Tormented: CCS Investigations, #6

By Susan Elle

Her brother-in-law is missing, and so is a seemingly innocent teenaged school girl named Helen Goodyear.

Catherine has to find them both, but her priorities change when an unrelated teenaged girl is found dead. And then another, and then another. What the hell is going on in Sheriton and who is murdering all these girls?

An AWOL husband, or innocent girls being snatched and murdered, Catherine has to prioritise her work to solve both of these mysterious cases. What she finds both shocks and amazes everyone on the team she assembles to investigate. A team which includes Ben Sharman, Catherine’s former business partner and a man who has openly professed his deep and abiding love for her. A man who her husband, Logan, hates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ursula Publishing UK
• Release date: Mar 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524256067

Susan Elle

Susan Elle is an author with a very large family and strong ties to Cornwall. Family is central to everything she does. Writing is a passion, but family is her life. For the first time ever, (2013) she travelled on an actual plane and flew to another country - when she got back she kissed the ground and promised never to leave it again.

Book preview

[

TORMENTED

CCS Investigations : Book 6

––––––––

By

––––––––

Susan Elle

For

Ursula Publishing UK

Tormented

CCS Investigations

Book 6

Text Copyright © 2016

By Susan Elle

Ursula Publishing UK

All Rights Reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names and Characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

Cover Photograph

© /Dreamstime.com

––––––––

Other Books by Susan Elle

The Sara Colson Trilogy

Sara’s Child

Sara’s Loss

Sara’s Shame

All the above also available as audio books.

Catherine Colson-Sayers Investigations

(CCS Investigations)

Book 1 : Missing

Book 2 : The Chosen

Book 3 : Travis

Book 4 : Deleted

Book 5 : Mind Games

Tempest

Broken

Love, Lies & Consequences Trilogy

Book One : Love

Book Two : Lies

Book Three : Consequences

Langdon Trilogy

Heart & Home

Heart of a Lion

Heart of Stone

http://www.susan-elle.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

CHAPTER ONE

He was tired, but in the best way possible. Travis had just finished putting his lovely baby girls to bed and was now sat with his feet up and a nice glass of his best red wine in hand.

Who’d have thought my life would ever be this good, not me, he chuckled to himself. My beautiful wife has given me more than I ever dared dream of. Just to wake up next to her each morning is a privilege I couldn’t have imagined, but to birth me the two little angels now dreaming dreams all their own, was a miracle more than I deserved.

Travis still had trouble believing his life was based on more than luck, that the dream wouldn’t soon come tumbling down around his ears.

Every time he looked in a mirror, Travis saw the evidence of what love could do. True, it had been a bitter and twisted love in the end, but it had been love none-the-less, hadn’t it?

Jenna never meant to harm me. Wouldn’t have if she’d been in her right mind. But now I have to live with the consequences of her actions, my little girls will grow up thinking they came from a monster.

I read them stories of princesses and handsome princes who save them from all kinds of evil monsters; what will my daughters think of me when they’re old enough to start realising that I don’t look like the princes in those stories?

It wasn’t the first time Travis had contemplated his scars and the way they might impact his future. Only now, he had daughters to think about and what was best for them. He’d do anything to make their little lives perfect, filled with laughter and joy. He didn’t want them to be ashamed to bring their friends home, or to wish that daddy wouldn’t attend school concerts because their friends would stare.

Putting a hand to his ravaged cheek, Travis sighed heavily. I should have done something about this a long time ago, but I was too busy hiding myself away. You’re a damn coward, Travis Lovett, but enough is very definitely enough!

Getting to his feet, Travis crossed to his office and opened his laptop. Now we’ll see what’s what. If there’s a technique that can reduce the scarring, that will be better than nothing!

When Caroline came up from practicing on the grand piano in the lounge, she found Travis still bent over his laptop and assumed he was deep into hotel business.

Deciding not to disturb him, she crossed to the girls’ bedroom and peeked in to check on them. Moving further into the room, Caroline sat in the rocking chair that Catherine had bought her and watched over her girls as they dreamed.

Leanne was still, lying on her side one arm flung over her eyes. Her sister, Sara, was tossing and turning while still asleep. Caroline wondered what she could be dreaming about to be so active.

Getting up from her chair, Caroline crossed to Sara’s cot and stroked the baby’s hair. It’s alright, Sara, mummy and daddy are right here, she crooned softly.

As if sensing her presence, Sara stilled, turning her cheek into Caroline’s palm.

I think she climbs trees and plays football in her sleep, Travis whispered as he came to Caroline’s side. She always so active, awake or not.

Caroline turned to smile at her husband and felt her heart jolt at the sadness she found there. What’s wrong, have you received some bad news? Is someone sick? she asked, quickly thinking through her family and friends for any hint that one of them was ailing.

Pulling her into his arms Travis held her to him, safe and warm, loving the very air that she breathed.

No one’s ill. Nothing is wrong, I’ve just missed you, he told her, bending his head to kiss the top of hers.

Looking up at him, Caroline could still detect the shadows of worry that Travis couldn’t quite hide, but decided to let the matter drop, for now.

I was only down stairs, she reminded him. Ellisa would have listened out for the girls if you’d wanted to join me.

I know, but I didn’t want to disturb her, Travis smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes Caroline noted. Ellisa already does enough, especially now that she works for both you and Adrianne – I never realised how much fan mail you both got. And the requests for bookings never seem to slow down, despite your announcements that you’re taking time off to be with your families.

Some people just don’t take no for an answer, Caroline confirmed. Though I know Adrianne is as gratified as I that people still seem to want us. I have to admit... Caroline chuckled nervously ...I did wonder if I’d just fade into obscurity. You know, out of sight out of mind.

Never, Travis exclaimed fervently. Talents like yours and Adrianne’s could never fade into obscurity. What an absurd thought, he dismissed, tightening his arms around Caroline.

You’re biased, my darling, Caroline beamed up at the man who had stolen her heart with just one look.

She often recalled that moment, the first time she had looked right into his beautiful sad eyes, and had seen the scars that marred his beauty.

They hadn’t shocked her, so much as clawed at her heart. And it wasn’t pity that she had felt for him; not then and not at any time since. It was love, deep and honest and true. Though she knew that Travis still had trouble believing it.

Is that what this sadness is? I shouldn’t have left you alone for so long, those old doubts always raise their head when you have time to wallow in them.

Your music was a balm to my troubled soul even before I met you, Travis whispered as he stroked her soft cheek with gentle fingers. Now that I have you for my very own, I have to wonder at the miracle of it all.

He bent his head then, his long chestnut hair falling forward like a veil to screen their kiss.

My woman. My heart. My soul would shrivel and die if you ever left me.

She deepened the kiss, tightening her arms about her husband, loving the feel of his muscles beneath her searching hands.

Mine. All mine. Such an old fashioned gentleman, but with passions I love to rouse.

And she did. Caroline stole a hand up to the back of his head to tangle her fingers in his silky hair. She scraped her nails over the nape of his neck and felt the shudder that went through him.

Take me to bed, Travis.

Her voice was thick with the wanting she felt for him, and that alone was enough to make his head spin.

Gladly.

Bending quickly, Travis scooped a hand behind her knees and swept Caroline up into his strong arms. It was as if she had no weight to her at all, such was the way he made her feel.

Placing a hand against his ravaged cheek, Caroline gazed up at him with so much love in her eyes it almost brought tears to his.

I love you, Caroline. With all my heart, I love you.

Very gently, he laid her down on their large bed and began to undress her. His lips followed where his fingers loosed her clothes, kissing her milky skin with nothing short of reverence.

Caroline... Travis whispered her name over and over, like a prayer to a goddess he worshipped and adored. His touch was gentle, yet the fever she ignited in his blood took everything he had to keep it under control.

Every touch was a delight; every moan he drew from her only serving to drive him on. Travis had never known this kind of wanting, this kind of need to possess and to be possessed.

She felt hot to his touch, now. Her body writhing beneath him as he kissed the core of her.

Oh god, Travis! Her words died in the throes of an orgasm that shuddered through her body and tore her heart in two. She knew what he was doing, knew that he was determined to please her in their marital bed no matter what it cost him. He always put her pleasure first, as though he didn’t deserve any more than that.

She had tried. Caroline had tried to take control, had even managed it a few times, but Travis usually took the lead and she would be lost in the pleasures he brought her before she could show him how much she wanted to please him, too.

Let me love you, Travis, she told him as he moved up her body. Let me show you how much you are loved.

His earlier doubts crept out of the shadows, his constant companions in life.

You show me every day, Travis told her, then silenced her protests with a kiss.

Her mind spun, all coherent thought shattered by the love he poured into that kiss. There was passion beneath the gentleness, demand underlying the pleasure he imparted, but he wouldn’t let go, would not take more than he believed he deserved.

She was gasping, desperate to be filled and to feel him move with her as one.

Now, Travis. Now.

He gave her all that he was and drove her wild. Only when Caroline fisted around him did Travis allow himself to let go. He held her tightly, felt himself drowning in her and could only hold on and hope he survived.

She stroked his hair back from his lovely face and tears rolled out of her beautiful blue eyes.

Shocked by the sight of them, Travis pulled himself up and asked, Did I hurt you? Christ, I’m sorry I-

No, Travis, you didn’t hurt me. At least, not the way you mean, Caroline said, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand.

Then...what...? Travis asked uncertainly, shaken by the sound of Caroline’s tremulous voice.

It hurts because I ache so much inside, she began, her hand moving to cup his damaged cheek. I love you so much and I want to give you all of that love, but you won’t allow me to. You won’t let me love you, Travis.

But that isn’t true, Travis denied reflexively. You show me how much you love me every day, just by being here with me.

Her heart clenched and she almost cried out but knew he wouldn’t understand. Is that all, Travis? Is that all you feel you deserve, to be honoured just by my presence?

Smiling down at her, Travis’ lovely blue eyes softened. And why shouldn’t I feel honoured? I have the most beautiful wife a man could wish for. You’re talented beyond the telling and you’ve given me two adorable little girls. How much more could I ask for?

He doesn’t see it. He really doesn’t understand. But surely he had more than that with Jenna Wade? She was a beautiful young woman and Travis would have been an extremely handsome young man, surely their love would have been of equal measure? Or has Travis always felt he didn’t deserve love, even before the wounds to his face tore apart his self-esteem?

She had managed to come to terms with Jenna’s death and the part she’d played in Travis’ past, but it was at times like this when Caroline could cheerfully strangle Jenna Wade!

Do you ever think that I might feel honoured to be allowed into your life, into your home? Does that thought ever cross your mind?

Caroline could see that it hadn’t, his expression was one of complete bafflement.

Caroline, you’re being ridiculous. Travis chuckled nervously, lay on his back and pulled her into his side. Why on earth would you feel honoured? I’m perfectly well aware that I was never a prime catch, but I can live with that...as long as I have you.

Snuggling tighter into him, Caroline fit herself to every muscle and curve of the man she loved. But there was no hope for it, if she continued to push the point they would only end up in an argument, and she knew how that would upset him. He hated to have cross words between them

Just remember, I love you with all my heart. That’s all I ask, she told him, and turned her head to kiss his chest.

Having dozed for a while, it was very nearly 8 o’clock by the time they sat down together for their evening meal.

Isn’t Ellisa joining us? Travis asked.

Caroline beamed a smile that lit up her eyes with something akin to mischief. She’s seeing Carl...he’s cooking for her tonight. How’s that for a hint that things are moving along nicely?!

Travis laughed, just threw back his head and laughed. You are such a romantic!

Have you seen the way he looks at her? Caroline asked, as if the signs were so clear they might as well be written in black and white across Carl’s handsome face. He’s completely gone over our Ellisa. Then she cupped a hand to her ear and said, What’s that I hear...ah...yes...it’s the peel of wedding bells.

He only smiled and shook his head. As I said, you are an incurable romantic.

Taking a forkful of her meal, Caroline’s eyes rolled in their sockets. This is wonderful, is it on the menu for tonight?

Travis often sampled the hotel’s menu for his own and Caroline’s meals, but this time he had requested something different.

No, though our new chef has excelled herself, Travis smiled, before popping another forkful of cranberry pork tenderloin in his mouth.

Mmm, I think you should definitely offer it in the restaurant, your patrons will go wild for this!

Pippa has said that she would like to review the menu, Travis frowned. Perhaps I should allow her to do so if this is the standard of meal she is planning to offer.

I think you’ll be raking in a whole new clientele, Caroline nodded. Maybe you should consider doing a relaunch of the restaurant to celebrate your new chef?

Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that, Travis said, pondering the idea. "We could