Unravel Me

By Ann Montgomery

Caleb Hunt and Alexandria Spencer met and fell in love under the willow trees of a beautiful Georgian campus.

But just as they are settling into their relationship they are thrust out of their cocoon and into the big city of London, Caleb's home town.

Now Alex has to learn how to deal with dating an Earl in his world and finding her place in his aristocratic family.
With their relationship already being stretched to the limit, a new mystery surfaces that threatens to pull them even further apart.

Danger is closer than either can imagine and when it's all over their worlds will be changed forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann Montgomery
• Release date: Jul 9, 2015

Book preview

Unravel Me

Copyright © 2015 Ann Montgomery

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover designer: RP Designs

Formatting: Champagne Formats

Title Page

Copyright

Other Books

Dedication

Quote

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

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

Thanks

Links

About the Author

Unhinge Me

To my dad, my first valentine.

THE MAN STUMBLED OUT OF the London pub a little after eleven at night. The late hour still held a hint of a summer sprinkle from earlier in the day, but was now mixed with a cool evening breeze. The smell of stale beer-soaked wood wafted out of the pub behind him. He waited a moment until he was steady on his feet and then headed in the direction of his flat.

It took a while before he noticed he was being followed. At first, he thought nothing of the footsteps behind him. Lots of people would be going home or heading to a club at that time of night. It was only when he realized there was more than one set and they were getting closer that he became aware he might be in danger. His alcohol-muddled brain tried to focus. He needed an escape plan. He quickened his steps and looked around desperately, but that only gave his awareness away to his pursuers. Their footsteps got more determined.

Starting to panic and not knowing what to do, he started walking faster. He didn’t dare look back, so he started looking around for another person or car. A bobbie maybe, or just anyone he could call out to for help, but the street was oddly empty. All of his senses heightened as he listened to the footsteps behind him. When the feet continued to keep up with his pace, his walk became a jog and then a run. There was no doubt when he heard the other footsteps start running too. He was being chased.

It sobered him instantly. He ran as fast as he could down one block after another, trying to put space between him and his pursuers. He was looking around so frantically he didn’t see the box on the sidewalk. All that hit it was the side of his foot but the momentum of his run sent him tumbling forward onto the ground. His hands scraped across the cement as they tried to break his fall.

With a speed that could only be attributed to the adrenalin, he instantly jumped back up and continued sprinting. He didn’t have time to think of his hands or notice the blood coming from a few of the scrapes. With sweat pouring down his face and soaking his blazer, he tried desperately to keep his head clear and think of a plan. He feared it was no use because whoever was behind him was catching up fast. He saw a dark alley coming up. He knew it wasn’t smart, but he also knew it was also his only chance. He quickly turned down it. He stumbled through the dark space looking around for a door, ladder, or anything that could offer him escape. Nothing. The alleyway was small and held nothing but a few old boxes, but he kept running, still hoping for something, anything to help him. The people behind him turned too and felt closer than ever. The small space echoed with the footsteps as they all ran down the deep lane, the loud noise making his head ring. His foot splashed in a puddle left over from the rain, soaking his shoe, but he didn’t slow down. The lane seemed never-ending. His wet foot made it harder to run and his lungs were screaming for more air, but he could hear his predators getting closer and closer, so he just kept running.

It was so dark, he didn’t see the chain link fence until he was upon it. He stopped cold in front of it, his heart dropping to his stomach as realization set in. A dead end. Slamming his hands against the fence in frustration, the man swore and doubled over, out of breath, feeling like a caged animal. His limbs shook with the excursion and he suddenly felt exhausted. He took a moment to brace himself for whatever was to come. When the footsteps behind him stopped, he wiped the sweat from his brow and finally turned to look up at his hunters.

At first glance, the two men who had been chasing him didn’t look menacing or threatening. Somehow they weren’t even all that out of breath. If he had seen them in the pub, he wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but now, with one holding a bat and the other cracking his knuckles, their look told a different story. They all stared at each other for a moment before the man with the bat said in a cold voice, Ya had to ‘ave known it was coming, mate.

He was right, of course, but before the trapped man could even finish his thought, the first blow came. The second came before he even had time to acknowledge the pain.

The phone rang not long after Caleb and Alex had gone to bed. It echoed loudly through their quiet apartment and lit the room with obnoxious brightness the likes of a lighthouse. Caleb blinked at the light and quickly pushed the button to answer it and shut it up. Alex leaned over with her eyes closed and reached out to touch Caleb’s shoulder. After mumbling quickly into the phone, he suddenly sat up and shut the phone off, slamming it on the table. Turning on the lamp, he stood and walked over to the closet, pulling out a suitcase and throwing it onto the bed.

Now fully awake, Alex sat up and asked him what was wrong.

Something has happened to my brother. He is in the hospital and . . . he paused to swallow, it sounds pretty bad.

Alarmed, Alex jumped off the bed and ran to his side. She tried to stop him from moving and look into his eyes to get the whole story, but he kept rushing back and forth, tossing clothes haphazardly into the suitcase.

Stop! Talk to me! she begged.

Caleb took a deep breath and looked over at the woman he loved. He didn’t even know where to start.

We’ll talk about it on the plane, he finally told her. I’m not doing this without you.

Alex blinked at his bluntness. She knew better than to keep pushing him so that had to be enough of an answer for now. She walked over to the closet and grabbed her suitcase too.

ALEX SAT LOOKING OUT THE window of the airplane. Caleb insisted on taking the seat by the isle so she could have the window seat since it was her first time flying, and, admittedly, she was glad he did. She was fascinated looking out the small, oval window. The sky was so big from up there and the tops of the clouds looked like a cotton blanket she wanted to jump on. They were sitting in first class, but Alex had barely noticed. So far, she had spent most of the time just looking out into the vast sky. Since they’d left in the middle of the night, they were already up in the air for a while before the sun finally came up. Watching a sunrise from above the clouds was a beauty Alex couldn’t believe and wouldn’t soon forget.

Caleb sat quietly next to her, preoccupied. She could sense he needed to be left alone, but she worried about him. As they had gotten ready for their flight, more information came about his brother, Pierce, when Graham, Caleb’s cousin and best friend, finally got a hold of him to tell him the details. No one knew why, but apparently he had been attacked a few days before. Pierce was in the hospital with a broken leg and arm, many cracked ribs, and more cuts and bruises than were humane, but he was going to live. Alex wasn’t sure what bothered Caleb more—that his brother was hurt or that it had taken so long for the news to get to him. He yelled at Graham for not calling him earlier. Alex didn’t hear what Graham’s excuse was, but she had a feeling he would still be explaining himself when they landed.

Caleb breathed a deep sigh and asked the stewardess for a drink, ordering one for Alex too. When the beverages arrived, they both sat silently drinking, Caleb looking pensively at his phone and Alex looking out the window at the view. The world looked so calm from up there. All she could see was the floor of clouds in all directions. Anything at all could be happening under that fluffy shelf, but it seemed so far away from up there. Everything above the clouds felt simple and quiet. It was helping calm her nerves.

In a few hours they would be landing in London. Alex was looking forward to seeing Caleb’s home and visiting England, even under the circumstances, but meeting his family terrified her. Maybe it was the fact that she had no family of her own. Maybe it was the aristocratic air that intimidated her. Whatever it was, whenever she thought about landing, she felt like she was going to throw up, so instead she just focused on the clouds.

She looked over to see if she could try to read what Caleb was thinking. She didn’t know much about his brother, Pierce, or their relationship. As much as they talked about everything, his brother was one thing Caleb didn’t seem to like to talk about.

Things had been good with them though. It had been over a year now that they had been together. Alex had moved out of her apartment officially the summer after she graduated and never looked back. She and her cat, Bear, were very happy all living together with Caleb. He was still teaching, but she could tell he was starting to get restless. She was actually wondering when they would be taking their first trip to London together. She had a feeling the time was coming soon. These weren’t the circumstances she was hoping for, but at least it looked like Pierce was going to be okay.

Caleb looked over and gave her a small, crooked smile. He was obviously feeling the effects of the alcohol.

Hi. He smiled again, with love in his eyes.

Hi, she returned softly.

He took her hand in his. I think this might be a good trip for us, actually. Now that I know Pierce is going to be okay, we can stay and help him back on his feet, and I can finally have the rest of my family get to know you.

Alex smiled shyly. She wondered if he could tell that she was so nervous.

Don’t be nervous, he leaned in to tell her.

Guess so, she thought.

Most of them aren’t all that bad, he continued. The women are snobbier as the generations go up, but they are mostly harmless. Both my great grandmothers were the snobbiest of all, but they are both gone now.

Alex figured he was trying to make her feel better, but it wasn’t working. The knot in her stomach tightened a little more. He noticed her look. Getting an idea, a naughty look came over his face. Alex leaned away in suspicion.

Have you ever heard of the mile high club? he asked her.

Of course I have, she whispered back, embarrassed. She looked around to see if anyone had heard him, but there was much more space in first class than she imagined and no one seemed to be paying any attention to them.

Is this really the time to be asking me that, considering? she asked him.

Actually, this is the perfect time. We can’t do anything from up here anyway and I wouldn’t mind blowing off some steam. He wiggled his eyebrows and put an emphasis on the word blow.

Alex rolled her eyes.