“What’s he doing here?”
“He’s here to help, Nathan.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Something dangerous was lurking beneath the surface, I could sense it. Without a word the snake just sat there. His eyes darted from Alex back to mine.
“He’s treacherous, he insinuates into a position of trust, then betrays you.”
“He’s taking advantage of the benefits by flipping sides, Nathan.”
“And what does that mean?”
“Kenrick double crossed Cash. He sold Infinity to my father’s company. It’s all about streams of income to Kenrick. In turn, my father will sell it to M & M., leaving Cash out in the cold.”
I turned his way; his time had run out. When working in illegal circles his crimes had caught up with him, then he turned on a dime.
“You’ll cross him?
“I already have.” He smirked. “My take is Cash is only using me to seal his future, he’ll double cross me and take me down with him. I want out.”
I kept running back to the fact I’d be working on the dark side, just like my father. Ashamed of what I was about to do. I’d be scheming side by side a man who had no scruples and no moral compass. There was no limit to his deceit, and now, no limit to mine.
“He’ll bury you.” I said. “He thinks he’s untouchable.”
“He’s not.”
“I don’t like the sound of that, what if you’re wrong?”
“I’m not wrong, it’s already done. I’m leaving the country tonight.”
“With a healthy payment, no less.”
“So, we have a deal?” Kenrick asked, meaning the money, his cut.
There was my subconscious mind with it’s high ideals and conscience that just wanted to live within the law. Do better, be better. My core sense of self wouldn’t allow myself to get carried away by money, this was about right or wrong.
“And while they are rules, Nathan.” Storm cut in. “We need to look past them, perhaps this is the only way.”
“Fine. Then Cash and Kendrick are out of our lives forever?”
“Forever.” Storm said.” Kendrick, you can trust me to transfer the money, it’s time to go or you’ll miss your flight.”
And with that Kendrick stood and left closing the door at his back. However, at this point a different concern entered into the equation. Bryer.
“And what about our marriage situation?” Bryer asked, her eyes burned with curiosity fighting back tears.
“Yes, the fraudulent marriage.” Storm said, grinning. “Palms Resort stepped in, an unknown source intervened, convincing them the license you applied for was indeed valid, the resort corroborated that the wedding took place and has sufficient evidence to resubmit the original marriage license causing the nuptials between Cash and Bryer to be null and void. They worked their magic to get it recorded, and you are officially married.”
“That’s a relief.” Bryer said reaching for my hand.
“Unknown source?”
“If I was a betting man, I’d say Steel Archer, all signs point to him and his team.”
I wouldn’t put it past him, providing protection from the trauma we’d experienced. Our lives being turned outside down all at once. It was uncanny really, how he knew to put the pieces together.
“I’m not the least bit surprised.” Bryer said. “He’s a hawk, he doesn’t wait around to see it play out. He makes it happen, those who doubt him, don’t know him.”
“It gets better.” Storm said ready to explode. “We can’t forget Sonja, she’s turned on Cash, and now is a witness for the state. Detective Moore is presently charging him with aiding and abetting which will result in potential penalties for conviction typically that involves jail time. Not to mention other illegal activity throughout this entire encounter, several charges will be brought up against Cash Harrison including being disbarred.”
“We finally got him.” I said pulling her into my arms. “How do you feel babe?”
“Never better.”
“Meanwhile.” Storm says his brow lifted. “I’ve protected your life insurance, with a provision you are the only one who has power over it, the stipulations still stand, but you’ve met them all, the money’s yours.”
“Bryer, you know what this means?” I said then tipped her face, so our eyes met, and it brought everything into focus. “You’ll have control over Tranquility, the company you love, and the funds to create whatever vision you have, in every way possible.
I watched as our life righted itself, yet before unwinding and returning to our normal life, it was with deep gratitude and a sense that what was given was sacred and pure, I had to proclaim.
“If we can love and make it new again, it will be as if we are reborn in its most perfect form. And so, with the passing of time, our love will be eternal.”
“Imagine our life with the instant happiness of our magic little one growing inside.”
“I can’t wait to meet our child and for us to be a family, together. My love.”
Nine months later.
Magical, wonderful and surreal. Tiny fingers curled around my pinky. Her legs kicked with unknown excitement, maybe it was her brand-new eyes that watched such a strange new world.
When Madison James was born it was like everything happened really fast, and also in slow motion, like time was standing still. It was a privilege and it was easy to forget everything that was happened around us, except for that magical moment of meeting our daughter of course.
Emotions were so real, joy, relief, amazement, pride and a love so profound it was indescribable the moment we locked eyes with our infant for the first time.
“I can’t keep my eyes off of her.” I said.
“The second I laid eyes on her it was by far the happiest I’d ever been.” Nathan gushed, and fixed the pink bootie Maddie had kicked off.
Since that night it had been overwhelmingly good, life changing, it was as if we jumped over cloud nine in each other’s presence and fell even more in love. I missed those sweet chubby cheeks and a spray of blonde fluff; I couldn’t wait to see her each morning.”
“What do you think?” Gen asked Clayton her eyes swimming in tears.
“Just taking it all in.” Clayton said.” She certainly cried like she was totally pissed off only minutes ago. Now she’s all quiet, what’s next?” He was legitimately confused by the mundane and not life changing everything surrounding him. “I would have freaked out, but my brain was shielding me from too much noise all at once.”
“Don’t listen to him.” Nathan said.” She’s perfect.”
“I know, I know I am so biased, but she is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
“I felt the weight of the world disappear around me, it’s strange that immediate feeling of completeness that settles around us as a family.” Nathan said, unprepared for the wave of emotion.
“This is it?” Clayton said staring at the baby.
“And what about you two? What do you see in the future?” I asked both Gen Clayton.
“I don’t need a piece of paper, even if there was a baby, a piece of paper won’t change our commitment.” Gen insists.
“You think I haven’t tried?” Clayton asked.
“Maybe it’s your disposition or maybe your personality.” Nathan chuckled.
“You think it’s easy being the funny one all the time?” Clayton said. And my stomach is still turning after the story Gen relayed when Bryer was in labor. You said her green eyes looked like the exorcist.”
“You’re an idiot.” Then Gen jabbed him in the side, but Clayton caught her hand spun her around where she landed in his lap, squealing in delight.
“And Cash Harrison?” Clayton asked. “What happened to him?”
“It went as expected, Detective Moore had probable cause and believed Harrison committed a crime, charges were filed, he was arrested and booked. Because he was charged with a felony, he had to appear in arraignment court. But Cash
lawyered up.
Bail was denied because they thought he was a flight risk. Cash being an attorney he seemed to be one step ahead of everyone else. Then at the arraignment he plead not guilty. The district attorney’s office made an appearance filing formal charges of accessory to manslaughter, embezzlement, fraud extortion, the charges were endless.
The hearing was presented to the judge last month and a jury determined he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We’re still waiting to hear about the sentencing. And knowing Cash the appeal.”
“Was he disbarred?”
“Yeah from the state of Texas.”
“Enough already.” I pleaded; I grew dizzy as I fought the nausea. Like hail against glass, my head pounded with memories of Cash circling above like hungry vulture. It was the last straw, there was a hidden opportunity to reconfigure the narrative. “We can make a difference, by removing the memory of Cash we can make sure no one comes between us, ever again.”
“God, I love that.” Her familiar scent tormenting me with memories in the dark of the night. “You are everything I know, and because of your love, I have learned to live.”
“Why Mr. James.” My eyes gleamed, and my mouth turned into a smile. “I’ll never get enough of your love.”
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The Forgotten Trilogy
Book One
Forgotten Truth- The original version (Rated R)
Forgotten Truth- The Softer version (Rated PG)
Book Two
Forgotten Promise- The original version (Rated R)
Forgotten Promise- The Softer version (Rated PG)
Book Three
Forgotten Chance- The original version (Rated R)
Forgotten Chance- The Softer version (Rated PG)
Have you read Virginia Wine’s Surviving Series?
Book 1: Surviving Eden
Book 2: Surviving the Storm
Book 3: Surviving Jordon
Book 4: Hard as Steel
Book 5 Surviving Eden
Virginia Wine’s love for books all began as a book-blogger, dedicating her time and passion to talented authors, assisting and reviewing the world’s top writers.
A voracious reader herself, and insatiable appreciation for the book world. She soon discovered her own passion for writing, and knack for storytelling. Writing what she loves to read, the romantic suspense genre was a perfect fit. Dreaming of new ways to tug her readers heart strings and creating scorching hot love scenes fed the thrill for inventing new stories.
Only just begun, she came out of the gate with a blast, delivering the Amazon best-selling Author status with her first book, then again with her second series.
Midwestern born Virginia Wine can be found living in paradise, on a beautiful lake where she and her family enjoy the water, and peace living among a small-town feel.
Content warning:
Contains adult content, language and scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Intended for 18+ audience.
Book one in the ‘Surviving Series.’
“Perhaps love is too strong of a word,
maybe it was only a feeling touching the edges of love,
momentarily blinding our perception of the profound emotion.”
Having never fully healed from that fateful night so long ago. Dr. Theodore Grants simply exists, traveling into the deepest darkest places of his past. Living where life and love no longer breathed. Unprepared for the cure to come.
He was a prominent, renowned psychiatrist. He had it all: wealth, prestige, respect. Or so he thought. When tragedy unexpectedly struck, he was forced to help his best friend’s daughter.
What he didn’t know was that he needed her, like his own breath. He fought the desire leading him astray, but in the end, he wanted only one thing: Her. She found his demons and slayed them with her innocence, crept into his heart like a spark of light.
Passion sizzles, and sparks fly when the beautiful wounded Eden appears, to hell with what was right. Losing everything never factored in. All he wanted was to live in the moment.
Her moment.
I was seven, and she was five. The very last words I’d ever hear from her was my name on her lips, as she screamed it helplessly. It echoed in my head and squeezed my heart as our car plummeted over the edge of darkness, free falling into the unknown.
Gravity, or the lack of, lasted only for a few moments before what felt like a brick wall hit. The cold water rushed in faster than my mind could comprehend.
Everything in the front seat was still. Motionless. My parents’ silence was disturbing as I tried to put the pieces together.
The water was rising. Her blue eyes were wide, aching for me, her big brother, to save her, save us. I remember taking my last breath as the water covered my head. Panic had yet to set in.
Confused by the sudden, silent crash of my window, I remember a strong grip pulling me out with great force as I continued to inhale the water. Then the grip dug in deeper as my arm went numb, and I eventually just surrendered to the black. All I remember thinking was:
Madison… Forgive me.
Today
The g-force slams me violently into my seat giving me complete control. It’s exactly what I need, and the power I crave. It’s as if the gas pedal got stuck, and in that acceleration, in that momentum it releases that emotional pressure that threatens to steal my freedom. Behind the wheel, the unforgiving speed of the BMW X6 G-power Typhoon S, offers a primitive release I can’t override. And in the haze of the afternoons heat I can feel my shirt clinging to my back and sweat coiled around my fingers gripping the wheel tighter as I take the corner doing eighty. I’m not seeking approval from anyone, and I never will. The flashy red gloss gets unwanted attention, sure, but then again, I can control that, too.
The car’s screen suddenly lights up. Miss Knight’s name appears on the screen.
My voice activates it and I answer. “This isn’t a good time.”
“Dr. Grant, I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I had an urgent call of a personal nature.”
What now. I immediately feel my body tense, and my heart begins to race. It could be anything, I reassure myself. But a million different scenarios race through my mind.
“I’ll be in the office in ten,” I say, ending the call.
Miss Knight understands my need for solitude, yet her words pulse through me as I pull into my private space. I button my jacket and straighten my tie out of habit. The elevator takes me to the top floor. When I step into the foyer and see Miss Knight waiting. The pain in her features, her nervous fidgeting seems out of character. Uncomfortable with her unusual summons, I tuck away my fears threatening to consume me and cross the floor in three strides.
Get a grip.
“Shall we?” I ask, extending my arm toward my office, assuming privacy is necessary. “Have a seat.” I offer, then take mine behind my desk, and lean back, waiting. Her silence, triggering every cell in my body.
“Doctor,” she begins nervously, obviously navigating her words carefully.
“I don’t know how to tell you this, sir.”
Our gaze locks and we stare at each other for a long minute. I’m growing impatient by the second, trying desperately to conceal my emotions.
“Go on, Kimberly.” Purposely using her first name to try and calm her worried state.
“Your friend, Dr. Barnett, and his wife, they were in a horrific plane crash, sir.” Her brows knit in a frown, and her eyes fill with a sorrow and can no longer meet mine.
“No one survived.” Caught up in a whirlwind of emotions her eyes swim
with tears as I take in her words. I try to push the feelings away. Cold thoughts rush in, as if a storm is abruptly hovering over me. I watch her scrutinize my reaction.
“They what?” I ask battling my way back to the present. “What happened?”
“I don’t have all the details yet. I only received the message because we share the same private airline representative. She called with the news this morning. I’m deeply sorry, sir. I know you were close.”
Yes, we were close.
I pause to process. “I just saw him last week.” My nerves skyrocket as the memory of our last day together flashes before me, the tennis court. He kicked my ass. Then proceeded to give me a hard time about it.
“Didn’t they have a daughter?” It occurs to me out of the blue. I have never met her, and she was always off to school somewhere.
“Turns out, she wasn’t with them.”
I nod in understanding.
“There will be a service today, sir, one of many.” She starts to leave and turns. “Will you be alright, sir?”
Of course not. A rude awakening awaited me.
“I’ll be fine,” I reassure her, but the pain rips through in every direction, in every imaginable way and now I find myself feeling very alone. Friends have not been bountiful in my life. I’ll miss our monthly tennis games, the testosterone flowing freely through our veins, the high-octane competition in fierce abundance. I craved it.
Flashes of Stanford and the trouble we barely escaped come to mind. It usually revolved around girls, and a lot of liquor. He had taken me under his wing. Although older, I was suddenly a part of his inner circle, and he was the leader. He was a God, and I was honored to be part of his rat pack.
He rebelled against his father, who tried desperately to tame him while planning his entire life. There would be marriage, children, and stature. His father was chief of staff at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford, and had high expectations for his son. It had all fallen into place when he met Amanda. He’d married her and juggled school, family and his need to be more. Everything shifted when he fell in love, and he finally grew up.
Forgotten Chance: Book Three (Forgotten Trilogy) Page 15
