Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0)

by Carmen DeSousa

  “I have a new truck coming, Nicky. And my mom agreed to pay for a condo near the college if I go back. You won’t have to pay for anything anymore. I’ll be able to take care of you. Isn’t that what you wanted? Isn’t that why you’re with him?”

  She huffed out a breath. “See, you have no idea about me, Jonathan. I love him. I don’t need someone to take care of me.”

  “Well, that’s good, because he’s sick of you. I just came from buying a truck from Cameron.” He showed her the purchase receipt with Cameron’s card stapled to the top. He smiled when her eyes widened at the fact he knew his name. “He did nothing but complain how this woman he was living with was taking advantage of him, and the moment she was better, he’d kick her out.”

  Nicky’s face fell and her pallor turned pale white. “You met Cameron, and he said that? I don’t believe it. He loves me; he wants to marry me.”

  He patted her knee, and she flinched in response. “He didn’t even know me, Nicky, and he told me everything. Imagine what he says to his friends about you. He went on and on how he had a nice condo on the beach and how this girl he met was taking advantage of him because she had a broken leg supposedly from her ex-boyfriend. I knew immediately it had to be you, so I asked a few questions to see where he lived. I knew you wouldn’t listen to me unless I showed up here. I’ll have my own place now. I can take care of you. Like I should have been doing for years, as I did in the beginning. I was there for you, Nicky.” He touched her face so she’d look at him. “When you were living in your car, going from house to house. We were good together, remember?”

  She shook her head. “No, Jonathan. I don’t want this again. I don’t need anyone to take care of me. Not you, not Cameron.”

  She attempted to stand up, and he pulled her back down, into his arms. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her. She resisted, but he held her. He didn’t have to forcefully hold her; she acted as though she didn’t want to fight him, but she refused to kiss him back. Finally, getting no response, he released her. “Nicky, why can’t you give me another chance?”

  “Are you finished, Jonathan? Can I leave now, or are you going to hurt me again?”

  “Nicky, you know you’re not being fair. I didn’t mean to hurt you. How would you have felt? I just got out of jail and found out the woman I have loved for six years has been spending her nights with another man.”

  Her eyes blazed with anger. “Fair? Love?” she burst out. “You never loved me. You don’t abuse the woman you love, Jonathan.”

  Grabbing her crutches, she stood up quickly and hobbled toward the building. The only thing he could hope is that the first part of his plan would work. Hopefully, Cameron would kick her out, and then she’d beg Jonathan to take her back. Then he would be in control again, as he had been for years.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  After Jonathan’s visit, Cameron had to leave. His manager was angry, of course, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care about anything anymore. As much as he loved Alexandra, he refused to be used.

  Every minute that passed, he became madder and madder. Why would she have lied to him? What could she have possibly gained? She had turned down his offer to move in before the accident. It just didn’t make sense. It simply wasn’t true.

  When he pulled into his parking lot, he instantly recognized the shiny black bike. His heart dropped in his chest. She wouldn’t! How could she?

  He parked his Jeep at the far end of the parking lot and walked toward his condo. When she wasn’t inside, he walked outside toward the boardwalk and stopped in his tracks.

  Tears welled in his eyes. He didn’t want to believe it was true, wouldn’t have … But seeing them together, kissing. Why? Why would she want to go back with him?

  There was nothing left to fight for; he wouldn’t fight for someone who didn’t want him. He walked back inside, to his bedroom, hoping she would just leave with him. Hoping he wouldn’t have to see her face again.

  A few minutes later, he heard the door open. Would she bring him inside, share their bed? Since he wouldn’t sleep with her, maybe she wanted to fill her needs with Jonathan?

  He’d lose it if she brought him in here; he knew he would. Inhaling large breaths, he attempted to calm himself. He needed to intercept them before they came in here. It’d be easier just to tell them to leave.

  Cameron stepped out of his room and headed down the hallway. As he rounded the corner, he heard Alexandra crying. She never cried. He walked over to where she was sitting on the couch, alone, and just stood in front of her until she looked up, stunned.

  “Cameron? You’re home early?”

  He nodded without commenting. Of course she was surprised. He rarely made it home before nine on Saturday. But thanks to her boyfriend’s purchase, his manager only complained slightly.

  Taking another deep breath to calm himself, he asked her the one question on his mind, even though he knew the answer. “If you’re so unhappy here, Alexandra, why don’t you just leave?”

  She looked confused by his statement. “I’m not unhappy, Cameron, just confused. I thought — never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

  “You’re right, it doesn’t. So, will you go back with him? Is he going to take care of you now? Give you everything you want?” Again, she looked astonished by his assumption. “I saw you together, Alexandra.”

  She sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I should have known. I’ll leave tonight, Cameron. I have enough from my father’s estate to get my own place. I can manage until the baby is born, and then I can go back to work.”

  Before she could discern the hurt in his eyes, he turned and walked down the hall.

  He heard her call Lilith. Why hadn’t she just called Jonathan? What would happen when she had the baby? How would he ever know if the baby was his?

  A soft rap on his bedroom door broke him from his thoughts. Before opening the door, he dried his eyes, hoping they weren’t red. “Yes?”

  “Lilith said I could stay with her for a few days until I find my own place. I just need to pack my things.” She hobbled through the doorway, and he immediately moved to help her but resisted.

  “I’ll be in the living room if you need anything,” he said, unable to keep from offering assistance.

  When he returned to the living room, his mother walked out of her bedroom. “Hey, Cam —” she stopped, taking in his look. “What happened? Is everything okay? Is Alexandra okay?”

  He nodded, biting his lip, attempting to impede the tears. She walked over to him, wrapped her arms around him, and pulled him to the sofa. His mother hadn’t comforted him in years.

  “She’s leaving, Mom. I don’t understand what happened, but she’s leaving.”

  “Well, stop her,” she said forcefully. “That’s my grandbaby she’s carrying and your child. You can’t allow her to leave.”

  “I can’t make her love me, Mom. If she wants to leave, I won’t stop her. And I refuse to allow her to use me and just leave me later.”

  His mother shook her head. “Use you? That girl doesn’t want to use you. She hardly allows you to do anything for her.”

  “She’s in love with another man. Her ex-boyfriend was here earlier.”

  His mother looked at him dumbfounded, shaking her head as though he were making it up. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  Cameron just shrugged. “I know.”

  Candice stood up and sprinted toward his room.

  He chased her down the hallway, but it was too late; she was already knocking on his bedroom door. “Mom, please. Don’t get involved.” A flashback of when he was seventeen hit him, and he suddenly had concerns for Alexandra. His mother had wanted to kill the man who had ruined all of their lives.

  If it weren’t for his father, she would have been the one who ended up in jail. He couldn’t let her blame Alexandra because he wasn’t strong enough to keep her. What else could he have possibly done?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The best Alexandra could, she at
tempted to pack all her items and clothes in trash bags, while hobbling on crutches.

  Her cast was supposed to come off on Monday, and then she and Cameron were going to get married. What had changed? Why would Cameron bug her to marry him and then all of the sudden be sick of her? What would have happened if she had already married him?

  “Alex,” Candy called from the doorway. “Can we talk?”

  “No, Mom,” Cameron said behind her.

  “But, Cameron. I don’t understand.”

  “Just leave it alone, Mom.”

  The door opened and then shut. A few seconds later, Cameron stood behind her. God, how she wanted him to just wrap his arms around her and tell her it was all a big mistake, but he hadn’t denied anything. He knew Jonathan had come and told her everything that he’d said. And he had the nerve to question that she had talked to Jonathan, probably thought that she had kissed him back. Well, good! If that’s what he wanted to think.

  “Alexandra, you can stay here until you are ready … you don’t have to leave tonight.”

  “Yes, I do, Cameron. It’ll just get harder every day.” Why would he ask her to stay? Why wouldn’t he just be happy to see her go if he was bored with her, if he didn’t want to take care of her?

  “You can’t even drive, Alex.”

  “I’ll manage,” she said, trying not to sound whiny. “I’ve managed to take care of myself my entire life. It’s nothing new, believe me.”

  “At least let me help you with your bags.”

  Unable to respond audibly, she nodded. It just didn’t make sense. He acted as though he didn’t want her to leave, but other than offering her a room until she found an apartment, he hadn’t asked her to stay. He hadn’t apologized for telling Jonathan all those things. Obviously, he wanted her to go; he was merely feeling guilty.

  “What about the baby?” he asked.

  “I’ll have the test, Cameron. If it’s yours, we’ll work out something, but I don’t expect anything from you.”

  Cameron pulled her bags out of the room to the foyer. “Give me your keys, and I’ll pull your car around. If you want, I’ll drive you to Lilith’s, and my mom can follow us.”

  She handed him her keys to pull up her car. “Thanks, Cameron, but I don’t need you to drive me. As I said, I’ll manage.”

  Shaking his head, he walked out the front door without a word.

  Alexandra leaned against the wall, doing her best not to cry. She couldn’t let him see her upset, causing him to try to save her again.

  “I don’t understand, Alexandra,” Candy’s voice came from behind her. “Why would you want to return to that lowlife ex of yours?”

  Alexandra whirled on her. “I don’t want to get back together with Jonathan, nor do I want to stay with someone who thinks I’m a burden.”

  “Are you referring to Cameron or me? Cameron worships the ground you walk on. He’d just assume you never returned to work. What are you thinking —”

  Cameron opened the door and glared at his mother. “Mom, I said to leave it alone. Come on, Alexandra. Everything is in your car. Please allow me to drive you. I can take a taxi back.”

  Alexandra shook her head, attempting to hold back the flood of tears that threatened to release at any second. Why did Candy think she wanted to get back together with Jonathan? She obviously didn’t understand that her son was finally tired of taking care of people. Alexandra wished he could understand that she didn’t need to be taken care of. That she only wanted love and nothing else.

  Cameron refused to give her the car keys, insisting she sit in the passenger seat. “Just let me get you safely to Lilith’s, and then you are free to do as you please. I’m sorry, Alexandra. I tried. I truly tried. I don’t know what else I could have done.”

  Alexandra sighed. He was admitting that he’d tried to love her. She was simply unlovable. Maybe no one would ever be able to love her. “It’s okay. I guess I understand.”

  Cameron looked over at her and shook his head.

  She directed him to Lilith’s house on the beach. It seemed like forever since she’d been here. Almost a year ago. They had spent Thanksgiving together, happy until her father had drunk too much and then started arguing with her about Jonathan. She wondered what would have happened if she’d moved back home. Would he still be alive?

  Maybe she never would have met Cameron or gotten pregnant. For some reason, that thought actually hurt. At least she would have a baby, someone who would love her.

  When he pulled to a stop in Lilith’s driveway, Cameron turned to look at her. “Alexandra, call me if you need anything. Your doctor’s appointment is Monday. Your leg will be weak. You probably shouldn’t be driving yourself. Please have someone take you.”

  “I’ll manage,” she retorted. Why would he care? He’d said that he was tired of her.

  “Promise me, please. I don’t want you to fall.”

  He was only worried about the baby. Well, she would have to put a stop to his concerns. If he didn’t want her, why would he want a baby? “The baby isn’t yours, Cameron. It’s Jonathan’s.”

  Cameron snapped his head back as if she’d slapped him. He opened the door and pulled all her bags out of the back, dragging them up to the door. After dropping her bags on the front stoop, he passed her on the driveway. “Goodbye, Alexandra. I did love you. I’m sorry that you couldn’t return my love.” He quickly took off in a trot, leaving her staring after him.

  Why would he say that? Why would he accuse her of not loving him?

  Finally allowing the tears to fall, Alexandra made her way to the front stoop. The sun had just set and the evening was beautiful. Too beautiful for how she felt. She rested her head on her knees and cried herself out. Nothing made sense.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Cameron watched Alexandra through the shrubbery at the end of the drive.

  Why was she crying if this is what she wanted? She’d looked at him as though she loved him. She wasn’t running to Jonathan, even though she’d kissed him earlier. Maybe she didn’t want him either. Maybe she was angry with Jonathan because he’d told him the truth. Maybe she just wanted more time. His mind spun in confusion. Nothing made sense.

  No matter what, he knew he’d love Alexandra forever. He pulled out his phone and called his mother, but then just started walking. He needed to think, clear his head.

  Maybe he could win her back. No. It was over; she’d made it clear when she didn’t respond to his last comment. If she could have admitted that she loved him, he could have forgiven her. Though, seeing her kiss Jonathan had turned his stomach.

  After ten minutes of beating himself up over the what ifs, maybes, and only ifs … his mother drove up beside him in her Avalon.

  “Cameron, I’m so sorry, baby,” his mother said as soon as she stopped the car.

  He ignored her. “I’ll drive.” He wasn’t certain she hadn’t been drinking.

  She crawled over the center console as if she were a teenager. “Cameron, something’s wrong.”

  He threw the gearshift into drive and huffed. “Really? I hadn’t noticed. My heart has been ripped out. What gave it away?”

  His mother just crinkled her nose up at him. “That’s what I mean. You didn’t talk to her … I did. She was furious when I asked why she would go back with him. But then insisted she couldn’t stay with someone who thought she was an imposition in their life. I asked her if she was referring to me, but before she had a chance to answer, you stormed in.”

  Cameron made a U-turn and headed toward his house, away from Alexandra. Once he was heading in the right direction, the story of his life, he turned to his mother. “I saw her kiss him. At our — my home. You heard what you wanted to hear. I told her I loved her. She didn’t respond. She doesn’t love me. And,” he gulped away the tears, “she said the baby isn’t mine.”

  “Do you believe her?”

  “Yes.” He stopped at a red light, then ran his hands through his hair, staring aimlessly at the beaut
iful sunset. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to believe. Her ex-boyfriend showed up at the dealership today. He didn’t know who I was, but he was bragging how he broke up with his girlfriend and how she was begging him to take her back.”

  His mother smacked his arm, breaking him from his trance. “Are you serious? You think it’s a coincidence he showed up at the dealership and then showed up at the house? Baby, I raised you smarter than that. He’s playing you both, Cameron.”

  Cameron stepped on the gas and shook his head. “No, Mom. She kissed him, and then she is the one who offered to leave. I didn’t ask her to leave. So just drop it, okay?”

  Finally getting the message, his mother turned and stared out the window.

  The next day, Cameron skipped church and decided to go to work, what else was there to do? His manager had already bugged him about following up with his sale from yesterday for payment, but he couldn’t bring himself to call. If he never saw Jonathan again, it would be too soon.

  Maybe he could mess up his deal with his mother. Mention that they were together. But, what good would that do? If Alexandra did get back with that loser, at least he’d have his own vehicle and apartment. Maybe she would be happy.

  The operator paged him that he had a guest waiting. He didn’t feel like being friendly, but it’d be better to occupy his mind instead of agonizing over her all day.

  As he approached the receptionist’s desk, he saw an older, but beautiful woman waiting. “Hello, I’m Cameron, how can I help you?” He extended his hand.

  The woman squeezed his hand lightly, a flirtatious smile spreading across her face. “Good morning, Cameron. I’m Judith Talty; my son was here yesterday.”

  Hold your tongue, he repeated internally. “Of course, you’re Jonathan’s mother.” Nothing good could come of him mouthing off. “Follow me, Mrs. Talty. I have everything ready.”

  “Call me Judith, please. I haven’t been a misses in years.”

  Judith sat across from him, looking incredibly seductive. What was she thinking? She had to be fifteen years older than him. “I need your license and insurance, please, Judith.” She pulled out her license and handed it to him. He was correct, forty-two; though, she didn’t look it.