Where Truth Lies (Love vs. Loyalty Book 2)

by Nia Arthurs

  Trenton folded his handkerchief and pressed it to his forehead, wiping the sweat that drained there. It was over ninety-five degrees out, and it felt like they’d stuffed him into an oven.

  He was toeing the line of misery—the heat, combined with how much he missed his wife, and how messed up things had become thanks to his own doubts and Denzel Ramirez’s advice threatened to push him right over the edge.

  “Sir?” He heard a voice and turned to find Howard Ellis striding toward him. He wore a flannel shirt and a pair of thick jeans that tucked into sturdy work boots. A yellow hardhat adorned his head, and a clipboard nestled between his chest and elbow.

  “Looks good, Mr. Ellis,” Trenton said as the weathered contractor drew nearer to him. “If there’s anything else that you need, don’t be afraid to call me. The project is moving ahead of schedule thanks to you.”

  “I’m only moving quickly because you’re leading the way through all the red tape.”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Exactly. You didn’t have to come all the way down here, Trenton,” Ellis said. “It was a problem you could have handled from the main office.”

  “I needed the trip.”

  Ellis’s sharp eyes took him in. He slapped the thigh of his pants, allowing a cloud of fine sand to cough up. “Now, this may not be any of my business, but are you and the missus alright?”

  “We’re—” he scrunched his eyes and looked into the distance—“we’re okay.”

  “Okay, huh?”

  “We’re just… not where I thought we’d be at this point.”

  Mr. Ellis made a sound in his throat and pulled at his gloves. “Lots of people get caught up in the fairytales, think happy endings fade to black after the characters get married, but things aren’t always so peachy. Marriage is hard work.”

  Trenton rubbed the back of his neck. “You can say that again.”

  “Make sure you have a good support system around you, encouraging you when times get hard. And don’t be afraid to go for counseling if you think you need it. There’s no shame in seeking that extra help.”

  ‘Yes, sir.”

  Ellis slapped his shoulder. “Well, I’ve already spoken out of line so I won’t go any further. You have a safe trip back to the city.”

  “I—ah—was actually planning to spend a few more days out here.”

  Ellis froze and turned around. “You’ve already been here for three days, son.”

  Trenton’s gaze fell to the earthy red sand at their feet. “There’s a lot to do.”

  “I see.”

  The words were sharp. Piercing. Trenton felt the full extent of his contractor’s disapproval.

  Ellis wasn’t alone. Everyone was against this trip, but Trenton didn’t know what else to do. He wanted to be with his wife, but he couldn’t make the marriage work on his will alone.

  Especially with all they had stacked against them.

  Ready to return to the hotel, Trenton walked to the car where Jamison waited with the air conditioning on full blast. The cool temperatures in the vehicle felt like stepping into an icy shower after a terrible drought.

  “It’s a furnace out there,” Trenton complained, pulling at the fabric of his shirt.

  “Where to now, sir? Back to Belize City?”

  “No. Back to the hotel.”

  “Sir—”

  “You have something you want to add, Jamison?” Trenton snapped. “I have work to do, okay? I’m not running from anything. I’m just trying to get my head together.”

  “Will you at least text Mrs. Lorde?”

  “Why should I?” Trenton asked, staring petulantly out the window. “She hasn’t texted me first.”

  Jamison scoffed. “Frankly, sir, I find your behavior childish and hurtful.”

  Trenton threw his hands in the air. “Why don’t you say what you really feel?”

  “Alright, I will.” Jamison dropped his hands from the keys in the ignition and turned to wield Trenton with a strong stare. “Marriage isn’t like dating. You can’t take a break. You stick with that person and you work through your problems together.”

  “Is everyone a marriage expert these days?”

  “Are you making fun of me, sir?”

  “Never.”

  “I’m sure your wife is very worried about you. Cayo is just an hour away from Belize City. I’ll gladly drive you when I return this afternoon, and we’ll be back here by seven tomorrow morning.”

  “No thanks,” Trenton said. “I’ll just stay at the hotel, but you tell your wife ‘hi’ for me.”

  Jamison shook his head in disappointment. For a moment, Trenton feared he would continue his lecture, but Jamison chose instead to turn the car around and drive to the hotel.

  “Aren’t you coming up?” Trenton asked, bending over to see through the passenger side window.

  “The work day is over. I want to go home. Hug my wife. Tell her I love her.”

  Trenton felt a pang when he heard those words, but steeled himself against the reaction. “Go ahead. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Jamison drove off without returning the greeting, and Trenton stared at the tail of the car. Was it just him or was his assistant forgetting that he was the boss here?

  Jamison had always spoken his mind with very little thought to the consequences. In fact, he was the only man that his father had listened to when it came to business, and Trenton respected that. However, this was his life and he wasn’t a child.

  Shrugging off the reprimand and the guilt that accompanied it, Trenton crossed the foyer of the hotel and waited for the elevator. He pulled out his phone to check his emails when he felt a presence beside him.

  A slim woman in a tight blue shirt highlighting her generous curves and black pants that revealed more than it hid slid up next to him. His eyes roved her body before he reminded himself to behave.

  “Hey, Suit,” the woman said. “Remember me?”

  They’d run into each other yesterday when he’d held the elevator doors open as she rushed into the hotel lobby. Since then, she sent him flirty smiles and called him ‘Suit’ whenever she saw him.

  “Good evening.”

  “Good evening?” She mimicked. “Are you always this composed?”

  The elevator doors opened, and Trenton grabbed at the opportunity to put some space between them. Despite his commitment to his wife, he was still a man—a man who’d been celibate for a very long time. A man who recognized exactly what kind of girl stood beside him.

  “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Sheila.”

  He dipped his head toward her as the elevator doors closed, locking them inside for the half-a-minute ride to his hotel room. Trenton could hold it together for thirty seconds, right?

  Twenty-nine

  “It’s so hot in here,” Sheila said, her voice a low, sultry purr. She pulled at the hem of her shirt and hurled the blouse over her head, revealing her flat stomach and bikini top.

  Twenty-five

  Trenton inched away to the corner of the elevator and pressed his head against the glass that made up the walls of the tiny compartment. Squeezing his eyes shut, he grabbed onto his self-control and held on for dear life.

  Twenty

  “Excuse me,” Sheila said, putting her hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?” He turned to face her and she grinned up at him, massaging the muscles beneath his shirt. “Wow, you’re really toned. Do you work out?”

  He cleared his throat. “When I have the time.”

  Fifteen

  Her hands moved from his shoulders to his arms, her brown eyes piercing his in an unquestionable display of interest. Trenton’s eyes moved to her plump lips before he forced his gaze to the wall above her head.

  “I feel kind of silly admitting this…” she chuckled and tucked a lock of her straight hair behind her ear. “But the first time I saw you, I literally couldn’t breathe. There was this insane connection between us. Did you feel it too?”

&n
bsp; Ten

  “I-I have a wife.”

  Sheila’s eyelashes fluttered and she stepped back. Trenton felt a wave of relief as she backed off and quietly applauded himself for getting through the ordeal with his honor intact.

  Ding!

  The elevator doors opened and he strode forward to walk out. He saw a flash of movement in his periphery vision and stopped short when the doors closed of their own accord.

  He glanced over and found Sheila pressed up against the buttons, her eyes trailing his face and chest. His heart thudded beneath his fingertips. Shame and excitement shot through his bones.

  Sheila licked her lips and pulled at the hem of her pants so that he could see the outline of her bikini bottom.

  “That’s okay,” she whispered. “Wifey doesn’t have to know.”

  Chapter 19

  ₪₪₪₪₪₪

  Breana arched out of bed, shrieking and moaning from the dream that had felt so real, it seamlessly blended into reality. Sweat poured down her face and drenched the cotton nightgown she didn’t remember putting on.

  “Sh… it’s okay, Bree-Bree. It was just a nightmare.”

  Breana turned and found her mother rubbing her head and gently guiding her to lie back down. Stunned, she stared at Merna’s hardened face, her gaze tracing the dark brown eyes to the black lips and the nappy brown hair.

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, sweetie?”

  She touched her throat, wondering why her voice sounded so hoarse. “What are you doing here?”

  Merna dipped her rag in the water basin and set it on Breana’s head. The cool cloth felt heavenly, as did her mother’s presence after three days of sleeping alone in Trenton’s big house.

  “Your husband called me yesterday,” Merna said. “He wanted me to check up on you. ”

  “He did?” Breana struggled to rise and managed to lean back on her elbows.

  “Yes. He told me where the spare key was and everything. I walked up here and found you running a fever. What’s going on, Bree-Bree? You rarely ever get sick.”

  “Why didn’t he call me himself?”

  “He didn’t say,” Merna admitted. “Are you two having a fight?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Merna gave her the side-eye, but decided not to pry further. Instead, she pushed Breana back and reapplied the damp cloth. Seeing her daughter in such a frail condition weighed heavily on the mother’s heart.

  “I’m not dying, Mom,” Breana muttered.

  “I know that. You just… you never get sick, Breana. Are you sure something isn’t wrong?”

  “Trenton went on a business trip,” she said softly. “Maybe I miss him.”

  “Why does it feel more serious than that?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re fine.”

  Merna surveyed her daughter’s face. “I know I was never a good mother to you. I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I was there when you needed me, but you are still my child. I can feel when something’s wrong.”

  “Why did you come, Mom?” Breana asked with a tired sigh.

  “I told you. Trenton called me yesterday—”

  “If he called you yesterday, why did you just come today?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Are you using again?”

  “Breana!”

  “If you are, please leave. I don’t want Trenton to come back to a house that’s been picked clean because you needed to pay for your next high. We already owe him enough.”

  “Young lady—”

  “What, Mom. What?” Breana sat up and glared at her mother with red-rimmed eyes. “What do you want me to say? Huh?”

  “Watch your mouth. I am trying my hardest, okay? Now I know things weren’t the best before but this time…”

  “This time?” Breana laughed dryly.

  “Things are changing for you, Breana. Why are you still so angry.”

  “Do you want me to sit here and pretend that I didn’t grow up in hell, Ma? Do you want me to pretend that getting kicked out of apartments and running from debt collectors was fun? Do you want me to forget that I slept with one eye open every night waiting for the men you entertained to stomp down my room door and hurt me?”

  “Breana, I know you’re upset but—”

  “I’m not upset, Mom. I’m furious. I hate you for forcing me to grow up ahead of time, for putting me in this position, for putting me in this house, in this life, with this man...”

  “What?” Merna reeled back. “What did you just say?”

  “I hate you!” Breana screamed, tears streaming down her face. “I hate you because my heart hurts and, despite how hard I tried to keep it together, I’m falling for him. I hate you…”

  Breana sobbed and Merna hugged her tightly, pulling the younger girl to her chest. They rocked, each battling the hurts that the other had inflicted. Finally, Merna pulled back and looked Breana in the eyes.

  “I couldn’t come yesterday because… I was drunk. The house was so lonely without you, and I knew that if I saw you it would just make me feel even more alone. I thought I’d drink a little and get some courage.”

  “Are you telling the truth?”

  “When I woke up, I rushed home to clean up and then came straight over here. I promise.”

  “You’re really not using?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Mom.”

  “Merna smiled sadly and rubbed Breana’s shoulder. “It’s okay if you hate me. I hate myself too.”

  “I’m sorry.” Breana’s gaze dipped to the floor. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “It’s okay.” Merna wiped at her eyes and sniffed. “Well, you seem a bit better now. It’s late afternoon so I’ll go out and buy you some soup. Make sure you eat it, even if you aren’t hungry.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m fine.”

  “I want to.” Merna touched her hair awkwardly. “I rarely ever get to act like a proper mother to you so I’d like to do it.”

  Breana watched her mother leave the room and sighed. She hadn’t meant to spill her feelings in such an explosive outburst. Merna had tried the best she could with what she had. Breana knew things could have been much worse growing up.

  Despite feeling guilty for her sharp accusations, Breana also felt… unburdened. Keeping the unfairness of her childhood inside so that Merna didn’t feel bad meant Breana had never had the opportunity to voice them.

  Now that she’d gotten it out of her system, perhaps she could move on from the bitterness.

  Carefully climbing off the bed, she moved to use the restroom and then returned to check the messages on her phone. The only notification was from Melissa asking if she was okay and promising to cover for her at work.

  Breana texted back a response and then navigated to her last text from Trenton.

  Something came up. I need to leave for a few days. Will call you later.

  Three days had passed and he hadn’t fulfilled his words. Breana played with the phone, turning it over and over in her hands. Should she call him first? What if he was really busy? She didn’t want to bother him.

  Setting the phone down on the nightstand, Breana sat on the edge of her bed and glanced at the gold necklace she’d tossed there. This stupid piece of jewelry had been the cause of so much unnecessary drama.

  She thought back to Cady’s jade necklace. The man Cady had met in Mexico, the one that put a smile on her face and peace in her heart, showed his affection by investing in something that would last.

  Breana pictured the chunky links of the necklace and recalled her boss going on and on about how heavy it was.

  Even though Denzel hadn’t been able to afford something as expensive as Juan’s necklace, he had given her something cheap and she’d treasured it as if it were pure gold—even when the links turned green.

  Breana had been holding on to something that had lost its value as if it guarded her heart from the dangers of love. After all, if she never mad
e herself vulnerable, she would never be hurt.

  And Breana Moore was intimately acquainted with hurt.

  From her mother, to Denzel, to the countless social workers and church people who took pity on the little girl with the drug addict mother but failed to stick with her when times got tough, she had learned to keep her guard up.

  People were fickle creatures. One day, they promised to stay by your side, the next, they turned their backs and walked away without blinking an eye. The world was a harsh place, especially for a little girl who grew up in the belly of poverty.

  Breana still didn’t think that she and Trenton were the perfect match. Still believed that—in his own way—Trenton’s concern for her stemmed from pity rather than any romantic feelings he claimed to be developing.

  To be honest, Breana really didn’t care what they were rooted in anymore. She only knew that she wanted to grow. And she wanted to grow with Trenton Lorde.

  Her husband had shown more love to her in the past few weeks—through his kindness, patience, and self-control—than any other man had shown in her lifetime.

  As soon as he returned from his business trip, Breana wanted to make up for lost time. She gave herself permission to fall in love. Every word, every touch, every look, she would reciprocate it ten-fold.

  Trenton had taken a chance on her and he deserved the same. Breana was ready to make that commitment to him, after all, her husband had proven he could take good care of her heart.

  Maybe happily-ever-after didn’t only exist in fairytales. Maybe there was a happy ending waiting for someone with a past like hers. And maybe—just maybe—she and Trenton could have it all.

  Chapter 20

  ₪₪₪₪₪₪

  Trenton’s head smacked against the wall of his hotel room as Sheila frantically tore at the buttons of his shirt. He admired her tenacity and her ability to multi-task as she split her concentration between kissing and undressing him.

  Breana and I are only married on paper, he rationalized as Sheila succeeded in tearing his shirt off. We never really made any other commitment to each other.