside me. They’ve had time to mature and grow into the ruthless, callous beast I am today.
Once they’re done, they spit on my broken body, laughing happily. The door to my cell slams shut, and I’m swathed in darkness—my only friend.
My muscles burn as I drag myself along the floor to lean my back against the wall. Clutching my side, I measure my breaths because I’ll be free in a few hours. However, I’ll be escaping one prison, only to be sent to another with invisible bars.
“Forgive me, Cara, I needed a fall guy, and that guy is Punky…our son.”
Slamming my fist against the floor, I squeeze my eyes shut, unbelieving of the words I read in Sean’s journal. I wish they were a lie, but they’re not. The only person I ever trusted in this world has betrayed me.
Sean fooled me in every way possible. I’ve spent the past ten years believing his death, as well as Connor’s, was my fault. I thought the Kelly name was dead and buried because of my reckless actions. I believed I ruined my family.
But I was merely a plaything, a chess piece for Sean to win his devious game.
He used everyone to get what he wanted, not caring who he had to deceive and kill. I cannot believe I am his son. And I cannot believe he killed my ma.
The door to my prison cell opens, and when Officer Grenham sees the state of me, he sighs. “Those fucking bastards. Come now, let’s get ya cleaned up. Ye’ve a big day ahead.”
Officer Grenham was the officer who changed my life forever six months ago. He was the man who told me Hannah was waiting for me, waiting to tell me the truth. If it wasn’t for him, I would never have agreed to see Hannah, and I would never have been free.
Hannah shared with me that Darcy Duffy was now some big-shot lawyer who was certain she could overturn my conviction. She was right.
I don’t know how she did it, but thanks to that fucker Chief Constable Moore being a corrupt bastard, Darcy was able to convince the courts to set me free. I didn’t want to know the details or see her because if this proved to be another ploy, I feared for my already fragile state of mind.
But Darcy did it.
Officer Grenham knows better than to help me. I come to a stand on my own, pushing aside my injuries because the ones inflicted on my conscience are a lot worse. He cuffs me one last time before leading me to the bathroom.
The scalding water helps wash away some of the pain, and once clean, I dry off and dress in the clothes Hannah provided for me—black jeans and a white button-up shirt. I tie my laces on my black boots, marveling at the simple task because it’s been ten years since I last wore shoes with laces on them.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I run a hand over my face—how time has aged me.
I’m no longer the Punky I once was. That person was merely a boy. Now, I’m a man, intent on one thing and one thing only—and that is revenge.
“D’ya want to shave?” Officer Grenham asks, watching me as I gawk at the face I barely recognize anymore.
“Naw,” I reply, my voice hoarse.
My hair is similar in length to when I was first thrown into prison. But my beard is now thicker, longer. My nose and lip piercings are long gone, but looking at the cross tattoo on my wrist and my ma’s name across my knuckles, that’s something that has remained the same, as has the meaning behind them.
“All right then. Whenever yer ready, I’ll take ya to see yer lawyer. She has some paperwork ye need to sign, and then…yer free to go.”
Taking one last look at my image, I turn to Officer Grenham and reply, “I may live outside these walls, but I’ll never be free.”
He nods, understanding that a place such as Riverbend House never lets you go. Not only has this place robbed me of my freedom; it’s robbed me of my humanity. The small shred I clung on to was destroyed the
moment I set foot into this hellhole.
We don’t speak further, and Officer Grenham gestures we’re to go. He doesn’t cuff me. I know this is against the rules, but Officer Grenham wants me to take this first step as a free man.
I need to relearn how to walk without being shackled because being bound has been my norm for ten years. Freedom is now the foreign world I need to once again learn.
We walk slowly as I take it all in. Officer Grenham opens a door, and a parful woman dressed in an expensive-looking trouser suit stands when we enter. Darcy Duffy has grown. As we all have, I suppose. I’m still finding it difficult to wrap my head around it. I’m expecting to see the people of my past as I remember them, as I left them ten years ago.
But we’re not those people anymore.
“Punky. Oh my God, yer face,” she says, staring at me, her shock clear.
“Bout ye?” I reply, not sure what to say because a simple thank you seems so inadequate.
My curt response clears her emotion, making way for why she’s here.
“Please, sit.” She gestures to the plastic chair at the table. I do as she says.
Her hands tremble as she rummages through her brown leather briefcase. Is she nervous? Or afraid?
When she finds what she’s looking for, she slides a piece of paper across the table. “I just need ye to sign this document. It’s the terms of yer release. We can discuss anything if ye have any questions once y’ve read it.”
She offers me a pen, and it rests heavy in my hand as I accept it.
Once upon a time, this would have been an extension of me as I used to love to draw, but now, I can’t even remember what that feels like. I can’t imagine sitting in front of a blank canvas and drawing what’s inside my mind because all that’s in there is blackness.
“I don’t need to read it,” I state, signing along the dotted line.
“Oh,” she says, surprised as I slide the document back to her.
I know I make Darcy uncomfortable. I don’t know what she’s expecting. A happy reunion, maybe? But this is my happy face.
She clears her throat before signing under my signature. “All right. We’re done then. I’ll file this with the appropriate parties, but now, yer a free man.”
If Darcy is expecting tears or some sort of emotion, she’ll be waiting a long while.
Nodding, I come to a stand, watching the way Darcy’s chest shudders with the deep breath she takes. Before this happened, she was interested in me, and from the scarlet of her cheeks, I think those feelings still linger.
“Thank you, Darcy,” I say, hoping she understands how thankful I am.
“No bother. I’m sorry it took so long.” She wrings her hands in front of her.
“Y’ve nothin’ to be sorry for. I owe you my freedom.”
She smiles, but it’s not in vain. Rather, she seems genuinely happy she could help. I don’t understand why. I wasn’t awful nice to her.
“Some people are waitin’ for ya,” Officer Grenham says, breaking the sudden silence.
Darcy discreetly wipes away a tear from the corner of her eye as she turns her back, busying herself with her briefcase. “I’ll be out in a moment. You head on.”
I don’t know why she’s crying. I don’t know much anymore.
Not sure what to say, I nod and follow Officer Grenham out the door. We walk the long hallway, which suddenly feels like the longest walk of my life. The steel gate buzzes open, and Officer Grenham glares at the man who opened it, knowing he was one of the arseholes who partook in my parting gift.
Walking past him, I take great satisfaction in seeing him flinch. But his time is coming, and there won’t be any witnesses when it does. Instead, I blow him a kiss.
Officer Grenham opens the door at the end of the hallway and stands by it with a smile. He is the only officer who actually gives a fuck. Hannah steps into view, tears streaming down her cheeks. But the person standing behind her has my heart clenching with the memories I hold.
“Punky!” Hannah rushes forward, not bothering with personal space as she hugs me tightly.
Instantly, her unique fragrance eases my nerves, and I hug her back loosely. I need to relearn how to walk before I run.
“I’m so happy right now,” she cries against my chest.
“Bout ye, wee dote?”
“I’m grand. Everythin’ is grand because yer here.”
I kiss the top of her head, still shook that this is my wee sister, the wee sister who saved me. Even though she is actually my cousin, I’ll always see her as my little sister. That’ll never change.
She lets me go when she’s ready while I wipe her tears away with my thumbs.
Looking at the person behind her, I smile—the first genuine smile in a very long time. “How’s things, Cian?”
He has always been a handsome devil, but time has been quare and kind to him. He is built like a brick shithouse and matured into the big man I always knew he was going to be.
He nods, holding back his tears. He’s always been a big softie—some things don’t change.
I offer my hand, but he doesn’t take it. Instead, like Hannah, he pulls me in for a tight hug. “Ye too good to give yer best friend a hug?” he teases as he tightens his hold.
It’s suddenly too much, but I fight the impulse to push him away. This is Cian—my best friend, the lad who stood by me through thick and thin. Ten years may have passed, but that hasn’t changed the strength of our friendship.
So, I embrace him as best I can.
He slaps me on the back before letting me go. “Ye look like shite.”
I shrug in response.
Hannah greets Darcy as she joins the reunion. “Should we head?”
“Aye.”
There is one last thing I have to do.
“Thank you.” I address Officer Grenham. “Ye were the only officer who gave a shite. Yer a good man.”
He nods and extends his hand, which I shake. “And so are you, Puck. Good luck out there.”
With nothing further to say, I turn and embrace this new life…as a free man.
The moment I step outside, I shield my eyes from the daylight—it’s something I haven’t seen in a long while. Hannah is chatting happily to Darcy, but stops when she notices me lagging behind. Cian instantly wraps his arm around my shoulders, offering me his strength.
“Ye feelin’ all right?”
“Aye, I just need a minute.”
Cian doesn’t let me go, and anyone else’s touch would be unwelcome. But not Cian’s. He is familiar. He reminds me of happier times. A time when I fell in love with a parful doll…
I’ve tried to keep her out of my thoughts, but it’s hard to do that when she became a part of me. Even though I know the truth, I can’t expect her to be here, welcoming her “brother” with open arms, which is why I don’t allow my disappointment to show.
I asked Hannah not to tell Babydoll the truth. I wanted to be the one who did that. I owe her that. But ten years is a long time. I don’t even know if she’s in Northern Ireland anymore. What reason would there be for her to stay?
Hannah mentioned she helped early on with trying to set me free, but I hurt her. I don’t blame her for moving on, which I’m sure she has. These past six months, I haven’t spoken to Hannah about Babydoll, and the thing which has surprised me most is that Hannah hasn’t spoken about her either.
Just like always, Babydoll leaves me with more questions than answers.
When I’m ready, I take a deep breath and recommence walking. The lights on a flash red Mercedes flicker when Darcy deactivates her alarm. She tosses her briefcase into the car.
“I’ve a meeting to finalize everything. Can I call on ye later?”
I don’t realize she’s talking to me until no one replies, hinting the question was for me. “Ach, sure. If ya want.”
“He’s stayin’ with you?” she asks Cian, who nods.
But I won’t be having that. “No, take me home.”
; “Punky, the castle is boggin’. There’s no electricity or water,” Darcy says, trying to make me see reason. But I don’t care.
“I’m not worried about that. I just want to go home.”
Hannah works her bottom lip, but Cian understands. “All right. If that’s what ya want.”
“I’ll come by after tea,” Darcy says, thankfully respecting my wishes. I appreciate everything she’s done for me, but that doesn’t mean she has a say in how I live my life.
Nodding, I follow Cian as he walks to a gray Ford Fiesta. I pause, not expecting my best friend to be driving such a…conservative car. However, I don’t say anything and get into the back. Hannah offers the front, but I decline.
Darcy beeps her horn as she zips past us before Cian starts our journey home. Hannah and Cian make small talk, leaving me to take everything in.
I stare out the window, refamiliarizing myself with the sights and sounds which shaped my life. But now, they’re foreign, and those memories are just out of reach. I see Northern Ireland with new eyes. So much has changed, while in the same breath, some things are frozen in time.
There is so much green. My eyes can’t adjust to the color. I once took this for granted, but I won’t ever again. I see a paddock filled with cows. I’d forgotten how big they were. I’ve forgotten a lot of things.
It’s suddenly too much, too fast.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head against the headrest and stay this way until Cian’s tires crunch over gravel. This sound transports me back in time.
I’m home.
Slowly opening my eyes, I adjust to the lighting, and when I see the castle, I wonder if I’m stuck in a nightmare. The once majestic building is now in shambles.
The windows are smashed in, and by the graffiti tags, it’s safe to assume they were broken by the hallions who thought it was okay to vandalize a place that once was the envy of many. The door is kicked in, and I notice the side wall is crumbling.
No matter how much I hated Connor, I never wanted to see his home end up this way. This was the last place his essence remained, and now, nothing is left. It’s just an empty shell housing broken memories.
