TAILSPIN
Page 1
Table of 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
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Excerpt - Siren
Acknowledgments
Excerpt of SCARS
Books by Jaimie Roberts
Author Bio
Tailspin
Jaimie Roberts
Copyright © 2017 Jaimie Roberts
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction, all names, characters, places, and events are the products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Excerpt - Siren
Acknowledgments
Excerpt of SCARS
Books by Jaimie Roberts
Author Bio
Lying down with only a dim light to illuminate the room, I look back to five months ago as if it were all a dream. How did I get from there to here? I can’t seem to wrap my head around the whole thing. I keep thinking maybe if I had done things differently…
I almost laugh at the thought. Hindsight is such a farcical word.
I don’t find it funny now.
Instead, I lie here with my arm hanging over the edge of the sofa and a lone tear falling down my face. I want to shut out the world and pretend it never happened. I want to believe things were different—are different. I wish I’d never found out what I did and that my life could be the way it was five months ago. I was naïve back then, but I was also happy. I lived in a glorious, airtight bubble which no one could penetrate and where no one could harm me. Armed with what I have learned, all I can think about is: Where do I go from here?
I thought I knew my path in life, but I’m now facing the unknown.
And it scares me to fuck.
The urge to escape is palpable, but I’m trapped … for now. I know I will need to move, but I’m scared. I have no clue how I ended up in this situation.
I blink, and more hot tears flow down my face and fall onto the sleeve of my white shirt. I watch as a tear-stained circle forms, growing bigger—just like the fucked-up situation I now find myself in.
I manage to move one leg, which has gone numb from lying here for far too long before stilling again. With as much strength as I can muster, I manage to place one foot on the floor. When pins and needles form, I move my foot in a circle to try and start the flow of blood again. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something.
Maybe I’m just dead inside.
Biting my lip, I look up at the plain white ceiling above me and try to stop my tears from flowing. I promised myself I would no longer cry over him, but it seems I have failed yet again.
The agonising feeling in the pit of my stomach intensifies. Bit by bit, I will move. Bit by bit, I will manage to break free. I’m just so afraid to breathe, let alone move—just in case it causes him to stir.
But what frightens me more than anything else in the world?
There’s nobody who can help me.
Five Months Ago
There are some things to know about me right off the bat. First, my name is Andi Bellingham, I am twenty-six, and I live in Chelsea, London with my flatmate and close friend, Ritchie. Second, I am the personal assistant to the CEO of Worldwide Airways, Devon Jackson. Third, I both love and hate the man with a passion that consumes me on a daily basis.
He is best friends with my brother, Charlie, who is away in the military. He is rich, conniving, and egotistical. He also has the most amazing ass I have ever seen. He reeks of self-importance; it practically radiates from him the moment he enters a room. Standing at almost six-foot-five and three-quarter inches, he is impossible to ignore. Believe me, I know.
He also has the most perfectly short, dirty-blond hair and the most striking and intriguing blue eyes which are often hooded by his dark brows.
His jawline is strong, but not too pronounced, and he tops that off with the sexiest goatee stubble I have ever seen.
I don’t know how I’ve managed it, but I have been working for him for the past eleven months. I needed a job, and my brother helped me get this one. He also told Devon I was off limits. Devon just shrugged and nonchalantly said he would have absolutely no problem with that. He said he never mixed business with pleasure—despite the fact that I’ve often heard him doing just that right behind his office door.
Like right now, for instance. A tall, leggy blonde with the biggest fake tits I’ve ever seen stands before me with that “You’re shit on my shoe” look.
“Can I help you?” I’m trying my hardest to be polite, but this woman holds no regard for me whatsoever. As a result, I have to admit the feeling is mutual, and I can’t very well reciprocate that which isn’t offered to me in the first place. My mother always taught me that respect must be earned … and this woman has earned absolutely none.
“I’m here to see Mr Jackson. He is expecting me.” With a flick of her hand, she tosses her golden locks away from her face and gives me a false smile.
“I bet he is,” I mutter under my breath. “And your name is?” I ask, noting that she never divulged that information.
“Amanda Wright.”
The moment she says her name, Devon calls my phone from his office. I pick it up and answer in my usual bright voice. “Yes, Mr Jackson?”
“Can you come into my office, please? I need to speak with you.” Before I can answer, he hangs up.
Begrudgingly, I look back up to Ms Fake Boobs and grab my pen and notepad. “Please, take a seat. I will let Mr Jackson know you’re here.”
She smiles f
alsely again and sits down in the waiting area. The minute she takes a seat, her skirt rides high, showing off her long, shapely legs.
I walk towards Devon's office with a sigh and knock on the door. Once I hear his booming voice, I walk in.
“Andi, take a seat for a minute.” He motions for me to sit down, but I point to the door.
“Amanda Wright is waiting outside for you.”
He waves his hand dismissively like she means absolutely nothing. “She can wait. Now, sit.” He nods toward the seat, so I immediately sit down. When I do, I can’t help but smirk at his nonchalant attitude toward Amanda “Long-Legs” out there.
“Has something amused you today?”
I look up to see Devon’s annoyed, but somehow intrigued expression. “No, sir. I was just thinking about something that happened on the train this morning.”
He raises an eyebrow. “And has this incident stopped you from thinking of nothing else all day?” I shake my head. “Well, I suggest you concentrate as I need your help with an upcoming trip. I can’t have some random amused thought fuck it all up. Do I make myself clear, Miss Bellingham?”
By fuck, I hate this man.
I smile sweetly like I always do. “Yes, Mr Jackson. Perfectly.”
He nods triumphantly and leans back in his chair. “There is an important meeting I must attend in New York. Sutherland Airlines is looking to partner up, and I think I can make them an offer they can’t refuse. It will mean branching out in New York, but it is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. The trip will be long, but hopefully beneficial. I will need you to book the flights and hotel as well as make arrangements for a personal driver. You will also need to check out all of the local, prestigious restaurants in case we need to make reservations. I should have more details by tomorrow afternoon.”
I note everything down and look up. “What about your private jet? Wouldn’t you normally take that?”
He looks annoyed by my question. “No. Unfortunately, it needs servicing and won’t be ready in time.” He clenches his fist, tapping it on his desk. His jaw ticks with displeasure.
Judging by his mood, I decide it’s best to change the subject. “When do you intend to go?”
He smirks at me, the irritation in his face immediately disappearing. “We, Andi, will be flying out two weeks from Saturday.”
I furrow my brow, wondering if I’ve just heard right. “We?”
He nods again. “This is going to take days of wining and dining to convince these old coots they need my help. I need to entice them into a world of possibilities where I will be making them an offer they can’t refuse. Max Sutherland, the CEO, is looking to retire in a few years and wants his son, Aaron, to take over. However, they need help. This is where I step in. I need you there so you can make all the arrangements. It will be a busy few days for you.” He smirks. “I’m not a complete arse, though. We will fly in Saturday and take in the sights on Sunday. Monday will be business as usual.” He pauses, leaning over his desk a little. “I know you haven’t been to New York before. It will be an adventure for you.”
I bite my lip, trying to suppress my smile. “How long were you thinking of staying?”
He frowns. “I’m hoping it will take no longer than a week to ten days. Besides, I’ve only ever breezed past New York. I’d like to see a bit more of it myself. It will be hot there, but I’m sure we’ll get used to it.”
I grimace a little. “It’s just that … well … my dad’s birthday is in just over two weeks. I had hoped to do something special for him.”
Devon sighs. “You don’t sound very grateful.”
I straighten my posture. “I am. I just wanted to do something for him.” And I really do. It’s only been three years since my mum got shot in an attempted robbery gone wrong. To this day, the police have never found the perpetrator.
“You can get him something nice from New York. It’s not negotiable, Andi. I need you with me. Besides, I know your father will forgive you. You were always the apple of his eye.” He’s trying to make light of the situation, but I still feel guilty.
In the end, I know I won’t get anywhere with this. With a defeated sigh, I smile, trying hard to hide my disappointment. “Okay. I’ll wait for you to give me further details. Is that all you needed?”
A look briefly passes over his face, but I can’t tell what it means. Eventually, he shakes his head, looking down at the desk. “I need you to open up a file for Sutherland Airlines. I will email all the information to you shortly.” He looks up briefly from his paperwork and points to the door. “You can let Miss Wright in now.”
I rise, holding my pen and notepad in one hand as I open the door with the other. Amanda Wright looks up with an eager expression. “You can go in now.”
I smile at her as she gets up, brushing past me as she makes her way into his office. She walks right up to Devon, who turns his chair toward her. He smirks up at her as she pushes his legs open so she can get closer. They smile at each other and then look at me.
“Can I get you anything? Tea or coffee, perhaps?” I ask, feeling like a complete idiot. This is one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.
They both laugh, shaking their heads. That’s my cue to shut the door. I should have just left the moment she walked in, but I quickly erase that thought from my mind. Actually, what I really want is to erase all thoughts of Devon completely.
Once I sit down at my desk, I hear giggling coming from his office. I want to cover my ears. In fact, my hands instinctively come up in an effort to drown out the silly little chipmunk noises emanating through the walls.
Putting some earbuds in to listen to music, I busy myself with Devon’s instructions. I don’t know how long I’m working before I feel a tug on my arm. I jump, looking up to see my big brother staring down at me with a confused smile on his face.
I gasp and pull my earbuds out. “Charlie! What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t due back until next week.” I jump out of my seat and run into his arms for a hug. He’s been stationed in Germany for the last six months. A few years before that, he was stationed in Northern Ireland. He was a changed man when he came back from there. Unfortunately, he saw two of his friends get killed, and he told me it was something he would never get over. He had flashbacks for a while, but he did get better. To me, he has always been a strong-willed fighter, but I can tell it still affects him.
Pushing me away slightly, Charlie looks down at me. “I got a viral infection and was laid up for several days. Because I still need rest, they sent me home early.”
I put my hand on his forehead, checking for a fever. “A viral infection? You never told me. Are you okay?”
Charlie chuckles, pulling my hand away with a gentle tug. “I’m fine,” he says, looking down at me with his soft brown eyes. “You were always a bit of a fusspot, Andi. It’s like you’ve taken on the role of mother hen.”
He laughs again as I swat at him. “That’s not fair, Charlie. I worry about you—a lot. Plus, I’ve missed the hell out of you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
He gives me an amused look. “I’m fine … especially now that I’ve seen my little sister.” He glances briefly at Devon’s door. “Is he in?”
Just as he says this, another giggle erupts from behind the door. I roll my eyes. “Yes, but I don’t think he wants to be disturbed … if you know what I mean.”
Charlie stares at Devon’s door with the biggest, cheekiest grin. “Sly dog.”
Grabbing his arm, I shake my head. “Come on, big brother. There’s a table with our names on it. It’s close to lunchtime anyway. Let’s go grab something.” I pull him toward the lift. On the way, we pass Mandy, who has always had a little crush on Charlie.
“Charlie, you’re back,” she coos, running into his arms for a kiss and hug.
“Yep. I’ll be in London for the next three weeks. It’s good to be home. There’s only so much Weisswurst and Liebfraumilch I can eat and drink. I did miss Andi’s cooking.�
�� He smiles at me, making my heart warm.
“Aww, that’s so sweet. Well, if you ever fancy some home cooking around my house, feel free to let me know,” she purrs.
She’s such a tart!
I’m standing behind Charlie, so I motion my finger down my throat. I’m only teasing, but I know it will wind Mandy up a little. She glares, making me chuckle.
Charlie turns and looks at me quizzically. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head and smile innocently.
He glances back at Mandy. “That’s very kind of you to offer.” He beams, causing Mandy to swoon.
“You have my number, right?”
“Well, since you’re such a close friend of Andi’s, I have to. If I couldn’t get in touch with her, I’d call Ritchie first and then you. So, yes, I have your number.”
Mandy bites her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “So, where are you two headed?”
“I’m just taking Charlie to the café around the corner. Devon is a little … preoccupied at the moment. So, I thought I’d catch up with my big brother.”
Mandy raises an eyebrow at my comment. She knows about Devon’s extra-curricular activities, and she also knows I secretly obsess over him. In an unguarded moment, she’d caught the look on my face once when he brought a girl into his office. I hadn’t even realised she was watching me.
“Oh,” she answers simply. She looks like she feels kind of sorry for me, but the last thing I want is her pity. That’s the reason I don’t like people knowing how I feel. Apart from Ritchie, Mandy is the only one who knows. Ritchie soon caught on when I would come home and talk about nothing but Devon. I’d go on and on about liking Devon one minute and then complain because he pissed me off the next. The classic signs were there. I just wish I didn’t feel this way.