“She saved my life,” I told them as a nurse checked the damage done to my arm from a catheter that was ripped out during the struggle. “He was trying to kill me. I’m sure she’d be next,” I kept repeating.
“He’s gone now. He can’t hurt us anymore.”
Not anymore than he already had. For what it was worth, I was glad he was dead.
EPILOGUE
Annabelle
It’d been three months since Blake passed. Today, the entire Waters and Fields families sat around a campfire, remembering Blake and how he’d sacrificed his life for both me and Missy. I would forever hold a special place in my heart for him, and life would never be the same without him. It would still take a long time for Derek to heal, and at this point, I wasn’t sure whether he could. All I knew was that I would be here for him, body and soul. Missy had been numb since the day Blake died and she lost her baby. There weren’t enough tears we could shed when I sat with her in the backyard. She’d moved in with our parents, losing herself to the task of helping my father learn how to walk with a prosthetic leg, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. Missy’d been damaged, and I didn’t know how or when she’d begin to heal.
Sitting on a log, I leaned into Derek, saying, “We’ll never stop missing him, and we’ll never forget him. He and you both saved my life, Derek. I will be forever grateful to you both.”
“He knew.” Derek lifted his head. “He knew I had to try to save you first. He wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t, and he gave me his permission to do so.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I didn’t remember. Blake also knew he was going to die. I could see it in his eyes.”
“Derek, this isn’t your fault. The only person to blame here is Rick.”
It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that Rick would have come after my family whether I married him or not. He was Huntz’s son, and no matter what I did, he’d go to unimaginable lengths to hurt us.
“I know. I just wished I’d moved quicker.” Derek sighed.
“And I wish I’d never met him.”
“Annabelle, you were coerced into marrying the son of a bitch. You couldn’t have known.”
“I know. Sometimes it feels like I brought all this on my family and yours. It doesn’t matter how many times I remind myself that he sought me out.”
Derek took my hand into his and wrapped his arm around me. “No, you didn’t. There’s no explanation for a psychopath’s behavior. Believe me, I know.”
“Are you sure Missy will be all right on her own?” I asked.
My sister was leaving tomorrow for New York. She said she’d visit, but for now she needed to distance herself from Ogden and from this life. No matter how many times I saw her the past few weeks, I couldn’t help but notice greater fear in her eyes, and I wondered whether she’d ever find peace. She mentioned that she was afraid of Mateo. Missy said she had a bad feeling he’d come after her for killing his brother, and she wanted to stay in a big city, with many people. I was pretty sure she would go into hiding, and my heart ached for her.
“I hope so. Eric says Emma’s family is top-notch. Emma will take care of her until they find Mateo. Their smuggling business has already been taken down.”
“Let me talk to her.”
I stood up and went over to sit by Missy and Emma. “Are you sure you want to do this? You’re my sister. I just found you. Please don’t leave. We’ll help you and protect you from Mateo.”
“I wish I could stay.” Missy lifted her sad eyes. “I only found you and Eric, and I have a new family. But I won’t put any of you in harm’s way. I have no doubt in my heart that Mateo will be after me. I killed his twin. I need to stay away from everyone I love until he’s found.”
“I’m so sorry, Missy.” I hugged her tightly. Tonight was our last night together. Emma was taking Missy away, and while I knew she’d be staying somewhere in New York, they wouldn’t give us the address. All she said was that Missy needed to be hidden until they found Mateo.
“Me too.”
I took both her hands into mine and looked straight into her eyes. “If you ever see him, Missy, run. Run as fast as you can. Don’t let him near you. If he’s anything like his brother, keep your distance. And come back home to us.” Tears streaked down Missy’s face. “Please promise me you’ll come back as soon as you can.”
“I promise. Annabelle?” she asked.
“Yes?”
“Can you call me Skyler? The way my mom called me when I was born?”
“Of course, Skyler Waters. Stay safe.”
And with that, my half sister I’d met a few months ago left for the big city.
* * *
Dear Reader,
Secluded in the New York Skyler Waters remains under cover, unaware of her new employer’s dangerous connections. As a new acquaintance steps into her life and causes trouble, she’s forced to take on a new job—one that will connect her past with her present. You can read Skyler’s thrilling and hot story in the last book of the Crossed Series titled Crossed Off. This novel closes off the Crossed Series with all characters returning and has a HEA ending for all families involved. Thank you for your continuous support!
Lacey
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About the Author
Author of Erotic Romance, Lacey Silks writes her stories from life experiences, dreams and fantasies. She likes a pinkish shade on a woman’s cheeks, men with large feet and sexy lingerie, especially when it’s torn off the body. Her favorite piece of clothing is a ‘birthday suit’.
When she’s not thinking about writing steamy stories, which is a rare occasion, Lacey enjoys camping and skiing with her family (not at the same time of course). She’s a happily married wife blessed with two kids who adore going to the library. She’s an early bird by nature, but loves the nightly adventures with her hubby which provide good content for her books.
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More Work by Lacey Silks:
Short Stories
My First, My Last (Free eBook)
Dance With Me
Teacher’s Pet
Over The Limit
Bossy Request (Free eBook)
My Neighbor’s Will
Fantasy in Each Reality (Erotic Shorts 1-3) Collection
Fantasy in Each Reality (Erotic Shorts 4-6) Collection
Mistresses Series: Meet Claire, Casey, Lexie, Paige and Amber in 5 connected shorts in the “My Reason To Cheat” Series.
New Adult/Erotic Romance Novels
Dazzled By Silver(a prequel to the Layers Trilogy – FREE!)
Layers Deep
Layers Peeled
Layers Off
My First, My Last: A novel
Crossed (prequel to the Crossed Series)
Layers Crossed
Double Crossed
Crossed Off
Coming Soon:
When Things Go Wrong (Jan 2015)
Cheaters Anonymous (Spring 2015)
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Acknowledgments
Switching things up a bit :)
Writing this section is always most difficult. I’ve repeated the same words in most books, because honestly, you’ll always thank your parents, friends, children, spouses, editors, cover designers etc... And of course – I do. I thank them all for their invaluable input, support, faith and encouragement.
But I also want to say a few words about the fellow authors in my AA group (you know who you are). No, the AA has nothing to do with alcoholism ;) I’ve never met a better bunch of people from all over the world, who without judgement on where you are in your career, share their knowledge, provide support, and encourage, making this publishing journey an exciting adventure. I will be forever grateful to you all. I look forward each day to chatting with you and learning from you. You inspire me to keep my butt in the chair so that I write. And to all the Bimbos out there (you also know who you are) – I’m always beyond excited to work with you all.
To my readers: I love your emails and adore your excitement. Believe me when I say this, I not only write for myself, but also for you. There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve enjoyed my work and that it has changed your life.
To anyone who took a chance on my books – thank you!
To my family, I could not do what I love without you. Mom, your go getter attitude has rubbed off on me. Dad, your humour is infectious. Mike, “all you need is love”. Maya and Alex, you are who I live for. You are my life.
A special thank you to Clarissa at Booming Covers for the beautiful cover design.
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
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
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
About the Author
More Work by Lacey Silks
Connect with Lacey online
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