Secret Exposure_a bad boy new adult romance novel

by London Casey

  “It’s called a laptop.”

  “Yeah, that thing.”

  I hugged her. She smelled like home. I knew the days were numbered. All of our days were numbered.

  I got into my truck and drove to Ava’s parents’ house. They still lived there. The same fake house in the fake development. I shoved the envelope into their mailbox. It felt good to give all that shit up once and for all.

  Then I went to the ridge.

  I parked my truck at the beginning of the trail and walked the rest of the way.

  I got to the embankment to climb to get to the ridge and just stood there. Going up meant going back. And I wanted to go forward. So, I stood there. I wasn't going to climb the ridge. I wasn’t going to stand there. I wasn’t going to cry.

  The memories were real and would forever remain real. That was for sure. I could never forget Ava and what she meant and what happened. The way her life and my life collided into Hazel’s. How small the world could be when it wanted to be. Sometimes it was hard to grasp.

  I crouched down and touched the dirt.

  I shut my eyes.

  I could still hear the dirt bikes. Cruising through those woods like we could never die. Figuring out who we were and what we were trying to do. Yet at some fucked-up level, it was all a lie. Because of what Night was really doing and who he really was. There was so much I should have known then but didn’t.

  When I stood back up, I cleared my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut and made sure there would be no tears. I walked slowly back to my truck and climbed inside and sat there. I looked forward knowing it wouldn’t be the last time I would see the trail or this town, but I knew it would be the last time I obsessed over the ridge and what happened there so long ago. A decision was made there that forever changed many lives. A place in my heart would be there forever for Ava. My comfort came in the hope that she had truly found her peace. If not, that perhaps it helped her to watch down and see me save Hazel. And I would always save Hazel. No matter what.

  I started the truck and decided to go back to Hundred Falls Valley and surprise Hazel. Just show up like I did that first time and sweep her off her feet again. Sweep her off her feet every single day we were together.

  What I didn’t know was…

  Surprising her early would be the biggest decision of my life…because I had to save Hazel one more time.

  47

  HAZEL

  PRESENT DAY

  I felt naked without my camera, so it was nice to have it back. Tate thought I had partied just a little too hard the night before, and I was okay with telling him a little lie. I had been drunk, and I had wanted to go home. He thanked me a million times for the St. Skin picture and made sure I was still going to be at the new shop as the progress went on. He then had an idea with the people they were interviewing. I stopped him and said all ideas need to go through the guys at St. Skin before me.

  I wasn’t going to get stuck in the middle of Tate and Maddox again.

  I loved Maddox, and I needed Tate's business.

  Although it was a small moment, it proved that I was able to stand up for myself. And Tate didn’t get mad at all. He smiled and agreed.

  When I left the shop, I text Maddox.

  I just wanted to check in. Tell him I missed him. Maybe flirt a little.

  But Maddox wrote something back that was more intense than I was expecting.

  Why don’t you just pack everything up and bring it to my place? Or better yet - find a new place - for the both of us.

  Maddox wanted to live with me? Wanted me to move into his apartment? Wanted to pick out an apartment together?

  That should have scared me, but it didn’t.

  I wanted to be with him. Near him. Living with him. The smells of coffee and breakfast each morning. Dinner at night. Being in bed with him every night and waking up next to him every morning.

  By the time I got back to my apartment, I planned on starting to pack. The change would be great and much needed. There was too much in my apartment that needed to be left there.

  But there was also something waiting for me.

  I grabbed the doorknob and instinctively turned.

  The door was unlocked and opened for me.

  I took a step into the apartment before I realized that the door was supposed to be locked.

  I froze.

  I looked down.

  I mentally went back through the last time I left the apartment. I never left it unlocked. Ever. No matter how fast I was going or anything, the door was always locked.

  So I looked at my apartment and saw that everything was normal. Nothing taken. Nothing out of place.

  Shrugging my shoulders, I stepped into the apartment, still feeling a little uneasy.

  I shut the door behind me and tossed my keys to the end table in the living room. I took a few creeping steps, waiting for something to happen, but nothing did.

  I seriously must have left the door unlocked.

  I paused at my computer and took my camera bag off my shoulder. I put it on the desk. Turning toward the kitchen, I let out a long breath. I needed to pack a few bags and leave. If Maddox was serious about moving in together, then I wanted to hear him say it in person and make it happen.

  Smiling, I walked down the hallway to get to my bedroom.

  I turned, grabbed for the doorknob, and that’s when it opened on its own.

  I let out a scream.

  A second later, Mitch appeared from nowhere, something in his right hand. Before I could scream again, his left hand shot out and grabbed for my neck, forcing me back against the wall.

  “There you are,” he said.

  His dark eyes were as evil as ever. He showed me his right hand. A handful of my panties. All different colors. He put them to his nose and laughed.

  “Who’s been touching these, huh?”

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “You still owe me, Hazel. You owe me everything.”

  “You broke my camera,” I gasped. “I thought we were even!”

  “Hardly.”

  He threw the panties in my face. “Dressing like a whore? Is that how you get work? Huh?”

  “No,” I said.

  Mitch pushed me, knocking to my left, toward the main room of the apartment.

  I turned, channeling everything I had gone through.

  This is not going to happen. Never again.

  I swung with my left hand.

  An inch away from his face, his hand shot up and blocked my blow. He then tried to swing at me, but I was able to fight the fear down and protect myself. I ducked, and his hand smashed against the wall. I kicked at his leg, smashing him in the knee before turning to make a run for it.

  It was a cheap move, and bought me no time at all. This wasn’t some movie where the bad guy got hit once and stayed down. This was real. Mitch was real. And his hands grabbed my shoulders and shoved me. All my momentum drove me forward too fast, and I tripped, falling to the carpet. I felt the burn of the fibers against my hands as my knees slammed down.

  Mitch then stepped right on me, holding me down.

  “Where’s your money at?” he asked. “That’s what I want.”

  “I don’t have any,” I lied.

  He pressed harder with his foot.

  I cried out. My stomach contracted and was losing space. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

  I tried to wiggle, but Mitch wasn’t going to let me get away.

  He dropped down to his knees, almost sitting on me. His right hand went to the middle of my back and he pressed hard, stealing my air.

  He came down, his nose burying itself into my hair.

  “So, here’s what I’m going to do then,” he whispered. “I’m going to take whatever I want from you. You owe me everything, Hazel. I’m tired of leaving and coming back expecting something different. You don’t even care about me, do you?”

  He let up enough for me to speak. Normally I’d placate. I’d say whatever it took to kee
p things calm.

  No more.

  “I fucking hate you,” I hissed. “You’re a filthy piece of shit.”

  Mitch grabbed my hair. “Oh, do you’re nasty now, huh? I like nasty. We can get really nasty, Hazel. Really fucking nasty…”

  Mitch pulled at my hair some more and slithered down my body.

  I threw an elbow and hit him in the face. Mitch let out a growl and threw a fist to the floor. It hit hard. And it was really close to my face.

  That was my warning.

  But I was still going to fight him.

  “Fuck you,” I said.

  “Trust me, Hazel, it’s going to happen real soon.”

  Mitch put his hand to my back again and pressed harder. I fought him but couldn’t breathe. Not being able to breathe made the panic set in. I kicked my legs, but I couldn’t hurt him. I couldn’t get to him.

  “I like this side of you,” Mitch said. “I like a good fight. A really good fight. But first, I need to collect what’s rightfully mine. Everything in your life.”

  Just then, there was a knock at the door.

  I looked up at the door and saw my chance.

  I screamed just as Mitch’s hand slid across my mouth. But I knew I got enough of a scream out to be heard. And when I had shut the door entering the apartment, I hadn’t locked it.

  A second later the door flew open.

  And there was Maddox with roses in his hand…to save me again…

  48

  MADDOX

  PRESENT DAY

  I bought roses. I never bought fucking roses. That wasn’t my thing at all.

  I hustled up the steps as I went to her apartment.

  My text was real. I wanted her to live with me. Either in my place or a place we picked out together, I didn’t give a damn. I just wanted her close to me at all times.

  I knocked on the door, half-jokingly so I didn’t scare her by just walking in.

  When I heard what sounded like a scream, I wasn’t sure if that was her telling me to come in or to wait. But my gut…something in my gut told me otherwise.

  Something was really wrong.

  I opened the door and couldn’t believe what I walked in on.

  Hazel face-down on the floor, some guy on top of her, a hand across her mouth. He was all over her. Her beautiful green eyes screamed to me, and I knew instantly who this guy was.

  Mitch.

  The fucking guy that had been hurting her for so long.

  I threw the roses to the floor and charged.

  Mitch jumped up off Hazel and tried to stutter step back. I got within reach of him and threw a right hook that cracked against his jaw. He flew into the entrance of the kitchen, grabbing for the wall to keep himself from tumbling down.

  I paused and looked back at Hazel.

  I hurried to help her to her feet. “Are you okay?” I didn’t let her answer. “Call the police. Right now. Take my cell and call Jonesy. Then call Smack. This asshole isn’t leaving unless he’s in cuffs.”

  “Maddox!” Hazel yelled.

  I turned in time to see damn pan come flying at my face. I backed up at the last second and crashed into Hazel, knocking her over. She let out a cry of pain. I swung my right hand again and hit Mitch in the gut. He dropped the pan and groaned.

  “Hazel,” I said.

  “I’m fine,” she said.

  I grabbed my phone and tossed it to her.

  Then I charged at Mitch again, tackling him to the table. I hit him two more times and grabbed a handful of his shirt.

  “You smack around women, huh? You fucking punk. You pussy. You want a real fight? You’ve got one right here.”

  I pushed away and put my fists up.

  I could see the fear climbing across Mitch’s face. Nobody had ever stood up to him before, I could tell. He didn’t know what to do.

  “Come on,” I said. “Come on, right now.”

  I heard Hazel on my phone. Telling Jonesy who she was and what happening. She ended the first call to make the second.

  Mitch tried to swing at me, but he had no punch. He was weak. Pathetic. Just as I figured he was.

  “I’m just here for my money,” he finally said.

  “Your money?”

  “She owes me money. I bought that camera for her. I started her business.”

  “This is all about money?” I reached into my pocket. I had about a hundred dollars in cash. I threw it at him. “There. There’s some cash. Now fight me for the rest, you fucking loser.”

  “Don’t make me hurt you,” Mitch said.

  I stepped at him, and he jumped back. Then he turned, putting his back toward Hazel. I showed him my right fist, ready to knock him out for good.

  “You ever touch a woman again…I swear on my life…”

  “Just let me take the money,” Mitch said. I watched as he collected the money off the floor, his right hand in the air at me as though as he could stop me. He stood up. “I got my money. I’ll go.”

  “You’re not leaving, Mitch,” I said. “You’re done. This ends right now.”

  He stuck his hand in his pocket to put the money in.

  I went after him again.

  The biggest mistake ever…

  I underestimated just how much of a scumbag he was. My emotions got the best of me. I was channeling not only Hazel’s pain, but also everything I’d kept repressed from Ava and Night.

  As I came as Mitch, he took his hand out of his pocket.

  With a knife in his hand.

  I couldn’t stop myself.

  I walked right into Mitch…right into the knife.

  I felt a hot searing pain and grabbed my stomach. I lost all feeling in my left leg instantly and dropped to my knees. Then I felt Mitch kick me in the ribs as hard as he could. I rolled to my back and looked at up him.

  “You did this,” he whispered.

  “Fuck you,” I said.

  Mitch’s hand shook, the knife bloody.

  All I felt was hot pain. Very hot pain. Blood everywhere. My body feeling rubbery.

  I watched as Hazel grabbed the pan off the floor.

  As Mitch stood over me, Hazel finally stood up for herself. She finally overcame everything. She swung the pan through the air like baseball player going for a home run. It smashed against the side of Mitch’s head, and the guy dropped as if a hypnotist had snapped their fingers to put him to sleep.

  Hazel dropped the pan and dropped to my side.

  “Towel,” I grunted. “Get me a towel, sugar.”

  She scrambled, running to the kitchen, running back to me.

  I put the towel to my stomach and pressed as hard as I could.

  The pain was swallowing me up, along with a threatening darkness that I did not want to face.

  “Maddox, no,” she said. “I can’t lose you.”

  I swallowed hard. “I’m right here, Hazel.”

  She kissed my cheek. She hugged me. I forced my right hand to move so I could hug her back. I never knew a small knife could do so much damage to me. The pain swelled beyond my stomach. I felt like someone had set a fire inside my chest. And my head was…groggy. Really groggy. It was like nothing I’d ever felt before…

  I looked at Hazel. She was fuzzy for a second, clear for a few seconds, then fuzzy for the next.

  “I hear a siren!” she said. “They’re here! You’re going to be okay!”

  I forced a smile. “I love you, Hazel…with the green eyes.”

  “I love you, Maddox…with the tattoos…don’t leave me.”

  I opened my mouth to say I never will, but something happened.

  I suddenly felt like I was being electrocuted. My body started to shake.

  The last thing I remember seeing was Hazel’s perfect green eyes.

  49

  HAZEL

  PRESENT DAY

  The first guy that grabbed me was named Jonesy. He told me his name as I tried to punch him in the face. The other officer, Smack, went after Mitch first, then to Maddox. Jonesy pick
ed me up and carried me out of the apartment. He took me to the first-floor landing, put me in a corner, and put his hands out for me to see.

  What was I saying? I had no idea.

  But Jonesy managed to calm me down somehow, and I was able to tell him everything that had happened.

  When the EMTs arrived and took a stretcher up the stairs, I started to freak out again.

  Jonesy touched my shoulders. “Hey. How well do you know Maddox?”

  “What? Why?”

  “You know how tough he is.”

  I nodded.

  “He’s one of the craziest people I know. And if he loves you as much as you love him, he’ll be okay…okay? Let’s get in my car and go for a ride…I want to hear everything else that happened.”

  My lip quivered.

  Then I blurted out something crazy.

  “I killed a man!”

  “No, you didn’t,” Jonesy said. “He was still breathing in there. You hit him though?”

  I was confused for a second until I realized Jonesy thought I was talking about Mitch.

  “Not him,” I said. “There was another man. I killed him.”

  “Wait, there were two men here?” Jonesy grabbed the radio on his shoulder.

  “No!” I yelled. “Years ago. A man who hurt me. I killed him.”

  Jonesy looked around. “Okay. Hazel. You’re in shock. You need to come with me. We’ll get a head start to the hospital. I promise I won’t leave your side. Ever. Okay?”

  “Please don’t put me in jail until I see that Maddox is okay.”

  “I promise,” Jonesy said.

  He slipped his arm around me and walked me out of the apartment building.

  I got into the front seat of the police cruiser and looked at my apartment building. Then I grabbed the door handle, wanting to get back out. Wanting to see Maddox one more time. Just in case…

  “He’s going to be okay,” Jonesy said. “And as far as that other guy goes, once he comes to, he’ll be arrested. I’ll communicate the whole thing to my partner, Smack.”