Twisted Souls

by L. L. Collins

  “PUSH, LIANE! PUSH!” Kinsley, my former college roommate and labor coach, squeezes my hand hard. Ronan stands on the other side, wiping my forehead with a cool washcloth. Carter is coming. Today. He’s a little late, my due date having been a week and a half ago, but my doctor told me that first babies often break the mold for when they choose to enter the world. I’m not convinced that he’s okay until I hold him in my arms and he’s perfect, but at the moment the pain is too great for me to worry about anything else.

  I scream, the feeling of being ripped in two making me squeeze both Kinsley and Ronan’s hands. I wish for the thousandth time that my mom was here. They’re on their way, but there’s no way they are making it for his birth. Ronan’s parents are in the waiting room, but there’s no way I want his mother in here with me.

  “You’ve got this,” the nurse says, her voice like balm over me. “Breathe, Liane. On your next contraction, you’re going to have a son.”

  Next contraction. I can do this. Then I’ll get to hold Carter in my arms, and this all will be worth it. I need Ronan to comfort me, but I think he’s freaking out. “Ro.”

  “I’m right here,” he says, rubbing my arm as I feel the contraction building again. I cry out. There isn’t enough time for me to rest.

  “Okay, here we go,” the doctor says from in-between my legs. I haven’t ever seen this doctor before, but that’s what you get when your doctor isn’t on call. He turns to the nurse and instructs her to prepare for delivery.

  Pain rips through my body as the contraction takes hold. “Push!” the doctor and the nurse exclaim at once. I bear down, pushing with all the energy I have left. “Here he comes! Slow, Liane. There you go. Dad, do you want to see your son?”

  I force my eyes open to see if Ronan is going to do it. His eyes widen and he looks back and forth between the doctor and me. “N-no thank you.” I close my eyes again, tears pricking the back of my eyes as they tell me to push gently one more time. I’m not sure what I expected, but it disappoints me that Ronan doesn’t want to see his son being born. I know we’re young, but if I have to be put through it, why can’t he?

  “Shoulders out,” I hear the doctor say to the nurse. I then hear her suctioning, then feel the rush as the doctor pulls him the rest of the way out. I wait to hear him cry. Kinsley leans over to see him, a small squeal coming from her as she spots him.

  “Why isn’t he crying?”

  The nurse takes him to the little warmer, stimulating his chest. After what seems like an eternity, a loud wail echoes throughout the room. Kinsley hugs me, tears streaming from both of our faces. He’s okay. I clutch Ronan’s hand, pulling him to me as I cry.

  “He’s crying,” I sob. “He’s going to be okay, right?”

  He looks at the doctor, then back to me. “Is he alright?”

  The nurse wraps him up and brings him over to me. “He’s just perfect. Just needed a moment to realize he had to breathe. But his stats are great, though he may be a little earlier than full term by the looks of him. He’s a little guy, only 5 pounds 1 ounce. We’ll keep an eye on him and make sure he’s doing okay with breathing and that it isn’t too much work for him. Here’s your mommy, little boy.” She settles him in my arms and he turns his head, opening and closing his mouth.

  “Someone has figured out where his milk is already,” the nurse jokes. But I can’t look at her, or Ronan. All I can do is stare at this face; the face of my son. Carter William Collier has been in my arms mere seconds, but I already know I would give up my life for him. Heck, I already have in many ways.

  “Does he have hair?” I ask, lifting his little hat gently so I can look. Blonde spikes stick out from his head. A blondie like me. “Look at that hair,” I say, looking at my husband for the first time. He’s staring at Carter like he’s an alien from another planet. I don’t get his reaction, but I try giving him the benefit of the doubt since he’s a little in shock just like me. “He has my nose and lips. I wonder what color eyes he has?”

  For a brief moment, I allow myself to think about the ‘what-ifs’. What if Ronan had never broken up with me in the first place? What if I hadn’t gone to the beach? What if I hadn’t gotten pregnant? What if Blake hadn’t walked away from me, never to be heard from again? What if I wasn’t an eighteen-year-old mom? What would’ve happened to me? And the biggest question of all: What does the future hold for all of us?

  Do I love Ronan? Yes. And looking into the face of my newborn son, I make him a promise. I will give him the best life that I can, despite us starting out the way we are. I will dedicate my life to my family, because they deserve that from me. My life might not have turned out the way I thought it would or how I wanted it to, but I’m going to make sure that I make the best of what I have been given.

  “I’m your mommy,” I croon to Carter. “This is your daddy. We’re going to love you forever.” I look over at Ronan and he smiles, taking us both in his arms.

  “Yes, we are,” he agrees, and I know. Everything happens for a reason. My reason is now lying in my arms, his entire life up to me.

  Coming soon to all retailers~

  the final installment in the Twisted Series

  Twisted Paths is not a standalone. It is meant to be read after book one in the Twisted series, Twisted Souls.

  Life is a series of choices, and every one we make sends us down a different path…

  It is easy to look back at your life and see the mistakes you’ve made and wonder how it all could’ve been different. But when the path you thought would last forever comes to an end and you have to choose a new one, do you follow the route that looks the straightest and easiest? Or do you follow your heart and choose the one that might have more twists and turns but could lead you to the happiest tomorrows?

  Twisted Souls (Twisted #1)

  Truly Madly Deeply—Savage Garden

  Torn—Natalie Imbruglia

  My Heart Will Go On—Celine Dion

  I Will Always Love You—Whitney Houston

  (Everything I Do) I Do It For You—Bryan Adams

  End of the Road—Boyz II Men

  One Sweet Day—Mariah Carey

  It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday—Boyz II Men

  More Than You’ll Ever Know—Boyz II Men

  Glory of Love—Peter Cetera

  Open Arms—Journey

  Emotions—Mariah Carey

  I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing—Aerosmith

  Don’t Cry—Guns N’ Roses

  I’ll Make Love to You—Boyz II Men

  For You I Will—Monica

  I Want You—Savage Garden

  Check Yes or No—George Strait

  The Power of Love—Celine Dion

  You Were Meant for Me—Jewel

  How Do I Live—LeAnn Rimes

  I’ll Be Missing You—Diddy

  Un-Break My Heart—Toni Braxton

  Barely Breathing—Duncan Sheik

  It’s Your Love—Tim McGraw, Faith Hill

  Invisible Man—98 degrees

  When You Love a Woman—Journey

  The One I Gave My Heart To—Aaliyah tribute

  Twisted—Keith Sweat

  From Here to Eternity—Michael Peterson

  As always, a book cannot be written and finished without the help and support of many people. Thank you first and foremost to my family, who are now used to asking me if I’m writing a new book and getting the same answer (yes, I am).

  To Kellie, thank you just doesn’t seem like enough. The constant support you give me and the time you spend with me, no matter if it’s at a signing, texting, or something in between is invaluable to me. I could do this without you, but I don’t want to.

  To Mary Ellen, thank you for going way above and beyond for me with this series. You spent so much time helping me get things ‘just right’, time you didn’t need to. Your friendship means so much to me.

  To Becca, thanks for stepping in and doing the cover reveals for me for the series and being an invaluable part of
my research and writing. You are a super beta.

  To Mindy, thank you for being part of the ‘Book Besties’. I wouldn’t want to do it without the two of you by my side. I can’t wait for you to join us this year at a signing!

  Thank you to my amazing street team, the Leading Ladies, who keep me sane and work tirelessly at promoting. You’re way more than a team; you’re my friends.

  Thank you to my beta team for reading, hating me, loving me, and keeping me going.

  Thank you to all the bloggers that work so hard (and more often than not, for free) for all of us. We wouldn’t be where we are without you. Big, small, or in-between, you are invaluable in this community.

  Last but certainly not least, to the readers. Thank you for buying my books, reading my stories, messaging me, leaving reviews, and waiting anxiously for the next book. I hope you enjoy this two book series.

  Keep reading for an excerpt of

  Available now!

  BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG city… the perfect place to lose yourself.

  That’s the impression I first obtained of Los Angeles, the day I arrived… almost twenty years ago. And it’s the impression I still have today. The city of Lost Angels. I fit right in here, though I’d call myself more of a devil on any given day.

  This is where I started over. This is where the boy with nothing took on the world and became the man who has people at his beck and call for every little whim.

  As I glance around my mansion, high in the hills of Hollywood, I laugh cockily at the way life has panned out.

  Do I have love? No, but I have money. I have adoring fans and people follow me wherever I go. It works.

  Is it a perfect life? Of course not. Being in the public eye, never having any privacy… But, it is what it is and it’s the life I’ve chosen. It’s the life for me.

  The large clock chimes in the foyer and I glance at my bags near the door. The limo driver should be pulling up at any second.

  Next stop… Louisiana. Not at all where I want to spend the next year and a half of my life, but it’s where we’re filming and blockbuster roles keep my bank account happy. All of them. This three movie deal should easily drop another chunk of change into them.

  Not that money is something I really need more of.

  Smiling at the thought and the irony of that logic, I open the door just as the bell rings.

  “Mr. Black. Good morning, Sir. I’ll get your bags into the car and in just a few minutes, we’ll be off. Is there anything else you need before we head to the airport?”

  I think about that…

  “No, I think I’m good. I have everything I need… Everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  He nods. “Very good, Sir. Let me take these.”

  “DAMMIT, JAMES! YOU have to have a driver! You have no idea where you’re going here. GPS is an option, but I know how you are, and I don’t want to have to pay for a device or vehicle when you break the dashboard. I also can’t be with you twenty-four hours a day. I’m not your keeper!

  “I did some research and I found out which company almost everyone uses when they’re here. They can be trusted and I’ve spoken with the owner. He guarantees he’s sending you their best driver. They’re knowledgeable about the area and can get you where you need to go, as well as give you the history you crave to fill that head of yours with knowledge. Can you just stop fighting me on this?! You’re acting like a petulant child here!”

  I hear what Hugo, my manager, is saying. I even understand the reasoning, but I don’t like it. I don’t want some backwoods Louisiana idiot driving me around and more than likely getting me kidnapped. But, I also don’t want to have to pay for repairs to yet another vehicle. I don’t like being frustrated.

  Drumming my fingers on the table in my trailer, I roll my eyes at him and scowl. “I pay for it, not you…” He groans in frustration, but I cut him off. “I don’t like it, Hugo. How do you know this driver isn’t going to kidnap me and ask for ransom?”

  Hugo glowers at me. “Because, James, they are a reputable company and come highly recommended. A lot of celebrities use them when they’re filming here.

  “It’s not like I walked to the street corner, stopped the first car that came by, and asked them if they could drive you around! Work with me here, man!

  “Besides, they’d bring you back! FAST! Hell, they’d pay me to take you back!”

  I’m not going to win this one and in all honesty, I don’t even know why I’m being such a dick right now. Hugo has always had my best interests at heart. He’s been with me for a long time. He was my friend long before he was my manager. He’s one of the few people who know me inside out. If he says I can trust this “driver,” I know I can. I’m just feeling restless here and the truth is, I need to have someone who knows where the hell they’re going to get me around this place. Baton Rouge has a lot of streets that just make circles and randomly change names. The one time I attempted to drive here, I got so damn lost… It sucked ass and I had to stop and ask some teenagers for directions. I swear they were eying my jacket but they laughed as they sent me on my way.

  Besides, if this driver knows the state as well as I’m hoping, they can take me to see some of the places I’ve been reading about while I sit in my apartment every night. The night-life here seems to leave something to be desired.

  I nod. “Okay. Fine. If I don’t like them though… they’re fired. No questions and no hassling me. Got it?!”

  He sighs before he mutters, “Fine. The driver’s name is AJ and they’ll be here when you’re done for the day to take you wherever you want to go.” He glares at me. “Be civil, James.”

  Staring at him and making myself look bored, I mutter, “I’m always civil.”

  He chuckles. “Yeah, sure you are. You’re a real gem.”

  I glare at him, but hide a smirk. “I can fire you, you know?”

  He chuckles harder. “Yeah, try it and see how that works out for you. Who else would put up with your high-maintenance ass? Besides, the owner laughed hysterically when I said that you don’t like people fawning all over you… in reference to the driver.”

  That gets my attention. “Meaning what?”

  He laughs as he grabs his briefcase and checks his phone as it buzzes on the table. Once he’s done, he leans back and smiles at me. “Meaning that according to the owner, you have nothing to worry about in that department. This driver doesn’t give a shit about who you are.”

  What does that mean? They aren’t a fan of my movies? Oh well… everyone loves my movies. I fascinate people. They can’t read me, so they’re intrigued. I like it that way. I don’t care and that makes it easier on me if I don’t have to worry about some local yokel asking me for my autograph constantly.

  He’s watching me almost as if he’s baiting me. I’m not playing his game. I’m restless and need to re-read over my lines for the next scene. Ignoring him, I grab my script. It’s one of the most important scenes in the movie, so I need to nail it. I hear him chuckle as he gets up.

  He calls out as he opens my trailer door, “Remember to be civil, J. I have some calls to make and interviews to set up. I’m going to head out and take care of this stuff while you’re on set. Everyone seems to want to talk to you.” He mutters, “Though damned if I know why… You’re positively unpleasant most of the time. I’ll be back later.”

  Throwing my hand up, I make a rude gesture at him and he laughs as the door closes. I’m left in the quiet of my trailer.

  CHARLES, MY BOSS, is giving me the details on my new client. I’m listening while I clean out the back of my already spotless Tahoe. It’s a dark onyx that seems to glow in the sun. The leather seats are also black and luxurious. She’s always meticulously cleaned and sparkling. I take pride in my job and since I own the vehicle I use to drive people around, I take extra care of it. It’s another reason I’m the top driver for Top Notch Transport. I have the most referrals and the highest number of repeat clients for a reason. I know my shit and I take pride in m
y job. It also helps that I don’t particularly care for famous people as most are self-centered and pompous. That doesn’t impress me. I’m professional and aloof but very informative and most of them seem to like that. It’s a win-win.

  I look up as Charles’s last sentence catches my attention. “His manager asked that you not fawn all over him since he doesn’t like it.”

  My brow arches and my lips purse as I try to see if he’s jerking my chain. “Are you messing with me, Charles?”

  He laughs heartily. “No, AJ. I’m not. I told him he has nothing to worry about in that department.”

  Great, the client is already asking me not to treat him like a celebrity which means he really wants me to worship him. Freaking asshat. I’m going to have to nip that in the bud quickly or I can find him another driver.

  “Damn straight he has nothing to worry about. I don’t care. What was his name again?” I glance at him from under my bangs. He quirks his brow at me as I retort, “Sorry, I missed that part.”

  Charles laughs with such glee he has to support himself on the hood of my Tahoe to stop from falling over. My brow furrows as I try not to think about the handprint he’s leaving on my beauty. Somehow, he manages to wheeze out between chortles, “Wow, AJ. I just told you James Black, the biggest name in movies, is your charge and you didn’t even catch it. You know Mitzi and the other girls would be falling over themselves for this one.”

  I roll my eyes and scowl as my spine straightens, and I clench my hands so tightly my short nails cut into my palms. Taking a deep breath, I bite out, “I’m sure she would. That is her norm, now isn’t it?!” I ignore his frown and stop him before he can speak. It’s the same plea every time and I’m tired of hearing it. “I know who he is. I see his face everywhere. The tabloids love him. He’s supposed to be a real asshole.” I do know who he is. He’s gorgeous. I’ll give him that. His face is plastered over print and TV constantly since he’s a notorious playboy. I don’t think anyone on the planet doesn’t know who James Black is. And for the next twelve to eighteen months, he’s my charge. No problem. I can drive him where he wants to go and leave it at that. I’m so not even a little bit interested in the man behind the persona.