Deceived: The Fleischer Series, #4

By Wendi Starusnak

The torments of the Fleischer family are coming to a head in what may be the end of a legacy of torment and abuse.  Autumn’s son Sam, along with others whose lives have been affected by the family, begin to work together to uncover all the wretched secrets of the Fleischer family’s past.  As their curiosity grows, so does their horror.  With the atrocities that are being discovered, it leads Sam to wonder… Is this all just one big game of deceit, at the risk of each of their lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendi Starusnak
• Release date: Sep 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781500524920

Book preview

DISCLAIMER

Warning:  adult content, situations, and language.  This Book contains extremely graphic material of a very sensitive and mature nature and is not recommended for persons under the age of eighteen or those of a fragile emotional state.

This is a work of fiction.  Any similarities to actual persons, places, or events, alive or dead, past, present or future is purely coincidental.  While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or business establishments, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without permission from the Author. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. 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 and livelihood is appreciated.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate Deceived first and foremost to my grandmother, Beverly Irene (Gleason) Cron.  She told me more than once how much she loved my books and how she was so proud of me for chasing my dreams.  Yes, she grew up in a time where you were to sweep family secrets under the carpet and mind your own business.  But she told me privately how proud she was of me for speaking out, making myself heard, and most of all for making sure to keep things out in the open and because of that, being able to forgive, move on, and protect others at the same time.  She kept pushing me to finish this last book in the series.  Even after the first she worried that she wouldn’t live long enough to read the entire series.  I thought she had years left, she was pretty healthy with no reason to suspect her time left wouldn’t be long.  This book was supposed to be done at least half a year ago, and I let life get in the way.  I’m sure my grandma knows now how the series ends, but I feel terrible that I was never able to hand her copy to her when she was alive.  This one is especially for you, Grandma Cron.  I’m sorry it’s so late. 

You and my Grandma VanDusen were the two strongest women I have ever had the pleasure to have known and I feel blessed to have had grandmothers like the two of you.  You were both so completely different, and I feel like I got so much out of those differences.  If I can be half the woman that either one of you were, I will be proud (exhausted, but proud).  I could write numerous novels just based on what I know about each of your lives, your adventures, your heartaches, all of it.  I love you and miss you both!

I’d also like to dedicate Deceived, just like all of my previous books, to my loving husband Ron, all of our exceptional children (Ashley, Ronnie, David, Jade, Derrick, Jenna, Laurie, and Luke), and also to our amazing grandchildren (Mikey, Dakota, Landon, Ronnie, Noah, Jordin, and the one that’s on the way).  They have each taught me so much about life and love while continuing to help me remain grounded in reality, a place I probably would not choose to even visit if not for my family.  They make each day worth the effort and worth every struggle.  My husband and my children have always been the reason behind everything that I have ever done, even before I had officially met them.  Without God and my family, Deceived would probably never have been written.  Thank you and I love you all!

note from the author

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Deceived is a work of fiction.  It's not true.  There are truths woven throughout, some that are mine, some that belong to others I know, and some that are just plain made up.  Do things like what happened in Deceived really happen?  Yes, unfortunately they do.  The main message in Deceived is that abuse is a vicious cycle that will not stop until we speak out and do something about it.  This was the main message in Books 1, 2, and 3 of the Fleischer Series as well.  You see, abuse feeds on silence and ignorance.  Sweep it under the carpet, pretend it doesn't happen, that it's not as bad as it seems or that it could be worse.  Pretend that it's not your problem.  This is what abuse hungers for, what it needs to continue to haunt little children and grown adults alike.  This is how abuse recruits its followers, it creates monsters out of once-beautiful people by putting them through unspeakable torments.

I urge every single one of you to find your voice, to speak out against abuse when you see it or suspect it, or when it happens to you.  Do what that little voice in your heart is begging you to do.  It may not be the easy thing to do, anything worth doing rarely is, but it's the right thing to do.  And remember:  Abuse feeds on silence and ignorance.

Additionally:  So many things went wrong while writing this last book and there were way too many things that kept me from writing.  The latest thing, hopefully the very last problem that I have with Deceived, is starting to make me wonder whether there is some sort of force trying to keep me from getting this book out in the world.  However, the story is down on paper and has been in my head and heart, as I hope it makes it to yours as well.  I know the wait was much longer than I originally had planned and then much longer than I had hoped for even after that.  I hope you find Deceived was worth the wait and consider leaving a review where others can see it after you have finished.  Thank you for sticking this journey out with me! - Wendi

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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Ron Starusnak Jr. - for being my faithful & loving partner through this crazy journey that we call life, for always being my biggest fan, & also for trying so hard to help me come up with a winning idea for this last book in the series and for suggesting possibly the best proofreader around,

Bryan Airel – for the best proofreading around, invaluable advice with each of my books so far, & the nudging to not only get it done, but to get it done right,

Tasha Gwartney - for what I think is my most amazing cover yet, my incredible teasers, and the awesome trailer,

Doris StClair – for agreeing to proofread & getting back to me so quick with another glowing review,

Dad - for help with all of the technical stuff, including the back cover & for reading each of my manuscripts & giving me honest feedback & advice,

Mom - for reading each of my manuscripts & giving me honest feedback & advice,

Chris Howell – for letting me use him and his real name for one of the character’s in this book,

Grandma Cron - for living a life worthy of a hundred best-selling novels & sharing many of her crazy experiences with me (RIP, I miss you), &

Christine Vorndran - for helping me with so many things, including some formatting issues I ran into.  Most of all for being such a great friend & part of my family since tenth grade, sticking by my side through all of life’s ups & downs (& there have been a lot for me during and since high school!).

There are so many people that have given me advice, encouragement, & believed in me throughout my life that I couldn’t possibly mention all of them here.

Last chapter from Demented- Book 3 of the fleischer series

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~Emily~

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Julie had been keeping a close eye on Rufus and I had been waiting patiently for my opportunity to finally take my body and mind back from Julie.  The chance came when Julie found Rufus delivering Autumn’s baby.  Julie was in so much shock at what she felt was Rufus betraying her that I stepped right in and was able to take full control.

After Julie accuses Rufus of purposely not letting her help deliver the baby, I act quickly.  I am back and it feels pretty good.  Julie had thought that something like this might be happening and she had brought Rufus’ gun with her.

Having slipped him the LSD when Julie was sleeping, I can tell that it is just starting to kick in as he raises the knife.  His jaw slackens, but his eyes light up...  He notices me standing behind him with his gun.

Baby, what’s going on?  We finally have the baby that we’ve been wanting for so long.

I smile and say, I’m not your baby.  I’m Emily.

All the color drains from his face as it is quickly replaced with a look of pure fear.

Julie baby, it’s me, Rufus.  Come on, we’re soulmates, remember?  He begins to inch towards me and the gun that I have pointed at him.

Don’t move another step or I’ll shoot you where you stand.  I’m going to tie you up and you’re going to be a good boy and not try to fight me. 

Still keeping the gun pointed at him and my eyes on him at all times, I feel for the rope that I left on the shelf just outside the door to this little room.  As he disappears somewhere off in La-La Land, I tie him up.  What Julie ever saw in him, I have no clue whatsoever.

I never did figure out what my plan for Rufus would be after I got rid of Julie.  Things happened a little more quickly than I thought that they