by S. E. Rose
My book comes out next week and I got my first advanced copy of it. My editor sent my copy over here at my request. I see the package with it on my nightstand. I take it out and carefully wrap it with some paper I bought in Edinburgh before the trial started. I leave a card on top of it and lay it on Jack’s pillow.
He comes in after a drink with Oliver. I am sitting at the desk in our room working on my new novel.
“What’s this?” I hear him ask from behind me.
“Just something,” I murmur.
He opens it. “Your book. I wasn’t sure we’d get a copy until we got back home.”
“I had them send it to me.” I hear him open the cover and start to flip through several pages and then he stops.
“It’s for you,” I say after I don’t hear him move for a moment.
He comes up behind me and hands me the book. “I want you to read it to me.”
I take the book and open it to the dedication page. But I don’t need to read it; I already know what it says. So I look into his eyes as I recite the memorized words.
“To Jack—When I got on the plane to come finish this book in seclusion, I never imagined what would happen and where it would lead me. I don’t believe in fate. Or at least, I didn’t before I met you. You ignited a flame in my soul, an Olympic torch of sorts that burns brightly. I wish we had met earlier, that things had been different in our lives. I wish the pain we felt never existed at all, but then that would mean that we would not be here in our perfection. You weren’t my past and you can’t change the things that happened, but you are my present and my future and I’m not scared any longer to live and to love. Thank you for loving me. With all the love I have for as long as I have love to give, Laura.”
He pulls me up to stand in his arms. “Thank you,” he whispers as he looks into my eyes. “For everything.” And he crushes his lips to mine and kisses me with all the passion and intensity he has shown me every day since I’ve met him. And I know, we’ve put the pieces of each other’s souls back together. Each day we are more complete, more whole, and our souls are more entwined. We have become one. We are one. And no matter where we are, we are our own island.
Interlude
Six months earlier…
He taps his fingers on his desk as he looks at the email. He wants that shipment. The dollar signs echoing in his head are enough to make him turn green with envy. He contemplates how to talk his “friend” into giving him the deal. He needs to go there, but if he does he might step on toes that are better left alone.
Deep in contemplation as to the best course forward, he almost misses the sound of his mobile ringing. The number is from his contact in London.
“Hello,” he answers.
“Alexei’s dead,” the voice responds.
“What?”
“He’s dead,” the voice repeats.
“When?”
“A few days ago. The police will make his identity public tomorrow.”
“Interesting,” he says as he stops tapping his fingers and stares back at the email.
“People are asking,” the voice says.
“Tell them to send their inquiries to me,” he commands. “I’m in charge now.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll be overseeing a new business venture in South America,” he says. “If you can’t get ahold of me, you know who to contact.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good. I’ll be in touch,” he says and hangs up. He turns his chair to gaze out the window, to gaze out at his empire, for he is now in complete control. The smile on his face remains as he calls to make his travel plans. Two birds with one stone, he thinks to himself.
Laura’s Playlist
“A Bad Dream” by Keane
“Always Happens Like That” by Kaiser Chiefs
“Falling By the Wayside” by People in Planes
“Feel Again” by OneRepublic
“Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve
“Sowing the Seeds of Love” by Tears for Fears
“This Year’s Love” by David Gray
“Moment of Surrender” by U2
“Not Enough Time” by INXS
“What Gets You Off” by Jack’s Mannequin
“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure
“Save Yourself” by Civil Twilight
“The Trouble with Love Is” by Kelly Clarkson
“White Flag” by Dido
“Politik” by Coldplay
“Runaway” by The National
“England” by The National
“World on Fire” by Sarah McLachlan
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day
“Demons” by Imagine Dragons
“Look What You’ve Done” by Jet
“Other Side of the World” by KT Tunstall
“Bleeding Out” by Imagine Dragons
“By My Side” by INXS
“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
“Orphan” by Jack’s Mannequin
“Can’t Say What I Mean” by Kaiser Chiefs
“Sabotage” by Beastie Boys
“Four Seasons in One Day” by Crowded House
“Distraction” by Angels and Airwaves
“Come Undone” by Duran Duran
“Ashes” by Embrace
“The Punk” by KT Tunstall
“Fake Empire” by The National
“Strong” by Robbie Williams
“How Loud Your Heart Gets” by Lucius
“Life is Beautiful” by Vega4
Author’s Note
Human trafficking is a serious global problem. According to a multitude of sources that this author has found through simple internet searches, there are over 20 million individuals enslaved in the world due to human trafficking. It is a serious problem that can happen anywhere, no matter how safe you think your community is. While the antagonists in this story are involved in a variety of crimes including human trafficking, the author wants to point out to readers that this is a fictionalized story and details relating to criminal activity or police investigations is purely fictitious. So many individuals are not as lucky as the characters in this book.
You never know when you might be able to stop human trafficking. Pay attention to your surroundings and if something doesn’t look right, speak up! Visit your local police department’s, national police’s or the United Nations’ web pages on human trafficking to learn more about this crime and how you can help to stop it.
Acknowledgements
Writing a book can be a solitary adventure, and that is how it started for me. However, after I realized I was actually writing a real book, I had the help of so many amazing people.
First, I have to thank my IT guy, Phil Shaw, for saving all my books when my hard drive went bad. Yes, this book and several others were nearly killed by a cat. You heard that right, a cat. Yes, my cat is still alive.
Second, to my beta readers—THANK YOU! Your suggestions and critiques helped to make this book better. And to my awesome proofreader, Judy! If this book shines, it’s because you polished it.
Third, to my family who probably thinks I have become some sort of hermit, who only leaves her bedroom…I mean office, at night—I love you all!
Fourth, to all the wonderful authors who I have befriended and gotten advice from during my journey. Authors’ biggest supporters are each other and I will forever be indebted to those that helped me on this adventure.
And lastly, to all of you, the readers! Putting your innermost thoughts out there for the world to critique is tough, but in the end, I decided to do it. So, I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you’ll continue with me on this journey.
About the Author
S.E. Rose lives in the DMV. And if you know what that means, then you know where she lives. She currently resides with her husband, two children, and always at least two cats and usually other random creatures her children decide they need. While she works at a desk during the day, her evenings
and weekends are devoted to writing and editing her romance novels. She loves all things wine, coffee, tea and dark chocolate, that’s right dark chocolate. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, traveling, going to concerts, and reading.
Learn more about upcoming books from S.E. Rose at www.seroseauthor.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @seroseauthor.
Coming Soon—“Secrets (Portentous Destiny Series Book 2)
Prologue
Lily’s Playlist: “Mayday (M’aidez)” by People in Planes
June 29th
I can’t sleep. I’ve tossed and turned. I don’t want to take the sleep meds my doctor gave me. I’ve been off them for weeks now. I know it’s not my insomnia, but the steady stream of recent events passing through my mind like a movie reel stuck on replay. The fact that it is ridiculously hot and humid with not even a faint hint of a breeze doesn’t help the matter.
I look over at my cell phone again. I sigh and pick it up, walking out of my room and toward the back patio. I plug in the wireless router and turn it on as I pass by it. The door is locked, and I struggle to undo the lock and steel beam across it. Eventually, I figure it out and open the door to find the patio quiet and slightly illuminated by the moonlight.
I sit down on a chair and prop my legs up on another one. I take my hair band off my wrist and twist my hair up into a messy bun, securing it with the band. I unlock my phone’s screen and flip through social media. The Wi-Fi is spotty but seems to be working for the moment.
I’m not sure how long I sit there reading posts and watching videos with my earbuds in, so the sound doesn’t wake anyone, but after a while, I turn off my phone and just sit. I listen to the rustling of leaves in the jungle beyond and the occasional cry of a bird. I close my eyes and allow myself to sense my surroundings.
My mom is a yoga fanatic. She’s been practicing for years and insisted I join her when I was just a kid. I hated it at first because it required sitting still and being quiet, but eventually, I found it cathartic. It settles my mind and calms me, which isn’t an easy thing to do. Even my therapist notices when I haven’t had time to practice. So, I take this moment in the silence of the night and just let myself still. I cross my legs and straighten my back and breathe in deeply. After a while, I get in my zone.
I’m not sure how long I’m there when something brings me out of my meditative state. My eyes flash open and then I hear it again.
It’s a soft crackle at first and I think to myself that it must be an animal in the forest. I can only see the trees about midway up their trunks as the garden wall blocks the ground view. I don’t see any strange movements so I still myself again and listen. The sound is coming from the direction of the road. I swivel around and then ever so carefully, I get up from the chair so that it doesn’t make a sound. I creep over to the far edge of the garden wall where there’s a gate door. I try to open it, but it’s locked. Damn, the security! I take my phone and put it in selfie mode and reach my arm out of the gate, so I can see what lies beyond.
At first, I don’t see anything, because it’s too dark. But then, on my phone’s screen, I see the glow of a cell phone and shadow of a person. Then I see a second person. The second person is holding a cigarette. I can just barely make out the orange glow from it. I strain to see my phone’s screen a little better, but it’s very dark and only the illumination from the moon makes it possible to see. After a minute, a third person walks up to the other two carrying something. Another person? A child?
I pull my phone back in and cover my mouth with my hand. Oh my God, the kids!
