Deception Read online

  Deception

  By

  Jordan Silver

  Copyright 2013© Alison Jordan

  All Rights Reserved

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  I pulled up to the abandoned cabin in the woods reluctantly. My GPS had led me here to this place but this couldn't be right. There's no way Amber was living, more like hiding in this dump in the middle of nowhere. I loosened the Hermes tie that was beginning to choke me. If the Intel I had received was accurate then the woman I had spent the most wonderful two weeks of my life with was in there, and she was not alone. If this was true then I would make her life a hell on earth, no one took from me and walked away, not even the one who had stolen my heart. It was almost a year since our idyllic time in the Greek isles, two weeks of love and promises between two strangers who had fallen fast and fallen hard for each other. Until we had returned to the states and she disappeared without a trace, it had taken my people this long to find her. Almost one year of frustration and sleepless nights, one year when the only thing that kept me going was the business and my burning need for revenge.

  I got out of my Aston Martin and looked around hardly believing that this is where my search had led me. I couldn't imagine the soft spoken genteel woman I had met being anywhere near such a place, but then again there was a lot I didn't know about her; the lying little bitch.

  I walked cautiously towards the dilapidated porch looking for any signs of life. There was nothing, not even the sound of birds in the trees, of course I could've disturbed them with my presence and they went into hiding. The sagging structure looked as if it was about to fall in and I was about to turn around and leave when I heard a faint sound coming from behind the door. Heart racing and senses on high alert I reached out to turn the knob. It opened without too much effort, onto a scene that boggled my mind.

  "You conniving little bitch."

  "Ahhhh." She screamed and turned around shielding the tiny bundle she held cradled in her arms.

  "Co...Colin?" She stuttered in fear, her eyes wide with terror. She was right to be afraid because before this day was done I would destroy her completely.

  Almost One Year Earlier.

  "Colin you really need a holiday, you work entirely too much."

  "Mom, don't start." I kissed the exasperating woman on her cheek as she came into my office. I think I've been hearing that same refrain or something like it since I was about eighteen.

  "Well it's true, when's the last time you took a real holiday hmmm? Right after college if I remember correctly. Good Lord son that's a little more than seven years."

  I gave her my signature smirk to try and distract her, I know her. When she gets like this she’s like a dog with a meaty bone. If I’m not careful she would have me in the middle if the Mediterranean on a yacht before I knew what hit me and I didn't have time for that. No matter how much the papers liked to peg me as the carefree playboy, nothing could be farther from the truth. I worked hard, and okay when the opportunity arose I played hard too, but those times were becoming more and more rare.

  Ever since granddad had retired and passed the reigns to my brother Don and I I'd given up my late nights and party hat for long days and strategy meetings at the office.

  "I'm too busy right now mom."

  "But your brother always finds time to relax and get away."

  "Mom Don’s a family man, besides you and I both know that Cindy would drag him by the balls..."

  "Such language Colin really." Her scolding didn't quite work since she was fighting not to laugh. Mom is a real firecracker, in her cashmere twin sets and Prada heels. She is the picture of a high society maven; hosting garden parties for whatever charity or cause she was interested in at the moment. But at home with her nearest and dearest she was a force to be reckoned with. She kept dad on his toes that was for sure, at least that's what he's been telling me my whole life.

  "What is it that you want now mom?"

  "Is that anyway to talk to your dear old mom?"

  "Pffft yeah right, what is it? Spit it out."

  "Weeeelllll..." She ran her fingers across my desk. Uh oh.

  "No." I started shaking my head before she could finish; whenever she starts a sentence like that it never boded well for whoever was on the receiving end. I don't know how many times she had caught me out there like that.

  "How rude Colin, you didn't even let me finish."

  "And I'm not going to whatever it is the answer is no N.O."

  She huffed at me, which was to be expected but I knew she wasn't done not by a long shot.

  " Please son I promise it's nothing bad, just one teensy weensy little favor."

  And out came the pouty lips.

  "That look only works on your husband woman, now get out of here so I can get to work."

  "Oh pooh, what kind of son denies his mother and after thirty six hours of labor too."

  By this time I was mouthing every word that came out of her mouth right along with her, she's had the same spiel since I was six.

  I laughed and hugged her while marshaling her out the door, mom could be relentless and I really needed to get ready for a conference call in ten minutes. "Okay well since you won't do me this favor can I plan a little get away for you? It would make your father and I feel so much better if you were taking care of yourself. I'm sure your grandfather didn't expect you to work yourself into the ground when he stepped down."

  Maybe the old codger hadn't expected that but neither did he expect his company to lose its standing in the business arena. To stay on top you had to go that extra mile and since dad refused to have anything to do with the business preferring his medical Practice. It fell to Don and I to keep things running smoothly.

  Our younger sister Terry had just started her first year at The Fashion Institute and had no interest whatsoever in the company, other than the revenue generated from her shares that is.

  "Okay, okay, but not next week I have too much stuff lined up then."

  "Very well son, I'll see you in a couple days at the house for dinner." She smiled like the cat that ate the canary and I gave her a playful glare as I realized I had played right into her hands. She'd gotten what she was really after after all. Damn the woman was sneaky, I ought to tell her husband to keep her on a leash, but he was just as much putty in her hands as her sons were. I shook my head in laughter as I returned to my desk, my little family break all but forgotten.

  Chapter 2

  Present Day

  "What, what are you doing here?"

  It took everything in me not to ring her pretty little neck. No one had ever crossed me before in the corporate world I was known as a shark not someone to be trifled with. I ran my life the way I wanted and made no bones about it, if someone crossed me I crushed them without a second thought. But this...woman, this Jezebel had deceived me in the most unforgivable way.

  "You have something of mine I believe." I stared at the bundle in her arms with my heart in my throat as she recoiled as if from something deadly. That fear was very well founded, as it took every ounce of civility I had left in me not to do her bodily harm right then and there. No one took from me, and what she sought to take if what I was fast coming to believe was true; was the most precious of all.

/>   "I don't know what you mean." She looked everywhere but at me; brave little liar.

  I walked towards her menacingly cornering her so that there was no escape.

  "Don't you? Let's see shall we?"

  She made to escape me but I stopped her with one hand, while using the other to pull the blanket away from the little head.

  My breath caught and my heart raced as I looked at the unruly head of odd colored hair, my hair.

  "You fucking bitch."

  I had the baby in my arms before she could even blink. I'd heard the reports but had hardly believed, at the time knowing what a conniving little bitch she was I had made myself believe that the child wasn't mine. She'd used me after all for her own gains and it was my belief that she’d had a partner and that the child they’d reported her to be carrying had to be his. Still there was a chance that it could be mine and if that was the case I had to find him. And now the proof was right here in my arms. I had a son. The only thing left to decide was what was to become of his mother. Things had changed in the blink of an eye; my whole life had just been rocked on its axis.

  "For every minute, of every day of the six weeks that he's been alive without me I will make you pay. I turned and headed for the door. I had what I came for.

  A keening wail followed me out the door, faltering me in my steps. It sounded like a wounded animal fighting to hold onto life. Looking over my shoulder I saw her in a crumbled heap, crawling towards me. I wanted to leave her there.

  For all the heartache and pain she had caused me I wanted to walk away from her pain.

  My son started to fuss and cry in my arms. My heart swelled within my chest. My son.

  For the first time I kissed his little head holding him closer to me.

  When I came here I had one purpose, to get what was mine and deal with the bitch later. I rode on angry fumes and visions of vengeance, she brought this on herself, this was none of my doing.

  "Please, please please, don't take my baby, please, do whatever you want to me but please don't take him. He's all I've got."

  Look at her, still so innocent, even with the ravages of tears and tired eyes she was still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. But I wouldn't be drawn in, not again. She was a viperous snake and I would do well to remember that.

  I had a decision to make though it was all about my son. Though the thought of her anywhere near me made me sick to my stomach I couldn't leave his mother here like this. Yeah! Maybe just maybe this would be better. Take her with me, that way I can keep her close while I reek my vengeance on her.

  "You can do as you please but my son will not spend one more minute in this dump. You have ten minutes to get your things together then we're leaving with or without you."

  I let the door slam shut between us. In my fury I had forgotten a few things; like the fact that there was no baby seat in my car, no food for him when he got hungry and it was a good three hours drive home. When I'd received the final call telling me where they were my only thought had been getting here, now I see I should've stopped and planned. This was so unlike me, not to be prepared, but that was the summation of my relationship with Amber everything taken by storm, no planning, just spontaneous reaction.

  I heard her scurrying around in the old shack gathering her belongings, when she came out the door her old Levi's hanging off her hips and what looked like...wait a minute was that my shirt?

  Chapter 3

  Almost One Year Earlier

  So here I am on the Isle of Crete. Mom had confiscated my laptop, work phones and anything that had to do with work. I literally had to sneak my blackberry. The woman was relentless.

  I'd been pretty tense on the way here, after having not taken a real break in almost eight years it felt strange not having anything to do.

  The first day I was pretty antsy, I kept checking the Berry for anything from the office. I suspect my mother had played the dragon lady with my assistant because there was nothing, not a peep.

  No ringing phone with the latest crisis, no progress sheets, no deadlines. This was too fucking weird.

  Relax Stewart it's a vacation; you know what that is, lie on the beach, soak up some rays, and get sick on Ouzo. Good times.

  The villa was situated on one of the many secluded coves on the island. Well away from the tourist traps and heavy traffic. The staff was instructed to provide for my every need, much as they'd been doing for my family for the past forty years or so. We'd spent many a summer here when I was a child. Guess that's why mom chose this location, it held fond memories of carefree days and happiness.

  By day three I was hitting my stride, I felt the tension leave me as I enjoyed the warm seawater, lazed around the pool, and enjoyed the local bounty of fresh foods.

  It was on this day as I made one of my daily treks up the cove that I saw her. Her body was in profile, camera raised to capture a flock of seagulls in flight. Though I couldn't see her face something about her captivated me. Maybe it was the way her long dark locks blew in the wind or the way she stood. I don’t know what it was but something about her called to me.

  I must've stared at her for a good ten minutes without moving before she finally lowered the camera and turned my way as if sensing me there.

  Holy...was she real? Couldn't be. My heart raced, my pulse went haywire and I swear my vision blurred. I made as if to go towards her before I caught myself and forced my feet to stop. I don't think I'd blinked once since coming up on her.

  And then she smiled and my whole world changed forever.

  PRESENT DAY

  I rushed around the cabin trying to grab as much of the baby's stuff as possible while my mind raced a mile a minute. Every moment my son was out of my sight was an agony of fear. What if he left without me? The thought made me gag.

  I threw the last of the baby's little onesies in the bag and rushed out the door almost tripping over my feet.

  He was standing next to the car with a confounded look on his face. I don't think I'd seen him look anything but confident and self assured before.

  I picked up my walking until I reached their side wanting so much to take my baby out of his hands. It may seem a bit extreme but except for the time spent in the hospital I had not once let him out of my sight.

  When Colin didn't move from his position I found the courage to look up at him timidly. Still the most gorgeous human being on the planet, the mere sight of him hurt my heart. It hurt because he could never be mine, and I wondered; was it better to have had him for that little while, only to have lost him? Or would I have been better off not knowing him at all?

  My beautiful son, that wonderful surprise blessing would've filled the void in the coming years, having inherited all that was his father. At first sight, much as with his father, I had fallen in love with my precious boy. In that moment he had become my world, my reason for living when I had thought all was lost. Now Colin was here, threatening to take him away, to once again rip my world apart.

  Someone else had done that not too long ago, then I'd ran away like a frightened rabbit, this time there was no way. I would fight every force on earth to keep my son nothing or no one was going to take him from me. Not even the great Colin Stewart.

  "Get in the car."

  Chapter 4

  She sat like a statue in the seat next to me, the baby clutched tightly to her chest. I wanted to rip him away from her, wanted to hurt her the way she's hurt me. "You ran with my kid in your womb." I had a tight leash on my anger. She swung her head towards me, eyes wide with fright. I gave her a cursory glance, gritting my teeth against the pull she still held for me. How could I still want her after what she'd done? Not only had she played me for a fool but she'd stolen my seed. She was the only woman I had ever been that careless with and she had used it against me. I couldn't regret my son though, no matter how he came to be.

  "I didn't know I was pregnant when I...left."

  "Really, you expect me to believe that? Admit it, this was all some elaborate sche
me to get your hooks into me wasn't it? But I've got news for you, whatever you had planned will never come to pass, you will never use my son against me. By the time I'm through with you you'll wish you never met me on that beach." I was back to fuming, when I thought of how thoroughly she had deceived me I wanted to lash out. I wanted her insides to be spilled on the ground, gutted, the way she had left me when she disappeared from my life.

  "Were you even a virgin? I have to wonder now, because your actions since we landed back in the states does not reflect the innocent naive girl I..."

  I stopped myself short; I’d almost given too much away. There's no way in hell I'd ever utter those words to her again.

  "Colin I..."

  "Save it, you're a liar and a thief there's nothing you can ever say to convince me that you're anything more than a manipulative calculating bitch."

  She drew back as if I'd struck her, but I could care less. Her ploys wouldn't work on me a second time. I was getting ready to tear into her when my son started to wail as if in pain.

  "What's wrong, why's he screaming like that?" I was almost in a panic.

  "He's just hungry." She fidgeted a little in her seat.

  "Well feed him." I glared at her before returning my attention to the road.

  "I..." She bit her lip looking out the car window as if suddenly interested in the passing scenery.

  "What is it?" I glanced at her in confusion the baby was really starting to wail now. What the hell was her problem?

  "He doesn't have a bottle."

  "Well why didn't you pack one?"

  "Uhm what I mean is he doesn't drink from a bottle, I um... breast feed." The last was said in an almost whisper but I heard all the same. I swallowed tightly, hands tightening on the steering wheel. My body had reacted immediately to the image of her feeding my son. Fuck. I looked around for somewhere to pull over so she could tend to my son and I could maybe walk around a little to relieve the sudden strain in my pants.