“Okay, break it up. You’ll get some of Maria cooking soon. Relax.” We start laughing and I give Drew the keys to my Spyder to keep at his house. He looks at me and smile that evil smile.
“I’m going to follow behind you guys in this.”
I shake my head and walk down the walkway to get in the car. Henry holds the door open as I look back at the house and whisper, “See you soon.”
I get in the car, and we head to the airport. I look out the windows and close my eyes, not realizing that I end up falling asleep.
“Wake up, Scott, we’re here. I had Henry pull around to the private entrance.”
“Okay. That’s fine with me.” I rub my eyes and grab my carry-on bag and check to make sure the letter is still in my pocket. I get out to unload the luggage from the trunk as Drew comes jogging up beside me to help.
Henry pushes the cart inside, and I follow behind him. It’s just our luck that they’re boarding now. I walk over to check in and give Drew a big hug and thank him for everything he’s done for me.
“Without you, Andrew, I’d have never stayed here as long as I did. I truly appreciate you. I hope you come to realize how important family is. You have a little girl to think about and an incredible woman who obviously loves you.”
“I know, man. I promise you I’ll do the right thing by her. You allowing Danielle to run the press conference by herself was enough right there. Take it easy, brother, and I hope you find everything you’re looking for.”
We hug one more time and I walk toward the boarding station. I look back at Drew and wave to him and Henry. I know he’ll look after my house for me. I go through the process of boarding the plane before I walk to business class and see Maria’s already in her seat. I take my seat and close my eyes to say a silent prayer.
“Maria, are you ready for a new beginning?”
“I’m ready if you’re ready.”
“I’m definitely ready. New York, we’re ready for you!”
Maria laughs and I lean back in my seat and put my head phones on. Once we take off, I pull out the letter my father wrote to me.
Dear Son,
I know you don’t know me, but I’ve tried to know about you. I’ve stopped communicating with your mother lately because I’ve been dealing with personal problems in my life. You deserve to know the truth about me, especially since I don’t know if your mom will ever tell you.
I’m a music producer for a major record label, and I met your mom when she was singing at a local bar. I introduced myself to her because she had the most amazing voice that I had ever heard. She was also the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on. I invited her to my studio and let her record a few songs with a band I was working with at the time. I signed her to my label, and I fixed her up with her own place and everything. At the time, I was married and had a family of my own that I didn’t tell your mother about at first. I started spending more and more time with your mother until I realized that she ran away from home and was only seventeen years old. If I’d known that she was a run away, I would’ve sent her home to her mother. Your mother saved up enough money and bought a house. I was very proud of her, but I didn’t know she was keeping a secret from me. I finally had to tell her that I was married because I noticed we both were becoming too attached to each other. I began to feel guilty about leaving my wife and child behind and neglecting them.
The day I told your mother I was married was the day that I lost her forever. She wasn’t the sweet, innocent angel I once met. She told me she was pregnant with you, and she wouldn’t even consider an abortion (I did not ask her to terminate her pregnancy). She informed me she was keeping our child, and if I didn’t want to leave my family, then I’d never be able to see you. I wasn’t there when you were born, but your mother eventually let me see you. You were way too young to remember me. I tried to spend as much time as I could between you and my other family. I loved seeing you and being with you! But, your mother began to demand more, and I wasn’t willing to offer her more. So, she told me I had to stop coming around. I felt badly about not being able to see you or watch you grow up.
I noticed your mom stopped cashing the checks I was sending her to take care of you. I hope and pray every day that everything is okay. My name is Richard Scott Fordham if you ever want to look for me. I hope you do because I know you’ll have lots of questions, and I’d love to answer them for you. You also have a sister name Ashley Fordham. She doesn’t know about you yet, but I will talk with her. I love you, son. Always remember I do love you no matter what the circumstances are. I’m here to help you if you need help.
Love always,
Your Father
I read over the letter a few times before the plane starts to shake. I blink as I realize I was so involved in the letter that I’d completely blocked out what’s going on around me. I look at Maria and notice she looks like she’s having a panic attack.
“Are you okay, Maria?”
“No, Scott, something is terribly wrong here!” The desperation in Maria’s voice forces to me to finally acknowledge we are in danger.
I hear the flight attendant say something over the loudspeaker about putting our seatbelts on, but at this point, the noise of the plane is too loud to really be able to understand anything. I look out the window and see we’re over water; I don’t think there’s a place to land. The plane’s shaking more as the oxygen masks drop down. The flight attendants are shaking as they show us how to place it on our faces. I ignore their instructions as I listen to some passengers begin to cry out in prayer while others are yelling their last “I love you’s.” The first thing that comes to mind is that I must text Grace; I have to let her know how I feel.
Grace, I’m on the plane and something is wrong. I love you. Even if the baby isn’t mine, I’ll always love you. Don’t forget our promise.
I’ve just hit SEND when I’m thrust forward into the seat in front of me as the plane takes a deep nose dive. “Grace… You were worth the risk…” I whisper for the last time before I feel the impact of the plane crashing. A kaleidoscope of red hair, grey eyes, and sweet lips float through my mind until my world goes black.
First, I have to thank God for guiding me on my writing journey.
To my husband, Airial: Thank you for being my best friend and an amazing partner. Without you in my world, I probably would’ve lost my mind. Thank you for being you. I love you!
To my mother, Candace: Thank you for being the best mother. I truly appreciate you!
Chloe, Mommy loves you! You’ve seen me pour my heart, soul, and time into writing my books. I hope you’ve learned that hard work and dedication do pay off in the end! Always try your best and put your entire being into any tasks that truly matter to you.
To my brother, Lance: Thank you for being a great brother and helping me when I needed the help.
To my aunt/sister, Sheliese: Thank you for being such a wonderful person. Keep up the hard work - you can do whatever you set your mind to doing.
To my family and friends: Thank you for allowing me to tell you about my book every chance I got.
To my power squad, Francisca, Stephanie, and Kim: What can I say about you ladies? Francisca, you’re wonderful and I love you! Thanks for being here from the start, creating real and random teasers, making swag, and sending me inspiration. Stephanie, thank you for being you! Even though you went MIA for a while, I understand school is way more important. I love your wonderful personality! You’ve been here since day one and have always given me honest and helpful feedback on my stories. Kim, what can I say? You’re a wonderful personal assistant and friend who I absolutely need in my life. Thanks for putting up with my bossy ways that I’m not even away of. Lol Thank you for promoting my books out to the world. You’re amazing and thank goodness for your hidden talents!
To my editor/guardian angel, Tina: You’re my blessing in so many ways. Words truly can't express how happy I am to have you as my editor and he
lping me on my journey of becoming an author. Thank you for helping me with everything. I’m trying to make your workload lighter if I can. With each book, I’m pushing to be better than the last one. You’re stuck with me for LIFE!
To my formatter, Angela: Thank you so much for your support and your creative approach to formatting. I love that formatting is more than just a job to you – you actually care about me and my book and you go over and beyond to ensure my book looks the best it can! We have many more books to do. Thank you for sticking with me.
To JM Walker, Just Write. Creations: I love, love, LOVE my cover for The Risk. I think I might want to lick it! Thank you for helping me express how I wanted the cover to be. This only the beginning. Thank you.
To Iveta and her blog, Read It Women: Thank you for being so amazing and expressing the love you have for my stories. I live for your feedback! I promise I’ll try my best to keep you on the edge of your seat.
To my beta readers, Terri, Tennille, Diane, Elsi, and Kathy: I enjoy reading each and every one of your feedback comments. I'm glad everyone enjoys the book, and I hope you ladies stick with me on my journey. I have plenty of books to write.
Thank you to my street team, Pamela Washington’s Dream Chaser’s! Thank you ladies for having fun with me. I love interacting with you amazing ladies.
And last but not least, I would love to thank YOU the READER and all the BLOGS for taking a chance on ME. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did writing it. Thank you.
Pamela Washington is a proud native of Staten Island, New York who now resides in Charleston, South Carolina with her amazing husband and wonderful daughter.
Pamela LOVES to read! She enjoys the opportunity to enter into a whole new world and escape reality for a little while. Throughout her childhood, she could be found devouring books instead of playing outside with friends. Even as an adult, she reads every chance she gets! She’s extremely proud of her talent in picking out great books!
Pamela is quite passionate about her writing. She pours her heart and soul into everything she writes because she wants to give her readers a very special part of herself. A self-professed hopeless romantic, Pamela loves love. However, not every story she writes will have a happily ever after. Pamela believes in keeping her stories true to life, and sometimes life just isn’t happy.
When Pamela isn’t reading or writing in her bed with her headphones on and Rice Krispy treats nearby, she’s most likely working her day job, hanging out with her family and friends, or indulging in some TV time with her favorite shows Scandal and Empire.
This is just the beginning of Pamela’s professional writing journey, and she hopes you join her as she creates her own path in the literary world. If you would like to follow or contact her, please do so. She LOVES feedback!
Email Address: [email protected]
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Now that you know Grace and Scott’s sides of the story, please continue reading to get a special glimpse into Tony’s perspective!
The Protector
Tony’s Story
I still remember the day I met Grace. What a beautiful and conflicted beauty she was! I wanted to be close to her more than she will ever know. Her haunting grey eyes called to me as they expressed the extreme loneliness and deep sadness that were slowly taking over her soul. I made a silent promise to her to always take care of her and make her happy. From the moment our eyes locked, my life revolved around Grace.
We went our separate ways after we left the group home, but I always kept track of her. When Grace finally called me and said she needed a place to stay, I was elated. Grace was always in trouble and hanging with the wrong crowd. I tried to help lead her on the right path, but I soon realized she had to learn on her own. I loved her independent, stubborn nature. Hell, I loved everything about her.
It took a while, but we were finally able to build our perfect family with our son, Scottie. I know Grace doesn’t love me as much as I love her, but I’m okay with that. That may sound twisted, but I promised to accept her just the way she is – flaws and all. I know so many of Grace's secrets, but I will never tell her what I know. That would destroy our relationship. She thinks I’m always totally honest with her, but I can’t be – I will do whatever it takes to keep her. I know I’m the best man for Grace, and I know she knows it too, deep down. I’m the man who makes her feel secure, loved, happy, protected, and worthy. I’m the man she sleeps next to at night. I’m the man who saved her. Most of the time I can convince myself that Grace is mine even though I know her heart belongs to an unreliable, selfish, cocky asshole.
How did she find Scott? I tried my damnedest to keep Scott away from Grace, but I obviously wasn’t successful. He's back in her life, and Grace has completely changed. She doesn't think I’ve noticed, but I have. I know she’s conflicted as well – torn between her loyalty to me and her desire for him. I can only hope that her trip to England with Scott helped her find the closure she desperately needed so she can finally give me her heart when she recommits herself to me.
Our vow renewal ceremony was more amazing than I could have ever imagined. When Grace told me she loved me and only me, she made me the happiest guy in the world. I’m delighted for our family, and for our future, with my child growing inside of her. She doesn't know that I found the positive pregnancy test in the garbage, and I can’t wait for her to tell me so I can scream my excitement to the heavens and back. Our baby will bring us even closer and strengthen our relationship.
Our lives are back on track, and we’re both content. With Scott out of the picture, nothing can tear us apart. Well, nothing that is except for Allison. I saw her attend our ceremony even though she wasn’t invited. Allison is up to something, and I have a bad feeling about her intentions. Grace can’t learn about Allison being around again; she just can’t. Grace is finally mine; I finally have everything I’ve ever wanted, and I will do whatever it takes to protect what’s mine. Whatever. It. Takes.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Disclaimer
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Acknowledgments
About the Author
The Risk: Scott's Story (Runaway Love Series Book 2) Page 13
