Watching Luisa

By Marie Kelly

Charles Patrice, a billionaire playboy, is still haunted by his past. Deceived by the woman he thought himself in love, and betrayed by a cruel, self-serving father, he has accepted that he is just not the settling down type. However, a chance meeting with Luisa Barrero, the small Spanish beauty still convalescing after an accident which almost cost her life has his life turned upside down and inside out. When discovering just who she actually is, he determines to back away, until he learns that somebody is trying to kill Luisa.
Now, he steps up to protect the sweetest woman he has ever known, sure that he can put his attraction for her to the side to ensure her safety. But can he? Can she? Or will the shadowy person hunting Luisa tear them apart forever?

Excerpt
It was late when he finally got to her apartment, he making arrangements to contact Dan the next day. Using the code she had given him, he let himself in, standing undecided outside of her door. Retrieving the key, he smiled looking at the mermaid keyring, so like Luisa. What the hell had he been thinking? He only hoped that she would forgive him, he almost certain that she would. Luisa was just that kind of person. There was no badness in that woman, just kindness and a fierce loyalty that he was in awe of.
Opening the door, he stepped silently into her home, the place eerily still. Groaning, he hoped that she was not asleep already as he stepped towards the bedroom. Passing the living room, he frowned, the light seeping out from under the door. Turning the handle, he stepped into the room, his body freezing at the sight which met him.
“Luisa!”, her name flew from his lips, even as he rushed further into the room. She lay slumped on the couch, a bottle of pills on the coffee table beside her. Dear God no. Please, please let him not be too late.
“Stop!” The loud command brought him to an instant halt, his eyes flying to the chair, he only now seeing the man sat there, the gun in his hand pointed at him.
Turning to look at Luisa once more, panic filled him. “What the hell is going on? What happened to her?”
The stranger lifted the gun in a threatening gesture as Charles once more made to move to Luisa. “You can’t help her. She has to die you see”, the man sighing as he tutted softly to himself. “And now it looks like you will too. This is getting messy”, he musing softly to himself as his look slid to Luisa. I suppose that I can make it look like she killed you. Then, racked with guilt, she took her own life”, his words seeming to revive him. “Yeah, that will work.”
Charles stared at the man, fear thudding into him. He had to save Luisa. He could see her eyes opening, relief slamming into him. At least she was still alive. He groaned, knowing that he would never get to the man before he was shot, but he had to try. He had to save Luisa. If the first shot didn’t kill him, maybe he could overpower him. All of these thoughts rushed through his head in a split second, his body preparing to pounce.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Kelly
• Release date: Oct 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310933578

Marie Kelly

A hopeless romantic and weaver of words. While I live in Canada, Scotland will always be in my heart.

Book preview

Watching Luisa

By Marie Kelly

Published by Marie Kelly at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Marie Kelly

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 Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Visit the author website:

www.romancemarie.com

Marie Kelly

Other titles

Blackmailed For The Billionaire’s Pleasure

Captured

Kidnapped The Wrong Sister

My Son

Blackmailed For Vengeance

Mia

The Unwilling Mistress

The Wedding Deal

The Billionaires Mistress

Blackmailing the Billionaire

Saving the Billionaire

Substitute Starlet

Her Two Tycoons

The Billionaire’s Blackmailed Heiress

Billionaire’s Second Chance

Secretary with Benefits for the Billionaire

Billionaire’s Revenge

Billionaire’s Society Mistress

The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride

Blackmailed Merger

Capturing Kate

Pirate’s Revenge

The Russian’s Deal

Saving Sophie

Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride

Chapter One

Luisa ran. She needed to get away. Risking slowing to look over her shoulder, she felt the scream bubble up within, seeing the car bearing down on her. There was nowhere to go, nothing to hide behind, her eyes darting around the open road for somewhere offering shelter, something – anything – to hide behind. But there was nothing.

Turning her head once more, the light from the car blinded her, a scream ripping from her throat as she felt her body slamming into the metal, she feeling herself being thrown against the hood. Her head moved, pain exploding through her body. She knew if she opened her eyes, having closed them as the car hit her, she would see him. She would see the person who had just deliberately mowed her down. Her eyes began to open almost in slow motion, fear and terror filling her, yet she needed to know, needed to see that face.

Then she was awake, sitting bolt upright in her familiar bed. She shook, perspiration clinging to her as she looked around her bedroom, the fear and panic still filling her as she shivered, the sheets a tangled mess on the floor. Falling back onto the mattress, the tears once more fell down her cheeks. When would the dream stop? When would the horror of that night stop haunting her?

It had been nearly six months since the accident, her brows furrowing. Well, everybody had called it an accident, the hit-and-run driver never having been caught – yet in her dreams she felt that she was being hunted down, hounded like an animal. It did not feel like an accident.

Groaning, she dragged in a shaky breath. It was always the same. She would wake up, her mind having hidden the face of the driver from her, the feeling of panic engulfing her, the need to run holding her frozen in fear on the bed. Dragging her hand over her eyes, she pursed her lips. She would beat this. She would eventually see that face and in doing so she would one day remember everything and then she would have closure.

Pushing from the bed, she sighed, deciding to fix the sheets on the floor after she helped herself to a drink, her parched throat demanding water. Listlessly dragging her feet as she left the bedroom, she made for the kitchen.

She missed having Celeste around, her mouth curving into a smile. The fact that her much-loved sister had met someone as wonderful as Anton however, made the loss a little more bearable. Celeste deserved happiness. After everything she had been prepared to do for Luisa, she wanted only the best for her big sister.

Reaching the open-plan kitchen and living area, she frowned. What was that smell? Her head lifted as she sniffed the air. It smelled of smoke, of something burning. Moving back out into the hallway, she followed the smell, her eyes widening in horror seeing the smoke tendrils starting to snake their way around the door.

Without really thinking, her hand reached out, grabbing the door handle, she squealing in pain as it burnt her hand, Luisa leaping back as panic slammed into her. Stepping cautiously back to the door, she peered out of the small hole, her heart dropping to her stomach seeing the flames all over the hallway, her door also on fire.

Screaming, she ran back to the bedroom, grabbing her cell and quickly dialing the fire department. The calm voice on the other end took the details, Luisa almost incoherent with fear as she realised she was trapped. There was no way she could get out of the door, and she was three floors up.

From the other end of the line, the calm woman started to give her instructions, she clinging to the phone as she ran to do as she was told. Between her bedroom and the fire was the hallway, it now already filling with smoke. The sound of the door buckling filled her ears. She slammed the bedroom door closed, using her bedcovers to fill all of the gaps, trying desperately to keep the smoke out. Running into the en suite bathroom, she wet as many towels as she was able to find, covering everything she could around the bottom of the door before dragging the largest around herself. From the street outside she could hear the wail of fire engines and people screaming. With nowhere else to go, she cowered in the small bath, watching in horror as smoke began to find ways through the wet towels, the smoke starting to fill the small area. Coughing and spluttering, she knew that this was it – she was going to die.

Her last memory was the woman on the other end of the line crying out her name, the hint of fear in her voice making Luisa feel somehow cared for. A small smile played on her lips. Wasn’t that nice of her to care?

Luisa’s eyes opened, confusion and sound all around her. Where was she? Her eyes flicked around, taking in the turbulent scene. Two men hovered over her, both firemen. One was pushing something over her face, he holding her hand as she tried to wave it away. The other smiled down at her. It’s OK miss. It’s just oxygen. You had a narrow escape there. Now just breathe.

The memories of the fire rushed back to her, the fear of where she was diminishing as she stilled, allowing the first man to place the mask over her face. She trembled, she was cold – what a strange thing to think. She had nearly been burnt to death, and now she was cold. She felt her body start to shiver, her brows furrowing.

She’s going into shock. Blankets!, the second man cried out, several large blankets suddenly appearing from nowhere and being draped around her, the relief instant. As she looked down, she felt her cheeks start to glow, she suddenly aware that all she had on were the small panties and tight top she wore to bed. Grabbing the ends of the blankets, she demurely pulled them around herself, the gesture not missed by the firemen, but neither commenting.

The first man, who must only have been a few years older than her grinned. Feeling better?, his kindly voice bringing a return smile to her lips, she nodding, finding herself a little hoarse, not able to speak. Don’t worry about talking. It will wear off. Smart girl, putting as many doors as possible between yourself and the fire, his praise genuine as his expression became consoling. You seem fine. But just to be on the safe side we’re taking you to the hospital. I think they will want to keep you overnight, just because you passed out.

Despite her words that she was fine and did not want to waste anybody’s time, they were very insistent, the younger man winking at her. Way I see it, you might as well. Not as if you are going to be going home for a while, before he grew more serious, a smile lighting his mouth. These things are best checked. Sometimes complications don’t show right away. Would be a shame for such a pretty girl to end up sick. Blushing, she finally gave in, allowing the paramedics to take her away.

In the hospital, she was hardly settled into her bed before Celeste was running through the door, her pale face full of fear, as she cried out her name. Luisa could see that she had been crying, guilt once more filling her. How many times had she reduced her sister to tears over the past few months with accidents and the fallout from them? Her mouth curled ruefully. Some people were born lucky, but she seemed to be a magnet for drama these days.

Luisa. Oh my God are you all right? Celeste flung her arms around her, squeezing her tightly before pulling back to let her eyes skim down her sister as though she would be able to tell if she was not.

Chuckling, Luisa grasped her sister’s hands, pulling her into a sitting position on the bed beside her before nodding her head. I’m fine. I got a scare, but I’m fine Celeste. They are just keeping me in to check that I didn’t inhale too much smoke or something. But honestly, I’m fine.

Her eyes rose to see her future brother-in-law, Anton stroll through the door. Unlike Celeste, he seemed much calmer, a grin on his handsome face. What is it with you and hospitals Luisa? Is it the food? Because I could check if they make deliveries.

She could not hold back the splutter of laughter. She really liked Anton – always had. Her sister was a hot-head, passionate about those she loved, but he was calm, the voice of reason Celeste often needed. He also loved her with everything in him, his eyes softening with that love as they slipped to his fiancée, Luisa looking forward to their wedding in two months.

Anton, this was serious. She could have been…, the word not making it past her lips as her eyes filled with apology, a groan leaving her even as a small tear wound down her cheek, her voice lowering, I… It just could have been bad.

Instantly Anton was by her side, his arms wrapping protectively around his future wife as he kissed the top of her head. I know sweetheart, his look once more returning to Luisa, But it wasn’t, and I think that we should not frighten your sister anymore, he winking at her. Also, I still think it’s the food.

Now even Celeste could not hold back the small giggle, her hands gripping his arm. Luisa watched them, warmth flooding her. It must be wonderful to be so in love.

For an hour, the two stayed, Celeste listening with open mouth, hearing the story of how she had awakened and spotted the fire. Beside her, she could see the way Anton seemed to grow more serious, he taking in every detail, his jovial air now gone as he occasionally asked her more probing questions. Instinctively she knew that he felt there was more to it than a simple accident, she not prepared to voice the fact that she did too.

It seemed very coincidental that the fire would start on the one floor that all of the electronics for the smoke detectors failed, she only knowing this after overhearing the firefighters talking. And while she wanted it to be just a series of coincidences, even she had to admit that it sounded suspicious. It was almost as if somebody intentionally targeted her.

As they prepared to go, Celeste held her hand, her tone soft, Anton phoned to find out how bad the damage is to the apartment. It seems pretty extensive. Yours was the only one really badly damaged, but you are not going to be moving back any time soon Luisa. Her eyes met her future husband’s, his lips curving into a smile. Anton and I want you to come and live with us. At least until you can find somewhere else.

Now she groaned. They had enough on their plates. With the wedding only months away, and Celeste sitting her final exams over the next couple of weeks, the last thing she needed was to be a nuisance to them both, although she knew neither would ever make her feel that way.

Taking a deep breath, she gave them a large smile. Actually, as much as I appreciate that, I think that I will get my friend Cherise to find me another place while they fix up mine. Also, while she is looking, I was thinking that it was time I took that holiday I was talking about so long ago. I am pretty much done with the physio, so I thought I might go on a cruise.

She could see the way Celeste and Anton exchanged glances, her sister’s brows furrowing. On your own? You want to go for a cruise on your own?

Giggling, she nodded, her eyes alive with fun. Just because I go on one alone, doesn’t mean I have to be ‘on my own’, her hand playfully batting her sister’s. "You never watched The Love Boat Celeste? Maybe I will meet a doc or that purser guy, Gopher, and fall madly in love."

Snorting out a derisive sound Celeste, just about to say something, was silenced by Anton laying a quieting hand on her shoulder. That sounds like an excellent idea Luisa. I know just the cruise. I will organise everything.

Luisa’s eyes widened as she spluttered out, No, I didn’t mean for you to pay… I have some money saved, her eyes looking beseechingly between both. I really cannot expect you to pay, her head falling forward slightly, You have paid enough for me.

She was referring to the fact that after her father cut her off from his medical benefits after discovering that she was not really his daughter, it had been Anton who stepped in and took on the burden of the expenses. He never complained, the only time either commenting when, one day she looked soulfully at him apologising for being such a drain. At that time he took her hand, his smile gentle, his words ones she would never forget. Money I have more than enough of Luisa. But I only have one soul mate, and you believed in me, and you helped me win back Celeste when so many would not. For that I can never repay you, she seeing his sincerity as she smiled back.

Now her head shook. Honestly, I can pay.

Celeste’s hand however, covered hers. I think you have a choice sweetie. Either let us pay, or move in with us. Make up your mind, and the clock is ticking. That nurse is wanting us out, her lips quirking as she looked up, seeing that there really was a nurse hovering around the door.

Shrugging her shoulders in defeat, her mouth curved into a smile, she sighing in defeat. If there was one thing she knew without a shadow of a doubt, it was not to try and take on the tag team Celeste and Anton had become. They were invincible.

That night, or rather morning, it having become so late that already the first fingers of sunlight were starting to creep through the window banishing the darkness, she furrowed her brows. Why did it seem that she needed badly to remember something, this her last thought before she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

As she was brought in so late, the hospital insisted on keeping her for 24 hours, so it was not till the following day that she was able to leave, the doctor giving her a clean bill of health. The next week she spent at Anton and Celeste’s, he grinning at her, declaring her to be an angel, her timing perfect as he had to go out of town for the week. He also teased the two as he declared himself to be fleeing to somewhere which would be a wedding-free zone.

When they produced the tickets for a week-long cruise, she found it hard to hold in her excitement, especially on discovering that she had been booked into one of the deluxe suites on the spectacular ship, the cruise leaving from New York and exploring the Caribbean. She was stunned to discover her room even included a large balcony, her eyes sparkling with pleasure as she hugged her sister and the man who already felt like a brother.

She and Celeste had fun choosing the right clothes for her to wear, the two spending days shopping, she laughing as her sister insisted on her having a different dress for each night. With the flurry of activity, Luisa soon forgot about the ordeal of the fire.

After a week, she found herself at the harbour, her eyes twinkling with fun as she looked at the amount of luggage she had. Anton had insisted on taking her to the airport himself, ensuring that she was on the flight which would take her to New York, she excited to discover that she had been booked into first class, not a luxury she was used to. When she landed, she had been met by a limousine which had whisked her to the pier, she never having a moment alone or having the chance to get lost. She smiled, the memory of her brother-in-law as he waved her farewell once more coming to her. Anton had winked as he ordered her to have a good time, a mock serious look on his features as he waggled his finger. But no fraternising with the staff missy.

She pouted back, her look as full of fun as his, But… But… What about Gopher and Doc?

Chuckling, he cocked his head to the side getting into the spirit. Doctors I admire, but gophers live underground. Those I do not approve of, before giving her an amused shake of his handsome head. "How do you even know about The Love Boat? I have t-shirts older than you!"

Grinning back, she hugged him, I watch the golden oldie channel, giving him a sympathetic grin as he grimaced, a sigh leaving him as he lamented the fact that he remembered them first coming out, she chuckling as she finally threw up her hands. OK, no fraternising with the staff, telling him that she planned on a leisurely break with no romantic entanglements, unless her e-reader loaded with many good books counted.

As the ship left the harbour, she stayed on the upper deck watching, enjoying seeing as the dock disappeared from sight until the only sound was the slight hum of the engines and the seagulls overhead. During the mandatory safety drill where every passenger had to congregate at their lifeboat in case of an emergency prior to departure, she was already talking to some people, many inviting her to join them at their table if she felt lonely. It was shaping up to be a great vacation.

She was not aware that she had stood so long until her leg started to cramp. Since the accident, her leg, which had been badly broken, was always the first to complain. Pushing away from the railing she started to walk, she finding that exercise always helped to work out the stiffness. For an hour she ambled happily around the decks, taking her time to explore the different areas of the amazing ship. She could only wonder at the ability to fit a climbing wall along with so many pools and even a water park onto a ship. Her sister had described the cruise liner as a floating city, and she could certainly see why. The staff were attentive and friendly, she soon finding herself with a drink in her hand and a large smile on her lovely face.

Looking at her watch, she chuckled – time to get ready for the first night’s dinner. She had a new cocktail dress for each night, and was determined to enjoy the experience to the full.

After an hour, she settled on a floaty blue off-the-shoulder long dress, pulling her hair into what she hoped was a chic knot. Looking at herself, she smiled, taking a deep breath. She was ready, she hoping her dinner guests were as friendly as those people she met at the drill.

The table she found herself seated at was only half-full, she quickly moving up to chat with the three others. The older couple, Bob and Adele Graham and their son were very friendly, they hailing from Iowa as Bob declared, all fascinated when discovering that she herself was from Spain. Luisa could not help but notice that the son, Daniel, spent most of the meal staring at her, his interest obvious even to Luisa who was usually oblivious to such things.

As they ate, she smiled warmly at him, discovering that he had paid for his parents to have the trip for their thirtieth wedding anniversary, Luisa ‘awing’ at his generosity and the length of time the couple had been married. She could see that they were devoted to each other, a stab of envy spearing into her. It must be wonderful to have such parents. Her own had been so different. While her mother had loved both her daughters, her father – not her father, she once more reminded herself – had been devoid of any affection. When their mother died while she was still very young, it had been Celeste who cared for her, loved her, and she loved her back.

As the meal ended, Luisa enjoying every moment, the food divine, the couple innocently asked what she planned to do for the rest of the evening. Grinning, she let them