White Lies

by Jenny Lynn

  “Time is ticking Nicholas, what’s it going to be? Are you going to watch her die?”

  I heard the click of the revolver behind me as the safety was pulled back. I was thinking back on the important moments in my life; birthdays, vacations with my family, nights out with Tabitha. I thought about Nicholas, how we met and everything that had happened between us. We had so much together, but now it was being torn apart.

  “Stop, put down the gun, Liam,” Nicholas said, his voice resigned. “I’ll do it. I’ll jump.”

  My eyes snapped up, stared into his. “Nicholas, no, please! You can’t!”

  Nicholas stared into my eyes as he slowly backed towards the ledge, peering over it. “Your word, Liam, you’ll let her go.”

  “You have my word,” Liam asserted. I was in hysterics, trying to crawl to Nicholas but Liam shot his arm forward and kept a vice-like grip on my arm. I was sobbing, barely able to form sentences. This couldn’t be happening, I couldn’t lose him. Not like this. Nicholas looked at me, pressed his fingers to his lips in a kiss, then with a swing of his legs he went over.

  I screamed so loudly I thought the world was ripping apart. My heart was squeezed tight in my chest, I had never felt such tremendous pain and loss. I dropped my head, the tears running freely down my face now. Liam pulled me to my feet and I didn’t resist, there was no fight in me left. “You’re not going to let me go,” I said. It wasn’t a question, it was matter of fact.

  “I’m afraid not Breanne, you see, I was working late in the office. I heard voices and came to investigate. You and Nicholas were in a fight, it was heated. He threw you from the roof, then jumped to his death. It’s not without its own romance in a way, very Romeo and Juliet don’t you think? Now come on, your turn.”

  Liam pulled me towards the railing, pressing me against it. He was stronger than me, even if I did try to fight back I couldn’t win. But I had just watched Nicholas die, the fight was all out of me. I took a deep breath, the wind whipped my dress around my legs and twirled my hair. Then I heard a crack.

  I opened my eyes to see Nicholas pulling himself up off the ledge, he had reached up and punched Liam across the jaw stunning him. Nicholas threw himself up over the railing and grabbed Liam’s arm. The trigger was squeezed, a loud bang echoing off the rooftop as the gun went off pointed at the wall behind us. A window shattered, sending glass crumbling to the floor. I watched helplessly as Nicholas struggled with Liam, the gun still gripped tightly in Liam’s hand. Nicholas hit Liam in the stomach and he doubled over, the gun pointed towards the ground and going off a second time. It was so loud, I screamed, watching wide-eyed and hoping Nicholas was not hurt. Nicholas pushed Liam back and twisted his arm, causing Liam to shout in pain, then he was finally able to wrestle the gun free from his grip.

  After Nicholas grabbed the gun, he pulled me away from the ledge and aimed the weapon squarely at Liam. The sinister look Liam was giving us both from the ground, his lip cracked and bleeding, was so seething it could have melted steel.

  “Breanne, call the police,” Nicholas told me. My shaking hands found the phone in my clutch and managed to dial the police. When they answered I explained the situation as best I could, my mind still dizzy with disbelief, and I was assured help was on the way.

  “You’re going to pay for what you did, Liam,” Nicholas said, He pointed the gun and placed his finger on the trigger, aiming it squarely at Liam. I slowly walked beside him, placing my hand gently over his against the gun.

  “Not like this,” I told him softly. I could see the conflict in Nicholas’ eyes, how much he wanted to kill the man who had threatened his life and murdered his father. But this wouldn’t be justice, it would be revenge. Nicholas was better than that. The sirens in the distance grew louder and louder with the passing minutes, the three of us frozen in a tableau on the rooftop. Eventually a group of police officers breached the building and made their way up to the roof, coming out of the elevator and finding us.

  One of the men came over and took the gun from Nicholas’ reluctant hand. Liam was brought to his feet and handcuffed. “We’ll need the two of you to come to the station and make your statements,” the officer explained to us.

  “We will,” Nicholas said. “But we need to make one stop on the way. Can we meet you there?”

  The officers looked at each other, puzzled, then slowly nodded. “Well, since you were the victims in this instance I guess you can come on your own. Just don’t take too long. We need statements right away.”

  “Yes officers,” Nicholas told them. He took me by the hand and we headed for the elevator. I looked at him, still in shock but more confused than ever. “We need to make one stop,” Nicholas repeated, as if it would make more sense the second time I heard it.

  “Oh,” was all I could manage to say. By the curb Nicholas’ driver was idling. We got into the back, Nicholas instructed the driver to continue on to our destination.” My mind was a whirlwind as we made our way through the streets, eventually ending up at the Aragon Ballroom.

  “The benefit?” I asked Nicholas, confused. “Shouldn’t we go straight to the police?”

  Wordlessly Nicholas got out of the car and gave me his hand. I wiped my cheeks, attempting to smooth my makeup, then took his hand and got out of the car. We walked along the long red carpet into the venue, photographers taking our picture. When we were inside, chandeliers hung from the high ceilings while a string quartet played in the corner.

  “I wanted one dance with you, Breanne, just one,” Nicholas explained as he pulled me into the centre of the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close, I placed my arms around his neck and leaned against him, breathing in his familiar scent. We moved together while the music played softly, spinning in a sea of fabric and bodies. My heart was still racing from the ordeal, but I felt safe in his arms. I was slowly coming back to my senses.

  “There was something else I wanted, Breanne,” Nicholas said, pulling back and looking down at me.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “I wanted to tell you before, but I wanted the right moment. The idea of losing you without you ever knowing, I just could not live with that. That was what frightened me the most on the rooftop.” Nicholas lifted my chin with his finger until our eyes were staring into each other.

  “Breanne Taylor,” he said, his expression softening. “I’m in love with you.”

  I could feel tears prickling the corners of my eyes, making my vision glassy as I looked back at him. The moment I thought I had lost him was one of the worst moments in my life.

  “I’m in love with you too, Nicholas Blackstone,” I told him.

  He lowered his head and closed his mouth over mine, parting my lips and sliding his smooth tongue against my own. I clung to him, needing him to claim my mouth, feeling the intense connection between us. We held onto each other in the middle of the ballroom, not willing to let go, as people surged around us. In a complicated and dangerous world, Nicholas was my protector. My safe space.

  Eventually we drifted away. The reporter from The Post singled us out and walked over. “Let’s do this quick, then head to the station,” Nicholas said, holding my hand. I nodded. We spoke with the reporter for ten minutes. I told him who I was, a waitress and student studying Psychology at the University of Chicago, originally from Michigan. Nicholas informed him that I was his girlfriend, and that it was serious. He would not comment on the investigation as new developments were pending, but the case would soon be closed. A photographer took a photo of us descending a red carpeted staircase, dressed for the ball. Then when they had everything they needed we left the venue, into the waiting black car and headed for the police station to make our statements. It gave me pleasure to know that Liam was locked away in an interrogation room, being grilled by the police. After we made our testimonies, there was no way out for him. He was caught. The nightmare was over.

  Epilogue

  After Liam’s arrest, they were able to piece togethe
r a solid case including the fact that he financed a hit on Nicholas. The body of Simon Blackstone was exhumed, it was difficult for the family, but necessary given the new evidence that his death was not from natural causes. A toxicology report found the presence of drugs, another thread that tied Liam to his attacks on the Blackstone family in a bid to take control of the company. Sasha was devastated. At first she didn’t want to believe her husband was capable of such vicious disregard for the lives of people she loved, but the evidence was indisputable. One month before the jury delivered a guilty verdict and sentenced Liam to life in prison, Sasha filed for divorce.

  There was extensive media coverage of the trial and the Blackstone family; with no way to escape the cameras and reporters. I stayed by Nicholas’ side throughout, the danger we had endured together made us stronger as a couple. In the middle of the trial I moved in with Nicholas; almost losing each other taught us how precious life was and he told me he wanted to see my face every morning he woke up. I was more than happy to take the next step, I didn’t know I could love another person as much as I had fallen for Nicholas. Chance had brought us together, and together we remained through every challenge we had faced.

  It had been six months, we had developed a life together where I continued my studies at the University of Chicago and kept my job as a waitress. Nicholas protested, but it was a sense of pride for me to work and pay for my tuition. He found other ways to spoil me and pull me into a lavish lifestyle, my job in the service industry was my way of remaining humble in the face of the extraordinary wealth of the Blackstone family. Despite the scandal, under Nicholas, Blackstone Enterprises continued to be profitable and expand into new areas. Nicholas was determined to maintain his father’s legacy; I believe Simon Blackstone would have been incredibly proud of his son.

  I grew closer with Nicholas’ family, meeting his sisters and mother often for brunch. Nancy Blackstone had come to treat me as a daughter, her warmth and affection erasing the earlier friction between us. I felt welcomed into their world, even though it was still a world that I was not born into. I had earned my place at Nicholas’ side. I had finished class and was sitting in a coffee shop with Evelyn Blackstone, finishing my coffee before heading home.

  “What are your plans for this weekend?” Evelyn asked me.

  “I think Nicholas and I are ordering a pizza tonight and staying in, he’s been so busy at the office this week it will be nice to unwind and spend time together,” I said.

  “That sounds nice,” Evelyn replied with a smile. “After everything that happened this year, quiet nights in with no drama can be just what you need.”

  “Tell me about it,” I said. “How is Sasha doing?”

  Evelyn sighed. “She feels guilty more than anything that she didn’t know, that she spent her nights with the man who killed her father then tried to kill her brother.”

  “She can’t think that,” I said, shaking my head. “None of us had any idea, he was hiding in plain sight.”

  “It still gives me chills thinking about it, how close he was to our family. He is my brother-in-law after all. Or, he was.”

  “He was a skilled manipulator, and a selfish narcissist,” I told her.

  “Is that your diagnosis, Breanne?” Evelyn said with a smile. “You’ll really make an excellent forensic psychologist one day.”

  “I hope so. But speaking of classes, don’t you have to get to your next one?”

  Evelyn checked her watch and her eyes widened. “You’re right, I completely lost track of time. I guess you’re heading home now?”

  “I think so, Nicholas should be done at the office by now.”

  “I guess we’ll see you on Sunday for breakfast,” Evelyn said standing up and slipping her bag over her shoulder. “Have a nice night.”

  “See you Sunday,” I told her. “Don’t forget we’re seeing a movie with Tabitha next Tuesday.”

  She nodded then walked away and I finished the last sip of my coffee, then picked up my purse and left the cafe. I made my way to my transit stop and got onto the packed streetcar. There was only room for me to stand, I held onto a pole and slipped my phone out of my purse. I typed out a message to Tabitha, confirming our plans to go out for dinner and drinks Saturday night. Then I texted my mom, checking to see if there was anything I could help with as she prepared for my dad’s sixtieth birthday party in a few weeks. I was excited to visit with Nicholas and see my family. I guess that’s one of the positive things I took from my near death experience; you really come to appreciate your life and the ones you love.

  I pulled the cord at my stop, a slight breeze whipping my hair as soon as I stepped off the streetcar. I walked a block to my new residence, heading through the front doors and smiling at the doorman seated behind a desk.

  “Good evening Miss Taylor,” he said to me.

  “Good evening Sebastian. Is Nicholas back yet?”

  Sebastian shrugged then turned his attention back to papers on his desk. “I’m not sure Miss, sorry,” he told me.

  “Oh, well thank you anyways. Have a nice night.”

  “Goodnight, Miss Taylor.”

  I went into the elevators, swiping my security pass and heading up to the penthouse. Even after all these months I still could not believe I lived in such a beautiful place, with my successful and gorgeous man. If this had all been a dream, I would never want to wake up. The doors opened in the hallway and I hung my bag and coat on a hook.

  “Nicholas?” I called out.

  “In the living room, Breanne,” he replied. I smiled, glad he was home and our weekend together could begin.

  “I was just having coffee with your sister,” I started to explain as I walked down the hall. “She wanted to remind us about Sunday and-” I stopped when I reached the living room, speechless. Nicholas was standing there in his suit, looking handsome as always, and there were white candles flickering on every surface casting the room in a warm glow. A dozen silver vases were placed throughout the room filled with white roses, their fragrant scent in the air. I looked around, astounded at the display, when he began to walk towards me. His eyes were staring into mine and he stopped in front of me.

  “I’ve been waiting for you Breanne,” he told me.

  “I’m sorry, was I late getting home?” I managed to say.

  “No, not tonight. Breanne, I’ve been waiting for you my entire life. Now that I found you, I never want to let you go. I have something to ask you.”

  Nicholas slowly lowered himself and bent on one knee in front of me. He retrieved a small velvet box from his jacket pocket, then turned it towards me and opened it. Inside was a breathtaking princess-cut diamond on a white gold band, shining brightly in the glow from the candles. My hands flew to my mouth and tears started to build in my eyes.

  “Breanne Taylor,” Nicholas said, looking up into my eyes. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  There was no holding them back, tears spilled down my cheeks as I began to shake my head. “Yes,” I gasped. “Yes Nicholas, I will.”

  He rose to his feet and slid the ring onto my finger, then pulled me against him. He tilted my chin and closed his mouth over mine in a kiss, I melted into him as he claimed my mouth. I wrapped my arms around him and he scooped me into his arms, twirling me around the room and smiling. I looked at the ring again, then at Nicholas. It was a piece of jewelry, stunning, but what mattered most to me was what it represented. A life with Nicholas Blackstone. A life that we would build together, facing whatever beauty or challenges the world would have for us. I truly believed that fate brought Nicholas to me, and now we would never be apart.

  Love is the ultimate act of surrender, of giving yourself over to something bigger than yourself. It means accepting that some things are out of our control, but that does not mean we can’t embrace the beauty and wonder that life hold for us. Strangers can become lovers, a chance encounter could bring you into contact with your soul mate. Chance encounters can, and do, change our lives.


  Dearest You;

  This is a different kind of love letter - my love letter to you, my reader. I want to sincerely thank you for letting me take you on a journey, introducing you to characters and situations I hope left you with something special; a feeling, an escape... maybe even a fantasy.

  As a writer, I am immensely grateful that you chose to spend time with my book. You make art possible, and that is a powerful thing. I don't say this to flatter you - I want to empower you to keep supporting art, to help keep it alive and thriving.

  I hope that you'll go on to read my other books, if you haven't already, and if you would like to know about my next novel - there are many ways we can stay in touch to keep this magic going.

  If you are willing to share what I made, whether that's a kind review or telling people about my books on social media, that would mean the world to me.

  Jenny

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  For my husband Andrew, the hero of my own romance that writes itself every day we’re together. You are my happily ever after.

  For my son Harrison, who taught me how deeply I could love from the moment you took your very first breath.

  And for you, reading these words. Thank you for reading this story, for letting me create a world and characters that I truly hope you enjoy. Being able to share with you is a privilege.

  Jenny