Beyond Love Lies Deceit

by Melissa Toppen

  The moment they get her free she collapses forward into their arms, her body so limp that I know right then and there that she must be dead. I can’t handle the thought. Pain constricts my chest making it impossible to breath.

  Turning, I spot Ryan just a few feet to my left, already restrained in handcuffs, two officers at his side. Without another thought I head towards him. My mind is blinded by anger; it’s the only emotion I feel. I am too numb to process anything else.

  Anger...

  An officer tries to step in front of me just as I reach my brother but I shake him off. My fist connects with Ryan’s face on a loud crack and he immediately goes backwards, hitting the ground with his hands cuffed behind him.

  Before anyone can stop me I am on top of him. I draw back and hit him again, his nose splitting open from the impact. His blood makes me see her blood and only enrages me more until I no longer have control over my own body.

  I unload, my fist connecting with his face at least two more times before one of the officers finally manages to pull me away. I look down over him feeling not one ounce of regret at what I see. His face is splattered with blood, his eyes already swelling.

  “Calm down son.” I hear my father’s voice causing me to spin around, the officer that pulled me off of Ryan still holding onto my arm like he’s unsure if it’s safe to let me go.

  My father approaches with two more police officers at his side. He stops just feet in front of me, nodding to the officer who is still trying to restrain me. I feel his hold immediately fall away as he takes a couple of steps back.

  “Calm down.” I scream, gesturing to where Samantha’s body had been hanging moments ago. “He fucking killed her.” The words stick in my throat.

  “She’s still alive.” One of the officers cuts in, his words causing an entirely different feeling to flood through me.

  “What?” I question, looking to where two of the officers are now escorting Ryan from the building.

  “She’s very badly injured and lost a lot of blood but she’s still hanging on. They are taking her to the hospital now.” The police officer standing closest to my father informs me.

  Without a word I take off towards the door, spotting the ambulance the second I step outside. Running towards it, I scream Samantha’s name.

  “I’m here.” I yell, the paramedic trying to get me to move so they can close the back door.

  “Sir we need her to get to the hospital right away. She’s lost a lot of blood. Please, I need you to step back.”

  “I’m here.” I say again, doing as the paramedic asks.

  He latches the door, not giving me even a glimpse of her before the lights flip on and the ambulance quickly pulls away.

  “I’m sorry.” I say to no one, the emotion so thick in my voice that the words come out more of a sob than a real sentence.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Five

  Samantha

  I can hear faint noises in the background; a beeping noise that seems to go on forever.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  It’s constant. It never stops.

  I peel my eyes open, one and then the other, blinking rapidly through the brightness. It takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust as I look around the white sterile room trying to figure out where I am.

  Ryan’s face suddenly flashes through my mind and I sit up abruptly, pain shooting through my entire body as I do. The beeping noise increases and I look down to see various wires and I.V. tubes running up my left arm and across my chest.

  I can feel myself starting to hyperventilate. It becomes harder and harder to breathe as flashes of images flip through my mind. Just when I feel like the panic will take me under, I hear something shuffle next to me which causes me to jump.

  “Relax.” I hear a voice next to me.

  Flipping my eyes to the right, my breathing immediately accelerates when I realize there is a man sitting in the chair next to my bed. And that man is none other than Nicholas Scott.

  “What are you doing here? What’s going on?” I choke out, my throat raw and dry.

  “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. Luke asked me to sit with you until he got back.” He says, causing a mental image of Luke to flash through my mind.

  “Luke.” My voice comes out a half broken sob. “Where is he?”

  “He’s been here with you for the last two days. He has refused to leave your side but I finally convinced him to go get some coffee and fresh air. He should be back any minute.”

  “Ryan?” I choke out.

  The reality that what I thought was a nightmare turning out to actually be the truth is a bit hard to swallow. It’s clear based on the gauze wrapped up both of my arms and the soreness covering the rest of my body that it did really happen and somehow, someway, I survived; though the details of that survival are still foreign to me.

  “In jail.” Nicholas reassures me, standing from his seat. “Here, you need to lie back down or you’re going to rip your stitches.” He says, resting his hand gently on my shoulder and guiding me back down.

  The bed is elevated so I am still propped up enough that I can see everything around me. Looking back to Nicholas, I have so many questions I don’t even know where to begin. I open my mouth to say more but Nicholas speaks first.

  “I know you probably have a lot of questions but right now all you really need to know is that Ryan cannot hurt you now. If it takes every penny I have, I promise you I will do everything in my power to ensure he never walks out of prison a free man.” He rests his hand gently on top of mine.

  “I can’t make up for the hell my son put you through, and in large part I feel like I am partially responsible. I should have let him sit in jail after the car accident that killed your brother.” He says, shocking me that he knows this information.

  “I just thought he made a bad choice at the time and I didn’t want his entire life to be ruined for that one decision. I know it doesn’t make up for anything but one day when you have children of your own you will understand the need you have to protect them, sometimes even from themselves.” He gives me a weak smile.

  “Luke told me everything.” He adds.

  “I’m sorry I lied to you.” I manage to get out.

  I’m realizing that while I originally thought the entire Scott family was all one in the same, Ryan is really the only one that deserved my hatred. I feel suddenly guilty for ever tying Nicholas to anything. He’s right, he was just trying to protect his child and can I really hate someone for that?

  “Don’t apologize.” He shakes his head. “You had your reasons and I can respect that. I would probably have done the same thing if the tables were turned. Had I known the type of man Ryan had become, the type of man you knew he was, I never would have helped him all those years ago. I don’t think any parent ever imagines their child would be capable of the things that Ryan did to you; the things he did to your brother and that poor girl.” He shakes his head as if trying to shake the thought away, clearly devastated by Ryan’s actions and learning the truth about his eldest son.

  “I should probably let the doctors know you’re awake.” He gives me a weak smile.

  “The police are also going to want a statement from you when you feel up to it.” He adds, turning his attention to the door just as someone pushes their way inside.

  The moment Luke’s face comes into view, everything that has been bottled inside of me starts pouring out. Tears flood my vision as he rushes to my side, his hand sliding gently down the side of my face.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay.” He whispers, breaking eye contact for a short second to nod at his father who immediately turns and leaves the room.

  “What happened?” I ask Luke, swiping at a tear that breaks free down my cheek.

  “Ryan had you in an old warehouse that my father owns. We looked for you for hours but it was my father who actually found you. If it wasn’t for him...” He fades out, the thought clearly too much for him to bear.

 
; “I thought I lost you.” He says, sliding onto the edge of my bed, turning inward to face me. Taking my hand gently in his, he works slow circles across the back with the pad of his thumb.

  “Hey.” I whisper, pulling his gaze back to me. “You didn’t.” I reassure him. “Because of you I am alive.” I pause. “He tried to convince me that you betrayed me, that you told him where I was.” His eyes widen at my words.

  “Samantha you know me...” I hold my hand up to his lips, silencing him.

  “I know. I know you would never do that to me.” I reassure him, letting my hand fall away.

  “I’m so sorry. I promised to protect you.” I can tell he absolutely blames himself for this.

  “This isn’t your fault. I came here knowing the risks. I put myself in this situation. I am the one that chose not to call the police. I am the one that was so hell bent on my own revenge that I couldn’t see what I would be losing. I am the only one responsible for what happened to me. You don’t get to carry that with you. You saved me. You gave me a reason to fight.” I reach up, running my fingers along his scruffy jaw.

  He hasn’t shaved for at least a handful of days and I must say, the look suits him.

  “I like this.” I scratch at the hair, seeing the seriousness fade from his expression and the lighthearted man I know come to life.

  “Oh yeah?” He gives me a heart melting smile.

  “Yeah.” I smile, pulling his face down to mine.

  He lays the softest kiss against my lips before pulling back and meeting my gaze.

  “I love you.” His words barely come out a whisper, my chest constricting the moment they reach my ears. “I think I’ve known it since New York.” He fades out for a moment, lost to his thoughts.

  “I watched you sleep for nearly two days.” He finally continues. “And all I could think was what I would do if I never got the chance to tell you how much you mean to me.” His words cause my heart monitor to spike in speed, the beeping coming increasingly faster across the machine.

  “I know it’s fast and so much has happened but I just needed you to know. I needed to at least say it once. I...” I cut off whatever he’s about to say.

  “I love you too.” I blurt out, his eyes widening the moment the words leave my lips. “I love you.” I say more clearly, watching the elation that takes over his handsome face.

  I never dreamed I would say these words to another living soul again. I didn’t think I was capable of feeling the way Luke makes me feel. He makes everything okay.

  He doesn’t erase what’s happened to me, no one can change the events that mold who we become. But he makes the past bearable. He makes the future possible. He makes me dream of what life can be.

  Giving me an incredible smile, he drops another gentle kiss to my mouth before resting his forehead against mine.

  “It’s you and me now.” He whispers.

  “You and me.” I agree.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Six

  Samantha

  Two Years Later...

  I slide the brush along the canvas allowing the tip to glide freely across the surface. A warm breeze comes in from the ocean, pulling my attention back to the waves that crash onto the beach below me.

  Taking a deep breath of fresh sea air, I turn my focus back to the canvas, jumping slightly when a pair of arms slide around me from behind, settling on my swollen stomach.

  “How are my two favorite people today?” Luke’s voice washes over me just moments before he drops a kiss to the crook of my neck.

  “Your son could take it a little easier on his mama.” I laugh, snuggling into his embrace.

  Swiping the brush one more time, I drop it into the water before turning in Luke’s arms. The moment my husband’s handsome face comes into view I can’t help but smile.

  “Good morning.” I breathe, pushing up on my tip toes to place a light kiss to his lips.

  “Good morning.” He smiles, placing his hands on my stomach.

  Leaning down he drops a kiss to the top of my belly before speaking directly to it.

  “Now Sean Nicholas, I need you take it easy on your mom kiddo.” He fakes seriousness, before straightening his posture and pulling me to him, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

  “There, problem solved.” He laughs, kissing the top of my head.

  “Oh I’m sure he’s gonna listen to that.” I giggle, burying my face into his chest as I inhale his incredible scent.

  “I like what you’re working on.” He says, prompting me to turn my head towards the painting.

  “I think I’m going to put it in the nursery.” I smile, letting my eyes travel along the splashes of blues and greens.

  “I think that sounds perfect.” He turns my face back towards him, his lips immediately finding mine.

  “I love you Mrs. Scott.” He rubs his nose gently against mine.

  “I love you too Mr. Scott.” I smile. “Now stop distracting me.” I shove at him playfully, shooing him off of the balcony.

  “Yes dear.” He laughs, disappearing back inside.

  Turning back towards the canvas, it’s clear to see the painting represents exactly how I am feeling in this moment as most of my art does; at peace.

  It’s funny how life works out.

  When I arrived in Los Angeles two years ago I had one goal in mind. I never expected to have a life beyond my revenge. And while Ryan has paid, and continues to pay from a prison cell, it’s not his outcome that gives me peace, it’s my own.

  I thought the day Ryan was sentenced it would all be over, like somehow it would all magically just be okay. And while the judge sentenced him to twenty-five years to life for my kidnapping and attempted murder, at the end of the day it didn’t give me much peace.

  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad Ryan is finally where he deserves to be. But I finally realized that the words my mother said to me all those years ago actually rang true. There really is no peace in vengeance. We must learn to forgive and through that forgiveness will find the means to let go.

  So that’s what I have done; forgiven. It didn’t happen overnight but eventually as months passed, I finally learned to let go; of the pain, the heartache, the regret.

  Little by little I found peace.

  Because at the end of the day I finally realized one very important thing...

  Ryan may have destroyed my past, but he also gave me back my future.

  Beyond Love Lies Deceit

  ~The End~

  Beyond Love Lies Deceit Playlist

  I draw so much inspiration from music and I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to every single one of these artists for their amazing gift of music.

  Before I Sleep- Joy Williams

  Until We Go Down- Ruelle

  Even Though I Say- Saint Asonia

  Fight Song- Rachel Platten

  Terrible Love- Birdy

  Til it Happens to You- Lady Gaga

  Alive- Sia

  Deep End- Ruelle

  Circles- Jana Kramer

  Revival- Selena Gomez

  I Was Me- Imagine Dragons

  Wildfire- Demi Lovato

  You Matter to Me- Sara Bareilles Feat. Jason Mraz

  Can You Hold Me- NF

  Acknowledgements

  What an incredible journey writing this book has been. I have cried, I have laughed, and at times I have wanted to throw my laptop straight out of the window. Writing a book is always such an emotional rollercoaster and this one was definitely no exception.

  So many amazing and wonderful people helped make this book possible...

  Myra- I don’t think I would have made it through this one without our wine dates. Thank you so much for keeping me sane and always being there to talk me down.

  Mavens- You are the most incredible street team an author could ask for. There is no way I could ever possibly thank you for each and every thing you do for me. I love you!!

  Mike- Thank you for staying up late at night and listening to all
my crazy ramblings about my ideas for this book and for steering me in the right direction when I got a little carried away. You truly are the most incredible man and I am so blessed to call you my husband.

  To my kiddos- You won’t read this until you are MUCH older but Mommy loves you!

  To my family and all of my friends- THANK YOU for always supporting me and standing behind me. I will never be able to tell you enough how much you all mean to me.

  I would also like to thank all of the amazing authors and bloggers I have met over the past two years. I have made some incredible friends and partners in crime and for that I am extremely grateful.

  Last but not least I have to thank my readers. You are the backbone to this entire operation. None of this happens without you. For that, words cannot express my gratitude.

  Thank you for reading Beyond Love Lies Deceit and thank you for letting me and these characters be a part of your lives.

  All my love,

  Melissa

  To view a complete list of all Melissa Toppen's books

  Or for additional information on upcoming projects visit

  www.mtoppen.com

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