Street Surrender

By Robin Rance

Sheryl Williams is looking for acceptance and love

Sheryl is a beautiful woman who has been running from something that happened to shatter her in the past. Everything and everyone that she had believed in her entire life had been failed her after that one terrible night. Would she forever be damaged by what had happened to her?

Marcus had spent many days at the Williams family home. He had observed Sheryl right out of high school, she was always having fun and fooling around at the pool with her fiancé, Dalton Freeman. She was her parents’ darling little girl. Then suddenly she left for New York after a fight with her father.

Sheryl returns for a brief visit after her brother was found living under the streets of Seattle to welcome him home. After only a few days reprieve she vanishes once again...

“Things never change around here. You saw them all, not one of them seemed thrilled to see me except for the two little girls. At least their opinion of me hasn’t been poisoned, yet.” I brushed past him to straighten my hair and fix my makeup in the mirror.

I saw his reflection move closer to me as he seized onto both of my hips. Then he bent and rested his chin on my shoulder; staring at my eyes mirrored in the reflection above the vanity, he said. “Sheryl, come back to my place tonight. We can finish what we started here.” He ran his tongue below my ear, then quickly kissed my neck.

God help me, I could feel how much he wanted me. I was ready to capitulate when the bathroom door opened again.

Mark, Julie’s editor walked in. It was almost comical, he backed out and looked at the door as if looking for the sign that said men’s room. “I’m so sorry, is there another bathroom that I can use?”

I glanced at Marcus. His expression said that he was still waiting for an answer. “We’re finished here. Marcus was helping me with my neckless; the clasp had broken. It's good to see you again, Marcus.” I turned and walked past both men.

I hurried up the stairs to crash in the room that I used whenever I visited. It hadn’t been here as much as I should have been. I’d been afraid to come after my father’s accident. We’d said terrible things to each other just before I left for New York. That’s why I’d decided to stay there for good.

Opening the door to my on-suite, I rushed in and kicked my shoes off. I glanced around to see if anything had changed since the last time I had visited. My mother had decorated the entire house, and she had finished my room in a garden theme. Pale avocado walls, with a thin pinstripe in muted pink, carried over to the comforter on the queen bed. There were fresh pink roses, carnations, and Peruvian lilies. My favorite flower had always been lilies. I walked over to smell the bouquet.

I pulled off my dress as I hurried through the door to the bathroom; I was only thinking only of my need to feel the hot water. I climbed into the steaming shower, and let the water cascade over me. I wanted to feel clean and reached for the loofah brush and began scrubbing my skin. The spray of water was rushing around me, and I had no clue when the tears had started. I thought I heard knocking on the door of my bedroom. Whatever they wanted would wait until the morning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin Rance
• Release date: May 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370032938

Robin Rance

Robin Rance is married but spent twenty-two years as a single mother of five before she married her forever husband. She was a letter carrier for twenty-four years and is now retired from the postal service. Now she lives in Southern Utah, where she writes her books, cooks, and spends quality time with her family and grandkids.   Robin began writing after a reoccurring dream kept making an appearance. She wakes up regularly with other stories begging to be told. Robin generally writes contemporary romance and has written other genres, including inspirational romance and a fantasy historical book. She also has three children’s books, one a sweet young adult book.  Robin currently has over thirty books that are all self-published and is always working on writing more. If you enjoy what you’ve read, please remember to leave a review, and please recommend her to your friends and family members who read

Book preview

Street Surrender

Sheryl Williams is looking for acceptance and love

Sheryl is a beautiful woman who has been running from something that happened to shatter her in the past. Everything and everyone that she had believed in her entire life had been failed her after that one terrible night. Would she forever be damaged by what had happened to her?

Marcus had spent many days at the Williams family home. He had observed Sheryl right out of high school, she was always having fun and fooling around at the pool with her fiancé, Dalton Freeman. She was her parents’ darling little girl. Then suddenly she left for New York after a fight with her father.

Sheryl returns for a brief visit after her brother was found living under the streets of Seattle to welcome him home. After only a few days reprieve she vanishes once again…

I took a deep, shaky breath in, then let it out slowly. I wished that I could trust Marcus enough to tell him what was going on, but the only one that I trusted right now was Jonathon, and he was in the middle of his own crisis. Mine would have to wait. I hurried into the bathroom and ran a brush through my hair then twirled it up into a knot on the top of my head and secured that with a large clip.

I studied myself in the mirror before I went down the stairs to face my family. Marcus was right. I had lost a lot of weight. I knew the pills had been one of the reasons; it was the other things that were happening in my life that had caused most of the weight loss. Those were the things that I couldn’t share with anyone, not even Jonathon.

I checked my phone again. I hadn’t heard anything from Sammy which was either good news or could be terribly bad news. I hoped she had finally let me go, but I wouldn’t know for sure until I returned to New York.

Robin Rance retains 100% of the rights and copyright licenses to the manuscript and all other materials found in this book. Street Surrender is owned by the author.

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. 2017

Robin Rance Publisher

Other Books by this author

There’s More to the Story

Morgana’s Guardian Angel

Nana’s Cookbook; Family Favorites

Street Wise

Fireball Whiskey

Introducing John Smith

2016

Unforgettable Lexi Bella

More Heat

Street Surrender

2017

This book is dedicated to all of those who have been the victims of violent crimes. Rape is life changing, and if you have been a victim, get help. Do what you can and put the offenders in prison where they belong...

Here is the number to call if you know of someone who has been raped, abused or might have suffered from incest. Make the call…

1-800-656-HOPE www.rainn.org

Or call

1-800-799-SAFE www.thehotline.org

I would like to thank my wonderful friend, Lori Papke for the use of her poetry. The story is richer with her content. Thank you so much for trusting me with your work of art!!

Street Surrender

Chapter 1

Playlist: The Head and the Heart-All we ever knew

Michael, I want you to know that I love you, brother. I’m sorry that you got screwed by Tiffany Chen, and if it makes you feel any better, I got screwed by both her and her father. Can you forgive me so we can start fresh? If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from all this, is to love one another, forgive and forget. Life is too short to hold on to grudges. Okay, that’s more than one thing, but they are all true. I waited for Michael to stand up so I could hug him. He got up and came over to me. As I reached out my arms to pull him close, he punched me hard in the face.

Now I forgive you, John.

><><

We had an enjoyable dinner with the entire family, and every one of them was so sweet to me. The two little girls wanted desperately to climb up on my lap, but their mother wouldn’t let them. It’s okay, Evelyn. They’re adorable. John stepped in and handed them both a small present. He said it was from him and Aunt Angela. What? You can’t tell them that, John. You’ll confuse them.

Then I played dodge Sheryl for a little bit when John and Michael helped their father into his bedroom after he told everyone good night. His father, Johnny had made me feel so welcome in his magnificent home. Marcus saved me by distracting Sheryl with his charm. Interesting, she must go both ways. They were quite grabby after that when no one was looking. I would have to tell John about the two of them.

It’s finally time to take this girl home. Angela has had a very busy week. Mother, thanks again for having us over and being so gracious to Angela. Evelyn, you and Tony have done an excellent job raising those two girls. Thank you for coming. Where are Sheryl and Marcus? Someone needs to get a room ready for Mark. He’ll never make it home as tired as he is.

><><

I saw Michael waiting by the window. I think he wants to have you all to himself, John. I’ll go and freshen up so you two can talk. I waved at Michael, then went to find the bathroom. I opened the door and turned on the light. I almost screamed! There, pressed up against the wall was Sheryl with her dress pushed up high on her thigh and Marcus sucking on the side of her neck. Lock the door! There are kids outside!

I backed out of the room and saw John and Michael embracing. Then John let go and turned to find me. I didn’t want him to see what was going on in the bathroom; I would tell him later.

><><

For heaven sake, Marcus, talk about jumping from the hen to the cock. What are you trying to prove? Now John’s hot little piece will tell him where she found us, and I don’t want to explain anything to him. I pushed Marcus away, then attempted to pull my dress down.

That when given the right tools for the job, which I have, of course, you could join the real world again, Sheryl. You’ve grown up quite a bit from the last time I saw you. He turned and focused on the door to give me time to get my act together. You don’t have to worry about her. She’s only got eyes for John. I’m sure she’s forgotten about us already. You’re right; we should have locked the door. He turned back around.

I intended too until I turned around and there you were. Yes, I have grown up, and I should have known better. Why was I so …emotional?

He arched his brows at me. Known better about what?

Things never change around here. You saw them all, not one of them seemed thrilled to see me except for the two little girls. At least their opinion of me hasn’t been poisoned, yet. I brushed past him to straighten my hair and fix my makeup in the mirror.

I saw his reflection move closer to me as he seized onto both of my hips. Then he bent and rested his chin on my shoulder; staring at my eyes mirrored in the reflection above the vanity, he said. Sheryl, come back to my place tonight. We can finish what we started here. He ran his tongue below my ear, then quickly kissed my neck.

God help me, I could feel how much he wanted me. I was ready to capitulate when the bathroom door opened again.

Mark, Julie’s editor walked in. It was almost comical, he backed out and looked at the door as if looking for the sign that said men’s room. I’m so sorry, is there another bathroom that I can use?

I glanced at Marcus. His expression said that he was still waiting for an answer. We’re finished here. Marcus was helping me with my neckless; the clasp had broken. It's good to see you again, Marcus. I turned and walked past both men.

I hurried up the stairs to crash in the room that I used whenever I visited. I hadn’t been here as much as I should have been. I’d been afraid to come after my father’s accident. We’d said terrible things to each other just before I left for New York. That’s why I’d decided to stay there for good.

Opening the door to my on-suite, I rushed in and kicked my shoes off. I glanced around to see if anything had changed since the last time I had visited. My mother had decorated the entire house, and she had finished my room in a garden theme. Pale avocado walls, with a thin pinstripe in muted pink, carried over to the comforter on the queen bed. There were fresh pink roses, carnations, and Peruvian lilies. My favorite flower had always been lilies. I walked over to smell the bouquet.

I pulled off my dress as I hurried through the door to the bathroom; I was only thinking only of my need to feel the hot water. I climbed into the steaming shower, and let the water cascade over me. I wanted to feel clean and reached for the loofah brush and began scrubbing my skin. The spray of water was rushing around me, and I had no clue when the tears had started. I thought I heard knocking on the door of my bedroom. Whatever they wanted would wait until the morning.

><><

What did Johnathon say happened precisely? I felt the angst in the room. I’d seen John’s mother apologize to Angela earlier and was glad that had taken place when it did.

John called from Angela’s cell. He was on his way to the police station. John didn’t go into too many details; just said he’d explain later. He asked if we would make sure the gate stayed secure and requested that we all stay here to watch you and Johnny. All he told me was that he’d pulled off to the side of the road to talk to Angela. Someone must have been watching for him to leave. Christ, no one had said anything to Johnny yet.

He didn’t see anyone drive up, nor did he see who opened the car door. When he woke up, he had a knot on his head, and Angela was missing. Mark had been tired earlier in the evening. I’d even heard John ask for Henry to prepare him a room for the night. He sure looked fired up now and was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.

I’m sorry folks, but I’ve got to find John and get more details about Angela. What police station was he going to, Marcus?

Mark, I think he was going to the closest one in Bellevue. I’d offer to go with you, but I want to do as he asked and stay here with the others. I looked directly at Kat. I know how much having John bring Angela here tonight meant to Johnny. It’s up to all of you of course, but I think we should let him rest, and tell him what has happened in the morning.

John’s brother, Michael, snapped back at me. Why tell him at all? You can see how much having John back home has helped him, I don’t want to see him take a step backward. You know how determined John is. I think we should wait for a few days. Evelyn got up from the couch where she had been sitting with her two girls. They had both been cuddled together on her lap where they had been sleeping. I saw Tony hurry over and pulled them in close to him so that they could continue with their sleep.

Father is stronger than you think he is, Michael. She braced herself in front of her brother. It will be worse if we don’t say anything to him. You saw how fond he is of Angela. Heaven forbids that something was to happen to her, and he didn’t hear about it until afterward. You saw how well that went with Jonathon. They continued their heated discussion.

I slipped out of the room and went upstairs to find Sheryl. It would give me a good excuse to make sure she was alright, and to let her know about Angela missing. I knocked on the door and listened; nothing, no sounds at all.

><><

Mark, please call if you hear anything. Give Jonathon our love, and let him know we will all be here to keep mom and dad safe. Thank you so much for coming tonight. It was wonderful to meet the man that helped get Jonathon back on his feet. I leaned in to give him a hug. He seemed very anxious to leave, and I assumed it was because they’d gotten close after all that he’d done for Jonathon. Good night, and carefully watch as you leave to make sure that the gate closes tight behind you.

You bet, Evelyn. I will call if I hear anything, or I’ll make sure that John does. I waited for him to get in his car, then turned back around to see Marcus coming down the stairs.

Did you speak with Sherry? I haven’t had a chance to tell her welcome home. She looked drained earlier. My sister and I had never been very close. She was always in trouble growing up. Lucky for me I’d moved out with Tony before she’d put my parents through all that crap.

She must be sleeping; there was no answer when I knocked. He glanced over at the room where the others were sitting. Did Mark leave already? I wanted him to pass a message to John for me.

He could still be outside if you want to try and catch him. I did tell him to call as soon as he knew something. Thank goodness Marcus had been so loyal to Jonathon. He was a true friend. Who do you think did this, Marcus? I thought everyone who had been responsible for Johnathon’s mess was locked up. Jonathon seemed so sure of it.

I don’t know the details; I heard the same thing that you all did tonight. As far as I’m aware, everyone that was involved in the sham was captured. It makes me wonder…

><><

I’m sorry Mr. Williams, we have nothing to go on. You didn’t see them coming, and you saw nothing when Angela was abducted? All we can do is put out a report on the Television, and hope that someone in the area saw something. I was frantic, and at any moment expected to be thrown out of the station.

Could you call Detective Brown? He helped me just a few days ago, stop several ex-associates that should be on their way to prison. The thoughts of Valentine having Angela again was painful. I want to make sure that they aren’t the ones who have her… They were heavily involved in human trafficking and such.

We’ve already left a message for him, Mr. Williams. There isn’t much you can do here. I suggest you go home and we’ll call if we hear anything at all. The officer turned around and went back to his desk.

I wasn’t leaving without more assurances. Maybe someone had seen me at the news conference and had taken Angela to use in exchange for ransom. God, my mind was still going over the different scenarios. Can I leave this number with you in case you hear back from your sergeant I’d also like to give you a few more numbers to call just in case…

We already have the phone numbers to your parents’ home and your friend Mr. Townsend. We will call. He shook his head at me and sat back down.

The door behind