Romance Me: A Collection Of Standalone & First In Series Books Page 11

  Chapter 18

  THE GOVERNOR DROVE with caution toward the warehouse. Sirens blared around them. He pulled to the right as firetrucks whipped by. "We can't get any closer," he told her. They were about two blocks away from the fire.

  Cassandra jumped out of the car and ran. The governor huffed as he caught up and grabbed her arm. "I need to get to him," she cried.

  "What you need to do is play the victim. Can you do that?"

  She nodded and lowered her pace. Cassandra didn't need to play, she was the victim. Together, they walked up the yellow crime tape. She attempted to limbo beneath it, but a strong hand stopped her.

  "Nobody behind the line," a voice of authority demanded. The officer looked at them and lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Governor Johnson, we weren't expecting you." He glanced at her and raised the tape for them to follow him. "Cassandra Frame? We assumed you were in the building. I'm glad you're alright."

  The officer walked them over to an ambulance and told the paramedics who she was. They forced her to sit still and examined her body. He radioed the Chief of Police. "Sir, the girl is alive." Within minutes swarms of officers and the chief surrounded her.

  The Chief questioned Cassandra. "Do you know who abducted you?"

  "No, sir," she answered. She didn't know who was behind the farce until a few minutes prior.

  "How did you escape?" Another officer asked while writing it all down in a little notebook.

  She held her hands up as she talked, bullshit fell from her mouth. "I finished loosening the rope he had me tied up with," the brush burn from their rough sex made them believe her. "I heard a commotion, like a fight of some sort, and used that time to my advantage."

  "And you, Governor, what are you doing here?"

  The governor noticed the bruises on Cassandra's body for the first time. He stared at them as he spoke. Cassandra sensed his anger. She wanted to tell him she was fine, but she couldn't just yet. "The Frames and I have been close friends for years, longer than this young girl has lived. William called me in a panic. He said something happened to Cassandra and he needed help. I found her running for her life about a half mile up the road when I arrived just a few minutes ago."

  It all sounded realistic. Part of her beamed knowing she would be safe, but knowing Anthony was out there unprotected terrorized her. The firefighters were trying to contain the burning building. Anthony couldn't be inside, she told herself and gulped in fear.

  The Chief put his hand on her shoulder, it startled her. He apologized. "There is nothing to fear. The man who did this to you is dead. He'll never hurt you again."

  She tried her hardest not to cry. She wasn't supposed to be in love with the man who took her away from the life she knew. Cassandra felt shocked and couldn't speak. The governor asked, "Are there any survivors?"

  "No, Sir," the officer in charge responded, as he held his hat in his hand.

  Cassandra's head snapped in their direction. She wanted to hear the words, needed them to tell her the real man who tried to hurt her died himself. "Nobody?" she quivered. They expected her to cry this time, but her tears weren't for her father.

  "I'm sorry," he looked down as he spoke. "Your father, William Frame is one of the confirmed deceased."

  She broke down and bawled her eyes out. Governor Johnson wrapped his arm around her. All she could think about was not getting the chance to tell Anthony she loved him. "What am I going to do?" The air was thick, and Cassandra couldn't breathe.

  "You'll survive," the governor said. She looked up to the eyes that matched hers and heard the irony in his voice. He touched the scrapes on her arm and ran his finger to rope burn on her wrists. "I'm sorry this happened to you."

  Chapter 19

  CASSANDRA STOOD AMONG friends and family under an overcast sky. The priest chanted prayers as she looked down at the opening in the ground. Her tears were sincere. Cassandra loved him, before she knew his true colors, like a daughter should. Her emotions clustered in confusion, he didn't love her.

  She stood tall and acted brave once again. William's secrets would remain hidden. There wasn't a need to tell people how wicked he was. Cassandra's life would go on.

  Her eyes watched intently as his casket was lowered into the ground. Governor Johnson nudged her elbow. Cassandra walked up to the casket, and the white rose she'd been holding fell. She paused in silence for a moment. Everyone watched her, waiting for her to say something but she didn't. Cassandra turned around and fell into the governor's arms. The crowd sobbed for her, but only he knew why she mourned.

  The crowd took their turns paying their last respects to William, one by one, then left her standing there. Governor Johnson stood by her side, but she refused to leave. She wanted to watch them bury the man who died trying to kill her. Strong men shoveled dirt and tossed it on the coffin. When they finished, she finally turned to leave.

  At the house, people gathered around her. She wondered if they came for her, or the food and drinks, the house was packed like a nightclub. One by one, they told Cassandra how sorry they were for her. She wanted to scold them, tell them she would be better off with 'her father' gone, but refrained.

  She felt skeptical as she looked around at their faces, wondering if they were all evil villains, plotting her death. Or, were they victims like herself? Dr. Allen Jenson sat beside her. "I think you need to talk about this. Come to the office in the morning." Cassandra said nothing to him, just walked away and avoided him for the rest of the afternoon. It hurt her to think someone who'd been so caring toward her for years, had just been putting on an act. Cassandra had no intentions on talking to him ever again.

  She sat in the corner and planned her life. There wasn't any point in staying there, to be reminded day after day how William planned to kill her for fifteen years.

  Cassandra looked to Governor Johnson from across the room. His eyes met hers and he nodded. He understood her more than she ever thought. Sunlight faded from the windows and at last she found herself alone. The funeral traditions were over.

  Memories of Anthony flooded her mind. She held onto her broken heart. Cassandra turned on the television and listened to the news reports.

  "Authorities tell us that Anthony Flint's death is confirmed. The felon abducted Cassandra Frame after his escape from the state penitentiary two weeks ago. Witnesses say he held the girl for ransom and planned on using the money to leave the country. William Frame met with Flint in an abandoned warehouse in hopes to see his daughter released safely. Both Frame and Flint were killed in a fiery explosion. Cassandra Frame is home and doing well."

  She threw her glass of water at the screen and screamed. The governor explained that honoring William, and blaming Anthony was for the best, but she didn't like it. Anthony gave his life saving hers, he deserved recognition. Cassandra cupped her face and sniffled. She decided to stop crying and to carry on, the way Anthony would want her too.

  Chapter 20

  CASSANDRA LISTENED to the family attorney read the Last Will and Testament. William kept her in it, leaving his billions and business to her. She assumed he planned on changing it after her death, after taking her Grandmother's millions, if his plan succeeded.

  The attorney shook her hand. "Again," he said, "my condolences on your loss." Cassandra nodded and accepted his kind words. "Do you have any plans?"

  She shook her head. "I need time to figure things out," she told him, being as sincere as she could be. William ran a successful business, but she wasn't interested in it. Cassandra planned to sell it but said nothing, figuring the attorney didn't need to know. She was sure he'd been on William's dirty payroll. When the time came to sell, Cassandra didn't plan on using his services.

  He walked her to the door and placed his hand over her shoulder. Cassandra flinched, not trusting anyone any longer. "If you need anything, just call me," he told her as she entered the elevator.

  Cassandra turned her head toward him. "Thank you."

  THE GOVERNOR DROVE her to Wil
liam's private airport. It looked nothing like commercial airports she used every time he shipped her off to Europe. There was only one building, a tower, and a runway with a jet idling on it, waiting for her. Her jet now, she laughed to herself. She decided to leave the country. After years of posh boarding schools, this seemed the most natural for her.

  Cassandra smiled, her true friends scattered across the world and she wanted to see them. America didn't hold much for her. She knew where she came from, and planned on returning from time to time, but she would enjoy her life on foreign shores.

  The governor glanced at her and read her mind. "You'll always have me," he smiled.

  Cassandra reached over and touched his hand. He'd been there for her more times than she could count. "I owe you my life, for fuck's sake," not afraid to let her new-self speak. "I'll stay in touch," she assured him. He looked at her and she knew he wanted to say something. Cassandra shook her head to stop him. "You've had years to come to terms with this parenting thing. I just found out weeks ago, and it will take time."

  He nodded in agreement. They stepped out of the car and he took her luggage out of the trunk. Cassandra stood still, looking at the jet. New adventures and a lifetime of happiness awaited her.

  The governor handed her suitcases over to the pilot. The pilot looked in her direction and she nodded. He was a good guy, hired by Cassandra herself. Anyone who worked for William were all suspicious to her. He tossed her things into a cargo area and brushed his hands together. "I'm ready whenever you are," he said. "Just buzz when you want to take off." He climbed up into the plane and took a left to the cockpit.

  "I'll expect postcards," the Governor instructed. He embraced her and for the first time in a long time, Cassandra felt loved.

  "Of course." She kissed him on the cheek. "I've given up all social media, so postcards and phone calls are all you'll have." He looked concerned, and she hugged him again. "And of course, we'll see each other often. I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me."

  He let go of Cassandra and she walked up the stairs. The interior of the jet had luxury designed all over, but it all paled when she saw blue. Blue eyes.

  Anthony sat there, waiting for her. She screamed with disbelief and ran to him. Anthony stood and wrapped his arms around her. Cassandra squeezed him tight, like she'd never wanted to let go. "I didn't want to believe you died in that explosion." Tears of joy escaped her eyes, but Cassandra didn't try to wipe them away.

  He cupped her face and kissed her, more tender than he ever had before. Her heart raced, and her knees wobbled. "I'm sorry we couldn't tell you what plan B was. We knew it was a risk and I could have died, but we were able to fake my death. I'll never leave you again."

  Cassandra pressed into him and rubbed her hands up and down his body. He was rock hard beneath his tight leather pants. Cassandra's lips opened wide and persuaded him to enter. Anthony pulled back. "Not on the plane," he told her. "We have our whole lives ahead of us."

  They took their seats and fastened their seatbelts. Cassandra looked out the window. Her real father stood there looking lost already. "Thank you," she mouthed again. Without him, she wouldn't have been hidden, William's secrets wouldn't ruin her name, and Anthony wouldn't have been given a second chance at life.

  Anthony reached for Cassandra's chin and turned her face toward him. His eyes sparkled as his smile spread across his face. The entire world thought he died in a fierce explosion. Thanks to the boss he had a new identification. Cassandra breathed easy knowing they'd never try to take her man away again.

  "I love you too," she said to him. He tilted his head and she read his mind. "It was the last thing you said that day." She grinned. "I never had the chance to say it back."

  "Hmm." He laughed. "Tell me again." He kissed her. "And, again, and again."

  Cassandra let the pilot know they were ready for takeoff, then pulled Anthony's head toward her. "I love you Anthony, um..." she paused, "I mean, Andrew."

  The jet raced down the runway and they ascended into the clouds. Anthony held her hand next to his heart. "I love you, too." Cassandra reached over and brushed her hands through his hair as she kissed him all over his face and neck. Their new life together had only just begun.

  Hitched While Intoxicated

  Chapter 1

  KIMBERLY STEPPED OUT of the elevator and walked toward her apartment. She felt relieved the day was over. It would have been just another boring Friday night except it was her birthday. Kimberly didn't mind that nobody called her throughout the day to wish a happy birthday, though it did surprise her a little. To her, it was the big one. The big three-oh, and Kimberly wasn't prepared for what that age represented.

  She unlocked her door then dropped her keys when she heard, "Surprise!" Her heart pounded until the shock wore off. Her friends and family stood around her and said, "Happy birthday," as she made her way through.

  "You shouldn't have," she laughed.

  "Of course, we should have," her lifelong friend, Janie, said. "You would have never forgiven us if we forgot your birthday."

  Kimberly hugged Janie followed by her other friends, Melissa and Jennifer. The four of them grew up together and were inseparable up until the last couple of years. "Yes, I would have," she answered. "In fact, I was looking forward to a hot bath and a glass of wine tonight."

  "Well, here's the wine," Melissa handed her a glass. "To the birthday girl!" she shouted to the other guests.

  Kimberly made her rounds and mingled with everyone. Her parents sat alone in the corner. She went up to them and they embraced her. "Hey, I thought you said you were going on vacation?" she asked them.

  They laughed. "Had to tell you something or you'd wonder why we didn't make plans for dinner." Kimberly smiled at them and squeezed their hands before moving along to the next guest.

  Hor d'oeuvres and plates filled her kitchen island. She reached for a plate when someone whipped her around. "Not going to say hello?"

  Kimberly wrapped her arms around her brother. "Kevin, I didn't know you were here."

  "Happy birthday, darling," he said then tilted his head towards the makeshift bar they put up. "That's because I've been stuck serving drinks over here."

  "Oh, shut up," Melissa teased. "You know that was your idea." She put her arm around Kimberly's waist and guided her away. "He acts like we don't know how to do anything."

  They moved away from Kevin and paused to watch the other party goers. Kimberly's cheeks blushed when she noticed a colleague eyeing her. She turned to Melissa and whispered, "You invited him? He's been asking me out for months. I finally told him that I was dating a man named Tom just to get him off my case."

  Melissa smirked. "Why would you do that? He's charming," she glanced his way and faked a smile.

  Kimberly had her share of bad relationships and didn't want anything more to do with them. The man seemed nice but not enough to coax her out of her shell. "You know I'm not looking for a man. Relationships are fine for you guys but not me." Once the words were out of her mouth, she felt bad. She noticed Melissa hang her head. "I'm sorry," Kimberly whispered, knowing her friend recently went through a break up.

  Melissa snapped out of it and smiled. "Here he comes," she giggled. "Do I need to save you again?"

  Kimberly didn't have time to answer. She knew what Melissa meant. Her friends and brother had a bad habit of saving her skin, or was it she had a bad habit of being impulsive? It didn't matter; he stood in front of her and said hello. "Hi, thanks for coming." She didn't attempt to hug him but stuck her hand out for him to shake.

  "It's a shame that Tom couldn't make it tonight." Melissa interrupted the formalities. She moved her eyes between Kimberly and the colleague until it appeared he believed the lie. They stood and talked to him for a few minutes until he told them that he couldn’t stay. Kimberly walked him to the door and thanked him for coming then returned to Melissa's side.

  "This is amazing," Kimberly said. Her attention turned to her kitchen table an
d noticed the piles of gifts on top. "Oh, my God," she squealed. "Gifts?"

  "It's a birthday," Jennifer joined the conversation from where she stood beside them. Suddenly, she jerked Kimberly's hand and brought her closer to the gift table.

  Kimberly's eyes bulged out of her head. The ugliest box she ever saw sat in the back of the pile of presents. Something stuck in her throat, and Kimberly tried to clear it. A pit in her stomach appeared out of nowhere. It was the box; the one they made in junior high school.

  She turned to Jennifer and Melissa and shook her head. "No, just no."

  "Just yes," Janie tuned in. She'd been standing nearby and noticed the look of disgust on Kimberly's face. "Tonight is the night. Our youngest has turned thirty."

  Kimberly made a beeline to the bathroom and locked herself inside. Eighteen years before, she thought the concept of a memory box was a good idea. They gathered an assortment of items throughout their youths, to look at and remember once they were older. Now, she changed her mind. Kimberly had no idea why the idea of opening it pained her so much; it just did. She leaned against the sink and closed her eyes. Flashing lights appeared in the dark followed by an image of her dancing close to someone she didn't recognize. She opened her eyes and splashed water on her face. She wondered if the human body changed the minute you turned thirty. She only had one glass of wine, but she thought it had begun to affect her.

  The night continued, and Kimberly ignored the knot tightening inside of her. After her parents left, her friends started hurrying the others to follow suit. Kimberly knew what it meant. They wanted to open the box.

  They agreed to open it once they turned twenty-five, but Janie couldn't make it home. She had taken a temporary job in France at the time. The rest agreed to postpone the event until they were all thirty. Kimberly gulped; there would be no putting it off this time.