Heresy, p.1
Heresy, page 1
This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and storylines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Heresy: Copyright © 2023 by Lily White
Proofreader: Kim BookJunkie
Cover Design: Lori Jackson Design
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster, www.michellelancaster.com
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, scanned, distributed in any printed or electronic form or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Antihero Inferno Book 4
by Lily White
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OTHER BOOKS BY LILY WHITE
MASTERS SERIES:
Her Master’s Courtesan
(Book 1 of the Masters Series)
(Available on Smashwords and lilywhitebooks.com)
Her Master’s Teacher
(Book 2 of the Masters Series)
Her Master’s Christmas
(Novella in the Masters Series)
Her Master’s Redemption
(Book 3 of the Masters Series)
Her Master’s Reckoning
(Book 4 of the Masters Series)
STANDALONE NOVELS:
Target This
Hard Roads
Asylum
Wake to Dream
Four Crows
Crazy Madly Deeply
Rules of Engagement
Wishing Well
The Five (Also available in Audio)
Sin and Discipline
Dirty Girls
In the Garden of Discontent
The Vanity of Roses
The Danger You Know
ILLUSIONS DUET
Illusions of Evil
(Book 1 of the Illusions Duet)
Fear the Wicked
(Book 2 of the Illusions Duet)
ANTIHERO INFERNO SERIES
Treachery
Fraud
Violence
Heresy
Anger – coming soon
Greed – coming soon
Gluttony – coming soon
Lust – coming soon
Limbo – coming soon
DARK EXCLUSIVE - Available only on LilyWhiteBooks.com:
The Director
NINE CIRCLES
FIRST CIRCLE (LIMBO)
MASON STROM
SECOND CIRCLE (LUST)
JASE KESSON
THIRD CIRCLE (GLUTTONY)
SAWYER BLACK
FOURTH CIRCLE (GREED)
TAYLOR MARKS
FIFTH CIRCLE (ANGER)
DAMON CROSS
SIXTH CIRCLE (HERESY)
SHANE CARTER
SEVENTH CIRCLE (VIOLENCE)
EZRA CROSS
EIGHT CIRCLE (FRAUD)
GABRIEL DANE
NINTH CIRCLE (TREACHERY)
TANNER CAINE
heresy
noun
Opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted.
Brinley
Life hasn’t always been the easiest for me.
Not growing up with a father who taught me to fear my own shadow.
Sure. There are monsters out in the world who will steal from you, hurt you, take your soul, your pride, your body or your life. They hurt you because you hurt them first, or they hurt you just because they can.
I have to agree with Dad on that.
And I understood that he was a protective father, always guiding and guarding the only child the world gave him before my mother died.
What never made sense to me was why he was so careful with me. Maybe it was because of the security business he ran, or because of my mother’s death, but I was given more rules I had to follow to navigate this life than what was expected of my friends.
To them and their families, the world is terrible, yes, but also a place where you could live a happy life.
To my father, though, those parents were intentionally ignorant, and their children would suffer the consequences as a result.
The world, according to my father, is just one big disaster waiting to happen, and as a young woman, I’m its favorite victim.
To say I was shocked he allowed me to leave Georgia to attend college hundreds of miles away is an understatement.
On the day I climbed in my car to leave, I did so with a smile on my face. Dad smiled too. Until I pulled out of the driveway and looked in the rearview mirror to see his smile had transitioned into a frown, worry creasing the skin of his forehead.
But children need to grow up. So that’s what I set out to do.
It all went well for the first few years. Nothing traumatic happened. Life was good. Even though I often stayed on campus and didn’t venture too far from my new home, I was content with the life I’d carved out, and happiest in the large college classrooms and massive library.
At least, I thought I was happy.
Maybe its in the moments that you finally believe that nothing can go wrong, that the worst is about to strike.
My monster appeared to me in a place I never expected to meet him. In a way that made me hate him. And he returned to me over and over again to remind me just why my father had always warned me.
My monster wasn’t just out to hurt me, but wanted to steal me from my life.
He wanted to change me.
To rip me from the comfort of my small bubble and show me the world my father was afraid would eat me alive.
Shane Carter isn’t just a monster; he’s a jackass that doesn’t care for opinions or what is acceptable in modern society.
He’s a shadow that is always following you.
A man that doesn’t care when someone tells him no.
In Shane’s world, there are no rules that he should follow.
It’s too bad I had the misfortune of stumbling into his life.
Because just at the moment I believed that my rules could protect me, Shane was the first person to teach me that rules don’t apply when you’re dancing with the devil.
. . .
Brinley
“I think we showed up on the wrong night. Maybe we should come back at another-”
“We’re here now,” Ames groans, her eyes catching mine in the shadowed interior of my car. “I don’t want to make the drive again. Let’s just go in, avoid the snooty folk, and give that to your dad’s friend so we can leave and have some actual fun tonight.”
Why I even agreed to this, I don’t know. My father sounded desperate for the help, which cornered me into doing him this favor.
Still, looking at the event occurring at the governor’s mansion, I’m inclined to turn around and leave.
Ames wiggles her brows in reminder that we have other places to be later. “Just get it over with, and stop trying to find a way out of it.”
I laugh because she’s right.
As usual, I’m stalling.
Crowded places aren’t exactly my favorite places, and being around this particular crowd makes it all that much worse.
Snooty folk doesn’t even begin to cover it.
A sigh escapes me as resignation settles in. I might as well get this over with now that I’m here.
“Yeah, okay, let me just…”
A black car pulls up behind us and honks. I assume it’s on the way to the front of the governor’s mansion for what is, quite obviously, a large event.
Uniformed valets wait on the large front porch, the mansion’s interior lighting ablaze against a purple, twilight sky that is the perfect shade to match Ames’s striking eyes.
Pulling over to let the car pass, I regret not coming here yesterday like I was supposed to do.
But if we can get in and out without causing too much trouble, I’m sure the late delivery won’t be a problem.
“Oh, damn,” Ames murmurs, her elbow nudging mine. “Who the hell is that, and how do I get his number?”
I turn my head in time to see a tall, dark-haired man step out of a car idling in front of the mansion.
From this distance, I can’t quite make out his features, but he looks familiar ... and gorgeous.
The suit he wears does nothing to hide a set of broad shoulders and a tapered waist, his dark eyes set on the car to watch a woman climb out. The flowy material of her ombré gown dances around her legs as she steps up beside him and wraps her arm with his.
Ames snorts.
“Of
She nudges me with her elbow again.
“I’ve changed my mind. We should go in and mingle for a bit, actually. Maybe steal a glass of champagne or two.”
Laughing at that, I remind her, “He may be one of the snooty folk, as you call them.”
Her gaze flicks to me.
“Looking that good, I’m sure he is. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the view.”
Whatever the event is that’s occurring tonight, apparently, it’s formal. Ames and I will stick out like sore thumbs.
If I’d known there was a party, I would have at least tried to dress better than a plain white, V-neck tee and baggy jeans.
Although, even in these clothes, I’ll stick out less than Ames.
She’s already dressed for the club, her pale, pastel blue hair flowing over bare shoulders and a black, skintight cami, the ends hanging down to brush the waistband of her black leather pants.
The outfit does nothing to hide her dangerous curves.
“We should make this as quick as possible.”
The warning is falling on deaf ears, I’m sure. Ames is horrible with time management, but I try to remind her regardless.
“It’s an hour drive back to town and you know how it gets upstairs if we arrive too late.”
A wicked grin splits her lips, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief to think about the fun to be had at Myth.
“Granger is supposed to show up tonight.” Another sparkle in her eye. “Although he still can’t control me. It drives him nuts.”
“Slut,” I tease.
“Whatever. I’m young and in charge of my sexuality. And that man floats my boat in so many ways. It doesn’t matter that he’s my boss.”
She lifts her chin at the mansion.
“Let’s do this and get out of here.”
We climb out of the car and stroll up the long driveway en route to the front entry. Casting my gaze up to the third-floor windows, I try to remember how long it’s been since I’ve spent any significant time in the mansion.
At least ten years, I think, back when I was young and trying to grow up too fast. My father would bring me along every time he visited the governor. I would spend time with his daughter, Ivy, for however many hours we stayed.
Wondering if Ivy is here tonight, I run up the steps of the large porch with Ames beside me. We nod at the valets as we pass, and I turn to lock eyes with one of the security personnel. He presses a finger against his earpiece, says something so low we can’t hear, but then waves us inside the mansion.
He must remember me from the other day when I came to pick up the flash drive. Now that we have a copy of it, there’s no need to keep the original. It’s why I’m here tonight. The governor is desperate to know what’s on the drive, but he didn’t want the original out of his hands for longer than a week.
I’m not sure what could be so important about the drive, but it’s not my place to ask questions. As my dad has always told me, the less I know about his business, the safer I am.
Once inside, a low whistle blows over Ames’s lips.
“Check out this place. I hate to think what it costs.”
The mansion is quite impressive with a grand staircase that begins in the foyer and winds through the open space. With the sinuous curve of a snake, it continues out into the back portion of the house.
Crystal chandeliers hang gracefully from architectural ceilings, the floor a glimmering marble that appears freshly polished.
Around us, people mill about in tailored tuxedos and sparkling gowns, their clothing at odds with how casual we’re dressed.
Having grown up around powerful families, I’m not as impressed as Ames with the obvious display of wealth.
Not that her reaction is surprising.
She’s only told me a small amount of her past, but I know her family was dirt poor. She was raised with an older brother and a single mom. They spent a lot of her childhood struggling to get by and moving around frequently.
A couple strolls past us, their eyes cast in our direction for only a second before we’re dismissed as unimportant.
Another couple walks behind them. But this time, the woman, with her beautifully styled updo, is sure to take a long, disapproving look at Ames, her eyes sweeping down and back up, a small scowl crooking the corner of her lips to see pastel blue hair.
Ames laughs beside me.
“See? Like I guessed. They’re snooty. What she doesn’t know is that her husband’s dick just came alive to see me.”
“Behave,” I warn, unable to keep from laughing. “I just need to find the governor, and then we can get out of here.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” she answers, her expression telling me the opposite. “I’ll also go mingle while you do what you need to do. Grab me on your way out.”
Her eyes follow two men who approach the staircase to make their way up.
Both are tall and well-built.
One has lighter hair that is a touch longer than usual among these types.
The other has dark hair cut close to his head. His wire-framed glasses are the perfect complement to his square jaw and high cheekbones.
“Good god. Are all the men beautiful?” Ames smiles like a fox in a henhouse. “Never mind about grabbing me. I think I’ll be perfectly fine if you leave me here.”
Just as she says that, the man with blond, shoulder-length hair turns to glance down at us as they reach the top of the stairs.
He bumps his shoulder with his friend and angles his head toward us, both slanting a look our direction before they stalk off down a hall.
Great, I think. Ames will eat those men alive if they’re not careful.
“I mean it,” I remind her. “Behave. We’re not staying long.”
“I will, even if it ruins all my fun.”
“You’ll have enough fun at the club tonight,” I answer, my eyes scanning the foyer.
Unfortunately, Governor Callahan isn’t in the immediate vicinity, so I’ll have to walk around to find him.
“Try to stay where I can find you. No sneaking off with beautiful men.”
“No promises,” she says with a wink.
Laughing, I shake my head and walk off to make my way through the house in search for Governor Callahan, my eyes scanning small groupings of people.
Not finding him inside, I walk out back, stopping in place for only a brief moment to admire the grounds.
White tents are placed sporadically throughout the large backyard, the trees strung with lights that glimmer like stars.
Soft music carries on the wind, and as I step out farther, I notice the man I’d seen arriving earlier walking toward me, his date in her gorgeous ombré gown beside him.
She doesn’t look happy to be here, her expression tight as she glances over her shoulder.
Following her line of sight, I spot Ivy in the distance, her face pale where she links an arm with a red-haired woman.
As the man and his date pass, he scans me with dark green eyes, a chill running down my spine. For what reason, I’m not entirely sure. I get the sense he’s not one to mess with, not that I have time to play around with arrogant jerks. School keeps me far too busy these days.
A few quick steps and I’m off the back patio, weaving a slow trail through the crowd. A hand touches my shoulder, and I spin to see Governor Callahan staring down at me.
“Brinley. I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
I glance around, my cheeks heating because I’ve crashed his party.
“I’m sorry. I was supposed to be here yesterday, but—”
“It’s not a problem at all,” he grins, the practiced expression charming.
It’s impossible to deny that Governor Callahan is a good-looking man, but also gross when considering he’s the same age as my father. Still, his dark hair is full for his age, his body fit.
