by Silla Webb
He pulls an envelope from his suit pocket, slinging it across the desk at me. I already know what it is, so there’s no need to look at the DNA results. I shove the paper back in his direction.
“Open the envelope. It’s time you know the truth, Carly.”
“I know what that paper says, but it’s just that, a slip of paper. It means not one damned thing to me.” I reply, smiling sweetly, holding my poker face intact.
“So you know that I’m Big John’s son, your brother?”
“Yeah, I read that in some paperwork that I found hid away in a trunk in the back of Daddy’s closet when I moved back home. Just black words on white paper. Meaningless.” I shrug him off, and this fuels his anger. He growls slightly, shifting in his chair, continuing to stare an icy cold glare at me.
“You think you’re some privileged little bitch don’t you, Carly? Always had it all growing up? Got it all now? Hell, look at you. Just twenty-five and you’re the CEO of one of the largest coal companies in Kentucky. Must be real nice to have everything served up for you on a silver platter.”
“Mr. Varney, first of all, its Ms. Bitch to you. Secondly, I’m not stupid. I’ve done my research on you, and I know more about you than you think. I know that MY daddy gave you a lavish life, making sure that you had the best education, the best home for you and your mother, the best of everything. I know that he left you money in his will, and I know that he left his partnership in Dalton Trucking to you. You’re just a greedy bastard who thinks you can terrify me into letting you extort my family of our business and money. Well, I’ll give you money. I’ll write you a check right now for your partnership in Dalton Trucking, only if you’ll walk away now, and never look back.”
Drew throws his head back and laughs a devious, bone chilling laugh. “What makes you think I’d be willing to accept such an offer?”
“Because you’re a greedy bastard, and money talks.” I smirk.
Drew leans back in his seat, and takes a deep breath, before uttering the most sinister of words, with a deep, husky voice that would terrify even the largest of men. “Sis, you’re right about one damn thing. I’m a greedy bastard. But I won’t stop, not one damn second until I have every frickin’ ounce of what’s rightfully mine. I’ll do whatever it takes to pry it from your hands. You and Savannah both will be left with nothing once I’ve released my grip from you little bitches.”
My poker face is slowly melting away, as his words strike me to the bone. His eyes have changed from dark green to nearly black, and although I can feel the rising tension floating from his body, his demeanor is still and impassive. His threats chill me to the bone, but I’m a Simon, just as much as he is, and I won’t back down.
“Dear greedy bastard, you see if you were anything for my daddy to have been proud of, you would have been given his empire. Not hidden away from our happy little family, like the bastard that you are. He was ashamed that he had a bastard son. If he loved you….if you meant to my daddy, what I meant to him, then he would have left you his empire. But he didn’t, now did he?” I smile from ear to ear, knowing that my words cut him deep, leaving marks that will forever warn him, not to screw with a Simon.
That statement pushes him over the top, as blood pounding fury builds in his face. I can see the vein over his temple throb as the blood forces its way through. He grips the arm of the chair, releasing a deep huff of air that reminds me of a wild animal. He stares at me momentarily, thinking about what he wants to say next. His rebuttal is moot, really. Who’s sitting on the power side of the desk here?
“Now, Mr. Varney, as you can imagine running an empire as large as Simon Energy, I’m a very busy woman. So, heed my warning now. Do not find your way back to Simon Energy property. Continue to make your idle threats and just remember, I’m Carolina Jo Simon, I have connections, and my pull is a hell of a lot stronger than yours. You may wanna tread lightly where my family is concerned. Because I will tell you this, you didn’t truly know my daddy, but he was one fierce, gutless son of a bitch. And he raised me to be just like him, which is why I am the CEO of Simon Energy, not some pathetic illegitimate bastard son. You’d do yourself well to keep our little secret. Now, see yourself out, and have a lovely day.” I glare at him, not willing to back down. I can’t back down. There’s too much at stake here. The shit storm he could unleash revealing Daddy’s secret could be epic, and I have to do what I can to protect our family. He stands on his feet, reaching a tall six foot six, and peers down at me with a piercing sneer.
“You have a great day, Sis. I’ll be seein’ ya.” He says, turning on his heels.
I can’t fight back the bile that’s rising up my throat. Drew is a venomous snake. After this confrontation with him, I can see that he has more of my daddy’s dark side than Savannah or I either one have. As his words replay through my mind, I realize he wasn’t making threats to attack my family, stripping me of what Daddy left me. He was promising to do just that. And in this instant, I know that we are at war, and Drew will stop at nothing to get what he feels he deserves.
I race to the toilet, and make it just in time before the vomit flies from my mouth. My knees are weak, and my body is trembling. I slowly pull myself up to the sink, rinsing out my mouth. When I walk back into my office, Colton is standing in front of the door with his hand braced up against the wall. He looks pissed, but I don’t really care.
“What was Drew Varney doin’ here?”
“Not now, Colton. I ain’t got time for your shit today,” I mumble, grabbing my purse and keys.
“Baby, are you sick?” He asks, walking towards me. He braces his hands on my elbows, searching my face, before checking my head for a fever.
“Yeah, been vomiting all morning. I’m going home.”
“Do you need me to take you home, darlin’?” He asks, concerned.
“No, I’ll be fine.” I say, brushing past him to leave.
When I get home, I crawl into bed, pulling the covers over my face. I sleep for a few hours, before the nausea wakes me again. I try to drink some Sprite, but it just makes me queasy. I try to eat toast, but that comes right back up.
Tired of racing to the toilet, I pull a small trash can beside of my bed, and fall back to sleep. A while later, I wake up to the feel of my hair being brushed behind my ear. I look up, to see Colton, sitting on the side of the bed, worry filling his eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
“Worried about you, darlin’? Been callin’ ya all damn evenin’ and you wasn’t answerin’ your phone. So I came to check on ya.”
“How’d you get in?”
“You left the door unlocked. Momma made you some chicken noodle soup. Do you feel like tryin’ to eat?” He asks, unlocking the lid from the Tupperware container. As soon as the smell hits my senses, I bolt from the bed, and run to the bathroom with my hand locked over my mouth so the vomit doesn’t escape my lips.
I make it to the toilet just in time. My stomach rolls in pain as I spew the last contents of stomach acid into the commode. I don’t have a fever, no chills, just terrible nausea and weakness. The lights make my head spin, and I feel off balance. Then it hits me.
I count backwards in my head to the last time I had sex. When was my period? SHIT! I search through the bathroom cabinet for the pregnancy test I had bought after Colton and I started having sex…just for an emergency like this. My hands tremble as I open it. Then I remember, I don’t think Luke used a damn condom! Holy friggin’ shit!
“Baby, are you okay in there?” Colton calls from the bedroom.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just give me a few minutes.” I grumble, trying to hide the tremors in my voice.I pull the stick from the package, reading over the directions quickly. I pee on the stick, and set it on the edge of the counter, and wait.
As I sit and wait, visions of a happy little family flash through my mind. Me, holding a sweet baby, and a faceless man. If I am pregnant, please let this baby be Colton’s. I silently whisper. Taking a deep breath, I grab the stick from th
e counter and my legs betray me. I drop to the floor, my mouth wide open as tears fall down my face. I don’t know if I’m crying happy tears that I’m having Colton’s baby, or if I’m crying because this baby just may be Luke’s.
Colton hears my fall, and jerks the bathroom door open to check on me.
“Darlin’, are you okay.”
I can’t speak, my words are caught in my throat, as I grip the pregnancy test in my hand, crying softly. Colton drops to his knees in front of me, brushing my hair away from my tear stained face.
“You’re scarin’ me, sweetheart. What’s the matter?”
I shrug my shoulders, and continue to cry, my breath hitching in my throat. He pulls me into his lap and begins to whisper against my ear, trying to calm me down. He doesn’t even know the pain I’m feeling, but he’s still comforting me.
He reaches for my hand, but I pull away, and try to hide the pregnancy test behind my back. He grabs my hand, and rips the pregnancy test from my fingers. I gasp, wrack sobbing tears falling freely as his eyes grow wide and his mouth drops open wide.
“What the hell?”
Playlist
1. Covered in Coal by Blackwater Outlaws
2. Big John by Jimmy Dean
3. Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn
4. Better Than Me by Hinder
5. Big Girl’s Don’t Cry by Fergie
6. Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
7. Behind my Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson
8. She’s My Kind of Crazy by Brantley Gilbert
9. Just a Fool by Christina Aquilera and Blake Shelton
10. Come Wake Me Up by Rascall Flatts
11. Stay by Florida Georgia Line
12. Fall Into Me by Brantley Gilbert
13. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
14. Say Something by A Great Big World
15. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks
16. You Don’t Know Her Like I Do by Brantley Gilbert
Acknowledgments
First off, I owe so much love and gratitude to my husband, Boss, for his continuous support of my wild and crazy dreams. I have spent the better part of the last seven months with my computer in my lap, surrounded by notebooks, and barkin’ out crazy questions…it truly has been enough to drive any man mad. But, after fifteen years, he sticks with me. I love you so much, for protectin’ me, lovin’ me, and lettin’ me, be me.
PS-It ain’t over yet…this is just book one…SORRY!!!!
To my children, thank you for inspiring me, to teach you to dream. Only you can change your path in life. Write your own story, and stay true to yourself.
Amanda, I can remember when we were young, wild, and free…dancin’ in the back of the car to Tupac…California Love will forever be our jam! But, in life, distance literally came between us. Thankfully as adults, I found my sister, and we reconnected through our love of books. You have put up with me, sending you countless messages on Facebook each day, my constant bitchin’, cryin’ and self-loathing. But you still help me stand tall, dustin’ me off. You always give that little shove of encouragement that I need. Your fingerprints are all over Covered in Coal, and I’m so beyond thankful of your love and support. Love you Sister!!
My BETAS… Amanda Staton, Natalie Jones, Jodie Squelch, Yessi Smith, Maureen Mayer, Tabby Coots, Kym Sardinas, Jennifer Cothran, Abby Cook, Megan Smith, Lee Casey and Elle Dawson. You girls made this process less stressful. You were there, holding my hand, cheering me on through it all. I love each and every one of you!
HJ Bellus. Cree brought us together. I was so nervous, contacting you about reviewing My Now and Forever, but you have become one of my closest friends. You, Heidi Jo, are absolutely inspiring. You taught me how to be brave. I’ll always love ya for it, too. Without you, I would have never had the guts to write a novel. Thank you for bein’ my Sista from another Mista!!!! Love you!!
To the amazing Authors who inspire me daily! Yessi Smith, K.S. Smith, Megan Smith, L.A. Casey, Glenna Maynard, Marie Wathen, Maureen Mayer, HJ Bellus…you ladies rock! You’ve each helped me in one way or another, and I appreciate your support!
Kickstarter Backers
Thank you to all of the amazing Authors, Bloggers and Fans who backed my Kickstarter Campaign! Your support through my journey as an Independent Author is absolutely overwhelming!!! THANK YOU for having faith in me, and Covered in Coal.
Jodie Squelch
Yessi Smith
Amanda Staton
Lee Casey
Tiffany Clark
Jennifer Cothran
Lacy Daniels
Anna G. Coy
Amy Curry
Donna Goble
Author Groupies
Jenny Zepeda
Amber Bennett
Raquel Lozano
Kristen Johnson
Mary Chen
Martin Tennison
Josie Mangano
Jessica Griffieth
Jeff Doubleday
Meet the Author
Silla Webb is a Kentucky native, raised in the heart of the coal fields. A coal truck driver’s daughter, and a railroader’s wife, the coal fields own a special place in her heart.
She is a work at home, Super Momma to three rowdy boys, who keep her on her feet from daylight to sunset. As a pass time from her everyday life, Silla started a blog-Momma’s Secret Book Obsession, for reviewing romance novels. From there, she realized that not only did she have a natural love for reading and reviewing, but she found that lost love of writing that she once had as a young girl.
When she isn’t conquering the world as a wife, momma and Super Woman, Silla loves to lay on the front porch swing and read while sipping sweet tea, just passin’ the day away.
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