Passion and lies, p.1
Passion and Lies, page 1
Passion and Lies
Passion and Lies
Daring Love Book One
Dawn Brower
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Passion and Lies Copyright © 2021 Dawn Brower
Cover art by Victoria Miller
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
For everyone hoping for a second chance. May the one you love be generous enough to give you one.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Afterword
About The Author
Also by Dawn Brower
Acknowledgments
Excerpt: Desire and Jealousy
Prologue
Excerpt: Unbridled Pursuit
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Excerpt: Never Disregard a Wallflower
Prologue
Chapter 1
Prologue
Vivian Miene had everything she could possibly want. The perfect career, the perfect man, Eric Black, and the perfect future—she’d worked hard for the first, and luck had sent her the second, the third had been assured by the prior two. She couldn’t imagine anything that could possibly make her life better. Except all the secrets she kept, the ones that could destroy her perfect life.
The darkness that loomed over her happiness... Eric was a key witness in a case against the leader of a known drug cartel. He had no idea that she kept secrets from him. Her duty was to protect him and she’d been assigned to become close to him. Never had she believed she would fall in love with him. Their relationship started out for all the wrong reasons. Vivian prayed that he would forgive her for the lies she’d told. He didn’t even know her real name…
“Via,” Eric called out to her as he stepped through the doorway of his loft apartment. “Where are you?”
She stared out the window in Eric’s bedroom overlooking Seattle. Vivian loved the view. Vivian turned toward Eric as he entered the room. He was the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on. Dark midnight locks and eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea on a body honed with hard muscle. That gorgeous physique was what had drawn her to him, but it was his heart that had made her fall deeply in love. Vivian smiled and met him in the middle of the room. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers.
Vivian leaned into him and he deepened the kiss. He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “I’ve needed that all day,” he told her. “I missed you.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” she said. “A few hours nothing more.”
“Any second I’m away from you is too long,” he replied with a hint of delight in his tone. “I hate when I have to leave you.”
Vivian leaned her head against his chest. She reveled in his warmth and strength. He made her feel safe and wanted. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Savored his musky scent and imagined that there was nothing that could tear them apart. She had so many secrets and feared he’d hate her when he heard them all. She had one that he might like, but she wasn’t quite ready to believe it. Vivian needed more proof to believe in it herself.
“Are you sad?” he asked.
“No,” she answered. “I’m happy.” Vivian glanced up at him. “Tell me about your morning. Did it all go well?” This was the part she hated. She was an agent for the FBI and had been working with them since her graduation from college. Her official title was that of a profiler. She had an uncanny ability to see into the evilest of minds. They used that ability in the investigation of Miguel Santiago. Which, in turn, led them to believe Eric was the key that would lead to Miguel’s arrest. Eric had intrigued Vivian before ever meeting him. She knew every little detail and volunteered to stage a meeting. She had to know if the information in his file was true. The more she knew of him the more she loved him. Reporting everything to her superiors killed a part of her.
“Better than expected,” he said. “We’re invited to a charity ball tonight.” Eric rubbed his hands down her back. “How do you feel about dressing in a sexy dress and accompanying me?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I might be interested in what you’re proposing.” Vivian trailed her fingers down his back. “As long as we can leave early and have a little fun at home afterward.”
“I like how you think.” He grinned. “I cannot make any promises. You know how those things go.”
Vivian returned his smile. She wanted to stay with him in the loft forever. Forget whatever the outside world had to offer… It would be so nice. If wishing made it so… “We can try at least.”
“That we can,” he agreed. “Now I only came home because I forgot my laptop. I’d love to stay…”
“Go,” she pushed him away. “The sooner you finish your work for the day the sooner you will be mine.”
Eric kissed her quickly and then stepped away. “You make things difficult. I will return shortly before we’re to leave for the benefit.” With those words he spun on his heels and left snatching his laptop as he walked out. Vivian blew out a breath and prayed she was making the right decision. She loved Eric. Perhaps it was time to be honest with him.
Vivian wore a dark gray tea length dress with silver sequins that outlined the deep V-neck and waist of the dress. The silky material swirled around her legs as she walked. She paired the dress with silver strapped half-inch heels. Vivian wanted to be prepared for any possibility and had no desire to run in stilettos if needed.
Eric circled her waist with his arm and pulled her close. “I must introduce you to the man in charge.”
Vivian swallowed hard. This was the moment of truth. Well, not the complete truth, but the moment when she’d finally meet Miguel Santiago. All the work she’d done had been leading to this point. A part of her wanted to turn around and leave. To pretend that she wasn’t lying to the man she loved and that all of this was a horrible dream. Her life was perfect—apart from the lying and secrets.
“Miguel,” Eric called.
“Ah,” a man said as he turned toward Eric. He had tanned skin, dark hair, and chocolate brown eyes. He was almost…pretty. “Who is this lovely woman by your side?”
“This is Vitoria Martel,” Eric said.
“Please call me Via,” Vivian said. She hated the falsehoods, but they were necessary.
Miguel lifted her hand and pressed his lips to the backside. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
It took everything inside of her not to yank her hand away from him. This evil man dared to press his lips to her hand. She suppressed her disgust and pasted a smile on her face. Vivian hoped it didn’t look as false as it felt. “It’s wonderful to finally meet the man Eric works closely with.”
“I hope you’ve come to have fun. There is plenty of food and champagne.” He gestured toward the waiters circulating the room. “Help yourself and enjoy the evening’s entertainments.”
With those words he nodded and left Vivian and Eric alone. “There are a lot of people here.” She met Eric’s gaze. “Do you know everyone here?”
“I do not,” he said. “But I do see someone I need to speak with. Will you be all right on your own for a little while?”
“Of course,” she said and snatched a glass of champagne from a tray as a waiter passed. She lifted it up in a salute. “I’ll be fabulous, but do hurry back.”
Vivian had her suspicions but kept them to herself. Instead she took a sip of her champagne and kept her attention on Eric’s movements. He moved through the crowd with ease, and then disappeared through an exit. Vivian cursed and set the champagne down. She had to find him and figure out what he was up to.
She followed the same path Eric had until she reached the doorway. She slipped through the exit and darkness spilled over her. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, then she started down the corridor. She followed the path until she reached another doorway. She opened it and it led to an outside garden. Eric was in a heated conversation with another man. Vivian couldn’t make out the man’s face. Was it Miguel?
She moved closer hoping to catch snippets of the conversation. Their voices were muffled. A sound boomed around them and Eric flew backward. Vivian screamed as he hit the ground. She ran toward him as pain shot through her. Vivian stumbled and then fell forward. Her body bounced against the stone path as pain became a part of her. She couldn’t reconcile what had happened. Had she been shot? Was Eric all right? He hadn’t seemed to be when he fell. A tear fell down her face as she gave in to the pain and lost consciousness.
Chapter 1
Two and a half years later…
Eric stared down at his unconscious friend, Wes Novak, and frowned. He’d been too late. Miguel had Vivian, and probably her twin Vitoria. He’d messed up. His plan had went sideways a long time ago and he should have come out of hiding. Vivian was more important than anything to him. He’d faked his death to save her. He’d thought if he were dead she’d be safe. He’d always known who she was—Vivian Miene
“Rise and shine, princess,” Eric said in a taunting tone as he kneeled before him.
Wes wiped the water dripping from his eyes and looked over. Shock spread over his face as he stared at Eric. He rubbed his eyes attempting to clear them. “I have to be seeing things.”
“Nope, I’m really here,” Eric reassured him.
“I don’t understand—how is this possible?”
“It’s a long story, and one we don’t have time for right now.” Eric stood and held out his hand. “You need to get up, we have something to take care of.”
Wes remained unmoving. The shock hadn’t completely subsided and Eric was at a loss on how to handle the situation. He never meant for Wes to discover he was alive. It was an asshole move, but it had been for his friend’s benefit. Anyone that knew he lived was in danger. Eric didn’t want anyone to pay for his mistakes.
“Tori…” Wes glanced frantically around the room as he came completely to his senses. Of course his thoughts would go to the woman he loved.
He couldn’t meet Wes’s gaze. God he hated this. “Yeah. Miguel has both of them. We need to get them back.” Damn it all. He had made too many mistakes. “Miguel thought Tori was Viv. I’m sure he was surprised to realize she had a twin.” And that was when everything started a fast downward spiral he had been unable to stop.
Wes jumped up. “How are we going to get them back?”
“I have a plan, but I need you to come with me or else it won’t work.” Miguel had figured out Eric was alive. He’d taken the twins to force him out of hiding. Well, the bastard got his wish. Eric was coming for him and this time he would pay for his crimes.
Eric prayed his plan worked. He didn’t doubt Wes would help. He might hate the sight of Eric, but he loved Vitoria. Wes would do whatever it took to save her, the same as Eric would to save Vivian. It was a risk, but one Eric was willing to take.
Wes snorted. “Why should I trust you?” he asked.
“Because you always have—you know me. Please Wes, help me.” Eric hoped that their previous friendship was enough. That Wes would be able to look past his doubts and see that for the most part he was still the same man. His lies cannot be what destroyed all of the trust between them.
“I don’t know if I can.”
That was fair… Eric would probably feel the same way if their roles were reversed. But he needed Wes so he had to find a way past his innate doubts. “I know you have feelings for Vitoria. Do you want to allow him a chance to hurt her?”
“Why do you care?” Wes asked.
That was simple. There was only one reason he had returned. “Vivian. I love her. I thought if I stayed away, Miguel would leave her alone, I was wrong.” Eric paused, scrubbed his hands over his face. “I have to get her back.” He had to find a way to make amends with her…
“Okay what do we do to get them back?” Wes’s voice held resignation in it as he spoke.
Relief flooded Eric. He’d believed Wes would help, but a part of him had to consider he might say no. “Do what I say. Come on. I know where he took them. I’ll explain the plan on the way.”
“Why don’t you tell me first? I’d like to have some idea of what I’m getting into?”
Eric groaned. He didn’t want to give his friend a play by play and waste what precious time they had. Why did he have to have all the answers first? Eric wanted to shake some sense into him. “We don’t really have time for this.”
“Make time,” Wes demanded.
“Wes, please, I’m begging you. Just come with me.”
“Fine, but I don’t like it. You’d better tell me everything on the way.”
“I will.” Eric nodded.
Wes followed him outside and got into the passenger side of a black Ford Escape. Eric put it in drive and squealed out of his parking space. They drove in silence for several minutes, but Wes didn’t stay that way for long.
“Were you ever going to tell me?” Apparently Wes wasn’t going to let that go until after they saved the women they both loved.
“What?” Eric asked, attempting to play innocent.
“That you were alive.” Wes stated simply.
“No, I didn’t plan on ever coming back. I got wind of what Miguel was up to a few days ago.” He’d had someone watching Miguel. Any information about him that was considered pertinent was sent to Eric. Most of his movements were innocuous, but when he went on a date that resembled Vivian it had been considered important. Very important to Eric…
“Where have you been all this time?”
Eric sighed. “I’ve been working for the CIA. I haven’t even been in the states. Please understand, I can’t tell you more than that.” He had always worked for the CIA but most of the work he’d done had been analytical, until Miguel Santiago. That needed a more hands on approach… His entire life changed because of that man. The person Wes knew became someone else. He’d had to in order to survive. Eric had a lot of regrets, but losing his best friend and the woman he loved topped that list. He wouldn’t apologize for protecting them though. They deserved a good life and they were far better off not having Eric be a part of it.
“Fine, I won’t ask,” Wes told him. The edge in his voice suggested he didn’t like it one bit though. “As long as you understand I still have questions and would like for you to one day volunteer the answers.”
“If I could tell you I would…” There was so much he wished he could tell Wes. One day maybe he’d be able to, but that day was not this one.
“Don’t start.” Wes held up his hand stopping him from continuing. Not that Eric knew what he’d have said anyway. He was at a loss and there were no words that would make any of it right. “Explain to me how we’re going to save Tori and Vivian.”
“I know a guy on the inside.” Hopefully he was still there… Miguel might have uncovered his mole. “I have other agents on standby, but they can’t get there for an hour at least. Once we get the women out, they’re going to storm in and arrest Miguel.”
“Sounds too easy.” Wes sounded skeptical and Eric didn’t blame him.
It probably would be a shit show, but he didn’t want Wes to go in any more frightened than he probably already was. “I hope it will be, but I don’t think it will be as simple as it sounds.”
Eric pulled down a side street and parked his vehicle. He killed all the lights and stared at a house in the distance.
“Is that where they are being held?” Wes asked.
“Yeah.” He stared at the house where Vivian and Vitoria were being held.
“What are we waiting for?”
A miracle… He’d need all the help he could manage to get through this with the women, and the two of them alive. “A text signaling it’s okay to go in.”
As he spoke, Eric’s phone began to vibrate. He nodded to Wes and opened his door. Wes followed him out joining him on the sidewalk.
“All right, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to go in and distract Miguel. You’re going to go to the bedroom Vivian and Vitoria are being held in and get them out. Bring them back here and drive away as fast as possible.”
Wes stopped and stared at him. “Wait. What? I’m not leaving you here.”
“I’ll be fine. I have backup coming in remember?” He needed Wes to follow his plan. If he went off book things might go even more sideways than it already had.
