Rush of Innocence (Rush Series #1)

By LR Potter

Trinity Grace knows about control. She understands control. She’s lived with the tight reins of control wrapped around her so tight, she can barely breathe. When she finds out to what great lengths her father would go to retain that control, she flees to Vail, Colorado, to enjoy a girls' week-long party. She’s surprised to find Rush Drayton in Vail. A man, she only recently met... a man, who sends delicious shivers up her spine. What are the chances they could both leave Savannah and wind up in the same city?

Rush Drayton is an enigma to Trinity. His dashes between being super-sinfully sizzling to cold and distant leaves her confused and vulnerable. He continually says things that confuse and confound her.

Once the holiday is over, Trinity returns home to her normal life... however, there is nothing normal about the trouble that continuously seeks her out. As she struggles to thaw her father against his attempts to retain control over her, pain and suffering seem to follow. She turns to Rush in her times of extreme crisis, but is he really helping? Or the one behind all the suffering?

• Language: English
• Publisher: LR Potter
• Release date: Jul 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301608041

LR Potter

LR Potter, a central Florida native, currently resides close to the sandy beaches of Perdido Key in the northern part of Florida. Potter loves losing herself in the magic of a good book while listening to the sounds of the surf and hopes whoever reads her books finds the same escape. Being a lover of all literature, she writes over several genres. Check out my newest releases, Flawed Beauty and The Rush Series: Rush of Innocence (Book 1); Rush of Redemption (Book 2); Master of the Game (Rush series #3); Mastering the Devil Rush series #4) contemporary romances. Upcoming Works: Blood Havoc Sideswiped Cash on Fire Feel free to email me @ [e-mail] ~ I love to hear from my fans!

Book preview

RUSH of INNOCENCE

By LR Potter

Copyright 2013 LR Potter

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please return to Smashwords.com and purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyediting and Cover Art by:

Carolyn Pinard

Photos used with permission by iStock Photography

Prologue

The man stood facing a bank of windows, staring out from his office, which overlooked the city he’d loved since childhood. But today, Savannah didn’t offer him any comfort… or any answers. He stood in his expensive suit with his hands shoved down deep into his pants pockets. With half an ear, he listened to those seated behind him as they discussed ways to resolve his specific problem.

Hate and white-hot rage boiled through his blood to settle down in his belly. One of the men responsible for the horrific end of the person he’d loved was still living and enjoying his life. More than his death, however, he wanted him destroyed.

In an eerie, quite tone, he asked, What does he love?

The three men gathered, stopped mid-conversation.

Clearing his throat, the youngest man seated asked, Love?

Yes. What’s the most important thing in his life?

A second man replied, His daughter… he loves his daughter; is very protective of her.

Without turning from the window, the man gave a knowing nod of his head and pursed his lips as his mind clicked through the possibilities. It would need to be seamless. He can’t suspect anything. I want it to be a surprise, just as I was surprised. How do we get to her?

The most confident of the three seated men asked, What will you do with her once you get her?

Silence followed the question for a long while. The man at the window finally turned and faced the others.

With an icy stare and clipped tones, he declared, Experience has taught me – you crush the heart of a man, and he dies a long, painful death.

Chapter 1

Trinity Grace studied the tear in the aged, painted canvas stretched out before her through a Carl Zeiss magnifying lens. She’d already determined the painting was at least one hundred and fifty years old by the paint pigment absorbed into the ancient fabric. The client had found the painting tucked away in their parents’ attic and thought it might be worth saving. Of course, from her viewpoint as an art restorer, all art was worth saving.

Her concentration was broken when her boss, Gavin Lassiter, strode into the room. Gavin was a throwback artist from a different generation. While he was very polished, in his urbane suits and expensive shoes, he still wore his dark hair tied back in a ponytail.

He leaned over her shoulder to examine the damage. What’s the verdict? he asked.

The painting is repairable, but it’ll take work, as the tear is old and the edges corroded.

How much time will be involved in the restoration? His concern being how much money the repair would bring into the gallery.

She pondered his question for a long moment. At least a month.

Gavin Lassiter smiled. Good, good. He glanced at the thin, gold watch on his wrist. I need to pull you away for an initial client meeting in about fifteen minutes. I can’t emphasize enough how important this meeting is to us. He’s a very wealthy man who could potentially be a valuable long-term customer. Your reputation has preceded you; he asked for you specifically.

How nice, she responded, smiling at the acknowledgment.

So, I’ll meet you in the conference room?

She nodded as she turned back to the painting of muted gold and green autumn leaves.

Before she realized it, her fifteen minutes were gone and she was forced to hurry from her office to the conference room. She paused outside the door to calm her frazzled senses and ran a hand down her royal blue silk shift dress, belted with a thin gold belt. She patted a hand against her hair, ensuring her smooth, waist-long, dark strands were all still neatly fastened at her nape. With a soft knock, she opened the conference room’s door and entered.

She gave a small smile of apology to Gavin, who sat facing her.

Gavin smiled and rose to his feet. Ahh, here she is now.

The man sitting with his back to the door stood and turned to face her. Due to his height, she was forced to look up. His dark short-cropped hair framed his angular face, strong jaw, and aristocratic nose. He was younger than she’d thought, somewhere around thirty. She saw something she couldn’t define flit across his features before he smiled politely down at her. His Armani suit spoke of money and his gold Rolex confirmed it.

She swallowed as heat flooded her face. Her stomach became a mass of tangled nerves. The man before her was the most amazingly beautiful man she’d ever seen. In college, she’d learned about aesthetics, which is the branch of philosophy involving varying outlooks of art theory, and provides the ruling criteria for making artistic judgment. One main issue aesthetics attempts to resolve is how to define beauty. As she gazed into the stranger’s face, she now knew why people might struggle. His was indescribable; a timeless classic. A blush tinted her cheeks when she realized he had his hand extended to her and she’d been too stunned to notice. She smiled and placed her hand within his. A tingle zipped up her arm at the contact. Her eyes snapped to his to see if he’d felt it also. She stared, mesmerized, as his lips curled into a grin, which caused the skin next to his hazel eyes to crinkle.

Gavin’s voice interrupted her jumbled thoughts. Rush Drayton, I’d like you to meet the gallery’s restoration artist, Trinity Grace.

Good morning, Mr. Drayton, she murmured.

Ms. Grace. It’s a pleasure, he responded. You’re younger than I’d expected, he murmured, almost to himself.

She blushed further. As are you.

Touché’, Ms. Grace, he smiled.

Trinity moved around the table to take a seat next to Gavin. She slid a hand underneath her dress as she sat and rolled her chair up to the table.

Now that we’re all gathered, tell us what we can do for you, Gavin said to Rush Drayton.

With a Mona Lisa smile curving his sensual lips, his gaze remained on Trinity. Ignoring Gavin’s question, he asked her instead, How long have you worked at the gallery?

She clutched her hands together under the table to hide her display of nervousness. About eight months.

So, that makes you, what? Twenty-two? Twenty-three?

She blinked at his question. Twenty-two.

He stared at her another moment before shifting his eyes to Gavin. I like to collect beautiful things and have acquired several pieces recently, which need restoration in one form or another.

Well, you’ve come to the right place. Did you bring the pieces with you? Gavin asked.

I’ve brought a single painting today. We’ll start with that. If our business is… successful, then we can discuss the other pieces. The painting is with my driver. If you’re ready to review it, I’ll have him bring it in. Just tell me which entrance to have it brought through.

He can bring it into the rear dock. I’ll have Trinity meet him there and then we’ll meet them in her office.

Rush Drayton reached into his suit pocket and withdrew his cellphone. Trinity found her eyes drawn to the nimble movements of his long fingers as he dialed his driver. Her eyes moved up to his full lips as he spoke in soft, cultured tones into the phone. She swallowed and her mouth became so dry she was forced to lick her lips. She saw his lips twitch and she lifted startled eyes to his, embarrassed at having been caught staring at the beautiful man once again. She glanced down quickly as deep color rushed up her neck and into her face.

Radcliff is on his way to the back bay now, Rush Drayton said.

Excellent! Trinity, go meet the driver and I’ll walk Mr. Drayton down to your office, okay? Gavin suggested.

With a small nod, she rose to her feet with innate fluidity and hurried from the room, glad to be away from the intensity which seemed to encompass the air surrounding Rush Drayton. She reached the bay at the same time a dark SUV pulled into it. A big, burly man emerged from the interior of the car – Radcliff, she presumed. He walked around to the back of the SUV and removed a medium-sized crate. She smiled and motioned for him to follow her. She paused once more outside her office door and drew in a deep breath. She pasted a smile on her lips and led Radcliff into her workspace.

When she entered, Rush Drayton and Gavin were standing in front of the stretched canvas she’d been working on prior to the meeting. Gavin was obviously explaining to him the process of repairing antique pieces of art.

They both turned as she entered. Gavin smiled, while Rush Drayton’s gaze was more speculative.

Gavin turned his attention to the driver and directed him to a different worktable. Once the crate was lying on its side, Radcliff flipped the top down and carefully slid a painting encased in an intricately-carved gold wooden frame. Trinity moved to the painting and tilted her head as she took in the simple beauty of the ballerina pirouetting in front of a free-standing, oval mirror. The girl standing in front of the mirror appeared to be around ten years old; however, her reflection in the mirror was of a much older girl, maybe eighteen. The painting gave a touching depiction of every young girl’s desire to be older beyond her years.

She moved closer to the painting, and with a light, practiced touch ran her fingers lovingly over the raised buckles in the paint.

In quiet, almost reverent tones, she asked without looking up from the painting, Was it left in direct sunlight or intense heat for a long period of time?

It was rescued from a barn, which was the only remaining structure on an old plantation, Rush answered.

Softly, Trinity murmured, It’s very beautiful.

Yes, it is, Rush agreed. Can it be repaired?

With a jerk of her head, she responded in a quick fashion, just in case Rush Drayton was thinking of destroying the magnificent piece of work, Of course it can be repaired. It’ll take a little time, but I can save her, she declared.

Rush Drayton smiled at her exuberance. Excellent! Then I’ll leave my little lady in your capable hands. Turning to Gavin, he said, You have my contact information. Call me when it’s done. He glanced at his watch, I need to go, I have another appointment.

Gavin clasped his hands together. Of course. Follow me and I’ll show you out.

Rush Drayton turned to Trinity. It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Grace.

Mr. Drayton, she said with a nod of her head.

She blew out a deep breath when he left the confines of her small workspace. The faint smell of his musky aftershave lingered long after he had departed.

* *

The distinguished gentleman with graying hair studied the bowed head of the young woman seated across from him. Her long, dark hair was clipped back neatly at the nape of her neck. Her sleeveless white dress was formfitting and immaculate. The darkness of her hair, contrasting with the paleness of her skin, along with the natural red-tint of her lips, always made him think of the fabled Snow White. Her normally serene expression was now marred with lines of irritation. Even with her current fit of pique, she was lovely. She’d inherited the best of both he and her mother. He lifted his fork and slowly chewed the delicate fish before washing it down with the dry white wine in his glass. Drawing a napkin across his lips, he sighed in exasperation.

In his cultured, proper voice, he scolded, Trinity, sulking is very unattractive. Now eat your fish. Trout Almondine is your favorite. You don’t want to hurt Ms. Gibbon’s feelings, do you?

I’m not sulking, the dark-haired girl muttered in indignation. It irritated her that he’d once again reduced her feelings to that of a child.

From under her lashes, she regarded her father with quiet intensity. In her periphery, she took in the massive dining table that could easily accommodate up to a dozen people in comfort, but was usually only occupied by the two of them. The formalness of the room, complete with white table linens and lit candles, made the room seem cold and sterile. Even the massive fireplace, with its flickering flames, couldn’t add warmth to the frigid environment.

Trinity, you have to understand, your safety is of utmost importance to me, he said.

I understand that, Father. But I’m nearly twenty-three years old. I don’t understand why I can’t go to Vail with my friends. It’s just a group of girls. We’ll be staying at a very nice condo that Sundra’s parents rented. I’ll be perfectly safe. Besides, I’ve already purchased my plane ticket and arranged for the time off with Gavin.

Judge Arthur Grace regarded his daughter for a long moment. No, I’m sorry, but I just don’t feel comfortable with that. If you want to go to Vail, just wait until after my current case is completed and I’ll go with you. We’ll have your ticket changed to a later date, he argued.

It’s not the same. She cringed at how childlike that actually sounded coming out of her mouth.

I’m sorry, sweetheart, but that’s the only compromise I can offer, he said.

"That’s not a compromise, that’s you getting your way," she said through clenched teeth.

Well, look at it how you will. But the answer is still no.

She brought the napkin up to her lips and set it down beside her plate. May I be excused? she asked with stilted politeness, not able to overcome years of ingrained civility.

With a heavy sigh, he assented, Yes, you may.

Trinity rose abruptly, and in doing so, jarred the table, causing her water goblet to topple over.

Trinity Allura Grace! Arthur jerked to his feet in the same abrupt fashion.

The tension between them was immediately overshadowed by the sudden explosion of the stained-glass window. Trinity watched in horrified fascination as multicolored glass shards flew through the air like rain that’s been captured by a strong gust of wind. Struggling to understand the series of events transpiring around her, she stood paralyzed as her father seemed to be thrown by a great force away from the window before slumping to the floor in a heap.

Trinity opened her mouth to scream when suddenly the room was pitched into darkness and a strong body was knocking her to the ground with enough force to rattle her teeth. The oxygen was driven from her lungs in a huge gust from the force of the impact and the weight of the person above her. Blood filled her mouth from biting down on her tongue. Face-down and unable to see her attacker, she began to struggle and tried to wiggle out from under the massive weight. She opened her mouth once more to scream when a hand was clamped over it. Panic overwhelmed her as she struggled to breathe.

Trinity, it’s me. Are you hurt? At the infinitesimal shake of her head, Alex Masters, her father’s chauffer and bodyguard, whispered in urgent tones in her ear. Stay down and be quiet. Do you understand? With her heart pounding, and whimpering softly, she nodded.

From the light of the fireplace, Trinity watched through horror-filled eyes as Alex made his way on hands and knees to her father. She held her breath as she waited to see if he was alive. She cringed when she thought of her earlier pique; it seemed so unimportant now. She closed her eyes and prayed God would give her an opportunity to apologize and tell him she loved him.

When she opened her eyes, she watched as Alex leaned over her father and pressed two fingers against the artery in his neck. He glanced back and gave a small nod. He was alive! She exhaled sharply. Alex pulled a cellphone from his pocket and hit a known contact on its face.

With quick and efficient command, he said into the phone, "Shane, I need you down here now! There’s a situation with the principle. I need the perimeter searched ASAP. There are weapons involved. Once cleared, I need both SUVs brought around. I need to get the Judge to the hospital, also ASAP. Understood? Good. Both the principle and sub-principle are with me in the dining room. Okay, I’ll wait to hear from you."

Gesturing with his hand, Alex motioned Trinity to join him and her father. Ignoring the shards of glass cutting into her knees and palms, she made her way as Alex had done.

When she reached him, he leaned and whispered into her ear, I need to ensure there’s no one in the house. I want you to stay with your father. Can you do that?

With her eyes wild, she immediately began to shake her head. She lifted trembling hands to his bicep. Her voice shook as she begged, Please don’t leave us. Please!

Alex placed a hand against her face to get her to concentrate on his eyes. Trinity, I need to make sure you’re safe here. I’ll be right back. I promise. Okay?

With everything in her screaming ‘no’, she slowly nodded as she swallowed the huge lump forming in her throat. Alex gave her a reassuring smile and patted her cheek softly. Slipping to his feet, he kept his body bent at the waist as he withdrew his weapon and crept away, the only sounds being the wind whipping through the broken window, the flickering flames of the fireplace, and the soft crunch of glass as he stepped away. Trinity moved to her father and touched his face with her fingertips. Being this close, she could now see the gouged surface on his head where the bullet had slid uncomfortably close to ending his life. In the flickering light, she was surprised to see a second wound. Blood had soaked through the sleeve of his white dress shirt. Inanely, the thought crossed her mind that he was definitely going to hate having his expensive tailored-made shirt ruined. She leaned back to snag the white linen napkin her father had used earlier and pressed it with gentle fingers against his wound.

She wondered why Alex hadn’t called for an ambulance. Surely it would be better for her father to receive immediate medical treatment. Leaning down, and ignoring the tears streaming down her face, she pressed her lips against his face. Please, don’t die, she begged silently, I can’t lose another parent this way.

It seemed to take forever for Alex to return to her, when in all