A Moment in the Sun

By Bre Meli

Olivia Starr, abandoned at birth, grew up in an orphanage in London. No one wanted her. No one loved her. At sixteen she was kicked from the orphanage onto the streets of London. At the age of twenty, she became a prostitute. Needing to keep food in her stomach and a roof over her head, selling her body was the only option.

Almost meeting her demise one night, she is saved by the one man that would use her services often.

Demetiri.

Not wanting to see the woman he loves die, he changes her. Olivia is now a demon of the night, Vampire. Demetiri teachers her how to live, feed and love.

And then he abandons her.

Olivia searches for him to no avail. Giving up after years of looking she decides to live her life. Making a home in Moscow. She befriends a street beggar.

Svettelana

She falls in love with her humanity, her innocence, and her friendship. Making the difficult choice of letting Svetttelana, her new love die or change her into the monster she has learned to live with when Svettelana becomes deathly ill.

Changing her, they live decades, traveling Europe, enjoying each others company and playing with their prey.

Then the invitation comes.

The two are expected to join the coven of Enrico Vitali. Olivia will not give their independence to no man. They run. Jumping a ship to the Americas and settling in Venice, California. Being able to live happily there for many years, living the California life.

Once again, the invitation comes.

This man will not give up on the mission to take away their independence. Once again they run, this time to New York City. This is where they meet Patrick. The love of Svettelana's life. Happily, they make a comfortable life there.

Another invitation arrives.

Olivia is fed up with this man's desire to control her life. Planning on leaving Patrick behind, the two pack to run once again. Patrick will not let them go that easily. If only Demetiri had fought for Olivia's heart, everything would have been different.

The trio travel from place to place for years together. The trio follows a pull in Olivia. No idea where she is meant to be or where she belongs. All she knows is the pull is strong within her.

Finally finding their home. They create a beautiful family. Then he arrives.

Evan Williams.

He glows like the sun and makes Olivia feel things she has buried deep inside. She feels herself falling for him. Fighting this is impossible. It is meant to be.

Then the invitation comes.

Olivia has had enough. This will be the last. The life she has built, the family she finally has will not be torn from her by a sadistic power hungry Vampire. To make sure Olivia does not run this time. Enrico takes Evan, beats and tortures him.

Can Olivia keep her independence? Will she give in to the feelings she has for the man that glows like the sun? Alternatively, will Enrico finally get his way and have Olivia as his own?

Will she finally get her Moment in the Sun?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bre Meli
• Release date: May 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370015313

Bre Meli

I am a mother, grandmother, music lover and word wrangler. Writing has been a dream and passion of mine since I was a young girl. Now that I have grown children, I am finally able to follow that dream. My stories are toned to me. The way I talk, think, love and dream. It is important to me that people understand that the way my books are written is not for perfection but to be real, get you in touch with the characters and how they really are in my head. I want you to read their words as they speak to me. Over editing and making the book with perfect grammar and no human error is boring. We all err and so should our characters. No one is perfect, I want everyone to feel the difference in each character on the pages.

Book preview

A

Moment

In the

Sun

Bre Meli

About the author

I am the Mother of two amazing boys and grandmother to one amazing little girl.

Writing has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. Sharing stories of a young lady trying to make it through high school. She will one day be brought back to life for everyone to read.

Choosing to raise my family before attending college or following my own dreams. Now that my children have grown it is my time to shine. I am hoping to bring many stories to the lovers of books that you will enjoy and want to see more of. Many characters are swimming around in my head that I cannot wait to bring to life on the pages of books.

Thank you so much for reading. Don’t forget to review! Always! Authors love to hear your thoughts on their works.

I would like to give special thanks to the many indie authors that have supported me and given me the advice I needed to make this all happen. You have been there for me many times when I felt like everything was wrong to calm me and lead me in the right direction. Thank you so much for all your kind words and insights.

Wanda Slack, you have been my personal cheering section. I couldn’t have gotten this done without you in my ear, helping me see what I’ve missed and telling everyone about my books. You have been a true friend, and I am so proud to call you that.

Phil and Kala for letting me dress you up, lead you around and put you in compromising positions to take photos for the books. You are the best models anyone could ask for.

Taylor, you cheer me on in your own way. Making your mom feel proud of what she is doing and supporting me in every way.

Mom and Dad for encouraging me to write all those years ago. Keeping a journal and writing poetry kept me out of trouble. Thank you for always being on my side.

Love you all!

Prologue

September 15th, 1988

Cliff! CLIFF! Suzan yells bent over hand on her stomach.

What is it? What’s happening? Cliff’s shoulder slams into the wall turning into the kitchen too fast.

My water just broke. Suzan looks up at him with fear in her eyes.

It’s too early for your water to break! We are still two months away from our due date! Cliff exclaims grabbing Suzan helping her to the kitchen table chair.

Well, he doesn’t think it is too early! It hurts so much. She cries. He is coming whether we want him to or not! Suzan doubles over in pain as the contractions deepen.

Hold on babies. I’ll get the car. Just hold him in! Cliff runs back to the bedroom, throws on some pants and grabs the bag Suzan has had ready since they found out they successfully made a baby.

In the car, Cliff watches Suzan carefully. This has been a tough road for them both, more for her, though. After losing the first two babies, they believed that having a child of their own was not possible. When they found out she was pregnant a third time the fear and excitement were so mixed they were scared to even to hope. Much talking and crying later they decided that this one will be their miracle. This baby will make it. Suzan was put on bed rest and has a doctor’s appointment each week.

At her four month visit, they prepared to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Nothing. There was nothing. Suzan cried as Cliff cradled her knowing they cannot go through this again. As they worked with the doctor to schedule another early birth and find a place for this beautiful one to rest, Suzan felt something. They practically ran to the physician’s office for another check-up.

The doctor decided to do an ultrasound to see what may be going on. He was there! He was moving! His heartbeat thrumming out of the speakers of the ultrasound machine. He is a miracle. How? Cliff wondered. How can he not be there and then just be fine?

Suzan sat in the passenger seat cooing to her stomach. She is not ready to, even though she is more than ready. Suzan laughs to herself. She cannot wait to meet her son. The only reason he is here is that of a strange young man. She sat at the park one afternoon crying. She did not want to go through this again. She did not want to lose another baby. The doctor could not find his heartbeat. He is gone. She held her stomach and sobbed harder.

A strange young man approached her asking if there is anything he could do. Seeing a woman cry is just not right. She blubbered out everything that was happening and what had in the past. She explained how much she loved this little one and cannot let him go so soon. The young man reached out and wiped her tears.

He then told her a very odd story about himself. He went on and explained to her how he can make the baby live again if she could just place a small amount of trust into his secret. Suzan would do anything to make this baby healthy. She agreed to whatever the young man asked.

The strange young man stood up and walked away. Suzan sat there wondering if this just happened. Was there someone just there talking to her or was she delirious from her sadness? The young man came back from wherever it was he disappeared to. Suzan sighed with relief that she hadn’t imagined him. He handed her a cup of something. She took it with wonder, looking from the cup to the young man. He instructed her to drink every drop. Do not miss any bit. Every drop must be consumed by her and only her.

Suzan nodded and began drinking. She looked up at the young man and swore his face changed as she drank. She shook off the thought and guzzled the contents of the cup, licking the rim making sure she ingests every drop. She handed the cup back to the man. He told her that it will not happen right away but, her son will be okay. He also instructed her to never speak of this. No one must ever know that they met.

The stabbing pain came to her in full force bringing her back to the car ride. He was aware that it is going to be a boy. How could that strange young man know before they did? She took deep breaths trying to get the pain to subside as she watched the hospital quickly come into view. Cliff pulled right up to the doors, running around the car to get Suzan out and inside. Once the nurse at the desk saw her, she called the orderlies to get Suzan into the examination room. Quickly they learn that she needs to push, his head is already crowning. Cliff never left her.

The car sat at the doors, motor running, both passenger and driver doors wide open. That is of no importance right now. A healthy baby boy is to be born on this day. Two months early but, in perfect health, weight and size. He is a complete miracle. Suzan holds him close to her heart crying as she speaks softly thanking the strange young man for his assistance.

Evan James Williams grew fast. He is the healthiest boy in the area. Never sick, never hurt. Strong as an ox. In High School, he became the most loved and feared player on the football team. He never actually dated. It seemed that the girls around did not entice him at all. Suzan knew why and never forced him to date, anyone, he didn’t feel that connection with.

The strange young man told her that a girl will come and she will be the love of his life. Do not let her get away. She is special, and she is his. Suzan kept to everything the young man told her to do throughout Evan’s life. There was no way in hell she would lose him now. Evan graduated with honors, and many wanted him at their university the next year. Evan wanted to stay near his parents so after much arguing between the three, Suzan and Cliff gave in and let him go to the Community College near their home.

Evan graduated from the Community College in three years instead of four. Suzan and Cliff could not be prouder of their little boy. They decided it is time to celebrate their lives. Suzan wore a stunning gown while Cliff put on his best Sunday suit. They went to the best restaurant in the city, ate a fabulous meal and drank champagne. It was all too perfect. How could these High School sweethearts still be so in love? It isn’t magic. It is true love.

Evan watched an old recorded football game as he waited for his parents to get back from the city. The day felt off to him, so he stayed home instead of hanging with his friends. The phone rang. Evan hopped up and went to the kitchen to answer. He fell to the floor when the voice on the other end told him of the accident. His parents were hit by a drunk driver on their way home.

They were both at the Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The other car hit them head on. His mother had to be cut from the car. The voice told him a police car would be there to get him within minutes, to be ready. Evan dropped the phone and ran outside to wait for the car. Tears rolled down his cheeks in streams. How could this happen? They are too young to leave him now.

Evan ran to his mother as soon as he left the police car. Both Suzan and Cliff were in the same room. Cliff had already passed, and Suzan was barely hanging on. Evan pulled his mother into a hug begging her not to let go.

Oh, my love, I have to go. It is my destiny. To keep you I had to give up part of myself. Suzan gasped for air as she whispered to Evan. The strange young man that saved you told me many things that I have not got to express to you. Listen to me, my sweet miracle. You are going to meet a girl. I don’t know when or where. She will glow. She will be so beautiful that when you see her, there will be a magnificent glow about her. She is yours. She is meant for you. Love her. Don’t let her get away. She will take all your pain away. She will make you happy, whole once again. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Show her that you belong together. Suzan kissed Evan softly on the cheek and went limp. The machines started going crazy. Buzzing and beeping.

Evan screamed for the nurse and cried out to the heavens. How can he live without them? They were the miracle, not him.

Chapter 1

The Beginning

London 1888

I walk the streets just like every night waiting for a man to show me some cash and let me give him the relief he wants. Usually so drunk they don’t know if they left gratified or not. Doesn’t bother me any. I will have dinner tonight and a place to sleep. Summer is passing and the nights are getting chilly. Covering up my goods stops my money making, and the streets are more desolate than usual. Winters are hard on us ‘Ladies of the night.'

Gagging at that thought. The last place I should be is trolling the streets looking for a man to do shameful things to my already tortured body. The drunker they are, the less they care about my well-being. There is no other choice. This is the only way to make sure there is a roof over my head even if it is only for one night.

I tried to stay away from prostitution. Being a thief at the age of twenty is not as easy as when I was sixteen. At twenty, I looked like a ratty beggar, and anyone I would get close to would pull away with a disgusted look on their face. I knew a few of the girls, and so making the change four years ago, to selling my body instead of stealing wallets out of oblivious men’s pockets was easy. Letting out a sigh as I look around the empty dirty streets of East London.

My mind wanders to Demetiri. Where has he been? It has been almost two weeks since he has been seen and I am starving, possibly sleeping in an alley tonight. Lately, this is the scariest damn thing a hooker can do. Some wanker is taking out the girls. In the last two months, three girls have been found dead. I do not know all the details and probably would not understand any of it anyway.

The Nuns kicked me out of the orphanage when I turned sixteen. What use was I anymore? No one wanted a teenager. Not even the Nuns that raised me since a wee lass. You would think they would have some love for me. They kept me alive. They gave me a name, Olivia Rose Starr. They said my eyes twinkled like the brightest star. I do not have any proof of birth. No evidence of my existence except for the heart that beats in my chest and the breath that leaves my lungs.

They taught me how to read and write. The Nuns tried to teach me how to be a housewife to someone, anyone I suppose. Only proper English was spoken in their presence. No conjunctions, swearing or the use of any slang. A slap on the hands with a ruler was punishment for not obeying the rules. The scars on my knuckles are permanent evidence of the many slips I had made over the years.

They told me that their love for me is why I could stay until I was sixteen. Glaring at them as I walked out of the only place I had ever known as a home with nothing but the clothes on my back. One of the nuns, Sister Anne, slipped me a few coins and told me to spend it wisely. It wasn’t even enough to get a meal and room for the night. Alone and scared. Finding a way to survive. Still trying to find a way. Demetiri has always been my savior, and I don’t even know if I am ever going to see him again.

Coming across a dimly lit alley and going as far down as I can. Thankful for the wrap that Demetiri had brought me the last time he was around. Wrapping it around my shoulders and slinking into a dark corner where the hope is I cannot be seen. I knew both Mary Anne and Martha. They were good to me. If I could not afford a room, they would share their loaf of bread and let me sleep on the dirty floor of the small dilapidated shack they inhabited.

This man everyone referred to as Jack the Ripper had taken them from me and who knows which of us will be next. He has not been caught; hell, they don’t even have a description of him. They just know the awful things he has done to those poor women. I’m alone and scared. Trying to hide from the world right now.

Demetiri makes me feel safe. Knowing I am the only girl, he will take as his own when he is around. He is a little rough, and I always feel strange the next day. Like I have been drained of life. It is never a quick shag in the darkness with him. He always takes me to one of the lush hotels far from this dirty, smelly part of town and treats me like a queen for a night.

Demetiri, oh I could have fallen in love and given him many beautiful children. Been his everything. In another life. Another world where I wasn’t the whore that he just chooses to please his every whim. He is so handsome. So, refined. The way he speaks is so worldly. His long dark hair is neatly clasped at the base of his neck, his beautifully pressed clothing that look as if they cost more than my nightly giving’s would ever make.

His blue eyes are so light they seem to pierce me to my soul like he is looking for something inside me that would get him to want to take me away from this life of destitution. His body is trim and muscular. His stature is tall. I am always looking up at him. Standing only five foot two, he hovers over me. Love rubbing my hands along his rippled stomach down to another place I love He is very well endowed. He would cause damage to an ordinary woman. Even for a girl that has been a whore for four years, he still stretches my lady bits to their limit.

Where has he been?

Footsteps echo through the alley. Sitting completely still hoping the shadows hide me well enough that whoever it is will walk on by. Even though a night in the slammer would not be such a bad thing. It is warmer, and the men feed me. I have spent enough time there that they all know me by name. None have ever abused the fact that I am a whore despite some of the stories I have heard from the other girls.

The footsteps stop in front of me, and I look up. The dim lights only show the outline of a tall man in a black hat and a long black trench coat. He puts a hand out to me. I hesitate but then think, Why not?. My growling stomach urges me on. I need to eat. Maybe he would give me enough to get a loaf of bread. Taking his hand, and he pulls me up to him. Without a word, he just leads me out of the alley and down the street to an unknown destination.

We go further toward the outskirts of town. This John then heads to another alley, away from the bustling part of East London. I am starting to get nervous, and my stomach starts knotting. There is a strong need to pull from his grip and run, but he holds my hand tightly as I jog behind him. Asking nicely for him to slow his pace so I can keep up. Not a word. He does not speak or look at me. My brain is rapidly warning me to get the hell away from this man as fast as I can.

As he turns down the alley, my hand slips from his grip and I setting to run. All of the air leaves my body as he grabs me hard around the waist and slams me against his side. My legs flail as I try to get away from him. A fist slams into my face and everything turns black for a few moments. I can feel the blood trickling down from my nose. I am in the arms of the one they call Jack the Ripper, and now I know this is the end for me.

He throws me against the wall and starts ripping at my clothes. Biting, scratching, and kicking, whatever will help to save my life. It isn’t a life of extravagance, but it is mine. Being only twenty-four, I am not ready for it to end. Another punch comes to my face throwing my head back into the bricks of the building. Now there is blood coming from the back of my head, feeling it matting up chunks of my hair. Things are fading to black, and all I can see are the nasty rotting teeth from the smile on his face. He is enjoying this.

It takes everything I have in me to keep myself conscious to fight. I’m not ready to die! A blow to my stomach makes me throw up in my mouth, feeling that something has broken inside of me. My small frame cannot take this kind of punishment. Years of being starved do not make for any extra padding. As he rips my dress the rest of the way, he removes a serrated knife from his jacket pocket. One more hard right to my face and everything starts fading away. This is my end. I cannot fight anymore.

As the darkness surrounds me, I suddenly feel the weight of the man ease off my body and a bloody scream come from somewhere. It could have been from me, but I have no way of knowing. Everything seems so far away. Finally fading into the abyss, I could swear I am floating. Have the angels come to carry me away from the pain and take me to the other side? My subconscious is still here, but my body is already on its way. It has given up. There is no way it is going to win. For some reason, my subconscious would not do so as easily.

Laying in the darkness of my mind for who knows how long, the pain is unyielding. Wanting to scream out, but my body will not move, my voice will not be heard. I am stuck in my head, not knowing if I am alive or dead. Am I in-between? Am I awaiting my judgment? The Nuns had taught me that when my time comes, I will wait in the in-between for judgment. It is a time to reflect on my life and absolve my sins. I will be here forever waiting. My sins are far and too many for this to be quick. The strange thing is I can still feel.

There is a feeling hands upon my skin. Water pouring over my beaten body. Someone is taking care of me. I cannot be dead. So, what am I? My mind is reeling. This pain is beyond anything I have ever felt. Wanting desperately for the hands to stop touching me. They make the pain worse. Feeling air near my ear like someone is talking to me. Telling me, everything is going to be alright. There is a feeling of peace in the air that wisps over me.

My eyes, still feeling heavy, slowly open. I am in a plush bed in a darkened room. It is the day. Mid-afternoon by the way the sun shines through the cracks of the heavy dark curtains. It burns my eyes like I am looking directly into the sun. Shielding them from the rather ordinary rays of light to look around the room. The silhouette of a man sitting in a chair in the corner of the chamber. After trying many times, I finally can speak.

Where am I? What’s happening? My voice scratchy and hardly audible, but it comes out the best I can do.

You are safe with me now. The male voice is quiet and soothing. How he even hears me is a wonder of its own.

Demetiri? Squinting to try to see him better.

Yes, my beautiful Olivia. He stands and comes to the bed, sits on the edge, smoothing his fingers down my cheek. It feels more intense than anything I have ever felt in my life.

I shiver, How? What? I don’t understand. Looking up at those blue eyes which seemed to be glowing.

"Hush now. How are you feeling? Are you hungry? You should be famished. One does not awake