by Sandi Lynn
Chase Calloway
New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author
Sandi Lynn
Chase Calloway
Copyright © 2018 Sandi Lynn Romance, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Photo by Wong Sim
Model: Lucas Bloms
Cover Design by: Sara Eirew @ Sara Eirew Photography
Editing by B.Z. Hercules
Mission Statement
Sandi Lynn Romance
Providing readers with romance novels that will whisk them away
to another world and from the daily grind of life – one book at a time.
Books by Sandi Lynn
If you haven’t already done so, please check out my other books. Escape from reality and into the world of romance. I’ll take you on a journey of love, pain, heartache and happily ever afters.
Millionaires:
The Forever Series (Forever Black, Forever You, Forever Us, Being Julia, Collin, A Forever Christmas, A Forever Family)
Love, Lust & A Millionaire (Wyatt Brothers, Book 1)
Love, Lust & Liam (Wyatt Brothers, Book 2)
Lie Next To Me (A Millionaire’s Love, Book 1)
When I Lie with You (A Millionaire’s Love, Book 2)
Then You Happened (Happened Series, Book 1)
Then We Happened (Happened Series, Book 2)
His Proposed Deal
A Love Called Simon
The Seduction of Alex Parker
Something About Lorelei
One Night In London
The Exception
Corporate A$$
A Beautiful Sight
The Negotiation
Defense
Playing The Millionaire
#Delete
Carter Grayson (Redemption Series, Book One)
Behind His Lies
Second Chance Love:
Remembering You
She Writes Love
Love In Between (Love Series, Book 1)
The Upside of Love (Love Series, Book 2)
Sports:
Lightning
Table of Contents
Books by Sandi Lynn
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
About the Author
Chapter One
Kinsley
Have you ever just wanted to run away from your life and move somewhere where nobody knew you? Not one single person? A place where you could start fresh and reinvent yourself? Your life? Your dreams? That was something I’d thought about since I was a little girl, and finally, I’d done it.
A nervousness settled inside me as I boarded the plane to California and took my seat. I needed to get as far away from Berkshire, Indiana as I could. My heart hurt, and I felt broken inside. Every emotion I could feel, I did. I sighed as I clutched the small white pillow to my chest and stared out the window at the runway that would take me away from this miserable place. I should have done this the minute I turned twenty years old, but I wasn’t financially prepared at the time. By the time I was, when I was twenty-three, I met Henry, and he gave me a reason to stay. I should have known better. But this so-called thing everyone likes to say is love kept me from doing what I’d dreamt of ever since I was a child.
****
Eight Hours Earlier
I awoke with a smile on my face. Today was my boyfriend Henry’s birthday. I got the day off from the greasy diner I worked at so I could plan something special for him. I’d made reservations at the Alpines, a fancy a la carte steakhouse that we’d talked about going to since the day they opened. I had these reservations for over a month because that was how far in advance they booked up. I hopped out of bed, showered, got dressed, and headed to Henry’s favorite bakery to buy him his favorite cherry turnovers and coffee. He didn’t know I had the day off from work. I wanted it to be a surprise and to be the best birthday he’d ever had.
I quietly inserted the key into the lock and slowly opened the door to his apartment, tiptoeing to the kitchen, where I set the bag of turnovers and the cups of coffee down on the counter. I arranged one of the cherry turnovers on a plate and stuck one candle in the middle. After lighting it, I carefully walked to his bedroom and opened the door. My heart started racing as I stood there and stared at him with his arms around another woman. And not just any other woman, but my best friend, Krista.
“What the fuck!” I shouted.
Henry jumped out of bed while Krista sat up, holding the sheet up to cover her naked body.
“Kinsley. What are you doing here?” he nervously spoke.
“Kinsley, I can explain,” Krista spoke as she held up her hand.
I swallowed hard as tears streamed down my face and a sick feeling erupted inside me.
“Kinsley.” Henry pulled on a pair of shorts and began to walk towards me.
I had so much to say, to scream, to shout, but nothing would come out of my mouth. I put my hand up in front of Henry to stop him from coming any closer.
“Don’t,” I managed to speak in a shaky voice.
He stopped dead in his tracks.
“Baby, please. This isn’t what it looks like,” he spoke.
I shook my head in disbelief as he stood there and tried to lie his way out of it.
“This isn’t what it looks like?” I spoke through gritted teeth. “I walk into your bedroom and find you in bed, totally naked and holding my best friend! How long has this been going on?” I shouted as my eyes met Krista’s. “TELL ME!” I screamed.
“Just a couple of times,” she spoke. “I’m so sorry, Kinsley. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“Yeah, baby. It was only a couple times thing. Please believe me,” Henry spoke. “It meant absolutely nothing. I promise, nothing.”
“How could the both of you do this to me?” I asked as the tears wouldn’t stop falling. “Henry,
how could you?” I slowly shook my head as I stared into his lying eyes.
“Kinsley, I—” he started to speak.
I looked down at the turnover, blew out the candle, and proceeded to throw the plate at him. He ducked as it smashed against the wall.
“You two are dead to me.” I pointed at both of them. “Do you understand? DEAD!” I turned around and stormed out of the bedroom.
“Kinsley, wait!” Krista yelled as she came after me.
I grabbed my purse from the kitchen, and as I was walking to the door, she grabbed hold of my hand to try and stop me.
“Don’t do this. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she begged as she fell to the floor with a tight grip on my hand.
“You sleep with my boyfriend, the man I’d been dating for over a year, and you have the nerve to tell me not to do this!” I shouted. “Well guess what, Krista, the two of you can have each other and you can both rot in Hell.”
“Kinsley, baby, me and you need to talk about this like adults,” Henry spoke. “It was a mistake.”
“Adults?” I glared at him. “You’re not a man. You’re a fucking coward and far from ever being an adult. Happy birthday, Henry. I hope you get everything you want, and by the looks of it, you already have.”
I jerked my hand from Krista’s grip, flew out the door, got into my car, and sped away. I pulled over on the side of the road about five miles from Henry’s apartment. My hands tightly gripped the steering wheel as my forehead fell onto it. I felt as if I was having a panic attack. I couldn’t breathe, and now, I knew what I needed to do. I pulled my phone from my purse and dialed Jimmy.
“Hey, Kinsley, what’s up?”
“Do you still want to buy my car?” I asked.
“Yeah. Sure. You’re selling?”
“Yes. Give me a couple of hours and I’ll drop it off. I want four thousand cash. Is that enough time for you to get the money?”
“Yeah. No problem. I’ll go to the bank now. What’s going on?”
“I just don’t need it anymore.”
“Did something happen?” he asked.
“I’ll see you soon.” I ended the call.
I drove to the bank and closed down my bank account. Then I drove home, and as soon as I stepped through the front door, I found my mom passed out on the couch. Rolling my eyes, I ran to my bedroom, threw as many of my things that would fit in my suitcase, and headed back to the living area.
“Mom?” I lightly shook her.
“Not now, Kinsley,” she moaned.
Shaking my head, I went into the kitchen, grabbed a pen and a piece of paper from the drawer, and wrote her a note.
“Mom, I’m leaving. I can’t stay here anymore. This isn’t the life I want. Don’t worry about me and I really hope you get your shit together someday.”
Kinsley
I placed the note on the coffee table in front of the couch she was passed out on and walked out the front door, pulling my suitcase behind me. As I drove to Jimmy’s shop, I called an Uber to meet me there.
“What’s going on, Kinsley?” Jimmy asked.
“I’m leaving town. I can’t stay here anymore,” I spoke as I took the cash from his hands and handed him the keys to my car.
“What about Henry? Does he know?”
“Henry is fucking Krista, so I’m positive he won’t care.”
“Gee, I’m sorry.” He scratched his head. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“And what about your mom?”
“She’ll be fine. It’ll probably be a couple of days before she notices I’m gone anyway.”
The Uber pulled up and rolled down the passenger side window.
“Are you Kinsley?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
I walked over to my car and took my suitcase from the trunk.
“Thanks, Jimmy.”
“You’re welcome, Kinsley. Good luck and stay safe.” He hugged me.
“I will.” I gave him a small smile and shoved the money he gave me into my purse.
As I was sitting in the back of the car, my phone was being blown up by calls and text messages from Henry. I rolled down the window and tossed it out in the middle of the highway.
“Lady, why did you do that?” the Uber driver asked.
“I don’t need it anymore. That part of my life is gone.”
He dropped me off at the airport and I wheeled my suitcase up to the reservations desk.
“How can I help you?” the friendly brunette asked.
“I need a one-way ticket to California. Next flight out if possible.”
“You’re in luck. The next flight leaves in two hours and there are two seats left.” She smiled.
Chapter Two
Chase
“Oh, Chase,” Rachel moaned. “You—are—amazing.”
“Yes, darling, I know.” I smiled at her as I buttoned my shirt.
“Do you have to go already?” she asked.
“Unfortunately, adulting calls. I need to get to the office or my father is going to have my head.”
“Call me later?” She seductively smiled.
“Of course.” I winked as I grabbed my suitcoat and walked out the door.
I climbed into my black convertible Aston Martin and sped down the highway like I owned it. As I was jamming to my favorite tunes with a grin on my face, my secretary, Lexi, facetimed me.
“Morning, beautiful.” I smiled.
“Chase, where are you? Your father is looking for you.”
“I’m on my way. Tell him I was up late finishing the coding for the new computer system.”
“Did you finish it?”
“Not yet, sweetheart, but I will before he finds me.” I smirked. “Make sure my coffee is on my desk because I need it.”
“You know I hate lying to him. I could lose my job,” she whispered as she moved her face closer to the phone.
“You’re not going to lose your job, darling. And besides, you’re not lying to him. Like I said, it’ll be done before he finds me. I’ll see you soon.” I hit the end button.
The wind blew across my face as I gunned it and turned up the radio as loud as it would go. I pulled into the parking garage of Calloway Tech, parked in my parking space, and entered the back of the building. I stepped inside an empty office, took the flash drive from the inside pocket of my suitcoat, and inserted it. “Okay. Let’s do this.” I smiled as I began typing. Fifteen minutes later, and it was done. That was me. Always putting shit off to the last second. I pulled the flash drive out, shut down the computer, and headed to my father’s office.
“Well, hello there.” I grinned at the beautiful brunette sitting outside his office. “You’re not Audrey.” I took a seat on the edge of her desk.
“Hello.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “I’m a temp. Audrey is out ill.”
“Ah. Sorry to hear that, but lucky for us, you were able to fill in for her. Chase Calloway.” I extended my hand.
“Isabella.” She smiled as she placed her well-manicured hand in mine.
“Chase!” my father yelled as he opened his office door. “Get in here.”
“It was nice to make your acquaintance. Maybe we can grab a drink or three after work.”
“I’d love that,” she swooned.
Walking into my father’s office, I shut the door, took the flash drive out of my pocket, and set it on his desk.
“There you go, Dad. I told you I’d have it finished by today.”
“You were up all night finishing it?” His eye narrowed at me.
“Of course.” I tucked my hands in my pants pockets.
“Isn’t that the same suit you were wearing yesterday?” he asked with suspicion.
“This?” I looked down. “Of course not. Do you know how many of these suits I own?”
“Really?” He glared at me as he turned his computer screen around. “It says here you were boozing it up last night at the strip club. That i
s you? Correct?” His brow arched as he pointed to the picture of me with a drink in one hand and a half naked Rachel in the other.
“So what? I needed to unwind before I finished the program. The only thing that matters is it’s done and ready to go. Right?” I raised my shoulders.
“Get out of here. I’m sure you need some coffee.” He smirked.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you later.” I began to walk out of his office.
“Chase?” he called out.
“Yes?”
“Stay away from my temp.”
“Well, Dad.” I grinned. “You sly dog. Keeping the temp all to yourself?”
“For fucks sake, son, get the hell out of here and get to work.” He shook his head.
Walking out of his office and past Isabella’s desk, I gave her a wink and smile. I loved beautiful women and she was definitely beautiful. I walked into my office and threw my briefcase down on my chair.
“Did you see your father?” Lexi asked as she followed me in.
“Yes, Lexi, you can relax. All is good.” I grinned. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?” I asked as I picked up my coffee cup and took a soothing sip.
“You have a meeting at one o’clock with Lux security. They want an update on the app for their systems.”
“Shit. I don’t have an update yet. No worries, hold all my calls and I don’t want to be disturbed. I have an update to get ready.”
“Sure thing, Chase. By the way, you have that fundraiser to go to tonight.”
“What fundraiser?” I glanced at her.
“The one to which your father is sending you to represent the company for him.”
“Ah yes. I forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me.”
I sat down at my desk, picked up my phone, and dialed my father’s office number.
“Good morning, Calloway Tech, how can I help you?”
“Hello, Isabella, it’s Chase Calloway. How would you like to attend a fundraiser with me tonight? There will be free food and drinks among other delicious things.”
“I would love to go with you.”
“Excellent. Send me your address and I will pick you up at seven o’clock.”
