In Darkness We Lie

By Cadence Michaels

Suspense Romance, Erotic Romance, Murder Romance Mystery, M/F

Emelina has no luck at love. The first person she gave her heart to ripped it to shreds, bringing darkness and pain. The next target of her affections remained oblivious to them.
Now, the men in her life are getting hurt, one by one, and a string of murders indicates she could be next.
What do these young victims have in common?
In the midst of this, a new shot at love appears, but is it doomed to end in tragedy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cadence Michaels
• Release date: Feb 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466107267

Cadence Michaels

Cadence Michaels was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and has traveled all over the United States. While in high school she was an exchange student, spending a few weeks in Germany and Austria learning about new cultures and making awesome new friends which inspired her creative juices.She has always had a love for writing stories which has spanned from elementary, Jr. High on through High school, college, and present.Cadence Michaels attended College to pursue a career in computer networking, but found that her passions lay elsewhere. She enjoys writing stories on paranormal romance, science fiction, amongst other genres where the hero and heroines aren’t the typical knights in shining armor, and the adoring woman, but so much more.It wasn't until she shared her stories with family and friends, who enjoyed her stories immensely, and encouraged her to get her books published. One such response was, "Your book reads like a movie." from a younger sister.And Candence told her, "Of course it does. I only write books on movies I would love to see, but no one has come up with yet, LOL."Cadence Michaels personal quote, "When books are read, they should play out like a movie in your mind, but if they don't then it's not a good book."Cadence Michaels currently divides her time between taking care of her adorable two cats and finishing up her full-length novel series Natures child Book One The Awakening, Natures Child Book: Two The Gathering, Natures Child Book Three New Life, and Natures Child Book Four Destiny along with many other titles.So, you guys should definitely look forward to some exciting reading.Side note:I just want to say thank you for purchasing my books, and I hope you have enjoyed each and every story.

Book preview

In Darkness We Lie

* * * * *

By Cadence Michaels

Copyright © 2011 by Cadence Michaels

M/F Romance, Suspense, Drama, Adult, Psychological thriller, Graphic

In Darkness We Lie

Emelina has no luck at love. The first person she gave her heart to ripped it to shreds, bringing darkness and pain. The next target of her affections remained oblivious to them.

Now, the men in her life are getting hurt, one by one, and a string of murders indicates she could be next.

What do these young victims have in common?

In the midst of this, a new shot at love appears, but is it doomed to end in tragedy?

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

About the Author

Cadence Michaels was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and has traveled all over the United States as well she was an exchange student in high school where she spent a few weeks in Germany and Austria learning about new cultures and making new friends. She has always had a love for writing stories which has spanned from elementary, Jr. High on through High school and present.

Cadence Michaels attended college to pursue a career in computer networking but found that her passions lay elsewhere.

She enjoys writing stories on paranormal romance and science fiction amongst other genres where the hero and heroines aren’t the typical knights in shining armor, but so much more.

She now divides her time between taking care of her adorable two cats and finishing up her full-length novel series Natures child Book One The Awakening, Natures Child Book Two The Gathering, and Natures Child Book Three New Life, and Natures Child Book Four Destiny along with many other titles.

Email: [e-mail]

Prologue…

Emelina walked up the stairs to her apartment in agony. Her back was killing her from the double shift she’d had to do at the restaurant she worked.

One of the employee’s had called in sick so she’d had to fill in. It was now going on Midnight. She couldn’t wait to get inside and take a long hot soak in the tub.

Emelina opened the door to her 5th floor apartment hoping D’Angelo was asleep. She really didn’t feel like being bothered with him tonight. He always wanted to have sex when she got home from work.

They had been dating since she was a junior in high school. She’d graduated a few months ago, and he the year before.

She was currently working to help put him through medical school. Her parents didn’t like that one bit and had demanded she break up with him and pursue her own education. They thought he was no good for her and would only bring her down.

Emelina had turned down a promising scholarship to an Ivy League school in order to be with him. He had asked her to marry him after her graduation and didn’t want a long engagement.

She hadn’t wanted to go away for college anyway, although that had been her parents hope since the day she was born. For her to attend one of the best colleges in the country and to have a career she could be proud of.

Both her parents were immigrants and wanted her to have the best that America had to offer. Her turning down school had of course been the icing on the cake and her parents had kicked her out, telling her she couldn’t come back until her deadbeat boyfriend was out of her life and she was enrolled in a school somewhere. It had hurt terribly but she wasn’t going to leave him. He was her heart.

Emelina walked inside the small apartment they shared, taking off her shoes and clothes, dropping them here and there as she made her way to the bathroom. She was just closing the door when she heard a groan, followed by a soft feminine giggle coming from the direction of the bedroom. Curious, she pulled down her bathrobe hanging on the inside of the door, put it on then slowly walked across the hall towards the closed bedroom door, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Stop it. She heard a feminine voice utter, followed by another soft giggle.

Awe baby you know you like it when I-.

Not waiting to hear the rest she threw the door open, watching as the two people on the bed jumped in fright when the door crashed against the wall. She was pretty sure it left a hole.

She stepped into the room then staggered, a stunned look coming over her face as she saw D’Angelo and her best friend Tanya naked in bed together.

She didn’t know how to take it in. This was so surreal. She felt a sharp pain slice through her heart like something split in half literally, making her wince and catch her breath.

So, this is what a splintering heart on the verge of breaking felt like she thought, feeling somewhat detached. All of her emotions were draining out of her leaving in its place a numb void.

D’Angelo got out of the rumpled bed with the blanket held in front of him covering his neither region. One hand held out in front of him warding her off as she stalked to the foot of the bed staring from one to the other with disgust.

What the hell are you guys doing, no wait, do I even need to ask? She said stiffly, taking deep breaths to settle her nerves. She needed to be strong for now. She didn’t want to let this bastard see her pain.

Baby it’s not what you think. He told her pleadingly, getting an incredulous look from her as well as Tanya.

Well do tell? What exactly is going on here? I see my boyfriend naked in bed with my former best friend. I know you’re not playing doctor. So, what are you doing? She asked looking from one to the other, lifting her brows in polite enquiry.

Tanya had a look of shame on her face while D’Angelo was sporting a look of wounded innocence.

It was her. She came on to me. She seduced me. You know I would never cheat on you otherwise. She set me up baby. he said quickly, sounding so sincere she almost believed him but she wasn’t born yesterday.

Tanya cut her eyes to him, anger quickly replacing shame. Now wait just a damn minute here. Who seduced who? I stopped over here to see Emelina and you’re the one who asked me to come in here and keep you company because she was working late. You were the one who kept supplying me with booze and you’re the one who put your hands on my body, whispering in my ear how lonely you were, and how Emelina is never around. She droned on and on in defense of her actions.

Emelina had had enough of their nonsense. She didn’t care that Tanya slept with D’Angelo. She was upset at the fact that he actually cheated on her. He could have stopped but it was obvious he didn’t want to. Tanya, get dressed and get the hell out of here. I never want to see or talk to you again. she bit out between clenched teeth. Her voice deadly as she eyed the bitch with loathing.

Tanya’s face fell at the onslaught of her hate, the withering look directed at her.

Emelina please, we’ve been friends since junior year. You can’t cut me out of your life because of one mistake. Please, you’re my best friend. She cried beseechingly.

Emelina was beyond caring at this point. She felt numb inside. She looked at D’Angelo who was sporting a smug look as he watched Tanya get dressed. He must have thought he was in the clear. Oh no, no, no, she thought to herself. He was in for a rude awakening.

She walked out of the bedroom and back into the front room where she grabbed her clothing off the floor and quickly got redressed. As she was turning to head back to the bedroom she heard D’Angelo saying something to Tanya but was too far away to make out what was being said.

Emelina wasn’t a complete idiot. She’d known him since freshmen year and had started dating D’Angelo her junior year in high school. He was a senior and on the basketball team while she was on pompoms. They had hit it off right away. She loved his dark Mocha skin, leanly muscled frame and shoulder length thin dreadlocks.

They were down his back now. His physique had filled out completely as well. He was a god and all the females flocked to him. She wasn’t lacking in the offers either but she’d stayed true to him. Why he couldn’t have done the same she wished she knew. She wanted to scream, to hurt him, scratch his eyeballs out. She wanted vengeance for the time in her life he’d robbed her of.

Tanya had started hanging around her the same time they’d started dating and had she thought become really good friends. But now it appeared as though she had only hung out with her as a way to get close to D’Angelo, bidding her time until she could sink her claws in.

Emelina walked back into the room just in time to see D’Angelo give Tanya a quick peck on the lips. He stepped swiftly away, eyes widening in panic when he saw her in the doorway.

The numb feeling receded giving way to anger. How could you do this to me? You asked me to marry you. I turned down Harvard for you. You told her I wasn’t around but that’s because I work to pay for your school expenses as well as all the bills here. My parents were right. You are a piece of shit. I want you to get your stuff and get the hell out of my apartment. She raged, rushing to the closet, opening it with much more force than she meant to hurting her shoulder but pushed through the pain and started yanking his clothes off hangers and throwing them to the floor in a fury.

Emelina felt arms go around her and lashed out, swinging her hand around and connecting with the side of his face. A loud smack sound filled the air and he jerked away with a look of shock on his face. She had never hit him before. She wasn’t normally a violent person.

Don’t you ever touch me again! God you probably have diseases and shit. How long have you been cheating on me? she snarled in fury.

Please. I’m sorry. Don’t leave me, please. I need you. I love you. He begged getting to his knee’s, sounding morose.

Emelina ignored him, pulling his bags out of the bottom of the closet and started tossing his things inside. She went to the dresser, yanked it open and reached inside pulling out his socks and underwear tossing them in the bag methodically. She wanted nothing to remind her of him.

She ran into the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush, razors, creams, hair supplies. Everything in there that was his and bought it back into the room tossing it in the other bag. She grabbed his shoes, tossing those inside as well.

Once done she tried to pick up the bags but they were too heavy to carry so she dragged them across the floor, out of her room, down the hall and across the living room. She stopped in front of the living room door, opened it and then tossed them outside into the hall. She went back inside and grabbed his school bag, his books and paper’s and threw them out into the hall as well. All the while he just stood there in the living room with a stupefied look on his face, Tanya next to him with a look of amazement.

Emelina closed her eyes, took a deep cleansing breath then looked at them both with distaste. Get out now. She said vehemently, reaching over to the table next to the door and picked up a heavy lamp and threw it at them. They jumped out of the way just in time to avoid being hit directly with the lamp. Although some of the fragments bounced off the floor cutting into his foot and leg making him yelp in pain.

You can’t make me leave. My name is on the lease to. He said hopping up and down on one foot wincing in pain, drops of blood hitting the hard wood floor.

Actually, it’s not. There was a problem with the paperwork and I had to redo it. I’m also the only one listed on the occupancy permit. So once again get your shit and leave now. Never come here again or so help me I will kill you. She said meaning every word. She was in so much pain she could hardly think past wanting him out so she could break down.

We need to talk. We can work this out. I didn’t mean it, it just happened. But I promise I’ll never cheat on you again. This was a onetime thing. He pleaded, coming towards her but she stepped back.

Cheating on me once was one too many. She reached over and picked up the phone on the table and dialed 911. She was so over this conversation. There was nothing he could say to make this better.

911, what’s your emergency? The operator asked politely.

Yes, this is Emelina Delgado. I have two people in my apartment who are refusing to leave. I have asked them repeatedly. Can you send an officer over to 478 Oak drive? I am in apartment number 15.

Right away ma’me. Are they threatening you?

No, they’re not threatening me. They just won’t leave and I am afraid I might do something to them if they don’t vacate my apartment. It is my ex-boyfriend and ex-friend. I found them in bed together and have asked them to leave repeatedly. She said shakily, her voice rough even to her own ears.

I understand ma’me, try to keep calm. An officer is on the way.

Emelina, why are you doing this? I love you. I want to marry you. You can’t leave me, not ever. Tanya meant nothing. I won’t let you go, you’re mine. He said darkly, coming towards her, making her take another step back until she bumped up against the wall.

I heard that. The officers should be pulling up any minute. Stay on the phone.

Yes, thank you. She said to the dispatch operator, to D’Angel she said. If you come any closer you will be missing those family jewels you’re so fond of. She bent her fingers into claws, her long nails looking like talons as she held her hand out, ready to make good on her threat.

He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing giving her a measuring look. You wouldn’t dare. Emelina you don’t have it in you to hurt me.

Really, try it mother fucker. You have already hurt me more than anyone ever could. What’s a little physical payback? She said then turned when she heard the elevator door ding open, glancing out into the hall she saw two police officers walk down the hall and stop in front of her door.

We received a call about intruders. One of the officers asked walking around the mess out in the hall and coming into the room followed quickly by the other.

Yes, I called. These two won’t leave my apartment. She said pointing to the two standing in the middle of her living room, both with surprised looks.

Emelina stepped back watching as the officers ushered the two out of her apartment. They took down her statement then left, but not before letting her get her keys back from Tanya and D’Angelo. Once she was alone in her apartment the shock wore off and she sunk to the floor in a heap, crying and throwing things around in a fit of rage.

She was upset that he cheated on her. She was upset that she had ruined her relationship with her parents because of that asshole. She had given up her chance of a great education to help finance his. If it hadn’t been for him she would have listened to her parents and went to school, maybe not happy but at least with a great job somewhere in the future.

The next couple of weeks were hard but she had made it through somehow. She had called her parents who had forgiven her and pleaded with her to come home. She had refused, wanting to make it on her own though she did visit home quite often, even staying the night on occasion.

Some part of her felt betrayed that they had turned their backs on her, their only child because of one stupid mistake. She loved them but she needed to make it on her own, to be independent. She didn’t want her family pressuring her to go back to school. She wanted to make her own decisions.

D’Angelo had called every day for awhile, begging for a second chance. He was hanging around her apartment, coming to her job making a complete nuisance of himself to the point where she had to get a restraining order against him for stalking. Finally, he relented and left her alone. He now lived with Tanya who unlike her made him work and pay his own way.

Good Riddance.

One day while riding the train home from her job she’d seen a newspaper opened to the classified ad’s section someone had left on the seat. Hating her job, she picked it up and read over it. There was something that caught her eye right away. Night club dancer needed immediately for late shift. Pay $400 per week plus tips. Call Roxy if interested.

Emelina went home that night thinking about that job compared to the one she currently had. She liked to dance and it didn’t mention exotic dancing, besides what did she have to lose. She picked up the phone and dialed, hoping it wasn’t too late. As luck would have it she was available and they had spoken for a bit, with Roxy inviting her to come over the next afternoon.

When she made it to Club Rosche she was instantly in like with the club and she and Roxy got on as thick as thieves. Roxy told her about the job then had her get in the dance cage. She turned on the music and watched as Emelina got lost in the music, her body moving and gyrating to the beat. She didn’t stop until the music did, breathing heavily as she looked down at Roxy’s smiling face.

I really don’t like to hire girls as young as you but your good. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. When can you start? she asked with a smile.

Whenever you want me to. Emelina told her excitedly.

This Friday.